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← Free@last

2024-12-31-accounts

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 04723576 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1101078

Report of the Trustees and

Unaudited Financial Statements

for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

for free@last

Locke Williams Associates LLP Chartered Accountants Studio 2 50-54 St Pauls Square Birmingham West Midlands B3 1QS

free@last

Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Page
Reference and Administrative Details 1
Chair's Report 2
Director’s report 3
Report of the Trustees 4 to 8
Independent Examiner's Report 9
Statement of Financial Activities 10
Balance Sheet 11 to 12
Cash Flow Statement 13
Notes to the Cash Flow Statement 14
Notes to the Financial Statements 15 to 26

free@last

Reference and Administrative Details for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

TRUSTEES

Rubina Darr Melissa Shervington (resigned 22.5.24) John Richard Moore Naomi Spencer Peter Mark Adkins (resigned 17.10.24) Thomas Owen O'Brien (resigned 1.11.24) Rashida Sharif Mitesh Bharatkumar Parmar (resigned 21.10.24) Matthew John Chapman (resigned 1.5.24) Arthur Tsang (appointed 11.2.25) Ayyab Cockburn (appointed 11.2.25) Elaine Limond (appointed 11.2.25)

COMPANY SECRETARY John Street

REGISTERED OFFICE 49 Nechells Park Road Birmingham B7 5PR

REGISTERED COMPANY 04723576 (England and Wales) NUMBER

REGISTERED CHARITY 1101078 NUMBER

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Locke Williams Associates LLP Chartered Accountants Studio 2 50-54 St Pauls Square Birmingham West Midlands B3 1QS

BANKERS HSBC 9 Queens Square Wolverhampton West Midlands WV1 1TE

Page 1

free@last

Chair's Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Nechells is where I was born and raised-it's my home. Leading an organisation that played such an important role in my upbringing feels completely natural. It's a real honour to be at the helm of free@last, especially as we celebrate 25 years of service. I've seen firsthand the incredible difference this charity has made to thousands of children, young people, and adults in our community.

free@last is a dynamic organisation, constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of the people we serve and tackling the challenges they face head-on. Living in poverty is hard enough, without the added pressures that can limit people's choices just to get by. That's why we've continued to build a strong, capable team and solid organisational foundations-so we can offer effective, meaningful support.

Thanks to the dedication of so many, we're able to keep doing what we do best: improving the lives of children and young people in Nechells. Thank you.

Naomi Spencer Chair of Trustees

Page 2

free@last

Director’s report for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

For all the talk about from Government and Council's and many others about the need to stop child poverty, our percentage rate of children living in poverty has increased from 53% to 55%.The Birmingham Youth Service has practically been stopped, with many more of the remaining few youth centres closed, and a continued lack of hope and increased despair hangs over our children and young people. Thank fully, even though it has been, and continues to be challenging to meet local needs, we at free@last journey on and providing a lifeline to many, challenge and support to others and hope for the future. free@last is still improving the lives of the children and young people of Nechells.

This year we celebrate 25 years of free@last supporting the people of Nechells and we have been blessed with hundreds of individuals, businesses, trusts and organisations who have believed in our work and enabled us to make a difference in Nechells. We are forever thankful to all of those who share our struggles and make life a little easier to manage, your continued support and generosity is amazing, thank you.

John Street Director

Page 3

free@last (Registered number: 04723576)

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Vision

To improve the lives of the children and young people of Nechells.

Mission

free@last is committed to providing opportunities, activities, and support for children and young people in Nechells, and to further their interests by working with their families, other agencies and relevant professionals.

Values

Giving opportunities to all young people in Nechells without distinction.

Aims and objectives

To engage children and young people in a range of developmental and progressive activities which provide opportunities for success and to broaden their horizons.

To support children and young people through life's challenges and difficulties.

To support their families to provide the best possible environment for their children to grow, develop and flourish.

To take a multi-agency approach to improving the lives of children and young people.

Public benefit

The trustees confirm that: in the exercise of their powers as charity trustees, they have due regard to the published guidance from the charity commission on the operation of the public benefit requirement; and the aims of the charity are carried out for the public benefit. The trustees consider the support to disadvantaged and poorer members of the community in Birmingham, and dissemination of lessons learned to the rest of the country, to be of public benefit, having had regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit.

Page 4

free@last (Registered number: 04723576)

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Charitable activities CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE

Introduction

The heart and soul of free@last is focused on the children and young people of Nechells, with the aim of broadening their horizons through a wide variety of opportunities and unconditional support to help them through the difficulties and challenges they face. We are a needs-led organisation that builds positive and meaningful relationships with young people and through these relationships we are able to constantly adapt and develop our work to reflect the desires and dreams of those we are here to serve.

Youth Activities

Usually, at free@last we run several youth clubs to help give children aged between five and twenty-five a safe environment to relax and have fun together whilst at the same time build confidence, new friendships and positive relationships. These clubs offer participants access to our other services as well as off-site trips and activities. Alongside the youth clubs we run other clubs and activities including a young peoples' Rotary group, business skills, and life skills for young people.

We have two youth led businesses, Brum Ting Ltd, and Faff Free. Both should be run by teenagers, with the aim of generating income for themselves, whilst also giving opportunities to other young people to work and earn legitimate money. It is not always easy enabling and equipping young people to be persistent and committed!

FAMILIES

We have formed a group of volunteers who have been trained to support parents and families with challenging and conflicting circumstances, which is very exciting for us.

We continue to support many whole families, providing support for children and parents, whole family activities, day trips and families residentials. During Christmas, we run several family orientated events, including our sit-down meal on Christmas Day, attended by 77 people. This is a wonderful way for them all to enjoy Christmas together.

Advice & Guidance

We continued to provide a specialist service helping local people with their personal debt and benefit problems. Our experience has shown that a supportive, understanding and approachable service is essential for those with financial difficulties to feel relaxed and comfortable discussing their personal circumstances with someone not known to them personally. With our advocacy service available for local people our aim is to have a positive influence on our clients' ability to be responsible for their own money management and benefits entitlement awareness. However, our longing standing Debt & Benefit Advisory, Yousef, has decided to retire after being with us for 14 years, he is a great loss to our work.

We continue to support people with many issues, including financial support, housing issues, addiction, the criminal justice system, parenting, food poverty, digital poverty, grief, and employability to name just a few of the many issues we have supported people through over this past year.

Page 5

free@last (Registered number: 04723576)

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

What practical difference do we make?

With the effects of Covid, Brexit, energy and cost of living crisis still very much affecting our society, we too have had to battle through our own challenges and still continue to do so. These challenges have included team members moving on, much lower income from our business trading and reduced financial support from our regular supporters, however, we have still provided a great deal of support and opportunities for the children and young people in our community, and many adults too.

Regardless of the challenges we have faced as an organisation, we have still provided an excellent array of opportunities for our children and families, from sporting activities, nature exploration, ESOL lessons, advice & guidance in all aspects of life, craft creation and entrepreneurial development, day trips and holidays and weekly opportunities to play, learn and socialise.

Our innovative and passionate team of supporters have continued to provide the support and the finances to help us continue serving our local community and improving the lives of our children and young people.

Businesses

It is the intention of free@last to become as self-sustaining as possible through running our own businesses and generating our own income from a wide variety of sources. This accounting year has seen another decline in our business income, but we continue to work hard to create profitable opportunities to earn our own money and enable self-sustainability. We have opened a new Family Fun Zone in Surrey, but closed the one in Nechells, due to financial challenges. We are still aiming at increasing our business profit for free@last so that we can recruit staff members for at least 10 years, rather than losing key employees due to funding restrictions.

Family Fun Zone

We operated our activity-based unit situated at Star City - a local leisure and entertainment complex in Birmingham - until September. During the 14 years of operation, this business put £250,000 into the charity and employed 39 teenagers, many of whom were from Nechells. We are proud of our success of this business, even though it was time to close this year.

The new Family Fun Zone is located in a shopping centre on the high street of Sutton, Surrey. It is 12 times bigger than our Birmingham venue, with many more activities and many more challenges! It is yet to generate an income for free@last, but hopefully this will change as it embeds itself into the local economy and entertainment scene.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Principal financial management policies

The company is small with limited resources. It operates on the basis of spending as little as possible on whatever it buys and ensures there are funds in the bank before making any commitment.

Page 6

free@last (Registered number: 04723576)

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT General financial review

Over the past year we have generated income through a variety of different means, including grant making trusts, our businesses, use of our centre, fundraising, events and general appeals. We have a solid financial position, which we have worked hard to achieve and are now in the process of growth, primarily through generating income through our own businesses, free@last Kid's Fund (a monthly giving scheme) and a calendar of events. Our future plans are to increase the impact and availability of our services to more people who live in Nechells.

Unrestricted funds have decreased in the year from £96,015 to £60,851.

Restricted funds have decreased in the year from £1,973,913 to £1,871,611. This is in large part to the depreciation of the building and other assets held in these funds, and the challenges we have faced in generating our income.

Reserves policy

The trustees are working towards holding unrestricted reserves sufficient to meet the charity's day to day expenditure for six months. This target is a long way from being fulfilled and will take several years to achieve. Restricted funds will depend on timing of securing and receiving funding and timing of the expenditure on activities. activities.

FUTURE PLANS

Over the following year our plans are as follows:

Governing document and Charity Constitution

free@last began in August 1999 and first registered as a Charity on 9th December 1999 and then became a charitable company limited by guarantee on 4th April 2003. The charity and company numbers and other information are included as a front sheet.

The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the company. It is governed under its Articles of Association under which the board of directors (who are also Trustees of the charitable company) are elected at AGM to serve for a period of up to three years.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

The trustees are appointed by the board. The company requires a minimum of three and a maximum of twelve trustees to be appointed. The board identify areas where particular knowledge or expertise is required and seek to recruit new trustees by advertising, personal contacts and recruitment events.

Organisational structure

The charity is a small entity which is run on a daily and operational basis by the chief executive together with a number of employees and volunteers. The board of trustees meet a minimum of four times a year and take responsibility for decisions regarding services, the building, people and the businesses operated by the charity.

Induction and training of new trustees

Potential trustees attend the premises and a board/committee meeting as part of the induction process to ensure they are familiar with the services provided and our procedures. They complete an application form and are then approved by the board before appointment.

Page 7

free@last (Registered number: 04723576)

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Risk management

The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. The major risks to which the charity is exposed, as identified by the trustees, have been reviewed and systems established to mitigate those risks.

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

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 31 October 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

John Moore

John Moore (Oct 31, 2025 13:57:44 GMT)

John Richard Moore - Trustee

Page 8

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of free@last (Registered number: 04723576)

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of free@last ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's 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 charity'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 your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.

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:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. 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

  4. 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.

wt.

David Williams FCA FCCA

Locke Williams Associates LLP Chartered Accountants Studio 2 50-54 St Pauls Square Birmingham West Midlands B3 1QS

31 October 2025

Page 9

free@last

Statement of Financial Activities (Incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account) for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Notes
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
5
Family Fun Zone Sutton
Other trading activities
3
Investment income
4
Other income
Total
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds
6
Charitable activities
7
Charitable
Family Fun Zone Sutton
Total
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD		 Unrestricted
funds
£
60,878
-
132,887
2,164
-
195,929
123,722
90,463
16,908
231,093
(35,164)
96,015
**60,851 **		 Restricted
funds
£
123,648
400,000
-
-
-
523,648
-
225,950
400,000
625,950
(102,302)
1,973,913
1,871,611		 31.12.24
Total
funds
£
184,526
400,000
132,887
2,164
-
719,577
123,722
316,413
416,908
857,043
(137,466)
2,069,928
**1,932,462 **		 31.12.23
Total
funds
£
262,440
-
169,575
2,452
158
434,625
102,027
363,971
-
465,998
(31,373)
2,101,301
2,069,928

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 10

free@last (Registered number: 04723576)

Balance Sheet
31 December 2024
Notes
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
14
Investments
15
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
16
Cash at bank and in hand
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
17
NET CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due after more than one year 18
NET ASSETS
FUNDS
21
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS		 31.12.24
£
1,882,926
100
1,883,026
12,400
61,419
73,819
(15,609)
58,210
1,941,236
(8,774)
1,932,462
60,851
1,871,611
**1,932,462 **		 31.12.23
£
1,922,013
-
1,922,013
-
185,394
185,394
(18,416)
166,978
2,088,991
(19,063)
2,069,928
96,015
1,973,913
2,069,928

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 11

free@last (Registered number: 04723576)

Balance Sheet - continued 31 December 2024

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 31 October 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

John Moore

John Moore (Oct 31, 2025 13:57:44 GMT)

John Richard Moore - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 12

free@last

Cash Flow Statement

for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Notes
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
1
Interest paid
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of fixed asset investments
Interest received
Net cash provided by investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Loan repayments in year
Net cash used in financing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents
in the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the
beginning of the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the end
of the reporting period		 31.12.24
£
(115,391)
(614)
(116,005)
(100)
2,164
2,064
(10,034)
(10,034)
(123,975)
185,394
61,419		 31.12.23
£
3,318
(860)
2,458
-
2,452
2,452
(9,789)
(9,789)
(4,879)
190,273
185,394

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 13

free@last

Notes to the Cash Flow Statement for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

1. RECONCILIATION OF NET EXPENDITURE TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net expenditure for the reporting period (as per the Statement
of Financial Activities)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges
Interest received
Interest paid
Increase in debtors
Decrease in creditors
Net cash (used in)/provided by operations		 31.12.24
£
(137,466)
39,087
(2,164)
614
(12,400)
(3,062)
(115,391)		 31.12.23
£
(31,373)
40,938
(2,452)
860
-
(4,655)
3,318

2. ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS

At 1.1.24 Cash flow At 31.12.24
£ £ £
Net cash
Cash at bank and in hand **185,394 ** (123,975) 61,419
**185,394 ** (123,975) 61,419
Debt
Debts falling due within 1 year (10,035) (255) (10,290)
Debts falling due after 1 year (19,063) 10,289 (8,774)
(29,098) **10,034 ** (19,064)
Total 156,296 (113,941) 42,355

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 14

free@last

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

For donations to be recognised the charity will have been notified of the amounts and the settlement date in writing.

No amount is included in the financial statements for volunteer time in line with the Charities SORP (FRS 102). Further detail is given in the Trustees' Annual Report.

The charity receives grants in respect of its core activities. Income from government and other grants are recognised at fair value when the charity has entitlement after any performance conditions have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. If entitlement is not met then these amounts are deferred.

Income from trading activities includes income earned from fundraising events and trading activities to raise funds for the charity. Income is received in exchange for supplying goods and services in order to raise funds and is recognised when entitlement has occurred.

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Costs of raising funds includes direct staff and other costs for trading activities to raise funds.

Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end date are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Long leasehold - Over the period of the lease Equipment - 4% on cost Fixtures and fittings - 10% on cost Motor vehicles - 25% on reducing balance Computer equipment - 33% on cost

The leasehold building is held under a 125 year lease with Birmingham City Council until August 2141.

Page 15

free@last

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand and deposits held at call with banks.

Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions 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 and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

Operating Leases

Rentals payable under operating leases are charged against income on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

Taxation

The charity is registered with the Charity Commission and under the provisions of Section 478 Corporation Tax Act 2010, is exempt from liability to taxation on its charitable activities..

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

Donations
Grants
3.
OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
Fundraising events
Family Fun Zone
Room hire fees
Climbing wall
Brumting		 31.12.24
£
51,601
132,925
184,526
31.12.24
£
61,168
57,978
12,733
1,000
8
**132,887 **		 31.12.23
£
75,832
186,608
262,440
31.12.23
£
69,978
89,384
9,760
275
178
169,575

Page 16

free@last

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

4.
INVESTMENT INCOME
Deposit account interest
5.
INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Activity
Grants
Family Fun Zone Sutton
Grants received, included in the above, are as follows:
Other
See note 22 for further details.
6.
RAISING FUNDS
Raising donations and legacies
Fundraising events costs
Brumting
Interest payable and similar charges
7.
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS		 31.12.24
£
2,164
31.12.24
£
400,000
31.12.24
£
400,000
31.12.24
£
21,567
92
614
22,273		 31.12.23
£
2,452
31.12.23
£
-
31.12.23
£
-
31.12.23
£
18,900
547
860
20,307
Charitable
Family Fun Zone Sutton		 Direct
Costs
£
314,313
-
314,313		 Grant
funding of
activities
(see note
8)
£
-
416,908
416,908		 Support
costs (see
note 9)
£
2,100
-
2,100		 Totals
£
316,413
416,908
733,321

Page 17

free@last

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

8. GRANTS PAYABLE

Family Fun Zone Sutton
The total grants paid to institutions during the year was as follows:
Family Fun Zone Sutton Coldfield
See note 22 for further details.
9.
SUPPORT COSTS
Charitable
Support costs, included in the above, are as follows:
Accountancy and legal fees
10.
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):
Depreciation - owned assets		 31.12.24
31.12.23
£
£
416,908
-
31.12.24
31.12.23
£
£
416,908
-
Governance
costs
£
2,100
31.12.24
31.12.23
Total
Charitable
activities
£
£
2,100
2,040
31.12.24
31.12.23
£
£
39,087
40,937

11. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2024 nor for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 December 2024 nor for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Page 18

free@last

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

12. STAFF COSTS

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs		 31.12.24
£
213,675
14,685
3,159
231,519		 31.12.23
£
208,454
7,783
2,707
218,944

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

31.12.24 31.12.23
General employees 13 17

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

The total amount of employee benefits received by key management personnel for the period is £50,000 (2023 £42,322).

13. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
Other trading activities
Investment income
Other income
Total
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Charitable
Total
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD		 Unrestricted
funds
£
110,203
169,575
2,452
158
282,388
102,027
153,697
255,724
26,664
69,350
96,014		 Restricted
funds
£
152,237
-
-
-
152,237
-
210,274
210,274
(58,037)
2,031,951
1,973,914		 Total
funds
£
262,440
169,575
2,452
158
434,625
102,027
363,971
465,998
(31,373)
2,101,301
2,069,928

Page 19

free@last

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

14. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

COST
At 1 January 2024 and
31 December 2024
DEPRECIATION
At 1 January 2024
Charge for year
At 31 December 2024
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2024
At 31 December 2023
COST
At 1 January 2024 and
31 December 2024
DEPRECIATION
At 1 January 2024
Charge for year
At 31 December 2024
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2024
At 31 December 2023		 Long
leasehold
£
1,842,084
79,825
14,736
94,561
1,747,523
1,762,259
Motor
vehicles
£
60,354
38,622
5,433
44,055
16,299
21,732		 Equipment
£
125,480
29,357
7,220
36,577
88,903
96,123
Computer
equipment
£
35,797
35,797
-
35,797
-
-		 Fixtures
and
fittings
£
147,825
105,926
11,698
117,624
30,201
41,899
Totals
£
2,211,540
289,527
39,087
328,614
1,882,926
1,922,013

A legal charge is held against the property, in the name of The Big Lottery Fund, against the total sum of grant income received for the rebuild of £967,537. The charge remains in place for twenty five years from 15 August 2016.

15. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS

FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS
Shares in
group
undertakings
£
MARKET VALUE
Additions 100
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2024 100
At 31 December 2023 -

There were no investment assets outside the UK.

Page 20

free@last

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

15. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS - continued

The company's investments at the balance sheet date in the share capital of companies include the following:

Family Fun Zone (Sutton) Limited

Registered office: 49 Nechells Park Road, Birmingham, England, B7 5PR

Nature of business: Other amusement and recreation activities

%
Class of share: holding
Ordinary 100
31.12.24 31.12.23
£ £
Aggregate capital and reserves 100 -
16. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
31.12.24
31.12.23
£ £
Amounts due from subsidiaries 12,400 -
17. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
31.12.24
31.12.23
£ £
Bank loans and overdrafts (see note 19) 10,290 10,035
Trade creditors - 2,792
Social security and other taxes 3,159 3,429
Accruals and deferred income 2,160 2,160
15,609 18,416
18. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR
31.12.24
31.12.23
£ £
Bank loans (see note 19) 8,774 19,063
19. LOANS
An analysis of the maturity of loans is given below:
31.12.24
31.12.23
£ £
Amounts falling due within one year on demand:
Bank loans 10,290 10,035
Amounts falling due between two and five years:
Bank loans 8,774 19,063

The bank loan has been taken out under the Government backed Bounce Back Loan scheme and is repayable over sixty months commencing from November 2021. Interest is charged at a fixed rate of 2.5%.

Page 21

free@last

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

20. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

Fixed assets
Investments
Current assets
Current liabilities
Long term liabilities
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Unrestricted funds
General Activities
Building Fund
Youth and Children Activities
Family Activities
Restricted funds
General Activities
Building Fund
Youth Sports Coaches
Norton Foundation - new computers
ENT Room
Henry Smith Charitable Trust
Neighbourly Seeds of Change
Smurfitt Kappa SSK
Big Issue Investment
BVSC HAF
Wesylan Assurance
Girls Room
St Thomas Dole Charity
Workshop Instructor
Angling Trust
Coalition For Impact
TOTAL FUNDS		 Unrestricted
funds
£
69,572
100
15,562
(15,609)
(8,774)
**60,851 **		 Restricted
funds
£
1,813,354
-
58,257
-
-
1,871,611
At 1.1.24
£
85,323
6,802
830
3,060
96,015
918
1,837,122
33,020
850
927
45,857
400
5,730
28,588
4,501
8,000
3,320
4,680
-
-
-
1,973,913
2,069,928		 31.12.24
Total
funds
£
1,882,926
100
73,819
(15,609)
(8,774)
1,932,462
Net
movement
in funds
£
(35,108)
(56)
-
-
(35,164)
(10)
(25,528)
(21,915)
(850)
(927)
(26,031)
(86)
(4,611)
(27,623)
(4,501)
-
1,500
-
15,899
1,317
(8,936)
(102,302)
**(137,466) **		 31.12.23
Total
funds
£
1,922,013
-
185,394
(18,416)
(19,063)
2,069,928
At
31.12.24
£
50,215
6,746
830
3,060
60,851
908
1,811,594
11,105
-
-
19,826
314
1,119
965
-
8,000
4,820
4,680
15,899
1,317
(8,936)
1,871,611
**1,932,462 **

21. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Page 22

free@last

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

21. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General Activities
Building Fund
Restricted funds
General Activities
Building Fund
Youth Sports Coaches
Norton Foundation - new computers
ENT Room
Henry Smith Charitable Trust
Neighbourly Seeds of Change
Smurfitt Kappa SSK
Big Issue Investment
BVSC HAF
Girls Room
Family Fun Zone Sutton Coldfield
Workshop Instructor
Bell Tents Capital Grants
Angling Trust
Coalition For Impact
TOTAL FUNDS		 Incoming
resources
£
195,929
-
195,929
20,000
-
248
-
-
75,000
-
-
-
-
1,500
400,000
18,800
6,000
2,100
-
523,648
719,577		 Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(231,037)
(35,108)
(56)
(56)
(231,093)
(35,164)
(20,010)
(10)
(25,528)
(25,528)
(22,163)
(21,915)
(850)
(850)
(927)
(927)
(101,031)
(26,031)
(86)
(86)
(4,611)
(4,611)
(27,623)
(27,623)
(4,501)
(4,501)
-
1,500
(400,000)
-
(2,901)
15,899
(6,000)
-
(783)
1,317
(8,936)
(8,936)
(625,950)
(102,302)
(857,043)
**(137,466) **

Page 23

free@last

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

21. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparatives for movement in funds

Unrestricted funds
General Activities
Building Fund
Youth and Children Activities
Family Activities
Restricted funds
General Activities
Building Fund
Youth Sports Coaches
Advice & Guidance
Norton Foundation - new computers
ENT Room
Barrow Cadbury
Covid-19 support grants
Henry Smith Charitable Trust
Dept for DCMS
Neighbourly Seeds of Change
Smurfitt Kappa SSK
Big Issue Investment
BVSC HAF
Wesylan Assurance
Girls Room
St Thomas Dole Charity
TOTAL FUNDS		 At 1.1.23
£
57,623
6,859
1,782
3,086
69,350
928
1,862,650
57,635
9,072
4,882
927
38
3
41,166
30
400
20,220
34,000
-
-
-
-
2,031,951
2,101,301		 Net
movement
in funds
£
27,700
(57)
(952)
(26)
26,665
(10)
(25,528)
(24,615)
(9,072)
(4,032)
-
(38)
(3)
4,691
(30)
-
(14,490)
(5,412)
4,501
8,000
3,320
4,680
(58,038)
(31,373)		 At
31.12.23
£
85,323
6,802
830
3,060
96,015
918
1,837,122
33,020
-
850
927
-
-
45,857
-
400
5,730
28,588
4,501
8,000
3,320
4,680
1,973,913
2,069,928

Page 24

free@last

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

21. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General Activities
Building Fund
Youth and Children Activities
Family Activities
Restricted funds
General Activities
Building Fund
Youth Sports Coaches
Advice & Guidance
Norton Foundation - new computers
Barrow Cadbury
Covid-19 support grants
Henry Smith Charitable Trust
Dept for DCMS
Smurfitt Kappa SSK
Big Issue Investment
BVSC HAF
Wesylan Assurance
Girls Room
St Thomas Dole Charity
TOTAL FUNDS
Purpose of funds		 Incoming
resources
£
256,578
-
14,274
11,536
282,388
-
1
10,000
-
-
-
-
100,000
-
-
-
26,236
8,000
3,320
4,680
152,237
434,625		 Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(228,878)
27,700
(57)
(57)
(15,226)
(952)
(11,562)
(26)
(255,723)
26,665
(10)
(10)
(25,529)
(25,528)
(34,615)
(24,615)
(9,072)
(9,072)
(4,032)
(4,032)
(38)
(38)
(3)
(3)
(95,309)
4,691
(30)
(30)
(14,490)
(14,490)
(5,412)
(5,412)
(21,735)
4,501
-
8,000
-
3,320
-
4,680
(210,275)
(58,038)
(465,998)
(31,373)

General Activities - Specific Core expenses ie Salaries etc.

Building Fund - To raise money for the purchase of a new building, which the charity purchased in 2017/2018. The fund is now also for the general upkeep of the property in which the charity received restricted monies for.

Youth & Children Activities - To provide support and development services to children and young people within the local community through the funding of several full time and part time youth workers.

Family Activities - Families Project - To provide support and development services to families in the local community in the Nechells area.

Advice & Guidance - To provide free advice to residents of the Nechells area regarding financial difficulties and welfare benefit entitlements.

Page 25

free@last

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

22. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

The London Borough of Sutton provided capital funding of £400,000 to Free@Last to enable development of an indoor play centre at Store A, St Nicholas Shopping Centre. The funding was transferred by the Charity to its wholly owned trading subsidiary Family Fun Zone (Sutton) Limited to construct and operate the play centre on a commercial basis.

23. COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

Free@last is a company limited by guarantee and accordingly does not have a share capital. Every member of the company undertakes to contribute such amount as may be required not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charitable company in the event of its being wound up while he or she is a member, or within one year after he or she ceases to be a member.

Page 26

2025-10-31

FRE06-CHA 2024 final

Final Audit Report

Created: 2025-10-31 By: DAVID WILLIAMS (davidw@lockewilliams.com) Status: Signed Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAAaBg8ct94r1T47h3MUkj1M_wLNlZGGm1P

"FRE06-CHA 2024 final" History

2025-10-31 - 13:49:33 GMT

Document emailed to johnm@fruitionaccountancy.co.uk for signature

2025-10-31 - 13:50:16 GMT

2025-10-31 - 13:57:05 GMT

Document emailed to DAVID WILLIAMS (davidw@lockewilliams.com) for signature 2025-10-31 - 13:57:45 GMT

2025-10-31 - 14:02:39 GMT