REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 04767369 {England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1106002 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 FOR FIRST STEP OPPORTUNITY GROUP Clemence Hoar Cummlngs Chartered Accountants Riverside House 1-5 Como Street Romft)rd Essex RM7 7DN
FIRST STEP OPPORTUNITY GROUP CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 Page Report of the Trustees I to 7 Independent Examiner's Report statement of Flnanclal Artlvlties statement of Financlal Position io to 11 Notes to the Financial Statements 12 to 21
FIRST STEP OPI>ORTUNITY GROUP REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 The trustee5 who are also directors of the charlty for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2025, The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practlce applicable to charltles preparing their accounts In accordance with the Financial Reporting standard appllcable in the UK and Republlc of Irdand (FRS 102) (effective l January 2019). OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objectives and aims The charity's objectives are: To provide babies and pre school children wlth special needs andlor dlsabllities, resldlng In the London Borough of Havering, an opportunity for educatlonal development in a carlng envlronment through a wide range of play actlvltles and experiences. To offer families of such chlldren support, Information and advice, in a frlendly atmosphere of trust and confidentiality. Our alms here at Flrst Step are to., l. Contlnuously Improve good practice for the dellvery of servlces for babies and children wlth speclal needs andlor dlsabllltles wlthin Flrst Step and with other servlce provlders. 2. Provlde sUPPOrt to parentslc3rers and to empower them to sustain a good quality of Ilfe for thelr famllles In the long term. 3. Maintain a hlgh-quallty team of staff and volunteers who feel valued and who are motlvated, skllled nd adaptable. 4. Have contlnuous flnanclal stabillty. 5. Ensure an excellent quallty of servlce through the hlghest standards of leadershlp and governance. Alongslde these, we have identifled four additional areas for development: l. To ensure that local need Is accurately Identlfled and services developed to meet the need. 2. To ensure that servlces are Incluslve. 3. To ensure that servlce users and staff are safeguarded approprlately. 4. To ensure that staff and servlce users are fully Involved In the deslgn, dellvery and evaluatlon of servlces, Slgnificant activities We offer a range of hollstic and tallored services for famllles of chlldren wlth speclal needs andlor d15abllllles. These include., Famlly Support, Famlly Groups, One-to-one Support, Peer Support, DLA appllcatlon preparation, EHCP writing advlce and support, Informatlon and Guldance, General Support, School Holiday Activities, access to speclallst resources such as sensory room and sensory garden and, when approprlate, slgnposting for other Financlal Advlce, Welfare Benefits Advlce, and sources of grant fundlng that famllles wlth dlsabled chlldren can apply for. Maln activities undertaken to further the Charity's purposes for publlc beneflt The Trustees have paid due regard to gtjiddnce issued by the Charity Commlssion in decldlng what activitles the charity should undertake, and are satisfied that the above actlvltie5 meet the publlc benefit requlrements. Page I
FIRST STEP OPPORTUNITY GROUP REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Charltable activities Once again, over the year, Flrst step has provlded servlces and/or support to over 100 children and thelr familles, coverlng a diverse range of condltions, special needs and disablllties. We contlnue to support many of our families who have attended First step over the past 36 years. We are often told that famllies never leave from First step, and that we are who they turn to for support when they face dlfficultles. The second thlrd of our National Lottery Funding has provided a secure baseline for OLAr fundralslng Income, and continuity for our Family Support, and has been welcomed at a tlme when we are seeing Increaslng levels of referral. We continue to work In partnershlp with professlonals from many of the teams wlthln the London Borough of Havering and NELFT. These include Health Vlsltors, SEND Early Years Support, Multi Agency & Referral Panel, Early Years Transition Panel, Speclalist Health Professionals, Physiotherapy, Speech and Language and Nutrltlon, Occupatlonal Health and a wide range of other Professlonals from Education, Soclal Service5, SENDIASS and Local Voluntary Organlsatlons. We also provlde support to other playgroups, nursery and pre-school settlngs who are worklng wlth chlldren wlth speclal needs. We continue to play a full and active part wlthin the borough and beyond, wlth representatlves that slt on SEND and AP Delivery Board Improvement Groups, The Familles Flrst Partnershlp Board, Multi-Agency Meetlngs and the NELFf Patlent Leadership Commlttee, where we seek to ensure that we do everythlng we can to ensure the volce of famllles with children wlth speclal needs and/or disabllltles Is heard, As we recelve no National or Local Government flnancial supporl, all of thls work is only posslble because so many of our supporters dig deep and glve generously, some sacrlflcially. There are too many to thank Indlvlduallyi but there were slgnlflcant donatlons from the following Servlce Groups, Communlty Groups, Corporates and Local Businesses: 6th Upminster Brownle Pack ACL Electrlcal Adheslve Technical Servlces Area Barclay5 Bank Benevity Beresfords Beyond Clicks B F Mulley & Sons Buzzacott Centrlca Management Servlces Concept Windows Co-op Cranham Modern Sequence Dance Club Earlham Lodge Fairlytes Slngers Gldea Park Friendly Brldge Club Grove & Dean Handelsbanken Haverlng 90 Jogoers Havering Hockey HCL Interior5 Hornchurch 41 Club Hornchurch Round Table Ingrebourne Lodge McDonalds Romford Met Police - TSG Chadwell Heath Moor Lane Church / The Acorn Club Mounthill Englneers Llmlted Mullis & Peake Nationwlde Otford Foundatlon Qulzzes for Charlty Ralnham Bowls Club Rapid Office Systems Roomes Furnlture & Interlors Romford Bid Romford Lions Rotary Club of Havering Rotary aub of Homchurch & Upminster Sprlngfleld Playgroup Tlgers Junlor Football Club T Cribb & Sons Towry Tunnelcraft West & Coe Woodland Schools Additionally, there were a whole range of personal donatlon5 and fuDdralslng from Individuals that ranged from £20,937 down to a few pound5. It is not approprtate to hlghllght them indivldually, but every donatlon large and small 15 a vital part of enabling families and chlldren to be supported. Of course, this Iso included donation5 made to the TCS London Marathon runners, a wlde range of individual led fundraising activities together wlth many in lieu fjonations, in-memoriam donations in place of gifts or flowers to honour a loved one, support a cause, or celebrate a special occasion or event. Page 2
FIRST STEP OPPORTUNrrY GROUP REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 We value our band of comrnitted givers who donate regular monthly payments. We ran a full programme of Event5, that inclLJde our Golf Day In September 2024, whlch ralsed over £32,000, Blngo, Quiz Evenings, Tasty Treats. Chrlstmas Bazaar and Raffles. These events not only raise vital funds, but provlde an opportunity and focus for our many supporters to stay in conlact and involved wlth the charlty. We thank Clemence Hoar Cummlngs Accountants for thelr professional services. In addltlon, we thank Redbourn Business Systems for their generou5 SUPPOrt with our fundralslng software at well below the market rate, and the Haverlng Volunteer Centre, all of whom contlnue to generously provide support for the organisatlon Our Patrons, Gill Hare M.B.E, Jeremy West M.B.E, TIM aarke and Gerry Byme contlnue to actlvely support and vlslbly campalgn, increasing the awareness of First step and for thls we are most grateful. Our Jolnt Founder Margaret Wllllams contlnues to actively support the Charlty through her Governance expertlse. We recognise and slncerely thank all the individu3ls, companles and organisations for glvlng thelr time, encouragement and flnanclal support, and for thelr efforts to raise the proflle and share the vision of First step. We recognise our valued ongoing relatlonshlps wlth West & Coe, Grove & Dean, Concept Wlndows, McDonalds Romford, Tesco, Centrlca Management Servlces/Brltish Gas, Tunnelcraft, and Mounthill Engineers Llmlted, along wlth our local Ward Counclllors, Barry Mugglestone, Julle Wllkes and Stephanle Nunn who actlvely support Flrst step. We are very grateful that In her Mayoral Year Stephanle Nunn nomlnated First step as her Charlty of the year and ralsed the magnificent sum of £20,000. Our sincere thanks go to all our frlends In the community, staff, our team of volunteers and helpers, the servlce groups, lodges, clubs, associatlons, fLJndralsers, supporters, foundations and grant givl ng bodles, for thelr contlnued commllment, energy and shared values, wlthout whom we would not be able to provlde our servlces. On behalf of every famlly that has been supported In the past, those that are currently belng supported, and those that wlll recelve sUPPOrt in the future, we want to most sincerely thank all who support First step, for your generous and sacrlflclal glving, both flnanclally and In your precious tlme. FINANCIAL REVIEW Financial position Total incoming and outgolng resources for the year are shown below, and the unrestrlcted net surplus for the year was £18,960 (2024 surplus: £48,013). 2024-25 Unrestricted Funds 2024-25 Restricted Funds 2024-25 Total Funds 2023-24 Total Funds Income Expenditure Surplus/Deficlt £216,941 £197,981 £18,960 £77,075 £294,016 £137,424 £335,405 (E60,349) {£41,389) £315,528 £397,091 (£81,563) There was no deslgnated Income or Expendlture In elther year. A full revlew of the financlal positlon of the charity can be found on the following financlal statements, Page 3
FIRST STEP OPPORTUNITY GROUP REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 FINANCIAL REVIEW Prlnclpal funding sources Thls year we received grant funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, The Canary Wharf Contractors Fund, The Utley Family Charitable Foundation, The Co-op Local Community Fund and the otford Foundatlon. Durlng the year management and trustees have and will continue to develop specific areas Includlng,- i. strong fundralslng campalgns, including orowing our corporate partners and individual donors 2. A more compelllng income generating strategy and story 3. Sharply focused flnanclal reporting and planning Quantlfying the Impact of the work we undertake with young chlldren and families Sub-committees made up of staff and trustees meet to review and develop strategy in the areas of governance, service delivery, finance, and human resources and then report to the main commlttee. Reserves policv Flrst Step continues to be aware of the need to ensure that reserves are correctly Invested and that they recelve the optlmum Interest rate In thls area, whllst mlnlmlsing risk. Trustees have adopted a reserves pollcy whereby the charlty needs to have a mlnlmum of 4 months operatlng costs If no further Income were to be recelved. Trustees are aware that current reserves are Just uiider 9 months, wh5ch they belleve Is prudent In the post COVID cllmate. It remains the trustee's Intention to grow the level of support offered to our famllies and chlldren over the comlng years in a sustainable manner. Page 4
FIRST STEP OPPORTUNITY GROUP REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 FUTURE PLANS It Wa5 encouraging that during 2024-25, we achieved our stated goal in last year's Trustees Report, to end this financial year with a small surplus on our Unrestrlcted Income and Expenditure. Of course, the Restrlcted Expenditure shows a deflclt, but thls is inevitable as the expendlture recelved In a partlcular year is often not actually fully spent until the subsequent year(s). Desplte thls year being the final year of The Nationa5 Lottery current grant, (for which we are seeking continuation fundlng}, durlng the flnancial year 2024-25, a new income stream came onto the horizon, and by the end of the year, is now within sight. This will enable First Step to not only be financially secure In the short to medium term, but will enable there to be much needed investment during the comlng years to make First step more financially secure In the long term, which will enable sustalnable growth in supporting families of children wlth speclal needs and/or disabilities. Famlly Support remalns our priority as our core servlce, and we recognlse that we can only grow our support for families and children as we secure sustainable funding streams. Trustees have taken steps during the year to address succession plannlng whlch Is nece55ary os a number of key and longstandlng members of staff have shared their intention to move Into retlrement In the foreseeable future, so plans are well devetoped to ensure that the transltlons wlll be smooth and seamless. The government published Its Families Flrst Partnershlp (FFP) Programme Gulde in March 2025 whlch we In prlnclple would support as a great asplratlon for work wlth chlldren up and down the country, It Is noteworthy that Flrst Step's way of worklng largely fall In line with, or exceed many of the proposals contalned whlch we have already been dellvering with the famllles and chlldren as we have been worklng with throughout our 36+ years of operatlon. We are developing firm plans to bulld back strength and structure Into the organisatlon, whlch was unavoidably cut back to ensure survival, followlng the wlthdrawal of LA fundlng, and the dlfficulties of COVID years and the aftermath. Thls Is vital to ensure the organlsatlon wlll contlnue to thrtve long Into the future. We wlll contlnue to strengthen our Fundraising across our whole donor base an(i to grow new supporters. We will be startlng the process of revlewing and shaplng our Service Provlslon later durlng next year so that we are confldent that the style and content of our service and support offer dellvery is as relevant to the needs of our famllles for the next decade, as well as we have done over the past 36 years. There Is no doubt In our mlnds that Flrst step offers support that Is slmply not avallable elsewhere in Havering or the surroundlng areas, and there Is a huge and growing need for famllle5 of children with special needs and/or disabilities to have thls help and asslstance. We are committed to malntalnlng and growlng the support we offer, and we will do everythlng posslble to ensure that Flrst Step provides this unlque service for generatlons to come. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document The charity Is controlled by its governlng document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a Ilmlted company, Ilmited by guarantee, as deflned by the Companies Act 2006. Charity constitution The Company is registered as a Charitable Company limited by guarantee and was set up by a Memorandum of A550ciation. Member5 of the Company guarantee that in the event of the Company's insolvency and if requested, each member wlll contribute to its liabllitles to a maximum of £1.00. Page 5
FIRST STEP OPPORTUN GROUP REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Oryanisational structure None of the trustees have any beneficlal Interest In the company. All of the trustees are member5 of the company and guarantee to contrlbltrte £1.00 in the event of a winding up. First step Is commltted to enabllng and 5UPPOrting its trustees to fulfll the Responsibilities of the Board as Identlfled by the Charity Commission In The Essential Trustee (CC3) which are to o Ensure our charity Is carrying out Its purposes for the public benefit o Comply wlth our charlty's governing document and the law o Act In our charity's best interests o Ensure our charity 15 accountable o Manage our charlty's resources responsibly o Act with reasonable care and sklll There Is an expectatlon that trustees will attend tralnln9 or courses that are agreed, as part of thelr commltment and respon5ibillty to thelr role. Dlscussions are held with the Chalr of Trustees, CEO and new trustees, to identify speclflc tralnlng needs. New trustees are: Glven a pack of Informatlon on the organisation of Flrst Step and all relevant paperwork to support thelr role Invited to First step to observe some of the sesslons and meet staff Have dlscussions wlth the Chalr of Trustees and CEO to Identlfy tralnlng or support need5 Asked to complete a checkllst relative to First step when they join and another In 314 months and have a revlew meetlng wlth the Chalr of trustees and CEO Glven the opportunity to meet wlth and get to know other trustees in the social tlme allocated before the start of the f()rmal buslness meetlngs Provlded Informatlon on training provided by relevant organlsatlons The general governance of the charity Is the responslblllty of the trustees, however the day to day operatlon Is delegated to the CEO. The CEO wlll take any matters of varlallon to trustees, meetings for decislon maklng, Control procedures are In place to cover all areas of risk, i.e. Strateglc, Operatlonal, Financial, Regulatory, Human Resource and Reputational. The comprehenslve Rlsk Management Schedule Is contlnuously reviewed and updated to support trustees in the monitorlng process of these areas. REFERENCE AND AD141NISTRATIVE OETAILS Registered Company number 04767369 (England and Wales) Registered Charity number 1106002 Reglstered office Tangmere Crescent Hornchurch Essex RM12 5PP Trustees R Mccorry G Webb B Anderson N Sawyer (resigned 17.4.25) M Flower L Topp5 l Gorsuch - Treasurer S Powell - Chalr Page 6
FIRST STEP OPPORTUNITY GROUP REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Independent Examiner Clemence Hoar Cummlngs Chartered Accountants Rlverside House 1-5 Como Street Romford Essex RM7 7DN Approved by order of the board of trustees on by; and slgned on its behalf S Powell - Chalr- Trustee Page 7
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF FIRST STEP OPPORTUNITY GROUP Independent examiner's report to the trustees of First Step Opportunity Group ('the Company,) I report to the charlty trustees on my examlnatlon of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31st March 2025. Responsibilitles and basis of report As the charily's trustees of the Company (and also Its directors for the purposes of company law) you are re5ponslble for the preparation of the accounts in accordance wlth the requlrements of the Companle5 Act 2006 {'the 2006 Act,). Havlng satlsfted myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audlted under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for Independent examlnatlon, I report In respect of my examlnatlon of your charlty's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 20 11 Act,). In carrylng out my examlnatlon J have followed the Dlrectlons given by the Charlty Commlsslon under Sectlon 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act. Independent examiner's statement Since your charlty's gross Income exeded £250,000 your examlner must be a member of a Ilsted body. I can confirm that I am qLtallfled to undertake the examlnatlon because I am a member of the Assoclatlon of Chartered Certlfled Accountants, which Is one of the Ilsted bodles. I have completed my examlnatlon. I conflrm that no matters have come to my attentlon In connectlon wlth the examlnatlon glvlng me cause to belleve: accountlng records were not kept In respett of the Company as requlred by Sectlon 386 of the 2006 Act; or the accounts do not accord wlth those records; or the accounts do not comply wlth the accountlng requlrements of Sectlon 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requlrement that the accounts glve a true and falr vlew whlch Is not a matter consldered as part of an Independent examlnatlon; or the accounts have not been prepared In accordance wlth the methods and prlnclples of the statement of Recommended Practlce for accountlng and reportlng by charltle5 (appllcable to charitles preparlng thelr accounts In accordance with the Flnanclal Reportlng Standard appllcable In the UK and Republlc of Ireland (FRS 102)). I have no concerns and have come across no other matters In connectlon wlth the examlnatlon to whlch attentlon should be drawn In thls report In order to enable a proper understandlng of the accounts to be reached, Lee Blunden FCCA CTA Clemence Hoar Cummlngs Chartered Accountants Rlverslde House 1-5 Como Street Romford Essex RM7 7DN Date: Page 8
FIRST STEP OPPORTUNITY GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 2025 Total funds 2024 Total funds Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 130,013 77,075 207,088 214,222 Charitable activities Family support Hollday sesslons 3.755 520 3,755 520 3,482 485 Other tradlng actlvitles Investment Income other Income 63,359 5.294 14.000 63,359 5,294 14,000 88,919 3,395 5,025 Total 216,941 77.075 294,016 315,528 EXPENDITURE ON Ralslng funds 80,670 2,520 83,190 89,010 Charitable activities Educatlonèl servlces Family support Holiday sesslons total 144 224,710 5,354 110.349 6,962 130,009 1,658 240,358 8,620 New projects 3,237 3,237 77,873 Total 197,981 137,424 335,405 397,091 NET INCOMEI(EXPENDITURE) 18,960 (60,349) (41,389) (81,563) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 194,297 417,005 611,302 692,865 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 213,257 356,656 569,913 611,302 The notes form part of these financial statetnents Page 9
FIRST STEP OPPORTUNITY GROUP (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04767369) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 31ST MARCH 2025 2025 2024 Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 13 307,150 358,252 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 14 14,616 284,735 59,289 218,654 299,351 277,943 CREDITORS Amounts falllng due wlthln one year 15 (36,588) (24,893) NET CURRENT ASSETS 262,763 253,050 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 569,913 611,302 NET ASSETS 569,913 611,302 FUNDS Unrestricted funds Restrlcted funds 18 213.258 356,655 194,297 417,005 TOTAL FUNDS 569,913 611,302 The charltable company Is entitled to exemptlon from audit under Sectlon 477 of the Companles Act 2006 for the year ended 31st March 2025. The members have not requlred the company to obtain an audlt of Its flnanclal statements for the year ended 31st March 2025 In accordance with Sectlon 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The trustees acknowledge thelr responsibllltles for (a) ensurlng that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply wlth Sections 386 and 387 of the Companles Act 2006 and (b) preparlng flnanclal statements whlch glve a true and falr view of the state of affairs of the charltable company as at Ihe end of each financial year and of Its surplus or deficit for each flnancial year In accordance wllh the requirements of Sectlons 394 and 395 and whlch otherwbse comply with the requlrements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financlal stotement5, so far as ppllcable to the charitable company. The notes fomi part or these financial statements Page 10 continued...
FIRST STEP OPPORTUNITY GROUP (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04767369) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION - continued 31ST MARCH 2025 These financial statements have been prepared In accordance with the provlslons appllcable to charitable companles subject to the Small companles reglme. statements were approved by the Board of Tmstees and authorlsed for Issue on and were slgned on Its behalf by: The flna cla S Powell - Chair- Trustee l Gorsuch - Treasurer- Trustee The notes form part of these financlal statements Page 11
FIRST STEP OPPORTUNITY GROUP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basls of preparing the financlal statements The flnancial statements of the charitoble company, which is a public beneflt entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reportlng by Charitie5.' Statement of Recommended Practlce applicable to charities preparlng their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reportlng Standard applicable In the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective l January 2019),, Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting standard appllcable In the UK and Republic of Iland. and the Companies Act 2006, The financlal statements have been prepared under the hlstorlcal cost convention. Company status The Company Is limited by guarantee. The members of the Company are the Trustees named on page l. In the event of the Company being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the Company. Income All Income Is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activitles once the charity has entitlement to the funds, It is probable that the Income wlll be recelved and the amount can be measured rellably. For legacles, entitlement Is taken as the earller of the date on whlch elther.. the company Is aware that probable has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notiflcatlon has been made by the executor{s) to the Trust that a dlstrlbutlon wlll be made, or when a dlstribution Is retelved from an estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or In part, Is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the Company has been notlfied of the executor's Intentlon to make a (ilstrlbutlon. Where legacles have been notifled to the Companyi or the Company is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for Income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is treated as a contlngent asset and dlsclosed if materlal. Donatlons are credlted to the Statement of Flnancial Activitles (SOFA) In the year In whlch they are recelvable. For conditional donatlons, where a clawback provlslon is in place should the event donated to not take place, these donations are recognlsed once the event has taken place. Grants recelvable and Local Authorlty fees are credlted to the Statement of Flnancial Actlvltles (SOFA) in the year In whlch they are recdvable. Income is deferred only when the Charlty has to fulfll condltlons becoming entitled to It or where the donor has specified Ihat the Income is to be expended in a future perlod. Donated services or facilitles are recognised when the company has control over the item, èny condltions associated wlth the donated item have been met, the recelpt of economlc beneflt from the use of the company of the item Is probable and that economlc benefit can be measured rellably. In accordance with the Charitles SORP <FRS 102), the general volunteer time of the Frlends is not recognlsed and refer to the Tru5tee5' report for more Inforfflation about thelr contribulion. On recelpt, donated professlonal services and donated facilities are recognlsed on the bassl of the value of the glft to the Company whlch Is the amount the Company would have been willlng to pay to obtain services or facllltles of equivalenl economic benefit on the open market. a correspondlng amount is then recognlsed in expendllure In the perlod of receipt. Income tax recoverable in relatlon to donations recelved under Glft Ald or deeds of covenant Is recognised at the tlme of the donation. Encome tax recoverable in relation to investment Income is rÈcognlsed at the time the Investment income 15 receivable. Page 12 contlnued...
FIRST STEP OPPORTUNITY GROUP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued Expenditure Llabillties are recognised as expenditure as soon a5 there is a legal or constructive obllgatlon commltting the charity to that expenditure, St is probable that a transfer of economlc benefits will be requlred in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure Is classified by actlvlty. The cost5 of each activity are made up of the total of direct Costs and shared costs, Includlng support costs involved in undertaklng each activity. Shared costs whlch contrlbute to more than one actlvlty and support cost which are not attrlbutable to a slngle activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent wlth the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basls of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on Lhe portlon of the asse.t.s use. Cost5 of generating funds are costs incurred In attracting voluntary Income, and those Incurred In tradlng activities that ralse funds. Charltable activltles are costs Incurred on the company's educatlonal operatlon5, indudlng support costs and costs relatlng to the governance of the company apportioned to charltable activitles. All expenditure is incluslve of Irrecoverable VAT. Interest recelvable 1ntere.st on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the company,. thls Is normally upon notlficatlon of the Interest pald or payable by the Bank. Operating leases Rentals under operatlng leases are charged to the Statement of Flnancial Actlvltles Incorporatlng Income and expenditure account on a straight line basls over the lease term. Tanglble flxed assets Depreclatlon Is provided at the following annual rates in order to wrlte off each asset over its estlmated useful Ilfe. Leasehold property Property addltlons Fixtures and fittings Motor vehlcles Computer equlpment 4% on cost 20% on cost 25% on cost 25Okn on cost 25% on cost Debtors Trade and other debtors are recognlsed at the Settlement amount after any trade dlscount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepald net of any trade discounts due. Cash at Bank and In Hand Cash at bank and in hand Include5 cash and short terffl highly Ilquld Investments wlth a short term maturlty of three months or less from the date of acqulsltlon or opening of the deposlt or slmllar account. Llabilities and Provisions Liabllltles are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, It Is probable that a transfer of economic benefit wlll be required In settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Llabilities are recognlsed at the amount that the company anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has recelved as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provlde. Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts requlred to settle the obllgatlon. Where the effect of the time value of money Is material, the provlslon Is based on the present value of those amounts, dlscounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the SkS specific to the Ilability. The unwinding of the dlscount is recognlsed wlthin interest payable and similar charges. Page 13 continued...
FIRST STEP OPPORTUNITY GROUP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued Taxation The charity is consldered to pass the test5 set out in Paragraph I Schedule 6 of the Flnance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition OF a Charitable Company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or galn5 received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such incoffle or galns are applied exclusively to charitable purposes. Fund accounting Unrestrlcted funds can be used In accordance wlth the charltable objectives at the dlscretion of the trustees. Restricted funds can only be used for partlcLJlar restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arlse when specifled by the donor or when funds are ralsed for partlcular restricted purposes. Deslgnated funds comprlse unrestrlcted funds that have been set aslde by the Trustees for particular purposes. The alm and use of each deslgnated ftjnd Is set out In the notes to the financlal statements. Further explanation of the nature and purpose of eath fund Is Included In the notes to the flnanclal statements. Pènslons The Charity operates a defined contrlbution penslon scheme and the penslon charge represents the amounts payable by the charlty to the fund In respect of the year. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES 2025 2024 Corporate donations Donatlons and glft ald Voluntary grants 18,026 96,488 92,574 26,932 107,309 79,981 207,088 214,222 OTHER TRADING ACTXVITIES 2025 2024 Fundraising events Hall hire and Services 42,912 20,447 58,879 30,040 63,359 88,919 Page 14 continued..,
FIRST STEP OPPORTUNITY GROUP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 INVESTMENT INCOME 2025 2024 Deposit account interest 5,294 3,395 INCOM E FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES 2025 2024 Actlvlty Family support Holiday sessions other Income Other Income 3,755 520 3,482 485 4.275 3,967 OTHER INCOME 2025 2024 Galn on sale of tanglble fixed assets other Income 9,000 5,000 5,025 14,000 5,025 CHARZT ABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS Dlrect Costs (see note 8) Famlly support Hollday sesslons 240,358 8,620 248,978 DIRECT COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES 2025 2024 staff costs other costs Depreclatlon 130,051 70,380 48,547 115,684 65,977 48,547 248,978 230,208 NET INCOME/{EXPENDITURE) Net incomel(expendlture) is stated after charglngl(credltlng): 2025 2024 Depreciatlon owned assets Surplus on disposal of fixed assets Endependent examiner's fees 51,102 (9,000) 3,534 51,102 4,473 Page 15 contlnued...
FIRST STEP OPPORTUNITY GROUP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 10. TRUSTEES. REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS There were no trustees. remLsneration or other benefits for the year ended 31st March 2025 nor for the year ended 31st March 2024. Trustees, expenses There were no trustees, expenses paid for the year ended 31st March 2025 nor for the year ended 31st March 2024. 11. STAFF COSTS 2025 2024 Wages and salarles 188,763 169,051 188,763 169,051 The key management personnel of the charlty In charge of dlrectlng and controllingi runnlng and operatlng the charlty on a day to day basis comprlse the Trustees and M Halls, Chlef Executlve Officer. The total remuneratlon (Including taxab5e benefits and employer's penslon contributions) of the key management personnel for the year was £62,492 (2024: £60,507) The average monthly number of employees durlng the year was as follows: 2025 2024 Total The number of employees whose employee beneflts (excluding employer penslon costs) exceeded £60,000 was.. 2025 2024 £60,001 £70,000 12. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVATIES- 31 MARCH 2023 Unrestricled Restrlcted Total funds runds funds INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donallons and legacles 140,820 73,402 214,222 Charitable actlvltles Family support Hollday sessions 3,482 485 3.482 485 other tradlng activitie5 Investment income other income 88,919 3,395 5,025 88,919 3,395 5,025 Total 242,126 73,402 315,528 EXPENDITURE ON Ralsing funds 84,943 4,067 89,010 Charitable actlvities Educatlonal services Famlly supporl Holiday sesslons total 144 104,753 4,273 144 224,710 5,354 119,957 1,081 Page 16 continued...
FIRST STEP OPPORTUNITY GROUP NOTES TO THE FINANCXAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 12. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - 31 MARCH 2023 - continued Unrestricted funds Restricted runds Total funds New projects 77,873 77,873 Total 194,113 202,978 397,091 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) 48,013 {129,576) (81,563) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 146,284 546,581 692,865 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 194,297 417,005 611,302 13. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Flxtures and flttlngs Leasehold property Property addltlons COST At 1st Aprll 2024 Dlsposals 1,153,673 31,630 114,039 At 31st March 2025 1,153,673 31.630 114.039 DEPRECIATION At 1st April 2024 Charge for year Elimlnated on disposal 802,137 46,147 31,630 110,516 1,762 At 31st March 2025 848,284 31,630 112,278 NET BOOK VALUE At 31st March 2025 305,389 1,761 At 31st March 2024 351,536 3,523 Page 17 ontinued...
FIRST STEP OPPORTUNITY GROUP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- contlnued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 13. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS - continued Motor vehicles Computer equipment Totals COST At 1st April 2024 Disposals 42.903 (42,903) 12,771 1,355,016 (42,903) At 31st March 2025 12,771 1,312,113 DEPRECIATION At 1st April 2024 Charge for year Eliminated on disposal 42,903 9,578 3.193 996,764 51.102 (42,903) (42,903) At 31st March 2025 12,771 1,004,963 NET BOOK VALUE At 31st March 2025 307,150 At 31st March 2024 3,193 358,252 14. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2025 2024 Trade debtors Prepayments and accrued Income 3,005 11,611 10,977 48,312 14,616 59,289 15. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2025 2024 Trade credltors other creditors Accruals and deferred Income 8,210 21,268 7,110 7,148 6,361 11,384 36,588 24,893 16. LEASING AGREEMENTS Mlnlmum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases fall due as follows: 2025 2024 Within one year Between one and five years In more than fi've years 8,364 33,456 16,728 8,364 33,456 25,092 58,548 66,912 Page 18 contlnued...
FIRST STEP OPPORTUNITY GROUP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 17. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS 2025 Total funds 2024 Total funds Unrestrirted fund5 Restricted funds Flxed assets Current assets Current liabilities 307,150 49,505 307.150 299,351 (36,588) 358,252 277,943 (24,893) 249,846 (36,588) 213,258 356,655 569,913 611,302 Included IT) restricted ndS is a long-term leasehold property with a net book value of £305,389 (2024: £351,536). The basis of the property being in restrlcted funds Is that the terms of the 25 year lease on the property specify certaln restrictions on its use by the charlty. The orlglnal expendlture on the property was £1,153.673 and thls related to the refurbishment of the property. The charlty ralsed the necessary funds to pay for this. The expendlture was capltallsed and Is now being depreclated over the lease term of 25 years. 18. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Net movement In funds At 31.3.25 At 1.4.24 Unrestricted funds General fund 194,297 18,961 213,258 Restricted funds Long Term Leasehold Property Depreclation Fund Appeal Income Given Wilson Institute The Natlonal Lottery Asset Depreclatlon Fund 351,536 20,745 23,453 15,250 6,021 (46,147) 305,389 20,745 20,217 8,543 1,761 (3,236) (6,707) (4,260) 417,005 (60,350) 356,655 TOTAL FUNDS 611,302 (41,389) 569,913 Net movement In funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming resources Resources expended Movement In ftjnds Unrestricted funds General fund 216,941 (197,980) 18,961 Restricted funds Long Term Leasehold Property Depreciation Fund Glven Wllson Instltute The National Lottery Asset Depreciatlon Fund (46,147) (3,237) (83,781) (4,260) (46,147) (3,236) {6,707) (4,260) 77,074 77,075 (137,425) (60,350) TOTAL FUNDS 294.016 {335,405) (41,389) Page 19 continued...
FIRST STEP OPPORTUNITY GROUP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 18. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS- continued Comparatives for movement in funds Net movement In funds Transfers between funds At 31.3.24 At 1.4.23 Unrestricted funds General fund 146,284 48,013 194,297 Restrlcted funds Long Term Leasehold Property Depreciation Fund Appeal Income Veolia Envlronmental Trust Awards for All Given Wllson Inslltute The National Lottery Asset Depreciation Fund 397,683 68,681 35,221 4,996 25,000 15,000 (46,147) (47,936) {31,698) (2,498) (1,547) 250 351,536 20,745 (3,523) (2,498) 23,453 15,250 6,021 6,021 546,581 {129,576) 417,005 TOTAL FUNDS 692,865 {81,563) 611,302 Comparative net movement In funds, included In the above are as follows: Incomlng resources Resource5 expended Movement In funds Unrestricted funds General fund 242,126 {194,113) 48,013 Restricted funds Long Term Leasehold Property Depreclation Fund Appeal Income Veolia Environmental Trust Awards for All Given Wllson Institute The National Lottery (46, 147) <47,936) (31,698) (2,498) (1,547) (73,152) (46,147) (47,936) (31,698) (2,498) (1,547) 250 73,402 73,402 (202,978) (129,576) TOTAL FUNDS 315,528 (397,09 1) (81,563) LONGTERM LEASEHOLD PROPERTY DEPRECIATION FUND The long-tern) leasehold property fund relates to the refurbishment of the premise5 used by the charity, which is belng depreciated over 25 years. Durlng the year, depreclatlon of £46,147 was charged (2024: £46,147). The net book value of the property at the year end was £305,389 (2024: £351,536)- APPEAL INCOME The appeal income fund has been created to establish a means of supportlng the ongoing charltable actlvlties of First step. GIVEN WILSON INSTITUTE The Given Wilson Institute funds were received to fund First Step to bulld a long-term source of income to make First step more sustainable. Page 20 continued...
FIRST STEP OPPORTUNITY GROUP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 18. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - contlnued NATIONAL LOTTERY The National Lottery fundlng was received to fund Flrst Step's Family First Project dellvering Family Support Sessions. VEOLIA FUND The Veolia funds were received to be used towards Improvement works to make the buildlng more sultable for community use ASSET DEPRECIATION FUND Thls fund re.pre.se.nts the net book value of assets purchased using funds which have been spent in full at the year end. Thls fund will be unwound as the assets depreclate. 19. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES There were no related party transactlons for the year ended 3 1st Narch 2025. Page 21