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 ex￿eded £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 I￿land. 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