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2025-08-31-accounts

Company registration number: 05385880 Charity registration number: 1110956

ABLAZE A Business Learning Action Zone for Education

(A company limited by guarantee)

Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

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ABLAZE A Business Learning Action Zone for Education

Contents

Reference and Administrative Details 1
Trustees' Report 2 to 10
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities 11
Independent Examiner's Report 12
Statement of Financial Activities 13
Balance Sheet 14
Notes to the Financial Statements 15 to 27

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ABLAZE A Business Learning Action Zone for Education

Reference and Administrative Details

Trustees Ashley Daniells Shawnett Morgan Richard Stokes Julia Thomas Simon Wilks Martin Jones William Crameri Secretary Victoria Gibbs Principal Office TLT One Redcliff Street Bristol BS1 6TP Registered Office Ablaze c/o TLT One Redcliff Street Bristol BS1 6TP Company Registration Number 05385880 Charity Registration Number 1110956 Independent Examiner Anthony Robin Dicker FCA

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ABLAZE A Business Learning Action Zone for Education

Trustees' Report

The trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 31 August 2025.

Objectives and activities

Objects and aims

The aim of our charity is to continue to develop partnerships between business and young people in education and those starting out on their careers, building on foundations first established by the Bristol Education Action Zone, for the benefit of young people in our region.

The objectives, as laid down in our Memorandum and Articles of Association, continue to focus on tackling inequality of opportunity by raising the aspiration, achievement and attainment of young people in the West of England. We aim to enrich educational opportunities, improve access to education, create and develop sustained learning partnerships between the education, business and public sectors. We also support the development of professionals involved in these sectors to build communities where learning is prioritised and opportunities are equitable for all.

How the activities deliver public benefit

Ablaze provides children and young people with access to business volunteers and opportunities to help raise attainment, develop skills, and broaden their aspirations. For many young people, this represents an opportunity they would not otherwise have.

The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

Achievements and performance

This year has been a strong and positive year for Ablaze, marked by expanded programme delivery and strengthened income generation.

Despite supporting more young people than in the previous year, our service income decreased from the previous year, reflecting the ongoing pressure on school budgets and more companies having reduced their CSR budgets. However, our investment in fundraising successfully offset this reduction, through increased grants and donations during 2024/25.

During the year, we ran a large Big Give match-funding campaign, raising over £24,000 and secured a multi-year grant from the National Lottery to deliver our Employment and Skills Programme for the next three years, as well as significant grants from several trusts and foundations.

Thanks to our diversified fundraising successes, we ended the year with a £35,055 surplus, compared to a deficit in 2023-24, meaning that our reserves are now within our target range. Over the course of next year, we would like to be able to increase our income so that we can designate some money to employ a new member of staff, allowing us to grow our programmes.

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Trustees' Report

The Need for our work

Issues facing young people are not changing or decreasing in challenge, in some areas they are getting worse. The need for our services is as great as ever and these indicators underscore the critical and growing need for Ablaze’s services:

At Ablaze, we are rooted in our local community and have spent the last 20 years building relationships with local schools, businesses, and young people to truly address their evolving needs. Through effective community engagement, we help businesses to make the best use of their resources to support their community and make a difference. Evaluation shows that our programmes do make a difference, and our impact remains strong across the age ranges we support.

Programme Highlights:

This year saw strong programme delivery across Ablaze, with rising participation and sustained impact for children and young people. We supported more young people than last year, delivered high quality programmes in partnership with schools and businesses, and strengthened our core offer across mentoring, primary literacy and numeracy, and employability support. Multi year funding for our Employment & Skills Programme has enabled continued growth in this area, while our Reading and Number Partners and mentoring programmes expanded their reach and continued to show strong outcomes.

The following sections highlight our key achievements and progress for each programme during 24-25.

Career Mentoring

“I feel re-inspired with my work, inspired by the children and their passion and vigour to learn” - JET volunteer

“I’ve volunteered for 12 years with young people and get so much joy and contentment from 'giving back'. The enjoyment gained from empowering young people with the knowledge, skills and experiences that you have gained is so rewarding”. Ascent Flight Training Volunteer

“Volunteering is a reminder of how it all began for me, leading to gratitude, as I too attended a number of similar sessions when I was younger and had long lasting memories for me” Ecosurity Volunteer

“It allows a diverse range of students to gain skills and also increase their awareness of the workplace” Just Eat Volunteer

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Trustees' Report

“The programme helps young people explore life outside of school. It gives them a taste of the real world, a chance to do something outside of the day-to-day, and attempt to solve problems in an abstract manner. It’s great!” Mayden Volunteer

Early Career Mentoring

“I didn’t know you could have a job making magazines, now I want to make one too!” - Pupil, St Michael’s Junior School, Bath.

“The day was ridiculously exciting for the pupils, they got to talk to people they didn’t know, do things they’ve not done before and share what they do know.” -Teacher, Merchant’s Academy, Bristol

“I haven’t worked with children of this age before, so didn’t know what to expect, but had a great day and learnt a lot about myself in the process too. It was good to be able to give back to the local community and raise the aspirations of the children we supported” Future Publishing Volunteer.

“This was a really good day, The pupils demonstrated good teamwork, communication and listening skills themselves and it was good for them to hear from volunteers about the skills needed for the workplace.” Teacher at St Michael’s Junior School, Bath

Reading and Number Partners

Of the pupils on the Reading Partners programme:

Of the pupils on the Number Partners programme:

Of all pupils supported:

“I've really enjoyed the volunteering. It's been such an inspiring, educational and fun programme to take part in. I feel proud to volunteer with my local community.” -Volunteer

“I feel like the volunteering improves my wellbeing, it is during the middle of the work day and I find it a really helpful break, where I know I'm doing something positive for someone else.” Allianz Volunteer

“It was joyful and engaging. I look forward to the walk up to the school, it gives you time to chat to new colleagues and build a relationship with them too”. BBC Volunteer

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Trustees' Report

“This scheme in particular motivated me because I was always an avid reader as a child, which has stood me in excellent stead as an adult, and yet I am aware that many children do not have the support at home to develop their reading skills. It's a little burst of fun and joy, which can't help but boost my mood for the rest of the day” Bevan Brittan Volunteer

“Volunteering as a Number Partner has been great. It gives me a postive break from my normal role and seeing the children grow in confidence week on week has been really rewarding” Bank of Ireland Volunteer

Airbus Foundation Youth Programme

• We successfully ran another Airbus Youth Programme with 20 year 9 students from Abbeywood Community School.

“Now that I have done this programme it makes me think more about my future and I realise school is way more important than I used to think.” “I get to see how what we are learning in science applies in the real world. You can’t see that in a lot of places.” - Students, Abbeywood Community School

“I have loved seeing the students engage and becoming more mature as the programme has gone on. I really enjoyed seeing them work together to get the best drone they could. I have also loved the technical side of it and working behind the scenes to develop really cool things for them to work on and do.” - Airbus Volunteer Mentor

“I really enjoyed being part of this programme. I’ve gained leadership skills by managing a small team. I enjoyed seeing the development of the students are the programme went on. They all improved in confidence and gained better communication skills.” - Airbus Volunteer Mentor

Employment & Skills Programme

We supported 9 young people through the programme in this academic year.

• 88% have better knowledge of how to make a good impression when applying for a job or apprenticeship

“I feel so much more comfortable with myself in a professional setting. I feel like I can actually achieve the things I want for myself” “It has really helped me to develop my transferable skills, it boosted my confidence in networking.” – Participating Young People

“It grants the young person confidence and a sense of direction.” - Mentor

“We’ve hosted two wonderful participants from Ablaze. It’s been amazing for them and for our staff team. It’s really brought us together and changed our dynamics as it’s allowed some staff to manage people for the first time. Overall, amazing benefits and the impact is going to be long-lived so I would definitely recommend getting involved.” - Work placement Host, Healthwatch

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ABLAZE A Business Learning Action Zone for Education

Trustees' Report

Financial review

The charity reported net income of £266,901 (up from £210,069 in 2023-24). This was more than forecasted in our budget by £61,543, meaning our funds increased by £35,055 by the end of the year.

Our charging income was lower in 2024/25 than in 2023/24, however our increased fundraising, including our 20th anniversary Big Give Campaign, offset this reduced charging income and lead to an overall higher income. Our expenditure was very slightly lower in 2024/25 than 2023/24.

Our reserves are now within our target range as our income was greater than our expenditure last year, marking a significant recovery from the previous year's shortfall (2023–24 unrestricted reserves: £80,249 and now 2024–25 unrestricted: £96,279).

Fundraising activities

We have continued our investment in fundraising and our 20th Anniversary campaign successfully strengthened our income streams, and we also benefitted from support from multiple trusts, foundations and corporate partners including: the Postcode Local Trust, the Quartet Community Foundation, the Nisbet Trust, The Steel Charitable Trust, Portishead Nautical Trust, the Denman Charitable Trust, National Lottery – Reaching Communities, Dame Violet Wills Trust, Burges Salmon Charitable Trust, B-Clear Foundation, Neighbourly and South Glos Council.

The focus for our fundraising continues to support our school-based programmes, due to the increased pressures on schools’ budgets, but mostly on funding our core costs, such as insurance, accountancy costs, administration and programme development.

Investment policy and objectives

The trustees have wide powers of investment. Surplus short-term funds are held in an interest-bearing deposit account.

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Trustees' Report

Policy on reserves

Unrestricted reserves at the end of the year: 31st August 2025 were £96,279

The Trustees of Ablaze recognize the importance of maintaining a robust financial position to ensure the charity’s activities are sustained for the foreseeable future. To manage financial risk and provide operational stability, the Trustees have established a reserves policy designed to cover working capital requirements, mitigate unexpected expenditure, and protect against shortfalls in income. The Trustees aim to maintain unrestricted reserves within a target range of £86,076 to £123,601. This range represents approximately four to six months of essential operating expenditure, including core overheads, alongside a provision for potential redundancy and wind-up costs.

Maintaining reserves within this range ensures that Ablaze remains a going concern and can continue to deliver its mission even during periods of financial volatility. Should unrestricted reserves exceed the upper threshold of this range, the Trustees will review the surplus and may allocate funds to designated reserves for specific strategic priorities, such as IT infrastructure upgrades, website development, or future staffing needs. This approach ensures that all charitable funds are utilized effectively to further our aims while maintaining a prudent level of financial security

In addition to these reserves, and in accordance with our Business Plan, the Trustees have also designated the following funds from our unrestricted reserves for the year 2025/26.

IT

We had £1,000 designated for IT at the start of 2024/25. We needed to purchase a new laptop during the year at a cost of £569. A number of our computers are now over or reaching five years old, so we have added an additional £969 to the IT designated fund to allow us to replace outdated IT equipment as it becomes necessary.

The total ringfenced reserves plus designated funds leaves us with an unrestricted income fund of £94,879, which is within our target range. We will continue to fundraise to ensure we stay within this range, as well as fundraising for future growth or new programmes.

Office accommodation

TLT Solicitors have continued to support Ablaze with some access to pro bono office space in 2024/25, whilst this is more limited than previous years due to them taking on Government Contracts. Since February 2025 TLT have offered us use of a meeting room on their public meeting floor for one day a week, use of rooms for our employment and skills workshops and some storage for our equipment. The total contribution is valued at £11,000 per annum, with 6 months full use of office space and 6 months use of 1 day per week meeting room. We will continue to research alternative pro-bono options and may need to fundraise to pay for space next year.

Pay policy for senior staff

The directors consider that the board of directors, who are the Trustees, comprise the key management personnel of the charity in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the charity on a day-to-day basis. All directors give their time freely and no director received remuneration in the year. Details of directors’ expenses and related party transactions are disclosed in note 8 to the accounts.

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Trustees' Report

Plans for future periods

Aims and key objectives for future periods

Successes to note against targets set in our 2024/25 business plan:

  1. We strengthened and expanded our partnerships this year, working with 38 businesses and 336 volunteers, an increase on the previous year. These relationships enabled us to widen our reach and deliver high quality programmes across the region.

  2. We developed and delivered our new 1-day Career Mentoring programme alongside our Core 6-session programme, supporting 168 young people. Outcomes across Career Mentoring remained high, with 100% of participants learning key employability skills and the majority reporting increased confidence.

  3. Our Reading and Number Partners programme achieved 44% growth, with 26 programmes delivered across 20 schools. Supported by 19 business partners, the programme reached 350 pupils, delivering strong gains in confidence, literacy and numeracy.

  4. We built on last year’s success with a well received Employment and Skills Programme supporting 9 young people facing barriers to employment. Thanks to multi year funding from the National Lottery and support from South Gloucestershire Council, we secured funding for an additional 3 years and strengthened and stabilised this programme.

  5. Improved Financial Position: We have a £35,055 surplus, a major improvement on last year, enabling us to bring our reserves back within the target range. Strong fundraising, including over £24,000 raised through the Big Give has helped us exceed income expectations.

Our 2025/26 business plan has the following key goals for Ablaze:

  1. To ensure smooth transition of staff changes – new CEO, School Partnership Manager and Corporate Partnership Manager

  2. Retain and strengthen our current partnerships and build new ones across all our programmes and contracts to ensure retention and progression with businesses and schools.

  3. Review and refresh the CM Programme to create the 3-tier offering and retain current partnerships

  4. Sustain growth in Reading and Number Partner Programmes

  5. Dedicate time to investigating new contract opportunities

  6. Recruit one new Trustee before the summer

  7. Raise £50,000 through fundraising and business development activity

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ABLAZE A Business Learning Action Zone for Education Trustees' Report

Trustees and officers

The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:

Trustees: Ashley Daniells Shawnett Morgan Richard Stokes Julia Thomas Simon Wilks Martin Jones (appointed 15 October 2024) William Crameri (appointed 4 September 2025)

Secretary: Victoria Gibbs

Structure, governance and management

Nature of governing document

The charity is constituted as a private company, limited by guarantee and therefore has no share capital. It is governed by a memorandum and Articles of Association, dated 8 March 2005, and amended by Written Resolution, dated 1 August 2005. It is a registered charity with the Charity Commission.

Recruitment and appointment of trustees

The Board undertook a fundamental review of the governance of the charity in 2020/21 to ensure that arrangements were robust and represented best practice. New Articles of Association were adopted on 26th February 2021. In addition, a New Governance Handbook was prepared.

The Directors constantly review the skill set and experiences required by the Board of Trustees to ensure that Board membership reflects the correct balance and skills required to maximise effectiveness. The Directors who served during the year and up to the date of this report are set out on page1.

Induction and training of trustees

Trustees receive training and are regularly updated on changes in legislation and best practice guidance issued from time to time by the Charity Commission.

Risk management

The Directors have carried out a thorough review of the risks facing the charity; the next review is scheduled for January 2027. The risks are prioritised and top risks are reviewed at every Board meeting, and the CEO and Directors are tasked to formulate and implement plans to minimise risks.

Ablaze’s current main risk is lack of our own office space/premises. Since February 2025 we have use of meeting rooms at TLT 1 day a week, but this does restrict our ability to meet and work collaboratively together as a team. We are actively seeking more permanent space and have ring fenced money raised from our Big Give fundraising campaign for this.

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Trustees' Report

Conclusion

I am proud to reflect on another year of progress for Ablaze, as we continue to build on strong foundations and respond to the evolving needs of the young people we serve. Over the past year, we have focused on strengthening the quality and reach of our programmes, ensuring that our work remains both relevant and impactful.

We have seen continued development across our core areas, from early career mentoring to our partnerships supporting reading and numeracy, as well as our Employment and Skills programme. By deepening existing relationships and forming new collaborations, we have been able to extend our support to more young people and deliver it in increasingly effective ways.

This year has also marked an important period of transition for Ablaze, with the appointment of our new CEO, Gilly. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to her for the energy, leadership and clarity she has brought to Ablaze. Her commitment to our mission and her drive to build on our successes have already made a significant impact, and we look forward to her continued leadership as we look ahead.

As we move forward, our focus remains clear: to tackle inequality of opportunity and to ensure that every young person we work with is supported to realise their potential. We are ambitious about what comes next and are committed to continuing to grow, adapt and innovate in pursuit of that goal.

Finally, I would like to thank our dedicated staff team, fellow trustees and valued partners. Their hard work, passion and collaboration are at the heart of everything we achieve, and they continue to make a meaningful difference to the lives of young people across the region.

Small companies provision statement

This report has been prepared in accordance with the small companies regime under the Companies Act 2006.

The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 12 May 2026.................... and signed on its behalf by:

......................................... Ashley Daniells Trustee

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Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities

The trustees (who are also the directors of ABLAZE A Business Learning Action Zone for Education for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland".

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that can disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

12 May 2026 Approved by the trustees of the charity on .................... and signed on its behalf by:

......................................... Ashley Daniells Trustee

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Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of ABLAZE A Business Learning Action Zone for Education ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 August 2025.

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 ABLAZE A Business Learning Action Zone for Education's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of , 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 ABLAZE A Business Learning Action Zone for Education 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 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.

......................................

Anthony Robin Dicker FCA

20 / 05 / 2026

Date:.............................

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Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 August 2025 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)

Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
funds funds 2025 2024
Note £ £ £ £
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies 3 131,481 106,120 237,601 171,644
Charitable activities 4 28,700 - 28,700 37,462
Investment income 5 600 - 600 963
Total income 160,781 106,120 266,901 210,069
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities 6 (113,834) (118,012) (231,846) (232,681)
Total expenditure (113,834) (118,012) (231,846) (232,681)
Net income/(expenditure) 46,947 (11,892) 35,055 (22,612)
Net movement in funds 46,947 (11,892) 35,055 (22,612)
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 49,332 24,483 73,815 96,427
Total funds carried forward 18 96,279 12,591 108,870 73,815

All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for 2025 is shown in note 18.

The notes on pages 15 to 27 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 13

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(Registration number: 05385880) Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2025

2025 2024
Note £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 12 896 568
Current assets
Debtors 13 12,167 12,931
Cash at bank and in hand 14 113,891 65,083
126,058 78,014
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 15 (18,084) (4,767)
Net current assets 107,974 73,247
Net assets 108,870 73,815
Funds of the charity:
Restricted income funds
Restricted funds 18 12,591 24,483
Unrestricted income funds
Unrestricted funds 96,279 49,332
Total funds 18 108,870 73,815

For the financial year ending 31 August 2025 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Directors' responsibilities:

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

The financial statements on pages 13 to 27 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on ....................12 May 2026 and signed on their behalf by:

......................................... Ashley Daniells Trustee

The notes on pages 15 to 27 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 14

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

1 Charity status

The charity is a private company limited by guarantee, incorporated in England and Wales, and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £10 towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation.

The address of its registered office is: Ablaze c/o TLT One Redcliff Street Bristol BS1 6TP The principal place of business is: TLT One Redcliff Street Bristol BS1 6TP 12 May 2026 These financial statements were authorised for issue by the trustees on ...............

2 Accounting policies

Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates

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

Statement of compliance

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Basis of preparation

Ablaze meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company, and rounded to the nearest £.

Going concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern nor any significant areas of uncertainty that affect the carrying value of assets held by the charity.

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

Income and endowments

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

Donations and legacies

Donations are recognised when the charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance by the charity before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.

Grants receivable

Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released.

Donated services and facilities

Where services are provided to the charity as a donation that would normally be purchased from our suppliers, this contribution is included in the financial statements at an estimate based on the value of the contributions to the charity whenever the value exceeds £1,000. A corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

Investment income

Interest on funds held on deposits 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

All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, when it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.

Charitable activities

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Support costs

Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources, for example, allocating property costs by floor areas, or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage.

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

Governance costs

These include the costs attributable to the charity's compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit, strategic management and trustee's meetings and reimbursed expenses.

Taxation

The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance 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 capital gains 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 income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

Tangible fixed assets

Individual fixed assets costing £200 or more are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

Depreciation and amortisation

Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:

Asset class Depreciation method and rate Fixtures, fittings and equipment 33% straight line basis

Trade debtors

Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business.

Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

Trade creditors

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the charity does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities.

Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Fund structure

Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.

Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.

Pensions and other post retirement obligations

A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which fixed contributions are paid into a pension fund and the charity has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributions even if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods.

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as employee benefit expense when they are due. If contribution payments exceed the contribution due for service, the excess is recognised as a prepayment.

3 Income from donations and legacies

Unrestricted
funds Restricted Total Total
General funds 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Donations and legacies;
Donations from individuals 45,481 42,005 87,486 31,785
Grants, including capital grants;
Grants from companies 66,000 64,115 130,115 119,859
Donated services and facilities 20,000 - 20,000 20,000
131,481 106,120 237,601 171,644

For the year ended 31 August 2024 £61,423 of the income above was attributable to unrestricted funds and £110,221 attributable to restricted funds.

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

4 Income from charitable activities

Unrestricted
funds Total Total
General 2025 2024
£ £ £
Primary purpose trading 28,700 28,700 37,462

For the year ended 31 August 2024 £37,462 of the income above was attributable to unrestricted funds and £nil attributable to restricted funds.

5 Investment income

Unrestricted
funds Total Total
General 2025 2024
£ £ £
Interest receivable and similar income;
Interest receivable on bank deposits 600 600 963

For the year eneded 31 August 2024 £963 of the income above was attributable to unrestricted funds and £nil attributable to restricted funds.

6 Expenditure on charitable activities

Activity Activity
undertaken support
directly costs 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Travel and subsistence 535 - 535 687
Direct costs 15,403 - 15,403 11,572
Bad debt written off - 650 650 -
Subcontract costs 500 - 500 1,488
Employment costs 174,749 - 174,749 172,792
Website development and
improvements to IT
infrastructure - 1,996 1,996 747
Rent - 20,000 20,000 20,000
Sundry and other costs - 151 151 92
Printing, postage and stationery - 245 245 138
Accountancy fees 3,533 - 3,533 3,027
Independent examiner's fee 420 - 420 360
Legal and professional fees 1,812 - 1,812 1,701

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

Activity Activity
undertaken support
directly costs 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Depreciation of tangible fixed
assets - 713 713 1,002
Contract expenses 11,139 - 11,139 19,075
208,091 23,755 231,846 232,681

£113,834 (2024 - £128,790) of the expenditure above was attributable to unrestricted funds and £118,012 (2024 - £103,891) attributable to restricted funds.

In addition to the expenditure analysed above, there are also governance costs of £5,765 (2024 - £5,088) which relate directly to charitable activities. See note 7 for further details.

7 Analysis of governance and support costs

Support costs allocated to charitable activities

Other
Information Premises support Total Total
Basis of technology costs costs 2025 2024
allocation £ £ £ £ £
Primary purpose
trading A 1,996 20,000 1,109 23,105 21,979

Basis of allocation

Reference Method of allocation

Support costs are apportioned across the main activities of the charity on the basis A of total staff time spent on each of these during the year.

Governance costs

Governance costs
Unrestricted Total Total
funds 2025 2024
£ £ £
Accountancy fees 3,533 3,533 3,027
Independent examiner's fees 420 420 360
Legal and professional fees 1,812 1,812 1,701
5,765 5,765 5,088

For the year ended 31 August 2024 £5,088 of the above expenditure was attributable to unrestricted funds and £nil to restricted funds.

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

8 Net incoming/outgoing resources

Net incoming/(outgoing) resources for the year include:

2025 2024
£ £
Depreciation of fixed assets 713 1,002
Independent Examiner's remuneration 420 360

9 Trustees remuneration and expenses

No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.

No trustees have received any reimbursed expenses or any other benefits from the charity during the year.

10 Staff costs

The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:

The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:
2025 2024
£ £
Staff costs during the year were:
Wages and salaries 160,784 159,334
Social security costs 9,009 9,815
Pension costs 3,690 3,643
173,483 172,792

The monthly average number of persons (including senior management / leadership team) employed by the charity during the year was as follows:

2025 2024
No No
Charitable activities 4 4

No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year.

11 Taxation

The charity is a registered charity and is therefore potentially exempt from taxation. No tax liabilities have arisen during the year.

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

12 Tangible fixed assets

12 Tangible fixed assets
Fixtures,
fittings and
equipment Total
£ £
Cost
At 1 September 2024 4,373 4,373
Additions 1,041 1,041
Disposals (1,030) (1,030)
At 31 August 2025 4,384 4,384
Depreciation
At 1 September 2024 3,805 3,805
Charge for the year 713 713
Eliminated on disposals (1,030) (1,030)
At 31 August 2025 3,488 3,488
Net book value
At 31 August 2025 896 896
At 31 August 2024 568 568
13 Debtors
2025 2024
£ £
Trade debtors 6,082 3,525
Prepayments 1,610 1,562
Accrued income 4,475 7,844
12,167 12,931
14 Cash and cash equivalents
2025 2024
£ £
Cash on hand 17 24
Cash at bank 113,874 65,059
113,891 65,083

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

15 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

15 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2025 2024
£ £
Trade creditors 3,738 2,033
Accruals 14,346 2,734
18,084 4,767

16 Pension and other schemes

Defined contribution pension scheme

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The pension cost charge for the year represents contributions payable by the charity to the scheme and amounted to £3,690 (2024 - £3,643).

17 Contingent liabilities

The charity has previously received a donation with the condition that it could become repayable at some point in the future although this is considered unlikely. If any part of this donation becomes repayable to the donor, the maximum amount the charity would have to repay is £10,330.

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

18 Funds
Balance at 1 Balance at
September Incoming Resources 31 August
2024 resources expended Transfers 2025
£ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General
Unrestricted income fund 48,332 160,781 (113,265) (969) 94,879
Designated
IT 1,000 - (569) 969 1,400
Total unrestricted funds 49,332 160,781 (113,834) - 96,279
Restricted funds
Airbus fund - 22,375 (22,375) - -
Fundraising campaign 3,500 - (3,500) - -
Early career mentoring - 15,000 (11,000) - 4,000
Primary programmes 3,000 18,558 (21,558) - -
Fund Their Future
donation - 1,900 (1,900) - -
Quartet donation 5,000 10,000 (15,000) - -
Wiltshire Community
Foundation - 5,000 (5,000) - -
WECA Grant - Engaging
Potential - 5,729 (5,729) - -
National Lottery 12,983 27,558 (31,950) - 8,591
Total restricted funds 24,483 106,120 (118,012) - 12,591
Total funds 73,815 266,901 (231,846) - 108,870

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

Balance at 1
September Incoming Resources Balance at 31
2023 resources expended August 2024
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General
Unrestricted income fund 77,039 99,848 (128,555) 48,332
Designated
Fundraising 2,210 - (2,210) -
IT 1,000 - - 1,000
3,210 - (2,210) 1,000
Total unrestricted funds 80,249 99,848 (130,765) 49,332
Restricted
Airbus fund - 23,450 (23,450) -
Fundraising campaign 3,500 - - 3,500
Primary programmes 4,548 11,800 (13,348) 3,000
The Herman Miller Cares 3,930 - (3,930) -
Bristol Airport Community
Fund 3,000 - (3,000) -
Quartet donation - 6,000 (1,000) 5,000
The Siobhan Dowd Trust 1,200 - (1,200) -
National Grid - 19,000 (19,000) -
Wiltshire Community
Foundation - 5,000 (5,000) -
We are Futures - 15,000 (15,000) -
WECA Grant - Engaging
Potential - 10,581 (10,581) -
National Lottery - 19,390 (6,407) 12,983
Total restricted funds 16,178 110,221 (101,916) 24,483
Total funds 96,427 210,069 (232,681) 73,815

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

The specific purposes for which the funds are to be applied are as follows:

Unrestricted funds are expendable at the discretion of the trustees in the furtherance of the objectives of the charity. Such funds are held in order to finance both working capital and capital investment.

Restricted funds are expendable in accordance with the agreement with donors as follows:

Airbus funds are for the management of the programme logistics and to pay for the cost of the coaches used to transport the students to and from Airbus.

Fundraising campaign funds was money donated to Ablaze from National Friendly to assist with the costs of running a fundraising campaign.

Early career mentoring funds are to develop and implement an Early Career Mentoring programme designed to intrduce Year 6 pupils to the skills needed to work, raise their aspirations and prepare them for the transition to secondary school.

Primary programmes funds are for the management of the programme logistics for the Reading Buddies and Number Partners Primary School programmes.

The Herman Miller Cares funds are to support the Career Mentoring programme.

Bristol Airport Community Fund provided a donation from Bristol Airport's Environmental Improvement Fund to support programmes taking place in the fund's core are of support.

Fund Their Future provided a donation to record a fundraising video for our 20th anniversary year.

Quartet provided a grant to support programmes in the Quartet area of work (Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset).

The Siobhan Dowd Trust donated money to purchase books for children taking part in the ABLAZE Reading Partners programme.

The Wiltshire Community Foundation provided a grant to support Career Mentoring programmes in Wiltshire.

The National Grid Community Grant was to support the provision of programmes in the fund’s core area of support.

We Are Futures funds were a grant to provide an employability support programme to young people, supported by NatWest CareerSense.

WECA Engaging Potential was a grant from the West of England Combined Authority, paid to Ablaze by South Gloucestershire Council, to provide an employment and skills programme to NEET young people ages 16-25 living in South Gloucestershire.

The National Lottery Community Fund grant was to provide extra support to young people taking part in the Engaging Potential employability programme, as well as to further develop the programme so that we can support more young people in the West of England region.

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

19 Analysis of net assets between funds

19 Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted
funds Restricted Total funds
at 31 August funds at 31 at 31 August
2025 August 2025 2025
£ £ £
Tangible fixed assets 896 - 896
Current assets 113,467 12,591 126,058
Current liabilities (18,084) - (18,084)
Total net assets 96,279 12,591 108,870
Unrestricted
funds Restricted Total funds
at 31 August funds at 31 at 31 August
2024 August 2024 2024
£ £ £
Tangible fixed assets 568 - 568
Current assets 53,531 24,483 78,014
Current liabilities (4,767) - (4,767)
Total net assets 49,332 24,483 73,815

20 Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions in the year.

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Audit trail

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Ablaze annual accounts for signing. Title ABLAZE_2025_accounts_for_signing.pdf File name Document ID cd131e6623ef87943315971c4f05ee55a11bf420 Audit trail date format DD / MM / YYYY Status Signed

19 / 05 / 2026 Sent for signature to Ashley Daniells 13:29:48 UTC (ash.daniells@kennedyslaw.com) and Anthony Robin Dicker FCA (ard@tonydicker.co.uk) from victoria.gibbs@ablazebristol.org IP: 88.97.221.222 19 / 05 / 2026 Viewed by Ashley Daniells (ash.daniells@kennedyslaw.com) 15:48:29 UTC IP: 85.115.52.201 19 / 05 / 2026 Signed by Ashley Daniells (ash.daniells@kennedyslaw.com) 15:49:09 UTC IP: 85.115.52.201 20 / 05 / 2026 Viewed by Anthony Robin Dicker FCA (ard@tonydicker.co.uk) 07:56:25 UTC IP: 92.233.117.240 20 / 05 / 2026 Signed by Anthony Robin Dicker FCA (ard@tonydicker.co.uk) 07:58:28 UTC IP: 92.233.117.240 20 / 05 / 2026 The document has been completed. 07:58:28 UTC

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