Company registration number.. 5485321 Charity registration number.. l 111171 Home-start West Berkshire (A company limited by guarantee) Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 E J Business Consultants Limited 2 Toomers Wharf Canal Walk Newbury Berkshire RG14 IDY
Home-start West Berkshire Contents Reference and Administrative Iktails Tntees, Report 2to5 Statement of Trustees, Responsibilities Independent Examinerfs Report Statement of Finan¢ial Activities Balance Sheet Notes to the Financial Statements IOto15
Home•Start West Berksbire Reference and Administrative Detsils Trnsttes Rachael Lornian Claire Carless. Chair Janet Sugden (resigned l January 2025) Lkirdre Carr Juliet Penley Sue Orniiston Holly King. Treasurer Gemma Foot (appointed 29 October 2024) Lawrence Wright (appointed 16 January 2025) Senior Management Team Grdce Green, Scheme Director Principal Office Broadway House, 4 - 8 The Broadway, Newbury Berkshire RG14 IBA The charity is incorporated in England and Wales. 5485321 Compiny Registration Number Charity Registration Iyumber Independent EiamiDer E J Business Consultants Limlted 2 Toomers Wharf Canal Walk Newbury Berkshire RG14 IDY Page I
Home-start West Berkshire Trustees, Report Ststemtnt from the Chair Once again, I am delighted and proud to present the Home-start Wesi Berkshire Annual Report that showcases the amazing work that our staff and volunteers do in helping families with young children not just to cope. but in many cases to thrive, despite diffi¢ult family. financial. or health and well-being circumstances. As the Report demonstrate5. we have been able to deliver a real and lasting impath for the families we have worked with. either in groups. or at home. and there is no doubt that ther¢ are some children in West Berkshire whose lives will have taken a differenL more positive direction. as a result of the support they and their families have received frorn the Charity. As with all other charities. we faced a number of ¢hallenges during the year. Funding becomes ever more difficult to obtain, but l am pled to report that. through the amazing work of our staff. trustees. volunteers and supporters. we were able to raise the fund5 we needed to the programmes that we set out to deliver at the start of the year. It wa5 quite an achievementl Highlights of our fundraising efforts during the year included.. • Our first ever bingo night in May • A sponsored walk with staff from Helix and from HSIVB in July alon8 the Jurasstc CoasL which raised over £11,000 Corporate cream leas delivered to local businesse5 in September • And our fantastic Charity Ball in November, which was yet again a highlight of the year, raising over £20,0110. We are hugely grntefijl for the multi-year funding we receive from the Bernard Sunley Foundation and from the Henry Smith Foundation, and from our local grant making fiJnd, the Greenham Trnst. Special mention has to go to Helix Construct Limtted. who provide us not only with funding, but also their continued engagement and drive to support the work of the Charity. And to our patron, Lady Zoe Benyon. who pushes us to be the best we an be and gives generously to support our venlures. Our thanks go to them all. We are now in the second year of our three-year strategy, and delivery of the goals we set in relation to people, progrdmme5, finance and operational support. The Values that the staff developed l&st year, of Kindness. Approachability, EmpowernienL Adaptability and Reliabilkty, re¢ognise the importance not just of wh* we do. but how we do it. The landscape for charities becomes ever more difficult, but l am confident that HSI¥B will continue to positively impact the lives of some of the West Berkshire families who are going through the mosl challenging of times. My thanks go to our staff, my fellow tSlee$, our amazing volunteers, and to you, our supporters, for all of your encouragement and engagement in our ongoing work. ClaRre Carless Chair Page 2
Home-start West BerlLshire Trustees, Report Introduction The board of trustees presents its report and the audiled financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the Memorandwn and Articles of Association. the requirements of a director's report &s laid down by company law, the Statement of Recommended Pra¢ti¢e- Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. SORP applicable to charities preparing their accounts in acci)rdan¢e with FRS 102. Purpoge Home-start West Berkshire was set up in 1997 with its charitsble objectives being the provision of relief of ¢hildren or parents in despair and distrcss and the prevention of emotional and physical abuse of such children. Home-start believes that children need a happy and secure childhood and that parents play a key role in giving their children a good stsrt in life and helping them to achieve iheir full potential. Vlsion For every parent to have the support they need to give their child the best slart in life. Because childhood Can't wait. Mlssion To provide emotional and practical support to families with young children in West Bcrkshire ot a time when they need us most. through sthff and volunteer run groups, home visits and other projecls, helping parents to develop their parenting skills and grow their relationships with their Children. Our story A child's earliesi years are irreplaceable. Without a stable. loving and nurturing environmenL a very young child will no¢ develop the foundations they need. Home-start is there for parents when they need us the most. because childhood can't wait. Our local community network of trained volunteers and expert support helps families with young children through their Challenging tirncs. Why we do it The earliest ycars make thc biggest impa¢t. HornStart makes sure thosc years count so that no child's future is limited. How we do It Home-start offers no judgement. just ¢omp&ssionate, confidential help and support. Startin8 in the home, our approach is as individual as the people we're helping. Today and everyday across Wesi Berkshire. Home-start volunteers are working aion8side families, helping them change their lives for the better. We are tackling some of the big issues facing families today. with more families than ever Coming to us because they are struggling with.. Mental health and wellbeing L&)neliness and isolation Building supportive. nurluring and loving relationships with their children or Money worries and financial pressure Page 3
Home-start West Berkshire Trustees, Report Prln¢lpl¢ attivities Home Vtslts Our volunteers are highly valued and respected providing the core of our servi¢e delivery. Volunteers provide visits of 2-3 hours to a family in their own home. Our training course is a hybrid model of online modules and virtu&V f&ce-to face training sessions lo provide more flexibility and enable us to continue to recruit volunteer. We welcomed 8 new volunteers to the Home-start family during the year. Family Group8 Our three family groups supported 61 families with 77 children under 5, in linc with the previous year. PoJtnat*l Peer Support Groups Our support group has also resumed to its nonnal capacity. The project supported 48 new mothers with 71 under 5s during this period. One mother said "I cannot even describe how much just going to group each week helped not only me bul my partner and daughter. I've been able to share my feelings. work on it. create new friends and a support network which has resulted in a much better home environment but also thc bond bctween me and my daughter." Flnancial Reviejv The summarized financial numbers for this yew are.. Incoming resources of £247,244 Resources expended of £241,265 Unrcstrictrd reserves of £91.221 Restricted reserves of £10,000 The charity ended the financial year to March 2025 with a surplus of £5.979 The trustees are required to prepare financial ststements for each financial year in accordance with United Kingdom Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accountin8 Standards and applicablc law). The financial slalements are required by law lo give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements the trustees should follow best pra¢ti¢e and: Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent State whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements Prepare the financial ststements on a going concern basis unless the trustees decide that apprOh isn't appropriate Page 4
Home-start West BerlLshire Trustees, Report Stru¢tur& Govtrnanee & MADagemeDt Home-start West Berkshire is governed by the Home-start UK Agreernent and its Memorandum and Articles of Association which establishes its objects and powers. The charity is a charitable company limited by guarantee. incorwrated on 20th June 2005. The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purpose of charity law. The trustees, the Scheme Director and other advisors forni the full Management Committee and meet a Minimum of 6 times a year. Trustees are responsible for strategic decision making. while day to day operational matters are delegated to the Scheme Director. The ttustees have complied with their duty under Section 17 of the ChaTities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission. Home-start West Berkshire is affiliated to Home-start UK and adopts policies and processes while being independently funded. Risk M•nagemenl The Trustees and Scheme Director annually review the major risk5 to which the charity is exposed, and ensures appropriate systems are in place to mitigate those risks. This is reflected in the Strategic Plan. Reserves Poliey Home-start West Berkshire has a Reserves Policy to enable it to maintain the service of its core a¢tivities in periods of foreseeable ditTiculty. These reserves are made up of unrestricted funds and aim to maintain the ¢harity for a period of 3 months of operating costs. Principle Funding Sources Home-start West Berkshire's fimds are obtained from grdnts such as Henry Smith and Greenham Trust and donations frorn Towi Councils and other local and national fimders. Home-start West Berkshire has a corpordte sponsor, Helix Ltd. The annual report was approved by trustees of the charity on .. . . And signed on its behalf by.. Claire Carles5 Chair Page 5
Home-start West BerlLshire Statement of Trustees, Responsibilities The tru5tee5 {who are also the directors of Home-start West Berkshire for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the tnjstees, report and the financial slatements in accordance with the United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice} and applicable law and regulations. Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the tnteeS 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 its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure. for that period. In preparing these financial statements. the trustees are required to: select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently; observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP. make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudenl. state whether appllcable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained In the financial statements. and prepare the fjnancial statements on the going ¢on¢em b&8is unless it is inappropriate to presume that the haritable company will continue in business. The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable company's transactions and 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 re&sonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Approved by the trustees of the charity on ... . signed on Its behalf by: Claire Carless Trustee Page 6
Home-start West Berkshire Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Home-start West Berk8hire I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025 which are set out on pages 8 to 15 . Respective responsibilities of trustees and eiamiDer The trustees (who are also the diredors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The tNstees consider thal an audil is nol required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 201 l Acl) and that an independent examination is needed. Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible foT independent examination. it 15 my responsibility to.. examine the accounts under section 145 of the 201 I Ath. to follow the procedures laid dowm in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission wider section 145{5)0)) of the 2011 Act. and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. B*si8 of independent examiner's report My examination was Carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Conuni5sion. examination includes a review of the accounting re¢ords kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view, and the report 15 limited to those mattcrs set out in the statement below. Independent exxminer's ststement In conne¢tAon with my examination. no matter has come to my attention.. ( l ) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements.. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Ath 2006" and to prepare accounts which accord wtth the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice.. A¢¢ounting and Reporting by Charities have not been met; or {2) to which, in rny opinion. attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. siness Consultsnts Limited Ic 2 Toomers Wharf Canal Walk Newbury Berkshire RG14 IDY Date.. Page 7
Home-start West Berkshire StatemeDt of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Uncluding Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains nd Losses) Unrestrieted funds Restricted funds TotAI 2025 Note Incolne and Endowments from: Donations and legacies Charitable activities Investment income 20,739 20,739 223,766 2,739 223,766 2.739 Total Income 23.478 223.766 247.244 Eipenditsre on: Charitable activities (13.744) (227.521 241,265 Total Expenditure (13,744 (227.521) {241.265) Net income/(expenditure) Transfers between funds 9,734 (33.755) (3.755) 33.755 5.979 Net rnovement in funds (24,021) 30,000 5,979 Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward 85,242 i 0,000 95,242 Totsi fimds caTried forward 61,221 Unreslricted funds 40.000 Reytricted funds 101.221 Total 2024 Note Income and Endowments from: Donations and leg&ies Charitable activities Investment income 27,486 27,486 213,534 1,757 213,534 1,757 Total Income 29.243 213.534 242.777 Expenditure on: Charitable activities 12.110 218.512 230.622 Total Expendlture (12.110) (218.512 230.622 Net inwmel(expenditure) Transfers between fund5 17,133 14,978 (4,978) 14,978 12.155 Net movement in funds 2.155 i 0.000 12.155 Reeoneiliation of funds Total funds brought fonvard 83.087 83.087 Totsl funds carried forward 85,242 10,000 95,242 Page 8
Home-start West Berkshire (Registration number: 5485321) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025 2025 2024 Note Current *u¢ts Cash at bank and in hand 205,873 175,987 Creditors.. Amounts falling due within one year 10 104.652 80.745 Net Asgets 101,221 95,242 Fund$ of the chlrlty: Restricted funds 40,000 10,000 Unrestricted income funds Unrestricted funds 61.221 85.242 Tot•] fund$ 101.221 95,242 For the financial year ending .3 l March 2025 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. Directors, responsibililics.. The members have not required the charity to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordan¢c with section 476: and The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for ¢omplyin8 with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provi5ion5 applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. The fina4cial statements on pages 8 to 15 were approved by the tNstees, and authorised for issue on .2.¥-and signed on their behalf by.. Claire Carless Trustee Page 9
Home•Start West Berk8hire Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 I Charity ststus The charity is a charity limited by guarantee and consequently does not have share capitsl. Each of the trustee5 is liable lo contribute an amount not exceeding £1 towards the &ssets of the charity in the event of liquidation. 2 Aetounting policies Summary of signifJc8nt accounting policies and key *ccounting 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. Going concern The trustees ¢onsider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going onccrn nor any significant are&s of uncertainty that affect the carying value of assets held by the charity. Ineome 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 me&sured rellably. Donations and legacies Donations are recognised when the charity has been notified in writing of Ix)th the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subjecl to wnditions that require a level of perforniance by the charity before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and noi recognised until either those conditions are fully mel 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 rep)rting period. Deferred incon Deferred income represents amounts received for firture periods and is released to incoming resources in the period for which, it has been received. Such income is only defeTred when.. - The donor specifies that the grdnt or donation must only be used in future accounling periods. or - The donor has imposed Conditions which must be met before the charity has unconditional entitlement. Jnveslmenl incon Investment income is recognised on a receivable basis. Eipenditure All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it IS Probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs ¢annot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a b&8is consistent with the use of resources. with ¢entrdl 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. Page 10
Home-start West Berkshire Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Chariiable aclivilies 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 ¢osts of an indirect nalure necessary to support them. Support costs Support costs include central fijnctions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources, for example, allocating property C05ts by floor areas, or per capit4 staff Costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage. Governance costs These include the Costs attributable to the charity's compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit. strategic management and trustees's meetings and reimbursed expenses. Taxation The charity is Considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph I Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definitton of a charithble company for UK corporation purposes. Accordingly. the charity is potentially exempt from t&Kation in respect of income or ¢apital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part I l 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 charltable purposes. Tangible fiied Assets Individual fixed assets costing £500 or more are inltially recorded at cosL less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses. DepreeiAtion and 2mortiSAtion Depre¢iation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the c05t or valuation. less any estimated residual value. over their expected useful eci)nomi¢ life &$ follows: Asset class Furniture and equipment Depreciation method and rate 330/0 Straight line Cash and Cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents comprise c&sh on hand and call deposits. and other short-tern) highly liquid investhients that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value. Fund strueture Unrestricted income funds are genernE funds that are available for use at the trustees's discfftion 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 ¢ of which is restrithed to that area or purpose. Page 11
Home-start West Berkshire Iyotes to the Financial StAtements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 3 Income from donAtion8 and leg4cie$ Unrtstrlettd funds Total 2025 Tot1 2024 Other Donations and 1¢8acies; Donations from individuals 20.739 20,739 27.486 20,739 20.739 27.486 4 Income from ehritblt cilvltle8 Re8¢rlc¢ed funds Total 2025 Total 2024 Hello Project Isolated Families Baby Bank Maternal Mental HeaitlblHenry Smith Cost Of Living Crisis Genernl Fund Resilient Families GT Transport 50.594 29,390 43,125 64.783 33.682 2,192 50.594 29.390 43.125 64.783 33,682 2.192 50,088 13,159 17.445 49,466 48,623 26,272 3,265 223,766 223,766 208.318 S IDVdtment Income Unrestricted funds Total 2025 Total 2024 Other Interest receivable and similar income. Interest receivable on bank deposits 2,739 2.739 1,757 Page 12
Home-start West Berkshire Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 6 Analysis of govtrn*nee and support tijsts Govern4n¢¢ costs Unrestricted funds Total 2025 Tot#1 2024 Other Other governance costs Allocated support costs 4.086 702 4.086 702 4,086 702 4,788 4,788 4,788 7 Trusteej remuneration And expenses No tsustees, nor any persons conne¢ted with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during th¢ year. 8 Staff Costs The a88regate payroll costs were as follows: 2025 2024 Staff costs during the year wer¢: Wages and Salaries 182.196 174095 The monthly average number of persons (includin8 senior managemenl team) employed by the charity during the year expressed as full time equivalents w&8 as follows.. 2025 No 2024 Iyo Charitable activities No employee received emoluments of more than £60.000 during the yehr. Page 13
Home-start West Berkshire Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 9 Taxtion The Charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from ttiOn. 10 Creditorg: amounts f4lling due within one year 2025 2024 Other tsKation and social security Other Creditors Accruals DefeTred inLX)me 2.635 1.130 2,723 98,164 2,018 2.750 75.977 104.652 80,745 11 Funds Balance #t 31 MArch 2025 Bal4nce t I April 2024 Incoming resources Resources expended Trangferg Unrestricted funds General Unrestricted income fund 85,242 23.478 {13.744) (33,755) 61,221 Restricted funds Hello Project Isolated Families Cost Of Living Crisis Maternal Mental Healthenry Smith Baby Bank General Fund 50.594 29.390 43.125 (53.661) (31.378) (43.125) 3,067 1,988 10,000 10,000 64.783 33.682 2.192 (65.675) (33.682) 892 27.808 30,000 Total restri¢t¢d funds 10,000 223.766 227.521 33,755 40.000 Total funds 95.242 247,244 241,265 101.221 Pagc 14
Home-start West Berkshire Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 12 AnAIygis of net Assets between funds Unreslricted funds Restrirted funds General Total fuDds Current &ssets Current liabilities 67.709 6.488 138,164 98.164 205,873 104,652 Totsl net assets 61,221 40.000 101,221 Page 15