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
Tn￿tees, 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 pl￿ed 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 t￿Slee$, 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. Horn￿Start 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 apprO￿h 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 tn￿teeS 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
Tot*1
2024
Other
Donations and 1¢8acies;
Donations from individuals
20.739
20,739
27.486
20,739
20.739
27.486
4 Income from eh*rit*blt *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 Tax*tion
The Charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from t￿tiOn.
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 Health￿enry
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