Making a Difference for Families and Children
Annual Report 2024/2025
This year Home-Start North Somerset has supported 67 families with 91 children through home-visiting and peri-natal support groups
Home-Start North Somerset, Badger House, Oldmixon Crescent, Weston-super-Mare, BS24 9AY T: 07771 179007 E: info@home-startnorthsomerset.org.uk
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Board of Trustees
Kate Milton Chair of Trustees (appointed December 2023) Dali Sidebottom Trustee Ian Cooper Treasurer (resigned 7[th] November 2024) Charles Wright Trustee (3[rd] January 2025) Colville Greaves Trustee (Resigned 1[st] October 2024) Joyce Murray Trustee (Resigned 1[st] September 2025) Nicole Day Trustee Judith Tomlinson Trustee Jane Sleigh Volunteer Representative
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Home-Start North Somerset
Trustees
Julie Parsons
Manager
Andrea Hayes Margaret Barry Catriona Henderson Katina James Helen Howes
Volunteer Coordinator and Family Volunteer Coordinator and Fundraising and Marketing Officer Baby Start Group Worker Administrator
Support Perinatal Support Community Connector
Volunteers Volunteers
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Home-Start North Somerset
Home-Start North Somerset is a voluntary organisation that supports families who are experiencing difficulties and have at least one child under the age of five. We recruit and train volunteers who support families within their own home offering non-judgemental, confidential support, friendship and practical assistance specifically tailored to the family’s needs.
We have a core staff of six people and a board of voluntary trustees.
Mission Statement
Childhood makes a huge impact. We aim to make sure those years count so that a child’s future Is not limited and families can thrive.
Our vision is to be the leading independent family support charity in North Somerset. We aim to be a partner of choice for families and organisations, known for our reliable, responsive and respected quality service. Through families and volunteers working together, we aim to improve outcomes for all.
Respectful
We welcome and respect each other’s views and are confidential in the way we work together and with others.
Supportive
We believe in supporting and developing everyone involved in our charity.
Inclusive
We value collaboration with partners and aim to work in an open and non-judgemental way, listening to feedback from those we work with.
Independent
We are true to our vision and make pro-active decisions that are in the best interest of our charity.
Ambitious
We strive for success and are enthusiastic to develop and sustain an excellent service. Responsible
We are clear on our roles and take all responsibilities seriously making sure we question and challenge in order to make carefully considered decisions at an appropriate level.
Trustworthy
We are honest and can be trusted to meet our commitments ethically and responsibly. Effective
We aim to work effectively and efficiently making careful use of all our resources.
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Home-Start North Somerset
We are a local charity and have been working exclusively in North Somerset for 20 years to provide practical and emotional support to families with young children, who are experiencing difficulties. We are registered with the Charity Commission and Companies House. We are quality assured by Home-Start UK.
Our ambition is to:
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Develop a range of services from which families can choose
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Secure resources to maintain or increase the number of families supported
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Increase the support we provide to families through such things as groups and drop-ins.
We aim to:-
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Support families throughout the whole of North Somerset, offering support, friendship and practical assistance
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Visit families in their own homes, where the dignity and identity of each individual can be respected and protected
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Reassure parents that difficulties in bringing up children are not unusual, and encourage enjoyment in family life
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Develop a relationship with the family in which time can be shared and understanding can be developed; the approach is flexible to take account of different needs
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Encourage the parents’ strengths and emotional well-being for the ultimate benefit of their own children
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Encourage families to widen their network of relationships and to use effectively the support and services available within the community.
We offer free, confidential support, friendship, and practical help to parents, with at least one child under 5 in North Somerset. Families are welcome to approach us themselves, or, with their consent, may be referred by a professional such as a health visitor who is known to them.
We recruit and train home-visiting volunteers, who all have parenting experience, and match them carefully with a family who has requested, or been referred for support. Each volunteer then regularly visits a family in their own home, offering emotional and practical support through difficult times for as long as it is needed. This friendly parent-to-parent support is a simple, yet effective, way of enabling families to get back on track and start to really enjoy family life again.
Service Report
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It has been a challenging year for Home-Start North Somerset with a number of trustee resignations including the treasurer. The post was ably filled by Nicky Day but we were unable to find a permanent replacement. However the staff and volunteers continued their sterling work with families and children who benefitted enormously as demonstated by their positive feedback.
Between April 2024 to March 2025, we supported 67 families via home visiting and one to one support with 91 children. 13 families were supported in the Baby Start group and 15 families were supported in the Mums in Mind group and 53 families were supported directly by the staff team.
Since April 2025 we have supported 50 families via home visiting with 73 children. Baby Start has supported 13 mums and babies in Pill. The staff team directly supported 48 families. In total since April 2024 until October 2025, we have supported 211 families.
We ran 2 volunteer prep courses in October 2024 and March 2025 with 12 new volunteers.
Over the past 20 years we have:
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trained and supported 346 home-visiting volunteers
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provided approx. 50,000 hours of voluntary support
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supported just over 1000 North Somerset families with 2000 children under 5 years old
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Treasurers Report
April 2024 to March 2025
During the financial year starting in April 2024, Home-Start North Somerset have benefited from the Lottery funding, as well valued grants from North Somerset and the ICB (NHS funding).
This has allowed the Charity to provide much needed support for local families.
The Trustees would like to thank the work of the smaller contributors, as their efforts are so personal to our charity.
To past and present, individual and regular, volunteers who donate to the charity : thank you
To the anonymous donor who supported our endeavour to recruit and train volunteers: thank you.
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To the companies and clubs who have supported us: Thank you.
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BClear Communication: £500
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Portishead Ladies Bowling Club: £1150
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Waitrose: £1500
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HomeSense ansd TKMaxx: £500
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Pure Office Portishead: £1130
To the indefatigable maker of chutneys, jams and mince pies and Christmas brooches: And all who assisted in these endeavours : Thank you.
Every pound raised, help us provide support to families in North Somerset.
I wish everybody who is connected with Home-Start North Somerset the best for the future, and thank the volunteers for their commitment and the staff and fellow trustees for their help in the past and present
Nicky Day Financial Officer
Financial Statement and Examined Accounts available in a separate document
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Group Family Feedback
“I really like attending the course as it gets me out of the house which is very good for my emotional wellbeing”.
“Meeting other mums for advice improved my confidence with my baby and gave me new skills”.
“Encouraged me to get out and helped bond with baby”.
“It's been nice to have some routine in the week and see the same group of Mums. It's nice to know I'm not alone in certain stages of motherhood”.
“I really enjoy meeting with other Mums. Chatting with others makes me feel better if I am having a difficult week”.
“Gets us out of the house, adds structure to our week. Have made friends”.
“It’s good to have somewhere to go to meet other Mums, where it is friendly and calm”.
“Yes, very it’s nice to be around others in the same position”.
“When I first started the group, I had no confidence and now getting to know the other mums I feel like I have come out of my shell”.
“Nice to have a safe space to talk, no judgement. I've really liked the arts and crafts”.
“I have found meeting new mums enjoyable and have found some real friends
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Home-Visiting Family Feedback
“My son loves his walk to the park with the volunteer and if they go on another day he tells everyone that he goes there with his volunteer”.
“I want to express that I felt at the beginning I was ‘taking support away from another family if I accepted the help, but I am so glad I did as it has made all the difference to me and my family”.
“Going with my volunteer to groups at the start helped build my confidence”.
“I appreciate all help given and I am in a much better place now”
“I express gratitude to Homestart and my volunteer. Having someone to talk things through when I was anxious at the start helped normalise things in my mind. I am keen to help others who have found difficulties at the start.
“My volunteer is lovely”.
…to all the volunteers, families, referrers, funders and friends of the scheme who supported have supported us this year and for the past 20 years.
Home-Start North Somerset
Badger House, Oldmixon Crescent, Weston-super-Mare, BS24 9AY T: 07771 179007 E: info@home-startnorthsomerset.org.uk
Registered Charity No: 1111549
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Company Number: 5555050 91Page
Home-Start North Somerset
March 31[st] , 2025 Financial Statements
Limited by Guarantee
Home-Start North Somerset Ltd.
(Limited by Guarantee)
Financial Statements
Year ended March 31[st] , 2025
| Index | 1 |
|---|---|
| Trustees' annual report (incorporating the director's report) | 2-4 |
| Independent examiner's report to the Trustees | 5 |
| Statement of financial activities (including income and | 6-7 |
| expenditure account) | |
| Notes to the financial statements | 8-12 |
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Home-Start North Somerset Ltd.
(Limited by Guarantee)
Trustees’ Annual Report (Incorporating the Director’s Report) Year ended March 31[st] , 2025
The Trustees, who are also the Directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Charity Name Home-Start North Somerset Charity registration number 1111549 Company registration number 055550050 Principal office and registered Badger House, Old Mixon office Cresent, Weston-Super-Mare, BS24 3HF
| The Trustees | Positions | Date of Appointment | Date of Resignation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nicole Day | Trustee | 23 February 2016 | |
| Dali Sidebottom | Trustee | 01 September 2015 | |
| Joyce Murray | Trustee | 08 November 2022 | |
| Judith Tomlinson | Trustee | 28 November 2024 | |
| Kate Milton | Trustee | 12 December 2023 | |
| Ian Cooper | Trustee | 12 September 2022 | 07 November 2024 |
| Colville Greaves | Trustee | 09 January 2023 | 01 October 2024 |
| Charles Wright | Trustee | 01 November 2021 | 03 January 2025 |
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Home-Start North Somerset Ltd. (Limited by Guarantee)
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
ARCARDIA (SOUTH WEST) LTD residing at UNIT 9, MORSTON COURT, AISECOME WAY, BS22 8NG
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The details of the structure and organization are included in the accompanying Annual Report.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Please see the Annual Report for the full objectives and activities of the charity.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Please see the Annual Report for the achievements and performance for the year ended 31st March
2025.
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Home-Start North Somerset Ltd. (Limited by Guarantee)
Financial Review
The Financial statements show a deficit of £7,456 for year ending March 31st 2025 , compared to a surplus of £17,000 for the year ending March 31st 2024. Further details of the financial position of the Charity are given in the Trustees report.
The Trustees are satisfied of the following:
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A. Following a financial viability review in July 2025, the Trustees explored a potential merger with Home Start Bristol & South Gloucestershire. After these discussions proved unsuccessful, the Board resolved in late October 2025 to propose the charity's closure by January 2026.
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B. The cash buffer maintained by the charity would be sufficient to cover liabilities in the event of cessation of the charity.
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C. Though this year’s accounts have been prepared under the accruals/prepayment basis, comparison to last year’s prepared on a cash basis results in no material difference.
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D. All funds received are spent on the charitable objectives of Home-start North Somerset as this is a prerequisite of grant donors.
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E. Micro-Entity Accounts for Home-Start North Somerset Ltd as exempted by Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 will be submitted for this period to Companies House by the relevant date.
The Trustees’ annual report was approved on
and signed on behalf of the board.
Trustee
Trustee
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Home-Start North Somerset Ltd. (Limited by Guarantee)
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charitable company for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘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 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 Act.
Independent examiners statement
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 that in any material respect:
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Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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The accounts do not accord with those records; or
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The accounts do not comply with the 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
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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 applicable to 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.
Michelle Parsons Arcadia Chartered Tax Advisors & Accountants Unit 9, Morston Court Aisecome way Weston Super Mare BS22 8NG
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Home-Start North Somerset Ltd. (Limited by Guarantee)
S T A T E M E N T S
Statement of Financial Activities ~~ee~~ (Income and Expenditure Account) Year ended March 31[st] , 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | Total | Total | |
| Funds £ | Funds £ | ||
| Income | |||
| Donations | 8,167 | 5,528 | |
| Grants | 116,480 | 147,993 | |
| Investment income | 1 | 1,609 | 961 |
| Total income | 126,256 | 154,882 | |
| Expenditure | |||
| Charitable activities | 2 | 133,712 | 137,882 |
| Total expenditure | 133,712 | 137,882 | |
| Surplus / (Deficit) | (7,456) | 17,000 |
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Home-Start North Somerset Ltd. (Limited by Guarantee)
S T A T E M E N T S
Statement of Financial Activities ~~ee~~ (Statement of Financial Positions) Year ended March 31[st] , 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | £ | £ | |
| Current assets | |||
| Debtors | 3 | 850 | - |
| Cash at bank | 55,913 | 66,305 | |
| 56,763 | 66,305 | ||
| Creditors: amount falling | 4 | (2,021) | (4,107) |
| due within one year | |||
| Net assets | 54,742 | 62,198 | |
| Total charity funds | 5 | 54,742 | 62,198 |
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Home-Start North Somerset Ltd. (Limited by Guarantee)
Statement of Financial Activities ~~eee~~ (Notes to the Financial Statements) Year ended March 31[st] , 2025
Disclosure
For the year ended 31[st] March, 2025 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors’ responsibilities:
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The member has not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476;
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The director’s knowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable
to companies’ subject to the small companies’ regime.
These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees’ and authorized for issue
on and are signed on behalf of the board by;
Trustee
Trustee
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Home-Start North Somerset Ltd. (Limited by Guarantee)
Statement of Financial Activities (Notes to the Financial Statements) Year ended March 31[st] , 2025
1. Income
| 1.Income | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Donations | |||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Total | Total | ||
| Funds £ | Funds £ | ||
| Donations | 8,167 | 5,928 | |
| Total Donations | 8,167 | 5,928 | |
| Grants funding | |||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Total | Total | ||
| Funds £ | Funds £ | ||
| Community Connector | 25,000 | - | |
| CCG | 16,480 | 54,393 | |
| Local Authority | 15,000 | 15,000 | |
| Leveling up | - | 8,600 | |
| Garfield Weston | - | 10,000 | |
| Lottery grant | 60,000 | 60,000 | |
| Total Grants | 116,480 | 147,993 | |
| Investment Income | |||
| Bank Interest | 1,609 | 961 | |
| TOTAL INCOME | 126,256 | 154,882 |
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Home-Start North Somerset Ltd. (Limited by Guarantee)
OOO Statement of Financial Activities (Notes to the Financial Statements) Year ended March 31[st] , 2025
2. Expenditure
Charitable activities
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Staff costs | 105,063 | 107,492 |
| Fund raising | 602 | 1,714 |
| Volunteer expenses | 6,121 | 2,861 |
| Administration | 11,051 | 13,190 |
| Premises | 10,815 | 12,615 |
| Finance | 60 | 60 |
| Total | 133,712 | 137,882 |
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Home-Start North Somerset Ltd. (Limited by Guarantee)
Statement of Financial Activities (Notes to the Financial Statements) Year ended March 31[st] , 2025
| 3. | Debtors | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Prepayments and accrued | 850 | - | |
| income | |||
| Total Debtors | 850 | - | |
| 4. | Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Accruals and deferred income | 2,022 | 4,107 | |
| Social security and other taxes | - | - | |
| Total Creditors | 2,022 | 4,107 |
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Home-Start North Somerset Ltd.
(Limited by Guarantee)
Statement of Financial Activities (Notes to the Financial Statements) Year ended March 31[st] , 2025
5. Analysis of Charitable funds balances
| At 1stApril | INCOME | EXPENDITURE | AT 31ST | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | MARCH 2025 | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| General Funds | 62,198 | 126,256 | 133,712 | 54,742 |
| At 1stApril | INCOME | EXPENDITURE | AT 31ST | |
| 2023 | MARCH 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| General Funds | 45,198 | 154,882 | 137,882 | 62,198 |
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Home-Start North Somerset Ltd. (Limited by Guarantee)
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charitable company for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘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 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 Act.
Independent examiners statement
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 that in any material respect:
- Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section
386 of the
2006 Act; or
- The accounts do not accord with those
records; or
- The accounts do not comply with the 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
- 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 applicable to 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.
Michelle Parsons Arcadia Chartered Tax Advisors & Accountants
Unit 9, Morston Court Aisecome way Weston Super Mare BS22 8NG
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