2024-12-31-accounts - The Bren Project

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Draft Financial Statements at 25 February 2025 at 08:05:13

THE BREN PROJECT

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

The trustees', who are also the directors for the purposes of company law present the annual report and financial

statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the

financial statements and comply with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act

2006 and "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).

Objectives and activities

Background of the Charity

The Bren Project is a Chester-based charity offering one-to-one supported work placements for people with learning

disabilities and autism in Cheshire. We are a registered charity (1111644) and a company limited by guarantee

(5551999). We were founded by Peter Sackett and Grant Wells in 2005, and project work began in 2007. Our

Mission Statement is: "to develop the social, emotional and economic wellbeing of learning disabled and autistic

people through personalised supported workplace opportunities in partnership with our local community."

2. Who We Are

We have a staff team of 6, comprised of a full-time Charity Manager, two part-time Bike Project Supervisors, two

part-time Project Co-Ordinators and a part-time Administration Assistant. We also have a trained and dedicated

team of sessional Job Coaches who support beneficiaries while on placement and 10 support volunteers who work

with our beneficiaries in our social enterprise cycle workshop. We are based in the Live! New Scene Youth &

Community Hub in Newton, Chester, where we have our office and Bren Bikes workshop. We are governed by a

dedicated Trustee group comprised of 7 individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, with skills and experience in

charity management, project management, disability services, marketing, graphic design, information technology,

quality management, fundraising and education. Our Trustees have experience of managing organisations in the

private and voluntary sectors and have the commercial awareness to oversee the charity’s activities and future

development.

3. Who We Support

We work with people who have learning disabilities or autism from the age of 14 upwards, with no upper age limit.

Our work includes young people who are experiencing the transition from education to employment, and those

disabled adults seen as ‘hard-to-reach’, i.e. those excluded from mainstream provision and not accessing vocational

support elsewhere.

4. Our Bespoke Approach and Ethos

We believe that everyone has the human right to work and engage in productive employment. In 2024, we continue

to be the only organisation in Chester and the surrounding area that provides the person-centred, fully supported

service that people need to adequately prepare for employment. We are very proud of our approach and confident

that this is what makes the difference to the people that we support. We do not offer generic experiences. Instead,

we work with individuals to research, identify and adapt their own placement, based on their own needs, skills and

aspirations. Our philosophy is to view the supported employment process as a partnership between beneficiaries,

parents/carers, schools, businesses, voluntary and community organisations, the public sector and other agencies,

all of whom play their part in making the process a success.

Draft Financial Statements at 25 February 2025 at 08:05:13

THE BREN PROJECT

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

5. Project Work

Since our project delivery began in September 2007 we have:

worked with over 350 beneficiaries;
managed turnover totalling over £1,000,000;
received funding from more than 70 funding partners;
engaged with more than 160 employer partners in all three sectors;
fostered a wide range of project partners in a wide range of industries;
received 100% positive post-placement feedback from beneficiaries and their parents/carers.

In setting its objectives, the Trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission's guidance on

public benefit.

Achievements and performance

Significant activities and achievements against objectives

Key Areas of Work in 2024

Internal placements. Bren bikes.

Bren Bikes was developed in response to a recognised need on the part of our beneficiaries for pre-placement

vocational training.

The workshop has established itself as a trusted place for people to bring their bikes for servicing or to buy good

value, expertly reconditioned second hand bikes. Not only does this contribute significantly to raising the charity’s

profile in the local area but it also helps normalise neurodiversity in the workplace when the public sees

beneficiaries at work in the workshop, performing important and meaningful roles.

It continues to thrive and the enthusiasm of both employed staff and volunteers is a credit to them all. It remains

key to the opportunities we can offer our beneficiaries.

The charity continues to benefit from significant numbers of bikes donated by the public. These are reconditioned

by staff, volunteers and beneficiaries and sold, to enjoy a new life. This is an important part of our income stream.

In 2023, we offered 48 beneficiary placements at Bren Bikes, with 100% of our beneficiaries reporting and

demonstrating an improvement in both their practical and soft skills.

Delivery of External Placements

Throughout 2023, we continued to offer our program of bespoke, supported work placements. We arranged 17

external work placements in 2023, with 10 different placement providers across the private, public and voluntary

sectors. 97% of our beneficiaries reported and demonstrated an improvement in their practical and soft skills at the

end of their placement.

3. Work with Schools

In 2023, we continued to work in partnership with a number of schools in Chester and the surrounding area, to

provide a program of supported work opportunities for selected students who would find it difficult to engage with

the conventional opportunities the schools themselves are able to offer. Our education partners in 2023 included

Archers Brook, Christleton High School, Chester Catholic High School, Upton High School and Maple Grove

School.

4. Fundraising

The charity continued to use the services of a specialist charitable sector fundraising consultancy, on an intermittent

basis. This approach freed up the Charity Manager’s time to concentrate on developing our plans for the launch of

a second social enterprise.

Draft Financial Statements at 25 February 2025 at 08:05:13

THE BREN PROJECT

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

5. Bren Bikes – Ellesmere Port

We received 6 months grant funding from Healthbox CIC to provide refurbished bikes to residents of Ellesmere

Port, which has proven to be extremely popular. The grant also included the provision of a weekly pop up hub,

offering basic serving and maintenance of bikes. Overall, this partnership has worked well and there is potential of

future joint working in the year ahead.

6. Wellbeing Hub

We launched our Wellbeing hub in the summer and this has proven to be extremely successful with our

beneficiaries. Led by our Project Co-ordinator, we have seen consistently high numbers in attendance and some

encouraging signs of soft skills development and friendships formed. This has been a great additional to offer to our

beneficiaries, providing a more holistic service to our core offer.

Small company provisions

This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small

companies exemption.

Financial review

Income:

We generated a total of £260,260 income in 2024.

Expenditure:

We have delivered our services as anticipated, to budget, taking into account the inyear changes to income which

allowed us to increase our budget and expenditure accordingly.

Our operating expenditure for 2024 stands at £222,826.

Our balance of funds carried forward as at 31 December 2024 stands at £342,099.

Reserves policy

A balance of £342,099 is held as our reserve funds,all of which is unrestricted. This is in line with our policy of

maintaining at least 6 months running costs at all times in case of issue or withdrawal from a major funder. We have

also designated much of the reserves to a new project.

Draft Financial Statements at 25 February 2025 at 08:05:13

THE BREN PROJECT

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Plans for future periods

Development plans in 2024.

Looking forward to 2024 the Charity will:

Continue to approach trusts and foundations to support our work;

Continue to grow and develop Bren Bikes to provide opportunities for beneficiaries and, simultaneously, as

a commercial business to increase income for the charity;

Develop our relationships with schools in the area to provide specialist placements;

Endeavour to conclude current, ongoing negotiations and launch our second social enterprise (Kingswood

Café), in order to widen our offer to beneficiaries;

Investigate the best model for the operational management of 2 social enterprises within the charity;

Seek to establish and/or expand opportunities for pre-and post-placement support of beneficiaries;

Develop our relationship with other funders to explore mutually beneficial partnerships and projects.

Structure, governance and management

The charity is a company limited by guarantee as defined by the Companies Act 1985 and controlled by its

Memorandum and Articles of Association, .

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to

the date of signature of the financial statements were:

Mr M I Shotton

Mr B Harrington

Mr D Atkinson

Mr R Mayne

Mr P Sackett

Mr R Smith

Mrs L Dooley

Mrs D Piper

Ms I Jones

Recruitment and appointment of trustees

Membership is open to individuals or organisations which apply to the charity in the form required by the trustees as

set out in the governing document. All new staff shall follow the guidelines laid out in the recruitment and selection

policy.

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

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

Mr B Harrington

Trustee

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

Charlty reglstratlon number 1111644 Company reglstratlon number 05551999 IEngland and Wales) THE BREfrI PROJECT ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

THE BREN PROJECT LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Truslee8 Mr M I Shotton Mr B Harrtngion Mr D Atkinson Mr R Mayne Mf R Smith Mrs L Doolay Mrs D PiFer Charlty number 1111844 Company number 05551999 Prlnclpal addre66 New Scene Centre Llmewood Clos8 Off Newton Lane Chester CH2 2HH Reg18tered offl¢e Cholmondeley House Dee Hills Park Chester Cheshire CH3 SAR In(J8pendont oxamlner James HargaVe$ FCA Cholmondeley House Deè Hills Park Chester Cheshlre CH3 SAR

THE BREN PROJECT CONTENTS Pag Trustees, report Independent examine¢s report Slalement of financlal aclivilies B8lance sheet Notes to the financlal statements 9-16

THE BREN PROJECT TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 The trustees,, who are also the diredors for the purposes of company law present the annu81 report and financial statements for the year ended 31 Decèmber 2024. Th6 financlal slalements have been prepared in accordanee with the accounts'ng policies Set out in note 1 to th8 rinandal statements and comply wth tha charity's Memorandum and Articles ol Association, the Companies Acl 2006 and A¢¢ounting and Reportlng by Charilies.. Slalement of Recommended Pra¢ti¢e applicable to chaiilies preparlng Ihelr acLounts in accordance with thè Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021" (effediv8 1 January 2019). ObJectlv08 and aetlvltles Background of the Charity The Bren Projecl Is a Chester-based charity offering one-l&one supported work placemenls for people wllh learnlng diBabllllies and autism In Cheshire. We are a registered charity 11111644) and a rnPany limlled by guarantee {55519991. We were founded by Peter Sackelt and Grant Wells in 2005. and project work began in 2007. Our Ml851on St81ement is. lo develop the social. emotion81 and economic wellbeing of learnlng dlsabled and aullslic people through personalSsed supported workplace opwtunilies In partnership wilh Our local community, Who We Are We have a 81aff team of 6. comprised of 8 fulklime Ch8rity Manager, fyvo part-time Blke Project Supervi8or8, two part-lime Project Co-ordinators and a part-time Admlnistration Assistant. We also have a trained and dedi¢ated team of sessional Job Coaches who 6UPPOrt bènèficiaries whlle on placement and 10 support volunteers who work wlth our beneficiafies In our sod81 enterprise cycle WOTk$hop. We ar6 based Sn the Livel New Scene Youth & Community Hub in Newton. Chester, where w6 have our office and Bren Blkes workshop. We are governed by a dedicated Trustee group ¢ompfised of 7 individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, wlth skllls and experience in charity management, project managemènt. disabilily seNlces. markeling. graphic design, Information le¢hnology, qU81ily management, fundraising and education. Oui Trustees have experience of managing organisatlons in the private and v(4untsry $e¢tor8 and have the commer¢ial awareness to oversee the charity'6 aclivilies and lulure development. Who We Support We work wlth people who have learning disabilities or aulism from the age of 14 upwards, with no upper age limit. Our work Includes young people who are experiencing the Iransilion from education lo employment, and Ihose dlsabled adults seen as 'hard-to-reach'. i,e. those exduded from mainstream provision and not a¢cèsslng vocational support elsewhere. Our Bespoke Approach and Ethos Wa believe that everyone has the human right lo work and engage in productive employment. In 2024, w8 conllnue to be the only org8nisatiDn in Chester and the surTovnding are8 that provides the persorFc£ntred, fully 8UPPOrted seNlce that people need lo adequately prepare for employment. We are very proud of our approach and confid6nt thal this is what makes Iho dlfference to thè people thal we support. We do not offer generic experlences. Inslead, we work with individuals lo research, identify and adapt their own placement, based on their own needs. skills and aspirations. Our philosophy is to view the supported employment process as a partnership between beneficiari88. par8nlslcafers, schools, businesses, voluntary and commMity organisalions, Ihe public sector an¢J olher agencies. all of whom play their part In making thè proc6ss a success.

THE BREN PROJECT TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Project Work Slnce our project dellvery b&gan in Septemb8r 2007 we have.. . worked wilh over 400 beneficiaries. • managed turnover lotslling over £1,O,000.. . recelved fundlng from more than 80 fundlng partners. ' engaged wth more than 180 employer partners in all three Sect(8. fostered a wide range of proled partners in a wide range of Industries- recelved 100Vo poBItIV6 Post-placemenl feedback from beneficlaries and thelr parentslcarers. In settlng Its objectives, the Trustees havè given careful ¢onslderation to the Chariiy Commlssion's guldance on publlc benefit. Achlevements and performance Signlficanl activities 8nd achievemen1& 8gainst objèclives Key Areas of Work In 2024 1. Internal placement$. Bren blke8. Bren Blkes was developed in response to a rewgnised need on the part of our beneficiarles for pr&plament V0¢81ional tralnlng. The workshop has established itself a8 a trusted klar% for people to bring their blkes for servlcSng or lo buy good value, experlty recondilioned second hand bikes. Not only does Ihis Contrtle signlficantly to ral$lng the charlty's profile in the local aréa but It also help8 norm81ise neurodiversity in the workplace when the public sees beneflciafles at work in the workshop, rfOrMIng Important and meanlngful roles. It continues to thrlve and Ihe enlhuslasm of both employed stsff and volunteers is a uedit to t1M all. It iemalns key to th8 OPPOrtunltie$ we can offer our beneflciaries. The charity continues to ben8fl1 from slgnificanl numbers of blkes donated by Ihe public. These are recondltioned by staff, volunteers and beneficiaries and sold, to enjoy a new life. This is an important P8rt of our income stream. In 2024, we offered 44 beneficiary placements al Bren Bikes, with 100% of our ben8lici8ries reportlng and demonslraling an improvement in both their practical and soft skills. 2. Dgllv¢ry of External Plgcements Throughout 2024, we contlnued lo offer our progr8m of bespoke, supported work placements. We arranged 14 exlernal work placements In 2024. with 9 different placement providers across Ihe prlvale, public and voluntary sectors. 93°/o of our beneficlaries reported and demonslraled an improvemenl in thelr practical and soft skills at Ihe end of their plac8ment. 3. Work wlth S¢hool8 In 2024. we continued to w(xk In partnershlp with a number of S(JoIS in Chester and the Surroundlng area, lo provlde a program of supported work opportunities for selected sludenls who would find it dlffi¢ult lo engage with the conventional opportunities the schools themselves afe able to offer. Our education partners In 2023 included Archers Brook, Christleton High School. Chester Catholic High Schod. Upton Hlgh School and Maple Grove School and IMAP School. 4. Fundralsln9 The charity continued to use the services of a specialist charitable secloT fundraising consultancy, on an intermittent basis. Thls approach increased the Charity Managerfs time to cnncentrate on operallonal performance and the dev61opment of our services.

THE BREN PROJECT TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 6. Developmen* of a Second Soclal Enterprl8è We have been in ongoing discussions Ihfoughoul 2024 with a local social housing provider. explorin9 the posslblllly of deliverlng an in hou6e café provlsion at a residential home. This process reached an advanced stage before being pul on hold by the houslng provider. as éssential repairs were needed in response to a fire safely report. We remain in actlve discussions over thi$, bLrt due to the lenglhy nature of the repairs needed, we afe also exploring other Interlm café options. 6. Wollbelng Hub Our Wellbeing Hub continues to bè an èxtremely valued and popular service with our beneliclaries. Led by our Project Covordlnalor, we have Beèn consistenuy hlgh numbers in attendance and some encouraging signs of soft skills development and friendshlps foimed. This has been a great additional to offer to our beneficAafies, provlding more holistlc service lo our core offer. Small company provl8lonB Th16 report has been prepared In accordance wilh Ihe provislons applicable to companies enlilled to the small companles exemption. Flnanclal r8vlew Income: We gener8t8d a total of £260,260 income In 2024. Exp8ndllur•: We have dellvered our 3ervl¢e3 a8 anticipated, to budget, Igklng into aG¢ount the iTryear changes to Income which allowed us to Increasè our bu(kJet 8nd expendituie accordingty. Our operallng exp8ndilur8 for 2024 stands at £222.826. Our balance of funds Carrled foThvard as al 310ecember 2024 stands at £342,099. Rese8$ poIi¢y A balants of £342,099 is held as our reserve funds,all ol which is unrestrided. This Is in line wllh our pollcy of m8lntainlng al least 6 months running costs 8t all limes in case of issue or wlthdrawal from a major funder. We have also designated much of the reserves to a new project. Plan8 lor future perlod$ Developm8nt plans In 2025. Looklng fonvard 10 2025 the Charlty wlll: Continue to approach trusts and foundations to support our work., Continue lo grow and develop B Ten Bikes lo provide opportunities for beneficiaries and, 8imull8neously. as a cominercial business to increase income for the charity., Develop our relationships with schools In the area lo provide speGi81isl p18ttmenls,' Endeavour lo condude current, ongoing negoti81ions and launth our second social enlerprise in order lo widen our offer to beneficiaries., Invesligale the best model for the operatlonal management of 2 soclal enterprlses wtthin the charity; Seek to eslabllsh andlor expand opportunilies for pre-and posl-placement support of beneficiaries: Develop our relatlonshlp with other funders lo explore mutually beneficial partnerships and projects. Structure, governance and management The charity is a company limited by guarantee a8 defined by Ihe Companies Acl 1985 and controlled by Its Memorandum and tideS of Association, .

THE BREN PROJECT TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 The Iruslees, who are also the directors for Ihe purpose of company law, and who setved during the year and up to the dste ol signature ol the financial statements were.. Mr M I Sholton Mr B Harrington Mr D Atkln$on MrR Mayne MT R Smlth Mrs L Dooley Mrs D Plper Recruitient 8nd 8ppnIM8nI of Iruste88 Membérship is open lo indlviduals or organisalions which apply to the charily In the form requlr8d by the Iruslees as set out In the governing document. All new 8laff shall follow the guidelines laid out In the clU11m8n1 and selecllon policy. The trustees, report was a roved by the Board of Trustee8. Mr B H8rringion TIu8tee 23 Aprll 2025

THE BREN PROJECT INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE BREN PROJECT I report lo the trustees on my examination of the financial Statements of The Bren Project (the charlty) for the year ended 31 December 2024. Re8pon81bllltles and bas1$ of report As the Iruslees of the charity land also ils directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statemenls in accordanc8 with the requiremenls of the Companies Act 20C6 (the 2006 Act). Having sallsfied myself that the financial statements of the tharity are nol requlred to be audlted under Part 16 01 the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in rèspect of my examination of the charity's financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act}. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Dire¢tions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5)Ibl of the 2011 Act. Independ8nt examln&r'8 Statement Since the charity's gross income exceeded £250.000 y¢Jur examlner must be a member of a body Ilsled In 8ecllon 145 of th6 2011 Act. I confirm that l am qualified to undertake the examination because l am a member of ICAEW, whlch is one of the Ilsted bodies. I have completed my examlnation. I ¢fflrm thal no matters have come to my attention In connecllon wlth th& examinallon glvlng me cause to believe Ihal In any material respe¢X'. accountlng records were not kepl In respect of the charily as requlred by Secllon 386 of the 2006 Act., or the financial statements do not accord with those records,. or th& finandal statements do not comply with the accounting requlrements of 8ection 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and falr view whlch Is not a maller cnn8idered as part of an Independent ex8minalion; or the financlal statements have not been prepared in acCarth wlh th8 methods and princlples of the Slatemenl of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable lo chariti@s preparlng their accounts in acrdanCe with th8 Finan¢ial Reporling Standard applicable in the UK arml Republic of Ireland {FRS 102). I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in Connection wlh the examination lo which attenlSon should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached. Jame8 Hargreave8 FCA Cholmond818y Hou88 Dee Hills Park Chester Cheshire CH3 SAR Dated.. 24 April 2025

THE BREN PROJECT STATEMENT OF FINANCIALACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Unre8trlcted Unre6trlcted funds fund 2024 2023 Nole$ Income from: Donations and legaci88 Charitable aclivilles Investmenls 126,968 130.950 2,342 91,753 122,835 1,424 Total Incomg 2e(1,260 216,012 Expondlture on: Chari18ble adlvllies 222,828 192,960 Total expondlluro 222,826 192,960 Net Incorn8 and movemenl In fund8 37.434 23,052 Rocon¢lllatlon of fund8: Fund balances at 1 January 2024 304,665 281,613 Fund b8lance8 at 31 December 2024 342,099 304,665 The Statement of flnancial aclivllies Sndudes all gains and losses recognlsed In the year. All Incorne and expenditu derive from conlinulng 8¢tivities. The notes on pages 9 to 16 form part of these financial statements.

THE BREN PROJECT BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024 2024 2023 Notes Flxed assels Tangible assets 11 417 Current assets Debtors Cash al bank and In hand 12 82 345,380 62 306,800 345,462 306,862 Credltors: amounts falllng due wlthln onè yèar 13 (3.780} (2,197) Net current a880ts 341,682 304,665 Total asset81ess current Ilabllltle$ 342,099 304.665 Net a88et8 èxcludlng penslon Ilablllty 342,099 304,865 The funds of the charlty Unrestricted funds 342,099 304.685 342,099 304,685 The notes on pag88 910 16 form part of these financlal statem8nts. The comp8ny Is enlltled to the exemplion from lh8 audit requirement contalned in secllon 477 of the Companles Act 2006, lor the year ended 31 Decemb8r 2024. The directors a¢know16dge their responsibilities for complying wllh the requirements of the Companles Acl 2006 with respect to a¢counling fecords and the preparalion of financial statements. The members have not required the company lo obtain an audlt of its finandal 8latemen16 for the year In questlon In accordancè with section 476. These financial slalements have been prepared In accordance wilh the provisions applicabl8 to companles Subject to the sm811 companies regime. The finandal slalemenls were approved by the trustees on 23 Aprll 2025 Mf B Harrington Trusteo Company registration number 05551999 (England and Wales)

THE BREN PROJECT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Accountlng pollcles Charlty Inlormatlon The Bren Project is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales, The registered office Is Cholmondeley House. Dee Hills Park, Chester, Cheshire, CH3 SAR. 1.1 Accountlng conventlon The financial statements have been prepared in accdance with the chBrity'S Memorandum and Artldes of Associalion. th8 Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting St8ndard appll¢able In the UK and Republic of Ireland. ('FRS 102°> and Ihe Charities SORP 'Ac£ounting and Reporting by Charities,. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable lo charilies preparing Iheir accounts in accordancè with Ihe Flnanclal Reporling Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019>. The charily is a Public Benefit Enlily as defined by FRS 102. The charlly has lak8n advanlage of Ihe provisions in the SORP for tharltles not to prep8re 8 Statanent of Cash Flows. The finandal $18tements are prepared In sterling, which is the functional currency of th8 charlty. Mon8tary amounts in these financial slalements aE rounded to the nearest £. The flnancial slalemenls have been prepared under the hist(thal cost convention. The princlpal accountlng policl8s adopted 8re set out below. 1.2 Golng eoncorn Al the tlme of approving the fln8nc4al statements, the Irustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequat8 resources lo contlnue in operational existence for the forese8able lulure. Thus the trustees continu6 to adopt the golng concern basls of a¢untIng In preparing the fingnclal stalements. 1.3 Charltable funds Unre8tr¢cled funds are avallable for use at Ihe dis¢retlon of Ihe truslees in furtherance of Iheir chariteble objectives. Reslrlcted fvnds are subject to specific condilions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purpose$ and usès of the restricted funds are set oul in the notes to the financlal slalements. Endowment funds are subject to specific condlllons by donors that the capilal must be malntalned by the charity. 1.4 Incomo Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performanc6 condltions h8ve been Inet. the amoun15 ¢an be measured feliabty, and il is probable that income will be received. Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Olher donalions 8re recognised once the ch8rily has been notified ol the donation, unless perfomiance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income lax recoverable in relation lo donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised al the lime of the donation. Lega¢ies are Tè¢ognlsed on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an Impending dlsl¥lbulion, the amount Is known. and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contlngént asset.

THE BREN PROJECT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Accountlng pollcle8 {Contlnuèd) 1.5 Expendlture Expenditure Is recognlsed onc8 there 18 a legal or construclive obligatlon to transfer economlc benefit to a third party, it is probable Ihat a Iiansfer of economic beneffits will be required in settlomenl, and the amount of thè obligation can be measured Teliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The cosls of each activity are made up of the total of dir¢t costs and shared costs. including support costs invo5ved in underlaking each activity. Direct costs attrlbutable to a single actlvity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared wsts which contribule lo more than one aclivlty and support costs which are not attributable to a sing18 adivity are apportloned between those adivllies on a basis conslst8nt with the use of resources. Central staff Costs are allocated on the basls of lime spent, and depfeclation charges are allocated on the portion of Ihe asset's use. 1.6 Tanglble Ilxed assets Tangible fixed a55ets are initlally measured at cost and subsequentty measured al cost C valuation, nèl of depreciatlon and any Impairment losses. Depreclatlon Is recognlsed so as lo write off the c08t or valualion of asse18 le8S their resldual values over their useful lives on th6 following ba6e8'. Computers 33% stralght Ilne The g8in or Ioss 8rising on Ihe th'sposal of an asset is determlned as the difference beteen the salè proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the stslement of financial aclivilles. 1.7 Impalrment ol Ilxed asgels Al each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carying amounts ol its tsnglble assets to delermlne whglh6r Ih8re is any Indication Ihal those assets have suffered an impairment loss. 11 any 6uch indkation exists, the recoverable amounl ol the asset Is estimated in order to determine the extent ol th8 Impalrment 1055111 any), 1.8 Cash and cash equlvalents Cash and cash equivalents indude cash in hand, deposlts held at call wlth banks. other shoTt-lerm Ilquld inveslmenls wllh original m8turities ol three months or less, 8nd bank overdr8fts. Bank overdrafts are shown thin borrowing5 In current liabllitie& 1.9 Flnan¢lal In8trumenl$ The charily has elected to apply the provisions of Sedion 11 'Basic Finanual In$trumenl$' and Section 12 'Olher Financlal Instrumgnls Issue8. of FRS 102 to all of its finala1 inslrum8nls. Financial instruments ore recognised in the charity's balance sheel when the charity be¢ome$ party to the contractual piovisions of the instrum1. Flnanci81 assets and liabllilies are offset. with the nel amounts presented in the financial slalements, when there is a leg811y enforceable righl to sat off the recognised amounts and there is an inténtion to settle on a net basis or lo reallse the asset and setlle the liability simultaneously. Bas1¢ flnanclal assets Basic finan¢ial assets, whlch Indude debtors and cash and bank balances, are inilially measured at Iransa¢llon price Including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effectivo interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financAng Ir8nsaclion, where the transaction is measured at Ihe present value of Ihe future receipls discounted al 8 market rale of interest. Financial assets d8ssified as r8ceivable within one year are not amortised. 10-

THE BREN PROJECT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Accountlng poll¢le8 (Contlnued) Baslc flnanclal Ilabllltles Basic financlal liabililies. including creditors and bank108ns ale initially recognised at transaction pric6 unless the aifangement conslilutes a financing Iransacli<)n. where the debt instrument is measured at Ihe present value ol the futur8 payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised. Debl Instruments are subsequently carrled at amortised eJJ6t, uslng the effectlve Interest rale method. Trade creditors ale obligelions to pay for goods or services that have been acqulred in Ihe Ordin course of operallons from suppliers. Amounts payable are cla66ified as current liabililles if payment is due within one year or less. 11 not, they are presenled as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initl8lly at transaction priGe and subsequently measured at amortl8ed cost using the effective Interest method. Derecognlllon of fflnanclal Ilabllltles Financlal Ilablllties are derewgnls8d when the chaiily's contractual obligations expire or are discharged or can¢8118d. 1.10 Employeè bènèflts The cost of any unused holiday entitlement Is recognlsed in the perlod in which the employee's 8&rvices are recelved. 1.11 Retlrement banèflts Payments lo defined contribulion retiremenl b6n8fit schemes are tharged a8 8n expense as they fall du8, Crltl¢al accountlng e8tlma1•8 and Judgement8 In the applleation of the charily's accounting polides. the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carying amount of 8ssels 8nd liabilities thal are not readlly apparent from olher sour$. The eslimstes and associated ossumptions are based on hislofical experlence and other factors that are nSidered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from Ihese estimates. The eslimales and underlying assumMion$ a vieWed on an ongolng basis. Revlslons lo accounting eslim8les are recognised in the period in which Ihe estimate is revised where Ihe revislon affects [Y that period, or in the period of Ihe revlsion and future periods where the revlsion affects both cuirenl and future periods. Income from donatlons and1ogacle8 Unrestrlcted UnrestrlGted fund6 funds 2024 2023 Donatlons and gifts Grants recaivable 15,075 111,893 5,670 86,083 126.968 91,753 11

THE BREN PROJECT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Income fiom donatlons and legacles {Contlnued) Unrestrlcted Unrestrlcted fund8 funds 2024 2023 Grants recelvable for ¢orè acllvltl8S Other 111.893 86,083 111,893 86,063 Income from ¢harltable a¢llvltles Unre8trlcted Unre8trl¢ted funds fund8 2024 2023 8ren Blkes Bren Bike6 130,950 122,835 Income from Inve8lment8 Unrestrlcted Unro8lrlcted fund8 fund$ 2024 2023 Interest receivable 2,342 1,424 12-

THE BREN PROJECT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Expondlture on charltable a¢tlvltles General Bren Blke8 Funds 2024 Tolal Goneral Bren Blke8 Fund6 2023 Total 2024 2024 2023 2023 Dlre¢t CQ8t8 Staff wsls Depreciallon and Impairment Charilablg gxpendlture Rent 81.544 58.185 139,729 65,354 61,610 126,964 1.487 12,(M)O 13,487 5,535 7,200 12,735 Charitable exp&ndlture Rep8irs a Malntenence Charitable expènditure Insurance 533 533 2.744 2,744 1,272 1,272 Char5tabl8 8xp&ndilure Motor & Travel Cost$ 1,311 1,311 913 913 Charitable expenditure Legal & professional fee8 1,IA9 2,880 2,880 Charitable expendlture Telephone Charitable expenditLKe Other Office Gosts Charitable expendltwe Staff Training Charllable expenditwe Compuler Costs 816 818 829 829 757 757 3,330 3.330 751 7S1 543 543 179 179 Chorilable eXpendIte Subscriptions Charltable expenditure Beneficiary trainlng & support 345 345 581 561 8,012 8,012 6,489 6,469 Charltable exp@ndilure materials & equipmenl 534 37,950 38.484 491 32,719 33,210 Charltab18 expenditure- Fundralsing consultancy Charltable expendrture- donations Charltable expèndllure- advertising 7.721 7.721 216 216 4.229 4,229 111.8C6 108,135 219,941 89,102 101,529 1W,631 Share of 8UPPOrt and governance cos16 (see note 7> Govern8nce 2,885 2.885 2,329 2,329 114,691 108.135 222.826 91.431 101.529 192,980 13-

THE BREN PROJECT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Expendlture on ¢hafltable acllvltles (Conllnued) Analy8ls by fund Unrestricted funds - general 114,691 108.135 222,826 91,431 101.529 192.960 Support costs allocated to actlvltl88 Ggnoral Funds 2024 Total 2023 Governance 2,885 2,329 2024 2023 Governance c08ts comprlse: Indpendenl examlner fee Other flnancial services 2.049 836 1,822 707 2,885 2,329 Tru8te98 None of the trustees (or any per80ns conneded with them) received 8ny remuneration or bene1415 from the charity during the year. Employee8 The average monthly number of employee8 during the year was.. 2024 Number 2023 Number Employment co8t8 2024 2023 Vvages and sa18ries Social security costs other pension costs 128,250 6,190 5,289 118,856 5,036 3,072 139,729 126,964 There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60.1)00. 14-

THE BREN PROJECT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ICONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 10 Taxatlon The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charllabla purposes. 11 Tanglble flxed a88et8 computers C06t At 1 January 2024 Additions 5,576 626 At 31 D8C8mber 2024 6,202 Dopreclallon and Impalrmenl Al 1 January 2024 D8preci8tion Charged In the year 5,576 209 At 31 December 2024 5,785 Carrylng amount At 31 Decembef 2024 417 12 Dobtors 2024 2023 Amounts falllng due wlthln one year. Other debtors 82 62 13 Credltors.. amount8 falllng duè wlthln one year 2024 2023 other tsxatlon arKJ social security Accruals and deferred income 220 3,560 2,197 3.780 2,197 14 Retlremenl benellt 8cheme8 2024 2023 Dellned contrlbutlon schemes Charge lo profil or loss in respect of defined contribution schem8S 5.289 3,072 Th6 charity operates a defined cKJntribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme 8re held separately fri)m those of th& charily in an independently administered fund. 15-

THE BREN PROJECT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 16 Unreylrlcted fundg The unrèstricted funds of the charity comprise the eXpended balances of donations 8nd grants which are not subject to Specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be usèd. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unfestrided lunds by the trustees for Éwclfic purposes. At 1 January 2024 In¢omlng Rogource8 re8our¢e$ oxpended At31 December 2024 New Project Designated Fund8 General Funds 150.987 153.678 150,987 191,112 280.260 {222.826> 304.685 260,280 {222,8261 342,099 Prevlou8 year: At 1 January 2023 Incomlng ReBource8 regour¢e$ expended At31 December 2023 New Project DesSgnaled Funds General Funds 149.563 132,050 1.424 214.588 150,987 153,678 1192,980) 281,613 216.012 {192,980) 31)4,665 16 Related party Iran8actlon8 There were no dlsclosable relaled p8ty Iransactlons during the year12023- none). 16-

Charlty reglstratlon number 1111644 Company reglstratlon number 05551999 IEngland and Wales) THE BREfrI PROJECT ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

THE BREN PROJECT CONTENTS Pag Trustees, report Independent examine¢s report Slalement of financlal aclivilies B8lance sheet Notes to the financlal statements 9-16