44TrME
STRT
Southern
Oxfordshire
Ik 'fii
Home-start Southern Oxfordshire
Annual Report & Financial
Statements 2024-25
Supporting families in Oxfordshire since 1989
www.homestart-southernoxfordshire.org.uk

CONTENTS
Report of the Trustees
2to28
Chair's report
6t07
Treasurer's report
8t09
Charity information and reference details
26to27
Statement of Trustees, responsibilities
28
Report of the Independent Examiner
29
Income and expenditure for 12 months to
31 March 2025
30
Balance Sheet
31
Notes to the financial statements
32

/ ABOUT US
We work with families who are going through
challengingtimes, and who have a child/children aged
five years or under. We recruit and train volunteers to
spend time with families, aiming to increase their
confidence and independence by:
Offering friendship, support, and practical assistance, with a flexible
approach to take account of different needs
Developing a trusting relationship with the family, to establish an
understanding of their circumstances
Reassuring parents that difficulties in bringing up children are not
unusual, and encouraging enjoyment in family life
Encouraging parents, strengths, emotional wellbeing and parenting
skills, for the ultimate benefit of their children
Encouraging families to widen their network of relationships and to
effectively use the support and services within the local community.
In the year 2024- 2025, we also supported families through a paid
worker, and two groups, described later in this report.
We are an independent charitywithin the Home-start federation, with
our own board of trustees, and responsible for our own fundraising. We
have a legal agreement with Home-start UK, the charity that centrally
supports local Home-starts through influencing policy, sUPPOrting
quality improvement, brokering national partnerships and working to
enhance our impact forfamilies.

THE AREA WE COVER
Providing support across South Oxfordshire
& the Vale of White Horse
98
115
families
families
Families supported by location
Abingdon 23
Cholsey 2
Benson &Crowmarsh 6 Didcot 90
Berinsfield 2
Drayton I
Blewbury & Harwell 39 Faringdon 9
Chalgrove 3
Henley 2
Chinnor I
Steventon &
The Hanneys I
Sutton Courtenay 4
Thame3
Wallingford 4
Wantage & Grove 19
Watchfield & Shrivenham 2
Watlington 2
153
referrals
Referrals for our support continue
to rise and have increased by
over the last year.
Referral sou rces i nclude: self referrals (29), Health Visitors
(28), Social and Family Support Seniices (16), education
professionals (15), other health services e.g. GP, midwifery &
mental health (15), community organisations (4).

OUR IMPACT
Because Childhood Can't Wait
213
350
children
aged 0-5
years
291
families
supported
children
supported
children
ed over
5 years
13
78
122
families supported
by our Family
Support Worker
families supported
by our home-visiting
volunteers
families supported
at our groups
"Home-start is such a
fantastic idea, and I
wouldrecommend any
parent that is struggling
to reach out."
- Supported family
51
valued
volunteers
supporting
families!

80%
of parents felt
better able to cope
with their chlld's
mentst health
Our outcomes show that of the families we supported
with a home-visiting volunteer over the last year
A 88%
of parents felt
more involved In
their children's
learning and
development
of parents felt
less isolated
76%
of families felt
better able to
cope with
parenting in the
earliest years
of families
experienced
improved
wellbeing
"Having a Home-start volunteer, to help with my twins, made a huge
difference to how I copedpostpartum. Without the 2 hours every week to
catch up on tasks, the reassurance received, and the new friend I gained
with our volunteer, my mental health would have suffered."
- Supported family

CHAIR'S REPORT
DOREEN MCNULTY
l am pleased to present this year's annual report. It gives an
excellent representation of Home-start Southern Oxfordshire's work.
We started the year with a new 3-year Strategic Plan in place. One of our early
objectives was to adopt a new governing document, as our existing documents
required minor updates to bringthem into line with Home-start UK. We hope to
complete this during 2025.
We submitted our Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan to Home-
Start UK as required, in April. Our Manager, Linda, developed this with a small
group of trustees who continued to meet to furtherthe work set out in the plan.
Once again, l am proud to mention that at ourAGM in September2024we
celebrated our 35-year anniversary of Home-start Southern Oxfordshire. We had as
guest speakerthe then CEO of Home-start UK Peter Grigg. Peter
congratulated us on reaching this outstanding milestone achievement.
"[My volunteer] has been an
absolute staple to our week and
has helpedme in so manypositive
ways. l almost owe my life to her. I
suffered with severe anxiety and.....
agoraphobia to the point I did friy
shopping online. Now I sidto
groups, we go for Walks, I do my
shopping in the supermarket and I
feel like such a betterMer4on
mentally and physically."
- Supportedfamily

In May 2024, we submitted our first self-assessment (on 'Protecting
Families,) to Home-start UK, as part of the ongoing Quality Assurance
process. We continued to work on other standards throughout the year,
and there is more detail on these later in thisAnnual Report.
Towards the end of theyear Colin, our long-standing Treasurer, let us
know that he would be retiring in March. We started the long search for a
replacement. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Colin for his
outstanding contribution to the work of the charity. Colin has steered us
through many challenges with his professionalism and integrity. We
cannot thank him enough and wish him a very happy retirement!
Linda also advised us that she planned to retire in June 2025, so we
began the recruitment process for her role too. My thanks go also to
Linda, whose year was personally difficult with serious health issues.
Even during this time Linda did her utmostto ensure everything in the
organisation ran as smoothly as possible. l am pleased to say Linda has
made an excellent recovery.
Thank you to the wonderful staff team and the amazingvolunteers. The
volunteers who work so closely with families, giving theirtime, care, life
experiences and empathy. Volunteers should be really proud,
that they can, and do, make a significant difference to the lives
of the familiestheysupport!
My final thank you is to my colleagues on the Trustee Board,
who bring a wealth of expertise, professionalism and
compassion. I would like to thank Gill Bodey, Vice Chair, for her
enormous contribution to the charity's smooth running. In
December 2024,1 am pleased to say we welcomed a new
trustee, Jan Rimmer. Jan comes from a teaching background
and brings lots of additional knowledge, including specialist
dyslexia training. She has also been a Home-start home-visiting
volunteer.

TREASURER'S REPORT
COLIN CAMPBELL
The scheme had an overall surplus of £58,000.94 in the year to 31" March
2025.
We are pleased to recognise the fantastic support from our largest donors:
The Henry Smith Charity of £48,100.00;
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust of £38,086.00;
BBC Children In Need of £30,000.00;
The National Lottery Community Fund of £27,409.58
We have received funding from many town and parish councils, as well as
grant-givingtrusts, organisations and individuals. We thank them all.
Expenditure was above budget, but this was partly due to additional
staffing being recruited to provide the increased level of service available
from new sources of funding.

Our reserves policy is to hold sufficient reserves to cover potential liabilities
if the scheme was to close, plus anticipated funding requirements for the
forthcoming year, plus a general reserve of no more than 12 months of
annual income.
We had reserves at the financial year end totalling £193,662.03.
This is represented by two reserves:
a designated reserve of £41,000- to cover a Pension Trust liability and
potential liabilities from redundancy payments and closing down costs.
a free reserve of £152,662.03, which represents about 8.6 months of the
budgeted expenditure for 2025/26.
Once again, we offer oursincere thanks to all the organisations, individuals
and trusts that have supported us throughout the year, together with all
our dedicated staff and volunteers.
In particular, ourthanks must go to Faye, whose fundraising endeavours
have been outstanding this year, enabling us to receive a record level of
income in 2024/25 and funding in 2025/26 sufficient
to meet the budget.
However, the uncertainties of funding from 2026/27
onwards and the increasing challenges, as we try
to maintain the much higher level of service we are
supplying, means it would be prudentto maintain
this higher level of reserves.

MANAGER'S REPORT
LINDA CHEONG
00
This year has been a year of growth. We started this financial year in a
brighter place financially from the previous year and we have been able to
build and manifest some very exciting developments throughout the year.
Faye, our Development Manager has been successful in several funding
bids, including multi-year core funding from Children in Need, the National
Lottery Community Fund, Step Change Fund and Home-start UK'S
partnership with SGN.
We have also worked more closely with our sister Home-starts in
Oxford and Banbury, Bicester& Chipping Norton. We were successful
in a collaborative bid to be part of the Oxford Health 0-19 tender and
for the first time we have received funding from health services
towards our home-visiting work.
Collaboratively, we were also successful in receiving funding from Active
Oxfordshire to promote Youmove, which has given us the opportunity to
play a pivotal role in their target of rolling out the Youmove card to families
with under fives. The card gives access to free or low cost activities at
leisure centres and local attractions.
Again, this year there was greater demand for our service and we received
153 referrals, up from 126 the previous year. Of the 153 referrals we received
we had to decline 42, due to either no volunteer capacity, no staff capacity,
lack of engagement from the family orthe family declining support. More
than 60 of the referrals we received were for families with increased needs,
either in Child Protection Plan (CP), Child in Need (CIN) or Team Around the
Family (TAF).
10

"ljust want to say thankyou. Having a
volunteer has made such a huge
difference. We go with her to Rhyme Time
nowandR has come out of his shell- he's
talking more and doesn't scream around
strangers. I'm getting out for a walk
every day."
- Supported family
81%
of parents reported
improved confidence in
managing their
daily life
In May, we said farewell to Lydia, who retired from being a Family
Co-ordinator after 5 years of working with us. We like to encourage and
allow growth and personal development within our team and Kelly, who
was our Administrator and Group Worker, expressed a wish to become a
Family Co-ordinator. We provided training, and with support from the rest
of the team, Kelly has successfullytaken up this role. This move within the
team meant we needed to recruit a new Administrator and we were
overjoyed when our previousAdministrator Gill applied again!
Ourvolunteers are the backbone of all that we do and we certainly would
not be able to offer the support we do without them. We recruited a
Volunteer Development Co-ordinator, Janet, who had recently retired from
a career within the NHS. The role, focusing on recruitment and
stewardship of our volunteers, is already proving successful as we have
trained 17 new volunteers this year, compared to 9 the previous year. We
now have 51 volunteers. Unfortunately, 7 volunteers retired this year.
In March we Sadly said good bye to Gill Jones, who had worked with us for
a number of years as a Family Support Worker. We also said goodbye to
Janet, who decided to embrace retirement.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our volunteers, from our
Board of Trustees to our Home-visiting and our Group Volunteers. Also, a
huge thank you to the staff team who have worked hard and gone above
and beyond to support the charity during a turbulent year with staff illness
and changes.
11

FAMILY STORY
We began support for Mum in November2024. Mum had self-referred as she
was really struggling with her mental health, isolation and looking after her
two children. At the start of hersupport Mum said:
"I have severe mental health problems. Depression and anxiety. My children are
the only thing keeping me olive. My daughter has suspected autism, however
we have been on the waiting list for an assessment for over 4years. Her
behaviour is very challenging on a daily basis. Financially, l arn struggling. My
UC does not cover my monthly outgoings anymore. Since moving Greas and
moving doctors I feel like all of my mental health history and support hasjust
been forgotten (7bout as I seem to be getting nowhere. I don't know anyone in
this area now I've moved, so I don't leave the house unless I do the school runs.
I'm extremely isolated and lonely."
We matched Mum with one of ourtrained home-visiting volunteers. Our
volunteer's weekly visits have helped Mum improve her self-esteem and
increase her confidence. After7 months of support, Mum recently told us:
"My volunteer, R, is absolutely amazingll She has helped me leave the house,
access medical services and food bonks which I would never hL7ve done by
myselfl Before, I literally didn't leave the house. l even got my food shopping
delivered. I didn't even go in myown gardenl Now. .sometimes... I do go to
the shop and for a walk with the children by myself And we are always in the
garden..) Mymental health is stillpretty awful but with the help of Home-
Start I have actually contacted the medical centre to start getting it sorted.
I'm very appreciative of the help they have all given me,:
12

MEANINGFUL
*L
FIND OUT MORE
ABOUT
VOLUNTEERING
FOR HOME-START

>voLUNTEER Q&A<
u choos
art volunteering.
After facing my own challenges as a parent, I was
incredibly fortunate to receive support from another
dad. Family dynamics have evolved dramatically over
the years, with men now playing a much more active
role in childcare and running the household, sometimes
even without a partner. My hope is to offer the same vital
support I received, creating a positive impact for dads,
children, and families across the board.
'n three words?
Purpose, helpfulness and accomplishment.
ardi
It's truly rewarding to know you're making a tangible difference with every
visit. Sometimes, it's as simple as lending an ear over a cuppa, helpingwith
everyday tasks like folding laundry or doingthe washing up, orjust pushing
a child on the swings at the local park. For some families, your visit might
be the only adult companythey've had in days. These small acts of
presence and kindness can mean the world.
What would you sayto someone who was thinking about becomin
-sta
un
We, as humans, inherently feel better when we help others. Sacrificing some
of mytime for Home-start has brought immense personal benefit, while
simultaneously supporting otherfamilies. In turn, if you choose to volunteer
with Home-start, it could make a profound difference for you, just as it has
for me, and for even more families in our community.
14
Making a difference, one visit at a time

VOLUNTEER
DEVELOPMENT
Oxtordshir¢
Could you
olunteerforus?
00
In September 2024 we were awarded
funding from the Step Change Fund to
recruit a Volunteer Development Co-
ordinator. This new role was introduced to
help us recruit, train and support our
volunteers.
Janet attended events at libraries in Didcot,
Wallingford and Wantage and schools in
Grove and Didcot. Janet also attended
events at the leisure centres in Abingdon
and Thame, often teaming up or networking
with partners such as Active Oxfordshire,
SODC Active Communities Team and
Reducing the Risk.
Qrftr*hl
Our Januaryvolunteer Preparation Course
was one of our most well-attended courses.
We also attracted sufficient interest from
Janet's buzz-creating hard work to be able
to hold another course after Easter. This role
also gives us the capacity to hold more
volunteer meet-ups, organise further
training and ensure our volunteers are taken
good care of.
Rr
Thank you to the Step Change Fund!
'1 really enjoyed the course
and didn't want it to end!
I'm going to miss seeing
everybody each week."
The heart of
Home-start
STEP
CHANGE
FUND
15

OUR GROUPS
We held two weekly groups this year which
supported 122 families.
Home-start Parenting Group
This is a small group for referred families who would find attending larger
groups difficult. It allows for support tailored to the needs of the individual.
Support is provided on topics such as child development, behaviour, diet,
weaning, the importance of play, budgeting and meal planning. The aim is to
reduce isolation, improve parent-child relationships and increase self-esteem.
CASE STUDY
A young mum who was living in supported accommodation
with a baby boy was experiencing low self-esteem and anxiety.
She felt unable to access public transport and was feeling
anxious about attending any group. Although initially shy and
withdrawn, she attended the group every week. She soon
began speaking to the other attendees, took onboard advice
and information and even referred the group to some of her
housemates! Her confidence grew and she began helping
others, referring them to the community larder and offering to
meet them there, and even sharingtips for batch cooking! She
also began travelling using the bus and the train ! She
and her son have now moved into their own place
near to family.

11
"The staff are really
helpful and friendly. It's
been a real lifeline as I
was finding being home
alone difficult and most
othergroups are too
expensive"
"As the first of our friends to have
children, groups like Home-start
have been vital for my mental
health. Without it, I wouldn't know
anyone going through the same
things as me right now.,
- Parent who attended group
SO￿h•M
Oxlordshlr•
Iiiiiii_lip; I,Iiiiiiiill
Home-start Baby & Me
First Babies group started the year at Ladygrove Community Centre
and then relocated to the District Community Centre at Great Wester
Park in Didcot; a new, modern playroom with lots of parking.
r2ront
Theoldcot
Powerhouse
F￿n￿
ecipie
We re-launched the Group as'Baby & Me,. no longerjust for first-time parents.
This meant we could welcome back parents who previously attended with
their first child. This group continues to offer a safe place for babies to play
and give parents and caregivers an opportunity to connect, improving
isolation and wellbeing.
We welcomed Kath from Didcot Baby Monday who attended 6 sessions and
gave advice around feeding, sleep and self-care. We also began holding twins
sessions on the first Tuesday of each month. Our two group volunteers, Gill
and Helen, continue to be a great support, warmly welcoming parents, carers
and babies.
17

FAMILY SUPPORTWORKER
During 2024-25 we continued to deliver l-to-l support via our Family
Support Worker, Gill, in family homes across South Oxfordshire and the
Vale of White Horse. The support was flexible and varied to meetthe
individual needs of the family. On a few occasions we were able to
work with children within their school setting.
Support was particularly centred around mental health, providing
cognitive behavioural therapy, and family nurturing, using the Family
Links Programme. Isolation, low confidence and low self-esteem were
also areas of need. Practical help sourcing funds for items such as
cookers, washing machines and otherequipment was also given by our
Family Support Worker, as well as signposting and making referrals to
foodbanks and community larders. Working alongside many other
agencies and professionals and attending multi-agency meetings,
further ensured that the needs of the families were met.
66Thank you for being a massive part of our lives for the
past year, it has made a huge difference to us, and we
would not be where we are today without you!??
Supported family
"l just wanted to say thank you for everything you have
done for us. It really has made a difference to our lives.
feel so much more in control of my life and l am able to
manage my anxiety a lot better, thanks to your help?
support and understanding."
Supported family
18

•T4
11
Walt
od
//
//
19

OUR
HIGHLIGHTS
Anonymous Coffee Co. in
Henley raised £180 through
donating a percentage of the
sales from its Christmas 'Good
Will, coffee blend! Thank you!
+tP4,M£
ST.
'iRT
hlre
St Peter's Didcot raised £505 at
their quiz night for Home-start
Southern Oxfordshire! We gave a 4
talk, entered our own 'Home-
Starters for IO, team and even
enjoyed some fish and chips! A
lovely night- thank you!
•CAu
Chlldhtsod
I C4n'tW•
Medlock Grove Didcot Light Up chose
us as its charity to support during its
Christmas light display! We attended
the switching on of the lights on I
December and they raised more than
£700 for us! Amazing! Thankyou!
20

Tesco in Henley
donated new school
uniforms and essential
household supplies
for us to distribute to
families in need!
Thankyoul
li-
Thank you to Tesco in Didcot
and local charity, Play2Give,
who each donated new toys
at Christmas to help families
struggling over the festive
period.
00
The inspirational girls at Didcot Girls,
School took part in the school's First
Give Project, with one team choosing
us as its charityto supportthrough a
cake sale and teachers race! Thank
you foryoursupport!
ause.childhood Can
We had a great day at the Abingdon
Air& Country Show! Thank you to
everyone who came by our stall,
donated, picked up a leaflet or took
one of ourfree children's books!,
21

ABIG
THANKYOU! {:.
Thank you to all the grant-giving trusts and foundations; Town and Parish
Councils including Didcot Town Council, Abingdon Town Council, Wantage
Town Council and Henley-on-Thames Town Council; and individual donors
who have generously helped fund Home-start Southern Oxfordshire this
year!
SUPPORTED BY
COMMUNITY
FUND
NHS
CHILDREN
IN NEED
Oxford Health
NHS Foundation Trust
South Oxfordshire
District Council
PYE?
Hfv.,ME
SGN
Yaur g••. Out n•t*¢xk.
Listening Leaining Leading
The
Honry Smith
Charity
VREDROW
Thank you to all the
families, volunteers past
and present, and
supporters who donate
their expenses, make
donations in lieu of
birthdays, fundraise andlor
make regular donations to
the charity often boosted
by Gift Aid.
Oxfordshire
STEP
CHANGE
FUND
Grant
WE51EANVALLEY
ThwThdcot
VETEIiANS
FOUNDATION
Funtl
ecipi¢O
IAf'Jr,._'l_,l-iiri-
COMMUNITY
FUND
Community
We wouldn't be able to
support and help
struggling families Wlthout
people like you.
FLiiJfi'.
Stronger TESCO
Starts•
22

If you would like to
donate to or
fundraise for
Home-start Southern
Oxfordshire, we'd
love your support!
homestart-southernoxfordshire.or
.uk
fundraise
olc
SE
23

TRUSTEES & STAFF
APRIL 2024- MARCH 2025
TRUSTEES
Doreen McNulty, Chair
Colin Campbell, Honorary Treasurer
Gill Bodey, Vice Chair
Helen Conway
Caroline Couldrick
Abi Reynolds
Christine Grandison
Jan Rimmer (from December 2024)
STAFF
Linda Cheong, Manager
Anita Davidson, Family Co-ordinator
Lydia Davison, Family Co-ordinator
Gill Jones, Family Support Worker
Faye Golding-King, Development Manager
Kelly Summers, Administrator (until June 2024), Family
Co-ordinator (from June 2024) and Group Worker
Gill Rose, Administrator (from June 2024)
Janet Porter, Volunteer Development
Co-ordinator (from September 2024)
Independent Examiner:
Sue Scane, CIPFA
24

HOME-START
SAFEGUARDING
QUALITY
ASSURANCE
Home-start Southern Oxfordshire
is committed to safeguarding and
promoting the welfare of children
and adults, and expects all
trustees, staff, volunteers and
members to share this
commitment. Our policies on
safeguarding children and adults
are available on our website.
We are proud to be part ofthe Home-
Start network. As well as giving us
wider publicity and access to
specialist support, our membership
ensures we are assessed under the
Home-start Quality Assurance
Standard.
This encompasses ten areas of work:
Protecting Families; Governance &
Leadership; Family Support;
Operating a Home-start; Money &
Funding; Equality, Diversity and
Inclusion; Quality & Impact; Staff &
Volunteers; Brand, Communication &
Digital; Partnership & Influence.
PUBLIC BENEFIT
STATEMENT
The Trustees have a d,uty to report
on the scheme's public benefit.
They have taken into account the
Charity Comml,ssion's guidance
on public benefit in planningthe
year's activities. This report
demonstrates how Home-start
Southern Oxfordshire fulfils its
charitable objectives.
We are currently submitting self-
assessments of our practice in the
above areas, for monitoring by Home-
Start UK, and all four submitted so far
have been approved.
RISK MANAGEMENT
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which Home-start
Southern Oxfordshire is exposed, in particular those relating to
finances and operations, and believe that arrangements are in
place to mitigate those risks.
25

Home-start Southern Oxfordshire
IA company limited by guarantee)
Charity information and reference details
Reglstered Charity Number
Registered Company Number
1113941
05443274 (England and Wales)
Trustees (Director5)
The Trustees who Served during the year are listed on page 24
Staff
The staff who served during the year are also listed on page 24
Registered office
197 Broadway,
Didcot,
Oxfordshire.
OXII 8RU.
Website
www.homestart-southernoxfordshire.org.uk
Independent examlner
Susan Scane CIPFA
151 Lydalls Road,
Didcot,
Oxfordshire.
OXII 7EA
Bankers
CAF Bank Ltd,
25 Kings Hill Avenue,
West Malling,
Kent.
ME19 4JQ,
www.homestart.south¢rnoxfordshire.org.uk
26

Home-start Southern Oxfordshire
Registered Charity No.. 1113941
Company Registration No.. 05443274
Governing document
Home-start Southern Oxfordshire is a company limited by guarantee (No.
05443274) and a registered charity (No. 11139411 governed by its articles of
association. Previously Home-start Southern Oxfordshire operated as charity
number 1006230. The existing charitable company was formed on 4 May
2005.
Dirertors and trustees
The Directors of a charitable company stand in place of the Trustees for the
purposes of Charity Law, and throughout the above pages of the Annual
Report and Financial Statement5 are collectively referred to as the Trustees.
The Trustees who served during the year are listed on page 24.
Charitsble objects
The charitable object5 of the Charity are..
to safeguard, protect and presenie the good health, both mental and
physical, of children and parents/ca rers of children.
to prevent cruelty to or maltreatment of children;
to relieve sickness, poverty and need amongst children and
parentslcarers of children;
to promote the education of the public In better standards of chlld
care;
within the area of southern Oxfordshire and its environs.
Activities
The Charity fulfils its objects by means of the actrvities listed on page 2
Achievements and performance
For a description of our achievements and performance during the year, and
our impact, see pages 3 to 21
Report of the Chair of the Trustees See pages 6 to 7
Treasurer's report and reserves
pollcy
See pages 8 to 9
Manager's report
See pages 10 to 11
Publlc benefit statement, quality
assurance, safeguarding and rlsk
management
See page 25
Plans for the future period
The charity seeks to assist increasing numbers of families through home-visits
in the coming period, undertaken by its network of trained volunteers. In
addition, we aim to help families access groups and resources in their local
communities, either providinE these ourselves or through close links with
other like-minded organisations.
We are aware that some current multi-year funding grant5 will come to an
end from 2026127 onward5, and we are making contingency plans to cover
projected funding shortFalls.
www.home5tart.southernoxfordshire.org.u.k
27

Home-start Southern Oxfordshire
Registered Charity No: 1113941
Company Registration No: 05443274
Statement of Trustees, responsibilities
Cornpany and charity law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial
statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the
Surplus or deficit of the Charity in that period.
In preparing these financial statements the Trustees have:
Selected suitable accounting policies and applied them consistently;
Made judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent,.
Stated whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures
disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
Prepared the financial statements on a going-concern basis.
The Trustees have over311 responsibility for ensuring that the Charity has an appropriate system of controls, financial
and otherwise. They are also responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose wlth reasonable
accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements
comply wlth the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence
for taking reasonable steps for the detection and prevention of fraud and other Irregularities.
This report is prepared In accordance with the speclal provisions of the Companles Act 2006 relating to small
charitable companies.
This report was approved by the Trustees on l October 2025 and signed on its behalf, by:
Robert Fraser
Treasurer and Company Secretary
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28

Home-start Southern Oxfordshire
Registered Charity No: 1113941
Company Registration No: 05443274
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Home-start Southern Oxfordshire
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of Home-start Southern Oxfordshire {'the Charity,), for
the year ended 31 March 2025. which are Set out on pages 31 and 32.
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examlner
As the Charity's Trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the
requirements of the Charities Act 20111'the Act'l. The Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year
under section 14412) of the Act and that an independent examination is needed. Having satisfied myself that the
Charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility
to:
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Act
follow all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515)Ibl of the Act; and
- state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Independent examiner's statement
The Charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 and l am qualified to undertake the examination by beln8 a qualified
member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFAI.
I have completed my examinatton. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with
the examination which glves me cause to believe that In, any material respect:
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set
out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give
a 'true and fair, view which is not a matter conside￿d as part of an independent examinatlon.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examinatton to which attention
should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Susan Scane CIPFA
Independent examiner
Date: 2ty.9.ZS
151 Lydalls Road,
Didcot, OXII 7EA
www.homestart.5QUthernoxfordshire.org.uk
29

Home-start Southern Oxfordshire
Re8lStered Charity No.. 1113941
Registered Company No.. 05443274 {England and Wales)
INCOME & EXPENDITURE FOR 12 MONTHS TO 31 MARCH 2025- £.p
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
fund5
2025
Total funds
2024
Total funds
INCOME
Active Oxfordshire Youmove
Albert Hunt Charity
BBC Children In Need
Didcot Powerhouse Fund
Didcot Town Council
Henry Smith Foundation
J A Pye Charitable Settlement
National Lottery Community Fund
OCF Better Mental Health Fund
Oxford Health NHS10-191
Oxfordshire Community Foundation
POD Charity Grant
SGN Fuelling Futures.. Home-start
South Oxfordshire District Cou ncil
Step Chan8e Fund
The Beechln8 Trust
The Tambour Foundatlon
Veterans Foundation
Small Council Grants lu nder £5kl
Other Donations & Fundraising
10,584.58
6,000.00
30,000.00
10,584.58
6,000.00
30,000.00
4,157.00
5,518.00
8,000.00
47,200.00
5,000.00
5,250.00
48,100.00
5,000.00
27,409.58
3,520.33
38,086.00
4,256.00
5,250.00
48,100.00
5,000.00
27,4Q9.58
3,520.33
38,086.00
4,256.00
8.033.00
22,994.74
4,302.00
8,227.00
4,302.00
8,227.00
16,500.00
4,166.67
8,227.00
16,500,00
4,166.67
25.000.00
22,500.00
6.095.00
32,294.57
7,500.00
7,500.00
7,190.00
28,118.80
7,190.00
28,118.80
TOTAL INCOME
230.210.96
24,000.00
254,210.96
195.019.31
EXPENDITURE
AGM
Computtng
Home-start UK Consultancy
Insurance
Rent15ervice Char8e
Room Hire
Staff Salaries
Staff Training
Staff Travel & Expenses
Stationery / Photocopier / Post / Telephone
Volunteers Travel & Expense5
Volunteers Training
Other Expenditure
242.67
4,322.65
4,016.10
1,124.61
10.969.78
1,925.30
136,089.55
294.02
3,027.77
3.331.47
1,749.76
375.73
4.740.62
33.82
602.42
559,70
156.73
1,528.80
268.32
18,966.08
40.98
421.96
464.29
243.86
52.36
660.67
276.49
4,925.07
4,575.80
1,281.34
12,498.58
2.193.62
155,055.63
335.00
3,449.73
3.795.76
1,993.62
428.09
5,4Ql.29
501.47
4,845.95
3,306.76
1,469.09
11.676.59
1,099.93
134,156.49
712.33
3,000.00
3,419.11
1,896.33
340.00
2,593.97
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
172,210.02
24,000.00
196,210.02
169,018.02
SURPLUS/IDEFICIT)
58,000.94
0.00
58,000.94
26,001.29
RECONCIUATION OF FUNDS
Total fund5 brought forward
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
135,661.09
193.662.03
135.661.09
193,662.03
109,659.80
135,661.09
www.homestart-5QUthernoxfordshire.org.yk
30

Home-start Southern Oxfordshire
BALANCE SHEET
31 March 2025
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
2025
Total funds
2024
Total funds
CURRENT ASS￿5
Debtors and Prep3yments
847.57
847.57
412.10
Cash at Bank and In Hand
244,841.91
244,841.91
171,940.75
245,689.48
245,689.48
172,352.85
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Creditors, Accruals & Payments in Advance
52,027.45
52,027.45
36,691.76
NET ASSETS/(LIABILITIES)
193,662.03
193,662.03
135,661.09
FUNDS
Unrestricted funds
Designated reserve to cover bud8eted
deficit5 in forthcomin8 years
Desi8nated reserve to cover Pension Deficit /
Redundancy / Closing Down
Free Reserves
41,000.00
152,662.03
41.000.00
94,661.09
Restrlrted funds
Restricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS
193,662.03
135,661.09
For the financial year ending 31 March 2025 the Charity was entltled to exemption from audlt under section 477 ofthe
Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors. responslblllfjes,,
The members have not required the Charlty to obtain an audit of Its accounts for the year In question in accordance
with sectlon 476,. and
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complylng with the requirements of the Act with respect to
accountln8 records and the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to cornpanie5 subject to the small companies
regime.
The financial statements were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on l October 2025. and signed on their behalf
by..
Robert Fraser
Treasurer and Company Secretary
www.homestart-southernoxfordshire.org.uk
31

Home-start Southern Oxfordshire
Registered Charity No.- 1113941
Registered Company No.. 05443274 (England and Wale51
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
l. Accounting policies
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small
companies regime under the Companies Act 2006 and on an accruals basis.
2. Company status
The company is a company limited by guarantee with no Sha￿ capital. The liability of members in the event of
winding up is limited to £1.
3. Related party transactlons
There were no related-party transact5ons during the year requirlng disclosure under the Companies Act 2CK)6.
4. Creditors and accruals
Included wlthln creditors are amounts relatln8 to grant income received In advance for the following financlal year
and accrued service charge costs relatin8 to the year ended 31 March 2025 but invoiced after the year end.
5. Exemptlons
The company has taken advantage of the small companies, exemptions in preparing these accounts.
6. Golng concern
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity's ability to continue as a going
concern nor any significant areas of uncertainty that affect the carrying value of assets held by the Charity.
7. Trustees remuneratlon and expenses
No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration or expenses from the Charity
durin8 the year.
8. Staff costs
The aggregate payroll costs of staff employed during the year were £155,05612024: £134,156)
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows..
2025
2024
Charitable activities
Fundraising & Communications
Support services
Total
All seven members of staff were part-time. The full-time equivalent number of staff wa5 512024." 5}
www,homestart-50Uthernoxford5hire.org.uk >>>)
32

ME
ST*.RT
Home-start Southern Oxfordshire
197 Broadway
Didcot
Southern
OXII 8RU
Oxfordshire 01235 511152
HomeStartSouthernOxfordshire
homestart-southernoxfordshire.org.uk
www
Home-start Southern Oxfordshire is a company limited by guarantee,
registered in England and Wales Number 05443274
Registered Charity Number 1113941