## **Registered Charity no. 1114773**
**REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH NOVEMBER 2025 FOR THE THE BRIERLEY HILL PROJECT**
Page 1
## **THE BRIERLEY HILL PROJECT CONTENTS PAGE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH NOVEMBER 2025**
||Page|
|---|---|
|Report of the Trustees|3 to 6|
|Independent Examiner's Report|7|
|Receipts and Payments Account|8|
|Statement of Assets and Liabilities|9|
|Notes to the Receipts and Payments Accounts|10 - 12|
Page 2
## **THE BRIERLEY HILL PROJECT REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH NOVEMBER 2025**
**REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered charity number** 1114773
## **Principal address**
24 Bank Street Brierley Hill DY5 3DA
## **Trustees**
Adrian Lowe - Chairman Judith Forster Anna Fellows Samuel Cowley (appointed 2nd April 2025)
## **Independent examiner**
Sally-Ann Reeves FCCA
Page 3
## **THE BRIERLEY HILL PROJECT TRUSTEES REPORT**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025**
The Trustees present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 November 2025.
## **Organisational structure**
The Brierley Hill Project is constituted by a Deed of Trust and is a registered charity, No. 1114773.
## **Governance and Management**
New trustees are appointed by existing trustees. The trustees meet on a regular basis and are supported by a management team to whom the administration of the practical issues arising from the daily activities is delegated. The board of trustees aims to have a broad range of skills represented, in particular finance, business management, organisational development, training and education, social work and service to the community through other charity trusteeships.
## **Objectives and activities**
- (I) TO PROMOTE AND ADVANCE THE MENTAL, SPIRITUAL, MORAL AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH A FRAMEWORK OF CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES SO AS TO DEVELOP THEIR FULL CAPACITIES AND ENABLE THEM TO BECOME RESPONSIBLE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY SO THAT THEIR CONDITIONS OF LIFE MAY BE IMPROVED.
- (II) TO PROMOTE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE INHABITANTS OF BRIERLEY HILL AND THE SURROUNDING AREA AND THE BLACK COUNTRY THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES FOR RECREATION OR OTHER LEISURE TIME OCCUPATION OF INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE NEED OF SUCH FACILITIES BY REASON OF THEIR YOUTH, AGE, INFIRMITY OR DISABLEMENT, FINANCIAL HARDSHIP OR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES OR THE PUBLIC AT LARGE IN THE INTERESTS OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND WITH THE OBJECT OF IMPROVING THE CONDITION OF LIFE FOR THE SAID INHABITANTS.
- (III) THE PREVENTION OR RELIEF OF POVERTY IN BRIERLEY HILL AND THE SURROUNDING AREA AND THE BLACK COUNTRY BY PROVIDING ESSENTIAL ITEMS, RESOURCES AND SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS IN NEED OR TO OTHER CHARITIES AND ORGANISATIONS WORKING TO PREVENT OR RELIEVE POVERTY.
## **Achievements and Performance**
The project remains focused in providing targeted life support and mentoring services for adults. We support clients with a diverse range of issues such as benefits, housing, addiction, finance, health, and crime, recognising that many issues are linked together and affect mental health and well-being.
Our work prioritises building good relationships and partnerships with other organisations which is key to our success and allows us to offer an extensive range of support.
The project also continues some limited work with youth. Creating a space where young people feel safe and are listened too. This includes detached-working and limited 1-to1 mentoring.
The statistics below give you a flavour of our work. Whilst statistics are important, data is only one way of recording our performance. Those who use our services tell remarkable individual stories of change and transformation.
- We gave out 1940 foodbank vouchers during our drop-in service to people in crisis, on average 30% of these people go on to receive/access additional support.
- Just over 29% of adults access the project receive 1-to-1 life support and mentoring. We delivered 597 adult one to one support sessions.
- We delivered 118 one-to-one support sessions to young people.
Page 4
## **THE BRIERLEY HILL PROJECT REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH NOVEMBER 2025**
## **Achievements and Performance (cont.)**
- We delivered 40 football sessions which were attended by 426 young people.
- We continue to have strong relationships with Black Country Foodbank, Dudley MBC Welfare Rights and Dudley MBC Homeless Team, alongside Kid’s Clothes Project, Brierley Hill Baby Bank, Provision House and the West Midlands Combined Authority.
- Working in partnership with grass route information and case studies enables us to lobby at a local and national level.
- We have reviewed the way we record our work with clients and re-designed data capture to enable clearer reporting of our impact. We can now report that on average clients report that they experience the following benefits;
- 50% Improved Mental Health
- 25% Improved Physical Health
- 30% Improved Financial Situation
- 8% Supported with Addiction
- 24% Relationships Supported
- We have held a promotional day for the work of the project resulting in the recruitment of 7 additional monthly givers.
- We have appointed a new trustee, a business entrepreneur Samuel Cowley.
## **Financial review**
The net outgoing unrestricted and designated resources before transfers for the year amounted to -£24,993 (2024: net incoming £13,928), and net incoming restricted resources amounted to £19,930 (2024: net incoming £3,832). See note 3 for transfers between funds.
At 30 November 2025 the unrestricted and restricted funds after transfers total £43,025 (2024: £73,325) of which £19,143 in designated funds (2024: £20,740) and £23,882 in general funds (2024: £47,284) Restricted fund balances after transfers total £25,237 (2024: £5,301).
## **Reserves and reserves policy**
The policy agreed by the trustees is to aim to hold in unrestricted reserves not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets (the ‘free’ reserves) sufficient to cover the general overhead expenses and salary costs not specifically funded by external agencies, for a period of six months. At this level, the trustees feel that they would be able to continue the current activities of the charity in the event of a significant drop in funding. It would then be necessary to consider how the funding would be replaced or activities changed. The amount of ‘free’ reserves at 30 November 2025 amounts to £43,025 (2024: £68,024), and equates to approximately 8 months expenditure.
## **Risk policy and review**
The trustees have examined the major strategic, business and operational risks that the charity faces and consider that they are adequately mitigated through insurance, strategic planning, policies, systems and procedures.
Page 5
## **THE BRIERLEY HILL PROJECT REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH NOVEMBER 2025**
## **Future developments**
We are looking at several priority areas for the future year –
- We are recruiting a two day a week Youth Outreach worker to develop our our work with youth and young adults.
- Applying for some larger grants to clear our projected deficit and enable long term sustainability.
- Continue to encourage fundraising and build up our regular givers.
- Continuing to sit on local strategic partnerships to be a voice into policy and local decision making.
## **Trustees**
The trustees holding office during the whole year unless otherwise stated were as follows:
- Adrian Lowe - Chairman
- Judith Forster
- Anna Fellows
- Samuel Cowley (appointed 2nd April 2025)
In accordance with the trust deed, trustees hold office for three years, and are eligible to be re-elected. No trustees are due for re-election during the forthcoming year.
## **Trustees' responsibilities in relation to the financial statements**
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 charity's financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity's website.
Approved by the trustees on and signed on their behalf by
## **A Lowe**
## **Chairman of the Board of Trustees**
Page 6
## **THE BRIERLEY HILL PROJECT INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH NOVEMBER 2025**
I report on the accounts for the year ended 30th November 2025.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report.**
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent Examiner’s statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material 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 Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
- The accounts do not accord with those records.
- 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 proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
S A Reeves FCCA Broadway Worcestershire
18th February 2026
Page 7
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH NOVEMBER 2025**
|Notes
RECEIPTS
Gifts
4a
Donations
4b
Gift Aid tax recovered
4c
Grants
4d
Receipts from charitable activities
4e
Interest and dividends
4f
Other income
4g
TOTAL RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
Direct charitable activity
5a
Donations and gifts
5b
Costs of generating funds
5c
TOTAL PAYMENTS
NET OF RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS
Transfers between funds
CASH FUNDS AS AT 30/11/2024
**CASH FUNDS AS AT 30/11/2025**
3|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
-
29,704
2,376
-
-
1,399
-
33,479
56,463
135
277
56,875
**(23,396)**
(6)
47,284
**23,882**|**Designated**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
148
5,540
1,265
-
-
-
250
7,203
8,800
-
-
8,800
**(1,597)**
-
20,740
**19,143**|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
-
-
-
30,720
-
-
-
30,720
10,790
-
-
10,790
**19,930**
6
5,301
**25,237**|**Total Funds**
**2025**
**£**
148
35,244
3,641
30,720
-
1,399
250
71,402
76,053
135
277
76,465
**(5,063)**
-
73,325
**68,262**|**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
-
48,893
4,691
38,135
1,710
792
1,260
95,481
77,394
82
245
77,721
**17,760**
-
55,565
**73,325**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Page 8
## **THE BRIERLEY HILL PROJECT STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 30TH NOVEMBER 2025**
|Notes
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
**Cash funds**
Current account
4,279
Deposit accounts
19,558
Petty cash
45
**3**
23,882
**Other monetary assets**
Gift aid recoverable
198|**Designated**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
-
19,143
-
19,143
99|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
-
25,237
-
25,237
-|**Total**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
4,279
63,938
45
68,262
297|**Total**
**Funds**
**2024**
**£**
1,172
72,108
45
73,325
225|
|---|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on …...................... and were signed on its behalf by:
A Lowe Chairman and Trustee
Page 9
**THE BRIERLEY HILL PROJECT NOTES TO THE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH NOVEMBER 2025**
- 1 **Analysis of staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses and related parties**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
2025 2024
£ £
Salaries and wages 28,150 25,065
Pension costs 657 565
28,807 25,630
**----- End of picture text -----**
The average monthly number of employees during the year was 1 (2024: 1)
No other Trustees were paid any remuneration or received benefits during the year (2024: £Nil)
## 3 **Movement in funds**
The movements in designated and restricted funds during the year were:
|**General (unrestricted)**
**Designated**
Youth Fund
Homeless Fund
**Restricted**
WMCA Homelessness
Awards 4 All
Football fund
PCC West Midlands
Baron Davenport Youth
Cadbury Youth Mentors
G H Collins Adult Support
Dudley Poverty Fund
**Total funds**|Balance b/fwd
Receipts
Payments
Transfers
Balance c/fwd
01/12/2024
30/11/2025
£
£
£
£
£
47,284
33,479
56,875
(6)
23,882
19,585
6,405
8,138
-
17,852
1,155
798
662
-
1,291
20,740
7,203
8,800
-
19,143
1,044
500
1,550
6
-
-
20,000
3,126
-
16,874
4,257
2,990
2,194
-
5,053
-
3,730
3,920
-
(190)
-
500
-
-
500
-
2,000
-
-
2,000
-
1,000
-
-
1,000
-
-
-
-
-
5,301
30,720
10,790
6
25,237
73,325
71,402
76,465
-
68,262|
|---|---|
## **Movement in funds for the year ended 30th November 2024**
|**General (unrestricted)**
**Designated**
Youth Fund
Asda Advertising
Homeless Fund
**Restricted**
WMCA Homelessness
Lottery Fund 2024
Football fund
PCC West Midlands
Dudley Community Forum
Dudley Poverty Fund
**Total funds**|Balance b/fwd
Receipts
Payments
Transfers
Balance c/fwd
01/12/2023
30/11/2024
£
£
£
£
£
32,647
56,564
42,161
234
47,284
19,781
8,175
8,341
(30)
19,585
-
-
-
-
-
1,464
1,885
2,194
-
1,155
21,245
10,060
10,535
(30)
20,740
-
2,000
956
-
1,044
-
16,122
16,122
-
-
-
7,000
2,743
-
4,257
251
2,412
2,693
30
-
-
2,323
2,323
-
-
1,422
(1,000)
188
(234)
-
1,673
28,857
25,025
(204)
5,301
55,565
95,481
77,721
-
73,325|
|---|---|
Page 10
**THE BRIERLEY HILL PROJECT NOTES TO THE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH NOVEMBER 2025**
## **4 Further analysis of Receipts**
|Receipts
a)
**Gifts**
One off gifts
b)
**Donations**
Regular donations
Fundraising
c)
**Gift Aid**
Gift Aid tax recovered
d)
**Grants**
Grants from institutions
e)
**Receipts from charitable activities**
Mentoring fees
f)
**Interest and dividends**
Deposit account interest
g)
**Other income**
Other income
TOTAL RECEIPTS|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
-
29,654
50
29,704
2,376
-
-
1,399
-
-
33,479|**Designated**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
148
5,540
-
5,540
1,265
-
-
-
250
250
7,203|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
30,720
-
-
-
-
30,720|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
148
35,194
50
35,244
3,641
30,720
-
1,399
250
250
71,402|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
0
45,101
3,792
48,893
4,691
38,135
1,710
792
1,260
1,260
95,481|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Page 11
**THE BRIERLEY HILL PROJECT NOTES TO THE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH NOVEMBER 2025**
## **5 Further analysis of Payments**
|Payments
a)
**Direct charitable activity**
Salaries and NI
Pension costs
Departmental expenses
Client support gifts
Property insurance
Repairs & renewals
Maintenance contracts
Heat, light and water
Cleaning
Sessional workers pay
Telephone & Broadband
Stationery, printing and postage
Subscriptions
Advertising
DBS checks
Travelling & subsistence
Hire of equipment (3D pitch
Equipment for activities
Equipment for general use
Refreshments
Training and worker development
Rent and room hire
Consumables
Sports Coaching
Management consultancy
Bank charges
IT support and software
Independent examination
Legal fees
Accountancy
b)
**Donations and gifts**
Other gifts
c)
**Costs of generating funds**
Fundraising costs
Website
TOTAL PAYMENTS|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
25,317
657
463
140
1,110
246
557
2,004
1,042
3,676
636
43
-
435
63
-
-
-
122
-
-
4,800
251
-
11,000
47
834
485
-
2,535
56,463
135
-
277
277
56,875|**Designated**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
-
-
87
707
-
-
-
-
-
7,950
41
15
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
8,800
-
-
-
-
8,800|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
2,833
-
-
1,549
-
-
-
-
-
2,481
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,921
-
6
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
10,790
-
-
-
-
10,790|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
28,150
657
550
2,396
1,110
246
557
2,004
1,042
14,107
677
58
-
435
63
-
3,921
-
128
-
-
4,800
251
-
11,000
47
834
485
-
2,535
76,053
135
-
277
277
76,465|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
25,065
565
760
4,188
1,040
20
641
2,285
1,017
11,852
780
23
-
-
264
-
4,041
122
252
-
631
4,800
228
-
14,390
68
555
485
300
3,022
77,394
82
-
245
245
77,721|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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