SANDBLAST
SANDBLAST LTD
Trustees’ Report & Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025
Registered Charity Number: 1115288 Company Number: 05397223 (England & Wales)
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SANDBLAST LTD Trustees’ Report & Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 3-5 |
| Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees | 6 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 7 |
| Statement of Financial Position | 8 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 9-13 |
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SANDBLAST LTD Trustees’ Report & Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
The trustees, who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities' issued in March 2005.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Name of Charity : SANDBLAST LTD Charity Registration Number : 1115288 Company Registration Number : 05397223
The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year end, were:
Annette Gibbon-Warrens (Trustee) Rebecca Allen (Trustee) Nancy Carolina Graterol (Trustee) Beatrice Newbery (Resigned 28 February 2025)
Independent Examiners: Brian Dorgan, 117 Clock House Road, Beckenham, United Kindom, BR3 4JY
Principal Address : 8 Gravesend Road, London, W12 0SZ
Approved by the Board of Trustees on 12 December 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Annette Gibbon-Warrens, Chair of Trustees
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SANDBLAST LTD Trustees’ Report & Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
About Sandblast LTD
Sandblast charity was set up in 2006 and exists to empower the indigenous Saharawis of Western Sahara through cultural and creative educational projects and to advocate for their human rights. Today, the majority are refugees in South West Algeria, where a UNHCR-estimated 170,000 have been displaced since 1976, living aid-dependent and spread out across five large desert camps. Tens of thousands more live under the Moroccan regime's occupation in their homeland of Western Sahara. Considered Africa’s last colony, the territory is divided by a Moroccan-built 2700km long defensive wall.
Since 2016 Sandblast has primarily been engaged in small-scale projects that support educational, cultural and skills training activities for children, youth and women in the camps. Desert Voicebox (previously known as Stave House in the Sahara), currently Sandblast's core flagship activity, trains local refugee women to provide music and English education over the course of four years to 60 Saharawi children between the ages of 7 to 12. This pioneering, early-learning afterschool project is based in the Lal Andala primary school in camp Boujdour.
Sandblast funds the ongoing expenses associated with replenishing and upgrading educational resources, the salaries for the local team of 5 women, monthly fees to engage 2 local musicians to teach traditional music skills once a week, stipends for qualified international volunteers to run creative workshops for the children 3 to 4 times a year, fees to provide remote training for the local teachers, the costs to organise summer training programmes for the teachers in Algiers and the maintenance of the learning centre.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Reserves Policy
A minimum of £60,000 in reserve is required to meet Sandblast’s commitments for at least 12 months in the absence of sufficient income. This is calculated on the basis of its minimal running costs for our project work, marketing expenses, internet-based services and the fees of occasional freelance consultants.
Future Developments
In the next 3 years, Sandblast will be largely dedicated to strengthening and growing the Desert Voicebox project. Our specific goals will be to ensure our local teaching team of refugee women become fully qualified and to train more women to support the local educational needs of the camps to provide English language teaching within the middle schools. We will also aim to create a Desert Voicebox after school programme within middle schools too in response to local demand for the programme to be upscaled. Building an onsite training space next to the current learning centre will be needed in order to train further teachers required for the expansion phase. Alongside this Sandblast will aim to develop more links in the UK with schools, music and English language institutions in order to deliver a more varied and high-quality teaching and training programme to the Saharawi refugee children and local teachers. We will also aim to deepen the existing links with Stave House, AB Music Academy and London College of Music as these play a vital role in supporting the music training needs of Desert Voicebox.
As part of the goal to broaden horizons and provide cultural enrichment experiences, the Desert Voicebox project will continue seeking to establish children-to-children links through penpal programmes between students in Desert Voicebox and primary school children in the UK and elsewhere. Sandblast will also carry on recruiting qualified volunteers to deliver special creative workshops for the children, aiming to always provide more opportunities for the Saharawi refugee children to grow outside the classroom through stimulating activities and gain the skills and confidence to become cultural ambassadors.
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SANDBLAST LTD Trustees’ Report & Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, Memorandum of Association, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 1985.The organisation is a charity and a company limited by guarantee, not having a share capital. It exists to promote the culture and creative potential of the Saharawi people and build awareness and support for their humanitarian needs and situation.
Recruitment and appointment of trustees
We regularly review our trustee board and seek new potential candidates to join the management committee to meet the new needs that come with evolutions in Sandblast's mission. We are always keen to recruit people who are interested and able to devote real time and effort to the goals of Sandblast and can contribute with expertise and experience in the areas of organisational development, project management, finance planning, accounting and communications.
Organisational structure
The Charity is administered by a board of Trustees currently made up of three members. New members are elected and approved by the trustees. They meet at least three times a year and focus on the strategic aspects of organisational development and operation as well as approve budgets, expenditures and oversee financial management. The Director, also the founder, has been approved by the trustees to manage the day-to-day operations of the charity.
Risk review
The management committee has conducted its own review of the main risks to which the Charity is exposed. In the financial year in question, a welcome influx of funds has helped to assure the continuity of Sandblast's project work in the refugee camps and to cover its operational costs, significantly helping to reduce overall risk. Sandblast is now in a position to be able to plan ahead and implement strategies to ensure new funds will be in place at the end of the next 12 months to be able to carry on its activities. The overall increase in donations and in particular the highly successful fundraising campaign by Russ Cook in 2024, who raised funds for Sandblast on his run across the length of Africa, have provided the charity with the opportunity to use unrestricted funds to support its priorities and develop more capacity.
Further to these positive developments, internal risks are being minimised by the implementation of robust financial governance controls with procedures for the authorisation of all transactions in order to meet project costs and provide consistent quality of delivery for all operational aspects of the charitable company. These procedures are reviewed yearly to ensure that they still meet the needs of the Charity.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charitable company for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
The charity's trustees (who are also the directors for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under Section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the 1993 Act)) and that an independent examination is required.
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 43 of the 1993 Act to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under Section 43(7)(b) of the 1993 Act); and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
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SANDBLAST LTD Independent Examiner's Report to the TNstees Forthe Year Ended 31 March 2025 Indep•nd8nt Examln•r's Report to the Truste•s I report on the accounts for the year ended 31st March 2025 set out on pages *ven to thlrteen. The ¢harlty's trustees Iwho are also the directors for the purposes of company lawl are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees conslder that an audit is not required for thls year (under Section 43121 of the Charities Act 1993 Ithe 1993 Actll and that an Independent examinatlon is requlred. Having satisfied myself that the charlty is not subject to audit under company law and is ellgible for Independent examinatlon. it is my responsibllity to.. Examine the accounts under Section 43 of the 1993 Act to follow the procedures lald down in the General Dlrections given by the charity Commlsslon (under Section 4317llbl of the 1993 Act).. and to state whether particular matters have come to my attentlon. B•sls of thg Indep•nd•nt •x•mln•Vs r•port My examinatlon was carrled out In accordance wlth the General Directlons glven by the Charlty Commlsslon. An examinatlon includes a revlew of the accountlng records kept by the charity and a comp?rlson of the accounts presented wlth those records. It also includes consideratlon of any unusual Items or dlsclosures In the accounts and seeking explanatlons from you as trustees concernlng any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evldence that would be reaulred In an audlt. and consequentlv no oplnlon Is Alven as to whether the accounts Ind•p•nd•fit •x•mln•r's stat•m•nt In ¢onne¢tlon wlth my examination, no matter has come to my attentlon.. l. Which 8ives me reasonable cause to belleve that, In any materlal spect, the requlrements? To keep accountin records In accordance wlth Sertlon 386 and 387 of the Companles Art 2006, and To prepare accounts whlch accord wlth the accounting records, comply with the accounting requlrements of SectSons 394 and 395 of the Companies Act 2CQ6 and wlth the methods and prlnciples of the Statement of Re¢omrnendeé Practice.. Accountlng and Reportln8 by Charltles 2. To whlch, In my oplnlon, attentlon should be drawn In order to enable a proper understandlng of the accounts to be reached. 8rlan Dor8an 117 Clock House Road Beckenham, Unlted Klndom BR3 4JY
SANDBLAST LTD
Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account) For the Year Ended 31 March 2025
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Notes Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Funds Funds 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Income from: 2
-
Donations & legacies 34,730 34,730 1,099
-
Fundraising 444,787 444,787 5,097
Grants - - - 24,135
Total Income 479,518 - 479,518 30,331
Expenditure on:
Events Expense 5 500 - 500 398
-
Projects Expense 25,868 25,868 26,915
Bank Charges 120 - 120 50
Professional Fees 15,138 - 15,138 13
Membership fees 631 - 631 897
Website Fee 120 - 120 613
-
Total Expenditure 42,376 42,376 28,886
-
Net income/expenditure 437,141 437,141 1,445
Transfers between funds - - - -
Net movement in funds 437,141 - 437,141 1,445
-
Fund balances at 1st April 2024 9,596 9,596 8,151
Fund balances at 31st March 2025 446,737 - 446,737 9,596
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SANDBLAST LTD
Statement of Financial Position As at 31 March 2025
| Notes CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Cash at bank Cash in hand |
£ £ - 474,970 11,500 2025 |
£ £ - 49,329 - 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| CREDITORS:Amounts falling due within one year 9 |
486,470 (39,733) |
49,329 (16,323) |
| Net current assets | 446,737 | 33,006 |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES CREDITORS:Amounts falling due After one year |
446,737 - 446,737 |
33,006 (23,410) 9,596 |
| TOTAL NET ASSETS | 446,737 | 9,596 |
| Charity Funds Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds 10 |
263 446,474 |
263 9,333 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 446,737 | 9,596 |
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The members have not required the charitable company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The trustees acknowledge their
-
Ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006, and
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Preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the re quirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the char itable company.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small charitable companies and with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008).
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 6 December 2025, and were signed on its behalf by:
Miss Annette Gibbons-Warren – Chair of Trustees Date: 18 December 2025
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SANDBLAST LTD Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
1.1 Accounting convention
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008), the Companies Act 2006 and the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities.
The address of the registered office is 8 Gravesend Road, London, W12 0SZ
1.2 Basis of Preparation
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for investments which are included at market value and the revaluation of certain fixed assets and in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 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)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), and the Companies Act 2006.
SANDBLAST LTD meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).
1.3 Going concern
The financial statements are prepared, on a going concern basis, under the historical cost convention. The Trustees have considered the ability of the Charity to meet its obligations for at least 12 months from the date of signing and have concluded that there are no circumstances that would give rise to doubt over its ability to continue as a going concern.
1.4 Funds Accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Funds are transferred from unrestricted funds to finance a deficit on a restricted fund.
1.5 Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included on the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.
1.6 Resources expended
Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to headings, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
1.7 Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
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SANDBLAST LTD
Notes to the Financial Statements Continued For the Year Ended 31 March 2025
| 2 Income from donations and legacies Donations Fundraising Grants received Total Turnover 3 Voluntary Income Donations Grants 4 Other trading activities Bank Interest Received 5 Costs of charitable activities by fund type Projects Expense Support costs Total grants 6 Analysis of support costs Bank Charges Professional Fees Membership fees Website Fee Events Expense |
Unrestricted funds £ 34,730.35 444,787.28 - - Unrestricted funds £ 25,868 16,508 42,376 |
Restricted funds £ - - Restricted funds £ - - - |
2025 £ 34,730.35 444,787.28 - 479,518 2025 £ - - - 2025 £ - - 2025 25,868 16,508 42,376 2025 £ 120 15,138 631 120 500 16,508 |
2024 £ 1099 5097 24,135 30,331 2024 £ - - - 2024 £ - - 2024 £ 26,915 1,971 28,886 2024 £ 50 13 897 613 398 1,971 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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SANDBLAST LTD Notes to the Financial Statements Continued For the Year Ended 31 March 2025
7 Trustee remuneration and related party transactions
The charity trustees were not paid or received any other benefits from employment with the charity in the year (2024: £nil).
No charity trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity (2024: £nil).
Trustees' expenses represents the payment or reimbursement of travel and subsistence costs totalling £54 (2024: £54).
There are no donations from related parties which are outside the normal course of the Charity's business and no restricted donations from related parties
8 Comparative for the Statement of Financial Activities
| Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies Fundraising Grants Total Expenditure on: Events Expense Projects Expense Bank Charges Professional Fees Membership fees Website Fee Total Net income/expenditure Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted funds £ 34,730 444,787 - 479,518 500 25,868 120 15,138 631 120 - 42,376 437,141 - - 437,141 |
Restricted funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
2024 £ 1,099 5,097 24,135 30,331 398 26,915 50 13 897 613 - 28,886 1,445 - - 1,445 |
|---|---|---|---|
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SANDBLAST LTD Notes to the Financial Statements Continued For the Year Ended 31 March 2025
9 Creditors
The Creditors (Amounts Falling Due Within/after One Year) for the year ended 31st March 2025 was £39,733 that the CEO Ms. D Smith has lent for the Desert Voicebox.
| Amounts Falling Due within one year: Amounts Falling Due after one year: |
2025 £ 39,733 - 39,733 |
2024 £ 16,323 23,410 39,733 |
|---|---|---|
10 Movement in Funds
| Unrestricted Funds - Current Year General funds General funds Unrestricted Funds - Previous Year General Funds General funds |
Balance at 01/04/2024 £ 9,333 9,333 Balance at 01/04/2023 £ 8,138 8,138 |
Income resources £ 479,518 479,518 Income resources £ 28,718 28,718 |
Expenditure resources £ 42,376 42,376 Expenditure resources £ 27,523 27,523 |
Transfers in/out £ - - Transfers in/out £ - - |
Balance at 31/03/2025 £ 446,474 446,474 Balance at 31/03/2024 £ 9,333 9,333 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Purpose of unrestricted Funds
Arts Council England Activity
Arts Council England Activity: to be used for a community and young people's theatre project in September 2025
Operational Reserve
Monies set aside to support unexpected expenditure.
General funds
Unrestricted funds are expendable at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity.
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SANDBLAST LTD Notes to the Financial Statements Continued For the Year Ended 31 March 2025
Restricted Funds - Current Year
| General Fund Restricted Funds - Previous Year General Fund |
Balance at 01/04/2024 £ 263 263 Balance at 01/04/2023 £ - - |
Income resources £ - - Income resources £ 1,613 1,613 |
Expenditure resources £ - - Expenditure resources £ (1,350) (1,350) |
Balance at 31/03/2025 £ 263 263 Balance at 31/03/2024 £ 263 263 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purpose of Restricted Funds
Young People's Projects
Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the fund.
For young people's drama and theatre programmes.
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