**REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1120282** 

**ACE YOUTH TRUST** working with young people 


## **ACE YOUTH TRUST** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND** 

## **UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** 

**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025** 



**REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1120282** 

**ACE YOUTH TRUST** working with young people 

## **CONTENTS OF THE ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025** 

Page CHAIR’S INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 3 OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES ................................................................................................. 3 ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE ..................................................................................... 4 FINANCIAL REVIEW .................................................................................................................. 7 FUTURE PLANS ......................................................................................................................... 7 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT ............................................................... 8 REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS ...................................................................... 9 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT ................................................................................. 10 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES .............................................................................. 11 STATEMENT OF FUNDS ......................................................................................................... 12 BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2025 ...................................................................... 12 STATUTORY INFORMATION .................................................................................................. 13 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS .................................................................................................. 13 



**ACE YOUTH TRUST** working with young people 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025** 

The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025. 

## **CHAIR’S INTRODUCTION** 

It is easy for us all to be misled by the beguiling beauty of the Derbyshire Dales and be blind to the fragile and complex environments that many children and young people living here must face.  It is easy for us to observe the young people going about their daily routine, making their way to and from local schools and colleges, walking on foot or travelling on public transport or school buses to be educated without seeing the emotional and mental burdens that many living here are carrying.  It is easy to assume that support is readily available from 8:30am to 3:30pm for vulnerable children and that statutory agencies are addressing issues after hours. Sadly, this is not the case. Our experience tells us that many children and young people struggle to get the support they so urgently need to allow them to flourish both in education and in their wider lives. 

ACE Youth Trust has worked hard to plug this void, providing consistent continuous support for the last 19 years, delivering much-needed services when the school gates are closed at the end of the day and during the long school holidays.  Staff at local schools and statutory agencies acknowledge that the children and young people of Ashbourne – and their families – have benefited greatly from the pastoral provision and practical support provided by ACE. 

Why does this matter? Children and young people attending ACE do not naturally have wide social circles and support networks. To know that they are valued, accepted and supported without question, despite the huge difficulties they may be facing, makes all the difference.  To discover that problems can be shared, and that help can be sought in a space and time of their choosing; to realise that adults can have their best interests at heart: these things can create truly positive change. 

There is no one element of ACE’s work that is more important than another. It is about forging trusting relationships, creating a safe space characterised by a nurturing culture and ethos, listening, empowering and gathering a team of like-minded people who genuinely believe they can bring about transformations and make a significant contribution to the lives of children and young people in Ashbourne and the surrounding communities. 

We thank the dedicated ACE staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to provide a safe, supportive, nurturing and empowering range of services for local children and young people. We also thank our funders, supporters and partners, whose support enables us to continue this valuable work in the magnificent Derbyshire Dales. 

## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** 

ACE Youth Trust supports disadvantaged, vulnerable and hard-to-reach children and young people by delivering high-quality youth work, pastoral care, and therapeutic services. Our aim is to help young people overcome social, emotional, and practical challenges so they can build confidence, resilience, and brighter futures. 

The charity was established by Deed of Trust in May 2006.  Its formal charitable object is: 

_"The advancement of the Christian faith within the areas of Derbyshire and Staffordshire, particularly (but not exclusively) among children and young people aged 11 to 19 living in the Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School catchment area, the Weaver Ward of East Staffordshire, and surrounding areas, through the provision of recreational and leisure activities, support and guidance to promote personal development and quality of life."_ 

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**ACE YOUTH TRUST** working with young people 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025** 

This entails the delivery of a range of youth services shaped around the specific and often complex needs of the children and young people referred to us.  It does not involve any religious instruction or proselytising.  Referrals come from Local Authority children’s services and schools, and the young people we support often face serious challenges such as: 

- Poverty and social deprivation; 

- Family breakdown or instability; 

- Being in care or leaving care; 

- Bullying, exclusion, or school non-attendance; 

- Low self-esteem, anxiety, or mental health struggles; 

- Additional needs such as autism, ADHD or dyslexia. 

We deliver support primarily through after-school clubs and holiday activities — safe, structured environments where young people can build friendships and confidence and access the help they need. This includes nurture and therapeutic group work, wellbeing and life skills programmes, one-to-one mentoring, and practical help with essentials such as clothing and hygiene items. 

Projects are led by trained youth workers and supported by DBS-checked volunteers. Services are designed to be trauma-informed, child-centred and relationship-based. Our goal is to reduce isolation, promote wellbeing, and give young people the skills, confidence, and support they need to thrive in education, family life, and the wider community. We provide opportunities to build confidence and selfesteem, learn positive behaviours and engage in physical activities and healthy living.  Physical and outdoor activities and raising awareness of social and environmental responsibilities are key components of our project planning. ACE celebrates difference and encourages all children and young people to aspire to their personal best and experience success, a sense of achievement and safe engagement with the wider community. 

Young people are at the heart of everything that ACE does. ACE projects are developed and designed with the child and their best interests in mind. We listen, question and learn from each of the young people. We set aside time to understand their needs and wants, what works for them and what makes a difference to their lives. We consult with the young people. We make it clear that there is no compulsion to attend. We give the child a voice and a choice. 

ACE is shaped by values of kindness, trust, consistency, and understanding; we believe these qualities are essential to building lasting, supportive relationships with young people. In 2019, we received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in recognition of the lasting difference we make. 

## **ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE** 

2025 has been another successful year for ACE, delivering a range of projects supporting 87 disadvantaged and vulnerable children and young people throughout the twelve months, with an average of 59 children and young people attending the range of projects at any one time. Referrals were accepted for 29 children with Pupil Premium status, 35 children in receipt of Free School Meals and 30 children with Educational Health Care Plans covering a range of additional needs and vulnerabilities. During the year the following project services were delivered: 

**Wednesday Club** delivered recreational and leisure activities and much-needed opportunities for socialisation to 51 young people aged 12 to 16 on a referral basis.  A total of 45 weekly sessions ran throughout the year: 35 during the school term and 10 over the school holidays. Average attendance was 20 children and young people per session. The project was delivered by qualified youth workers and 16 trained volunteers, the latter providing 440 volunteer hours during the year. Highlights of the year were a full day visit to the Black Country Living Museum and a wild cold-water dip in the River Bradford followed by a picnic at Middleton-by-Youlgrave during the summer holidays. 

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**ACE YOUTH TRUST** working with young people 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025** 

**Thursday Club** delivered recreational and leisure activities and much-needed opportunities for socialisation to 32 young people aged 11-12 on a referral basis.  A total of 44 weekly sessions ran throughout the year.  The project was delivered by qualified youth workers and 4 trained volunteers, the latter providing 224 volunteer hours during the year. 

**Friday Club** offered nurture group therapy to 31 vulnerable children in Year 6 who were expected to struggle with the transition to secondary school. A total of 24 sessions ran throughout the year.  The project was delivered by qualified sessional workers and 4 trained volunteers, the latter providing 60 volunteer hours during the year. 

Regrettably, both **A Team** and **spACE4u** projects were unable to operate throughout 2025 due to staffing and safeguarding changes at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School during the process of merging with Djanogly Learning Trust to form the Tapestry Learning Partnership.  (These projects had previously taken place during the school day.) 

**ACE Hardship Fund** provided practical assistance to disadvantaged local children and young people struggling to buy necessities such as shoes, clothing, school sports kit, basic hygiene items and essential food. The fund is managed and operated by volunteers, providing 20 volunteer hours. 

**1-2-1 Mentoring and Support** was offered to a group of young people struggling with social isolation, bereavement and trauma seriously affecting their emotional and mental well-being. 1-2-1 support took the form of regular outdoor walks and physical exercise together with café visits for refreshments and hot meals. Activities provided a safe space for listening to, supporting, befriending, encouraging and guiding vulnerable young people. In addition, Maths and English tuition were provided to a small number of children struggling with GCSE retakes due to family circumstances. Over 200 hours of support were delivered by ACE staff and trained volunteers. 

All the above services were delivered with the assistance of a team of 18 volunteers under the direction of three sessional youth workers with the support of a sessional project coordinator.  In 2025, the ACE team provided a total of over 1,000 voluntary hours to deliver frontline services. In addition, volunteers provided management and administrative services. All staff completed first aid and safeguarding training. Ensuring the well-being of our volunteers is essential to ACE’s operational success. 

## **Evaluation data** 

Young people’s scores on how they rated ACE in 2025 ranged from 7/10 to 10/10. Feedback and monitoring showed 100% of the children experienced significant or some progress in socialisation, improved confidence and self-esteem, leading to improved emotional and mental well-being. 100% of the children reported that they experienced significant or some progress in developing greater independence and self-reliance, benefiting their school attendance and enabling them to cope with challenging life circumstances, particularly those who are Looked After Children. 45% experienced significant progress and 55% started to experience progress in their willingness to overcome fears, try something new and develop perseverance. This was particularly noteworthy when the young people took the plunge into the River Bradford in the Peak District National Park.  Over 90% of the young people reported feeling safe and valued at ACE and stated they have learned new skills and tried new things through ACE. All the young people and their parents/carers reported that attendance at ACE projects makes them feel happy, provides a valuable opportunity to make friends and improves mental health and emotional welling. 

It matters that the work being delivered is of a great value to those we serve. The following illustrative comments from young people and their parents/carers reflect this positivity: 

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**ACE YOUTH TRUST** working with young people 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025** 

“ _It’s so good to have something after school like ACE. I’d be at home alone sitting on my phone if I didn’t have ACE to come to each week_ .” 

_“ACE has helped me. I feel that the helpers understand me.”_ 

_“Thank you so much for all your efforts over the summer arranging all of the outings for our young people. G came back from golf today smiling from ear to ear. It’s the biggest confidence boost he’s had and I’ve observed in a long time.”_ 

_“The trips are really well organised. Golf was my favourite. It was my first time on a golf course. The food was great. I will miss ACE when I leave to go to my new school. I hope I can come back to ACE one day.”_ 

_“ACE is great, it provides really good opportunities – the after-school clubs, the games we play, the holiday activities. ACE – you make friends, you get to know people, the helpers are nice, they make you feel welcome. It’s a nice group of people; you do fun activities at Wednesday Club and can make friends. I really like the trips and the fact there’s a lot of variety. There’s something for everyone.”_ 

_“J has thoroughly enjoyed his time with ACE and has always had positive things to say when he comes home. Thank you so much for giving him this opportunity to be involved in the sessions. It has made a real difference to him.”_ 

_“ACE is the best. I do stuff I wouldn’t get to do as it cost lots and my dad isn’t around to take me to do all that stuff. I did things with ACE I didn’t know I was good at and the helpers are really good at listening. Nothing shocks them they don’t just tell you the usual advice that teachers always say, they actually give you things that might help, strategies. I feel better about myself now and don’t give up on things as much.”_ 

_“ACE supports young people in ways that often both school and other adults cannot do. And it goes to extraordinary lengths to do so with some young people whom other organisations are reluctant to support.”_ 

_“ACE provides a safe environment for young people to try many varied activities and expand their skills and social experiences. ACE allows the young people personal space between school and home.”_ 

_“I wouldn’t be doing anything else if I didn’t come here. There’s always pressure at school, but I can just come here and chill. There’s no ‘not fitting in’ here. The staff and volunteers are really nice.  It’s hard to think of anything that would make it better.”_ 

_“ACE has helped to improve confidence and supported my son in establishing new friendships.”_ 

_“My daughter was having dark thoughts and low self-esteem. She doesn’t enjoy new places and new people. She loves ACE and is happy in that environment so she can relax and her confidence has improved.”_ 

This valuable feedback reminds us that no act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.  A huge thank you to everyone involved. 

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**ACE YOUTH TRUST** working with young people 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025** 

## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** 

In 2025, ACE Youth Trust received total income of £39,961, compared to £49,024 in 2024. The reduction reflects the loss of school partnership projects following Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School's move to a new Multi-Academy Trust. Of the 2025 income, £27,500 was restricted grant funding for specific projects and £12,461 was available for core activities. 

Total expenditure was £32,601, resulting in a surplus of £7,360 (2024: £5,389 deficit). Total funds at year end were £86,528, of which £71,287 is general unrestricted. 

The charity's cash balance was £90,442 at 31 December 2025 (2024: £92,719). The small reduction reflects the planned release of £10,000 from deferred National Lottery income to fund Thursday Club activity in 2025, offset by the surplus generated in the year. A further £4,000 of National Lottery funding remains deferred to support Thursday Club through to May 2026. 

The Trustees maintain a reserves policy designed to cover 12 months of essential delivery costs. Following the reduction in projects during 2025, the minimum reserves requirement has reduced from £55,000 to £35,000. ACE's current reserves are sufficient to sustain all active projects for approximately two years beyond the end of existing grant funding, providing a stable platform as the Trustees complete their strategic review. 

## **FUTURE PLANS** 

ACE Youth Trust remains committed to the delivery of quality youth services to children and young people who are vulnerable and hard to reach, from disadvantaged backgrounds and rural communities in the Derbyshire Dales and nearby areas. We recognise that our projects fill the vacuum left by continued cutbacks to statutory services, and we will continue to address social isolation, lack of opportunity, difficult home lives, and absence of guidance and support. 

Our Wednesday Club after-school project is fully funded for 2026 by our BBC Children in Need grant, with additional funds from our reserves available to support enriching holiday activities. Our Thursday Club after-school project for Year 7 children is funded through to May 2026 by the National Lottery Community Fund, with sufficient reserves to continue through to the end of 2026. Our Friday Club nurture programme continues into 2026, and we plan to deliver 1-2-1 Mentoring in a community setting where we feel that we can support specific individuals, marking an encouraging development in ACE's ability to deliver this form of support outside of a school partnership context. This work is vitally important for young people without any support network. ACE’S collective experience has shown mentoring increases educational success, reduces pro-criminal behaviour, reduces dropout rates and helps young people make better life choices.  One-to-one work provides life-changing social and financial benefits to the local community and wider society. 

Our unrestricted reserves are sufficient to sustain all three after-school clubs for at least two years without additional grant funding, providing stability for the children and young people we support. 

In 2026, the Trustees have commissioned an independent strategic review to ensure that ACE's services remain well-aligned to the current and future needs of the community, particularly considering the changes to school partnership working that affected our in-school-time projects in 2025. The review will also consider how ACE can best develop and sustain its workforce and volunteer base going forward. The outcomes of the review will shape our service priorities, inform the reallocation of current designated funds, and guide our fundraising strategy for 2027 and beyond. 

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**ACE YOUTH TRUST** working with young people 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025** 

## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** 

## **Governing Document** 

ACE Youth Trust is constituted as a Trust and is governed by a Declaration of Trust dated 15 May 2006, with an Amending Deed dated 18 July 2010. The charity operates within the scope of its stated charitable objectives and is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. 

## **Trustee Recruitment and Meetings** 

Trustees are appointed by the existing board in accordance with the Trust Deed. The Board of Trustees meets 5 to 6 times a year to review strategy, monitor performance, approve budgets, and oversee governance. Details of trustees who served during the year and since the year end are listed under “Reference and Administrative Details.” 

## **Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment** 

ACE takes safeguarding extremely seriously and ensures all children and young people are supported in safe, caring environments. We follow the Safeguarding Procedures and Safer Recruitment guidelines issued by the Diocese of Derby. All staff and volunteers working with children undergo enhanced child workforce DBS checks, and safeguarding training is refreshed every three years or annually as required by regulatory changes and best practice. 

## **Public Benefit** 

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty under Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. ACE delivers a wide range of free services to vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people, all in alignment with its charitable aims. These services aim to improve confidence, emotional wellbeing and life skills, and to reduce isolation. The work of the charity benefits not only the individual young people but also their families and the wider community. 

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**ACE YOUTH TRUST** working with young people 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025** 

## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** 

Registered Charity number: 1120282 

**Principal address:** The Parish Office St Oswald’s Church School Lane Ashbourne Derbyshire.  DE6 1AN **Trustees:** Mrs Louise Doble Chair Rev Philip Michell Vice Chair Mrs Jane Stoney Treasurer Mrs Helen Wainwright Dr Robert Woore Dr Madhuri Manley **Independent Examiner** : Fiona Brown Hillocks Farm Kniveton Ashbourne DE6 1JH 

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 29[th] July 2026 and signed on its behalf by: 


## **Mrs Louise Doble Chair of Trustees** 

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**ACE YOUTH TRUST** working with young people 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025** 

## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT** 

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of ACE Youth Trust (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2025, which are set out on pages 11 and 12. 

## **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 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all 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: 

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or 

2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or 

3. the accounts do 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 considered as part of an independent examination. 

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 to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 

Signed: ______________________________ Date: ______________ Name: Fiona Brown Address: Hillocks Farm Kniveton Ashbourne DE6 1JH 

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**ACE YOUTH TRUST** working with young people 

## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025** 

## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES** 

|**STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL**|**ACTIVITIES**||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Unrestricted &**|**Restricted**|<br>**2025**|**2024**|
|**Designated Funds**||**Funds**|<br>**Total**|**Total**|
||**£**|**£**|<br>**£**|**£**|
|**INCOMING RESOURCES**|||||
|Donations|9,730|1,500|<br>11,230|11,862|
|**Grant Income**|||||
|Grant from BBC Children In Need|0|15,000|<br>15,000|15,000|
|Grant from National Lottery|0|10,000|<br>10,000|6,000|
|Other Grant Income|0|1,000|<br>1,000|0|
|**Total Grant Income**|**0**|**26,000**|<br>**26,000**|**21,000**|
|Charitable Activities|0|0|<br>0|13,460|
|Fundraising & Other Income|57|0|<br>57|1,492|
|Interest Income|2,674|0|<br>2,674|1,209|
|**Total INCOMING RESOURCES**|**12,461**|**27,500**|<br>**39,961**|**49,024**|
|**RESOURCES EXPENDED**|||||
|Raising Funds|0|0|<br>0|3,900|
|**Charitable Activities**|||||
|Fees|4,534|16,837|<br>21,371|32,131|
|Activity Costs and Direct Expenses|<br>1,594|6,505|<br>8,099|13,664|
|Travel & Mileage|38|250|<br>288|1,137|
|Food, Clothing & Other Provisions|113|0|<br>113|885|
|**Governance and Overheads**|||||
|Staff Training & DBS|0|774|<br>774|381|
|IT, Telephone & Stationery|186|378|<br>564|1,009|
|Insurance and Other Expenses|425|967|<br>1,392|1,306|
|**Total RESOURCES EXPENDED**|**6,890**|**25,712**|<br>**32,601**|**54,413**|
|**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**|**5,571**|**1,788**|<br>**7,360**|**(5,389)**|
||||||
|**NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**|**5,571**|**1,788**|<br>**7,360**|**(5,389)**|
|**Reconciliation of Funds**|||||
|Funds Brought Forward|77,565|1,604|<br>79,169|84,558|
|IncomingResources|12,461|27,500|<br>39,961|49,024|
|Resources Expended|(6,890)|(25,712)|(32,601)|(54,413)|
|**Total FundsCarried Forward**|**83,136**|**3,392 **|<br>**86,528**|**79,169**|




Signed on behalf of the Trustees by Jane Stoney 

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**ACE YOUTH TRUST** working with young people 

## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025** 

## **STATEMENT OF FUNDS** 

## **For 12 Months ended 31[st] December 2025** 

|**Project**|**Opening**|**Income**|**Costs**|**Net**|**Closing**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**01/01/25**|||**Movement**|**31/12/25**|
|Wednesday Club|1,395|17,500|(18,211)|(711)|684|
|Thursday Club|208|10,000|(7,500)|2,500|2,708|
|**Restricted Funds**|**1,604**|**27,500**|**(25,712)**|**1,788**|**3,392**|
|Friday Club|6,378|-|(5,991)|(5,991)|387|
|Hardship Funds|(119)<br>|1,000|(124)|876|757|
|121 Support|319|-|(200)|(200)|119|
|Suspended Projects|10,729|-|(143)|(143)|10,586|
|**Designated Funds**|**17,307**|**1,000**|**(6,458)**|**(5,458)**|**11,849**|
|**Unrestricted**|**60,258**|**11,461**|**(432)**|**11,029**|**71,287**|
|**Total**|**79,169**|**39,961**|**(32,601)**|**7,360**|**86,528**|



Opening restricted funds brought forward have been restated from £18,911 to £1,604 to reflect the reclassification of £17,307 to designated unrestricted funds. Total funds are unchanged. 

## **BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2025** 

||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|<br>**31 December**|<br>**31 December**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Funds**|**Funds**|**2025**|<br>**2024**|
|**FIXED ASSETS**|**£**|**£**|**£**|<br>**£**|
|Computer Equipment|550|<br> -|550|<br>550|
|Less Accumulated Depreciation|(214)|-|(214)|<br>(31)|
|**Total FIXED ASSETS**|**336**|<br>**-**|<br>**336**|**519**|
|**CURRENT ASSETS**|||||
|Cash at bank and in hand|82,800|<br>7,642|<br>90,442|92,719|
|Debtors|-|-|-|100|
|**Total CURRENT ASSETS**|**82,800**|<br>**7,642**|<br>**90,442**|**92,819**|
|**CURRENT LIABILITIES**|||||
|Outstanding Payments and Accruals|-|250|<br>250|170|
|Deferred Income|-|4,000|<br>4,000|14,000|
|**Total CURRENT LIABILITIES**|**-**<br>|<br>**4,250**|<br>**4,250**|**14,170**|
|**NET CURRENT ASSETS**|**82,800**|<br>**3,392**|<br>**86,192**|<br>**78,649**|
||||||
|**TOTAL NET ASSETS/(LIABILITIES)**|<br>**83,136**|<br>**3,392**|<br>**86,528**|<br>**79,169**|
|**FUNDS OF THECHARITY**|||||
|Funds Brought Forward|77,565|<br>1,604|<br>79,169|84,558|
|Surplus/Deficit in the period|5,571|<br>1,788|<br>7,360|(5,389)|
|**Total FUNDS OF THE CHARITY**|**83,136**|<br>**3,392**|<br>**86,528**|<br>**79,169**|



Signed on behalf of the Trustees by Jane Stoney 

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**ACE YOUTH TRUST** working with young people 

## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025** 

## **STATUTORY INFORMATION** 

ACE Youth Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales (Charity Number: 1120282).  It is governed by a Declaration of Trust dated 15 May 2006 and a Deed of Amendment dated 18 July 2010. The charity’s principal office address can be found under the reference and administrative details in the Report of the Trustees.  The financial statements are presented in Pounds Sterling (£). 

As a registered charity, ACE Youth Trust is exempt from income tax and capital gains tax on income and gains used for its charitable purposes. 

## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** 

## **1. Basis of Preparation** 

These financial statements have been prepared on an accruals basis, meaning income and expenditure are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when they are earned or incurred, not just when money is received or paid. 

## **2. Fund Accounting** 

The charity holds three types of funds: 

**Unrestricted funds** can be used for any of the charity's work, as agreed by the Trustees. 

**Designated funds** are unrestricted funds that the Trustees have set aside for a specific purpose. Unlike restricted funds, designated funds can be reallocated by the Trustees at any time without reference to any external funder. 

Designated funds currently comprise balances held against Friday Club, Hardship Fund, 1-2-1 Mentoring, and the Suspended Projects. These were previously classified as restricted funds but following a review in 2025 they have been reclassified as designated unrestricted funds as the balances are no longer tied to specific external donor conditions. Opening balances in the Statement of Funds have been restated accordingly; total funds of the charity are unchanged. 

The A-Team and spACE4u funds are held as Suspended Projects, as these activities are no longer running following the local secondary school's transition to a new Multi-Academy Trust. The Trustees intend to repurpose these balances following the outcome of a strategic review commissioned in 2026. 

**Restricted funds** can only be used for specific purposes as defined by the donor or funder, and are monitored to ensure they are spent in accordance with the relevant conditions. 

Restricted funds currently comprise grant funding from BBC Children in Need for Wednesday Club and from the National Lottery Community Fund for Thursday Club. 

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**ACE YOUTH TRUST** working with young people 

## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025** 

## **3. Income** 

Income is raised through donations from individuals and local charitable organisations including local churches, local Rotary clubs, and Ashbourne Partnership Trust, and through Grants from national and regional organisations and trusts.  Income is included in the Statement of Financial Activity when the charity is entitled to it, it can be reliably measured, and it is likely to be received. 

Where donors have expressed a preference for their donation to support a specific activity, the Trustees may choose to designate those funds accordingly. Such funds remain unrestricted in nature and may be redesignated by the Trustees at any time. 

Grants are recognised when the charity has met the conditions for receiving them.  When a grant is given for future activities, the income is deferred until the activity takes place. In 2025, £6,000 of a grant received from the National Lottery relates to sessions due to be delivered in 2026 and is therefore shown as deferred income on the Balance Sheet. 

The following grants were received during the year and are accounted for as restricted funds: 

|**Funder**|**Project**|**Amount**|**Notes**|
|---|---|---|---|
|BBC Children in Need|Wednesday Club|£15,000|Fully spent in 2025|
|National Lottery|Thursday Club|£10,000|A further £6,000 of funding is deferred|
||||to 2026 for future sessions|



## **4. Expenditure** 

Costs are included in the accounts when the charity is committed to paying them.  Costs directly related to projects are allocated to those specific funds.  General costs, such as insurance or IT, are included in unrestricted expenditure or split to projects where relevant and in line with funding conditions. 

## **5. Fixed Assets** 

Items of equipment costing over £500 are capitalised and depreciated over their useful life.  In 2024, computer equipment was capitalised and depreciated over three years on a straight-line basis.  The value of the assets at year-end was £336 (£519 at the end of 2024). 

## **6. Cash at Bank and In Hand** 

At 31 December 2025, the charity held the following balances: 

|Current Account<br>Instant Access Savings Account<br>Long-term Savings Account<br>**Total**|£4,910<br>Used for day-to-day operations<br>£35,533<br>Used to manage cashflow and project delivery<br>£50,000<br>Holds the majority of our required reserves<br>**£90,442**|
|---|---|



These balances include £82,800 unrestricted and £7,642 restricted funds. 

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**ACE YOUTH TRUST** working with young people 

## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025** 

## **7. Debtors and Creditors** 

There were no amounts owed to the charity at year-end, and hence Debtors were zero (2024, £100). 

Creditors reflect costs incurred but not yet paid, and cash received for services not yet delivered. At year-end, the charity had £250 of unpaid costs (2024, £170) and £4,000 in deferred income (2024, £14,000), the latter being part of the National Lottery Grant to support Thursday Club sessions through to May 2026. 

## **8. Staff Costs** 

The charity does not directly employ any staff. Sessional workers are engaged on a freelance basis and are paid by invoice. All other work is carried out by volunteers. 

## **9. Trustee Expenses and Related Party Transactions** 

No trustee received any payment for their role.  Trustees may be reimbursed for pre-approved expenses related to project delivery, in line with the charity’s policy and authorised by fellow trustees. No other related party transactions occurred. 

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