2025-09-30-accounts - Bradford People First

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Bradford People First

Charity number 1122294

Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the year ended 30 September 2025

Bradford People First

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 30 September 2025

Contents	Page
Trustees' report	2 to 4
Examiner's report	5
Statement of financial activities	6
Balance sheet	7
Notes to the accounts	8 to 13

Prepared by West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO

Bradford People First

Trustees' report for the year ended 30 September 2025

Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisors

The trustees during the financial year and up to and including the date the report was approved were: Name Position Dates

Position Surekha Thind Chair Maaryaah Khan Co-Chair Obaid Malik Katie Wrigglesworth Secretary Mehtab Ahmed Robert Wardle Gary Allsopp Jane Barrett Jack Allinson Alyssa McLaren Secretary Ian Margerison 1122294

Resigned 13 February 2025

Resigned 27 August 2025 Appointed 27 August 2025 Appointed 14 August 2024

Charity number

Registered in England and Wales

Registered and principal address

Registered and principal address Bankers Office F13 Virgin Money plc Mayfield Centre 14 Broadway Broadway Avenue Bradford Bradford BD1 1EZ BD5 9NP

Independent examiner

Simon Bostrom FCIE West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW

Structure, governance and management

The charity is governed by a constitution adopted on 25 January 2005, as amended 18 December 2007, 30 March 2011 and 17 August 2016.

Method of recruitment and appointment of trustees

The trustees of the charity are appointed by the members at the AGM.

Bradford People First

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 30 September 2025

Objectives and activities

The charity's objects

To promote the relief of people with learning disabilities through self advocacy.

To promote the advancement of education of the public, professionals and people with learning disabilities in issues relating to learning disabilities.

The charity's main activities

Bradford People First is an established self-advocacy and group advocacy organisation run by and for adults with a learning disability, learning difficulty and/ or neurodiversity and is part of a national self-advocacy movement, that gives people with a learning disability knowledge, skills, and support to have their say and be heard. We aim to promote awareness through educating the public, professionals, and people with learning disabilities, difficulties and neurodiversity about issues that matter.

We believe that people with a learning disability, learning difficulty and neurodiversity are experts in issues that affect them and should be supported to have their say and be peer supporters. We support people to be included and have a real say in making decisions that affect their lives by speaking up for themselves and other people with a learning disability, learning difficulty and or neurodiversity. Our organisation works over the whole of the Bradford district. We have been led by people with lived experience organisation for over 32 years. We raise awareness, deliver training, and continue to campaign for change.

By working together, we help not just our members and volunteers but others in the community with a learning disability, difficulty and or neurodiversity.

We work to ensure people with learning disabilities, learning difficulties and or neurodiversity have equal treatment in all aspects of their lives. Our Focus topics this year continues to be on health and wellbeing as well as safeguarding issues Hate Crime and Mate Crime, , ethnically diverse issues and Transport concerns, voting and campaigning to be able to continue to do our work. A large emphasis this year has been training others and sharing our lived experience.

Public benefit statement

In setting our objectives and planning our activities our Trustees have given serious consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and in particular the promotion of self-advocacy for people with learning disabilities, the promotion of equality and diversity and the advancement of education.

Achievements and performance

This year we received ten thousand pounds from Wharfedale foundation. We have continued with funding from the council and have embarked on a new project as part of the consortium we are involved with (BTM and Equality together), this is called Voice Advocates and trains people with disabilities to advocate about the things they are passionate about. We also received funding, working within the consortium and the Cellar Trust to support people who are Neurodiverse or have learning disabilities to reengage with work after being off sick. We also received separate funding from the Council to continue the essential work we do regarding Self and group advocacy and awareness.

We have continued to train professionals and people with a learning disability, learning difficulty and neurodiversity as well as professionals and have received lots of positive feedback for this work. The healthy living group have been consulted as experts by experience to university professionals and we received payment for some of this work. We have also delivered a specially designed Scam awareness training package which has been in demand this year. Throughout the year we have continued to receive numerous referrals for support and advice from people within the community and requests for training. We have also continued to attend numerous meetings and be part of panels of experts by experience. promote the red bag scheme – enabling anyone with a learning disability an opportunity to have a red bag which flags up their requirements when going to hospital. We have also attended some promotional events throughout the year and a large Health and Wellbeing event with the NHs Integrated Care Board.

Bradford People First

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 30 September 2025

Financial review

The net payments for the year was £19,916, including net payments of £24,250 on unrestricted funds and net income of £4,334 on restricted funds.

Reserves policy

The reserves policy states that the organisation should have no more than 6 months and no less than 3 months running costs as reserve in order to enable the smooth running of the charity and to allow for an orderly winding up should the charity need to close.

The charity's free reserves, excluding fixed assets, at the year end were £55,039.

We are continuing to apply for funding however Bradford Council have confirmed we are being funded for a further year. We have explained we require more financial input to sustain our present activity and this has been acknowledged however we are unsure whether we will receive an uplift at this point. It may mean we have to reduce amount of activity during the year, if we are unable to gain more funding. We are also now receiving donations for our expert by experience work and our training and we hope this will grow- going forward.

Approved by the board of trustees on 16/03/2026

Gary Allsopp (Trustee)

Bradford People First

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Bradford People First

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2025, which are set out on pages 6 to 13.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees 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 charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. 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:

1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Charities Act; 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 in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Simon Bostrom FCIE

30/03/2026

West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO

Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW

Bradford People First

Statement of Financial Activities

(including summary income and expenditure account) for the year ended 30 September 2025

Notes 2025 Unrestricted funds £ Income from: Grants and donations (2) 975 Training fees 750 Fundraising events - Other income 40 Total income 1,765 Expenditure on: Salaries, NIC's and pensions (3) 24,406 Payroll charges 1,133 Project costs and activities 25 Training and conferences - Travel and subsistence 167 Refreshments 652 Rent and rates 3,758 Phone and internet - Postage, printing and office supplies 99 Insurance - Independent examination 882 HR support 126 Memberships and subscriptions - Repairs and maintenance - Computers and software 810 Room hire 50 DBS checks - Volunteer expenses and training 50 Advertising and publicity - Grants repaid - Events expenses 252 Depreciation 2,014 Donations 50 Total expenditure 34,474 Net income / (expenditure) (32,709) Transfers between funds (4) 8,459 Net movement in funds (24,250) Fund balances brought forward 81,553 Fund balances carried forward (4) 57,303	2025 Restricted funds £ 75,111 - - - 75,111 43,963 - - - 61 90 11,102 941 949 1,476 - - 352 - 2,739 - - - - - 645 - - 62,318 12,793 (8,459) 4,334 20,611 24,945	2025 Total funds £ 76,086 750 - 40 76,876 68,369 1,133 25 - 228 742 14,860 941 1,048 1,476 882 126 352 - 3,549 50 - 50 - - 897 2,014 50 96,792 (19,916) - (19,916) 102,164 82,248	2024 Total funds £ 94,228 270 22 - 94,520 86,443 1,190 2,552 375 512 1,283 17,110 1,025 1,223 1,405 882 - 625 148 4,076 240 123 19 134 763 620 1,764 - 122,512 (27,992) - (27,992) 130,156 102,164

All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities.

Bradford People First

Balance sheet

as at 30 September 2025 2025 Unrestricted £ Fixed assets Tangible assets (5) 2,264 Total fixed assets 2,264 Current assets Debtors and prepayments (6) 20,520 Cash at bank and in hand (7) 35,401 Total current assets 55,921 Current liabilities: amounts falling due within one year Creditors and accruals (8) 882 Total current liabilities 882 Net current assets / (liabilities) 55,039 Net assets 57,303 Funds Unrestricted funds 57,303 Restricted funds - Total funds 57,303	2025 Restricted £ - - 2,623 22,322 24,945 - - 24,945 24,945 - 24,945 24,945	2025 Total £ 2,264 2,264 23,143 57,723 80,866 882 882 79,984 82,248 57,303 24,945 82,248	2024 Total £ 3,528 3,528 33,831 65,687 99,518 882 882 98,636 102,164 81,553 20,611 102,164

The financial statements were approved by the board of trustees on 16/03/2026

Gary Allsopp (Trustee)

Bradford People First

Notes to the accounts

for the year ended 30 September 2025

1 Accounting policies

Basis of accounting

These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by 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) and with the Charities Act 2011.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. There has been no change to the accounting policies since last year. No changes have been made to the accounts for previous years.

Going concern

The trustees are satisfied that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity becomes entitled to the resources, if it is more likely than not that the trustees will receive the resources and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Grants and donations

Grants and donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.

Where grants are related to performance and specific deliverables, they are accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance.

Expenditure and liabilities

Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out the resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty.

Taxation

As a charity the organisation benefits from rates relief and is generally exempt from income tax and capital gains tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates.

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are capitalised and included at cost including any incidental expenses of acquisition. Gifted assets are shown at the value to the charity on receipt.

Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the cost on a straight line basis over their expected useful economic lives as follows: Computer equipment: over 3 years

Pensions

The charity operates a defined contribution scheme for the benefit of its employees. The costs of contributions are recognised in the year they are payable.

Bradford People First

Notes to the accounts

for the year ended 30 September 2025

1 Accounting policies continued

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.

Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the accounts.

Leases

Rents under operating leases are charged on a straight line basis over the lease term or to an earlier date if the lease can be determined without financial penalty.

Bradford People First

Notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 30 September 2025

2 Grants and donations Bradford MDC Equality Together (Accellerator) Equality Together (Lot 2) Equality Together (Voices) The Wharefdale Foundation CNET Mental Wellbeing Equality Together (Innovations) GSK Lloyds Bank Foundation Together For Health Top to Toe Other donations 3 Staff costs and numbers Gross salaries Social security costs Employment allowance Pensions	2025 Unrestricted funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - 975 975	2025 Restricted funds £ 36,395 12,979 - 15,737 10,000 - - - - - 75,111	2025 Total funds £ 36,395 12,979 - 15,737 10,000 - - - - - 975 76,086 2025 £ 67,408 4,296 (4,296) 961 68,369	2024 Total funds £ - - 57,720 - - 5,000 15,755 9,000 2,500 2,400 1,300 553 94,228 2024 £ 85,332 4,233 (4,233) 1,111 86,443

The average number of employees during the year was 6, being an average of 3 full time equivalent (2024: 5.8, 2.8 FTE). There were no employees with emoluments above £60,000.

Defined contribution pension scheme Costs of the scheme to the charity for the year Amount of any contributions outstanding at the year end Amount of any contributions prepaid at the year end 4 Restricted funds Balance b/f Incoming £ £ Equality Together (Accellerator) - 12,979 Bradford MDC - 36,395 Equality Together (Innovations) 1,576 - Lloyds Bank Foundation 1,819 - Equality Together (Lot 2) 8,569 - CNET Mental Wellbeing 8,647 - Equality Together (Voices) - 15,737 The Wharefdale Foundation - 10,000 20,611 75,111	Outgoing £ 4,453 24,863 1,576 1,819 8,569 938 13,310 6,790 62,318	2025 £ 961 59 - Transfers £ (750) - - - - (7,709) - - (8,459)	2024 £ 1,111 - - Balance c/f £ 7,776 11,532 - - - - 2,427 3,210 24,945

Bradford People First

Notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 30 September 2025

4 Restricted funds continued

Fund name

Purpose of restriction

Equality Together (Accellerator) Towards the costs of employing a development worker to support neurodiverse adults or those with learning disabilities who were struggling at work and off sick. It also contributed towards 24 hours of development work, 2 hours of management time, and project resources

Bradford MDC

Towards the costs of delivering an awareness-raising and training programme focused on issues faced by disabled people, including people with learning disabilities. The funding also contributed to work with people who have lived experience to develop campaigns and provide information and support to help ensure their voices are heard.

Equality Together (Innovations) Bradford Innovations fund grant. The funder has agreed that this can be used for unrestricted purposes.

Lloyds Bank Foundation Equality Together (Lot 2) CNET Mental Wellbeing

Equality Together (Voices)

The Wharefdale Foundation

Towards core costs.

Towards salaries, rent and other running costs.

Towards pop up events within the community to increase our reach to people with learning disabilities to better manage their mental wellbeing. The transfer to unrestricted funds was approved by the funder.

Towards the costs of a project to empower people with lived experience to influence decision-making by creatively engaging them, amplifying their voices, and addressing wider issues impacting their lives beyond Adult Social Care.

Towards the costs of the Healthy Working Lives Project.

Tangible assets Cost At 1 October 2024 Additions At 30 September 2025 Depreciation At 1 October 2024 Charge for year At 30 September 2025 Net book value At 30 September 2025 At 30 September 2024	£ 5,292 750 6,042 1,764 2,014 3,778 2,264 3,528 Office equipment	Total £ 5,292 750 6,042 1,764 2,014 3,778 2,264 3,528

5 Tangible assets

Bradford People First

Notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 30 September 2025

6 Debtors and prepayments Accrued income Other debtors 7 Cash at bank and in hand Cash at bank Cash in hand 8 Creditors and accruals Accruals Other creditors	2025 £ 2,623 20,520 23,143 2025 £ 57,441 282 57,723 2025 £ 882 - 882	2024 £ 15,471 18,360 33,831 2024 £ 65,467 220 65,687 2024 £ 882 - 882

9 Related party transactions

Trustee expenses

During the year 3 trustees were paid a total of £43 in respect of travel (previous year: 5 trustees and £115 in respect of travel.).

Trustee remuneration and benefits

No trustee received any remuneration or benefit during this or the previous year.

Remuneration and benefits received by key management personnel

The total employee benefits received by key management personnel were £21,351 (previous year: £31,364).

Bradford People First

Statement of Financial Activities including comparatives for all funds (including summary income and expenditure account) for the year ended 30 September 2025

2025 2024 Unrestricted Unrestricted funds funds £ £ Income Grants and donations 975 12,053 Training fees 750 270 Fundraising events - 22 Other income 40 - Total income 1,765 12,345 Expenditure Salaries, NIC's and pensions 24,406 20,887 Payroll charges 1,133 - Project costs and activities 25 - Training and conferences - - Travel and subsistence 167 224 Refreshments 652 493 Rent and rates 3,758 909 Phone and internet - - Postage, printing and office supplies 99 134 Insurance - - Independent examination 882 - HR support 126 - Memberships and subscriptions - 45 Repairs and maintenance - - Computers and software 810 - Room hire 50 60 DBS checks - 62 Volunteer expenses and training 50 19 Advertising and publicity - - Grants repaid - - Events expenses 252 192 Depreciation 2,014 1,764 Donations 50 - Total expenditure 34,474 24,789 Net income / (expenditure) (32,709) (12,444) Transfers between funds 8,459 19,970 Net movement in funds (24,250) 7,526 Fund balances brought forward 81,553 74,027 Fund balances carried forward 57,303 81,553	2025 Restricted funds £ 75,111 - - - 75,111 43,963 - - - 61 90 11,102 941 949 1,476 - - 352 - 2,739 - - - - - 645 - - 62,318 12,793 (8,459) 4,334 20,611 24,945	2024 Restricted funds £ 82,175 - - - 82,175 65,556 1,190 2,552 375 288 790 16,201 1,025 1,089 1,405 882 - 580 148 4,076 180 61 - 134 763 428 - - 97,723 (15,548) (19,970) (35,518) 56,129 20,611	2025 Total funds £ 76,086 750 - 40 76,876 68,369 1,133 25 - 228 742 14,860 941 1,048 1,476 882 126 352 - 3,549 50 - 50 - - 897 2,014 50 96,792 (19,916) - (19,916) 102,164 82,248	2024 Total funds £ 94,228 270 22 - 94,520 86,443 1,190 2,552 375 512 1,283 17,110 1,025 1,223 1,405 882 - 625 148 4,076 240 123 19 134 763 620 1,764 - 122,512 (27,992) - (27,992) 130,156 102,164