**St Anne’s Vicarage Ashworth Road Rossendale BB4 9JE**
## ANNUAL REPORT
## Year Ending 31[st] March 2025
## **challenging young lives . . . promising new futures**
T: 01706 221889 | E: info@twhp.org | W: www.twhp.org
The White Horse Project Registered Charity no. 1131750
Registered in England & Wales No. 6941257
1
## **Contents**
Legal and Administrative Information
Policies of the Charity
Trustees Introduction
Highlight of the year
Activities, Achievements & Performance 2024-25
Objectives for the coming year 2025-26
Financial Review
2
## **Legal and Administrative Information**
**Name of Charity:** The White Horse Project
**Registered Number:** 1131750
**Company Number:** Registered in England & Wales No. 6941257
**Governing Document:** Memorandum & Articles of Association incorporated 23[rd] June 2009
**Official Address:** St Anne’s Vicarage, Ashworth Road, Rossendale, BB4 9JE
---------------------------------------------
## **Charitable Objects**
The charities objects, as laid out in the memorandum and articles of association, are:
TO ACT AS A RESOURCE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE LIVING IN THE AREA OF ROSSENDALE PRIMARILY WHITEWELL WARD AND INSPIRED BY CHRISTIAN FAITH BY PROVIDING ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE AND ORGANISING PROGRAMMES OF PHYSICAL, EDUCATIONAL AND OTHER ACTIVITIES AS A MEANS OF:
A) ADVANCING IN LIFE AND HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE BY DEVELOPING THEIR SKILLS, CAPACITIES AND CAPABILITIES TO ENABLE THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN SOCIETY AS INDEPENDENT, MATURE AND RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUALS;
B) ADVANCING EDUCATION;
C) RELIEVING UNEMPLOYMENT;
D) PROVIDING RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE TIME ACTIVITY IN THE INTERESTS OF SOCIAL WELFARE FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN THE AREA OF BENEFIT WHO HAVE NEED BY REASON OF THEIR YOUTH, AGE, INFIRMITY OR DISABILITY, POVERTY OR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING THE CONDITIONS OF LIFE OF SUCH PERSONS;
E) PROMOTE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE.
F) PROMOTE CHRISTIAN SPIRITUAL WELLBEING.
----------------------------------------------
## **Names of Trustees**
Rodney Bevan Amanda Robertson Jill Loraine Bevan Andrew John Roberts Susan Elizabeth Hopkinson Claire Louise Wise
## **Basis for appointing Trustees**
New or replacement Trustees are appointed by the existing Trustees. There must be a minimum of three (3) Trustees but not subject to any maximum.
## **Project Manager**
Léonie Ford-Miah
3
## **Reporting serious incidents (RSI)**
The trustees confirm that during the period covered in this annual report the charity did not experience any serious incidents or other matters that should have been brought to the attention of the Charity Commission.
The trustees believe they have complied with their duty to ensure that the charity has worked for the public benefit. Unless reported in Related Party Transactions at the end of this report all officers and management team members give their time and services for free.
Jill Bevan and Andrew Roberts are responsible for maintaining the accounts, which are not audited.
## **Bankers**
Our bankers are: Barclays Bank Leicester LE87 2BB
## **Independent Examiner**
Our Independent Examiner is Mr Peter Terry
## **Reserves Policy**
The charity confirms that all funds are to be used for the on-going work. It is our policy to keep 6 months running costs, building improvement costs and funds towards a large event held every 3 years in reserves when possible.
## **Public Benefit**
The Trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on Public Benefit. The key public benefit delivered by The White Horse Project is the provision of high-quality activities and services for Young People which enable them to enjoy better life chances. Through the wide range of programs individuals develop new skills, improve their academic performance, take on additional responsibilities and therefore improve their whole individual wellbeing.
4
## **Policies of the Charity**
## **Policies**
The Charity works to policy statements that deal with: - Arrival & Departure Building security Communication Complaints* Computer use Confidentiality Code of Conduct Conflict of interest Copyright Disciplinary Disclosure Environment Extremism* Equipment Equal Opportunities* Equality* Finance Fire safety First Aid Flood evacuation Health & Safety* GDPR Lettings Lone Worker Reserves Safeguarding Children & Young People* Security Sexual health Staff & Volunteers Training Travel Trustees Visits Vulnerable adults
*These policies are reviewed annually by the Trustees
5
## **Trustees Introduction**
The year 2024-25 started off with a brand-new program and the return of Friday night socials.
After the incredible concert in June work began on our garden project in association with Rossendale Men Shed. We were pleased to deliver a full summer program of activities. Whilst it is disappointing we have been unable to confirm a long term arrangement for our building we will continue to operate there for the foreseeable future.
The Trustees would like to thank our supporters, staff and volunteers for all their hard work during this year.
Andrew Roberts
_**On behalf of The Trustees of The White Horse Project**_
6
## **Highlight of the year**
The highlight of the year had to be the concert on the 29[th] of June. After months of practice our young people entertained a packed house at St Annes church.
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Comments on
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awesome, well stars 😊😊
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They were brilliant, It was FANTASTIC!
well done everyone Well done to
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**----- End of picture text -----**
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## **Activities, Achievements & Performance during current year 2024-25**
## **Engagement With Young People**
We have continued to engage positively with local young people, offering both a weekly term-time workshop programme and a holiday programme. Each week in term-time we have continued to offer music tuition (via zoom), singing, band and art workshops free of charge to young people. This was supplemented with a further Cookery Workshop, following the success of last year’s pilot, and a new Gardening Project. We have expanded our holiday programme to include full days of activities in most school holidays and seen the introduction of dance, board games and the very popular Warhammer. Again, we were pleased to deliver sessions outside in Edgeside Park during the summer holidays.
Led by Sean & Vicky Ruane and Dave Jackson our musicians and singers have excelled themselves this year. They held their first solo gig in St Anne’s Church in June 2024, when they performed an extensive programme to an audience of over a hundred people. Other young people volunteered to serve refreshments in the interval (which included mocktails) and to sell merchandise. This debut was followed up with a Christmas concert in December, which due to the hard work and commitment of all involved, was again very successful. We have been delighted to receive a generous legacy which will be used to introduce an annual award for singers and musicians. We will be working out the details of this in the year ahead, but it will mean recognition and a considerable prize for one young person each year.
Led by Ruth Evans our Art Workshop joined in once again with the annual Lantern Parade in October organised by Stacksteads Countryside Park Group. The artists also worked hard on creating mini mosaics celebrating local wildlife. This was another joint venture with _Civic Pride,_ and when complete the mosaics will form a permanent trail in the centre of Waterfoot.
A very welcome addition to our programme has been the return of Friday night socials, renamed Youth Club. Lorraine started these on a monthly basis, which was extended to fortnightly, and sessions now happen every Friday and for an extended time of 5.30 – 8.00 pm. There is a varied programme – pool, table tennis, table football, craft, karaoke, pool, board games – and every week the young people eat a simple supper together. All young people, from Year 6 upwards are very welcome.
Our young people’s council, known as _Limitless,_ has continued to meet regularly to input their ideas into the way we operate and the activities we provide. Most notable they have shaped the Youth Club which has been reintroduced, and they have also requested a Homework Club.
## **Staffing**
In June 2024 we welcomed Leonie Ford-Miah as our Project Manager, and she has brought a whole range of valuable skills from her experience in the business world and in volunteering roles in the community. She has overseen the modernising of our IT provision, so we work more smartly.
We have also been pleased to recruit some new volunteers, both in term-time and holidays. We are very grateful for their commitment and all they give to the young people.
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## **Governance and Management**
Our six trustees have continued to meet quarterly. We met in October for a Team Building Day when we worked together on our long-term vision and short-term objectives and this proved a very useful exercise. In March this was followed by a Team Building Day for trustees, staff and volunteers. This was facilitated by Bill Webster, trustee of the Igen charity who have supported us for many years. We were able to share the vision more widely and gather further input as we planned our way forward. In addition, we have signed up to _Charity Excellence_ which provides a wealth of online training resources on all aspects of running a charity. As trustees we plan to work through these resources together.
## **Schools Outreach**
In October we were pleased to welcome Kelsea Bennett to our staff as Outreach Co-ordinator. She had worked for us previously, alongside Siana. We recognise schools are very busy places and building long-term relationships with high schools in particular is a long-term work. We have made considerable progress in building relationships with local primary schools. Kelsea has worked in St Nicholas and St Peter’s schools in Newchurch, and has sessions planned in St Anne’s Edgeside. Her MusMeums project has been very well received, as Kelsea has worked with Year 6 students to help them prepare for the transition to high school. At the end of her six-week project parents and carers have been invited to come and view what their children have created. These sessions have been very well attended and have helped us in promoting what we have on offer. We have seen a rise in the number of young people attending Friday Youth Club as a result. Going forward we would like to continue working with these Year 6 students as they join Year 7 in local high schools.
## **Partnership**
Partnership working remains a priority for us. We continued as members of Rossendale Borough Council’s Rossendale Connected monthly online networking meeting and their Rawtenstall Community Partnership which meets quarterly and brings together councillors and members of organisations from the private, public and voluntary sectors. Our Project Manager has been invited to join the Town Board.
We have also continued to work with Rossendale Leisure Trust who administer the governments Healthy Activity and Food programme which again enabled us to run workshops through the Easter holidays and the long summer holidays.
We were pleased that our application to join Lancashire County Council’s Social Movement Campaign was successful. This project encouraged young people across the county to champion a cause of their choosing, to highlight it through any art form and to present it to the public and local councillors. Our Art Group chose to highlight the problem of single use plastics and in particular that plastic is found at all levels in our food chain. They worked on a very successful project culminating in a presentation to visitors from Rossendale Borough Council – elected members and officers. Ruth also produced boards to show what the young people produced and capture the message of the project, and these were displayed in Waterfoot centre.
## **Use of our building**
Unfortunately, we have still been unable to secure a long-term lease of the former Newchurch Methodist Church which means our future there remains uncertain. In view of this we have not
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worked to achieve our target of increasing the number of regular users. We have though, welcomed one-off meetings, e.g. for Rossendale Borough Council’s Rawtenstall Community Partnership and the Town Board.
## **Well-being**
We continue to keep the well-being of young people central to all our projects. One of our trustees is the Community & Neighbourhood Team Manager for Burnley, as part of Lancashire County Council’s Children and Family Wellbeing Service and a second continued as a member of Lancashire County Council’s Family Hub Network in Rossendale. This enables us to keep up to date with provision for young people across our region, and to access material for training purposes.
10
## **Objectives for the coming year 2025-26**
The charities objectives for 2025-2026 are as follows:
## **1. Volunteering**
- We will aim to recruit at least six new volunteers.
- We will focus on recruiting volunteers from a diverse age range, including an accredited scheme for young volunteers.
- As a result of attracting more volunteers we will be able to improve our programme scheduling.
## **2. Youth Voice and influence**
- We will develop our Young People’s Council. We will ensure that all our workshops are represented on the Council, and there is a clear route from the Council to the decision making of the trustees.
- We will review our Mentoring Scheme.
## **3. Sustainability**
- We will establish a funding committee.
- We will plan for the two-year fall off of existing funders.
## 4. **Training**
- We will revise and develop our Induction Training.
- We will conduct a skills audit of staff, trustees and volunteers to identify ‘gaps’, but also to support Continuing Professional Development plan.
## 5. **Communication**
- We will seek to understand the scale and use of social media
- We will review our marketing plan
- We will improve our IT provision and develop our use of software including Microsoft 365
## 6. **Activities**
- We will continue existing successful workshop activities
- We will look at wider general engagement, e.g. Friday night ‘socials’
- We will aim to grow the numbers of young people engaging with us by 20%.
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## **Financial Review**
## **The White Horse Project**
## **Independent Examiners Report**
I set out my report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 which are set out on the following pages.
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
The charity’s trustees (who are also directors of the company for the purpose of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”).
The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
• to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of independent examiner’s statement**
My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
In connection with my examination, no material matter has come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that, in any material respect:
- accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; or
- the accounts do not accord with such records: or
- the accounts do not comply with the relevant accounting requirements under section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 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; or
- the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
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.
Peter Terry **Independent Examiner**
25[th] November 2025
12
## **The White Horse Project Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31st March 2025 including Income and Expenditure Account**
|**Note**
**Incoming resources**
**Income and endowments**
**from:**
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
Other trading activities
Investments
Separate material item of
income
Other
**_Total_**
**Resources expended**
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds
Charitable activities
3
Separate material item of
expense
Other
**_Total_**
**Net income/(expenditure) before**
**investment gains/(losses)**
Net gains/(losses) on
investments
**Net income/(expenditure)**
**Extraordinary items**
**Transfers between funds**
**Other recognised** gains/(losses):
Gains and losses on revaluation of
fixed assets for the charity’s own use
Other gains/(losses)
**_Net movement in funds_**
**_Reconciliation of funds:_**
Total funds brought forward
**_Total funds carried forward_**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**income**
**funds**
**Endowment**
**funds**
**Total**
**funds**
**Prior**
**year**
**funds**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
3,399
107,431
-
110,830
68,833
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,399
107,431
-
110,830
68,833
-
-
-
6,342
70,010
-
76,352
63,699
898
186
-
1,084
857
7,240
70,196
-
77,436
64,556
(3,841)
37,235
-
33,394
4,277
-
-
-
-
-
(3,841)
37,235
-
33,394
4,277
-
-
-
-
-
(9,186)
9,186
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(13,027)
46,421
-
33,394
4,277
51,447
25,261
-
76,708
72,430
38,420
71,682
-
110,102
76,707|
|---|---|
13
## **The White Horse Project Balance sheet as at 31st March 2025**
## **Company Number 6941257**
|**Note**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
5
**_Total fixed assets_**
**Current assets**
Stocks
Debtors
Investments
Cash at bank and in hand
**_Total current assets_**
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year
**_Net current assets_**
**_Total assets less current_**
**_liabilities_**
Creditors: amounts falling
due after one year
Provisions for liabilities
6
**_Total net assets_**
**Funds of the Charity**
Endowment funds
Restricted income funds
Unrestricted funds
Revaluation reserve
**_Total funds_**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**income**
**funds**
**Endowment**
**funds**
**Total**
**this**
**year**
**Total**
**last year**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
1,790
378
-
2,168
3,252
1,790
378
-
2,168
3,252
-
- -
-
-
2,988
- -
2,988
1,552
-
- -
-
-
33,642
71,304
-
104,946
71,903
36,630
71,304
-
107,934
73,455
0
0 -
0
0
36,630
71,304
-
107,934
73,455
38,420
71,682
**-**
110,102
76,707
-
-
-
-
-
0
-
-
0
0
38,420
71,682
-
110,102
76,707
-
-
-
71,682
71,682
25,261
38,420
-
38,420
51,447
-
-
38,420
71,682
-
110,102
76,707|
|---|---|
For the year ending 31st March 2025, the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476.
14
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to small companies subject to the small companies’ regime and in accordance with FRS 102 SORP.
Approved by the Board on 25th November 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
J Bevan - Director
AJ Roberts - Director
15
## **The White Horse Project Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended 31st March 2025**
|**Note**
**Cash flows from operating activities**
Net cash provided by operating activities
7
**Cash flows from investing activities**
7
**Cash flows from financing activities**
**Change in cash in reporting period**
**Cash at 1st April 2024**
**Cash at 31st March 2025**|**2025**
**£**
33,043
**0**
**33,043**
71,903
**104,946**|**2024**
**£**
7,485
**(1,554)**|
|---|---|---|
|||**5,931**
65,972|
|||**71,903**|
16
## **The White Horse Project Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2025**
## **1. Statement of Accounting Policies**
## **1.1 Basis of Preparation**
The financial statements of the the company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared under the historical cost convention 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), with the Charities Act 2011 and the Companies Act 2006. A summary of the principal accounting policies, which have been applied consistently, except where noted, is set out below.
The White Horse Project meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
## **1.2 Income**
**Recognition of income** These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when: • the charity becomes entitled to the resources; · 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 general income recognition criteria are met. **Contractual income and** This is only included in the SoFA once the charity has provided the related **performance related grants** goods or services or met the performance related conditions. **Tax reclaims on donations** Gift Aid receivable is included in income when there is a valid declaration from **and gifts** the donor. Any Gift Aid amount recovered on a donation is considered to be part of that gift and is treated as an addition to the same fund as the initial donation unless the donor or the terms of the appeal have specified otherwise. **Support costs** The charity has incurred expenditure on support costs. **Volunteer help** The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the trustees’ annual report. **Income from interest,** This is included in the accounts when receipt is probable and the amount **royalties and dividends** receivable can be measured reliably.
**1.3 Expenditure and Liabilities Liability recognition** Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty.
## **1.4 Assets**
**Tangible fixed assets for** These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year. **use by charity** They are valued at cost.
Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic lives as follows|: Fixtures and fittings 33.3% reducing balance basis 33.3% reducing balance basis Office Equipment
17
## **The White Horse Project Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2025**
## **2. Income**
|**Donations and Legacies**
Donations and gifts
Gift Aid
General grants provided by
government/other charities
**Total**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**income**
**funds**
**Endowment**
**funds**
**Total**
**funds**
**Prior**
**year**
**funds**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
1,962
- -
1,962
5,368
1,437
- -
1,437
1,693
-
107,431
-
107,431
61,772|
|---|---|
||3,399
107,431
110,830
68,833|
## **3 Expenditure**
|**Charitable Activities**
Youth Activities
Youth Mentoring CIN
Youth Counselling CCG
Youth Music
Total|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**income**
**funds**
**Endowment**
**funds**
**Total**
**funds**
**Total**
**funds**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
6,342
70,010
-
76,352
63,699
-
- - - -
-
- - - -
-
- - - -|
|---|---|
||6,342
70,010
-
76,352
63,699|
## **4 Staff Costs**
|Salaries and wages
Social security costs
Pension costs
Other employee benefits
**Total staff costs**|**This year**
**Last year**|
|---|---|
||**£**
**£**|
||28,307
24,661|
||-
-|
||2,108
2,049|
||-
-|
||30,415
26,710|
During the year the charity employed 3 part time staff equivalent to less than 1 fulltime member
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## **The White Horse Project Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2025**
## **5 Fixed Assets**
|**Cost**
At 1st April 2024
Additions
Disposals
**At 31st March 2025**
**Depreciation**
At 1st April 2024
Charge in year
Disposals
**At 31st March 2025**
**Net book values**
At 31st March 2025
At 31st March 2024
**6 Provision for liabilities**
Provision for dilapidations
**7 Cash flows**
Net Income/(expenditure) for the year
Decrease/(Increase) in
debtors
(Decrease)/Increase in
creditors
Depreciation
**Net cash provided by operating activities**
Interest received
Purchase of fixed assets|**Fixtures &**
**Fittings**
**Equipment**
**£**
**£**
1,700
36,871
-
- -|**Total**
**£**
38,571|
|---|---|---|
|||-|
|||-|
||**1,700**
**36,871**|**38,571**|
||1,700
33,619|35,319|
||-
1,084|1,084|
||-
-|-|
||**1,700**
**34,703**|**36,403**|
||-
2,168
-
3,252
**This year**
**£**
0
**This year**
**£**
33,394
(1,435)
0
1,084
**33,043**
0
0|2,168
3,252|
|||**Last**
**year**|
|||
**£**|
|||0|
||||
|||**Last**
**year**|
|||
**£**|
|||4,277
2,351
0
857|
|||**7,485**|
|||0
1,554|
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**Net cash in investing activities**
**0**
**1,554**
## **8 Related Party Transactions**
During the accounting period the charity purchased telecommunications services to the value of £1,399 (2024 £1,001) from Avoira Ltd where Andrew Roberts is a Director. There was no outstanding balance at the year end. The directors are happy that the services provided were at a price much lower than comparable services and therefore good value for money.
20