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2025-03-31-accounts

North Devon Voluntary Services Ltd

North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

Annual Report and Accounts 2024 – 2025

Charity Number: 1133707 Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in England Number: 06934618

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

Contents

Contents ................................................................................................................................................. 2 Introduction from the Chair of Trustees .............................................................................................. 3 Introduction from the Chief Officer ...................................................................................................... 4 Our Structure .......................................................................................................................................... 6 Our Impact .............................................................................................................................................. 9 VCSE Representation .......................................................................................................................... 12 Hosted Projects and Services............................................................................................................. 14 Legal and Administrative Information ................................................................................................ 18 Financial Review .................................................................................................................................. 19 Independent Examiner’s Report ......................................................................................................... 22 Notes to the Accounts ......................................................................................................................... 27

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

Introduction from the Chair of Trustees

North Devon Voluntary Services Ltd is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee, providing a Council of Voluntary Service (CVS) for the district of North Devon.

During the 2024/25 financial year, NDVS continued to build on our relationships with other Devon-based organisations with an aim of bolstering the resilience and sustainability of the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) community through various campaigns and projects. These are mentioned more fully in the Chief Officer’s report below. We were however particularly grateful to receive funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, and in partnership with our colleagues at Torridge CVS (TTVS), and One North Devon, launch our Reaching Communities project.

We continue to maintain our hosting arrangements for developing local charitable organisations, demonstrating the strength of our organisation to both act as an employer for these organisations and projects, and to create additional bridges to the voluntary and community sector.

The trustee group has been bolstered with new additions in the year, who bring an energy and additional experience and supportive challenge, whilst retaining considerable expertise and experience with longer serving trustees. We look forward to making use of their varied skillsets.

Our Honorary Treasurer continues to work closely with our Finance Officer and our Bookkeeper to ensure that we remain fiscally responsible and transparent. Our Reserves Policy for contingencies was revised to be able to cover 12 months of operation, as recommended by the Charity Commission, and to provide a savings buffer against unexpected costs such as IT equipment repair and replacement.

During the year we had some staff changes giving our Chief Officer the opportunity to continually review roles within the organisation, and flex resource to meet demand in what continues to be a fast moving (and often challenging) environment. The Board are very happy to support the Chief Officer in achieving greater levels of service and productivity. The current team work harmoniously together, supporting each other as necessary. The trustees would like to thank our Chief Officer for the professional and expert way she has provided an environment for the staff to be a coordinated team.

Externally the UK environment continues to provide challenges. NDVS continues to support local organisations to remain resilient, but we acknowledge that times are difficult for many of them.

NDVS is confident that we can continue to provide CVS support to VCSE organisations within North Devon. We look forward with optimism to working ever more closely with local authorities, our partner organisations and the health services, where we are ideally placed to provide valuable and essential support in our area.

In summary, I believe that NDVS remains strong, resilient, and viable for 2025/26, and I am proud to present our annual report detailing our work over the last twelve months.

Bill Allen

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

Introduction from the Chief Officer

I’m delighted and proud to present this year’s Chief Officer report — a reflection on another extraordinary year for NDVS and the wider VCSE sector in North Devon. It’s been a year of change, growth, and deepened connection, and I remain humbled by the resilience, creativity, and compassion that surrounds us, despite being very challenging external landscape especially with a new Government with its own ideas bringing about more change and uncertainty.

This year, we’ve experienced significant transitions — both within our organisation and across the sector. We said a fond farewell to Jon Wilkes as Chair and IT volunteer, and we welcomed Bill Allen as our new Chair, alongside Mark Johnson as Vice Chair. Their leadership brings fresh energy and continuity to our mission.

Internally, we’ve expanded our team to meet growing demand and opportunity. Thanks to National Lottery funding and other strategic support, we welcomed new roles including Place-based Community Developers, Youth Connector, Rural and Coastal Inclusion Connector, and a much-needed HR and Admin Support Officer. The office is buzzing with ideas, energy, and collaboration, and we have had a move around to accommodate everyone and make them feel at home!

We’ve continued to build on our strategic partnerships and project delivery. Our Reaching Communities Project , in collaboration with TTVS and One Northern Devon, reached its six-month milestone with a glowing review. This initiative is not only supporting community developers and connectors but also helping us reflect, adapt, and improve our systems and models.

In addition to our core services, NDVS continues to play a vital role as a host for a growing number of

community-led and statutory projects across North Devon. Our hosted project model offers flexible, tailored

support — from grant management and HR services to financial oversight and leadership mentoring. This approach enables both grassroots initiatives and statutory services to deliver local impact more effectively, while benefiting from our infrastructure, networks, and sector expertise. It’s a powerful way we help turn ideas into sustainable action and strengthen cross-sector collaboration

We continue to facilitate our Third Sector Leadership Hub and have had some useful email conversations as meet ups, as well as information sharing workshop. Our Partnership offer is also expanding and hopefully supporting those that we are here to serve.

We also launched the North Devon Inclusive Community Framework — a new initiative designed to help guide and support our beneficiaries in becoming more inclusive, particularly in meeting the complex and evolving needs of our community members. This framework is already fostering important conversations and practical steps toward more equitable and accessible services.

The North Devon Community Development Alliance is in its embryonic stages, beginning with a Corporate Breakfast to explore how we can work more closely with the business community to support wellbeing and resilience.

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

This year saw the launch of our refreshed website and the unveiling of our “7 C's of CVS” values infographic — a visual celebration of who we are and what we stand for. Huge thanks to Jack and Leah Cunningham at ITK Media for their creativity and support, alongside our own Events and Communication's Officer, Jill Bond and wider team for their input and hard work.

We’ve also begun exploring the use of AI and CRM systems to streamline our operations and improve how we connect with and support our community. A new Contact Management System is on the horizon, and we’re excited about the potential it holds. We are very grateful to Cosmic for also securing us several places on their workplace digital skill's course.

Our Annual Community Awards was once again a highlight — over 200 people gathered at Barnstaple Hotel to celebrate the unsung heroes of our community. The room was filled with emotion, laughter, and pride. The hashtag #InspiredByCommunitySpirit captured the essence of the evening perfectly.

We also continued our Revitalising Volunteering Campaigns , with events focused on engaging younger volunteers and showcasing the benefits of giving time. These events have sparked new collaborations and inspired fresh thinking about how we support and promote volunteering.

We’ve remained active in national conversations, working closely with NAVCA and NCVO, and engaging with the Civil Society Covenant. We responded to the Autumn Spending Review with concern, writing to Ian Roome MP and launching a budget implications survey to ensure our sector’s voice is heard.

We know the volume of surveys and communications can feel overwhelming, but your input is vital. It helps us advocate effectively and shape our work to meet real needs.

As we move into the new financial year, our internal focus will be on:

We’re also developing our Story of Change and aligning our work plan to ensure we continue to deliver meaningful, measurable impact.

This year has reminded me — again and again — that change can be beautiful. I’m endlessly grateful to our team, our Board, our funders, and our partners. Your belief in our mission fuels everything we do. To all of you working in and with VCSE organisations: thank you. Your strength, resilience, and dedication are the heartbeat of our communities. You inspire us every day. Together, we will continue to support those who do good — and help them flourish!

With heartfelt thanks, Marie Gould Chief Officer, NDVS

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

Our Structure

Diagram NDVS Team (Core and hosted projects) end of March 2025

In terms of our leadership structure, we have a board of Trustees that are embedded in the local community. There is a broad range of skills that the trustees bring to the charity, ranging from third sector, health/social care and HR. They will have overall legal responsibility for project delivery and financial management.

Our CEO reports into the Board and Marie Gould has come to the charity with background of 30 years in education (further education – business and management) and is Senior Leader’s MBA Exeter University educated.

The core team is headed up by Marie and comprises:

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

We also have recruited new posts through the National Lottery Reaching Communities fund in partnership with TTVS.

As a strong and prominent CVS, we host projects to support with HR, finance and line management. This also allows us to gain vital community feedback from the people working directly with the community.

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited Aims and Objectives

North Devon Voluntary Services (NDVS) is an independent charity based in Barnstaple, providing support and specialist advice to voluntary organisations and social enterprises in our local area. Our mission is to strengthen and champion the work of local organisations by representing, developing supporting and celebrating voluntary and community action. Ultimately, we help those who do good, to flourish!

As the Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) we are a small local charity that operates within North Devon. CVS’ are "the place at which local voluntary and community organisations speak to each other". We are the local voice of the Third Sector; we are also the ears so that we can make sure that the strategic players know what gaps there are in the community and who is best placed to fulfil this need.

We offer a wide variety of services and support for local organisations; for example, training; funding advice; group development; support and so much more. Our vision is to be the beacon of light for the voluntary and community sector in North Devon; advising; listening; signposting, celebrating, and connecting.

We also host several projects, supporting fledgling organisations with a variety of functions such as HR and Finance. Part of this strategic aim is to build closer links with the Primary Care Network (PCN) Wellbeing teams so we can understand the themes of referrals being handled by their social prescribers. In turn we can support filling any gaps in services and needs, through VCSE organisations or other suitable partners.

We work very closely with One Northern Devon (OND) - a partnership of organisations that recognise that unfair and avoidable differences in social, economic and environmental conditions affect the opportunities people have, to lead healthy and happy lives. In recent years, we have employed or hosted Community Developers supporting Community Development across North Devon.

Holding these four functions, as guiding principles, as members of National Association of Voluntary and Community Action.

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited Our Impact

Here’s a snapshot of how we’ve supported and collaborated with the Voluntary and Community Sector over the past year:


Our subsidised TRAINING PROGRAMME continues to go from strength to

strength, and we remain committed to listening to the needs of the sector and responding with relevant, accessible training opportunities. Through regular engagement with our Volunteer Management Forum, Partners and Leadership Hub , we gather valuable insights and feedback, which directly inform the development of our training offer. This collaborative approach ensures that our sessions are timely, practical, and aligned with the real challenges and aspirations of our VCSE partners.

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

and thanks to Our EVENTS programme continues to grow in reach and relevance, successful funding bids, we’ve been able to organise and facilitate a wide range of events throughout the year — each one designed to inform, inspire, and connect.

In addition to our own events, we’ve also been proud to support several strategic partners with their activities — offering planning support, promotion, and on-the-ground presence.

Through ongoing evaluation and feedback, we know these events are more than just dates in the diary — they’re opportunities to learn, network, and celebrate the incredible work happening across our communities, while also acknowledging the very real challenges we face together

Our PARTNERSHIP offer continues to grow and evolve, and we are proud to be working alongside a dynamic and expanding network of organisations who share our commitment to community wellbeing and collaboration. Our partnership model is designed to be flexible, inclusive, and mutually beneficial — offering tailored support, visibility, and opportunities to connect

Our LEADERSHIP HUB continues to thrive as a space for honest conversations, shared

learning, and collaborative planning . With 26 active members, the hub offers a supportive environment where leaders across our local VCSE sector can connect, reflect, and grow together. We maintain a dedicated interactive community group email , alongside regular meet-ups and social events , helping to build trust, spark ideas, and strengthen leadership across the region

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

Devon Connect continues to grow in visibility and value , gaining traction with both VCSE

organisations and the wider public. Our revitalising events have played a key role in raising awareness of the platform and encouraging more groups to make the most of its features.

Organisations are increasingly using Devon Connect to:

The appointment of a Volunteer Connector, alongside our expanded community development and connector team, has significantly enhanced this work, building on the strong foundations laid by our Community and Partnerships Officer. Together, they’ve helped expand the platform’s reach and impact — making it a more dynamic and inclusive space for collaboration and community action.

Forums

NDVS continues to support established local forums while also facilitating and nurturing the development of new ones and these forums provide vital spaces for collaboration, peer support and shared learning — helping to strengthen the voice and impact of the VCSE sector across North Devon.

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

VCSE Representation

Strategic Development and Voluntary Sector Representation

Representing the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector is a core part of our mission — especially as statutory service providers increasingly seek to collaborate with community organisations.

Over the past year, we’ve actively facilitated and participated in strategic meetings, networks, and partnership forums , ensuring the sector’s voice is not only present but heard loud and clear.

Whether advocating for funding, inclusion, or recognition, our role is to champion the sector’s strengths, highlight its challenges , and help shape policies and practices that reflect the realities of our communities.

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

VCSE Community Stakeholders

We are committed to ensuring strong and visible representation of the voluntary sector across our communities . Whether through local forums, collaborative projects, or place-based initiatives, we work to ensure that VCSE voices are included in conversations that shape services, policies, and community priorities.

By building trusted relationships and maintaining a presence in key spaces, we help ensure that the sector’s knowledge, experience, and values are recognised and respected at every level.

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited Hosted Projects and Services

NDVS is proud to act as a host for a range of strategic projects delivering across North Devon and the wider northern Devon area. This hosting role is a vital part of our work — enabling important initiatives to be delivered locally while benefiting from our established networks, infrastructure, and sector insight.

By providing governance, administrative support, and strategic alignment, we help ensure these projects can focus on what matters most: making a difference in our communities .

Below is a list of the projects we currently host:

Devon Access to Services (DAS)

DAS is an 18-year-old project hosted by NDVS and funded by Devon County Council (DCC). We support the 59 members of Devon Community Car Forum (DCCF). We also provide information to help people access the services they need via our Devon Services website, which had 280,000 hits last year. https://www.devonservices.org.uk/

DAS distributed the annual DCC grant £41,388 to the 51 Full Members of the Devon Community Car Forum via the new single fund holder (slimmed down from three). This payment is made in return for data relating to volunteer car journeys across the Devon County Council area (please see the table below).

Working in partnership with DCC, Devon wide NHS Trusts, and the Car Forums we also distributed 1976 Volunteer Driver Hospital Parking Permits to the 56 participating car schemes.

We detailed the challenges, opportunities facing Community Car Schemes and their amazing achievements in our annual Social Kindness report “More Than a Journey” which can be found on our revamped DAS page on the NDVS website https://ndvs.org.uk/devon-access-to-services/ Please follow the link and scroll down to see our reports and please also look at our maps of car schemes and Memory Cafes. This work is part of our new transport project started this year with the Devon Memory Café Consortium.

DAS continued its regular activities hosting Car Forum meetings and providing professional advice and support. We collected statistics, case studies and shared best practice to all the member car schemes. DAS would like to thank Devon County Council and NDVS for their continued support of the project.

----- Start of picture text -----
Community Car Scheme Activity 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
(provisional)
Number of Volunteer drivers 1100 1206 1228 1240
(estimated 1900 pre covid)
Journeys to and from health care 70,410 88,319 88,506 80,256
Journeys to social and welfare activities 18,119 27,202 33,878 23,325
Total number of journeys 88,529 115,521 122,384 103,581
Journeys for passengers in wheelchairs 1,873 2,766 2,372 1,521
Miles travelled 972,703 1,382,925 1,319,986 1,125,341
Volunteer hours 103,813 133,935 129,103 133,982
Notional value of vol hours min wage £924,974 £1,395,603 £1,476,938 £1,635,920
Drivers’ expenses paid £377,813 £480,971 £500,121 £468,461
Operational costs of schemes £509,920 £704,806 £930,000 £1,093,735
Received from passengers £517,861 £693,403 £775,497 £647,566
All other fundraising (inc grants) £552,195 £361,529 £379,381 £245,381
Overheads cost of providing services £887,733 £1,185,777 £1,430,121 £1,562,196
Funding -deficit/+surplus +£182,323 -£130,845 -£275,243 -£669,249
----- End of picture text -----*

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

*2021-22 Two schemes received large bequests which has inflated the deficit/surplus figure. Many schemes are still struggling to meet their costs.

To find out more about car schemes in your area, please call us on 07840 452147 or search www.devonservices.org.uk

Live Well in Braunton

Following a successful National Lottery funding bid, NDVS continues to host and employ key roles for the Live Well in Braunton initiative, including:

NDVS also remains an active member of the Braunton Forum , providing advice, information, and guidance to the local community.

The Social Prescribers work in close collaboration with the Community Connector and Volunteer Co-ordinator to identify gaps in support and refer individuals to appropriate services . This partnership has been further strengthened by the creation of a Volunteer Hub , which helps mobilise local volunteers to meet emerging needs — particularly for those experiencing isolation or complex challenges.

Over the past year, the Community Connector has played a central role in coordinating voluntary action, ensuring the project continues to meet its National Lottery outcomes. This work is supported by the Marketing, Admin and Volunteer Co-ordinator and the dedicated LWiB committee, whose commitment remains vital to the project’s success.

Barnstaple Alliance Primary Care Network

NDVS continues to work in partnership with the Barnstaple Alliance Primary Care network to support the NHS wellbeing agenda. NDVS employs a Community Connectors on behalf of the network with the aim of linking the local voluntary and community activities to the needs of patients. In addition, these workers identify gaps in service provision and with NDVS’s support develop new voluntary and community services.

North Devon Coast – Natural Landscape (NDCNL)

The NDCNL (formerly AONB) covers 171 square kilometres (66 square miles) of mainly coastal landscape including special places such as Combe Martin, Lee Bay, Woolacombe, Croyde, Saunton, Northam Burrows Country Park, Westward Ho!’s Pebble Ridge, the Hartland Peninsula and Braunton Burrows, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.

Finding Nature's Footprints is a three-year National Lottery Heritage Funded project which aims to learn more about the nature in our villages, gardens, fields and shores through surveys, monitoring and mapping of wildlife including plants, mammals, insects and birds. This was its first year.

This information will be used to support action by communities, volunteers, landowners and local agencies to develop community-led nature recovery plans and take action for nature improvement.

NDCNL have teamed up with partners across North Devon to provide opportunities for new audiences in the area to connect with nature and benefit from the nationally designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty As part of this project NDVS host the Project Co-ordinator and assistant.

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

361 Energy Redress

Funded through the Phase 2 round of Energy Redress funding, we work with 361 Energy, a local CIC, and host one of their Home Energy Advisors. 361 Energy Redress provide advice, guidance and practical support to improve energy efficiency and affordability.

They offer free energy advice, in-home visits, and support with installing energy-saving measures and accessing grants for insulation, boilers, and solar panels. 361 Energy also coordinates home retrofit projects and works with local businesses, schools, and communities to promote energy efficiency and sustainability across the region.

Volunteer Connector

This role is funded through a grant agreement secured to support the delivery of key project objectives over a specified period. The funding has been provided by North Devon Council to enable our organisation to recruit and employ a staff member dedicated to the role’s aims.

The funding is currently time-limited and is subject to the terms and conditions set out in the funding agreement, including reporting requirements and the achievement of agreed outcomes. The financial support ensures that the role is fully resourced to contribute to the successful delivery of the project within the agreed timeframe.

In her role as Volunteer Connector, Sammy works with voluntary organisations in North Devon and engages with the local community to increase the number of volunteers in placements. Her dedication to fostering community involvement and supporting volunteer initiatives is essential to our mission of empowering local organisations and creating lasting, positive change.

The Woodyard Project

Funded through the Woodyard Project, supported and inspired by Ann Cleeves, author of The Long Call and Graham Devine, we have now taken on hosting the Project Co-ordinator role, in partnership with the Woodyard Management Committee, and Barnstaple Town Council.

This role is designed to support a central community hub, known as ‘The Woodyard’, which brings together the local community and charity workers with the aim of improving communication and understanding, and to provide new opportunities for creative and different ways of working. This inclusive space provides a welcoming hub that supports mental wellbeing, reduces loneliness, and strengthens community ties in the local area.

Its enduring purpose is clear: to build a real-life space where “people come together and don’t feel lonely,” enhancing individual lives and community resilience.

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

Governing Document

NDVS Ltd is a company limited by guarantee (number 06934618) and a registered charity (number 1133707) with an area of benefit which covers North Devon. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which sets out the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up, members are liable for any debts, the total not to exceed £10.

Appointment of Trustees

Trustees are appointed by approval of the members at the Annual General Meeting, by approval of the members during the year or by co-option of the Board of Trustees. New trustees are provided with an induction pack and additional training offered as needs indicates. The Board of Trustees meets on average every other month and a Chief Officer is appointed to manage the day-to-day operations.

Risk Management

The Trustees have identified the risks facing the Charity. They review them regularly and put systems in place to mitigate these risks. Significant external risks to funding have led to the development of a strategic plan which will allow for the diversification of funding and activities. Internal control risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation of all transactions and projects.

The trustees review risks to the organisation every quarter using a risk register to identify, score, and (plan to) mitigate risks under the headings of Governance, External risks, Regulatory and Compliance, Financial and Operational. At the year end, the Board was confident that all risks were being appropriately managed. Going forward, we believe the most significant risks to our organisation remain external funding and Local Government reform. We continue to work as a Board and leadership team to mitigate these risks to ensure continued service delivery from a sustainable organisation.

Public Benefit

The Trustees are aware of the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and have taken it into account when making decisions to which the guidance is relevant. How we have done this is demonstrated in the Chief Officer’s report.

Related Parties

We are a member of DeVA working in partnership with TTVS, Involve, South Hams CVS, Teignbridge CVS and West Devon CVS, all locally based organisations providing comprehensive support to Devon’s voluntary and community sector. DeVA is an associate member of NAVCA and NCVO.

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

Legal and Administrative Information

Registered Charity Number 1133707
Company Registration Number 06934618
Registered Office Suite 206, Queens House, Queens Street, Barnstaple, EX32 8HJ
Trustees: Jonathan Wilkes Chair – Resigned 26 July 2024
(remaining as Trustee)
Bill Allen Chair – From 26 July 2024
Marc Johnson Vice Chair – From 26 July 2024
David Mason Treasurer
Patrick May Resigned April 2024
Diane Pedley
Clare Humphreys
Marc Johnson Appointed May 2024
Don Pratt Appointed July 2024
Company Secretary David Mason
Chief Officer Marie Gould
Bankers Unity Trust Bank, Customer Services Centre
Nine Brindley Place
Birmingham
B1 2HB
Accountants Westcotts (SW) LLP
47 Boutport Street
Barnstaple
Devon
EX31 1SQ
Solicitors Wollen Michelmore
Avery House, Liberty Road
Roundswell Business Park
BARNSTAPLE
Devon, EX31 3TL
Constitution Adopted July 1997
Revised 20th April 2006
Memorandum and articles of association 15 June 2009

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

Financial Review

Year 24/25 saw an increase in funding from £451,125 (23/24) to £505,758 (24/25) reflecting not only the increasing development work undertaken but funding specifically relating to projects to aid community development, including the volunteer shortage and funding challenges. Our reserves have decreased from £204,668 (23/24) to £183,961 (24/25) but are still in line with our reserves policy. However, projects that are WIP at the beginning of the year and WIP at the end of the year should be noted.

In particular projects that had brought forward funds on 1[st] April 2024 were

and projects that had carried forward funds as at 31[st] March 2025 are

The expenditure on these will be in the 25/26 year.

361 Warmer Homes Phase 2 fund carries forward £(30,941) owing to a time lag between expenditure and the receipt of the quarterly funds.

Analysis of Incoming Funds is as follows:

Grants & Donations
Training Workshops
Costs Recovered
Interest Received
Other Income
Total Incoming Funds
£ 24/25
£ 23/24
490,785
432,188
6,962
12,457
2,520
2,285
5,104
4,195
387
-
505,758
451,125

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

Resources Expended

Total Expenditure for the YE 24/25 is £526,465; an increase of £116,807 on the previous year. However, included in this figure is £74,212 which represents £54,212 that was redistributed to TTVS that applied for funding as part of the NLCF Reaching Communities/Partnerships project as well as grants that were sent out to groups that applied for funding as part of the Siggery Fund.

Key Costs 24/25 compared to 23/24

Resources Expended:

£ 24/25 £ 23/24
Staffing Costs 340,917 315,865
Grants Transferred 74,212 6,612
Premises Costs 12,695 9,990
Office Costs 8,446 4,220

The increase in staffing costs reflects the increased project activity and COL rises.

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

costs. The total reserves are a decrease of £20,707 on the previous year. Analysis of

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of the North Devon Voluntary Services Limited.

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

Statement of Financial Position as of 31[st] March 2025

Tangible assets
Current Assets:
Debtors
cash at Bank and in hand
Current Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year
Net Current Assets
Total Assets less Current Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due
after one year
Provision for Liabilities
Total Net Assets
Funds of the Charity:
Restricted Funds
Unrestricted Funds
Total Funds
24/25
Prior Year
Funds
£
£
291
388
3,625
5,190
198,593
212,469
202,218
217,659
18,548
13,379
183,670
204,280
183,961
204,668
183,961
204,668
65,641
74,186
118,320
130,482
183,961
204,668

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

----- Start of picture text -----
| For the financial year ended 31 March 2025 the company was entitled to exemption to
audit under ss. 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. The members
| have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the
CompaniesAct 2006.
The directors acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the
Act with respect to accounting records and for the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to
companies subject to the small companies’ regime.
Theonifinancial(bspate statements were approved by the board and signed on its behalf
Pe OC eet ceveteseeess Bill Allen (Chair)
eR peter gece Johnson (Vice Chair)
Ne , 0
SS. David Mason (Company Secretary)
Charity Number: 1133707
Company Limited by Guarantee
----- End of picture text -----

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

Statement of Financial Activities YE March 2025 (Including Income and Expenditure Account)

Income:
Grants & Donations
Earned from Other Activities
Total Income
Expenditure:
Expenditure on charitable activities
Net Incoming Resource
Transfer between funds
Net Movement of Funds
Reconciliation of Funds:
Total Funds Brought Forward
Total Funds Carried Forward
Unrestricted
Funds £
Restricted
Funds £
Totals
Funds £
Totals
Funds £
Unrestricted
Funds £
Restricted
Funds £
26,327
464,458
490,785
432,188
25,064
407,124
11,632
3,341
14,973
18,937
9,695
9,242
31st March 2024
31st March 2025
37,959
467,799
505,758
451,125
34,759
416,366
50,121
476,344
526,465
409,658
11,053
398,605
(12,162)
(8,545)
(20,707)
41,467
23,706
17,761
-6
6
(12,162)
(8,545)
(20,707)
41,467
23,700
17,767
130,482
74,186
204,668
163,201
106,782
56,419
118,320
65,641
183,961
204,668
130,482
74,186

The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses in the year. All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities.

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

North Devon Voluntary Services Statement of Cash Flows For the year ended 31 March 2025

North Devon Voluntary Services
Statement of Cash Flows
For the year ended 31 March 2025
Cash generated from operations
Profit
Net adjustments to cash flows from non-cash items
Depreciation charge
Working capital adjustments
Decrease/(increase) in debtors
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
Net cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from investing
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Net cash flows from investing activities
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 April
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March
2025
(20,707)
97
(20,610)
1,565
5,169
(13,876)
0
(13,876)
212,469
198,593
2024
41,467
129
41,596
16,292
(4,873)
53,015
0
53,015
159,454
212,469

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

Notes to the Accounts

The charity is a public benefit entity and a private company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales and a registered charity in England and Wales. The address of the registered office is Suite 206, Queens House, Queen Street, Barnstaple, Devon, EX32 8HJ

1. Basis of Accounting

The principal accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year and in the preceding year.

1.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared under the historic cost convention. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS102, the Charities SORP (FRS102) and the requirements of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS102). The financial reports are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity.

1.2 Change in basis of accounting

There have been no changes in the Accounting Policies for 2024 or 2025.

1.3 Fund Accounting

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

Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the Management Committee for particular purposes.

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

1.4 Incoming Resources

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income.

Grants and donations are received by way of grants, donations and gifts and are included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable. Grants, where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the charity, are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant.

Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included in the accounts.

Investment income is included when receivable.

Incoming resources from charitable trading activity are accounted for when earned.

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

Incoming resources from grants, where related to performance and specific deliverables, are accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance.

1.5 Resources Expended

Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes VAT and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates.

Costs of generating funds comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income and the costs of trading for fundraising purposes, including the running of community transport.

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the SoFA on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource.

1.6 Fixed Assets

These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year and cost at least £500. They are valued at Cost or, if Gifted, at the value to the Charity on receipt. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off costs of fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the basis of 25%, reducing balance.

1.7 Going Concern

There are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue.

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

2. Grants & Donations

Funder
North Devon Council
Devon Voluntary Action (DEVA)
Norman Family Charitable Trust
Norman Family Charitable Trust
Devon Voluntary Action
DMCC
Devon County Council
Taw & Torridge Voluntary Services
Barnstaple Town Council
The Norman Family Trustq
Devon Voluntary Action (REM)
Devon Voluntary Action (COMF)
Easy Fund Raising
North Devon Community Lottery
University of Exeter (J Hayes)
Families in Grief
Centurion Management
Barnstaple Town Council
Active Devon Partnerships
ITK Media
Westcotts
Devon & Conrwall Police
Vitaliqi
North Devon Biosphere Foundation
Devon County Council
Siggery Fund
DMCC
Devon Voluntary Action
Devon County Council
Royal Devon University Healthcare Trust
The Energy Savings Trust
Barnstaple PCN Alliance
Devon Voluntary Action
Devon County Council
Live Well in Braunton
Devon County Council
Barnstaple Town Council
The National Lottery Community Fund
The Norman Family Trust
Living Options (Siggery Fund)
Devon County Council
Devon Voluntary Action
TTVS
University College London
North Devon Council
Devon County Council
Devon County Council
The Energy Savings Trust
Ann Cleeves
Graham Devine
Torrington Health
Devon County Council
Devon County Council
Devon County Council
The National Lottery Community Fund
The Asda Foundation
North Devon Bioshere Foundation
The Davie Trust
Project
Core
Core
CVS
CVS
CVS
CVS
CVS
CVS
CVS Training
CVS Training
Core
Core
Core
Core
Core
Core
Core
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
DASP (5)
DASP (5)
DASP (5)
CH&SCT (22)
Care Direct (24)
Comm Dev (46)
361 Energy (48)
Barnstaple PCN (50)
COMF (52)
AONB (53)
LWIB (54)
DCC Teachers Hub (56)
Volunteer Awards (59)
Revitalising Volunteers (60)
Revitalising Volunteers (60)
Visual Impairment (61)
DCC Growing Communities (62)
Homes for Ukraine (63)
Homes for Ukraine (63)
Kailo Co-Pilot (64)
NDDC Volunteer Connector (65)
DCC Grow Comms - Yoga (66)
DCC Grow Comms - Mini Gardeners (67)
361 Warmer Homes P2 (68)
The Woodyard (69)
The Woodyard (69)
The Woodyard (69)
End of Year Events - GCF (71)
DCC Grow Comms - Training (72)
DCC Grow Comms - Events (73)
NLCF - Reach Comms / Partnerships (74)
Empower Local Communities (75)
NDBF Biosphere Communities (76)
The Davie Tust - Youth (78)
TOTAL
Unrestricted Restricted
Total
24/25
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
23/24
£
£
£
£
£
£
17,000
-
17,000
17,000
-
17,000
2,008
-
2,008
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,000
-
2,000
(2,500)
-
2,500
-
2,500
-
2,500
-
-
-
200
-
200
95
-
95
25
-
25
2,250
-
2,250
-
-
-
288
-
288
-
-
-
2,000
-
2,000
1,000
-
1,000
2,000
-
2,000
-
-
400
-
400
-
-
595
-
595
306
-
306
-
-
-
186
-
186
-
-
-
20
-
20
-
-
-
100
-
100
-
-
-
175
-
175
141
-
141
1,000
-
1,000
1,000
-
1,000
-
-
-
203
-
203
300
-
300
-
-
-
300
-
300
-
-
-
200
-
200
-
-
-
300
-
300
-
-
-
300
-
300
-
-
-
51,685
51,685
-
48,759
48,759
-
-
-
760
760
1,017
1,017
-
-
-
-
-
-
5,632
5,632
-
-
-
8,957
8,957
-
-
-
15,434
15,434
-
-
-
42,431
42,431
25,987
25,987
-
35,579
35,579
-
-
-
1,990
-
1,990
-
47,041
47,041
-
30,161
30,161
67,971
67,971
-
68,405
68,405
-
-
-
300
300
-
-
-
1,000
1,000
20,000
20,000
-
1,000
1,000
500
500
-
-
-
-
-
-
10,416
10,416
-
-
-
1,000
1,000
-
-
-
2,577
2,577
-
-
-
2,000
2,000
-
-
-
20,000
20,000
20,000
20,000
-
40,000
40,000
-
-
-
2,927
2,927
-
-
-
3,000
3,000
55,606
55,606
-
43,786
43,786
20,000
20,000
-
20,000
20,000
-
-
-
2,000
2,000
240
240
-
-
-
2,989
2,989
3,000
3,000
-
-
-
2,000
2,000
-
-
-
143,192
143,192
-
-
720
720
-
-
4,500
4,500
-
-
1,000
1,000
-
-
26,327
464,458
490,785
25,064
407,124
432,188

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

3. Net Incoming Resources for Year Ending
2023
2025 2024
£ £
This is stated after charging depreciation 97 129
4. Examination & Accounting Fees
Independent Examiners Fees 2,190 2,180
Examination & Accounting Fees 2,190 2,180
5. Employees ' Costs (including pension and employers national
insurance)
5. Employees ' Costs (including pension and employers national
insurance)
Gross Salaries
Employers National Insurance
Pension Costs
Employers Allowance
315,264
293,358
22,209
19,080
8,444
8,427
(5,000)
(5,000)
Total Employee Cost
Average number of full time equivalent
employees in the year:
No Employees received emoluments over £60,000
340,917 315,865
10.9
10.4

6. Trustee Remuneration & Related Party Transactions

No trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the year.

No loans were made to Trustees by the charity or by Trustees to the Charity (YE 2024 nil).

7. Taxation

The charity’s activities fall within the exemptions afforded by the provisions of Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988. Accordingly, there is no taxation charge in these accounts.

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

£ YE 2025 £ YE 2024
8 Tangible Assets
8.1 Cost or Valuation
As at 1st April 2024 20,653 20,653
Disposals
Additions
As at 31st March 2024 20,653 20,653
8.2 Accumulated Depreciaton
As at 1st April 2024 20,265 20,136
Depreciation on Disposals
Charge for the Year 97 129
As at 31st March 2024 20,362 20,265
8.3 Net Book Value
As at 1st April 2024 388 517
As at 31st March 2025 291 388
9 Debtors & Prepayments
Grant Funding 723 2,058
Other Debtors - -
Prepayments 2,902 3,132
3,625 5,190
All of which are due within one year
10 Current Liabilities - Due within one year
Other Creditors 11,675 8,312
Taxation, PAYE & INS 6,873 5,067
18,548 13,379

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

11. Movement in Funds 24/25

Statutory Requirement in Accounts/ to show each funding stream

Balance Incoming Outgoing Transfers Balance
Bfwd £ Resources Resources £ £ Cfwd £
£
DASP 40,218 55,792 (62,366) 33,644
Care Direct 0 - - 0
NCH &SCT 0 - - 0
Live Well in Braunton 0 - - 0
Community Builder (Comm Dev) 0 - - 0
Grow, Share, Cook 0 - - 0
361 Energy Redress 0 - - 0
Barnstaple PCN 1,100 25,987 (26,989) 98
Kickstart (0) - - (0)
COMF 0 - - 0
Active Devon 0 - - 0
Early Nourishment (0) - - (0)
Velocity 0 - - 0
Live Well in Braunton (Lottery) 60 67,971 (67,840) 191
DCC Teachers Hub 1,194 - - 1,194
Revitalising Volunteers 1,239 20,500 (1,875) 19,864
AONB Finding Nature's Footsteps 468 47,041 (47,313) 196
COL Community 0 - - 0
Warmer Spaces (0) - - (0)
Volunteer Awards 0 - - 0
Visual Impairment 7,610 - (1,925) 5,685
DCC Growing Communities 4 - - 4
Homes for Ukraine 0 - - 0
Kailo Co-Pilot 0 - - 0
NDDC Volunteer Connnector 8,437 20,000 (28,437) 0
DCC Growing Communities - Yoga 0 - - 0
DCC Growing Communities - Mini Gardeners 0 - - 0
361 Warmer Homes Phase 2 (5,531) 55,606 (81,016) (30,941)
The Woodyard 19,387 20,240 (27,795) 11,832
End of Year Events - GCF 0 - - 0
DCC Growing Communities - Training 0 3,000 (3,000) 0
DCC Growing Communities - Events 0 2,000 (2,000) 0
NLCF - Reaching Communities/Partnerships 0 143,192 (119,318) 23,874
Empowering Local Communities - Asda Foundat 0 970 (970) 0
NDBF Biosphere Communities 0 4,500 (4,500) 0
The Davie Trust 0 1,000 (1,000) 0
Total Restricted Funds 74,186 467,799 (476,344) - 65,641
Designated Fund 1,283 1,954 3,237
General Funds 129,199 37,959 (50,121) (1,954) 115,083
Total Unrestricted Fund 130,482 37,959 (50,121) - 118,320
Total Funds 204,668 505,758 (526,465) - 183,961

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

Prior Year Comparison 23/24

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

Funders 2024/2025:

----- Start of picture text -----
Project Funded by:
DASP
Purpose:
Dedicated to improving access to information, services and Devon County Council
representation focussing on volunteer lead community transport
schemes.
Live Well in Braunton
Purpose:
Provide Community Connector services and support community Live Well in Braunton
building, including volunteer hub, across the Live Well Braunton National Lottery Bid
area.
Revitalising Volunteers
Purpose:
To organise and facilitate a series of events and celebrations to The National Lottery
expand volunteer numbers, as they have rapidly declined since Awards 4 All Fund
the COVID-19 pandemic.
Warmer Homes (361 Energy)
Purpose:
To provide advice, guidance and practical support to improve Energy Redress Fund
energy efficiency and affordability.
Barnstaple Alliance Primary Care
Purpose:
Barnstaple Alliance Primary
To support provide advice and information and connect people to
Care
their local community to improve wellbeing.
NDCNL - Finding Nature’s Footprint
Purpose:
Devon County Council
To learn more about the nature in our villages, gardens, fields and
through National Lottery
shores through surveys, monitoring and mapping of wildlife
Heritage Fund
including plants, mammals, insects and birds.
Visual Impairment
Purpose:
To strengthen peer support opportunities for people living with
visual impairments in Barnstaple and locality. To support
Living Options
Barnstaple Visual Impairment Consortium to operate and provide
(Siggery Fund)
activities, equipment or services enabling social connection for
people with visual impairment
DCC Growing Communities - Training
Purpose:
To support our subsidised training offer to our local VCSE Sector
in order to help them in their day-to-day work, ensure compliant Devon County Council
and supportive as well as becoming more innovative, productive
and successful.
----- End of picture text -----

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

----- Start of picture text -----
DCC Growing Communities
Purpose:
To contribute to the facilitation of a range of revitalising Devon County Council
volunteering events to help promote and attract volunteers to the
sector.
NDDC Volunteer Connector
Purpose:
Funding for impactful volunteering and/or social action projects to
develop social and human capital in local places. Specifically, to
This project is funded by the
employ a volunteer connector, enabling the expansion of the
UK Government through the
number of organisations registering for volunteering placements,
UK Shared Prosperity Fund
alongside an increase in actual volunteers. Maintaining Devon
and in partnership with
Connect platform, and support VCSE Groups to use this as well
North Devon Council
as any other relevant training and support. As well as to work
with other organisations to host events highlighting/celebrating
volunteering.
The Woodyard
Purpose:
To hold, administer and allocate funds to Third Parties as
instructed to support the development of a central community hub, Ann Cleeves
known as “The Woodyard” which would bring charity workers and Graham Devine
members of the community together, improve communication and
understanding, cut costs and provide opportunities for different
and creative ways of working, and to make sure loneliness is
reduced. This now includes employing a Project Co-ordinator.
NLCF Reaching Communities / Partnerships
Purpose:
To build a strong, vibrant and connected VCSE sector using a
community development alliance model, to help bring about social
change and improve the quality of life across North Devon and National Lottery Community
Torridge. Looking at Community Development best practice, how Fund
to engage with hard-to-reach community members, as well as
form a Northern Devon Community Development alliance,
including sustainable funding model.
Empowering Local Communities
Purpose:
To support the facilitation of a range of revitalising volunteer
events as well as supporting our annual subsidised training offer Asda Foundation
to increase knowledge and confidence of volunteers who work
with the isolate, lonely and vulnerable members of our community.
NDBF Biosphere Communities
North Devon Voluntary Services (NDVS) and the North Devon
North Devon Biosphere
Biosphere Foundation (NDBF) are partnering on the Biosphere
Foundation
Communities project to empower local communities in taking
action for nature, climate, and sustainable land management.
NDVS supports eight community hubs by building their capacity,
delivering engagement and training workshops, and collaborating
with partners like Westcountry Rivers Trust and Biosphere
----- End of picture text -----

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

Community Animators. Their work focuses on co-creating
activities that reflect community aspirations and environmental
priorities, while contributing to broader initiatives such as
exhibitions, forums, and youth events.
NDVS also helps communities design and run practical
environmental projects—like river cleans, tree planting, and
citizen science—and supports impact monitoring to inform project
learning and reporting. Through this collaboration, NDVS
strengthens green skills, raises awareness of sustainable
practices, and fosters long-term, community-led environmental
stewardship across the North Devon Biosphere.
The Davie Trust (Youth)
Purpose:
To help us to start implementing our Youth Volunteering Agenda
by allowing us to work with youth led organisations and
understand how to best engage with our youth and break down
barriers around volunteering.
The Davie Trust

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North Devon Voluntary Services Limited

12. Analysis of Assets

Tangible Fixed Assets
Curent Assets
Current Liabilities
General
Funds £
Designated
Funds £
Restricted
Funds £
2025 Total £
2024 Total
£
General
Funds £
Designated
Funds £
Restricted
Funds £
291
-
-
291
388
388
-
-
132,978
3,237
66,003
202,218
217,659
137,117
1,283
79,259
(18,186)
(362)
(18,548)
(13,378)
(8,306)
-
(5,073)
115,083
3,237
65,641
183,961
204,668
129,199
1,283
74,186

Purpose of Designated Funds

NDVS has felt that it is prudent to provide for redundancy costs. The total estimated as at 31[st] March 2025 is £16,156 from which £12,919 is calculated as being the cost for those staff working for DASP (Restricted Funding) and is built into their ongoing budget. The remaining £3,237 represents those staff who are currently being funded from Unrestricted Funds.

Non-regular Costs

None have been recorded during 2024/2025.

13. Company Status

NDVS is a private company limited by guarantee and consequently does not have share capital.

Each director of the company is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £10 towards the assets of the charitable company in the event of liquidation.

14. Grants Redistributed

NDVS were awarded, via the Siggery Fund (£10,416) and DeVA/TTVS (£4,577), during FY24/24 which required funds to be distributed to smaller charitable entities. The purpose of these funds was to provide activities, equipment or services to enable social connection for people living with visual impairment and to provide help and support with the refugee crisis via the Homes for Ukraine project. These fund payments amounted to £14,993 and are shown as an expenditure item in Restricted Funding.

END OF REPORT

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