CHALLENGE YOURSELF
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 24-25
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
Over the past year, we have seen young people 2 challenge themselves in many different ways.
Sometimes that means trying something completely new. Sometimes it means speaking up, making a new friend, joining in with a group or simply having the confidence to come through the door.
At Youth Space, we know that these steps can make a real difference.
Many of the young people and families we support are dealing with challenges they did not choose. Financial pressure, isolation, difficulties at home and worries about the future can all affect a young person’s confidence and wellbeing.
We cannot change everything that young people are facing, but we can provide somewhere safe, supportive and welcoming. We can give young people people they can trust and opportunities to try things for themselves.
This year, our programmes have continued to do just that.
Through sport, outdoor activities, mentoring, holiday programmes, family activities and practical support, young people have had opportunities to learn, take part, make friends and build confidence.
The impact is often seen in the small moments.
Î A young person joining in for the first time.
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Î Someone speaking up when they would normally stay quiet.
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Î A child discovering a talent they have never before.
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Î A family enjoying an activity together.
These moments are why we do what we do.
Thank you to our staff and volunteers for the time, care and energy they give to Youth Space. Thank you to our partners, funders and supporters for helping us provide these opportunities.
Most importantly, thank you to the young people and families who trust us and allow us to be part of their lives.
There will always be challenges. What matters is having the support to face them and the confidence to keep going.
J. Wider
Director, Youth Space
Mission
To support disadvantaged young people to build confidence, develop skills and improve their wellbeing through positive experiences, trusted relationships and opportunities to try new things.
Vision
A future where every young person has the opportunity to thrive, whatever their circumstances.
goal
To provide safe and supportive spaces where young people can build confidence, develop skills and discover what they are capable of.
Impact in Numbers
340 users
22 New young people engaged
6,238 Volunteer hours
16,500+ Meals provided
3,200 Personal care items distributed
36 Different is Not Alien workshops
1,064 Youth work hours
5
our projects
Participants: 72 Workshops delivered: 36
Different is Not Alien
Everyone deserves to feel accepted.
Different is Not Alien gives young people a safe space to talk about identity, relationships and difference.
Through workshops, discussions and activities, young people build communication skills, confidence and a better understanding of others.
Young people also have opportunities to share their ideas and take on leadership roles.
IMPACT
90% improved confidence communicating with others. 87% developed greater understanding and acceptance of difference.
85% reported stronger relationships with peers. 84% increased confidence and resilience.
Young people supported: 60 Brunch meals provided: 4,560
Milky Way Brunch Programme
90%
A place to belong.
School holidays can be difficult for some young people, particularly when there is less routine and fewer opportunities to see friends.
Milky Way gives young people somewhere welcoming to come, enjoy a healthy brunch and take part in activities such as sport, crafts and games.
It gives young people a chance to meet others, have fun and feel part of something.
IMPACT
93% reported improved energy and wellbeing. 90% felt more connected during holiday periods. 88% increased confidence taking part in activities.
6
Young people supported: 80 Mentoring sessions delivered: 240+ Mentors involved: 12
Mentorship Matters
Someone to talk to. Someone who believes in you.
Our mentors give young people a consistent person who listens, encourages them and helps them work towards their goals.
Over time, young people build confidence, develop practical skills and start to recognise their own strengths.
IMPACT
Fitter as a Family
Time together. Getting active together. Fitter as a Family gives families the chance to be active together through weekly sport and physical activity sessions.
88% reported increased confidence. 85% improved goal-setting skills. 82% developed practical life skills.
Families can try new activities, spend positive time together and meet other families in their community. The programme is helping families become more active while also building stronger relationships.
IMPACT
90% increased their physical activity. 87% reported stronger family relationships. 85% reported improved wellbeing.
7
Young people and families supported: 210 Items distributed: 3,200
Personal Care Pantry
Practical help when families need it. For families under financial pressure, buying everyday essentials can be difficult.
The Personal Care Pantry provides young people and families with hygiene and self-care items, helping them feel prepared and confident for school, activities and everyday life.
IMPACT
90% reported improved confidence and selfesteem.
84% felt more prepared for school and activities 87% said the support reduced pressure on their family.
Participants: 160 Duration: Two-week residential Location: Anglesey / Isle of Wight
Bushcraft Breakthrough
Trying something you never thought you could do. Bushcraft Breakthrough gives young people the chance to spend time outdoors, try new activities and take on challenges away from their usual surroundings. Through teamwork, adventure and practical activities, young people develop independence, resilience and confidence.
IMPACT
95% gained new outdoor skills 89% felt more independent 91% developed confidence working with others
8
Young people engaged: 50 Sessions delivered: 40
Skills in Action
Learning something new.
Skills in Action gives young people opportunities to develop digital, creative and practical skills. Through computer courses, budgeting skills and financial literacy programs, young people learn to solve problems, try things out and work independently.
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new
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For some, it is about learning a new skill. For others, it can open up new interests and possibilities for the future.
IMPACT
88% increased confidence trying new skills
84% developed new digital and practical skills 91% felt more positive about future opportunities
new
Green Challenge
Try something new. Make a difference.
Our Green Challenge gives young people and volunteers the chance to take practical action for the environment. Activities include planting and growing, recycling, reusing materials and community clean-ups.
Young people and volunteers will help choose challenges and see the difference they can make together.
feedback
“People know me here”
Maryanna 12, started coming to Youth Space when she was finding it difficult to connect with others. She was quiet and tended to keep to herself.
Over time, she got to know staff and other young people and started joining in more. She now shares her ideas and has become someone younger participants look up to.
“I like coming here because people know me. I don’t feel like I have to pretend to be someone else.”
“We needed this as a family” Sarah, 11, joined Fitter as a Family with her family.
They wanted to be more active but did not always have opportunities that felt comfortable and accessible. The weekly sessions gave them something to do together and helped them meet other families.
“I like coming because we do things together and everyone is friendly.”
“A Challenge I Never Thought I Could Do”
Bushcraft Breakthrough M.B. arrived at camp feeling overwhelmed and withdrawn and often kept his feelings to himself.
Being away from his usual surroundings gave him the chance to take a break from his worries. With encouragement from the mentors, he gradually started joining in. By the end of the week, he had taken on a leadership role during a bushcraft challenge and was proud of what he had achieved.
“For the first time in a long while, I could leave my worries behind.”
WE KEEP CHALLENGING OURSELVES
We want young people to keep trying new things, and we know that we need to do the same.
This year we have continued to grow our volunteer team and develop our staff and volunteers through training, including mental health and wellbeing.
We continue to listen to young people and families, learn from their experiences and look for ways to improve.
There is always more we can do.
challenge.
Youth Space Trustees’ Annual Report Year ended 31 October 2025
Structure, governance and management
Youth Space is constituted under a Trust Deed dated 23 June 2009. It is a registered charity number 1136913 and was registered with the Charity Commission on 15 June 2010.
There is no chief executive officer. The day-to-day affairs are undertaken by Mr Katz on behalf of the trustees. All major decisions are taken collectively by the trustees, and all the trustees give of their time freely. The trustees are unpaid and details of any related party transactions are disclosed as applicable in the notes to the accounts. The arrangements for setting the pay of the charity’s employees are the sole domain of the trustees.
A policy and procedure for the induction and training of new trustees is currently being developed and will be implemented in the coming year.
Risk review
The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the Trust and are satisfied that systems are in place to manage our exposure to the major risks.
The risks faced by the trust are principally operational risks from ineffective grant making. These risks are managed by the trustees researching potential beneficiaries before granting donations.
Report back and review procedures strengthen these safeguards to ensure public benefit is achieved from all grants.
Youth Space Trustees’ Annual Report Year ended 31 October 2024
Objectives and activities
The objects of the charity are:
(1) to advance in life and relieve needs of young people through:-
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the provision of recreational and leisure time activities provided in the interest of social welfare, designed to improve their conditions of life;
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providing support and activities which develop their skills, capacities and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as mature and responsible individuals.
(2) to promote any other exclusively charitable objects and purposes as the trustees see fit, provided that they are regarded as charitable by the law of England and Wales.
Public benefit
The trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and in particular to its supplementary public benefit guidance on advancing education when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities and setting grant making policy for the year.
Grant making policy and grant funding
The charity is funded partly by grant funding.
There were no individual or institutional grants made during the year.
The application of the funds by way of grants is either institutions or individuals and is almost always to institutions.
The charity invites applications for funding through contacting grant making authorities and local philanthropists to contribute towards projects that are appropriate for the charity’s objects.
The trustees wish to record their appreciation to all the above benefactors for their kind support of the activities of the charity.
The trustees consider they have met the public benefit test and outline these achievements below.
The trustees measure the success of achieving the stated aims by the number and value of grants paid out for each object. The grants paid out in the year are detailed in the notes to the accounts and the trustees consider they have met their aims successfully this year.
The trustees consider the shorter-term aims to be similar to the longer term aims and assess the achievement of the charity in the same way.
Youth Space Trustees’ Annual Report Year ended 31 October 2024
Achievements and performance
The charity received £96,835 (2024: £148,297) in donations and £42,178 (2024: £120,354) in grants during the year.
The charity paid out a total of £147,892 (2024: £249,742) on out of school activities and residential summer camps including support costs, all of which are in line with the objects of the charity.
In the face of a challenging year marked by a rising cost of living, Youth Space not only persevered but thrived, achieving significant milestones in expanding out of school activities and summer camps, reaching over 160 children and young people aged 8-15. Despite economic challenges, the organisation strengthened support services, witnessing uplifting transformations in the lives of youth.
Acknowledging the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, trustees express a dedicated commitment to navigating these challenges. Future initiatives focus on reducing waiting times, recruiting and training more volunteers, and establishing collaborations. Existing programs continue empowering youth with crucial support, nourishment, and skills development, showcasing the organisation’s resilience and commitment amid evolving circumstances.
The Trustees extend heartfelt thanks to our partners for their unwavering support.
The charity has low governance costs comprising professional fees.
There were no related party transactions in the reporting period.
There were no material fundraising costs during the year.
There were an overall net expenditure and movement of funds for the year amounting to (£8,879) (2024: £18,909), with an expenditure of £15,879 on the unrestricted fund, and an income of £7,000 on the restricted fund as detailed on the Statement of Financial Activities.
Youth Space Trustees’ Annual Report Year ended 31 October 2024
Financial review
The trustees feel that the activity reflects the profile and standing within the local community. The impact for future year’s expenditure is self-evident, and the trustees would like to record their appreciation for all the financial support received from benefactors during the course of the year.
Reserves policy
The unrestricted fund represents the unrestricted funds arising from past operating results.
The trustees are satisfied that the balance of the fund is an acceptable level of reserves given the nature of revenue receipts against grants payable.
In considering the limited financial obligations of the charity, the trustees have resolved to maintain a minimum reserve roughly equal to the net current assets of the charity.
The trustees are delighted to have made many valuable contributions to the community as a result of this income and hope to be able to do so for many years to come.
The free reserves being the net current assets stand at £13,355 (2024: £22,234), of which £6,355 are unrestricted.
Total funds held by the charity at the year-end were £13,355 (2024: £22,234). Of these £7,000 was restricted and £6,355 unrestricted.
The trustees’ annual report was approved on 19 August 2026 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:
J Wider
Trustee
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Youth Space Year ended 31 October 2025
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Youth Space (‘the charity’) for the year ended 31 October 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity, you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and 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:
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Accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
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the financial statements 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.
Mr Howard Schwalbe ACA Independent Examiner
2nd Floor - Parkgates Bury New Road Prestwich Manchester M25 0TL
19 August 2026
Youth Space Statement of Financial Activities Year ended 31 October 2025
| Note | Unrestricted funds £ |
2025 Restricted funds £ |
Total funds £ |
2024 Total funds £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income and endowments Donations and legacies 4 Total income Expenditure Expenditure on charitable activities 5,6 Total expenditure Net (expenditure)/income and net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
96,835 | 42,178 | 139,013 | 268,651 |
| 96,835 | 42,178 | 139,013 | 268,651 | |
| 112,714 | 35,178 | 147,892 | 249,742 | |
| 112,714 | 35,178 | 147,892 | 249,742 | |
| (15,879) | 7,000 | (8,879) | 18,909 | |
| 22,234 | – | 22,234 | 3,325 | |
| 6,355 | 7,000 | 13,355 | 22,234 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The notes on pages 18 to 23 form part of these financial statements.
Youth Space Statement of Financial Position 31 October 2025
| Note | 2025 £ |
2025 £ |
£ | 2024 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current assets Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Net assets Funds of the charity Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Total charity funds |
11 | 14,165 810 |
24,519 2,285 22,234 22,234 22,234 – 22,234 22,234 |
||
| 13,355 | |||||
| 13,355 | |||||
| 13,355 | |||||
| 7,000 6,355 |
|||||
| 12 | 13,355 |
These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 19 August 2026, and are signed on behalf of the board by:
J Wider
Trustee
.
The notes on pages 18 to 13 form part of these financial statements
Youth Space Notes to the Financial Statements Year ended 31 October 2025
1. General information
The charity is a public benefit entity and a registered charity in England and Wales and is unincorporated. The address of the principal office is 83 Geldeston Road, London, E5 8RS.
2.Statement of compliance
These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland’, the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Charities Act 2011.
3.Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities and investment properties measured at fair value through income or expenditure. The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.
Going concern
There are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue.
Fair value
Debtors and creditors are stated at fair value.
Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
The preparation of the financial statements did not require management to make judgements, estimates or assumptions that affect the amounts reported.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds held by the charity are funds that can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees.
Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed to the charity; it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:
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income from donations or grants is recognised when there is evidence of entitlement to the gift, receipt is probable and its amount can be measured reliably.
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legacy income is recognised when receipt is probable and entitlement is established.
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income from donated goods is measured at the fair value of the goods unless this is impractical to measure reliably, in which case the value is derived from the cost to the donor or the estimated resale value. Donated facilities and services are recognised in the accounts when received if the value can be reliably measured. No amounts are included for the contribution of general volunteers.
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income from contracts for the supply of services is recognised with the delivery of the contracted service. This is classified as unrestricted funds unless there is a contractual requirement for it to be spent on a particular purpose and returned if unspent, in which case it may be regarded as restricted.
Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is classified under headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates:
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expenditure on raising funds includes the costs of all fundraising activities, events, non charitable trading activities, and the sale of donated goods.
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expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs incurred by a charity in undertaking activities that further its charitable aims for the benefit of its beneficiaries, including those support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable activities.
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other expenditure includes all expenditure that is neither related to raising funds for the charity nor part of its expenditure on charitable activities.
All costs are allocated to expenditure categories reflecting the use of the resource. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs are apportioned between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis.
Financial instruments
A financial asset or a financial liability is recognised only when the charity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the amount receivable or payable including any related transaction costs.
Current assets and current liabilities are subsequently measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received and not discounted.
Debt instruments are subsequently measured at amortised cost.
Where investments in shares are publicly traded or their fair value can otherwise be measured reliably, the investment is subsequently measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in income and expenditure. All other such investments are subsequently measured at cost less impairment.
Other financial instruments, including derivatives, are initially recognised at fair value, unless payment for an asset is deferred beyond normal business terms or financed at a rate of interest that is not a market rate, in which case the asset is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.
Financial instruments (continued)
Other financial instruments are subsequently measured at fair value, with any changes recognised in the statement of financial activities, with the exception of hedging instruments in a designated hedging relationship.
Financial assets that are measured at cost or amortised cost are reviewed for objective evidence of impairment at the end of each reporting date. If there is objective evidence of impairment, an impairment loss is recognised under the appropriate heading in the statement of financial activities in which the initial gain was recognised.
For all equity instruments regardless of significance, and other financial assets that are individually significant, these are assessed individually for impairment. Other financial assets are either assessed individually or grouped on the basis of similar credit risk characteristics.
Any reversals of impairment are recognised immediately, to the extent that the reversal does not result in a carrying amount of the financial asset that exceeds what the carrying amount would have been had the impairment not previously been recognised.
4. Donations and legacies
| Unrestricted Funds £ |
Unrestricted Funds £ |
Restricted Funds £ |
Total Funds 2025 £ 96,835 42,178 139,013 Total Funds 2024 £ 148,297 Total Funds 2024 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donations Donations & grants receivable Grants Grants receivable |
96,835 – 96,835 |
– 42,178 42,178 |
||
| Unrestricted Funds £ |
Restricted Funds £ |
|||
| Donations Donations & grants receivable |
148,297 Unrestricted Funds £ |
– Restricted Funds £ |
||
| Grants Grants receivable |
– | 120,354 | 120,354 268,651 |
|
| 148,297 | 120,354 |
5. Expenditure on charitable activities by fund type
| Unrestricted Funds £ |
Restricted Funds Total Funds 2025 £ £ |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential summer sleep away Support costs |
111,905 809 |
35,178 147,083 – 809 |
|
| 112,714 | 35,178 147,892 |
||
| Unrestricted Funds £ |
Restricted Funds £ Total Funds 2024 £ |
||
| Residential summer sleep away 128,609 120,354 248,962 Support costs 779 – 780 129,388 120,354 249,742 6. Expenditure on charitable activities by activity type Activities undertaken directly £ £ Support costs £ Total funds 2025 £ Total fund 2024 £ |
128,609 779 |
120,354 248,962 – 780 |
|
| 129,388 | 120,354 249,742 |
||
| Residential summer sleep away Governance costs |
147,083 – 147,083 248,962 – 809 809 780 |
||
| 147,083 809 147,892 249,742 |
6. Expenditure on charitable activities by activity type
7. Analysis of support costs
| Analysis of support costs £ |
Total 2025 £ |
Total 2024 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Governance costs 809 8. Independent examination fees |
809 | 809 | 780 |
| 2025 £ |
2024 £ |
||
| Fees payable to the independent examiner for: Independent examination of the financial statements |
810 | 780 |
9. Staff costs
The average head count of employees during the year was Nil (2024: Nil). No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2024: Nil).
10. Trustee remuneration and expenses
No remuneration or other benefits from employment with the charity or a related entity were received by the trustees.
11. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
| 2025 £ |
2024 £ |
|
|---|---|---|
| Accruals and deferred income | 810 | 2,285 |
12. Analysis of charitable funds
Unrestricted funds
| At 01 Nov 2024 £ |
At 01 Nov 2024 £ |
Income £ |
Expenditure £ |
At 31 Oct 2025 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General funds | 22,234 | 96,835 | (112,714) | 6,355 | |
| At 01 Nov 2023 £ |
Income £ |
Expenditure £ |
At 31 Oct 2024 £ |
||
| General funds Restricted funds |
3,325 | 148,297 | (129,388) | 22,234 | |
| At 01 Nov 2024 £ |
Income £ |
Expenditure £ |
At 31 Oct 2025 £ |
||
| Summer camp grants fund | – At 01 Nov 2023 £ |
– | 42,178 | (35,178) | 7,000 |
Income £ |
Expenditure £ |
At 31 Oct 2024 £ |
|||
| Summer camp grants fund | – | 120,354 | (120,354) | – |
13. Analysis of net assets between funds
| Unrestricted Funds £ Restricted Funds £ Total Funds 2025 £ |
|
|---|---|
| Current assets Creditors less than 1 year Net assets |
7,165 7,000 14,165 (810) – (810) |
| 6,355 7,000 13,355 |
|
| Unrestricted Funds £ Restricted Funds £ Total Funds 2024 £ |
|
| Current assets Creditors less than 1 year Net assets |
24,519 – 24,519 (2,285) – (2,285) |
| 22,234 – 22,234 |
14. Taxation
Youth Space is a registered charity and therefore is not liable to income tax or corporation tax on income derived from its charitable activities, as it falls within the various exemptions available to registered charities.
Reference and administrative details
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Registered charity name Youth Space Charity registration number
1136913
Principal office
83 Geldeston Road London E5 8RS
The trustees
A Y Finkelstein J Wider C M Weiss
Independent examiner
Mr Howard Schwalbe ACA 2nd Floor - Parkgates Bury New Road Prestwich Manchester M25 0TL