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North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2025
North London Action for the Homeless
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
Company limited by guarantee. Registered in England and Wales No. 07178434. Registered Charity No. 1139024.
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North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2025
The objects of NLAH are to run a drop in centre that is open to all who are homeless or in need, within an ethos of service, respect and acceptance. We also run a wellbeing gardening project as an educational programme to increase the knowledge and skills of people to address food poverty where they learn to grow and cook different food.
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North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2025
Trustees Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Reference and administrative information | 4 |
| Report of the trustees | 5 |
| Independent examiner’s report | 10 |
| Statement of financial activities | 12 |
| Statement of financial position | 13 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 14 |
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North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2025
Trustees
James Nguyen (Chair) Conor Gibson (Vice Chair) George Currie (Treasurer) Elizabeth Barnes Sarah Baker-White Jayne Doherty Ellen Tansey Jessica Hodge (Resigned, 19th November 2025)
Registered Office
St Paul’s Church West Hackney Stoke Newington Road London N16 7UY
Charity and Company Registration
Registered charity 1139024
Company limited by guarantee in England and Wales 07178434
Independent examiner
Kim D Hooper 132 Admirals Tower 8 Dowells Street London SE10 9GE
Banker
Unity Trust Bank plc Nine Brindleyplace 4 Oozells Square Birmingham B1 2HB
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North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2025
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
Activities, Achievements and Performance 2024-2025
In the last reporting year, April 2024 to March 2025, North London Action for the Homeless (“ NLAH ”) focused on delivering its core services to guests through:
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individual one-on-one support and advocacy services provided by our Co-Centre Managers, helping guests with a wide range of issues and challenges;
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our twice-weekly drop-in meal sessions and additional services provided during those sessions, such as haircuts, showers, laundry services, as well as connecting guests with other local organisations;
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our Wellbeing Gardening Project; and
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social activities as part of our Social Isolation Project.
It is clear that it remains a seriously difficult time for many of our guests, with the continued cost-of-living crisis and cuts to government and non-profit services disproportionately impacting those most in need within our community. As such, NLAH remains dedicated to both filling the gaps left by the diminishing capacity of these support services, as well as providing a regular safe space and some measure of comfort where possible for our guests.
In that context, it has not been surprising to see an increase in demand for both our advocacy services and the meal sessions (including the additional services provided during those sessions).
Key outputs from our service for the year ending 31 March 2025 include:
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More than 7,300 Meals (2024: approximately 6,600 meals) – this is a fairly significant increase compared to last year and continues the upwards trend of attendance at our drop-in meal sessions over the last few years.
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Ran 13 gardening sessions as part of our Wellbeing Gardening Project (2024: 16 gardening sessions), including 10 regular gardening sessions and 3 events.
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Provided support 208 times to our guests (2024: support was provided 198 times) – one on one support, which was a little bit higher than last year, continues to be a mix of one-off support and support relating to longer term and more complex issues. For example, we supported a guest (who we have been working with for over 10 years) with them moving into a council flat after many years of homelessness by helping them navigate the council housing system, organising direct debit arrangements, and helping them apply for council tax reductions. Otherwise, as with previous years, there was a wide variety and breadth of the types of support provided, including support with immigration and citizenship applications, liaising with health care providers, acting as a care of address, arranging foodbank vouchers or Oyster card top-ups, and referrals to other support service providers.
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Provided 14 food parcels with suitable shelf stable foods and toiletries (2024: 25 food parcels). This has significantly fallen compared to the previous year, continuing a downward trend in recent years as this is no longer core part of our service as it was during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Continued to be a hub for other organisations to offer support services such as health checks and financial or legal advice. For example, we partnered with First
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North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2025
Vision Eyecare to offer our guests free eye tests and free glasses for anyone that needed them. Some of the other organisations we partner with regularly are:
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Thames Reach - rough sleeping outreach
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Hackney Street Outreach Team – rough sleeping outreach
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Dual Diagnosis Rough Sleeper project (run by Turning Point / Hackney Recovery Services) – support with alcohol and substance use issues
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Rough Sleeping and Mental Health Project (RAMHP) – mental health services for rough sleepers
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Lawstop – provision of legal housing and immigration advice
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Hackney Here To Help – provision of financial / benefits advice
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Provided access to 1009 hot showers (2024: 813), 422 laundry washes (2024: 270) and 435 haircuts (2024: 253) during drop in sessions – guests’ use of these additional services significantly increased this year, and we have made adjustments to ensure we can meet such demand, including allowing guests to visit earlier to have showers and do laundry and installing a second washing machine.
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Ran 3 activities as part of our social isolation project, mainly showing films or other activities on Fridays (2024: 7 activities) – we were not able to offer as many social isolation sessions as last year, generally due to lack of availability of the St Pauls’ Church hall or staff.
Our plans for 2025-26
We plan to continue to run most of our key services; twice weekly drop in sessions with meals, advocacy service, and social activities.
Also, after 15 years of running the Wellbeing Gardening Project, it feels appropriate for us to pause and reflect on whether the project remains sustainable in its current form, so we will be undertaking a review of the project more broadly.
We are also planning to review NLAH’s current mission statement and consider whether any changes may be required to ensure it is still reflective of NLAH’s core services and the underlying values that NLAH seeks to uphold and promote through its work.
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North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2025
Financial Review and Reserves Policy
NLAH continues to enjoy strong local support from charitable funds and trusts, businesses and individuals.
During 2024-25, NLAH received over £31,000 in donations from the community and local businesses (2024: £29,000). The generosity of our local community ensured we were able to continue to focus on our service delivery supported by a secure financial position.
NLAH also received almost £63,000 in grant funding (2024: £78,000) from various charitable trusts. Details of our grant funding are shown in Note 2 to the accounts.
A large number of individuals volunteer their time at the twice weekly drop in sessions, with an active pool of around 80 volunteers that contribute their time to support these sessions, for which we are incredibly grateful. The charity is grateful to all those local businesses and individuals who have supported it during the year.
Expenditure increased during the year by over £5,000 to £104,000. This was largely due to increase in staff costs.
The charity aims to hold six months running costs in reserve. Due to steadily increasing costs of running our services, including increase in costs due to inflation, the Board decided to increase the Reserve Fund to £50,000 to reflect approximately six months of expenses.
Structure, governance and management
NLAH has been supporting homeless and vulnerable people in Stoke Newington for 32 years. NLAH was formed by members of the local community in 1993 and held its first dropin session that year.
NLAH originally formed as an unincorporated charity, registration number 1032580. The present charity was incorporated in 2010 and on 31 March 2010 the activities of charity number 1032580 were transferred to it.
The Charity’s trustees are appointed by the board and stand for re-election by the Charity’s Members at the Annual General Meeting. The trustees meet on average every six weeks, together with Management Committee including staff and members.
On a day-to-day basis, NLAH is run by five part-time staff. The Co-Centre Managers have responsibility for overseeing the running of the drop-in sessions (twice weekly), volunteer recruitment and the Wellbeing Gardening project. We have a Support worker that assists the Co-Centre managers with running the drop-in sessions. Two Cooks oversee the running of the kitchen for the drop-in sessions, with one Cook responsible for Monday lunchtime sessions and another Cook taking over kitchen duties for Wednesday dinner sessions. NLAH also employs a Mental Health support worker for the Wellbeing Gardening project.
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North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2025
Fundraising
NLAH raises money from charitable trusts, a donation page on JustGiving, Charities Aid Foundation, and a small number of fundraising events. Companies or individuals can set up campaign pages on the JustGiving website to raise funds on behalf of NLAH.
NLAH invites supporters to fundraising events. NLAH also promotes our annual Winter appeal on JustGiving and makes it known we are looking for particular food items or toiletries on our social media channels.
NLAH does not contact individuals requesting donations.
THANK YOU
We would like to say a huge thank you to all our supporters. Big or small, all the assistance we receive is the reason we can keep our doors open to all those in need.
Thank you to our drop-in session volunteers, who are essential to providing a hot, 3 course meal to our service users twice every week.
For attending our sessions to provide services to our guests or accepting referrals
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Dual Diagnosis Rough Sleep Project (Turning Point)
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Find and Treat Van, UCL Mobile Health Unit
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Groundswell
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Hackney Migrant Centre
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Health Inclusion Project (Hackney Council/City of London)
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Hackney Here to Help
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Homerton Hospital Homeless Pathway Project
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NHS
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Lawstop
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Rough Adult Sleepers Mental Health Project (RAMPH)
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The City and Hackney Public Health Team - Clinical Van
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Thames Reach Outreach
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Vision Care
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North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2025
For food and goods and financial donations
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Akdeniz Bakery
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Blue Coats Pub
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Capital Lad
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Castle Gibson
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Dusty Knuckle
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Francis Holland School
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Girl Guides
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Growing Communities
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Hackney Wassail
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Highgate School
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L’Epicerie
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Mutual Aid Group (Stoke Newington)
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Rainbow Nursery
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Sai Baba Curry
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SoleShare
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SongWorks
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St Paul’s Harvest Donations
James Nguyen Chair
Date: 31/01/2026
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North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2025
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of North London Action for the Homeless
I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 12 to 17.
This report is made solely to the trustees as a body, in accordance with the Charities Act 2011. My examination has been undertaken so that I might state to the trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the trustees as a body, for my examination, for this report, or for the opinions I have formed.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the 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 you as 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.
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North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2025
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities
have not been met; or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Kim D Hooper 132 Admirals Tower 8 Dowells Street London SE10 9GE
Date: 1/31/2026
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North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2025
North London Action for the Homeless
Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2025
| Notes Incoming resources Grants 2 Donations and fundraising activities Total incoming resources Resources expended Drop In Centre running costs Advocacy Service running costs Wellbeing Programme running costs Social Isolation costs Accounting and governance costs Fundraising / publicity Depreciation 9 Total resources expended Net incoming / (outgoing) resources Transfer between funds Net movement in funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
2025 2024 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total 48,000 15,000 63,000 77,788 30,684 0 30,684 28,768 |
|---|---|
| 78,684 15,000 93,684 106,556 |
|
| 67,597 12,000 79,597 75,558 11,287 3,000 14,287 13,364 6,354 0 6,354 5,630 868 0 868 1,640 1,674 0 1,674 1,200 655 0 655 814 1,185 0 1,185 440 |
|
| 89,620 15,000 104,620 98,646 |
|
| (10,936) 0 (10,936) 7,910 0 0 0 0 |
|
| (10,936) 0 (10,936) 7,910 88,222 0 88,222 80,312 |
|
| 77,286 0 77,286 88,222 |
The notes on pages 14 to 17 form part of these accounts.
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North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2025
North London Action for the Homeless Company Number: 07178434 Statement of Financial Position as at 31 March 2025
| Notes | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Total | |||||||
| Tangible fixed assets | 9 | 3,172 | 632 | |||||
| Current assets | ||||||||
| Cash at bank and in hand Prepayments Total Current Assets |
73,874 | 88,590 | ||||||
| 5 | 1,024 | 0 | ||||||
| 74,898 | 88,590 | |||||||
| Creditors falling due within one year | ||||||||
| Creditors and accruals | 6 | 784 | 1,000 | |||||
| Net current assets | 74,114 | 87,590 | ||||||
| Net assets | 77,286 | 88,222 | ||||||
| Funds | ||||||||
| Designated Income Funds | 10 | 10,000 | 14,543 | |||||
| Reserve Fund - Designated | 10 | 50,000 | 45,000 | |||||
| Unrestricted Income Funds - not designated |
10 | 17,286 | 28,679 | |||||
| 77,286 | 88,222 |
Audit Exemption Statement
For the year ended 31 March 2025 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors’ (who are also trustees of the charity) responsibilities:
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the members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476;
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the directors’ acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of the accounts;
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these accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
Approved by the directors on 31 January 2026 and authorised for issue and signed for on their behalf by:
James Nguyen Chair
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North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2025
Notes to the Financial Statements
1 Accounting Policies
Basis of accounting
These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
Grants
Grants are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) as received following the satisfaction of any pre-conditions.
Donations and other income
Donations and other income are recognised when received.
Gifts in kind
Much of the food used by the charity is donated by local businesses. No value is assigned to contributions of food or clothes donations passed onto service users, or the provision of the services of a health access worker and a hairdresser. Similarly, the contribution by volunteers is not recognised in the accounts. Other gifts in kind are valued at their value to the charity.
Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis.
Allocation of expenditure
Expenditure is allocated directly to the appropriate fund, and where this is not possible costs are apportioned on the basis of time spent on the relevant activity.
Fixed assets
Expenditure on renewals, fixtures and fittings which exceeds £400 is capitalised.
Provision for depreciation of capitalised fixed assets held for use by the charity is made at annual rates calculated to write down their cost over their useful lives.
Kitchen Equipment: 3 Years Office Equipment: 3 Years Laundry Equipment: 5 Years
Provisions
Where the charity has an obligation to transfer economic benefits but no liability has been recognised, a provision is raised in accordance with FRS 12.
Taxation
No provision for taxation is included in the accounts as the charity is entitled to exemption from tax afforded by Section 505 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988.
Funds structure
The charity has a single unrestricted income fund and some of the grants received are restricted to a particular purpose. Part of the unrestricted income fund has been designated by the Management Committee as a Reserve Fund. See note 9 for further details.
Cashflow
The charity qualifies as a small company and therefore, in accordance with FRS1, no cashflow statement is required.
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North London Action for the Homeless
Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2025
| 2. Grants | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |
| London Community Foundation | 20,000 | 20,000 | ||
| Dr French Foundation | 20,000 | 20,000 | ||
| Albert Hunt Trust | 8,000 | 8,000 | ||
| West Hackney Parochial Charity | 15,000 | 15,000 | 15,000 | |
| The Betty Messenger | - | 40,000 | ||
| Tides Foundation | - | 7,788 | ||
| National Lottery Community | ||||
| Organisations Cost of Living Fund | - | 15,000 | ||
| Total | 48,000 | 15,000 | 63,000 | 77,788 |
3. Salary costs
During the year the charity employed five (2024: five) part-time employees. No employee earned more than £60,000 per annum.
4. Insurance
Public & employer's liability Insurance was purchased at a cost of £394 (2024: £325).
Trustees Indemnity insurance was purchased for £284 (2024: £284).
| 5. | Prepayments | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Payroll Expenses | 1024 | 0 | |
| Total | 1024 | 0 | |
| 6. | Creditors and Accruals | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Accounting and Governance Costs | 500 | 1000 | |
| Insurance Policy Expenses | 284 | 0 | |
| Total | 784 | 1000 |
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North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2025
7. Trustees remuneration and expenses
None of the trustees were remunerated directly or indirectly (2024: nil). During the year, no expense reimbursements were paid to trustees (2024: nil).
8. Contingencies and contractual commitments
In the opinion of the members of the management committee, as at 31.03.2025 there were no contingent liabilities and no contractual commitments (2024: nil). No assets are held under leases.
9. Tangible Fixed Assets
| Cost At 1 April 2024 Additions At 31 March 2025 Depreciation At 1 April 2024 Charge for the year At 31 March 2025 Net Book Value At 31 March 2025 At 31 March 2024 |
Office Equipment Laundry Equipment Total £ £ £ 1320 0 1320 0 3725 3725 |
|---|---|
| 1320 3725 5045 |
|
| 688 0 688 440 745 1185 |
|
| 1128 745 1873 |
|
| 192 2980 3172 |
|
| 632 0 632 |
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North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2025
| 10. Funds Restricted Funds West Hackney Parochial Charity Tides Foundation Total Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds The Betty Messenger London Community Foundation DR FRENCH DONATION ALBERT HUNT SP Other Unrestricted Income Funds Total Unrestricted Funds Reserve Fund - designated Total Funds |
At At 31/03/2024 Income Expenditure Transfers 31/03/2025 £ £ £ £ £ 10000 15000 (15,000) - 10000 4543 - (4,543) - - |
|---|---|
| 14,543 15,000 (19,543) - 10000 |
|
| 6,667 - (6,667) - 0 - 20,000 (16,667) - 3333 - 20,000 (5,000) - 15000 - 8,000 (667) - 7333 22,012 30,684 (56,077) (5,000) (8,381) |
|
| 28,679 78,684 (85,077) (5,000) 17286 |
|
| 45,000 - - 5,000 50000 |
|
| 88,222 93,684 (104,620) - 77,286 |
Details of the restricted grants were as follows:
West Hackney Parochial Charity Purpose/service Use of grant
Drop in service Dec 2024 – Dec 2025 Staff costs & rent costs
Tides Foundation (BlackRock) Purpose/service Use of grant
Drop in service Nov 2023 – Nov 2024 Staff Costs & running cost
The trustees have designated £50,000 (2024: £45,000) as a Reserve Fund in line with the charity’s reserves policy to hold three to six months operating expenses in reserve.
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