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2025-12-31-accounts

Docusign Envelope ID: 5B08E051-B033-87AB-821E-0AB1E440E1A8

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07400060 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1139983

CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

Docusign Envelope ID: 5B08E051-B033-87AB-821E-0AB1E440E1A8

CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 6
Report of the Independent Auditors 7 to 9
Statement of Financial Activities 10
Balance Sheet 11
Cash Flow Statement 12
Notes to the Cash Flow Statement 13
Notes to the Financial Statements 14 to 25
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 26 to 27

Docusign Envelope ID: 5B08E051-B033-87AB-821E-0AB1E440E1A8

CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: 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) (effective 1 January 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Overview

We are a social enterprise committed to delivering a creative and meaningful environmental, social and community impact and to making a difference to the people of Cheshire. Structured as a charitable company, we aim to be financially sustainable through enterprise but our social impacts are at the core of what we do.

We work extensively within our community to support people through a variety of work, training and volunteering programmes. One of our core values is that we support people in a way that maintains their personal dignity. Our mission is to create a better life for local people and improve their environment and wellbeing.

Operational and retail:

Affordable furniture, paint and appliances

Our warehouse team continued throughout the year to help the environment by collecting domestic bulky waste to reuse and recycle items that would otherwise be sent to landfill or other waste destinations. We work with our membership organisation, the Reuse Network, in providing take back schemes for a number of national retailers where we help reduce waste as well as bringing damaged and orphan items back into use. These activities of repair and up cycling provide work placement opportunities for the individuals we support.

In 2025, 7,000 items were prepared for retail, and customers saved £260,000 on homeware goods through reuse.

Emergency assistance

We operate contracts with local authorities and housing associations to provide their welfare assistance schemes. We supply starter packs, furniture and white goods to hundreds of people and families in need every year. These schemes ensure those in need gain access to essential household items and receive an efficient delivery and installation process.

In 2025, we supported 1,500 families with essential household items.

Bulky waste

We are proud to support Cheshire West Recycling Limited and Warrington Borough Council in collecting bulky domestic waste - and we repair, reuse and recycle as much as we can. In 2025, 1,300 items were saved through reuse, and our activities contributed to 2.5K tonnes of CO2 saved.

Community support

Our Buddying and Befriending scheme continued to secure grant support, enabling us to help those across Cheshire West, Warrington and Cheshire East who are experiencing loneliness and social isolation. The service delivered 270 matches in 2025, and our Warm Welcome community groups supported residents for 7,000 volunteer hours, with 700 hours delivered specifically through Warm Welcome meetings.

Our Family Support team continued their exceptional work in school placements to help improve attendance, behaviour and achievement. They focus on early intervention, helping parents to develop coping skills and access a broad range of services. In 2025, 86 new families and 124 children were supported.

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Docusign Envelope ID: 5B08E051-B033-87AB-821E-0AB1E440E1A8

CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

The Very Green Grocery

Since starting out in 2020, the community groceries have continued to grow in their provision and distribution of surplus food across Cheshire West. In 2025:

Our shoppers continue to pay a small donation to receive goods worth considerably more, helping them stretch their budgets while reducing food waste. Demand remained high throughout the year.

Our volunteering programme also continued to thrive, with volunteers supporting warehousing, distribution, box projects, shop support, café service, gardening projects and building maintenance.

Our Christmas Food Box Project on behalf of Cheshire West and Cheshire East supported 3,800 families over the holiday period.

Community transport

We operate our community transport minibus services (Your Bus), which are contracted by Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC). The services we provide are Home to School, Adult Social Care, Dial-A-Ride and other contracts as required. In 2025 these services provided either free or subsidised access to schools, care centres, the high street, leisure and other services for members of the community who might otherwise miss out.

In 2025, the team delivered 19,400 trips, undertaking 9,711 passenger journeys and covering 86,000 miles.

This service will change substantially in 2026 after CLT was awarded a new contract in March 2026.

Reuse Warehouse

In 2025 we expanded our retail footprint with the opening of a new store in Crewe, strengthening our ability to provide affordable, good quality reused furniture, appliances and household items to residents across a wider area. The store has been designed to offer the same dignified, welcoming customer experience as our existing sites and increases our capacity to divert more items from landfill through reuse and refurbishment. The Crewe location also provides new volunteering and work placement opportunities, supporting skills development and community engagement. Early demand has been strong, and the store is already becoming an important local resource for individuals and families seeking affordable essentials.

Growing our retail stores remains an opportunity the Board are keen to explore and develop.

Systems

In 2025 we continued investing in IT hardware and developing systems to maintain Cyber Essentials accreditation. We worked with health and safety consultants to ensure our internal processes are efficient and meet our obligations to provide a safe environment for visitors, customers, volunteers and staff.

We continued to evolve and measure Social Impact through our bespoke online dashboard, allowing us to measure over 80 key performance metrics. This allows us to demonstrate and improve our impact to the Cheshire community.

People

Without our dedicated volunteers and staff, our mission would be impossible to achieve. In 2025, 8,000 volunteering hours were donated across the organisation across 600 plus volunteers.

We remained committed to building an open and engaging culture, with regular Grass Roots meetings led by the CEO to ensure staff voices are heard and operational issues are resolved quickly.

Costs

We have worked hard to renegotiate supplier contracts and eliminate spend wherever possible, consolidating our operation, removing and reducing spend. During a period of high inflation our total outgoings did not increase in the year due to this cost cutting. We remain focussed on watching all spend to ensure monies are directed at helping the community.

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Docusign Envelope ID: 5B08E051-B033-87AB-821E-0AB1E440E1A8

CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

Management Structure

The organisation is operationally led by a CEO reporting into the Board of Trustees. The CEO leads an experienced Head of Department flat hierarchy team.

Future planning

The Board of Trustees holds regular meetings with the CEO to discuss strategy and future planning of Changing Lives Together, to collaborate with stakeholders and to become involved in a diverse range of issues affecting the community. All new opportunities go through a detailed planning process to ensure:

  1. Compliance with our Articles

  2. Integration and enhancement of social impact 3. Financial sustainability 4. Achievability

Any future change is then put into our growth and change strategy document which is discussed at each Strategy Meeting with the Board and Leadership Team.

Our key Headline Objectives

  1. Growth which is sustainable

  2. Health and safety and risk management

  3. Cost reduction as appropriate

  4. Internal and external communications

  5. Environmental and social governance

  6. Continuous improvement

Impact Summary

In 2025, Changing Lives Together delivered significant environmental, social and community impact across Cheshire, Warrington and the wider region. Key achievements included:

These outcomes demonstrate our continued commitment to reducing waste, supporting vulnerable residents, and strengthening communities through practical, dignified and accessible services.

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Docusign Envelope ID: 5B08E051-B033-87AB-821E-0AB1E440E1A8

CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

Our long-term policy has been to stand on our own feet with sustainable results and without excessive dependence on grant income. We reinvest when we can in our people and we are slowly building our reserves to a normal level for a charity of our size and complexity.

Total income in 2025 was £2,775,473 (2024 £2,444,931) and the excess income over expenditure resulted in a surplus of £15,340 (2024 a deficit of £83,611).

Investment policy

Available funds are transfered to interest bearing bank or building society accounts to maximise returns.

Reserves policy

The Trustees have agreed that the appropriate level of unrestricted liquid reserves should be sufficient to cover 3 months of routine expenditure i.e. to provide working capital to cover delays in the receipt of payments and grants and to provide a cushion for unexpected emergencies.

We have achieved this, our unrestricted reserves at 31 December 2025 were £404,511.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

Changing Lives Together (charity 1139983 and company 07400060) was incorporated on 7 October 2010 and commenced trading on the same date. The principal governing document is the Articles of Association adopted on 21 March 2019.

The objects of the charity are:

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

The charity has a formal policy for the recruitment and induction of new trustees. Candidates are invited to observe the organisation in practice, meet the leadership team, and understand the governance responsibilities before appointment. This ensures trustees bring the appropriate skills, experience and commitment to support the charity's work.

Management and governance

We continue to develop our Management and Governance structures.

Risk management

The trustees maintain a robust approach to risk management. Key risks are reviewed at each Board meeting, including:

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number

07400060 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

1139983

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Docusign Envelope ID: 5B08E051-B033-87AB-821E-0AB1E440E1A8

CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

Registered office

Unit 12 Road Two Winsford Industrial Estate Winsford Cheshire CW7 3QL

Trustees

B M Clarke H E L Dilliway-Nickson B G Dunn H C Kinsey (resigned 16.4.26) P Price C F Lees-Jones M McBride R Blackhurst (appointed 28.3.25) G Edwards (appointed 21.1.25)

Auditors

Murray Smith LLP Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditors Darland House 44 Winnington Hill Northwich Cheshire CW8 1AU

Solicitors

Browne Jacobson LLP Mowbray House Castle Meadow Road Nottingham NG2 1BJ

Bankers

Santander UK plc Bridle Road Merseyside L30 4GB

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

The trustees (who are also the directors of Changing Lives Together for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

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Docusign Envelope ID: 5B08E051-B033-87AB-821E-0AB1E440E1A8

CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES - continued

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law, the trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law).

Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

In so far as the trustees are aware:

AUDITORS

The auditors, Murray Smith LLP, will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 22 June 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

B G Dunn - Trustee

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Docusign Envelope ID: 5B08E051-B033-87AB-821E-0AB1E440E1A8

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07400060)

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Changing Lives Together (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31 December 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our Report of the Independent Auditors thereon.

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

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Docusign Envelope ID: 5B08E051-B033-87AB-821E-0AB1E440E1A8

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07400060)

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Report of the Trustees.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue a Report of the Independent Auditors that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

The audit procedures designed to identify irregularities included:

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and, the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery, intentional misrepresentations or through collusion.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Report of the Independent Auditors.

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Docusign Envelope ID: 5B08E051-B033-87AB-821E-0AB1E440E1A8

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07400060)

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Nicola Tucker FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Murray Smith LLP Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditors Darland House 44 Winnington Hill Northwich Cheshire CW8 1AU 24-06-2026 Date: .............................................

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Docusign Envelope ID: 5B08E051-B033-87AB-821E-0AB1E440E1A8

CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

Notes
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
6
Charitable activities
Other trading activities
4
Investment income
5
Other income
Total
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds
7
Charitable activities
8
Charitable activities
Total
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
Transfers between funds
21
Net movement in funds
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD		 Unrestricted
fund
£
47,136
484,422
1,920,419
26,572
672
2,479,221
1,309,250
1,172,203
2,481,453
(2,232)
(8,240)
(10,472)
414,983
404,511		 Restricted
funds
£
-
296,252
-
-
-
296,252
-
278,680
278,680
17,572
8,240
25,812
6,632
32,444		 2025
Total
funds
£
47,136
780,674
1,920,419
26,572
672
2,775,473
1,309,250
1,450,883
2,760,133
15,340
-
15,340
421,615
436,955		 2024
Total
funds
£
18,741
828,003
1,570,339
24,541
3,307
2,444,931
1,283,615
1,244,927
2,528,542
(83,611)
-
(83,611)
505,226
421,615

The notes form part of these financial statements

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Docusign Envelope ID: 5B08E051-B033-87AB-821E-0AB1E440E1A8

CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER

BALANCE SHEET 31 DECEMBER 2025

Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
14
99,960
CURRENT ASSETS
Stocks
15
160,922
Debtors
16
202,883
Cash at bank
250,958
614,763
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
17
(310,212)
NET CURRENT ASSETS
304,551
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES
404,511
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due after more than one year
18
-
NET ASSETS
404,511
FUNDS
21
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS		 Restricted
funds
£
21,869
-
-
10,575
10,575
-
10,575
32,444
-
32,444		 2025
Total
funds
£
121,829
160,922
202,883
261,533
625,338
(310,212)
315,126
436,955
-
436,955
404,511
32,444
436,955		 2024
Total
funds
£
117,297
81,227
275,532
268,896
625,655
(306,424)
319,231
436,528
(14,913)
421,615
414,983
6,632
421,615

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 22 June 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:

B G Dunn - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

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Docusign Envelope ID: 5B08E051-B033-87AB-821E-0AB1E440E1A8

CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER

CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

Notes
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
1
Interest paid
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Interest received
Net cash used in investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Loan repayments in year
Net cash used in financing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in
the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the
beginning of the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of
the reporting period		 2025
£
59,196
(2,117)
57,079
(29,831)
5,379
(24,452)
(39,990)
(39,990)
(7,363)
268,896
261,533		 2024
£
(95,839)
(4,695)
(100,534)
(23,867)
11,291
(12,576)
(36,120)
(36,120)
(149,230)
418,126
268,896

The notes form part of these financial statements

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Docusign Envelope ID: 5B08E051-B033-87AB-821E-0AB1E440E1A8

CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER

NOTES TO THE CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

1. RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period (as per the
Statement of Financial Activities)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges
Loss on disposal of fixed assets
Interest received
Interest paid
(Increase)/decrease in stocks
Decrease/(increase) in debtors
Increase in creditors
Net cash provided by/(used in) operations		 2025
£
15,340
25,069
230
(5,379)
2,117
(79,695)
72,649
28,865
59,196		 2024
£
(83,611)
18,839
590
(11,291)
4,695
9,349
(118,867)
84,457
(95,839)

2. ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS

At 1.1.25 Cash flow At 31.12.25
£ £ £
Net cash
Cash at bank 268,896 (7,363) 261,533
268,896 (7,363) 261,533
Debt
Debts falling due within 1 year (38,161) 25,077 (13,084)
Debts falling due after 1 year (14,913) 14,913 -
(53,074) 39,990 (13,084)
Total 215,822 32,627 248,449

The notes form part of these financial statements

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Docusign Envelope ID: 5B08E051-B033-87AB-821E-0AB1E440E1A8

CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

1. STATUTORY INFORMATION

Changing Lives Together is a private company, limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. The company's registered number, registered charity number and registered office can be found in the Reference and Administrative Details section of the Trustees' Report.

The presentation currency of the financial statements is in Pounds Sterling (£).

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: 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) ( (effective 1 January 2019) and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Changing Lives Together meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

Going concern

The charitable company meets its day to day working capital requirements through its cash resources and available loan facilities. The trustees have reviewed current and forecast activity and cash requirements for a period of at least 12 months from the date of the signing of the financial statements which show, taking into account reasonably possible changes in performance, that the charitable company should be able to operate within its available cash resources. After making enquiries, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charitable company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The charitable company therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.

Income

The policies adopted for the recognition of income are as follows:

Sale of goods

Income from the sale of goods is recognised when significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods have transferred to the buyer, the amount of income can be measured reliably, it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the company and the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably. This is usually on dispatch of the goods.

Rendering of services

When the outcome of a transaction can be estimated reliably, income is recognised by reference to the stage of completion at the balance sheet date. Stage of completion is measured by reference to a notable milestone.

Where the outcome cannot be measured reliably, income is recognised only to the extent of the expenses recognised that are recoverable.

Grants

Income from government and other grants, whether 'capital' grants or 'revenue' grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, and performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

continued...

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CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Cost includes the original purchase price of the asset and the costs attributable to bringing the asset to its working condition for its intended use.

Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets, at rates calculated to write off the cost, less estimated residual value, of each asset on a systematic basis over its expected useful life as follows:

Short leasehold - 10% on cost
Plant and machinery - 20% on cost
Fixtures and fittings - 25% on cost
Computer equipment - 33% on cost

Stocks

Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.

Cost is calculated using the first-in, first-out method and includes all purchase, transport, and handling costs in bringing stocks to their present location and condition. Stocks of unsold donated goods are valued only at the cost of bringing the items to their present location as it is not considered practical to estimate the fair value due to their cost being nil and their value is uncertain until sold.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

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

Hire purchase and leasing commitments

Assets obtained under hire purchase contracts or finance leases are capitalised in the balance sheet. Those held under hire purchase contracts are depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Those held under finance leases are depreciated over their estimated useful lives or the lease term, whichever is the shorter.

The interest element of these obligations is charged to the Statement of Financial Activities over the relevant period. The capital element of the future payments is treated as a liability.

Rentals payable under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

Short term debtors and creditors

Short term debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in the profit and loss account.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents includes cash in hand, cash held with banks and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charitable company makes contribution to employees' pension schemes. Contributions payable are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

Page 15

continued...

Docusign Envelope ID: 5B08E051-B033-87AB-821E-0AB1E440E1A8

CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Loans and borrowings

Loans and borrowings are initially recognised at the transaction price including transaction costs. Subsequently, they are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method, less impairment.

3. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

Donations
4.
OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
Shop income
Waste credits, recycling, scrap and waste collection
5.
INVESTMENT INCOME
Rents received
Interest receivable
6.
INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Activity
Transport
Charitable activities
Grants
Charitable activities
Grants received, included in the above, are as follows:
Buddying & befriending
Family support
National lottery community fund
Winter Box Project
VGG Container Rental
VGG Food and Collection
Mental Health Grant
Flourish fund
Moulding foundation
CWAC - UKSPF BGP
Re-Cycle Project
General restricted fund
Warmth grants programme
Carried forward		 2025
£
47,136
2025
£
1,538,162
382,257
1,920,419
2025
£
21,193
5,379
26,572
2025
£
482,892
297,782
780,674
2025
£
33,536
40,115
-
85,000
-
9,188
-
9,000
39,430
21,459
-
656
4,000
242,384		 2024
£
18,741
2024
£
1,197,499
372,840		 2024
£
18,741
2024
£
1,197,499
372,840		 2024
£
18,741
1,570,339
2024
£
13,250
11,291
24,541
2024
£
482,251
345,752		 2024
£
13,250
11,291
24,541
828,003
2024
£
45,603
46,525
18,572
160,772
2,559
5,613
3,000
1,000
1,100
5,460
4,000
6,453
-
300,657

Page 16

continued...

Docusign Envelope ID: 5B08E051-B033-87AB-821E-0AB1E440E1A8

CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

6.
INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES - continued
Brought forward
Crewe retail shop set up
7.
RAISING FUNDS
Other trading activities
Opening stock
Purchases
Closing stock
Staff costs
Hire of plant and machinery
Licensing
Bad debts
Vehicle hire
Motor expenses
Other direct costs
8.
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS
Charitable activities
9.
SUPPORT COSTS
Charitable activities
10.
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):
Auditors' remuneration - current year
Auditors' remuneration - assurance services
Depreciation - owned assets
Hire of plant and machinery
Other operating leases
Deficit on disposal of fixed assets
Operating leases - rent		 Direct
Costs
£
1,405,231
Finance
£
6,844

continued...

Page 17

Docusign Envelope ID: 5B08E051-B033-87AB-821E-0AB1E440E1A8

CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

11. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2025 nor for the year ended 31 December 2024.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 December 2025 nor for the year ended 31 December 2024.

12. STAFF COSTS

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs		 2025
£
1,364,314
135,822
22,502
1,522,638		 2024
£
1,251,589
90,878
19,878
1,362,345

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

Management team
Warehouse/reuse
Administrative
Retail
Community hubs
Community engagement
Community transport		 2025
8
25
5
6
5
6
12
67		 2024
7
25
6
4
6
6
22
76

The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was:

£80,001 - £90,000
Total emoluments for key management personnel totalled £245,698 (2024: £258,387).
13.
COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted
fund
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
18,741
Charitable activities
Charitable activities
527,346
Other trading activities
1,570,339
Investment income
24,541
Other income
3,307
Total
2,144,274		 £80,001 - £90,000
Total emoluments for key management personnel totalled £245,698 (2024: £258,387).
13.
COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted
fund
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
18,741
Charitable activities
Charitable activities
527,346
Other trading activities
1,570,339
Investment income
24,541
Other income
3,307
Total
2,144,274		 2025
1
Restricted
funds
£
-
300,657
-
-
-
300,657		 2024
1
Total
funds
£
18,741
828,003
1,570,339
24,541
3,307
2,444,931

continued...

Page 18

Docusign Envelope ID: 5B08E051-B033-87AB-821E-0AB1E440E1A8

CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

13.
COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Charitable activities
Total
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
14.
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Short
Plant and
leasehold
machinery
£
£
COST
At 1 January 2025
98,706
69,523
Additions
-
12,740
Disposals
-
-
At 31 December 2025
98,706
82,263
DEPRECIATION
At 1 January 2025
11,607
52,501
Charge for year
11,384
3,337
Eliminated on disposal
-
-
At 31 December 2025
22,991
55,838
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2025
75,715
26,425
At 31 December 2024
87,099
17,022		 ACTIVITIES -
Unrestricted
fund
£
1,141,916
1,087,601
2,229,517
(85,243)
500,226
414,983
Fixtures
and
fittings
£
11,305
13,185
-
24,490
8,790
4,458
-
13,248
11,242
2,515		 continued
Restricted
funds
£
141,699
157,326
299,025
1,632
5,000
6,632
Computer
equipment
£
50,760
3,906
(395)
54,271
40,099
5,890
(165)
45,824
8,447
10,661		 Total
funds
£
1,283,615
1,244,927
2,528,542
(83,611)
505,226
421,615
Totals
£
230,294
29,831
(395)
259,730
112,997
25,069
(165)
137,901
121,829
117,297

continued...

Page 19

Docusign Envelope ID: 5B08E051-B033-87AB-821E-0AB1E440E1A8

CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

15. STOCKS

15.
STOCKS
Stocks
16.
DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
17.
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Other loans (see note 19)
Trade creditors
Social security and other taxes
VAT
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
Deferred income at 31 December 2024
Released from previous years
Income deferred in the year
Deferred income at 31 December 2025		 2025
£
160,922
2025
£
171,638
9,590
21,655
202,883
2025
£
13,084
67,362
25,808
14,616
5,021
184,321
310,212		 2024
£
81,227
2024
£
239,446
13,921
22,165
275,532
2024
£
38,161
80,616
23,185
9,554
4,586
150,322
306,424
2025 2024
£ £
116,384 49,978
(89,417) (47,471)
139,839 113,877
166,806 116,384
At the balance sheet date the Charity was holding the following income received in advance: At the balance sheet date the Charity was holding the following income received in advance:

2025		 2024
£ £
CWaC Furniture Scheme 23,347 18,465
Family Support Invoicing 13,171 13,379
Morrisons Foundation 8,046 8,046
Cheshire East Cost of Living - VGG Crewe 43 10,000
All other small grants 7,535 3,781
Julia Rausing Trust 20,000 -
Winter Box Project - Cheshire East 85,000 -
Small Buddy & Befriending Grants 9,664 -
Earl of Chester funding - 4,500
Cheshire East - The Flourish Fund BB - 9,000
Moulding Foundation - 38,900
Tarporley War Memorial Hospital Dementia Support - 8,663
John Lewis Partnership - 1,650
166,806 116,384

continued...

Page 20

Docusign Envelope ID: 5B08E051-B033-87AB-821E-0AB1E440E1A8

CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

18. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR

Other loans (see note 19)
19.
LOANS
An analysis of the maturity of loans is given below:
Amounts falling due within one year on demand:
Other loans
Amounts falling between one and two years:
Other loans - 1-2 years
20.
LEASING AGREEMENTS
Minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases fall
Within one year
Between one and five years
21.
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
At 1.1.25
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
414,983
Restricted funds
Family support
1,769
Buddying & befriending
1,113
Restricted fixed assets fund
3,750
6,632
TOTAL FUNDS
421,615		 due as follows:
Net
movement
in funds
£
(2,232)
3,346
(1,113)
15,339
17,572
15,340		 2025
£
-
2025
£
13,084
-
2025
£
135,479
87,182
222,661
Transfers
between
funds
£
(8,240)
-
-
8,240
8,240
-		 2024
£
14,913
2024
£
38,161
14,913
2024
£
131,830
179,229		 2024
£
14,913
2024
£
38,161
14,913
311,059
At
31.12.25
£
404,511
5,115
-
27,329
32,444
436,955

continued...

Page 21

Docusign Envelope ID: 5B08E051-B033-87AB-821E-0AB1E440E1A8

CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

21. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Family support
Buddying & befriending
Restricted fixed assets fund
Winter box project
VGG food and collection
Small restricted fund
Cheshire West Voluntary Action fund
Crewe retail shop fund
TOTAL FUNDS
Comparatives for movement in funds
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Family support
Buddying & befriending
Restricted fixed assets fund
TOTAL FUNDS		 Incoming
resources
£
2,479,221
40,115
42,536
21,459
85,000
9,188
656
4,000
93,298
296,252
2,775,473
At 1.1.24
£
500,226
-
-
5,000
5,000
505,226		 Resources
expended
£
(2,481,453 )
(36,769)
(43,649)
(6,120)
(85,000)
(9,188)
(656)
(4,000)
(93,298)
(278,680)
(2,760,133 )
Net
movement
in funds
£
(85,243)
1,769
1,113
(1,250)
1,632
(83,611)		 Movement
in funds
£
(2,232)
3,346
(1,113)
15,339
-
-
-
-
-
17,572
15,340
At
31.12.24
£
414,983
1,769
1,113
3,750
6,632
421,615

continued...

Page 22

Docusign Envelope ID: 5B08E051-B033-87AB-821E-0AB1E440E1A8

CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

21. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Re-Cycle project
Family support
National lottery community fund
Buddying & befriending
Restricted fixed assets fund
Mental health
Winter box project
VGG container rental
VGG food and collection
Small restricted fund
Flourish fund
Moulding foundation
Wood burner
TOTAL FUNDS		 Incoming
resources
£
2,144,274
4,000
46,525
18,572
45,603
-
3,000
160,772
2,559
5,613
6,453
1,000
1,100
5,460
300,657
2,444,931		 Resources
expended
£
(2,229,517 )
(4,000)
(44,756)
(18,572)
(44,490)
(1,250)
(3,000)
(160,772)
(2,559)
(5,613)
(6,453)
(1,000)
(1,100)
(5,460)
(299,025)
(2,528,542 )		 Movement
in funds
£
(85,243)
-
1,769
-
1,113
(1,250)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,632
(83,611)

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Family support
Restricted fixed assets fund
TOTAL FUNDS		 At 1.1.24
£
500,226
-
5,000
5,000
505,226		 Net
movement
in funds
£
(87,475)
5,115
14,089
19,204
(68,271)		 Transfers
between
funds
£
(8,240)
-
8,240
8,240
-		 At
31.12.25
£
404,511
5,115
27,329
32,444
436,955

continued...

Page 23

Docusign Envelope ID: 5B08E051-B033-87AB-821E-0AB1E440E1A8

CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

21. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Re-Cycle project
Family support
National lottery community fund
Buddying & befriending
Restricted fixed assets fund
Mental health
Winter box project
VGG container rental
VGG food and collection
Small restricted fund
Flourish fund
Moulding foundation
Wood burner
Cheshire West Voluntary Action fund
Crewe retail shop fund
TOTAL FUNDS		 Incoming
resources
£
4,623,495
4,000
86,640
18,572
88,139
21,459
3,000
245,772
2,559
14,801
7,109
1,000
1,100
5,460
4,000
93,298
596,909
5,220,404		 Resources
expended
£
(4,710,970 )
(4,000)
(81,525)
(18,572)
(88,139)
(7,370)
(3,000)
(245,772)
(2,559)
(14,801)
(7,109)
(1,000)
(1,100)
(5,460)
(4,000)
(93,298)
(577,705)
(5,288,675 )		 Movement
in funds
£
(87,475)
-
5,115
-
-
14,089
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
19,204
(68,271)

continued...

Page 24

Docusign Envelope ID: 5B08E051-B033-87AB-821E-0AB1E440E1A8

CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

21. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Family support - Schools invoiced by Terms for Support provided to primary schools by CLT - Funds cover wages of Support staff, management costs and admin fees.

National lottery community fund - Funds received from the National Lottery Community fund - covers Buddy & Befriending wages, management costs and admin fees.

Buddying & Befriending - Support towards activities for the Buddy & Befriending team, admin and management costs.

Restricted fixed assets - Funds for the purchase of tangible assets.

Mental health - Funds cover wages of Support staff, management costs and admin fees for the Mental Health section of Buddy & Befriending.

Winter box project - Funds to cover the costs of Christmas Food Boxes supplied by CLT, includes management and admin costs.

VGG container rental - Funds to help towards the cost of Refridgerated container hire sited at Northwich Community Hub.

VGG food and collection - Funds towards staple food provided for the Very Green Groceries and collections.

Flourish fund - Funds to establish and maintain the existing befriending service.

Moulding foundation - Up-front lump sum contribution for the fit out costs of the new Crewe retail store.

Wood burner - Funds for the purchase of a new heating applicance at the Winsford warehouse.

Cheshire West Voluntary Action - Funds to support community based warm spaces and services for vulnerable individuals experiencing fuel poverty and cost of living challenges.

Crewe retail shop - Funds for the set up and fit out costs of the new Crewe retail store.

Small restricted fund - All other restricted small grants and donations.

22. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2025.

Page 25

Docusign Envelope ID: 5B08E051-B033-87AB-821E-0AB1E440E1A8

CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER

DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Donations and legacies
Donations
Other trading activities
Shop income
Waste credits, recycling, scrap and waste
collection
Investment income
Rents received
Interest receivable
Charitable activities
Transport
Grants
Other income
Other income
Total incoming resources
EXPENDITURE
Other trading activities
Opening stock
Purchases
Wages
Hire of plant and machinery
Licensing
Bad debts
Vehicle hire
Motor expenses
Other direct costs
Closing stock
Charitable activities
Wages
Social security
Pensions
Carried forward		 2025
£
47,136
1,538,162
382,257
1,920,419
21,193
5,379
26,572
482,892
297,782
780,674
672
2,775,473
81,227
595,545
654,249
27,212
6,877
338
67,791
11,306
25,627
(160,922)
1,309,250
710,065
135,822
22,502
868,389		 2024
£
18,741
1,197,499
372,840
1,570,339
13,250
11,291
24,541
482,251
345,752
828,003
3,307
2,444,931
90,576
436,913
531,644
30,037
7,268
-
83,313
36,518
148,573
(81,227)
1,283,615
719,945
90,878
19,878
830,701

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 26

Docusign Envelope ID: 5B08E051-B033-87AB-821E-0AB1E440E1A8

CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER

DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

Charitable activities
Brought forward
Other operating leases
Direct costs
Short leasehold
Plant and machinery
Fixtures and fittings
Computer equipment
Loss on sale of tangible fixed assets
Support costs
Finance
Bank charges
Bank loan interest
Governance costs
Auditors' remuneration - current year
Other governance costs
Total resources expended
Net income/(expenditure)		 2025
£
868,389
58,652
452,891
11,384
3,337
4,458
5,890
230
1,405,231
4,727
2,117
6,844
10,583
28,225
38,808
2,760,133
15,340		 2024
£
830,701
48,964
284,470
11,607
771
1,572
4,889
590
1,183,564
247
4,695
4,942
9,915
46,506
56,421
2,528,542
(83,611)

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 27