2025-03-31-accounts - The Centre Project Limited

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Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

The Centre Project Limited REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Contents	Page
Legal and administrative information	2
Report of the trustees	3
Report of the independent examiner	9
Statement of financial activities (SoFA)	10
Balance sheet	11
Notes forming part of the financial statements	12-17

The Centre Project Limited

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The Board of Trustees presents its report and the independently examined financial statements for year ended 31 March 20245

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Charity Name:	THE CENTRE PROJECT LIMITED
Charity Registration Number:	1140710
Company Registration Number:	07409088
Board of Trustees:	Dr R.I. Norman
	Mr A. Egbetokun
	Mr A. Oppon
	Mrs A. Sai
	Mrs H. Cobb
	Mrs V. Frimpong
Company Secretary and Chief	Mr E. Waweru
Executive:
Registered Office and Operational	1 Alfred Place
Address:	Leicester
	LE1 1EB
Bankers:	Bank of Scotland
	Pentland House
	8 Lochside Avenue
	Edinburgh Park,
	South Gale, Edinburgh
	EH12 9DJ
	Cooperative Bank
	P O Box 250
	Delf House
	Southway, Skelmersdale
	WN8 6WT
Independent Examiner:	Mr Darren Warren - FMAAT
	Paxton Independent Examiners
	61a High Street South, Rushden, Northants. NN10 ORA

The Centre Project Limited REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Annual Trustees Report for The Centre Project, Leicester

For the year ending 31 March 2025

About The Centre Project

The Centre Project is a Leicester city-centre charity providing an open-access hub that reduces isolation, promotes wellbeing and supports people who are homeless, living in poverty, experiencing loneliness, or who have newly arrived in the city. Core services delivered from the central hub include a day centre (warm space), weekly foodbank, social and creative activities, keep-fit and cooking sessions, and one-to-one support and signposting to statutory and voluntary services.

Governance and trustees

The trustees confirm that they have complied with their duties under the Charities Act and the governing document, and that decisions taken during the year were made in line with the charity’s charitable object to benefit the local community
Trustee responsibilities included strategic oversight, financial scrutiny, safeguarding oversight, risk review and staff support.
Key governance developments this year: refreshed safeguarding policy and training rollout for all staff and volunteers; updated risk register with mitigations for volunteer capacity and funding volatility.

Activities and reach

Weekly services ran across five days, combining drop-in sessions, organised group activities and targeted support appointments. Core weekly offers included the day centre/warm space, foodbank, keep-fit, arts & crafts, and cooking sessions.
Outreach and partnership work included referrals and joint work with local housing providers, health services and welfare advice agencies to support clients into accommodation, health appointments and benefits advice.

Demographics of people supported

Our service users reflect the rich diversity and complex needs of Leicester’s adult population. Between April 2024 and March 2025, we supported 1,031 individuals, with the following demographic breakdown:

The Centre Project Limited REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Total number of visits made during the year: 14,591 (Day Centre – 9,201, Youth club 5,390)
Principal presenting needs (multiple per person allowed):
Food insecurity 59%.
Housing related support 29%.
Social isolation/mental health concerns 52%.
Unemployment/financial hardship 70%.
Physical health or disability 27%.
Recent migration/new arrival 15%.

These demographic figures are based on routine client registration and monitoring data collected throughout the year.

Outcomes and impact

We measure impact through attendance, client-reported outcomes, service outcomes (housing, health, work) and case management resolutions. Key outcomes for the year:

Wellbeing and social connection
Average weekly attendances: 185 visits; 80% of regular attendees reported reduced loneliness on repeat wellbeing checks.
Social activities (arts, cooking, keep-fit, mini golf, haircuts): 1,218 attendances across the year; 74% of participants said they made at least one new supportive connection.
Freedom Youth Club: 110 average weekly attendance. Helping to build confidence, improve English language skills, and foster friendships across cultures. 92% of attendees reported being more socially connected and less isolated.
Food security and immediate needs

The Centre Project Limited REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Foodbank interactions: 3,752 parcels/meals provided. 87% of foodbank users reported that the provision prevented immediate hunger and helped stabilise finances that week.
Free hot meals 3 days a week: 6,251meals provided, with free drinks as part of our warm welcome initiative.
Practical outcomes (benefits, housing, health access)
Welfare and signposting outcomes: 420 one-to-one support actions recorded; of these, 145 resulted in benefits applications or appeals being submitted with Centre support; 97 clients were supported to engage with debt and money management.
Digital Support – Wi-Fi access, email setup, scanning documents: 232 people supported to access digital services enabling then to access other services like housing applications benefits.
Telephone Access – to reach services such as housing, DWP, GP: 1,247 people
Housing support: 286 people supported into longer-term or more stable accommodation through joint working with housing partners – including housing repairs, preventing evictions and small grants applications.
Progress towards employment and training
24 people were offered work or volunteering placements in the year.
Safeguarding and crisis support
194 referrals made to multi-agency partners, and all were appropriately actioned in accordance with policy. The Centre’s closed-loop casework practice ensured followup and resolution wherever possible.

Qualitative impact (case studies)

S.T. came to us on the final day to respond to his Universal Credit migration notice. At the time, he was homeless and did not have access to a phone, email, or bank card. We supported him to make his Universal Credit claim over the phone and helped him visit his bank to obtain proof of his account details. He was also supported to accept his claimant commitment and prompted to attend his first face-to-face appointment at the Jobcentre. Due to long waiting times on the Universal Credit phone line, we continue to offer ongoing support to ensure his payments are maintained and that he doesn’t experience further financial hardship.
B.W. first joined us after taking part in an activity taster session — and has been coming along ever since! She says, “It gets me out on a Thursday, away from the stress of staying in with an anti-social neighbour.” The group has become a positive routine for her, offering both company and a chance to relax.
A regular attendee with chronic health issues was supported to re-register with a GP and accessed medication and specialist referral; they report improved health management and a greater sense of stability.

The Centre Project Limited REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Overall, monitoring shows that for regular users the Centre is effective at reducing immediate harms (hunger, exposure, isolation) and at helping people to access longer-term supports that address housing, health and income.

Safeguarding, equality and inclusion

Safeguarding: policy review and mandatory training for all staff and volunteers were completed. All safeguarding concerns were logged and escalated appropriately; lessons learned were reviewed by trustees.
Inclusion: services remain low-barrier and non-judgemental. The Centre collects equality monitoring data and adapts activities to address accessibility and cultural needs. Interpreting support and targeted outreach were increased for newer migrant communities during the year.

The Centre Project Limited REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Income: The Centre continued to draw on a mix of small grants, local authority partnership funding, donations and church support. Restricted and unrestricted funds were managed to prioritise frontline service continuity.
Legacy and bequest: A legacy of 124,387 was received from the estate of David Williamson, a long serving volunteer with the Centre.
Expenditure: The majority of expenditure was on staffing for frontline delivery, food and consumables, premises and safeguarding/compliance overheads.
Reserves policy: Trustees maintained a modest reserves position to secure three months’ core running costs while seeking multi-year funding to reduce future volatility.

The charity received income of £ 263,131, compared to £204,955 in the previous year. Expenditure of £ 187,142 compared to £200,258 in the previous year.

Reserves Policy

The Charity’s free reserves level is currently equivalent to 4 months running costs. This will allow the Charity to cover operating costs for administration of the charity and day-to-day running costs; provide against redundancies/winding up costs if a substantial part of the charity is faced with financial loss; and to assist in maintaining cash flow.

A review of the policy is undertaken annually within which the Charity’s financial forecast and results of financial performance are considered to ensure that Trustees are satisfied that an adequate level of reserves is maintained without detriment to the objectives of the Charity.

The Trustees have decided to create a designated fund for building refurbishment. The bulk of the build costs will be met by fundraising.

Investment Policy

Apart from ensuring that there are sufficient funds to meet the requirements of the Charity’s Reserves Policy most funds received are to be expended in the short term and there is little or no scope for long term investment. The Charity has maximised opportunities to accrue bank interest on account balances and any interest received will be used in the furtherance of the Charity’s work.

Principal risks and mitigations

Funding uncertainty: mitigation through diversified income-seeking, development of a 3-year funding plan and stronger local partnerships.
Volunteer capacity: mitigation through targeted recruitment, simplified induction, and a volunteer-coordinator role to improve retention.
Safeguarding complexity: mitigation through continuous training, clear reporting pathways and multi-agency relationships.

Plans for 2025/26

Stabilise core funding with at least one multi-year grant to underwrite daycentre and food provision.
Expand employability pathways in partnership with local training providers.

The Centre Project Limited REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Improve outcome measurement with a simple digital client-record system for better longitudinal tracking.
Partnerships: Deepen collaboration with NHS mental health teams, refugee support networks, and local housing providers.
Continue to strengthen safeguarding practice and extend trauma-informed training to all partners who deliver on-site.

Responsibilities of Trustees

Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the Charity as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to follow best practice and:

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the charity will continue on that basis

The Trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the organisation to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the charity’s assets and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Members of the Board of Trustees who are directors for the purpose of company law are also Trustees for the purpose of charity law.

Audit:

The charity’s 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.

The Centre Project Limited REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The Centre Project Limited

Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA)

For the year ended 31 March 2025

General funds £ 141,272 23,591 1,251	Restricted funds £ 100 96,917 -	2025 Total £ 141,372 120,508 1,251	2024 Total £ 10,113 192,436 2,406
166,114	97,017	263,131	204,955

75,682 951	110,509 -	186,191 951	199,595 663
76,633	110,509	187,142	200,258

89,481	(13,492)	75,989	4,697
		-	-
89,481	(13,492)	75,989	4,697
61,285	137,969	199,254	194,557
150,766	124,477	275,243	199,254

All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities. There are no gains and losses other than those recorded in the Statement of Financial Activities

The Centre Project Limited

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The Centre Project Limited Balance sheet as at 31st March 2025

The Centre Project Limited Balance sheet as at 31st March 2025
Fixed assets Note Tangible assets 7 Current assets Debtors 8	2025 2024 £ £
	2,547	3,498

	5,242	9,802
Cash at bank and in hand	285,329	203,172
*Total current assets* Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 9 *Net current assets* Net assets Funds of the Charity Restricted funds 10 Unrestricted funds General Designated Fixed Assests Total unrestricted funds Total funds	290,571	212,974

	(17,875)	(17,218)

	272,696	195,756

	275,243	199,254

	124,477	137,969

	133,219	42,787
	15,000	15,000
	2,547	3,498
	150,766	61,285

	275,243	199,254

Approved by the Management Committe and is signed on its behalf by: Adrian Oppon - Treasurer

The Centre Project Limited REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

Note 1: Basis of preparation

1.1 Basis of accounting

These accounts have been prepared on the basis of historic cost in accordance with:

the “Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities”
the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)
and with the Charities Act 2011. The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102

1.2 Change in basis of accounting

There has been no change to the accounting policies (valuation rules and methods of accounting) since last year.

1.3 Changes to previous accounts

No changes have been made to accounts for previous years.

1.4 Fund Accounting

Unrestricted Funds These are funds available for general use for any or all of the charity's permitted activities. These are funds that can only be expended in accordance with specific restrictions. These Restricted Funds arise either by the wishes of the donor or by the nature of the appeal.

Note 2 : Accounting policies

INCOMING RESOURCES

INCOMING RESOURCES
Recognition of incoming	These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when:
resources	·the charity becomes entitled to the resources;
	·the trustees are virtually certain they will receive the resources; and
	·the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Incoming resources with	Where incoming resources have related expenditure (as with fundraising or contract
related expenditure	income) the incoming resources and related expenditure are reported gross in the SoFA.
Grants and donations	Grants and donations are only included in the SoFA when the charity has unconditional
	entitlement to the resources.
Donated services and	These are only included in incoming resources (with an equivalent amount in resources
facilities	expended) where the benefit to the charity is reasonably quantifiable, measurable and
	material_._The value placed on these resources is the estimated value to the charity of the
	service or facility received.
Volunteer help	The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the trustees’ annual report.
Investment income	This is included in the accounts when receivable.
EXPENDITURE AND LIABILITIES
Liability recognition	Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing
	the charity to pay out resources.
Depreciation	Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets at the rates calculated to write off the
	cost of each asset over its estimated useful life. Kitchen equipment 10%, Furnishing, Fittings
	and Equipment 15% and Office Equipment - 25%
ASSETS
Tangible fixed assets for	These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and cost at least £1,000.
use by charity	They are valued at cost or a reasonable value on receipt.

~~11~~

The Centre Project Limited REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Note 3 : Analysis of incoming resources

	General Restricted £ £	General Restricted £ £	2025 2024 £ £	2025 2024 £ £
Gifts and donations	16,885	100	16,985	10,113
Bequests and legacies	124,387	-	124,387	-
Total	141,272	100	141,372	10,113

Grants for Charitable Activities	16,760	96,917	113,677	186,124
Centre Activities	1,430	-	1,430	1,413
Community Opportunities	5,401	-	5,401	4,899
Total	23,591	96,917	120,508	192,436

Other	1,251	-	1,251	2,406
Total	1,251	-	1,251	2,406
			2024 Total 0 6,105 8,300 0 2,000 0 6,040 0 24,500 10,000 45,901 50,278 0 10,000 22,000 0 1,000 186,124
	2025		2024 Total
	General	Restricted
	1,000 1,260 5,000 2,000 5,500 2,000	10,000 10,000 47,367 10,000 19,550	0 6,105 8,300 0 2,000 0 6,040 0 24,500 10,000 45,901 50,278 0 10,000 22,000 0 1,000
	16,760	96,917	186,124

The Centre Project Limited REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Note 4: Total resources expended

Charitable activities (exp.) Costs directly allocated to activities Kitchen costs Activities & events Support costs Staff Costs Training Travel & Parking Volunteer expenses Insurance Premises costs	General Restricted 2025 2024 £ £ £ £ 106 - 106 623 2,616 11,030 13,646 28,006 2,722 11,030 13,752 28,629 56,078 90,461 146,538 142,156 - 433 433 496 892 892 1,784 2,035 348 122 470 1,226 400 351 751 1,563 6,994 6,243 13,237 15,886
General office & finance	4,807 925 5,732 5,961
Publicity and promotion Bank charges Other fees Total Total expenditure for charitable activities Other resources expended Depreciation Loss on asset disposal Total depreciation & asset disposal TOTAL	2,478 - 2,478 724 33 - 33 - 931 52 983 919 72,960 99,479 172,439 170,966 75,682 110,509 186,191 199,595 951 - 951 663 - - - - 951 - 951 663 76,633 110,509 187,142 200,258

The Centre Project Limited

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Note 5: Trustee Remuneration & Related Party Transactions

No trustees or directors received any remuneration during the year.

No trustee or member of the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the period

During the year, the charity paid £5,736 (2023/24: £5,736) to Central Baptist Church for utilities and cleaning charges. The charity does not pay for use of church premises.

The Church is connected to the charity but has no significant influence over the charity though some board members are also members of the Central Baptist Church, Leicester.

Note 6: Staff costs and numbers

6.1 Staff Costs

Gross wages, salaries and benefits in kind Employer’s National Insurance costs Pension costs Total staff costs	2025 £	2024 £
	132,907	129,551
	6,847	5,823
	6,785	6,782
	146,538	142,156

6.2 Average number of employees in the year

number of employees in the	year
Charitable activities Executive staff Total	2025 Number	2024 Number
	6	6
	1	1
	7	7

The Centre Project Limited

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Note 7: Tangible fixed assets

7.1 Cost or valuation

7.1 Cost or valuation
Balance brought forward Additions Disposals on revaluation Balance carried forward	Kitchen £	Fixtures, fittings and equipment £	Office equipment £	Total £
	20,866	24,434	6,138	51,438
				-
		-	-	-
	20,866	24,434	6,138	51,438

7.2 Accumulated depreciation and impairment provisions

10%	15%	25%

19,857	23,817	4,266	47,940
-	-	-	-
149	176	626	951
20,006	23,993	4,892	48,891

1,009	617	1,872	3,498
860	441	1,246	2,547
2025 2024 £ £ 3,656 9,802 1,586 - 5,242 9,802
2025 £	2024 £
3,656 1,586	9,802 -
5,242	9,802

Note 9: Creditors (Amounts falling due within one year)

Accruals Other creditors Total	2025 £	2024 £
	(13,368) (4,507)	(15,552) (1,666)
	(17,875)	(17,218)

The Centre Project Limited

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Note 10: Movements of major funds

Note 10: Movements of major funds
Balance at 1 April 2024 Income resources Outgoing resources Transfer between funds Balance at 31 March 2025	General Designated Restricted Fixed Asset Total Funds Funds Funds Fund Funds 42,787 15,000 137,969 3,498 199,254 166,114 - 97,017 - 263,131 (75,682) - (110,509) (951) (187,142) - - - - -
	133,219 15,000 124,477 2,547 275,243

Trustee acknowledgements and thanks

The trustees thank staff, volunteers, partner agencies, funders, Central Baptist Church (premises partner) and the many donors whose support makes the Centre’s work possible. The trustees recognise the commitment and compassion of the team who sustain a safe, welcoming and practical service for some of Leicester’s most excluded residents.