2025-12-31-accounts - St. Matthew's Project

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ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

ANNUAL REVIEW 202 5

Company Limited by Guarantee Charity Registration Number: 1140964 Company Registration Number: 7007350

Annual Report and Financial Statements For the period ended 31 December 2025

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Annual Report and Financial Statements For the period ended 31 December 2025 Contents

	Page
Legal & administrative information	2
Annual Report of the Trustees	4
Independent Examiner's report to the Trustees	36
Statement of financial activities	37
Balance sheet	38
Notes to the financial statements	39

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

Charity Name

St. Matthew’s Project.

Charity Registration no. 1140964. The Charity was registered with the Charity Commission on 22 March 2011.

Company Registration no. 7007350.
Registered Office 90 Gaskarth Road, London SW12 9NW
Governing Document

The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 2 September 2009. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association.

Mission Statement

To provide a safe and encouraging environment where young people can come together and enjoy structured sports and learning opportunities. To help the young people of Lambeth fulfil their potential and improve their well-being both physically and emotionally through targeted support to children and families

Objectives

To act as a resource for young people up to the age of 30 living in the south Brixton area by providing advice and assistance and organising programmes of physical, educational and other activities as a means of:
advancing in life and helping young people by developing their skills, capacities and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as independent, mature and responsible individuals.
advancing education
relieving unemployment
providing recreational and leisure time activity in the interests of social welfare for people living in the south Brixton area who have need by reason for their youth, age, infirmity or disability, poverty or social and economic circumstances, with a view to improving the conditions of life of such persons.
The promotion of community participation in healthy recreation, in particular children and young people aged between 6 and 25 by the provision of facilities for playing football.

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

Trustees	The Trustees who served during the year and who were serving at the date	The Trustees who served during the year and who were serving at the date
	of this report were:
	David Keen	Treasurer
	Jenny Greenfield	Chair
	Lekan Ojumu
	James Alexander
	Daisy Streatfield	(resigned 28 January 2025)
	Kosi Nwuba	(appointed 25 March 2025)
	Amy Grant	(appointed 25 March 2025)
	Kelechi Okeahialam-Finlayson	(appointed 25 March 2025)
Management Team	Lee Dema	Project Director
	Fiona McGee	M&E Officer
	Dwight Barnett	Project Coordinator
	Jonny Hough	Office & Operations Manager
Key Management	The person in charge of directing, controlling, running and operating the
Personnel	Charity on a day-to-day basis is Lee Dema, the Project Director.
Bankers	Santander UK
	301 St Vincent Street
	Glasgow G2 5NT
Independent Examiner	Sheila Parry ACCA
	SPX Oxford Limited
	Peace House
	19 Paradise Street
	Oxford OX1 ILD

Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

The Trustees submit their report and the financial statements of St. Matthew’s Project (“the Charity”) for the 12 month period ended 31 December 2025. The financial statements have been prepared in the format prescribed by the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2015 (FRS102). The financial statements have been prepared on a natural or alternative basis of analysis as per SORP 4.6. The legal and administrative information set out earlier in this document forms part of this report. This report also constitutes a directors’ report required by section 415 of the Companies Act 2006 as all Trustees of a charity company are directors.

Mission Statement

Public benefit

The Trustees have complied with their duty under Section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.

Who We Are

The St. Matthew’s Project provides a safe and encouraging environment where 3-30-year-olds can come together and enjoy structured football sessions and other activities. We help children and young people living mainly in the Tulse Hill and Coldharbour wards of Lambeth fulfil their potential and have a real impact on their community. What began as a kick-about in Brockwell Park is now a thriving youth project, which offers a growing array of programmes and services to over 350 young people each week, bringing them together from 3 different housing estates, which historically would not have anything to do with each other, and the surrounding streets. The project has a dedicated team of 2 full-time staff, 4 part-time, 22 sessional coaches and 6 volunteers, with extensive experience of working with a challenging target group and a thorough understanding of the local community and its needs.

Our current activities include weekly turn-up-and-play sessions for both sexes; a Family Football and Literacy Programme; estate-based sports sessions; and a Fit for Life programme combining free food with mental wellbeing sessions and drop-ins. For those aged 16+, we offer free F.A coaching courses, construction work training opportunities and a volunteering programme. Through continued engagement we help young people develop their personal skills and strengths and tackle any weaknesses they feel they might have. In this way, we aim to meet the needs of local young people, raise their aspirations and help them steer clear of a life of crime and gang-related activity. Since we work with young people right up until they are in their late-twenties, we are also well-placed to offer those progressing through our programmes an established exit route into further structured and ageappropriate sporting and employment opportunities.

Where We Work And What We Do

SMP is based in, run and attended by people who live mainly in the Brixton Rush Common and Brixton Windrush wards of Lambeth which are within the top 10% Deprivation Deciles nationally for crime and living environment. 95% of our participants are from a BAME background. 70% are entitled to benefitrelated free school meals. As well as complex deprivation issues, the young people we work with also face health-related difficulties, including obesity, and a high prevalence of risk factors for mental health problems. Lambeth is amongst the top ten most dangerous boroughs in London. Crime levels, and in particular gang-related activity, are high in our target area. Sadly, ten participants or former members of SMP have been murdered since 2011 . This has had a massive impact on our community, but we continue to show huge strength and resilience in the face of such trauma and remain determined to support each other through it. Tensions remain high in the local area, with gangs holding a strong

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

influence over young people and their families. A combination of enforced membership and low aspirations has meant that gangs have traditionally offered a viable, albeit illicit, career path for many of the boys and young men in the local community . Some parents even turn a blind eye to young people’s involvement in gangs and criminal activity as the opportunity for them to make some money can be a welcome relief to families struggling to provide basic essentials like food and heating. All our activities are free, which is very important as the vast majority of the young people we work with cannot otherwise afford to make use of the limited sporting facilities available within the local area.

Our ethos centres on the promotion of community cohesion and football is the hook which draws young people in. We then support them to make the transition from sports participation to accessing further sporting, educational or employment opportunities as they get older. Through continued engagement we help young people develop their personal skills and strengths and tackle any challenges they feel they might have. We offer community-led support to young people right up until their mid-twenties and are well-placed to offer those progressing through our programmes an established exit route into further structured and age-appropriate sporting and employment opportunities.

The importance of being firmly rooted in the local community and taking the time to develop the project incrementally has been fundamental to our success over the past 2 decades. It has also allowed us to respond appropriately to the evolving needs of our users. Due to the relationship we have built up with local young people over a long period of time, we have earned a legitimacy to advise and help them in a way other organisations cannot. Consequently, more and more young people are benefiting from the services we offer, enhancing their life opportunities.

Our Funders

Funders	Partners	SMFC Kit Sponsors
ANT-Fonden Berkeley Foundation Elizabeth F. Moore Foundation Garfield Weston GLA Kitchen Social Lambeth Council London Marathon Foundation L & Q Housing Mayor’s Office Propel Roupell Park RMO Sport England Thrale Almhouses UK Youth Walcot Foundation	Active Lambeth Brixton Police Brockwell Park Community Partners Brockwell Park Management City Heights Academy Crystal Palace F.C Academy Effra Digital High Trees Community Trust Jubilee Primary School Lambeth Early Action Partnership Lambeth Safeguarding Children P’ship Lambeth Sports & Recreation Services London F.A London Youth Roupell Park RMO Sported St. Matthew’s Estate TRA Streetgames Substance Social Research Tooting & Mitcham United F.C Tulse Hill Estate TRA Tulse Hill Safer Neighbourhood Team	Big Solutions Cottman Foundation KMCO Group McEvoy Maintenance

ST. MATTHEW'S PROJECT Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025 WALCOT Berkeley L(X4DOM SUPPQPTED BY FIYJNDA FOUNDATION MAYOR OF LONDON Foundation JWINtsACTMIY Kitchen Social 4lfnVE LAiipEfH Lambeth fyLY London Youth ThRALE ALMSHOUSE &REWINWEEDCHARrrY KM ) Group COTTMAN FOUNDATION MCEVOY maintenance TM TE EFFRA DIGITAL tu

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
AIMS & OBJECTIVES
To act as a resource
To promote To provide a safe and To help the young
for young people up
community encouraging people of the Tulse
to the age of 25 living participation in environment where Hill and Brixton area
in the Tulse Hill and fulfil their potential
healthy recreation, in young people can
Brixton area by and improve their
particular children come together and
providing advice and well-being both
and young people enjoy structured
assistance and physically and
aged between 3 and sports and learning
organising a emotionally through
25 by the provision of opportunities.
programme of targeted support to
facilities for playing
physical, children and families.
football and other
educational and
sports.
other activities.
----- End of picture text -----

WHY SMP?

Our project is one run by the community for the community. It began when our Project Manager was having a kickabout with his daughters and other children wanted to join in. Over the past twenty-one years, we have invested a lot of time in building up a broad base of local and regional partnerships; and we are now widely recognised as the main provider of sport-related youth activities in the Tulse Hill and Brixton area. Through our partnerships with Lambeth Council, Brockwell Park Management, Brixton Police, the London F.A, the Tulse Hill and St. Matthew’s Estates’ TRAs and local schools, we know that we are unique in the area in the type of sport and training programmes we deliver. Working closely with Lambeth Council’s Contextual Safeguarding team and Early Help Partnership , we are strategically well-placed within the Borough to deliver work with hard-to-reach young people. Due to the relationships we have built up with young people and their families over a long period of time, we have earned a legitimacy to support them in a way that other organisations cannot. As a result, we can maintain relationships with young people who are on the fringes of our community when they have cut themselves off from most or all of the other positive influences in their lives. Equally, it means that their families feel able to come to us for support when they are often reluctant to engage with statutory services. We are also firm proponents of promoting both the development and subsequent sharing of good practice on an ongoing basis. We do this in various ways. At an internal level, we ensure that young people have a role in shaping our programmes; whilst externally we work in collaboration with the local authority and TRAs.

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

ASPIRATION STATEMENT

The St. Matthew’s project is determined to ensure that the young people of the Tulse Hill and Brixton area can fulfil their potential. No child or young person should ever go hungry, be exposed to violence or live in poverty.

Football is a game that brings people together, engenders collaboration and trust and inspires passion and loyalty. Our mission is to use football as a gateway for young people to come together and provide for them structure and learning opportunities in a safe and encouraging environment. Our young people often get left behind, overlooked or banished to a headline about violence or underachievement. Our focus is on their wellness, based on an understanding that regularly active, collaborative young people are happier, healthier and more resilient.

Working with them day in, day out for two decades now, the St. Matthew’s Project knows that local young people have hopes, fears and aspirations like everyone else, that can be channelled to deliver positive outcomes — for the young people themselves, as well as the local area and local community.

The St. Matthew’s project has now been working in a deep and committed way, in a small part of London for 21 years. This has built a trust and an understanding that very few organisations working with young people have. We know our young people and they know us; our coaches have been through our programme so can relate and are relatable.

Our ambition is to continue this early intervention and we will continue to be embedded in the local area, and to understand each individual young person we work with, their challenges and hopes, in order to help them build a future and fulfil their potential.

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Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

CHAIR’S FOREWORD

This annual report gives an overview of the valuable work we carry out in our local community. It provides an insight into the impact it has not just on our participants, but also their families and the wider neighbourhood. It is testament to our wonderful team of staff and volunteers that a charity of our relatively small size is able to reach so many people. At St Matthew’s, we pride ourselves on being much more than ‘just’ a football project. Football is merely the starting point from which we can go on to support children and young people with their personal development, and offer them access to further sporting, educational or employment opportunities as they get older. Through sustained engagement, we are able to develop strong and enduring relationships with young people. Some of the young people we work with would not feel comfortable turning to any other source of support.

Many of our young people face challenges such as poverty, trauma, ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences), mental health issues and exposure to youth violence. SMP takes a trauma-informed, culturally competent approach to provide these young people with a safe space for support and wellbeing. Drawing on a diverse range of approaches such as narrative practices, trauma-informed and community psychology principles, wellbeing workers meet young people ‘where they are at’. We offer additional support around mental health, particularly with anxiety and paranoia, to support young people in their efforts to move away from the gang lifestyle, but this is not a short-term process. Young people feel safe with and trust SMP, because we are run by the community for the community. Our consistent approach provides them with a sense of stability in increasingly uncertain times.

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

SMP PROGRAMME 2025

Girls-only Saturday & Wednesday Football Club
Girls-only Roupell Park Estate Football Club
5-16s Saturday Football Club
Summer and Half-Term Holiday Football & Food Scheme
St. Matthew’s Estate After-School Sports Club
Jubilee Primary School After-School Football Club
St. Matthew’s F.C: U10s, U11s, U12s, U13s, U14s, U15s, 16s, Seniors and Girls U14s
Volunteer programme
F.A Introduction to Coaching Football Course
F.A UEFA-C Coaching Course
Moving On employability programme
11-15s Cage Football -Tulse Hill Estate
Junior Boxing Fitness -Tulse Hill Estate
Jubilee Primary School Parent & Toddler Club
Fit 4 Life - mental health wellbeing programme
Trauma-Informed staff training
Young Tulse Hill Peer Researchers
SMP Youth Board
City Heights Academy Schools’ Partnership
Family Fitness Club: St. Matthew’s & Tulse Hill Estates
Men’s 6-a-Side Football Night

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

SMP OUTCOMES & STATISTICS

TOTAL NUMBER OF ATTENDANCES 2020-21 to 2025

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PARTICIPANT ETHNICITY 2025
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ST. MATTHEW'S PROJECT Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025 MOVING ON 'Moving On, is aimed at some of the young people in our area who don't want to work with other services, but who know and trust St Matthew's. We focLJS on young men who aren't in education, employment and training or who have a history of offending. 94 We offer young people who are looking lo get into work or education the chance to be part of a supportive community that provides pathways into work based around football and construction. Attended 11 x 2-hour foothall and coaching sessiorb5 52 36 Ac¢essÈd weekly wellbeing support Player5 registered for 5MFC Seniors 25 Gained employmenl Accessed volunteèring opportunitiOS Had a minimum of 10 intr¢)du¢tory driving le550ns Gained Consttwctio Skills Cèrtification Scherne ICSCSI Gained the Introduction to Football Coaching qualification Had work ?xp8ri8nce placernents at SMP and Effra Digital Gained part-time Èmploymènt with SMP Passed their manual driving test Enrolled on the F.A UEFAC Coaching ¢oursÈ Passed the CBT Motorbike test Qualified as referees Employers include Sainsburys (S . BAGNALLS JVetworkRail POST OFFICE

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

Former SMFC player, volunteer and now SMFC U11s coach, Adam, showing off his new manual driver’s licence gained via SMP’s Moving On programme.

Summer in the City…

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

TESTIMONIALS

TOTAL NU ‘I just wanted to write to say a huge thank you for hosting the (Girls’ 3v3) tournament on Saturday. Our players had a fantastic time and it was really fun watching them play this fast and furious style of football! Your girls are very lucky to have such dedicated coaches.’ – Sarah, Broomwood F.C

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‘ SMP have shown that they
genuinely care about the
people they work with, investing
in their growth and giving them
the tools to succeed. I’m truly
grateful for the support they’ve
given me, and I’m determined
to make the most of this
opportunity and continue
building my career.’ ’ – Ditlind,
Moving On Programme.
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‘Parents have responded enthusiastically to the (Parents & Toddlers) programme. Notably, two parents of deaf children have joined the sessions and shared that the information and strategies have been especially useful and supportive for their family’s needs.’ – Sam Esty, Deputy Headteacher, Jubilee Primary School.

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‘Thank you so much to St. Matthew’s Project for helping me
get my SIA License. They have always been there and
supportive of my progression and achievements throughout
the years since I was a young kid on Tulse Hill Estate. SMP
has always guided me and steered me in the right direction
and for that I will be forever grateful.’ – Moving On
participant.
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‘I just wanted to let you know I passed my driving test yesterday and thank you for supporting me through the journey. Your help and contribution is greatly appreciated!’ – Toni, 18. SMP coach and Moving On beneficiary.

‘Just found my way to your film after reading an article in The Londoner. What a wonderful project, now got something in my eye. Love, love, love the project.’ – Online donor.

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

WHAT’S NEXT FOR SMP?

Many of our young people face challenges such as poverty, trauma, ACEs, mental health issues and exposure to youth violence. SMP takes a trauma-informed, culturally competent approach to provide these young people with a safe space for support and well-being. Drawing on a diverse range of approaches such as narrative practices, trauma-informed and community psychology principles, wellbeing workers meet young people ‘where they are at’. We want to increase our support around mental health, particularly with anxiety and paranoia, to support young people in their efforts to move away from the gang lifestyle, but this is not a short-term process. Young people feel safe with and trust SMP, because we are run by the community for the community. Our consistent approach provides them with a sense of stability in increasingly uncertain times. The SMP Project Manager’s strong bond with young people and their families, developed over many years, along with his extensive knowledge of the local area, has been foundational to the success of our work. This knowledge and consistency ensure that the project is viewed as credible and has enabled external wellbeing workers (clinical psychologists) to cultivate their own meaningful relationships with the young people. It highlights the vital role of time in developing relationships and leverages the power of peer connections, as we find more and more young people are coming to us on the recommendation of their friends. Our holiday schemes are always full to capacity and have been commended by all sections of our community. We have run several similar cage football and Moving On programmes before, the individual components of which have continued to evolve in response to the needs of the participants involved. Continuing this multifaceted approach is crucial in providing holistic and tailored support that meets the unique needs of each young person.

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

OUR PEOPLE AND SUPPORTERS

We would like to thank everyone who has supported us throughout the past year - be it through donations, funding, volunteering or words of encouragement. We would also like to extend our huge thanks for the continued support of our board of trustees, our staff and volunteers. 855 young people signed up to our services across our wellbeing, employability and youth safety provisions; 652 are Lambeth residents, with 377 living in our targeted wards and estates. SMP is nothing without the community it serves and we look forward to maintaining that partnership into 2026. We have built a team with a shared vision and together we are making a positive difference. Our staff, volunteers and trustees are the key to our growth and success; they are involved and engaged not just with us but with all the young people we support. We would like to thank them for the time and invaluable resources they are putting into our work, helping to make the SMP the special organisation it is – may their effort and dedication continue to help change the lives of young people in the Tulse Hill and Brixton area and beyond.

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR

January

‘Boots On The Ground’, an exhibition of photographs depicting the first 20 years of SMP, curated by Brixton-based artist Ellie Laycock, opened at Lambeth Archives in January. It was lovely to see so many old faces turn up and reminisce.

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

February

6 February saw the screening of ‘ 20 Years and Counting’ , our special film celebrating the 20[th] anniversary of the Project. Over 100 invitees turned up to watch the 30-minute long film and enjoy a social event and reunion at the Ritzy Cinema in Brixton.

‘An absolute privilege and a pleasure to sit and watch this short film tonight. A really jubilant, moving, playful celebration of the St. Matthew’s Project. Huge thanks to Lee for his years of commitment and to Dwight for his energy and vision to bring the evening together.’ – CJ, Twitter.

‘Great to be able to celebrate '20 Years & Counting' with Lee, Dwight and the team at SMP. Amazing story from one kickabout to 20 years of transforming lives and their own community through football.’ – James Gregory, Streetgames.

‘This is a brilliant film. Uplifting and insightful. Shows the strength of community.’ – Lib Peck, Director of the Violence Reduction Unit, Mayor’s Office.

March

The arrival of Spring saw some of our younger members attending Vauxhall City Farm every Sunday for 6 weeks as part of the farm’s City Sprouts wellbeing programme, which offers young people from the inner city an opportunity to hit pause and reconnect with the natural world.

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

…While another 4 of our older members passed the CSCS Construction, Fire Marshal and Traffic Marshal course at the Earls Court Skills Centre, West Brompton, as part of our Moving On programme.

As part of Neurodiversity Celebration Week, we put together a special online Parenting & Neurodiversity Q&A. The video covered key topics such as:

Supporting your neurodivergent child at school, in sports, and in everyday life
Managing sensory sensitivities, anxiety, and meltdowns
Encouraging confidence and self-advocacy
Practical strategies for parents and carers

Parents and carers were able to submit questions and any issues they had via the SMP website, and discuss them with our Wellbeing Outreach Worker, Savannah.

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

It was with great sadness that we learned of the murder of one of our Fit 4 Life regulars, Lathaniel, aged just 16. Lathaniel was shot dead in a gang-related incident near his home in Stockwell. He is the ninth young person from SMP to lose their life to gang violence. Amidst all the floral tributes at the scene of his murder, there was something about the blossom tree coming to life that made it all the more poignant.

The 14th SMP annual Lambeth Schools Girls’ football tournament took place on 12 March at Ferndale Sports Centre, Brixton. Another great turnout saw 11 schools, 14 teams and 113 players taking part. La Retraite overcame Elms Academy in a Clapham Derby in the final, 3-1. Oasis Academy, Waterloo, won the Fair Play Award and girls from Elms and Dunraven, Streatham, won Star Player Awards. Well done to all

Oasis Academy

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

We felt it is was really important to extend our Fit 4 Life programme to a younger group, as we had recently noted a worrying lowering of the age at which some of our young people were being targeted for involvement in gang-related activity. We believe that early intervention with the specific aim of increasing resilience is the best way to tackle this issue to reduce the likelihood of an adverse effect on young people’s ongoing development. Thanks to our F4L funders, the Berkeley Foundation and Propel, we introduced a Friday evening drop-in session on Tulse Hill Estate.

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

As of Monday, 17 March we took the decision to cease being active on Twitter/X. We felt that the platform no longer aligned with our values and had become instead a cesspit of bigotry, hate (‘ free ’) speech and misinformation. Our Twitter/X account will remain live as an archive, preserving access to historical content and data. Meanwhile, we invited our followers on Twitter/X to join us on, Facebook, Instagram and our new Bluesky account and look forward to connecting with them.

On a happier note, the last game of the 2024-25 season for SMFC Seniors, a 4-0 home win against Clapham Wanderers, saw them secure runners-up spot and promotion from Division 5 to Division 4 of the Southern Sunday League. Well done chaps!

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

Congratulations to Project Coordinator, Dwight, who started the season as Head Coach at semi-pro outfit Tooting Bec FC, and now, as Assistant Manager, won the London FA Senior Trophy. Great to see SMFC U10s manager and SMP Youth Board member, Alimamy, delivering on the pitch too!

April

PC Barr from Brixton Police brought some sunshine with him when he popped down to one of our Saturday Club sessions in Brockwell Park to give some great advice and safety guidance on phones and social media to some of our teenage members. ‘Own your mobile, don’t let it own you!’

Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

A huge thank you to Woodbridge High School, all the way over in Woodford, Essex, who collected another batch of donated football boots in very good condition for us. Just in time for the Easter sessions. Our new and used football boot scheme has seen 100s of pairs go out young people in need. Thank you to everyone who has donated.

A great Easter Holiday scheme saw an average of 107 participants attending the two sessions. There were also meals, medals and Easter eggs for everyone, plus 4 Star Player Awards and some brand new replacement football boots.

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

Congratulations and a huge well done to SMFC U13s Girls and team coaches Megan and Louise, both former participants, on winning the Girls’ Super League West Cup at Barn Elms!

May

…And congratulations and a huge well done, too, to SMFC U16s on their London County Saturday League cup and league double in their final season together! Big shout out to manager Marcus, who was sadly away on holiday for the final, for leading the boys throughout the season, and a big thank you to our U15s manager Mario for stepping in.

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Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

From SMFC player to double-winning manager. An SMP journey…

June

A lovely day in Brockwell Park to kickstart the summer as we all came together again to remember former Saturday Club member and SMFC player, John Ogunjobi, who tragically lost his life aged just 16 to knife crime. John would have celebrated his 22nd birthday this year. John’s mum and sisters were in attendance, helping to hand out over a 100 medals and 6 x Star Player trophies.

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

There was a great turn out at Ferndale Sports Centre, Brixton for our inaugural 3v3 girls’ football tournament in partnership with the FA, with 37 players involved. 3v3 football is a new fast-paced, smallsided game designed to maximize player development and skill. Congratulations to our old friends Broomwood FC from Wandsworth on their win.

SMP enjoyed a fantastic day of celebration on 22 June at the annual SMFC Awards Ceremony at Alleyns School, Dulwich. It was great to see so many parents and carers in attendance. A huge thank you to former participants Ronald, Thierry and Thyrell for coming back to help out and give out trophies at the SMFC Awards Ceremony. Ronald is currently playing professionally in Kosovo for Prishtina FC, and Thierry and Thyrell are at the West Ham United and AFCV Wimbledon academies respectively.

ST. MATTHEW'S PROJECT Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025 28

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

July-August

A group of SMP participants got to have a great day out at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium as part of the Kevin Campbell Foundation’s ‘Building Dreams - Summer Football Programme’. SMFC U11s and Girls U15s enjoyed a stadium tour, a talk from former Arsenal player Perry Groves and some 6–a-side games against AFC in the Community teams. Players also received an Arsenal goody bag. Big thank you to Kevin’s sister, Lorna for the invite!

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

There were major changes in the way the Lambeth HAF scheme is funded and monitored around the number of children and young people entitled to benefits-related free school meals, including registering using the new Lambeth booking system. Yet despite all the challenges presented by the government’s strict free school meal targets, we were delighted to have still included large numbers of participants, with an average daily attendance of 105. A huge thank you to the Lambeth Council HAF team and the Mayor’s Office for all the funding, guidance and support.

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

September-November

A massive well done went out to our new SMFC U10s manager Rohannie and her team on clocking up a 3-0 home win in their very first league match. Rohannie is a great advert for the SMP pathway having first played for Oasis Academy, Waterloo in our annual Lambeth Schools tournament. She then regularly attended our girls-only sessions at Ferndale Sports Centre, started volunteering, gained her FA Level-1 coaching certificate and became a paid part-time coach. She’s now looking to progress to her UEFA C Licence with us.

Some of our Girls’ Saturday Club regulars had a great time on the ice at the iconic ice skating rink at Somerset House, and none of them fell over! Big thank you to our partners at Kitchen Social, the Mayor's Fund for London and Bloomberg for the free tickets.

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

December

December saw the start of a new Boxing-Fitness scheme for young people aged 11-15 in partnership with L&Q Housing and Sport England. Sessions run every Thursday evening at Jubilee Hall, Tulse Hill Estate.

A great day out was had by 12 members of our Fit 4 Life wellbeing drop-in sessions as they enjoyed a festive treat at K1 Speed go karting at Canary Wharf. Definitely a day to remember!

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

…And finally, the Saturday Girls’ Club sessions at Ferndale Sports Centre, ended for the year with 18 girls receiving a festive goodie bag each thanks to an SMP parent!

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

Financial Review

Funding for the Charity comes from a variety of sources including grants and donations from trusts and individuals.

2025 has been a challenging year financially for the Charity. Although it was another strong year for donations and legacies, with income of £338,860 for 12 months (2024: £448,084 – 16 months), the Charity has posted a deficit of £55,904 for the year to 31st December 2025. In 2024 the Trustees took the decision to support an increase in service provision in the knowledge that there would be extra costs involved which might not be fully recovered through in-year income. The cash position was, and remains, strong, and therefore a decision was taken that for 2025 the potential to run at a deficit was acceptable. The trustees’ view being that the Charity should continue to plan to broaden its activities and reach to further the Charity’s aims. This is reflected in the additional staff who have been recruited to further implementation. This was a one-year position and the intention is to run at break even or above in the future. As a result the 2026 budget is set at break even and 2026 year to date management accounts show that a surplus is currently been generated. As detailed in the reserves policy below, net free reserves have remained above the level that the Trustees deem to be prudent throughout 2025.

Included in total funds are amounts totalling £36,861 (2024: £92,409) which are restricted. These monies have either been raised for, and their use restricted to, specific purposes, and/or they comprise grants subject to grantor-imposed conditions. Details of the movement on these restricted funds can be found in note 7 to the accounts together with an analysis of movements in the year.

Reserves Policy

The Trustees have examined the requirements for free reserves, i.e. those unrestricted funds not invested in tangible fixed assets. The Trustees consider that, given the nature of the Charity’s funding, free reserves should be equivalent to approximately 3 months general fund expenditure. The Trustees are of the opinion that this provides sufficient flexibility to cover temporary shortfalls in incoming resources and will allow the Charity to cope and respond to unforeseen emergencies whilst specific action plans are implemented. At 31 December 2025 the Charity had net free reserves of £111,516 (2024: £111,872) as follows:

Total reserves Less: restricted funds Free reserves Free reserves requirement: 3 month’s budgeted routine expenditure	2025	2024 £ 204,281 (92,409)
	£

	148,377
	(36,861)

		111,872
	111,516

		110,000

	100,000

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Annual Report of the Trustees For the period ended 31 December 2025

Going Concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charitable company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the Accounting Policies.

Responsibilities of Trustees for the Financial Statements

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. Charity law in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial period which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the Charity for that period.

In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP;
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the activities of the Charity will continue.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enables them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the governing document. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the Charity and financial information included in the Charity’s website.

Approval

The report of the Trustees was approved by the Trustees on 7 August 2026 and signed on their behalf by:

Jenny Greenfield Chair of the Board

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Report of the Independent Examiner to the Trustees of St Matthews Project For the year ended 31 December 2025

I report on the accounts of the St Matthew’s Project (the Charity) for the year ended 31 December 2025, set out on pages 37-43.

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:

examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act);
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
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner's report

The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants. 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.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Sheila Parry ACCA 7 August 2026

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Statement of Financial Activities (incorporating the income and expenditure account) For the period ended 31 December 2025

	Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 16 months 79,380 880	Total 2024 £ 16 months 447,204 880
Total
2025
£
12 months

338,860
-

	80,260	448,084

338,860

	81,559 3,799 - 22,190 600 300	303,372 3,799 167,930 22,190 600 300


233,188
2,594
133,883
24,439
660
-

	108,448	498,191

394,764

	(28,188)	(50,107)

(55,904)

	-	-

-

	(28,188) - -	(50,107) - -

(55,904)

-
-

	(28,188) 140,060	(50,107) 254,388

(55,904)

204,281

	111,872	204,281

148,377

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Balance Sheet As at 31 December 2025

Note Current Assets Debtors 5 Cash At Bank And In Hand Creditors - Amounts Falling Due Within One Year 6 Net Current Assets Net Assets Represented By: Restricted Funds 7 Unrestricted Income Funds Total Funds	Unrestricted Funds 2025 £ 199 117,721 117,920 6,404 111,516 111,516 - 111,516 111,516		Restricted Funds 2025 £ - 36,861 36,861 - 36,861 36,861 36,861 - 36,861			Total 2024 £ 35,000 175,391
				Total
				2025
				£

				199
				154,582

						210,391 6,110
				154,781

				6,404

						204,281
				148,377

						204,281
				148,377

						92,409 111,872


				36,861
				111,516

						204,281
				148,377

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime as set out in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006. The company is entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 December 2025 and no notice requiring an audit has been deposited under section 476.

The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for:

ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006
preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of each financial period and of its profit or loss for the financial period in accordance with the requirements of sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as is applicable to the company.

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 7 August 2026 and signed on their behalf by:

David Keen Treasurer

Company registration 7007350

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Notes to the Financial Statements For the period ended 31 December 2025

1. Accounting Policies

St. Matthews Project is a charitable company limited by guarantee without share capital, with use of 'Limited' exemption, and registered in England with registration number 07007350. Its registered office address is 90 Gaskarth Road, Balham, London, SW12 9NW. The accounts are presented in GBP rounded to £1.

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

Basis of accounting

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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 September 2024) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared on a natural or alternative basis of analysis as per SORP 4.6.

The Charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

The Charity has availed itself of the Companies Act 2006 and adapted the Companies Act format to reflect the special nature of the Charity’s activities.

Going Concern

The Charity is a going concern. Taking into account reserves and anticipated recurring income, the Trustees are confident that the Charity remains a going concern for at least twelve months from the date of approval of these accounts.

Income recognition

Voluntary income and donations (including legacies) are accounted for once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be reliably measured. Income from the recovery of tax on gift aided donations is accounted for in the period to which the relevant donation is received. Grant income is recognised on a receivable basis.

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

No amounts have been included in the financial statements for services donated by volunteers.

Expenditure recognition

Expenditure is accrued as soon as a liability is considered probable, and the amount of obligation can be measured reliably. Longer term liabilities are discounted to present value. The Charity is not registered for VAT and accordingly expenditure includes VAT where appropriate.

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Notes to the Financial Statements For the period ended 31 December 2025

1. Accounting Policies (continued)

Charitable expenditure includes those costs in fulfilling the Charity’s principal objects, as outlined in the Report of the Trustees. These include governance costs which are incurred in connection with the administration of the Charity and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, which tasks are undertaken mainly by the Trustees. Governance costs also costs include costs relating to statutory independent examination and legal fees.

Taxation

The Company is a Registered Charity and is therefore exempt from taxation under the Income and Corporation Taxes Acts.

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets, costing more than £2,000, are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following bases:

Office equipment: 5 years

Funds Structure

Unrestricted income comprises those funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Charity for specific purposes. There are currently no restricted funds.

2. Income

Unrestricted Funds 2025 £ 12 months Donations & legacies Donations 21,867 Gift Aid - Grants 70,678 92,545 Charitable activities Team subscriptions - 0 92,545	Restricted Funds 2025 £ 12 months - - 246,315 246,315 - 0 246,315					Total 2024 £ 16 months 48,180 - 399,024
			Total
			2025
			£
			12 months

			21,867
			-
			316,993

						447,204 880
			338,860

			-

						880
			0

						448,084
			338,860

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Notes to the Financial Statements For the period ended 31 December 2025

3. Expenditure

Included within expenditure are the following costs:

3a Staff costs Unrestricted Funds 2025 £ 12 months Gross salaries 59,897 Employers National Insurance 4,938 Employer pension contributions 1,734 66,569	Restricted Funds 2025 £ 12 months 161,816 2,962 1,840 166,618			Total 2024 £ 16 months 287,555 12,187 3,630
		Total
		2025
		£
		12 months

		221,714
		7,901
		3,574

				303,372
		233,189

The average number of employees during the year was 26 (2024: 26). No employee received emoluments in excess of £60,000 during the year.

3b Service delivery Unrestricted Funds 2025 £ 12 months Coaching, tutoring, counselling & training - Food - Travel - Equipment/kit/facilities - Membership/league fees - Tours & events - Digital Inclusion - Other - 0	Restricted Funds 2025 £ 12 months 93,210 33,181 2,115 5,291 86 - - - 133,883				Total 2024 £ 16 months 26,107 54,223 4,402 47,198 1,958 1,200 20,298 12,544
			Total
			2025
			£
			12 months


			93,210
			33,181
			2,115
			5,291
			86
			-
			-
			-

					167,930
			133,883

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Notes to the Financial Statements For the period ended 31 December 2025

3. Expenditure (continued)

3c Office & administration Unrestricted Funds 2025 £ 12 months Accountancy & payroll 6,888 Office space 3,557 Filming/20thAnniversary costs 7,369 Insurance 324 Printing & stationery 29 Software 908 Website 162 Other 5,202 24,439	Restricted Funds 2025 £ 12 months - - - - - - - 0				Total 2024 £ 16 months 6,259 - 8,215 324 - - 1,224 6,168 22,190
			Total
			2025
			£
			12 months

			6,888
			3,557
			7,369
			324
			29
			908
			162
			5,202

			24,439

4. Taxation

As a charity, St. Matthews Project is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within the provisions of the Corporation Taxes Act 2010 or the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen on the Charity.

5. Debtors

5. Debtors
Grants receivable Other debtors	2025	2024 £ 35,000 -
	£

	-
	199

		35,000
	199

6. Creditors - Amounts Falling Due Within One Year

6. Creditors - Amounts Falling Due Within One Year
Other creditors Other creditors including taxation and social security Accruals	2025	2024 £ 686 4,024 1,400
	£

	-
	4,344
	2,060

		6,110
	6,404

ST. MATTHEW’S PROJECT

Notes to the Financial Statements For the period ended 31 December 2025

7. Restricted Funds

	Income £ Expenditure £ Transfers £ 246,315 (301,863) 0	At 31	At 31
		December
			2025
			£


			36,861

	Income £ Expenditure £ Transfers £ 367,824 (389,743) 0
At 1 September 2024 £ 114,328			At 31
		December
			2025
			£


			92,409

Service delivery related activities. Income received specifically for funding service delivery related activities.

8. Related Party Transactions

No Trustees (2024: none) received reimbursement for expenses incurred on charity business during the year.

The Trustees did not make any restricted donations to the charity during the year (2024: £nil).

9. Members Funds

The company is a private company limited by guarantee with no share capital. The liability of the members is limited to £10 in the event of a winding up.