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2025-03-31-accounts

Registered Charity Number: 1141274 Company Number: 07517828

Voluntary Action South Leicestershire (a charitable company limited by guarantee)

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 March 2025

Voluntary Action South Leicestershire

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

CONTENTS

Page
Charity Information 1
Report of the Trustees 2
Independent Auditor's Report 13
Statement of Financial Activities
(including Income & Expenditure Account) 17
Balance Sheet 18
Statement of Cash Flows 19
Notes to the Financial Statements 20

Voluntary Action South Leicestershire Company Information For the year ended 31 March 2025

Trustees:

Linda Jones (Chair)

Richard Clarke Kate Godber Angela Holdsworth Jonathan Jackson Suzanne Packer Lauren Woolley

Charity Manager & Company Secretary

Julia Synnott

Company Number

07517828 (England and Wales)

Charity Number

1141274

Registered Office

1st Floor Torch House Torch Way Northampton Road Market Harborough Leicestershire LE16 9HL

Auditors:

Edward Thomas Peirson & Sons Chartered Accountants 21 The Point Rockingham Road Market Harborough Leicestershire LE16 7NU

Bankers:

CAF Bank Limited 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ

HR Advisers:

Peninsula Business Services Ltd Riverside New Bailey Street Manchester M3 5PB

Page 1

VOLUNTARY ACTION SOUTH LEICESTERSHIRE

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The Trustees present their Report, which includes the Directors’ Report required by company law, together with the Financial Statements of the charitable company ("the charity") for the year ended 31 March 2025

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Charity Name

The charity’s formal name is Voluntary Action South Leicestershire but it is also known, and frequently referred to, as VASL.

Statutory information

Information regarding the charitable company’s registration numbers, registered office, current trustees, senior manager and other advisers is set out at Page 1 to the financial statements.

Directors/Trustees and Management

The directors of the charity are also its trustees for the purpose of charity law and throughout this report and financial statements are referred to collectively as the Trustees or the Board. Those who have served in this capacity during the period covered by the financial statements are as follows: –

Chair: Linda Jones CBE Treasurer: Angela Holdsworth Appointed 13 May 2024 Brian Shayanewako Resigned 25 September 2024 Other trustees: Richard Clarke Hazel Cook Resigned 22 April 2024 Kate Godber Howard Grant Resigned 31 December 2024 Suzanne Packer Lauren Woolley

Following the end of the financial year, on 1 April 2025, Jonathan Jackson was appointed as an additional director/trustee.

The Trustees are also the members of the company.

Company Secretary& Charity Manager: Julia Synnott

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objects

The charity’s objects, as set out in the Articles of Association of the charitable company, are:

Page 2

VOLUNTARY ACTION SOUTH LEICESTERSHIRE

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (continued)

Aims and strategies

In satisfaction of these objects our aims are to:

Our mission is to improve and enrich the lives of people in our community by providing services and volunteer facilitated activities with strategic objectives of:

Our vision is to cement our position as the lead 3rd sector organisation in Harborough District and a major provider of services across the county.

Our success is reliant on all trustees, staff and volunteers applying our key values of:

Activities and Projects

The principal projects and activities with which we have been involved in the year are detailed below.

1. Support for Carers Leicestershire

Support for Carers continues to support Carers across Leicestershire is completing year 3 of funding with a plus 1 from November 2025. The Hospital Discharge Scheme returned in February 2025 and we continue to work with Leicestershire County Council on upcoming projects. We are in regular contact and have a strong working relationship. The team continue to develop new ways to support carers and assist with Assessments and help with Government support.

Our Energy Advice Service sits within the Team, and ends on the 30[th] September 2025. There is no further funding available to continue the project.

2. Young Carers

The Young Carers project was transferred to another local charity, Harborough Young People and Childrens Charity (HCYC) in July 2022. However, VASL remains a partner, providing volunteer drivers and escorts for the young carers to attend fortnightly groups.

Page 3

VOLUNTARY ACTION SOUTH LEICESTERSHIRE

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (continued)

Activities and Projects (continued)

3. Community Champions

Community Champions is a hybrid project and offers our clients and volunteers a real range of life and online connection experiences.

Befriending through home visits, telephone calls and letter writing have continued. There have been regular learning events including a volunteer-led session on bladder health. Other topics covered include 5 Ways to Well-being, Bereavement, Safeguarding, and Self Care. Two “Next Steps” courses have taken place, (volunteer-led), resulting in clients going to more community events and making new connections. Two clients also launched a card playing group.

We have enjoyed bringing volunteers together again for face-to-face connection through VASL celebrations and project socials, and there have been monthly Community Gatherings for clients.

Digital support sessions have been taking place monthly at Market Harborough and Lutterworth libraries and monthly mini zooms led by volunteers are enjoyed by clients. This project has grown and we are now working with clients and local GP Surgeries to enable clients to use the NHS App to order repeat prescriptions.

4. VASL Transport

Our Transport project continues to grow and we have over 45 active drivers who are able to take clients without access to a car to and from vital Hospital Appointments. The service helps with isolation and clients are able to relax knowing they have a trained volunteer waiting to take them home. There is a huge need for this service and we are grateful for the continued support from Leicestershire County Council. Day trips are also organised throughout the year using the Community Bus service and are always sold out. The project is now cashless and clients are able to pay for journeys online or over the phone.

5. Wellbeing Befriending

Liz McMillan is the project Manager. We have seen an increase in referrals from external sources and also from within our projects at VASL. Volunteers continue to support a variety of clients with a wide range of needs with weekly telephone befriending calls. Group meetings have also increased and are very popular offering Mental Health support and mindful activities.

Volunteer led Wellness Cafes have been, and continue to be, a huge success. This project is funded until the end of December 2025 and applications for further funding will be made.

6. Volunteering

As an organisation, we continue to provide quality volunteering opportunities, with excellent training and support. Volunteering in the community continues to be vital to the projects and services we provide.

VASL volunteering opportunities are publicised and promoted on a regular basis and we hold the Investing in Volunteers Accreditation, which is a recognised quality mark for volunteer involving organisations.

Our Volunteers are committed to giving their time to VASL and we continue to support them. We have had Christmas and Summer Volunteer recognition events for all to meet and to give the Charity Manager an opportunity to thank them for the work they do.

Page 4

VOLUNTARY ACTION SOUTH LEICESTERSHIRE

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (continued)

Activities and Projects (continued)

7. Representation and Engagement

VASL continues to sit on key forums and engagement groups throughout Harborough District, and wider Leicestershire. We are regularly consulted by Health and Social Care to help identify and shape services that support our client groups and the wider community. We continue to have a close working relationship with Harborough District Council, and Leicestershire County Council.

We have developed, and strengthened, our relationships with Health through the newly formed Primary Care Networks.

The Charity Manager is on a Steering Group for a VCSE Collaboration. We invite key organisations to events throughout the year with guest speakers and workshops to develop strength in Volunteer led organisations. This Alliance has been able to contact key funders and discuss the continued impact we have on the community.

NHS England has developed an ICB Board to work directly with the Voluntary Sector to support key needs in the community, and VASL’s Charity Manager is on the steering group.

Public Benefit

The Trustees are pleased to confirm that they have referred, and continue to refer, to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

At the beginning of the year the Trustees set the following strategic priorities for 2024/25:

Organisational

Project based

Page 5

VOLUNTARY ACTION SOUTH LEICESTERSHIRE

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)

VASL continued to thrive throughout 2024/25. All projects have successfully continued to grow, support Volunteers and Clients and meet funding targets.

A new Strategic Plan for 2025-2028 was developed and approved.

We have continued to raise our presence within the local community and have had fund raising events with local businesses.

We have a good relationship with Market Harborough and The Bowden’s Charity and meet regularly.

VASL continues to have the Investing in Volunteers and Trusted Charity Mark level 2.

VASL won County Charity of the Year at the VAL Awards in October 2024

The Board of Trustees, led by Linda Jones, continued to oversee and support the everchanging developments of VASL. During the year we have recruited two new Trustees and two have stood down.

VASL is a highly successful, well run and financially secure charity and is in an excellent position to face the necessary changes during the coming year. We have been able to secure a further 3 years funding for the Community Champions project from the National Lottery (75%) and The Market Harborough and The Bowdens Charity (25%).

We are, as ever, most grateful to all of those who have provided funds to support our work throughout 2024/25. The funding that we have received has ranged from individual donations and one-off pots of funding from individuals, community groups and businesses to larger grants from organisations including:

The difference we have made

The Table below summarises the difference VASL made in our Communities during 2024/25

.

Community Total Individuals How Have They Benefited?
Carers across
Leicestershire		 4233 individual family carers
supported.		 •
Carer helpline (Monday - Friday, 9am –
5pm)
•
Online support through website,
Facebook, Twitter
•
Support group sessions delivered to share
experiences and enjoy social time.
•
County-wide Forum events
•
Newsletters provided information and
contacts
•
Telephone befriending

Page 6

VOLUNTARY ACTION SOUTH LEICESTERSHIRE

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Community Total individuals How Have they Benefited?
Isolated Older
People		 164 •
Social support – Community
Champions
•
Befriending, digital & telephone
support, pen pals
•
109 events and gatherings
People needing help
with transport		 3,371 •
Passenger journeys
People needing
support with their
Mental Health		 49 •
Information
•
Advice and Navigation
•
One to One Support
•
Befriending
Volunteers 7 VASL Trustees
153 VASL Volunteers		 •
Supporting all VASL Projects and
governance of the organisation
Community Groups
in Harborough		 •
Local Groups encouraged to attend
Community Networking events
•
Ad Hoc support
The Business and
Public Sectors		 We worked with many different
organisations including:
•
Leicestershire County
Council
•
Harborough District
Council
•
NHS community mental
health teams
•
Leicestershire PCN’s
•
CCG's
•
LLILT Group
•
Healthwatch
•
Local schools, libraries,
adult learning
•
GP practices across
Leicestershire
•
Primary Care Networks
•
Parish Councils
•
Schools/Education
Establishments		 •
Worked in partnership with VASL to
support their customers and share
knowledge and ideas
•
Raised their community profile
•
Engaged with businesses

Page 7

VOLUNTARY ACTION SOUTH LEICESTERSHIRE

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Community Total Individuals How Have They Benefited?
Charities/Third
Sector/Grant
Makers		 We worked with many different
charities including:
•
Market Harborough Bowdens
Charity
•
Harborough FM
•
LLR Community Foundation
•
Big Lottery
•
Children In Need
•
Age UK
•
LAMP
•
Dementia Harborough
•
Befriending Network
•
Community Transport
Association
•
Alzheimer's Society
•
Sustainable Harborough
•
HCYC
•
The Cube Youth Centre
•
LOROS
•
Voluntary Action
Leicestershire		 •
Met their charitable aims by awarding
grants to VASL for project activity
•
Took referrals for services from VASL
staff
•
Attended VASL forums
•
Consulted on project development
The Wider
Community		 •
Support for Carers Leicestershire
website provides information and
support
•
VASL website provides information,
support and access to services

Page 8

VOLUNTARY ACTION SOUTH LEICESTERSHIRE

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial Performance

The financial period covered by the accounts and this report was a 12-month period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. The annual income was £586,776 (2024: £555,636) and the total costs were £606,465 (2024: £595,519). This resulted in a net deficit of £19,689 (2024: Deficit £39,883). There was a £18,163 surplus in unrestricted funds (2024: Surplus £3,670) and a £37,852 deficit in restricted funds (2024: Deficit £43,553).

VASL continues to operate in a period of considerable financial uncertainty in relation to core funding from statutory bodies and project funding from other agencies. In view of this the Trustees considered it prudent to retain a designated financial reserve of £105,504 to cover contingencies (see Policy on reserves below).

Policy on cost recovery

In undertaking a grant funded project, VASL aimed to apply the principles of Full Cost Recovery. That is, it is recognised that each project undertaken by VASL was supported by a central organisation whose costs must be covered by the organisation as a whole. Each project had therefore to contribute its share of the central cost.

Accordingly, except where there was an explicit agreement with the funder on the amount of grant which was to be applied to central costs, an overheads charge was levied in proportion to the staff time devoted to the project. These charges were calculated as part of the annual budgeting process, and were applied in the accounts as inter-fund transfers.

Policy on reserves

VASL’s policy on reserves has been designed to protect it from uncertainties in funding from statutory and grant making bodies, and other financial risks. Its aim is to ensure that there are sufficient funds to meet all its contractual obligations and to continue in operation until there has been time to reorganise to meet the contingency.

The Trustees agreed that:

The VASL board reviewed its financial risks and decided to carry forward a designated adversity reserve of £20,000 and a designated financial reserve of £105,504 comprising:

Three months’ core running costs £50,000 Negative cash flow in run down situation £25,000 Reserve for possible redundancy costs £30,500

Unrestricted reserves which have not been designated amounted to £87,562 at 31 March 2025 and the Board considers that these are at an acceptable level for the day to day operating requirements of the charity. The aggregated reserves of restricted income funds amounted to £102,085, which is in line with the expectation of the Board. This reflects the receipt of grants in advance of incurring the associated expenditure in respect of projects which cover more than one financial year.

Page 9

VOLUNTARY ACTION SOUTH LEICESTERSHIRE

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS

A new Strategic Plan for 2025-28 has been developed and approved which will incorporate views and opinions from our clients, volunteers, staff, trustees, funders and strategic partners.

The Strategic Plan acknowledges that we need to continue to support our staff and volunteers and maintain the standards of our current funded projects. We will continue to identify gaps in provision and opportunities to develop new services, or make developments within existing ones, to meet them. We will consider how our projects can help to reduce the impact on our clients of the cost of living crisis.

We will continue to develop new partnerships and are looking to develop further support for those suffering from the effects of Dementia. We want to continue to recruit more Volunteers, provide them with the training and support they need, and retain them to help deliver our quality services. This has been proven with our success in the Investing in Volunteers re-accreditation.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Constitution and Governing Document

The charity was incorporated on 4 February 2011 as a company limited by guarantee (Company Number 07517828), not having a share capital, and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association of that date, as amended on 18 March 2019. It was registered as a charity by the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales on 8 April 2011 (Registered Number 1141274).

Each of the members has agreed to contribute the sum of £1 in the event of the charity being wound up.

Appointment of trustees

Trustees are nominated from persons who through residence, occupation, employment or otherwise have special knowledge of the area of benefit, or who are otherwise able, by virtue of their personal or professional qualifications, to make a significant contribution to the pursuit of the objects or the management of the charity.

Trustee induction and training

New trustees are briefed on their legal obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the committee and decision-making processes, the business plan and recent financial performance of the company. During the briefing they are also given a tour of the charity’s premises and are introduced to the employees and other trustees. All trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events where these will facilitate the undertaking of their role.

Organisational Structure

The Trustees hold formal meetings every eight weeks and have elected a Chair, Secretary and Treasurer from their number. The Trustees are responsible for setting the strategic direction of the charity and have delegated day to day decisions concerning its operation to Julia Synnott the Charity Manager.

Arrangements for setting staff pay

Staff pay, including that of the senior manager, reflects the level of responsibilities of the posts and is benchmarked with similar sized voluntary and community sector organisations. Cost of living increases take into account inflation and levels awarded for public and voluntary sector organisations. These decisions are taken by the full Board of Trustees on the recommendation of the Board's Human Relations subcommittee.

Page 10

VOLUNTARY ACTION SOUTH LEICESTERSHIRE

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT (continued)

Risk management

The Trustees keep the charity’s activities under regular review in order to identify the opportunities available to the charity and the risks to which it is exposed. Where risks are identified, for example in relation to fraud, systems and procedures are established and implemented to mitigate those risks identified and to minimise their impact should they materialise.

In particular, the Trustees recognise that the charity is a service organisation and that one of the principal risk that it faces, in attempting to fulfil its aims and objects, is that its standard of service falls short of that which might reasonably be expected by users. As a result, we have implemented a quality assurance policy statement based on the Trusted Charity Mark, Level 2 (previously Pqasso). This defines the benchmarks for standards throughout the Voluntary Sector and comprehensive arrangements to monitor progress in implementing and adhering to these standards.

In addition, we are committed to providing training programmes to staff and volunteers to assist them in all areas of activity in which they are likely to become involved in the operation of the charity.

FUND-RAISING STANDARDS INFORMATION

The charity does not carry out significant fundraising activities.

TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT

The Trustees (who are also Directors of VASL 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).

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which 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 these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and 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:

Page 11

Voluntary Action South Leicestershire

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

PREPARATION OF REPORT

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Linda Jones CBE Chair Dated 29 September 2025

Page 12

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF VOLUNTARY ACTION SOUTH LEICESTERSHIRE

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Voluntary Action South Leicestershire for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account), the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Cash Flows 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, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’’ (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 Auditor’s 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 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 directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the trustees’ annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

Page 13

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

TO THE MEMBERS OF VOLUNTARY ACTION SOUTH LEICESTERSHIRE (continued)

Other information (continued)

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 course of 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.

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

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

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of our 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 directors’ report included within 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 Trustees’ Responsibilities Statement set out on page 12, 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.

Page 14

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF VOLUNTARY ACTION SOUTH LEICESTERSHIRE (continued)

Auditor’s 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 an auditor’s report 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.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

We assessed the susceptibility of the company's financial statements to material misstatement and obtained an understanding of how fraud might occur by:

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations we designed procedures which included:

Page 15

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

TO THE MEMBERS OF VOLUNTARY ACTION SOUTH LEICESTERSHIRE (continued)

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements (continued)

There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures outlined above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the Trustees and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.

Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment and/or 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 auditor’s report.

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 auditor’s 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.

Callum Veasey (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of: Edward Thomas Peirson & Sons Statutory Auditor Chartered Accountants 21, The Point Rockingham Road Market Harborough Leicestershire LE16 7NU

2025

Page 16

Voluntary Action South Leicestershire

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Including Income & Expenditure Account) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

INCOME FROM:
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Investment income - Bank interest receivable
Other
Total income
EXPENDITURE ON:
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
Net income/(expenditure) for the year
Note
3
4
5
Net transfers between funds
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Balances brought forward
Balances carried forward
11
11
51,538
456,792
508,330
9,000
63,459
72,459
5,824
-
5,824
163
-
163
66,525
520,251
586,776
194,585
411,880
606,465
194,585
411,880
606,465
213,066
102,085
315,151
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total Funds
2025
£
£
£
(128,060)
108,371
(19,689)
146,223
(146,223)
-
18,163
(37,852)
(19,689)
194,903
139,937
334,840		 494,722
55,846
5,068
-
Total Funds
2024
£
555,636
595,519
595,519
(39,883)
-
(39,883)
374,723
334,840

All activities relate to continuing operations.

The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised during the year.

The notes on pages 20 to 27 form part of these accounts

Page 17

Voluntary Action South Leicestershire (Company No. 07517828)

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2025

Note
9
Creditors:
Amounts falling due within one year
10
Net Current Assets/Net Assets
11
Restricted funds
Total Funds
Current Assets
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
Funds
Unrestricted funds
General funds
Designated funds		 2025
£
8,626
443,012
451,638
(136,487)
315,151
87,562
125,504
213,066
102,085
315,151		 2024
£
26,013
352,774
378,787
(43,947)
334,840
64,903
130,000
194,903
139,937
334,840

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The accounts were approved by the Board of Trustees on 29 September 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

Linda Jones CBE - Trustee

The notes on pages 20 to 27 form part of these accounts

Page 18

Voluntary Action South Leicestershire

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Net movement in funds
Interest shown in investing activities
(Increase)/Decrease in Debtors
Increase/(Decrease) in Creditors
Net cash generated by/(used in) operating activities
Cash and cash equivalents carried forward
Cash and cash equivalents comprise:
Cash at bank and in hand
Cash flows from investing activities
Interest income
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents brought forward		 5,824
443,012
2025
£
(19,689)
(5,824)
17,387
92,540
84,414
90,238
352,774
443,012		 5,068
352,774
2024
£
(39,883)
(5,068)
(6,741)
14,459
(37,233)
(32,165)
384,939
352,774

The notes on pages 20 to 27 form part of these accounts

Page 19

Voluntary Action South Leicestershire

Notes to the accounts

for the year ended 31 March 2025

1. STATUS OF THE COMPANY

The company is a private company registered in England & Wales and is limited by guarantee. It does not have a share capital but every member of the company is required, in the event of it being wound up while he or she is a member (or within twelve months of their ceasing to be a member), to contribute the sum of £1 towards the debts and liabilities of the charity, which were incurred before they ceased to be a member, and the costs of winding up.

The Memorandum and Articles of Association specify that the company is a non-profit making organisation that shall apply any income that it receives in fulfilling its objectives and it is registered as a charity by the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales. If upon winding up any assets remain after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities they shall be transferred to some other charitable body or bodies having similar objects to the charity.

2 PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(i) Accounting convention and basis of accounting

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. 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) issued in October 2019 (“SORP 2019 (FRS 102)”), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (“FRS 102”), the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Practice.

(ii) Basis of accounting and going concern

The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention and on a going concern basis. The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties which cast doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern. In forming this opinion they have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure in the twelve months from the date of the approval of these financial statements.

(iii) Incoming resources

All incoming resources are reported gross of any related expenditure.

Donations and legacies comprises all incoming resources from sponsorships, legacies, donations and grants (including those received from local governmental organisations). Such income is recognised in the period: in which the charity is legally entitled to the receipt; after any performance conditions have been met; the amount can be measured with reasonable certainty; and it is probable that the income will be received. Where there are conditions attached to the donation and this requires a level of performance before entitlement can be obtained then the income is deferred until those conditions are fully met. Any such income which is deferred to a future accounting period is carried forward in the balance sheet within creditors falling due within one year.

No amounts are included in accounts for services donated by volunteers.

Incoming resources from charitable activities comprise amounts receivable by the charity, from users of the services that it provides, in undertaking it charitable activities.

Investment income comprises interest receivable on cash balances held in appropriate interest bearing deposits. Such income is recognised when it is receivable and is allocated to the fund to which it relates.

Other trading activities comprise income from letting and licensing arrangements for space in property held primarily for functional use by the charity but which is temporarily surplus to its operational requirements.

Other income represents miscellaneous operational receipts that do not relate to any of the above headings.

Page 20

Voluntary Action South Leicestershire

Notes to the accounts

for the year ended 31 March 2025

2 PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

(iv) Resources expended

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and is recognised when there is a legal or constructive obligation to pay, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. As the charity is not VAT registered the expenditure is stated inclusive of VAT. All of the expenditure in the year has been categorised as relating to charitable activities.

Cost of charitable activities represents the direct costs incurred in providing services to its users/beneficiaries in fulfillment of the charity’s objects together with all of the support costs, such as governance, staff, premises and administration costs that are directly attributable to those activities.

Any support costs that are not directly attributable to particular headings are allocated to activities on a basis consistent with use of the resources. This allocation involves a significant degree of management judgement but the charity has to consider the cost benefit of detailed calculations and record keeping.

(v) Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Expenditure of a capital nature, which exceeds £2,000 per item, is capitalised at cost as a fixed asset and depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis so as to write off the cost over the anticipated useful economic life of the asset. The relevant rate is 25% per annum.

(vi) Financial instruments

All of the charity’s financial assets and financial liabilities are of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Such basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and are subsequently measured at their settlement value.

(vii) Debtors and creditors receivable / payable within one year

Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure.

Unrestricted funds comprise those general funds which the Trustees are free to use in accordance with the charity's objects.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds which the Trustees have earmarked for particular purposes.

Restricted funds are funds which have been given to the charity for particular purposes specified by the donor or by the terms of an appeal, within the overall aims of the charity. The donation and any income arising therefrom must be used in accordance with the specified purposes.

Transfers are made from restricted funds to general funds to cover the agreed contribution from each fund towards the general management expenses of the charity.

A description of the funds in existence in the year is given at Note 11.

Page 21

Voluntary Action South Leicestershire

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Grants received in the year from:
Leicestershire County Council
Harborough District Council
Charnwood Borough Council
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
National Lottery Community Fund/Big Lottery Fund
Masonic Charitable Trust
Market Harborough & The Bowdens Charity
Energy Savings Trust
Movement in deferred income
Other donations and voluntary income
Total income from donations and legacies
3
INCOME FROM DONATIONS & LEGACIES		 -
229,575
229,575
9,800
-
9,800
-
3,000
3,000
-
10,800
10,800
-
146,124
146,124
-
30,000
30,000
34,664
-
34,664
-
31,539
31,539
51,538
456,792
508,330
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total Funds
2025
£
£
£
44,464
451,038
495,502
-
-
-
44,464
451,038
495,502
7,074
5,754
12,828		 282,658
9,800
-
-
137,837
-
34,664
18,146
Total Funds
2024
£
483,105
3,501
486,606
8,116
494,722

In the year ended 31 March 2024, £442,142 of Grants and £5,073 of Other donations and voluntary income related to restricted funds (see Note 11).

Certain grants received are subject to performance conditions which the charity has to fulfil in order to become entitled to use the income. The balance of the income deferred, which is included in Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year, comprises:

Deferred income at the start of the year
Net Movement in the year
Deferred income at the end of the year
Movement in deferred income
Total income from charitable activities
4
INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Contributions from users of the Transport Schemes
Costs recharged to HCYC
Leicestershire County Council for administration of
Hospital Discharge Grant for Carers		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
-
-
54,000

The funding from Leicestershire County Council is made in return for the charity providing services in the administration of the Hospital Discharge Grant for Carers over a fixed term. Income is recognised by the charity on a straight line basis as the fi xed term elapses and the balance of the income is deferred and is included in Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year (Note 10). The movement in the deferred income is as follows:

Deferred income at the start of the year
Net Movement in the year
Deferred income at the end of the year		 2025
£
-
45,000
45,000		 2024
£
-
-
-

Page 22

Voluntary Action South Leicestershire

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Office, administration & IT:
Office expenses & IT
36,962
4,442
41,404
Repairs and renewals
569
-
569
Consultancy & professional fees
18,144
1,030
19,174
Publicity and promotion of charitable activities
30
2,222
2,252
Miscellaneous expenses
-
-
-
Total expended on charitable activities
5
EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total Funds
2025
£
£
£
Costs incurred in connection with:
Governance:
Auditors' remuneration (including preparation of accounts)
10,200
-
10,200
Staff & volunteers:
Gross wages and salaries
82,817
304,521
387,338
Employers' NI Contributions
5,850
19,471
25,321
Pension contributions
3,221
14,532
17,753
Temporary staff costs
-
1,104
1,104
Staff travel and training
1,350
6,438
7,788
Other staff costs
647
83
730
Volunteers' costs
61
46,678
46,739
Event costs
215
11,359
11,574
94,161
404,186
498,347
Premises and assets:
Insurance
3,892
-
3,892
Other premises costs
30,627
-
30,627
34,519
-
34,519
55,705
7,694
63,399
194,585
411,880
606,465		 Total Funds
2024
£
9,780
390,008
25,607
18,365
-
6,226
-
44,053
9,357
493,616
3,974
30,081
34,055
40,611
505
14,612
2,035
305
58,068
595,519

Of the total costs incurred in the year ended 31 March 2024, £415,077 related to restricted funds (see Note 11).

The above costs are allocated as follows:
Governance
Staff & volunteers
Premises and assets
Office, administration & IT
411,880
194,585
606,465
Directly
attributed to
Support
2025
activities
Costs
Total
£
£
£
-
10,200
10,200
404,186
94,161
498,347
-
34,519
34,519
7,694
55,705
63,399
These costs are associated with the following categories of
charitable activity in the year:
Carers Services
189,070
80,351
269,421
Befriending services
117,150
51,219
168,369
Transport services
105,040
14,654
119,694
Development of Community Services:
Funded by restricted grants
620
-
620
Funded from unrestricted income
-
48,361
48,361
411,880
194,585
606,465		 2024
Total
£
9,780
493,616
34,055
58,068
595,519
276,665
155,547
114,403
-
48,904
595,519

Page 23

Voluntary Action South Leicestershire

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

5 EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES continued

The basis of allocation of support costs is management budgeting and review of estimated usage. Inevitably, this has involved a significant element of judgement but the charity has to consider the cost benefit of detailed calculations and record keeping.

6 TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION & EXPENSES

None of the Trustees, or any persons connected with them, received any remuneration for their services as trustees in either the year ended 31 March 2025 or in the preceding financial year. No expenses were paid to trustees during either year.

7 STAFF NUMBERS AND EMOLUMENTS

STAFF NUMBERS AND EMOLUMENTS Year Ended Year Ended
31 March 31 March
The average number of employees in the year was as follows: 2025 2024
Engaged on charitable activities 16.50 16.50
Engaged in management and administration 2.00 2.08
Totals 18.50 18.58

No person's emoluments exceeded £60,000 per annum and the aggregate amount paid was as follows:

Salaries
Social Security Costs (net of Employment Allowance)
Pension contributions
Total paid by the charity		 Year Ended
31st March
2025
£
387,338
25,321
17,753
430,412		 Year Ended
31st March
2024
£
390,008
25,607
18,365
433,980

The above amounts include redundancy payments of £4,496 (2024; £Nil) which were paid out of unrestricted funds and covered by a transfer from the designated Financial Reserve fund.

Contributions to the employees' defined contribution pension plans are included in resources expended as they are incurred and are allocated between funds using the same method as the salaries to which they relate. At 31 March 2025 contributions of £175 (2024: £2,997) were included in accruals.

The total employment benefits (including pension contributions) of the key management personnel, comprising the Trustees (who received no remuneration), the Charity Manager and the managers of: Carer Services, Transport; Community Champions; Wellbeing Befriending; and Business Support, were £193,241 (2024: £196,988).

8 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) FOR THE YEAR
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) FOR THE YEAR Year Ended Year Ended
31st March 31st March
Net Income/(Expenditure) is stated after charging the following expenses: 2025 2024
Operating lease rentals 19,376 20,056
Auditors' remuneration
Edward Thomas Peirson & Sons For audit services 6,000 5,580
For other assurance services 4,200 4,200

Edward Thomas Peirson & Sons prepared and audited the statutory accounts.

9
DEBTORS
Trade Debtors
Prepayments
Other Debtors		 2025
£
5,417
3,053
156
8,626		 2024
£
18,721
7,168
124
26,013

Page 24

Voluntary Action South Leicestershire

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

10 CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year

Accrued expenses
Deferred income (see Note 4)
Other creditors
Other taxes and social security
11
FUNDS
Unrestricted Funds:
General Fund
Designated Funds:
Financial Reserve
Adversity Reserve
Restricted Funds:
Related to Development of
Community Services
Related to carers:
Leicester carers project
Young carers
Dementia Guardians
Related to befriending:
Community champions
Community wellbeing
Mental Health Friendly
Harborough
Related to transport:
Transport
Total restricted funds
Total Funds
Total unrestricted funds		 At 1 April
2024
Income
Expenditure
£
£
£
64,903
111,525
(194,585)
110,000
-
-
20,000
-
-		 2025
£
20,709
45,000
64,048
6,730
136,487
Movement in
Deferred

Income
Transfers
£
£

(45,000)
150,719
-
(4,496)
-
-		 2024
£
21,398
-
15,861
6,688
43,947
At 31 March
2025
£

87,562

105,504
20,000
194,903
111,525
(194,585)		 (45,000)
146,223		 213,066

-
619
(619)
58,859
216,767
(175,737)
-
1,499
(1,499)
5,634
30,000
(11,834)
10,693
102,277
(78,368)
34,532
46,207
(35,400)
-
10,800
(3,384)
30,219
112,082
(105,039)
-
-

-
(74,158)

-
-

-
(6,193)

-
(31,680)

-
(17,309)

-
(2,229)

-
(14,654)		 -

25,731
-

17,607

2,922

28,030

5,187

22,608
139,937
520,251
(411,880)		 -
(146,223)		 102,085
334,840
631,776
(606,465)
(45,000)
-		 315,151

Unrestricted funds comprise those funds which the Trustees are free to use in accordance with the charity's objects.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds which have been earmarked for particular purposes. The financial reserve is maintained at a level which is approximately equal to the aggregate of: three months' core running costs; the amount required to cover potential redundancy costs; and anticipated net cash outflows in the event of the charity's activities being wound up. The adversity reserve was created in January 2021 to cover additional expenditure that may be incurred in extraordinary circumstances such as those experienced in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic. No expenditure of money from either reserve can be committed except by explicit decision of the board.

Restricted funds are funds which have been given to or have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. They are grouped together into the broad categories to which they relate, namely: carers; befriending; transport and other activities. The Tru stees' report provides additional information in relation to these activities and funds.

Page 25

Voluntary Action South Leicestershire

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

11 FUNDS (continued)

Transfers from the various restricted funds to the general fund are made in respect the agreed contribution from each fund towards the business support costs of the charity. Occasionally, transfers are also made between restricted funds to reflect the value of the benefit received by a fund from expenditure incurred in another fund.

Any deficit remaining, at the end of a project that has financed by restricted funds, is covered by a transfer from the general fund.

Fund movements during the year ended 31 March 2024 were as follows:

Unrestricted Funds:
General Fund
Designated Fund:
Financial Reserve
Adversity Reserve
Total unrestricted funds
Restricted Funds:
Related to Development of
Community Services
Related to carers:
Leicester carers project
Young carers
Dementia Guardians
Related to befriending:
Community champions
Community wellbeing
Related to transport:
Transport
Total restricted funds
Total Funds		 Movement in
At 1 April
Deferred
At 31 March
2023
Income
Expenditure
Income
Transfers
2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
61,233
52,575
(180,442)
-
131,537
64,903
110,000
-
-
-
-
110,000
20,000
-
-
-
-
20,000		 Movement in
At 1 April
Deferred
At 31 March
2023
Income
Expenditure
Income
Transfers
2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
61,233
52,575
(180,442)
-
131,537
64,903
110,000
-
-
-
-
110,000
20,000
-
-
-
-
20,000
191,233
52,575		 (180,442)
-
131,537
194,903
-
-
39,934
256,238
-
1,418
40,000
68
20,306
99,874
41,273
39,318
41,977
102,644		 -
-
-
-
(170,777)
3,501
(70,037)
58,859
(1,418)
-
-
-
(23,222)
-
(11,212)
5,634
(80,782)
-
(28,705)
10,693
(37,370)
-
(8,689)
34,532
(101,508)
-
(12,894)
30,219
183,490
499,560		 (415,077)
3,501
(131,537)
139,937
374,723
552,135		 (595,519)
3,501
-
334,840

12 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

The allocation of net assets between funds at 31 March 2025 was as follows:

Total Net Assets
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year		 General
Designated
Restricted
Fund
Fund
Funds
Total
£
£
£
£
3,158
-
5,468
8,626
151,962
125,504
165,546
443,012
(67,558)
-
(68,929)
(136,487)		 General
Designated
Restricted
Fund
Fund
Funds
Total
£
£
£
£
3,158
-
5,468
8,626
151,962
125,504
165,546
443,012
(67,558)
-
(68,929)
(136,487)		 General
Designated
Restricted
Fund
Fund
Funds
Total
£
£
£
£
3,158
-
5,468
8,626
151,962
125,504
165,546
443,012
(67,558)
-
(68,929)
(136,487)		 General
Designated
Restricted
Fund
Fund
Funds
Total
£
£
£
£
3,158
-
5,468
8,626
151,962
125,504
165,546
443,012
(67,558)
-
(68,929)
(136,487)
87,562 125,504 102,085 315,151

All liabilities connected with the payroll are included in the above analysis as relating to the General Fund.

Page 26

Voluntary Action South Leicestershire

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

12 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS (continued)

The allocation at 31 March 2024 was:
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
Total Net Assets		 General
Designated
Restricted
Fund
Fund
Funds
£
£
£
7,292
-
18,721
81,523
130,000
141,251

(23,912)
-
(20,035)		 General
Designated
Restricted
Fund
Fund
Funds
£
£
£
7,292
-
18,721
81,523
130,000
141,251

(23,912)
-
(20,035)		 General
Designated
Restricted
Fund
Fund
Funds
£
£
£
7,292
-
18,721
81,523
130,000
141,251

(23,912)
-
(20,035)		 Total
£
26,013
352,774
(43,947)
64,903 130,000 139,937 334,840

13 OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS

The charity is committed to make the following aggregate future minimum lease payments under noncancellable operating leases:

cancellable operating leases:
Aggregate payments due:
Within one year
In two to five years
In more than five years		 2025
£
876
219
-
1,095		 2024
£
10,126
1,095
-
11,221

14 RELATED PARTIES

There were no related party transactions in the year or in the preceding financial year.

Page 27