## **2024 ANNUAL REPORT** 

**Aldates Community Transformation Initiatives** 


**Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024** 



**ACT Oxford exists to help people find a hope and a future after prison, addiction or homelessness.** 

**Our welcoming community includes many with lived experience and inspiring stories of how we have encountered the love of God and been changed by it.** 

**Through street and prison outreach, the hosting of community spaces and meals, mentoring and housing in 11 properties across the city, we give people the support they need to rebuild their lives.** 



## **CONTENTS** 

## **ANNUAL REPORT** 

- **1** CHAIR’S INTRODUCTION 

- **2** HEAD OF ACT’S HIGHLIGHTS 

- **3** ACHIEVEMENTS + PEFORMANCE 

- **27** OBJECTIVES + FUTURE PLANS 

- **29** PEOPLE, SUPPORTERS + PARTNERS 

- **33** FINANCIAL REVIEW **35** RISK MANAGEMENT **36** LEGAL + GOVERNANCE INFORMATION 

## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** 

- **37** INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT **38** STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES **39** BALANCE SHEET 

- **40** STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS **41** ACCOUNTING POLICIES + NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS 




## **CHAIR OF HAIR OF TRUSTEESTRUSTEES** 


Thank you for your support and interest in ACT’s work to help people find a hope and a future. I hope you enjoy reading about all that’s happened throughout the year in the pages that follow. 

Of note was the appointment of our brilliant Head of Charity, Alex Brazier, who joined in November. The ACT team had done an amazing job of holding the many activities and communities we serve, and Alex’s appointment is a step towards a new season of growth and reach. It’s great to see him settle in and engage with those ACT supports. 

Alongside this, it was a delight to see the exciting new ACT Women community emerge from years of prayer by the team and supporters. This is a significant expansion of the organisation’s ability to serve people in our city. It’s so encouraging to see it take shape in an organic and effective way. 

Throughout 2024, ACT continued our meaningful work with the ACT Family of men in supported housing, and across the other communities we serve. 

This was made possible by the generosity of our donors, the prayers of our supporters, and the governance of a Board of Trustees who diligently support and guide all ACT does. 

As we look ahead to a season of exploration and renewed vision, I’d like to say a huge thank you to the ACT staff, our trustees, and of course all of you – our supporters. Without you, ACT couldn’t do what we do. 

Those we serve are truly grateful for ACT’s support, as I am to you. 

## _**Revd Stephen Foster**_ 

_Chair of Trustees_ 

**1** 



## **HEAD OF ACT** 


Joining ACT has already shown me how deeply committed you, our supporters, are to spreading a message of hope to those we support. I hope you’ll enjoy reading about all that’s happened as much as I have enjoyed being part of it. 

Joining at the end of 2024, I’ve been blown away by the stories and breakthroughs, the new shoots emerging in the lives of those we serve. 

The team were really welcoming as I settled, and I relished getting to know them all in what was a very busy end to 2024. Christmas is a lively season throughout our communities, but for some it can be challenging. 

The love shown to them gave me such a clear picture of what ‘community’ means here at ACT. From shared meals and Christmas gifts, to being dragged up to sing karaoke – the sense of family fun was inspiring. 

A particular highlight for me has been getting to know our ACT Family members. While there’s always some adjustment when stepping into any established community, they’ve welcomed me with warmth and humour. Serving at our Monday Night and monthly Community Meals has kept me connected with those I’d got to know over my years of volunteering there. 

As we continue to water and nourish the community we currently serve, we’re also exploring the right ways to expand our reach, and I’m excited to see what feels right for this next season. 

Thank you so much for your support. I hope you’ll continue to join us for the journey ahead. 

## _**Alex Brazier**_ 

_Head of ACT_ 

**2** 



# _**A YEAR IN NUMBERS**_ **30% INCREASE IN MONDAY NIGHT GUESTS +4 STAFF 130** 

**NIGHT SHELTER GUESTS** 



## **OVER 3000** 

## **MEALS SERVED** 

**96 VOLUNTEERS 19 GUESTS AT ACT WOMEN UNIVERSITY EVENTS 1 GRADUATION CUPS OF HOT CHOCOLATE SERVED 350 CHRISTMAS HAMPERS PACKED 1900** 



## **OUTREACH** 

## _**MONDAY & COMMUNITY MEALS**_ 

The community at our weekly Monday Night and monthly Community Meals continued to flourish. Well over 3,000 delicious meals were cooked from scratch by a team that includes ACT members who’ve previously been homeless themselves. 

Some guests arrive not having eaten or spoken to anyone during the day. An opportunity to enjoy a filling meal and a friendly chat can make such a difference. One guest, Mick, said, _‘However bad I feel when I get here, I always leave feeling lifted.’_ 

From Lancashire hotpot to goat curry and a summer barbecue, guests got to exercise choice and vote for their favourite meal for the following week. Attention to detail shows people they matter – and tables set with crackers and flowers for our Christmas Community Meal prompted one guest to exclaim, _‘I thought we were coming to a wedding!’_ 

## _**PRISON**_ 

Prison ministry gives people hope that they have friends out in the community who won’t judge them for their past. ACT’s Rob Rogers served the chaplaincy in HMP Spring Hill by leading Bible studies and Alpha each week. It was a significant time to help men prepare for life after prison, and often their first chance to feel like free men in the presence of God. 

A long connection with HMP Grendon – a therapeutic Category B jail – led to an exciting new invitation to expand ACT’s outreach there. 

## _**WINTER NIGHT SHELTER**_ 

In the biting cold of the winter months, we collaborated with a network of churches for the Oxford Winter Night Shelter – opening our doors to offer food, a warm bed and a safe place to sleep for rough sleeping guests. 





**5** 



# **“ I thought we were coming to a wedding!** _**MAEVE, COMMUNITY MEAL GUEST**_ **”** 



DESER
FLOWER
BE VERY
SHOUT
ISAIA

## **ACT WOMEN** 

After years of praying and months of planning, it was a joy to see ACT’s new community of support for women start at the end of the year. 

Women facing multiple disadvantage often find themselves at extra high risk, hidden, isolated, and their needs unmet. ACT Women exists instead to invite women into a place of safety, warmth and welcome. 

## _**Alongside 1:1 journeying with individual women, we launched four new streams:**_ 

## _**WELLBEING DAYS**_ 

With a complimentary café, clothing, toiletries and therapeutic treatments. 

_‘My cloud lifted. You wouldn’t believe what a difference it made to me,’_ said one guest, Jessie. 

## _**BREAKFAST CLUB**_ 

For women in the criminal justice system, in partnership with Oxford Probation Service. 

## _**CREATIVE DAYS**_ 

Working with Wilder Flower Farm to put on a floristry worshop. 

## _**WORSHIPPING COMMUNITY**_ 

Of women with lived experience who want to see others find a hope and a future. 





**9** 



_‘Women facing really tough situations like addiction or homelessness can feel so judged and alone. We want to invite them into community and show them that they have friends, there’s hope, and they’re loved.’_ 

_**JO MITCHELL, ACT WOMEN**_ 



## **COMMUNITY + SUPPORTED HOUSING** 

ACT’s 11 houses are ordinary places where extraordinary things happen. They offer people space and peace to heal, and security and support to start to hope again. 

Housing Manager Abel Carkett joined us at the start of the year. Since then, our residents have flourished, and their homes have been refurbished and maintained with care. 

That flourishing looks different for each person. It’s varied, sometimes surprising and always joyful. 

Over the course of the year, it involved individuals: 

**- writing a book** 

**- meeting a new granddaughter** 

**- running a clothes donation campaign** 

**- composing poetry** 

**- going to a school parents’ evening for the first time** 

**- helping to shape national homeless policy** 

**- redecorating** 

**- winning a place to study theology at Wycliffe College** 

**- moving on to live independently** 

**- getting invited to an event at the House of Lords!** 

It wasn’t all straightforward, of course – people also journeyed through loss, disappointment and poor health. But, as Abel puts it, _‘ACT’s a community where you’re invited to bring your whole self, your vulnerability, your brokenness – we’re all seeking healing together and it’s beautiful.’_ 

It takes intentionality, attention and love to build a community like this – plus plenty of fun. So, alongside our regular rhythms of gathering through the week, we got active and creative with events including a sunny Cotswold hike, fresh trout barbecue, festival trip to David’s Tent and a bonfire in the woods with s’mores and spontaneous singing. 

Thank you to every generous property owner who helped make this possible. 


_**Abel Carkett** ACT Housing Manager_ 

**12** 



## _**MY STORY**_ 

## **ACT FAMILY** 

**‘I don’t know where I’d be without ACT.** 

**They loved me when I didn’t love myself.** 

**I spent 32 years drinking, taking drugs and then dealing them, getting jobs and losing them.** 

**I burned every bridge I had and ended up homeless.** 

**But going on the ACT retreat last year really changed things.** 

**I prayed for God to help me, to take away what needed taking away.** 

**I truly believe that when we drove through the gate of the retreat centre on that last morning, I had a new start in life.** 

**Cooking is my passion and having a mentor has been massive. Jamie cooks at church and he’s helped take what I make to a whole new standard. I’ve just been accepted on a college course.** 

**I used to come for food at Monday Night and now I cook it.** 

**Today, with God in my life, I have a purpose – and I will keep following that and serving for as long as I can.’** 

**Craig, ACT Member + Monday Night Chef** 

**15** 



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## _**MY STORY**_ 

## **VOLUNTEERING** 


‘Monday Night meals are often the highlight of my week. 

Sometimes simply listening, with full attention, to someone who arrived downhearted and withdrawn has led them to engage with others on the table – and by the time they leave they are upbeat and hopeful. 

My ACT supervisor for my mentoring role has been essential in developing my perspective, both of the individuals I support and the challenges they face. 

Caring deeply is costly at times, but well worth it for the progress I see in the lives of committed, compassionate and clearly gifted individuals, who are now helping others overcome hurdles they once faced themselves. 

The payback in friendship and in my own growth is far more than I put in.’ 

## **Ted, ACT Mentor + Monday Night Volunteer** 

**18** 



## **MENTORING, EDUCATION + EMPLOYMENT** 

_‘ACT helped uncover the gold within me that I couldn’t see myself. They didn’t just show me the way, they walked it with me.’_ – ACT mentee Steven 

Seventeen mentors – from fields including the law, education, farming and business – met with mentees throughout the year. After years spent living on the margins, the impact of feeling seen and supported in this way can’t be overstated. 

For some, holding on through the storm has been the achievement – like Joe who faced and found a way through a series of crises thanks to the gentle, affirming presence of his mentor Gerald. 

Alex Brazier, new Head of ACT and longstanding volunteer mentor, helped Christopher navigate a successful move-on into independent accommodation. 

Another three-year mentoring relationship came to a happy close with mentee Steven’s graduation, as he completed degree studies he’d started on a mobile phone. 

He’s now looking outwards, exploring ways to draw on his own experience to make a difference to others: _‘Now, it’s my mission to help others see their worth, and remind them that with God’s grace, faith, community, and a little education, even the heaviest burdens can be lifted.’_ 


**19** 



BEEF

**“ACT HELP UNCOVER T WITHIN ME COULDN’T S MYSELF. THEY DIDN SHOW ME T THEY WALK WITH ME.”** 



# **’T JUST** 

ACT MENTEE STEVEN 



## **SUMMER HOLIDAY** 

The volume of our worship almost lifted the rafters at Quinta Hall in Shropshire when 23 ACT community members, staff and volunteers went on a four-day retreat in Shropshire in June. 

There was a strong sense of belonging, deepening trust and friendship, and breakthrough times of prayer, tears and laughter. 

Together, we ate, talked, walked, swam, barbecued, kayaked and tried our hands at archery and axe-throwing. 

ACT’s former Director, Dave Portway, returned to lead some teaching sessions and small group work, and we toasted marshmallows and told stories around an evening campfire. We are grateful to the supporters who made such a strategic, significant and joyful time possible. 




**23** 



# _**“I’VE NEVER DANCED OR SUNG SO MUCH IN MY ” LIFE!**_ 



•7do•

## **CHRISTMAS** 

‘For many, Christmas can be complicated by the coldness of rough sleeping, realities of poverty, and difficult memories. In light of this, ACT aims to redeem what it means to be family – from belly laughter over a warm meal to giving just the right gift, the Christmas season at ACT is filled with intentionality, belonging and good food. 

On our Christmas Monday Night meal, we gave out over 80 gift bags filled with hot water bottles, flasks and handwarmers to people affected by housing instability and poverty. 

Thirty-two volunteers helped create 350 hampers with food and Christmas toys for families around the city. 

Our annual Christmas Dinner brought together 22 ACT members for a three-course meal, personalised gifts, festive games and ear-ringing renditions of “All I Want for Christmas”. 

It was a night to remember, and a season we won’t forget.’ 

Phoebe, ACT Intern 





**26** 



## **2024 OBJECTIVES** 

_The trustees agreed the following objectives for the year:_ 

- Pioneering women’s outreach 

- - Deepening investment in core community 

- Recruiting and onboarding a suitable successor for the Director 

- - Expanding outreach - Monitoring risk register 

- Reviewing safeguarding policy 

_All objectives were met throughout the year, with some being ongoing commitments._ 

## **2025 OBJECTIVES** 

- Support for the new Head of ACT as they embed 

- Increased stability and support across our core communities 

- 

- 

Ongoing exploration of additional houses to expand our capacity 

Development and strengthening of the new women’s ministry 

- Exploration of future vision alongside growth of team and financial position 

- 

- Review of our safeguarding policy 



## **THE FUTURE** 

_**With a new Head of ACT, significant growth in the staff team and a solid financial position, we are ready to set sail into a new season. However, whilst the new and the next are alluring, we remain committed to the core of what we do. The year ahead sees us focus on community to establish a secure base on which to build. Our 2025 objectives allow us to strengthen what we already have whilst exploring areas of growth.**_ 

**28** 



## **OUR PEOPLE** 

Having the support of a strong, committed community around you can be life changing – especially for people who have been isolated and marginalised for years. 

We want to pay tribute to our 96 volunteers and the amazing skill, time and care they have invested. 



## **SUPPORTERS + PARTNERS** 

Thank you to the individuals, trusts and organisations whose generosity funded the work and achievements of the ACT community over the year, including: 

You played a central role, and we couldn’t be more grateful. It’s also been a privilege to work alongside a number of partners, including: 

- **Albert Hunt Charitable Trust** 

- **Community Foundation North East** 

- **Deo Gloria Trust** 

- **Doris Field Trust** 

- **Good Food Oxfordshire Household Support Fund** 

- **Gladiator Trust** 

- **Hedley Foundation** 

- **Helen Roll Charity** 

- **Kingsgrove Trust** 

- **Marsh Charitable Trust** 

- **Oxfordshire Homeless Movement** 

- **Penuel Trust** 

- **Pharsalia Charitable Trust** 

- **Robert & Margaret Moss Charitable Trust** 

- **Rothschild Foundation** 

- **Chaplaincy Teams at HMPs Bullingdon, Spring Hill and Grendon** 

- **Crisis Old Fire Station** 

- **Oxford City Council** 

- **Oxfordshire Homeless Movement** 

- **Oxford Homeless Pathways** 

- **Oxford Winter Night Shelter** 

- **Love Your Neighbour** 

- **St Aldates Church** 

- **St Ebbe’s Church** 

- **St Mungo’s** 

- **Streetsocks** 

- **Thames Valley Police** 

- **Thames Valley Probation Service** 

- **Turning Point** 

## **#WeAreFamily** 

- **SMB Charitable Trust** 

- **Souter Charitable Trust** 

- **St Aldates Church** 

- **St Aldates Parochial Charity** 

- **Stanton Ballard Charitable Trust** 

- **Thames Valley Community Fund** 

**30** 



INA

## **FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE** 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 and comply with the charity’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, and 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) – (Charities SORP 2019 (FRS 102)). 

## **INCOME** 

Overall income for the year decreased to £431,707 (2023: £630,931), due mainly to a large one-off grant in the prior year which was not expected to repeat but also due to a lower level of donations. 

Income from the letting of properties to community members continues to be an important source of income. Lettings income covers the rent, as well as contributing to the costs of supported housing services, utilities and upkeep of the properties. 

Donations and grants make up a significant part of ACT’s income. These gifts are crucial in enabling our staff and volunteers to support people in prison, prison leavers and people who are or have been street homeless. 


Interest (4%) Lettings (47%) Donations (18%) Grants (31%) 

## **EXPENDITURE** 


Expenditure for the year was £416,421 (2023: £416,412). 

Our supported housing programme continues to form the most significant part of our financial operation. We have grown this programme from our first two-bedroom house in January 2012 to ten houses or flats in 2024. 

Our other main cost is related to our staff team, without whom our programmes would not be able to function. 

Fundraising (3%)Fundraising (3%) Lettings Expenditure (44%)Lettings Expenditure (44%) Staff Costs (35%)Staff Costs (35%) Ministry Costs (15%)Ministry Costs (15%) Overheads (3%)Overheds (3%) 

**33** 



**RESULTS** 

We funded an unrestricted deficit of £7,940 from reserves (2023: surplus of £64,533). The deficit was in line with expectations.  As in previous years, the charity received additional donations in kind in the form of office accommodation and office services from St Aldates Parochial Church Council. 

Trustees have considered likely future income and expenses and consider that the going concern basis continues to be appropriate for preparing our financial statements. 

## **RESERVES** 

The charity had total funds at the year-end of £381,462 (2023: £386,469), of which £196,583 (2023: £204,523) were unrestricted general funds with the balance comprising designated and restricted funds. Reserves are held to ensure the stability and continuity of our work, primarily by helping to cover the future cost of employment for several of our team, whose salaries are dependent on the charity continuing to raise funds. 

The trustees consider the level of unrestricted general reserves to be adequate for this stage of the charity’s development.  Trustees, along with the Head of Charity, are considering the best uses of the unrestricted designated reserves. 

**34** 



**RISK MANAGEMENT** 

ACT is exposed to risks associated with operational activity, raising sufficient funds, managing scarce resources, the external environment, governance, and legal compliance. Risk in each of these areas is assessed in the light of changing circumstances and any necessary mitigating action is taken. The risks considered by the trustees to be the most significant are set out in the table below: 

|**RISK**|**EXAMPLES OF MITIGATING ACTIONS**|
|---|---|
|Members aren’t adequately safeguarded<br>or enabled to fourish in their physical,<br>spiritual or mental wellbeing|• Regular staff meetings as a forum to raise concerns<br>• Client contact recording system<br>• Informal categorisation of members and needs<br>• Training on de-escalation methods and suicide warning<br>• Referrals to/from external agencies for support services<br>• Weekly intercession process<br>•  Approach benchmarked against similar groups through<br>www.clinks.org or a risk assessment process<br>•  Ensuring that over a four-week period house visits are<br>conducted by more than one member of staff|
|Staff/volunteers aren’t adequately<br>safeguarded or enabled to fourish in their<br>physical, spiritual or mental wellbeing|•  All residents risk assessed thoroughly before taking them into<br>our houses<br>• Regular staff meetings as forum to raise concerns<br>• Clinical supervision for certain members of staff<br>• Volunteer and mentor training<br>• Regular catch-ups for key volunteers with their point person<br>• Weekly intercession process|
|We can’t raise suffcient funds within St<br>Aldates or externally|• St Aldates regularly informed about ACT’s work<br>• Annual vision night or fundraising event<br>• Appointed a Fundraising and Communications Manager<br>• Fundraising remains a key focus for the ACT Head of Charity|
|Sensitive or personal data could be lost,<br>leaked, or accessed  by unauthorised<br>individuals, leading to a data breach.|• Role-based access to all sensitive data<br>•  Storage of all sensitive data in a secure, encrypted cloud<br>system (e.g. OneDrive with MFA)<br>•  Inclusion of necessary details only – avoiding names or<br>sensitive identifers unless essential<br>•  Annual basic data protection training for anyone with access.|



As the organisation grows and develops, the trustees will continue to build appropriate risk management policies and processes to reflect the changing scale and nature of the organisation. 

**35** 



**LEGAL AND GOVERNANCE INFORMATION** 

Registered Company number: 07279350 (Limited by Guarantee) 

Registered Charity number: 1143136 

Registered Office: 40 Pembroke Street, Oxford, OX1 1BP 

The current trustees, who are also the directors, and those who served during the year were, 

- Andrae Akeh 

- David Bennet 

- Laura Evers 

- Stephen Foster (Rector of St Aldates) – Chair 

- Luke Harris – Treasurer – resigned 16 September 2024 

- Paul Stockdale – Treasurer – appointed 16 September 2024 

- Phoebe Mitchell – resigned 3 March 2025 

- Robert Simmons 

- Karen Simson – resigned 11 October 2024 

We had an average of five paid members of staff (seconded from St Aldates Parochial Church Council (‘PCC’)), and are grateful for the contributions of our team of 96 volunteers. 

## **METHOD OF APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES** 

One trustee shall be the Rector of St Aldates Church (or their nominee) and a further trustee is a nominee of St Aldates PCC. There must be a minimum of four trustees. Vacancies are filled either by personal invitations made to individuals known to have relevant skills matching current needs, or by advertisement. All trustees must subscribe to the charity’s ethos statement. Appointments follow an assessment meeting with at least two Board members. 

## **INDUCTION AND TRAINING OF TRUSTEES** 

Relevant training and induction are offered to new trustees in line with their experience and knowledge of the work of ACT. 

## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** 

ACT’s primary aim is the relief of people in need, particularly offenders, former prisoners, those who are homeless, asylum seekers, and people suffering from addiction or mental illness. Our ethos and approach are set out in a separate document known as the ACT Ethos Statement, available to download from the charity’s website (actoxford.com). 

The trustees confirm that they have referred to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities. 

## **REMUNERATION OF SENIOR MANAGERS** 

The ACT Head of Charity is the only senior manager, and on appointment their remuneration package was  benchmarked against comparable roles, such as CEOs of small to medium-sized charities and senior managers within the probation service. 

## **DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION** 

Each of the trustees has confirmed that there is no information of which they are aware which is materially relevant to the financial statements, which is not mentioned in this report or the accounts themselves. 

## **SMALL COMPANY PROVISIONS** 

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

On behalf of the Board of Trustees 


**Stephen Foster** Chair of Trustees 


**DATE:** 

**36** 



**INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ALDATES COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION INITIATIVES** 

## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ALDATES COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION INITIATIVES (‘THE COMPANY’)** 

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the period 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024. 

## **RESPONSIBILITIES AND BASIS OF REPORT** 

As the charity’s trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’). 

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act. 

## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT** 

Since your charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies. 

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: 

1. Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 

2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or 

3. 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 

4. 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 (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)). 

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. 

## **Andrew Churchill Stone FCA** 

## **The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales** 



DATE: 

**37** 



**STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

||**Unrestricted**<br>**General Funds**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Designated**<br>**Funds**<br>**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**2024**<br>**General**<br>**Funds**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Designated**<br>**Funds**<br>**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**2023**<br>Note<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**82,617**<br>**-**<br>**49,759**<br>**132,376**<br>11,200<br>157,846<br>59,200<br>228,246<br>**58,688**<br>**-**<br>**19,519**<br>**78,207**<br>130,898<br>-<br>2,250<br>133,148<br>3<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>58,550<br>-<br>-<br>58,550<br>**16,332**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**16,332**<br>2,752<br>-<br>-<br>2,752<br>**204,792**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**204,792**<br>208,235<br>-<br>-<br>208,235<br>**362,429**<br>**-**<br>**69,278**<br>**431,707**<br>411,635<br>157,846<br>61,450<br>630,931<br>**13,847**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**13,847**<br>16,285<br>-<br>-<br>16,285<br>2<br>**102,521**<br>**-**<br>**50,173**<br>**152,694**<br>92,980<br>-<br>45,702<br>138,682<br>**187,580**<br>**-**<br>**5,904**<br>**193,484**<br>191,414<br>-<br>2,285<br>193,699<br>**52,679**<br>**-**<br>**10,268**<br>**62,947**<br>22,572<br>-<br>16,332<br>38,904<br>**5,334**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**5,334**<br>5,238<br>-<br>-<br>5,238<br>**7,178**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**7,178**<br>22,653<br>-<br>-<br>22,653<br>**1,230**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**1,230**<br>960<br>-<br>-<br>960<br>**356,522**<br>**-**<br>**66,345**<br>**422,867**<br>335,817<br>-<br>64,319<br>400,136<br>**370,369**<br>**-**<br>**66,345**<br>**436,714**<br>352,102<br>-<br>64,319<br>416,421<br>**(7,940)**<br>**-**<br>**2,933**<br>**(5,007)**<br>59,533<br>157,846<br>(2,869)<br>214,510<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>5,000<br>-<br>(5,000)<br>-<br>**(7,940)**<br>**-**<br>**2,933**<br>**(5,007)**<br>64,533<br>157,846<br>(7,869)<br>214,510<br>**204,523**<br>**163,999**<br>**17,947**<br>**386,469**<br>139,990<br>6,153<br>25,816<br>171,959<br>**196,583**<br>**163,999**<br>**20,880**<br>**381,462**<br>204,523<br>163,999<br>17,947<br>386,469|
|---|---|
|||
|||
|**Income**||
|Voluntary Income -<br>Grants<br>Voluntary Income -<br>Other<br>Voluntary Income -<br>Donated in Kind||
|Investment Income||
|Lettings Income||
|**Total Income**||
|||
|**Expenditure**<br>**on external**<br>**communications**<br>**and raising grants**||
|||
|**Expenditure on**<br>**Charitable Activities**||
|Staff costs||
|Lettings expenditure||
|Other ministry<br>expenses||
|Travel and<br>subsistence||
|Other administrative<br>costs||
|Governance costs||
|||
|||
|**Total Expenditure**||
|||
|**Net income/**<br>**(expenditure)**||
|||
|Gross Transfers<br>between funds||
|||
|**Net movement in**<br>**funds**||
|||
|Total funds brought<br>forward||
|||
|**Total funds carried**<br>**forward**||
|||



**38** 



**BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

||**2024**<br>2023<br>Note<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**Fixed assets**<br>Motor vehicles<br>6<br>**11,694**<br>-<br>**Current assets**<br>Debtors<br>7<br>**24,456**<br>16,391<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>**359,565**<br>383,650<br>Total current assets<br>**384,021**<br>400,041<br>**Creditors: amounts due within one year**<br>8<br>**(14,253)**<br>(13,572)<br>**Net current assets**<br>**369,768**<br>386,469<br>**Net assets**<br>**381,462**<br>386,469<br>**Funds**<br>**Unrestricted - General**<br>10<br>**196,583**<br>204,523<br>**Unrestricted - Designated**<br>10<br>**163,999**<br>163,999<br>**Restricted**<br>10<br>**20,880**<br>17,947<br>**381,462**<br>386,469|
|---|---|



For the year ending 31 December 2024, the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. 

- The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476. 

- The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. 

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime. 

Registered Company Limited by Guarantee. Number: 07279350 

Registered Charity. Number: 1143136 

Registered office: 40 Pembroke Street, Oxford, OX1 1BP 


Approved by Aldates Community Transformation Initiatives on and signed on its behalf by: 


**Stephen Foster** Chair of Trustees 

**39** 



**STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

||**2024**<br>2023<br>Note<br>**£**<br>£<br>**Cash fows from operating activities:**<br>Net cash (used in) / provided by operating activities<br>12<br>**(26,727)**<br>218,475<br>**Cash fows from investing activities:**<br>Purchase of motor vehicles<br>**(13,690)**<br>-<br>Bank interest<br>**16,332**<br>2,752<br>Net cash provided by investing activities<br>**2,642**<br>2,752<br>Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period<br>**(24,085)**<br>221,227<br>Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the<br>reporting period<br>**383,650**<br>162,423<br>Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting<br>period<br>12<br>**359,565**<br>383,650|
|---|---|



**40** 



**1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES** 

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, the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2024. 

The charity constitutes a public benefit as defined by FRS 102. 

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, as the trustees believe that no material going concern uncertainties exist. 

## **RESOURCES EXPENDED** 

## **Grants** 

Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding obligation on the charity. 

## **Support Costs** 

There were no specific support costs for the year ended 31 December 2024. Support functions are provided by St Aldates PCC and the trustees do not consider it possible to reliably estimate the value of these costs. 

## **Governance Costs** 

Governance costs comprise the fee paid to the Independent Examiner. 

## **Lettings Expenditure** 

## **JUDGEMENTS AND KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY** 

## **Estimation of useful economic life of fixed assets (note 6)** 

As noted in the fixed asset accounting policy below, fixed assets totalling £11,694 (2023: £nil) are depreciated on a straight-line basis based on an initial estimate of their useful economic lives. 

## **INCOMING RESOURCES** 

## **Voluntary Income** 

Planned giving receivable under Gift Aid is recognised only when received. 

Income tax recoverable on Gift Aid donations is recognised when the donation income is recognised. 

## **Lettings Income** 

Lettings income comes from the management of houses used to provide supported accommodation to people recently released from prison. The charity collects rent as lettings income for a number of properties in Oxford on behalf of the landlords but does not itself own any property. 

The charity pays landlords for the use of their properties. 

## **ASSETS AND LIABILITIES** 

## **Fixed Assets** 

Vehicles are depreciated on a straight-line basis over 4 years. Individual items with a purchase price of £1,000 or less are written off when the asset is acquired. 

## **Current Assets** 

Any amounts owing to the charity at 31 December in respect of fees, rents or other income are shown as debtors less any provision that might be required for amounts that might prove uncollectable. 

## **Current Liabilities** 

Liabilities are recognised as resources expended as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to expenditure. 

## **Income from investments** 

Dividends and interest are accounted for when received. 

**41** 



**2 SALARY AND PENSION COST** 

Staff costs comprise £8,607 (2023: £nil) charged to expenditure on external communications and fundraising and £152,694 (2023: £138,682) charged to expenditure on charitable activities. 

The charity staff are employed by St Aldates PCC and seconded to the charity at no charge. The average number of staff seconded to the charity from St Aldates PCC was 5 (2023: 3). 

However, to the extent it can afford to, the charity has a policy of making a grant to St Aldates PCC equal to the direct costs of employment of those staff. The amount of the grant in 2024 was £157,576 (2023: £88,474). This is the only grant to an institution. All long-term pension liabilities remain with St Aldates PCC. 

## **3 DONATIONS-IN-KIND** 

In the prior year certain of the activities of the ACT Community were funded by and undertaken by the St Aldates PCC although governance of those activities rested with the trustees. The value of these activities to the charity was considered to be the same as the cost to the PCC and they were accounted for in the charity’s SOFA as donated-in-kind income with the corresponding cost recorded within the applicable expenditure category. In the current year all activities were funded by the charity. The PCC made an unrestricted grant of £10,000 (2023: £nil) to the charity. 

## **4 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REMUNERATION** 

Fees totalling £1,230 (2023: £960) were due to the Independent Examiner for the year. 

## **5 TRUSTEES’ REMUNERATION** 

No remuneration was paid or expenses reimbursed to the trustees during the current or preceding year. 

**42** 



**6 FIXED ASSETS** 

||**2024**<br>2023<br>**£**<br>£<br>**Motor vehicles**<br>Cost:<br>Additions<br>**13,690**<br>-|
|---|---|
||**Cost c/f**<br>**13,690**<br>-|
||Depreciation:<br>Charged in year<br>**1,996**<br>-|
||**Depreciation c/f**<br>**1,996**<br>-|
|||
||**Net Book Value**<br>**11,694**<br>-|
|||



## **7 DEBTORS** 

||**2024**<br>2023<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>Trade Debtors<br>**6,950**<br>5,607<br>Income tax recoverable<br>**1,148**<br>256<br>Other debtors and prepayments<br>**16,358**<br>10,528|
|---|---|
||**24,456**<br>16,391|
|||



**43** 



**8 LIABILITIES: AMOUNTS DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR** 

||**2024**<br>2023<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>Due to St Aldates PCC<br>**5,543**<br>3,856<br>Trade creditors<br>**3,558**<br>4,089<br>Accruals and other creditors<br>**5,152**<br>5,627<br>**14,253**<br>13,572|
|---|---|



## **9 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BY FUND** 

||**31 December 2024**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**Designated**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**Total Funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>Fixed assets<br>**11,694**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**11,694**<br>Current assets<br>**199,142**<br>**163,999**<br>**20,880**<br>**384,021**<br>Less: Current liabilities<br>**14,253**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**14,253**<br>**Fund Balance**<br>**196,583**<br>**163,999**<br>**20,880**<br>**381,462**<br>**31 December 2023**<br>Unrestricted<br>Funds<br>Designated<br>Unrestricted<br>Funds<br>Restricted<br>Funds<br>Total Funds<br>2023<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>Current assets<br>218,095<br>163,999<br>17,947<br>400,041<br>Less: Current liabilities<br>13,572<br>-<br>-<br>13,572<br>Fund Balance<br>204,523<br>163,999<br>17,947<br>386,469|
|---|---|



**44** 



**10 ANALYSIS OF MOVEMENT IN RESERVES** 

|**Year to 31 December 2024**|**Balance at**<br>**start of year**|**Income for**<br>**the year**|**Expenditure**|**Transfers**<br>**between**<br>**funds**|**Balance at**<br>**end of year**||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**||
|**UNRESTRICTED FUNDS**|||||||
|General Fund|**204,523**|**362,429**|**(370,369)**|**-**|**196,583**||
||||||||
|Designated Fund: New Projects|**163,999**|**-**|**-**|**-**|**163,999**||
|**TOTAL UNRESTRICTED FUNDS**|**368,522**|**362,429**|**(370,369)**|**-**|**361,082**||
||||||||
|**RESTRICTED FUNDS**|||||||
|Bail Project|**3,000**|**-**|**-**|**-**|**3,000**||
|Employment Project|**4,907**|**-**|**-**|**-**|**4,907**||
|Christmas Gifts|**-**|**809**|**(809)**|**-**|**-**||
|Housing Project Costs|**1,000**|**2,500**|**(1,000)**|**-**|**2,500**||
|Bicycles for Housing Clients|**63**|**-**|**(63)**|**-**|**-**||
|Gardening Equipment|**911**|**-**|**(394)**|**-**|**517**||
|Homeless Support|**-**|**3,250**|**(3,000)**|**-**|**250**||
|Outreach|**-**|**34,000**|**(34,000)**|**-**|**-**||
|House Maintenance|**5,965**|**-**|**(5,965)**|**-**|**-**||
|Retreat|**-**|**2,500**|**(2,500)**|**-**|**-**||
|Household Equipment|**101**|**-**|**-**|**-**|**101**||
|Mentoring and Back to Work|**2,000**|**-**|**(2,000)**|**-**|**-**||
|Energy Costs|**-**|**750**|**(750)**|**-**|**-**||
|Women’s Ministry|**-**|**25,469**|**(15,864)**|**-**|**9,605**||
|**Total restricted funds**|**17,947**|**69,278**|**(66,345)**|**-**|**20,880**||
||||||||
|**Total funds**|**386,469**|**431,707**|**(436,714)**|**-**|**381,462**||
||||||||



**45** 



|**Year to 31 December 2023**|**Balance at**<br>**start of year**|**Income for**<br>**the year**|**Expenditure**|**Transfers**<br>**between**<br>**funds**|**Balance at**<br>**end of year**||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**||
|Unrestricted Funds|||||||
|General Fund|139,990|411,635|(352,102)|5,000|204,523||
||||||||
|Designated Fund: New Projects|6,153|157,846|-|-|163,999||
|Total Unrestricted Funds|146,143|569,481|(352,102)|5,000|368,522||
||||||||
|**Restricted Funds**|||||||
|Bail Project|3,000|-|-|-|3,000||
|Employment Project|5,389|-|(482)|-|4,907||
|Contributions to Core Costs|5,078|-|(5,078)|-|-||
|Street Food|5,000|-|-|(5,000)|-||
|Housing Project Costs|-|14,000|(13,000)|-|1,000||
|Emergency Food for Housing Clients|174|-|(174)|-|-||
|Bicycles for Housing Clients|63|-|-|-|63||
|Gardening Equipment|911|-|-|-|911||
|Homeless Support|1,387|6,400|(7,787)|-|-||
|Outreach|-|8,000|(8,000)|-|-||
|House Maintenance|-|8,250|(2,285)|-|5,965||
|Retreat|-|1,000|(1,000)|-|-||
|Household Equipment|911|-|(890)|-|101||
|Mentoring and Back to Work|3,823|23,800|(25,623)|-|2,000||
|Women’s Ministry|-|-|-|-|-||
|**Total restricted funds**|25,816|61,450|(64,319)|(5,000)|17,947||
||||||||
|**Total funds**|171,959|630,931|(416,421)|-|386,469||
||||||||



During the prior year a review of historic documentation identified that the Street Food restricted fund was in fact utilised in 2021. Accordingly, it was released to unrestricted reserves. 

**46** 



**10 ANALYSIS OF MOVEMENT IN RESERVES CONT.** 

## **Designated Funds** 

New Projects 

The trustees are considering a number of new initiatives and have created this fund to ensure funding is available once suitable projects are identified. 

## **Restricted Funds** 

|Bail Project|This fund comprises income received which must be used to support those<br>on bail.|
|---|---|
|Employment Project|This fund comprises income received which must be used to assist prison<br>leavers back into work.|
|Contributions to Core Costs|This fund represents income specifcally given to support the charity’s core<br>operating costs.|
|Christmas Gifts|This fund represents money donated for the purpose of buying gifts at<br>Christmas for those in the charity’s supported housing programme.|
|Street Food|This fund comprises income received to support the provision of food<br>during the Covid lockdowns.|
|Housing Project|This fund comprises income received to support the charity’s work<br>providing supported housing.|
|Emergency Food for Housing Clients|This fund comprises donations which enable the charity to provide food for<br>housing clients when necessary.|
|Bicycles for Housing Clients|This fund enables the purchase of bicycles so as to provide transport for<br>clients.|
|Gardening Equipment|This fund is to enable the purchase of tools to assist clients in returning to<br>work.|
|Homeless Support|This fund is to purchase items for the homeless in cases of immediate<br>need.|
|Outreach|This fund is funding to support the provision of an outreach meal on<br>Monday nights and once a month on Sunday lunchtimes.|
|House Maintenance|This fund is funding to support the maintenance of the houses used in the<br>housing project.|
|Retreat|This fund is funding to support an annual retreat for residents of the<br>supported housing programme.|
|Household Equipment|This fund is funding to support the provision of equipment within the<br>supported houses.|
|Back to Work|This fund is funding to support the mentoring of members of the<br>community and assisting them into paid work.|
|Energy Costs|This fund is funding to assist with rising energy costs of the supported<br>houses.|
|Women’s Ministry|This fund is funding to support the newly established ACT Women Ministry<br>(see page 9).|



**47** 



**11 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS** 

St Aldates PCC (registered charity 1131154) are deemed a related party of the charity as they have a number of common trustees. 

During the year, St Aldates PCC paid expenses totalling £74,365 (2023: £44,141) on behalf of the charity and these amounts were recorded as owing to the PCC. During the year the charity paid £3,856 (2023: £1,728) to the PCC in settlement of the opening amount due to the PCC and a further £70,509 (2023: £40,285) in part settlement of the expenses incurred. An amount of £5,543 (2023: £3,856) remained outstanding at the year-end. 

During the year the charity awarded and paid a grant of £157,576 (2023: 88,474) to the PCC in respect of staff seconded by the PCC to the charity (see note 2). 

St Aldates PCC made a donation of £10,000 to the charity out of its general funds. The PCC also made a donation of £59,567 (2023: £157,846) to the charity comprising gifts made to the PCC for the purpose of supporting ACT. 

During the year a close relative of a trustee was paid £4,400 (2023: £16,285) for provision of fundraising and communications services on normal commercial terms. 

**48** 



**12 NOTE TO THE STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS** 

Reconciliation of net income to net cash flow from operating activities. 

||**2024**<br>2023<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>Net (expenditure) / income for the reporting period<br>(as per the statement of fnancial activities)<br>**(5,007)**<br>214,510<br>Adjustments for:<br>Depreciation charges<br>**1,996**<br>-<br>Bank interest<br>**(16,332)**<br>(2,752)<br>(Increase)/decrease in debtors<br>**(8,065)**<br>56<br>Increase in creditors<br>**681**<br>6,661<br>Net cash (used in) / provided by operating activities<br>**(26,727)**<br>218,475|
|---|---|



**49** 



ps


**HELLO@ACTOXFORD.COM | ACTOXFORD.COM REGISTERED CHARITY 1143136 I REGISTERED COMPANY 07279350** 

