OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2025-03-31-accounts

Participate Projects

Charity number 1147520

A company limited by guarantee number 07990889

Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Participate Projects

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

Contents Page
Trustees' report 2 to 14
Examiner's report 15
Statement of financial activities 16
Balance sheet 17
Statement of cash flows 18
Notes to the accounts 19 to 26

Prepared by West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO

1

Participate Projects

Trustees' report for the year ended 31 March 2025

Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisors

The trustees during the financial year and up to and including the date the report was approved were: Name Position Dates Susan Mendoza Chair Warren Evans Vice Chair Resigned 28 May 2024 Michael Forbes Judith Roberts Resigned 28 June 2024 Geoff Roberts Resigned 24 October 2025 Osman Gondal Paris Daniel Sharon Orr Appointed 7 February 2025 Aston Cookson Appointed 3 March 2025 Charity number 1147520 Registered in England and Wales Company number 07990889 Registered in England and Wales Registered and principal address Bankers Oakfield Business Centre The Co-operative Bank 39 Carr Lane PO Box 250 Shipley Skelmersdale BD18 2NQ WN8 6WT

Independent examiner

Rhys North ACA West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW

Structure, governance and management

The charity is a company limited by guarantee and was formed on 14 March 2012, as amended by special resolution on 30 May 2012. It is governed by a memorandum and articles of association. The liability of the members in the event of the company being wound up is limited to a sum not exceeding £10.

2

Participate Projects

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Structure, governance and management continued

Organisation

The Board of Trustees administers the charity. The Board normally meets six times per year with additional meetings if trustee decisions are required outside of the normal meeting schedule. The Participate Trustees retain overall responsibility for the business affairs of the organisation with a specific focus on ensuring that the Charity delivers its objects for the Public Benefit, ensuring that the Charity abides by its governing document and law and maintaining effective oversight and control of the Charity's resources.

Unless prevented by law, regulatory requirement, or Participates own Memorandum and Articles, the Board may choose to delegate matters to Committees or individual Trustees including the specific responsibilities of the Chair, Vice-Chair and Treasurer.

A Chief Executive is appointed by the trustees to manage the operations of the Charity. The Chief Executive has delegated authority, within terms approved by the Trustees, for all operational matters. Day to day management of the Charity is undertaken by the Chief Executive and the Senior Management Team. Delegation of financial responsibility is strictly governed by the Finance Policy and Financial Delegations. These establish limits above which purchasing decisions must be referred to the Trustees and reserve powers to enter into contractual arrangements to the Trustees. The Chief Executive is responsible to the Board for matters that are delegated to management.

The pay of senior staff is set by the Board of Trustees. The Trustees benchmark senior staff salaries against pay levels for equivalent roles in other similar sized organisations in the charity sector and have an established methodology to do so. Pay scales for all staff are agreed annually by the Trustees and salaries of all staff are reviewed annually. Trustees determine a cost of living increase each year through an established process, considering current inflation rates and affordability in the context of the funding sources of the Charity and its wider financial performance. Cost of living increases are applied to all staff.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

All Directors of the business are also Trustees of the Charity and members of the Board of Trustees. Trustees and Directors who served during the period covered by this report are listed in this document. New Trustees are recruited and co-opted onto the Board by the existing Trustees with their appointment confirmed at the Annual General Meeting. There is an ongoing commitment to seek out individuals who can strengthen the Board and bring complementary skills, experience and perspective to the team. The Board has recognised the need to focus on diversity so as to ensure that the Trustees are reflective of the communities Participate operates within. During the period covered by this report a recruitment process was undertaken to seek to expand and strengthen the Board, gaining two new Trustees.

All Directors/Trustees give their time voluntarily. The Charity has a policy to refund legitimate out of pocket expenses of Directors/Trustees incurred in the course of their duties. During the period covered by this report no expenses claims were made by Directors.

Board development including induction and training of trustees

New trustees are given a formal induction with the Chair and Chief Executive. This covers the purposes, strategy, and activities of the Charity, the organisation structure and the role and responsibilities of Trustees. Induction is based on CC3 – The Essential Trustee, and copies of this guidance and the accompanying guide to key duties are given to all new Trustees along with the Articles of the Charity. All Trustees receive copies of regulatory updates from the Charity Commission and the ongoing development needs of the Trustees are reviewed on an annual basis. Trustees are signposted to local training provision where appropriate.

3

Participate Projects

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Structure, governance and management continued

Organisational Structure

Objectives and activities

The charity's objects

(1) To promote any charitable purposes for the benefit of the public in England and Wales (hereinafter called the “area of benefit”) and, in particular, to build the capacity of third sector organisations to enable them to access charitable support from Government, local authorities and from private “for profit” organisations to enable them to pursue or contribute to any charitable purpose.

(2) The promotion of the efficiency and effectiveness of charities and the effective use of resources for charitable purposes by charitable and non-charitable bodies for the benefit of the public.

(3) To advance the education of pupils in the area of benefit by providing and assisting in the provision of facilities (not required to be provided by the local education authority) for education purposes at their schools.

(4) The prevention or relief of poverty in the area of benefit by providing services and support to charities, or other organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty.

(5) To promote the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment for the public benefit.

(6) To develop the capacity and skills of the members of socially disadvantaged communities in the area of benefit.

(7) To relieve unemployment for the public benefit; and

(8) To promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing people from becoming socially excluded, relieving the needs of those people who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society.

“social excluded” means being excluded from society, or part of society, as a result of being a member of a socially and economically deprived community – by undertaking charitable activities which assist those whose ability to access the internet and other digital technologies for social, economic and cultural benefit is limited by reason of their age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage.

4

Participate Projects

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

The charity's objects continued

"third sector organisations" means charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises.

charities are organisations, which are established for exclusively charitable purposes in accordance with the law of England and Wales.

voluntary organisations and social enterprises are types of independent organisations, which are established for purposes that add value to the community as a whole, or a significant section of the community, and which are not permitted by their constitution to make a profit for private distribution.

voluntary organisations and social enterprises do not include local government or other statutory authorities.

social enterprises are distinctive from traditional charities or voluntary organisations in that they generate the majority, if not all, of their income through the trading of goods or services rather than through donations.

Main activities

Participate delivers its objects through charitable activity in three priority areas:

Ideas and Enterprise Support - Support for people to establish and grow social ventures that directly address charitable aims, and support to people facing multiple issues of disadvantage to establish and grow locally rooted enterprises. This priority addresses Objects 2, 4, 6, 7 and 8

Business Volunteering and responsible business – Accessing resources and support from the private sector to address the capacity needs of VCSE organisations, and to address social and environmental needs. This priority addresses Objects 1, 2, 4 and 5

Youth Social Ventures – Developing future leadership and capacity within the VCSE sector by working with children in school and community settings to establish and grow projects that address social and environmental challenges. This priority addresses Objects 3, 4, 6 and 8.

Public benefit statement

The aims, objectives and activities of the charity are reviewed on an annual basis. When reviewing the aims and objectives of the Charity, and in planning its future activities, the Trustees have complied with the duty in Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due respect to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.

Strategic Approach

The trustees have continued to regularly review strategy and mission at trustee meetings and discussion with the staff operational leadership team during the period of this report. As part of this process the Participate three-year strategy was refreshed through to 2026/2027.

Our Vision

Powerful, thriving communities - where everyone benefits

Our Mission

Finding, exploring and supporting ideas that contribute positively towards people, place and planet.

Our Values

Distinctive – We challenge and we change thinking. We value individuals and deliver in a playful way. Practical – We unlock resources, increase capacity and resilience.

Humble – We are committed to the individuals, organisations and causes we work with - we celebrate THEIR achievements and tell THEIR stories.

Community – We unleash magic when we work together – facilitating, mentoring, coaching and connecting. Curiosity – We are open minded and explore ideas; always learning and promoting knowledge.

Our methodology for converting our mission and values into coherent activity that achieves the objectives of the charity is described by Our Recipe. This can be seen as the guiding principles of how we work with people, organisations and communities.

5

Participate Projects

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Strategic Approach continued

The Participate Recipe

Idea – Use our networks and reputation to find people and organisations with great ideas that will contribute to positive social change

Comprehension – Listen and use a range of coaching and consultation methodologies to really understand what a person or organisation is trying to achieve

Needs Assessment - Use our tools, insight and experience to identify barriers and challenges

Planning – help people and organisations to frame ideas into viable action plans and identify the support needed to grow their idea

Resources – Use the skills, resources and knowledge of our team, our private sector partners and our wider networks to meet the identified support needs

Sustainability – maintain long term supportive relationships with a focus on reducing dependency on support over time.

Whether we are working in communities to establish sustainable approaches to community ownership, supporting individual social enterprises to start and grow, or working with young people to help them take meaningful action on the issues that matter to them, this recipe defines and frames our work.

The effectiveness of our work is measured against short, medium and long term outcomes within our Theory of Change which will be reviewed in July 2025 and updated to reflect the changing environment for our work.

The majority of our work takes place in West Yorkshire. The trustees have refined our strategy around geography of delivery to take into account the impact and cost effectiveness of delivery away from our main operating locations, in line with opportunity and need.

6

Participate Projects

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Achievements and performance

Our strategy translates into three areas of work in furtherance of our Charitable Objects. In the year to 31 March 2025 the work and achievements in these areas comprised:

Ideas and Enterprise

Our enterprise support targets people and organisations in some of the most disadvantaged communities of England, as well as people facing issues of disadvantage due to other factors such as health, disability, age and ethnicity. During the reporting period we worked with social ventures and individuals with locally rooted social enterprise ideas to help start, grow and sustain ‘socially good’ economic activity. During this period, the majority of this work was focussed in West Yorkshire through the Business For Good West Yorkshire programme.

We measure success of our enterprise activities by tracking the numbers of people engaging with our coaches and Social Venture Schools who go on to develop their ideas into live projects. We benchmark the cost of our outputs and outcomes against national recommended costs for low intensity business support, taking into account that many of the people we support face multiple barriers. We use a diagnostic tool to establish the capacity and capability needs of the social ventures we support. This tool allows us to track progress and monitor the success of our interventions and support.

During the year support was provided through a range of grant and contract funded activities: Business for Good West Yorkshire – Participate continue to deliver (as part of a consortium) a UKSPF funded project for social enterprise and alternative business enterprise coaching across all five local authorities in West Yorkshire. The project is delivered by a partnership of local infrastructure organisations including (TSL Kirklees, Voluntary Action Leeds, Participate, Coops Culture, Coops UK and the School for Social Entrepreneurs). The programme runs from September 2023 to March 2025 and is expected to extend by 12 months to March 2026. At March 2025 the programme had completed the following output and outcomes:

The design of the work was informed by our Innovation in Business Research, conducted with the New Economics Foundation, Centre for Local Economic Strategies and Coops UK, which looked at effective approaches for delivering support to community led businesses in disadvantaged communities.

Here4BDCC (Bradford Strategic Infrastructure Programme) – Participate was the Social Enterprise lead for the Bradford SIP, funded by Bradford Council during the period of this contract. Through this programme we provide support to Social Enterprises across Bradford and run relevant workshops in disadvantaged communities. In early 2024 Bradford Council, facing significant budget constraints, ended support for VCSE infrastructure from their Department of Place. The Here4BDCC contract was ended at this point with a short extension provided whilst new arrangements were put in place to support VCSE organisations in Bradford District.

7

Participate Projects

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Achievements and performance continued Ideas and Enterprise continued

Activation Partnership - From July 2024 the NHS in Bradford, supported by the Bradford Council Children’s Services and Adult Services departments, introduced new arrangements for support to VCSE organisations in Bradford and Craven. A new partnership, led by the VCS Alliance, was formed to deliver this work which provides resilience and capacity building support to VCSE organisations that have a direct impact on health, wellbeing and vulnerable children and adults. Participate works alongside Community Action Bradford & District to deliver the Strengthening the Sector part of this work, with a particular focus on trading VCSE organisations. During this period, Participate used our in-house diagnostic tool to conduct a health check on organisations and offer action plans in areas of concern. 29 organisations received a diagnostic and action plan during the period covered by this report.

Manningham Mills Community Hub – In partnership with Equality Together, Participate embarked on the development of a community enterprise space in the iconic Manningham Mills Community Centre. The project aims to find and develop local social ventures and entrepreneurs; that work together to develop the space as a community led enterprise. The project is funded over 5 years from Esmee Fairburn. During this period the Enterprise Coach has worked with 21 individuals in a coaching capacity to support the development of their ideas - of these, 4 have established new start businesses. We have continued to work with interested individuals through a community steering group, most made up of local women - most of the women on the steering group attended a two course in November, and now have a better understanding of how social ventures operate and the legal implications. The group have also participated in several learning exchanges with other organisations, both local and regional to look at how they organise.

Enterprise West Yorkshire Development Fund, Keighley Enterprise Coaching - In October 2023 we started a pilot project funded through WYCA to test a small number of pilot projects and evaluate the impact of these specific interventions to help individuals to overcome barriers and better access mainstream business startup support. This project focused on testing the recent findings and logic model of the Innovation In Business (IIB) research, for a cohort of participants drawn from minoritised communities in Keighley. The project focussed on establishing the barriers (real and perceived) facing people from minoritised communities, establishing the extent to which these reflected the wider findings of the IIB research, as well as looking at additional factors that present barriers for these groups. The project took a relational approach to Enterprise Coaching, with a place-based focus through local community anchors, networks and hubs in Keighley. During this period we established coaching relationships with 8 individuals, established their barriers and continued to work with them over several months to overcome those barriers.

The charity maintains relationships with Social Ventures that have come through our Social Venture School and have longer term support needs using our unrestricted charitable resources.

Business Volunteering and responsible business

Our business volunteering programmes support our community enterprise activities and the wider VCSE and education sectors in the communities in which we operate. We work with businesses of all sizes to match their community programmes and available resources to needs within the Charity, Social Enterprise and Education sectors. This work is mainly focussed on Bradford and the surrounding areas; however, we also deliver business volunteering team days in other locations for the purpose of income generation to support our Charitable Objects.

The impact of our business volunteering programmes are measured in terms of the financial value of engagement (established through National Social Value TOMS measures) and against established aims and objectives of each volunteering programme. For team volunteering this will normally be the objectives to improve or develop the physical infrastructure of VCSE and Education assets. For individual volunteering the volunteers are allocated to specific tasks with established success criteria. The value of non-financial donations and contributions by business to materials costs is also collected.

8

Participate Projects

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Achievements and performance continued Business Volunteering and responsible business continued

Our business volunteering activity in Bradford is resourced through a number of contracts. Additional resources to support this work are provided through business donations and partnership agreements, contributions to overheads and charged team volunteering days:

Here4BDCC (Bradford Strategic Infrastructure Programme) – Participate lead on business volunteering and engagement for the consortium delivering the VCSE infrastructure programme in Bradford. The volunteering programme ended in June 2024 following the cancellation of Bradford Council funding for the Bradford SIP. During the three months we delivered in this period, we worked with 94 volunteers and levered £39,926 from businesses into organisations through donations and time.

Bradford Activation Programme - From July 2025 onwards Participate has provided a reduced volunteering programme under the NHS and Bradford Council funded Activation Programme. This work provides additional volunteering support from businesses in Bradford District to organisations receiving support from the programme.

Spirit of 2012 / Bradford 2025 City of Culture - Participate became lead corporate volunteering partners for Bradford 2025 City of Culture during this year. The work funded via Bradford 2025 aims to deploy 1,500 corporate volunteers across Bradford over the course of the project. Volunteers are engaged in both team and skilled volunteering activity. During this period to facilitated 24 days of action in the community, with 311 volunteers from businesses. We also facilitated 48 skilled volunteers to offer their experience to charities, schools and other non-profit organisations through skills sharing opportunities.

Youth Social Ventures

Our Venturists programme helps to build the Social Entrepreneurs and VCSE leaders of tomorrow through a practical social ventures programme in schools. During the period of this report the project worked with 233 students, from primary schools in Bradford, 9 were older students from Bradford College on a pilot project. 45 of these students were drawn from a SEND school with ECHP in specialist provision. A further 14 had Social, Emotional and Mental Health challenges.

The young participants work in groups away from their normal lessons. They visit charities and social enterprises, identify their own priorities for their communities and plan and develop their own projects. Their ideas are supported to become live projects through the Participate team, our business supporters and local organisations.

The project works within schools in some of the most disadvantaged communities. The project has a track record of engaging young people who have struggled with mainstream education or have other challenging backgrounds, building confidence and developing enterprising behaviours.

The Venturists is measured and monitored across a range of outputs and outcomes. Participant numbers and activity are collected within each school alongside a range of metrics for engagement of external stakeholders. The social and educational objectives of the programme are measured through teacher assessment using a process developed with educational professionals. Before and after assessments are made around knowledge, motivation, self-care, resources, confidence, effort, social and support. These are age related and linked to session objectives from the National curriculum. Young people are also assessed on a confidence and selfesteem scale and around improvements in oracy. Despite working with young people who face multiple educational barriers we consistently see improvement outcomes across all indicators.

9

Participate Projects

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Achievements and performance continued

Youth Social Ventures continued

Individual schools are funded by a range of funders, school contributions and business donations. Participating schools were:

Iqra Primary – Funded through Manjit Wolstenholme Fund and Keith Howard Foundation.

Newby Primary School – Funded through Keith Howard Foundation and the school.

Crossley Hall - Funded through Keith Howard Foundation and surplus funds.

Lower Fields – Funded through Manjit Wolstenholme Fund and surplus funds.

The Valley Project – Funded through Manjit Wolstenholme Fund and The Valley Project.

The Academy at St James – Funded through Vanquis Banking Group.

Byron - Funded through Manjit Wolstenholme Fund and The Keith Howard Foundation.

Clayton - The school funded a full academic year and received funding through Manjit Wolstenholme Fund and match funded to deliver SEND Venturist Research Project.

Whetley Primary School - Vanquis Banking Group.

The Academy at St James, Lady Royd and Eastwood – who were all fully funded through Npower Business Solution Foundation.

Projects established by participants have included STEM projects at IQRA Primary (creating prototypes of carbon neutralising factories involving living plants and solar powered planes and cars). The Valley Project was the first time The Venturists has been delivered in an ‘out of school’ setting; healthy ‘Prime’ drinks were created and a community library was developed by a 15 year old who struggled with her dyslexia as a child; she wanted to help others like her read. Family Venturists was delivered at two schools with different demographics to develop the pilot and the methods. We have provided The Venturists for a whole academic year at Clayton for all Year 5 and 6 pupils and consultancy support to develop Social Action Curriculum training and curriculum at Newby Primary.

Case Studies from External Evaluations

Ideas and Enterprise - Business for Good West Yorkshire

This case study was produced by Wavehill (wavehill.com), as an independent evaluation of West Yorkshire UKSPF funded programme.

Circle of Life Voices of Women

Circles of Life Voices of Women was founded in 2019 by Geeta, a retired police officer, to address gaps in support for marginalised communities in Leeds. Initially focused on domestic abuse, homelessness, and substance misuse, the organisation became a vital resource during the pandemic, delivering over 30,000 meals with just four volunteers. It grew rapidly, became a community interest company (CIC), and by 2023 was supporting over 1,000 people through activities ranging from sewing classes to large-scale community events. Despite its success, the organisation struggled with governance and financial management. Early reliance on poor advice led to errors in CIC registration and reporting, causing stress and financial penalties. Bookkeeping was informal, and Geeta considered closing the organisation.

She was referred to Business for Good West Yorkshire through Voluntary Action Leeds. Through one-to-one support from Rachel, an enterprise coach, the organisation restructured its governance, improved compliance, and rebuilt confidence. Rachel’s transparent and hands-on approach was described as empowering, offering both technical guidance and personal reassurance.

The impact of the support has been significant. Circles of Life is now properly constituted and financially compliant, enabling it to apply for and secure larger funding opportunities. With a stronger governance base, the organisation has delivered major community projects and is being put forward for recognition through a King’s Award. The founder reports feeling more confident, less fearful of financial reporting, and better able to pursue ambitious projects. She now has a trained volunteer base of 35 people supporting health and wellbeing activities in deprived communities and is expanding the organisation’s offer to include men’s groups alongside its focus on women.

10

Participate Projects

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Case Studies from External Evaluations continued

Circle of Life Voices of Women continued

Geeta credited the programme with saving the organisation, highlighting that traditional business advice would not have understood the unique challenges of a community-focused CIC. The support provided a foundation for long-term sustainability and greater impact.

Youth Social Ventures - The Venturists

This case study was produced by Nifty Sustainability as an evaluation of the NPower funded, Venturists Programme.

Bradford College / ACS Group partnership

The Npower Business Solutions Foundation funding allowed Jill to bring Bradford College and ACS Group together in a new, innovative partnership. Bradford College explained they chose to do the Venturists with their tutor group of 9 students all aged 17+ with complex SEN needs, because they are on a pre-supported internship course:

‘They are coming towards the end of their time at College and looking to go into a supported internship and then paid employment and because the things that the Venturists do around social action and sustainability it gives very hands on experience and it’s the skills that are required for employment as well so we thought that would be an ideal group for it to start with because it feeds directly into their end game really.’ - Haley Crosswell - Curriculum Team Leader, Foundation Learning, Bradford College

ACS Group were providing funding and space for a garden and seating area. The Venturists were asked to come up with their environmental ideas to create the garden. After exploring environmental issues and trying some upcycling together, the Venturists visited ACS and had a tour and a presentation from Sustainability Manager Tom Taylor. After this initial meeting, the Venturists worked on their project ideas and logos, and then pitched them to ACS ‘Dragons’ at the College. ACS ensured they had a range of people representing different parts of the organisation, including someone from the Finance Department who quizzed the Venturists on their budgets!

The Venturists programme had positive impacts on all involved. For the Bradford College students, there was evidence of increased confidence and engagement, developing Maths and English skills as well as more practical skills such as woodworking and gardening, project management, problem solving and life skills including timekeeping, using the bus and planning the journey, and highlighting different roles they could do in the future:

‘There was one student in particular that we’ve been struggling to engage all the way throughout the year, and they absolutely loved [the Venturists]. They were staying longer because they were so engaged and so looking forward to carrying out what they’d planned. And it was brilliant to see.’ - Jade Kelly - SEND Lecturer, Foundation Learning, Bradford College

‘And it’s not just about the skills they develop and the experience that they get, but it’s the employer visits that they go on as well – so getting to see different organisations and the role within them and the types of jobs they do. Just all of it just combined, it just gives so much. - Haley Crosswell

Haley explained that the Venturists would also be very relevant for the Skills for Employment groups and, ideally, she would like each group to do it once. Then if multiple groups are participating, they can organise a community practice session to share experiences with each other and groups that might follow in subsequent years. This would extend and expand the learning opportunities and increase the impact of the Programme.

11

Participate Projects

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Fundraising

All fundraising activities are undertaken by staff of the charity and no external fundraising agencies or consultants are employed by Participate. Fundraising activity aligned to the three activity areas as follows: Ideas and Enterprise – As the Business For Good West Yorkshire contract was due to end in March 2025. The team spent time negotiating an extension to the funding for a further year. The team also tendered for the Enterprise West Yorkshire Development Fund.

Business Volunteering and Responsible Business – The team negotiated funding from Bradford City of Culture 2025 (with their funds from The National Lottery) to deliver corporate volunteering activity until March 2026. We also negotiated donations and partnership agreements with several businesses to support their community volunteering offer.

Youth Social Ventures – The team brought in grant funding from The Manjit Wolstenholme Foundation (via Give Bradford), The Keith Howard Foundation and The NPower Foundation. Some schools were self-funding or received donations directly from businesses.

Sources of Income

During the period covered by this report Participate was funded through a range of grants, contracts and other primary purpose trading activities. Our main sources of income were:

United Kingdom Shared Prosperity Fund – UKSPF funding through West Yorkshire Combined Authority (via TSL Kirklees) - our programmes to tackle disadvantage through enterprise across West Yorkshire.

Esmee Fairburn – Funding for a partnership approach to develop the community led enterprise space in Manningham.

Bradford City of Culture (National Lottery Funds) - Funding to support BD25 through a corporate volunteering programme.

Bradford Council & NHS – Bradford Council and Health partners fund the Strategic Infrastructure Programme funds to a consortium of organisations to deliver capacity building, volunteering and other support to the VCSE sector in Bradford District. Our funding within this partnership supports business volunteering and social enterprise support at a District level.

Smaller public sector grants and contracts – a few smaller programmes funded by Bradford Council, WYCA and the NHS were funded during this period. These were concerned with improving health through responsible business and a research project into barriers facing people from minoritised communities when accessing enterprise support and Capacity building of Anchors and Hubs in Bradford.

Other grants and trusts – A combination of grants and trusts funded our Venturists work

Earned income – Employee volunteering, the Venturists and core costs were supported by a range of Primary Purpose income aligned to our programme areas.

Significant Events, Risk and uncertainty

No significant events occurred that affected the finances of the charity during the period covered by this report. The Charity holds no material investments.

The Trustees are aware of a number of risks to the financial position of the charity and are taking prudent steps to protect the Charity and our work from the impact of these risks:

Cost of Living – Inflation rates above target have continued to impact on the staffing and overhead costs of the Charity. Decisions around cost of living increases for staff have continued to balance the need to retain staff and maintain responsible wages whilst also working within the envelope of available funds.

Wider funding environment – The grant fundraising environment remains very challenging due to increased demand on charities and the impact of wider economic circumstances. The Trustees receive regular updates on fundraising activity and continue to look at opportunities to diversify income where appropriate.

12

Participate Projects

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Financial review

The net income for the year was £120,150, including net income of £50,927 on unrestricted funds and net income of £69,223 on restricted funds, after transfers.

Reserves policy

The charity's total reserves were £409,834, of which £144,353 relates to restricted funds. Within the remaining funds, £5,750 was the value of tangible fixed assets. This leaves a balance of £259,731 free reserves.

The charity's policy is to hold at least 3 months of reserves with an upper limit of 12 months, for the purpose of ensuring the smooth running of the charity to cover cash flow problems or temporary loss of income. Additionally the charity will aim to hold funds that will enable an orderly winding up if the charity has to close; as at 31 March 2024 trustees estimate an additional £46,600 should be held to cover redundancy costs. This equates to a target level of reserves of between £172,100 and £502,300.

The reserves at the year end represents 6 months of planned 2025/2026 expenditure (6 months of actual 2024/2025 expenditure).

Future Plans

Despite an increasingly challenging environment for charities and social enterprises, Participate remains committed to delivering and expanding the reach of our work. Our strategy in 2025/2026 in each of our activity areas is:

Ideas and Enterprise - Build on the strength of our partnerships with other VCSE infrastructure in West Yorkshire to maintain our position as the leading provider of Social Enterprise support in the Mayoral Area. Identify new approaches to deliver our support around Social Venture start and growth to people and communities that are missed by mainstream support.

Business Volunteering and Responsible Business – Deliver a programme of employee volunteering alongside Bradford 2025 City of Culture that leaves a lasting impact for communities and encourages more businesses to play a more active role in their communities. Work with the Local Authorities and NHS in West Yorkshire to develop effective approaches to target and deliver Social Value commitments from their supply chain to issues and communities that need the support.

Youth Social Ventures – Continue to extend the reach and scope of the Venturists through new funded partnerships, business support and direct payments by schools.

Whilst the charity will take opportunities that arise to develop new services there will be a continuing focus on long term stability and sustainability. The ongoing challenges in the wider economy and increasingly competitive fundraising environment continue to demonstrate the need for economic stability and independence. We will build on the work done in 2024/2025 to diversify income and reduce reliance on single funders.

The Trustees recognise that the sector as a whole continues to face unprecedented challenges. The Participate Board is taking very seriously its duty to plan responsibly and ensure that the resources of the charity are used to further its objects. In order to fulfil this responsibility the Trustees recognise the importance of maintaining a strong, representative and skilled board. The success of recruiting new diverse board members in 2024/2025, including younger board members and those with lived experience, means that the current Board of Participate is the strongest and most diverse it has been. We will seek to maintain this strength in the coming year.

13

Participate Projects

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Statement of trustees' responsibilities

The trustees (who are also the directors for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees report and the financial statements in accordance with the applicable law and UK Accounting Standards.

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial accounts 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 the year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;

observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

prepare the accounts on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation.

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

This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (Charities SORP (FRS102)), and in accordance with the special provisions of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Approved by the board of trustees on Michael Forbes

20/11/2025 (Trustee)

14

Participate Projects

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Participate Projects

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charitable company for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 16 to 26.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the charitable 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 charitable 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 ('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 the charitable company's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a fellow of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act.

I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a fellow of ICAEW which is one of the listed bodies.

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

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.

Signed: …………………………………… Name: Rhys North ACA

22/11/2025

West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO

Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW

15

Participate Projects

Statement of Financial Activities

(including summary income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Notes
2025
Unrestricted
funds
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
(2)
27,948
Charitable activities
(3)
218,079
Other trading activities
(4)
-
Investments
(5)
1,840
Other
(6)
-
Total income
247,867
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
(8)
225,440
Total expenditure
225,440
Net income / (expenditure)
22,427
Transfers between funds
28,500
Net movement in funds
50,927
Fund balances brought forward
214,554
Fund balances carried forward
(9)
265,481		 2025
Restricted
funds
£
211,414
167,626
-
-
-
379,040
281,317
281,317
97,723
(28,500)
69,223
75,130
144,353		 2025
Total
funds
£
239,362
385,705
-
1,840
-
626,907
506,757
506,757
120,150
-
120,150
289,684
409,834		 2024
Total
funds
£
166,451
305,574
1,440
-
1,430
474,895
450,293
450,293
24,602
-
24,602
265,082
289,684

All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities.

16

Participate Projects

Balance sheet

as at 31 March 2025
2025
Unrestricted
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
(10)
5,750
Total fixed assets
5,750
Current assets
Stock
-
Debtors and prepayments
(11)
103,461
Cash at bank
160,189
Total current assets
263,650
Current liabilities:
amounts falling due within one year
Creditors and accruals
(12)
3,919
Total current liabilities
3,919
Net current assets / (liabilities)
259,731
Total assets less current liabilities
265,481
Net assets
265,481
Funds
Unrestricted funds
265,481
Restricted funds
-
Total funds
265,481		 2025
Restricted
£
-
-
-
53,886
90,467
144,353
-
-
144,353
144,353
144,353
-
144,353
144,353		 2025
Total
£
5,750
5,750
-
157,347
250,656
408,003
3,919
3,919
404,084
409,834
409,834
265,481
144,353
409,834		 2024
Total
£
11,500
11,500
72,249
209,079
281,328
3,144
3,144
278,184
289,684
289,684
214,554
75,130
289,684

For the year ending 31 March 2025 the charitable 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 charitable company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476. The trustees (who are also the directors for the purposes of company law) 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 and with FRS 102 (effective January 2019).

The financial statements were approved by the board of trustees on Michael Forbes

20/11/2025 (Trustee)

17

Participate Projects

Statement of cash flows

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Bank interest
Purchase of tangible fixed assets (excluding donated assets)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments on borrowing
Cash inflows from new borrowing
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges
Bank interest
(Increase) / decrease in debtors
Increase / (decrease) in creditors
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
Notice deposits (less than 30 days)
Total cash and cash equivalents
Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow
from operating activities
Net movement in funds for the reporting period (as per the
statement of financial activities)
Cash in hand		 2025
£
39,737
1,840
-
1,840
-
-
-
41,577
209,079
250,656
2025
£
120,150
5,750
(1,840)
(85,098)
775
39,737
2025
£
-
250,656
250,656		 2024
£
(1,301)
-
-
-
-
-
-
(1,301)
210,380
209,079
2024
£
24,602
5,750
-
(9,302)
(22,351)
(1,301)
2024
£
-
209,079
209,079

18

Participate Projects

Notes to the accounts

for the year ended 31 March 2025

1 Accounting policies

Basis of accounting

These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) and with the Charities Act 2011.

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

There has been no change to the accounting policies since last year. No changes have been made to the accounts for previous years.

Going concern

The trustees are satisfied that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity becomes entitled to the resources, if it is more likely than not that the trustees will receive the resources and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Grants and donations

Grants and donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.

Where grants are related to performance and specific deliverables, they are accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance.

Expenditure and liabilities

Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out the resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty.

Grants payable without performance conditions

Where there are no conditions attaching to the grant that enables the donor charity to realistically avoid the commitment, a liability for the full funding obligation must be recognised.

Taxation

As a charity the organisation benefits from rates relief and is generally exempt from income tax and capital gains tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates.

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets costing more than £1,000 are capitalised and included at cost including any incidental expenses of acquisition. Gifted assets are shown at the value to the charity on receipt. Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the cost on a straight line basis over their expected useful economic lives as follows: Motor vehicles: over 4 years

Pensions

The charity operates a defined contribution scheme for the benefit of its employees. The costs of contributions are recognised in the year they are payable.

19

Participate Projects

Notes to the accounts

for the year ended 31 March 2025

1 Accounting policies continued

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.

Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.

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

Leases

Rents under operating leases are charged on a straight line basis over the lease term or to an earlier date if the lease can be determined without financial penalty.

20

Participate Projects

Notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 31 March 2025

2 Donations and legacies
Grants:
Bradford Culture Company Limited
Community Action Bradford & District
Esmée Fairburn Foundation
Npower Business Solutions Foundation
Vanquis Bank
VCS Alliance
Keith Howard Foundation
Leeds Community Fund (LCF)
Power to Change (PTC)
Donations
3 Charitable activities income
Performance related grants and contracts:
BDMC - Here4BDCC
Business for Good - West Yorkshire
Keighley Healthy Living
West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Consultancy income:
General
Innovation in Business
Other income:
Partnership agreements
Recharges for materials and expenses
The Venturists Programme
4 Other trading activities
Rental income		 2025
Unrestricted
funds
£
-
7,396
-
-
20,000
-
-
-
-
552
27,948
2025
Unrestricted
funds
£
15,907
-
20,960
12,493
87,110
-
30,178
36,308
15,123
218,079
2025
Unrestricted
funds
£
-
-		 2025
Restricted
funds
£
53,259
-
78,500
25,530
-
54,125
-
-
-
-
211,414
2025
Restricted
funds
£
-
165,653
-
-
-
-
-
1,973
167,626
2025
Restricted
funds
£
-
-		 2025
Total
funds
£
53,259
7,396
78,500
25,530
20,000
54,125
-
-
-
552
239,362
2025
Total
funds
£
15,907
165,653
20,960
12,493
87,110
-
30,178
38,281
15,123
385,705
2025
Total
funds
£
-
-		 2024
Total
funds
£
-
6,706
70,000
-
20,000
-
11,994
15,000
42,005
746
166,451
2024
Total
funds
£
119,019
59,014
10,480
12,493
30,575
24,500
-
29,093
20,400
305,574
2024
Total
funds
£
1,440
1,440

21

Participate Projects

Notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 31 March 2025

5 Investments
Interest receivable
6 Other
Rates rebate
8 Charitable activities expenditure
Activities
undertaken
directly
£
Ideas and Enterprise support
285,242
Business Volunteering
94,844
Youth Social Ventures
44,158
424,244
8a Support costs
Support cost type
Management and admin salaries
Payroll fees
Financial management support
Marketing and publicity
IT support
Independent examination
Memberships and subscriptions		 2025
Unrestricted
funds
£
1,840
1,840
2025
Unrestricted
funds
£
-
-
Grant
funding of
activities
£
37,841
-
-
37,841
Charitable
activity
£
35,249
1,825
1,676
2,329
667
-
286
42,032		 2025
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
2025
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
Support
costs
£
31,234
9,169
4,269
44,672
Governance
activity
£
-
-
-
-
-
2,640
-
2,640		 2025
Total
funds
£
1,840
1,840
2025
Total
funds
£
-
-
2025
Total
cost
£
354,317
104,013
48,427
506,757
2025
Total
cost
£
35,249
1,825
1,676
2,329
667
2,640
286
44,672		 2024
Total
funds
£
-
-
2024
Total
funds
£
1,430
1,430
2024
Total
cost
£
310,271
106,455
33,567
450,293
2024
Total
cost
£
27,098
1,619
879
4,153
837
2,640
912
38,138

22

Participate Projects

Notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 31 March 2025

8b Charitable activities expenditure detail
Salaries NI and pensions
(8c)
Payroll charges
Consultancy
Staff expenses
Staff training
Marketing
Insurance
Admin costs
Accommodation costs
Phones and internet
Van costs
Project expenditure
Grants payable
(8d)
Independent examination
IT hardware, software & support
Memberships and subscriptions
Depreciation
Miscellaneous
8c Staff costs and numbers
Gross salaries
Redundancy costs
Social security costs
Employment allowance
Health insurance plan contributions
Pensions		 2025
Unrestricted
funds
£
106,476
1,825
52,999
9,540
239
2,749
3,217
867
8,344
645
-
25,504
-
2,640
4,359
286
5,750
-
225,440		 2025
Restricted
funds
£
224,775
-
7,410
1,077
192
2,888
-
481
230
458
-
4,265
37,841
-
650
-
-
1,050
281,317		 2025
Total
cost
£
331,251
1,825
60,409
10,617
431
5,637
3,217
1,348
8,574
1,103
-
29,769
37,841
2,640
5,009
286
5,750
1,050
506,757
2025
£
298,581
-
27,366
(5,000)
1,815
8,489
331,251		 2024
Total
cost
£
285,848
1,619
29,413
4,206
1,330
8,946
2,898
1,360
11,796
920
1,431
37,537
52,053
2,640
837
912
5,750
797
450,293
2024
£
253,278
8,446
22,712
(5,000)
-
6,412
285,848

The average number of employees during the year was 10.5, being an average of 8.3 full time equivalent (2024: 9.5, 7.2 FTE). There were no employees with emoluments above £60,000.

Defined contribution pension scheme 2025 2024
£ £
Costs of the scheme to the charity for the year 8,489 6,412

23

Participate Projects

Notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 31 March 2025

8d Grant making

Project or activity
Equality Together
Made in Manningham
Business for Good West Yorkshire
Total
9 Restricted funds
Balance b/f
£
VCS Alliance Activation
-
VCS Alliance Activation 1:1
-
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
59,983
MIM Capacity Support
540
TSL Kirklees UKSPF
(6,000)
UnLtd Keighley
1,700
Keith Howard Foundation
7,994
Manjit Wolstenholme 2
3,187
Npower Business Solutions
-
Manjit Wolstenholme 3
7,726
Bradford Culture Company
-
75,130		 Incoming
£
36,125
18,000
78,500
-
167,626
-
-
-
25,530
-
53,259
379,040		 Outgoing
£
25,458
1,800
57,308
540
156,474
1,050
5,685
2,891
7,013
7,726
15,372
281,317		 2025
Grants to
institutions
£
34,172
-
3,669
37,841
Transfers
£
-
-
(21,993)
-
(3,902)
-
(2,309)
(296)
-
-
-
(28,500)		 2024
Grants to
institutions
£
8,548
43,505
-
52,053
Balance c/f
£
10,667
16,200
59,182
-
1,250
650
-
-
18,517
-
37,887
144,353

Fund name

VCS Alliance Activation VCS Alliance Activation 1:1

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

MIM Capacity Support

TSL Kirklees UKSPF

UnLtd Keighley Keith Howard Foundation

Manjit Wolstenholme 2

Npower Business Solutions Manjit Wolstenholme 3 Bradford Culture Company

Purpose of restriction

To support the health sector via use of diagnostic analysis. To provide 1:1 follow up support to health organisations as a result of diagnostic analysis work.

To support the development of Manningham Ideas Mill to enable change in the local economy. The transfer is for a contribution towards overhead costs.

To provide capacity building support to Participate and the projects supported through the Power to Change programme.

To provide community based coaching to start-up and existing social enterprises across West Yorkshire. The transfer is for a contribution towards overhead costs.

To provide anchor support to social enterprises in Keighley. To deliver The Venturist - a youth social action programme - in six schools. The transfer is for a contribution towards overhead costs.

To deliver The Venturist - a youth social action programme. The transfer is for a contribution towards overhead costs.

To deliver The Venturist programme.

To deliver The Venturist - a youth social action programme.

To deliver a corporate volunteering programme during Bradford 2025.

24

Participate Projects

Notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 31 March 2025

10
11
**12 **		 Tangible assets
Cost
At 1 April 2024
Additions
At 31 March 2025
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024
Charge for year
At 31 March 2025
Net book value
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024
Debtors and prepayments
Debtors
Prepayments
Other debtors
Creditors and accruals
Creditors
Accruals
Other creditors		 £
23,000
-
23,000
11,500
5,750
17,250
5,750
11,500
2025
£
151,320
1,399
4,256
156,975
372
2025
£
1,083
2,640
196
3,919
Motor
vehicles		 Total
£
23,000
-
23,000
11,500
5,750
17,250
5,750
11,500
2024
£
70,762
942
545
72,249
2024
£
504
2,640
-
3,144

13 Related party transactions

Trustee expenses

No trustee received any expenses during this year or the previous year.

Trustee remuneration and benefits

No trustee received any remuneration or benefit during this or the previous year.

Remuneration and benefits received by key management personnel

The total employee benefits received by key management personnel were £62,439 (previous year: £55,385).

25

Participate Projects

Statement of Financial Activities including comparatives for all funds (including summary income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2025

2025
2024
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds
funds
£
£
Income
Donations and legacies
27,948
27,452
Charitable activities
218,079
246,560
Other trading activities
-
1,440
Investments
1,840
-
Other
-
1,430
Total income
247,867
276,882
Expenditure
Charitable activities
225,440
271,303
Total expenditure
225,440
271,303
Net income / (expenditure)
22,427
5,579
Transfers between funds
28,500
17,031
Net movement in funds
50,927
22,610
Fund balances brought forward
214,554
191,944
Fund balances carried forward
265,481
214,554		 2025
Restricted
funds
£
211,414
167,626
-
-
-
379,040
281,317
281,317
97,723
(28,500)
69,223
75,130
144,353		 2024
Restricted
funds
£
138,999
59,014
-
-
-
198,013
178,990
178,990
19,023
(17,031)
1,992
73,138
75,130		 2025
Total
funds
£
239,362
385,705
-
1,840
-
626,907
506,757
506,757
120,150
-
120,150
289,684
409,834		 2024
Total
funds
£
166,451
305,574
1,440
-
1,430
474,895
450,293
450,293
24,602
-
24,602
265,082
289,684

26