Charity registration number: 1151232
THE ASPIRATION TRUST TRUSTEES' REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
Adding Value Consultancy Ltd Studio 21, Bluecoat Chambers School Lane Liverpool L1 3BX
The Aspiration Trust Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees' Report | 1—3 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 4 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 5 |
| Statement of Financial Position | 6 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 7—10 |
| The following pages do not form part of the statutory accounts: | |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 11 |
The Aspiration Trust Trustees' Report For The Year Ended 5 April 2025
The trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 5 April 2025.
Objectives and Activities
Aims and Objectives
The objectives of the CIO are:
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To advance the Christian faith afor the benefit of the public in the Wirral and such other parts of the UK or the world as the trustees may from time to time in their absolute discretion think fit in accordance with the statement of belief appearing in the Schedule.
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To further or benefit the residents of Wirral and the neighbourhood, without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or of political, religious or other opinions by associating together the said residents and the local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation leisure time occupation with the objective of improving the conditions of life for the residents.
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To use and hold the money and assets of the Trust for such general charitable purposes for the benefit of the public in the Wirral and such other parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the trustees may from time to time in their absolute discretion think fit.
Public Benefit
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
Achievements and Performance
Main Achievements
A key issue for the development of the Spire site and our long-term sustainability, has been the development of a vacant plot of land. After a challenging process, we are delighted to have secured planning permission to see the development of over 30 apartments. Gaining this permission means we can market the land and partner with a developer. We anticipate this being a lengthily process but something that will bring long term benefits to the community and sustainability to the Charity. The apartments will provide affordable social housing.
Seventeen community groups made regular use of the Spire within the year along with a variety of additional one-off bookings. We are delighted that the building is being so well used by the community. As well as providing much needed community space, our staff also help them apply for funding. Additionally, we now have a national homelessness charity with staff operating out of one of our offices.
Financial the year was challenging, mainly because of high utility and maintenance bills. We also encountered some one-off legal fees in relation to the planning process. However, we continue to have success in applying for grants and have grown our rental income to £26,000. The year saw a year deficit of £13,743 but this was planned and reserves were used. Despite the deficit for the year, we retain a healthy cash balance of £31,210 and we now have a much better prospect of developing the vacant land.
Reference and Administrative Details
Trustees
Jonathan Birch Joshua Simpson Stephen Ward Martin Dickson
Charity Number
1151232
Principal Address
The Spire Breck Road Wallasey CH44 3BD
Independent Examiner
Matthew Brown Adding Value Consultancy Ltd
Page 1
The Aspiration Trust Trustees' Report (continued) For The Year Ended 5 April 2025
Studio 21, Bluecoat Chambers School Lane Liverpool L1 3BX
Page 2
The Aspiration Trust Trustees' Report (continued) For The Year Ended 5 April 2025
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing the financial statements the trustees are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;
make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at anytime the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. 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.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charity's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
The trustees' report was approved by the board of trustees and signed on its behalf by:
Jonathan Birch
Trustee 28th January 2026
Page 3
The Aspiration Trust Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Aspiration Trust For The Year Ended 5 April 2025
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Aspiration Trust (the Trust) for the year ended 5 April 2025.
Responsibilities and Basis of Report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent Examiner's Statement
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:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and contents of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.
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.
Matthew Brown 26th January 2026 Studio 21, Bluecoat Chambers School Lane Liverpool L1 3BX
Page 4
The Aspiration Trust Statement of Financial Activities For The Year Ended 5 April 2025
| Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities: Charitable activity Other 4 EXPENDITURE ON: Charitable activities: 6 Charitable activity NET (EXPENDITURE)/INCOME NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS: Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 13 |
Unrestricted funds £ 2,000 26,210 1,030 |
Restricted funds £ 4,960 - - |
2025 Total funds £ 6,960 26,210 1,030 |
2024 Unrestricted funds £ 20,549 27,540 193 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29,240 | 4,960 | 34,200 | 48,282 | |
| (46,953) | (990) | (47,943) | (44,770) | |
| (17,713) | 3,970 | (13,743) | 3,512 | |
| (17,713) 148,073 |
3,970 - |
(13,743) 148,073 |
3,512 144,561 |
|
| 130,360 | 3,970 | 134,330 | 148,073 |
The notes on pages 7 to 10 form part of these financial statements.
Page 5
The Aspiration Trust Statement of Financial Position As At 5 April 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | **Total funds ** | Total funds | ||
| funds | funds | ||||
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| FIXED ASSETS | |||||
| Tangible Assets | 11 | 100,000 | 3,960 | 103,960 | 100,000 |
| 100,000 | 3,960 | 103,960 | 100,000 | ||
| CURRENT ASSETS | |||||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 31,200 | 10 | 31,210 | 48,073 | |
| 31,200 | 10 | 31,210 | 48,073 | ||
| Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year | 12 | (840) | - | (840) | - |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS (LIABILITIES) | 30,360 | 10 | 30,370 | 48,073 | |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES | 130,360 | 3,970 | 134,330 | 148,073 | |
| NET ASSETS | 130,360 | 3,970 | 134,330 | 148,073 | |
| FUNDS OF THE CHARITY | |||||
| Restricted Funds | 3,970 | - | |||
| Unrestricted Funds | 130,360 | 148,073 | |||
| TOTAL FUNDS | 13 | 134,330 | 148,073 |
On behalf of the board each Jonathan Birch Trustee 28th January 2026
The notes on pages 7 to 10 form part of these financial statements.
Page 6
The Aspiration Trust Notes to the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 5 April 2025
1. General Information
The Aspiration Trust is a charitable incorporated organisation registered with the Charity Commission, registered charity number 1151232. The principal address is The Spire, Breck Road, Wallasey, CH44 3BD.
2. Accounting Policies
2.1. Basis of Preparation of Financial Statements
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)", Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities Act 2011.
The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
2.2. Incoming Resources
Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probably that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably.
Income received in advance oef the provision of specified services is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.
2.3. Resources Expended
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probably that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs of activities undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs and other expenditure represents those items not falling into any other heading.
2.4. Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation
Tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of the fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following bases:
Freehold nil Plant & Machinery over 5 years
2.5. Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include cash in hand and deposits held at call with banks, other short-term highly liquid investments that mature in no more than three months from the date of acquisition and are readily convertible to a known amount of cash with insignificant risk of change in value, and bank overdrafts.
3. Income from Donations and Legacies
| Donations and gifts Grants Donations and gifts Grants |
Unrestricted funds £ - 2,000 |
Restricted funds £ - 4,960 |
2025 Total funds £ - 6,960 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,000 | 4,960 | 6,960 | |
| Unrestricted funds £ 426 20,123 |
Restricted funds £ - - |
2024 Total funds £ 426 20,123 |
|
| 20,549 | - | 20,549 |
Page 7
The Aspiration Trust Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 5 April 2025
4. Other Income
| 4. Other Income |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondment 5. Net Income/(Expenditure) The net (expenditure)/income is stated after charging/(crediting): Depreciation of tangible fixed assets - owned 6. Analysis of Expenditure Charitable activity Charitable activity 7. Support Costs Premises expenses General administration Governance costs Premises expenses General administration |
Activities undertaken directly £ 19,423 |
2025 Unrestricted funds £ 1,030 |
2024 Unrestricted funds £ 193 |
| 2025 £ 990 |
2024 £ - |
||
| Support costs (see note 7) £ 28,520 |
2025 Total £ 47,943 |
||
| Activities undertaken directly £ 15,342 |
Support costs (see note 7) £ 29,428 |
2024 Total £ 44,770 |
|
| 2025 Charitable activity £ 19,381 8,299 840 |
|||
| 28,520 | |||
| 2024 Charitable activity £ 23,909 5,519 |
|||
| 29,428 |
Page 8
The Aspiration Trust Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 5 April 2025
8. Independent Examiner's Remuneration
| Independent examination of the financial statements Other assurance services Tax advisory services Other financial services . Staff Costs taff costs were as follows: Wages and salaries |
2025 £ 840 - - - 840 2025 £ 18,433 |
2024 £ - - - - |
|---|---|---|
| - | ||
| 2024 £ 15,342 |
9. Staff Costs
Staff costs were as follows:
No employees received employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) for the reporting period of more than £60,000.
10. Average Number of Employees
Average number of employees during the year was: 1 (2024: 1)
11. Tangible Assets
| Cost As at 6 April 2024 Additions As at 5 April 2025 Depreciation As at 6 April 2024 Provided during the period As at 5 April 2025 Net Book Value As at 5 April 2025 As at 6 April 2024 2. Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year Accruals and deferred income |
Land & Property Freehold £ 100,000 - |
Plant & Machinery £ - 4,950 |
Total £ 100,000 4,950 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100,000 | 4,950 | 104,950 | |
| - - |
- 990 |
- 990 |
|
| - | 990 | 990 | |
| 100,000 | 3,960 | 103,960 | |
| 100,000 | - | 100,000 | |
| 2025 £ 840 |
2024 £ - |
12. Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year
Page 9
The Aspiration Trust Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 5 April 2025
13. Movement in Funds
| Unrestricted funds General: General unrestricted fund Designated: Fixed asset fund Total unrestricted funds Restricted funds GrantScape - Kitchen Refurbishment Total funds Unrestricted funds General: General unrestricted fund Total funds |
As at 6 April 2024 £ 48,073 100,000 |
Income £ 29,240 - |
Expenditure £ (46,953) - |
As at 5 April 2025 £ 30,360 100,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 148,073 | 29,240 | (46,953) | 130,360 | |
| - | 4,960 | (990) | 3,970 | |
| 148,073 | 34,200 | (47,943) | 134,330 | |
| As at 6 April 2023 £ 144,561 |
Income £ 48,282 |
Expenditure £ (44,770) |
As at 5 April 2024 £ 148,073 |
|
| 144,561 | 48,282 | (44,770) | 148,073 |
14. Transactions with Trustees
None of the trustees received any remuneration or any other benefits from an employment with the charity or a related entity during the current or previous year.
No trustee expenses have been incurred.
15. Related Party Disclosures
There have been no related party transactions in the reporting period that require disclosure.
Page 10
The Aspiration Trust Detailed Statement of Financial Activities For The Year Ended 5 April 2025
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Donations and legacies Donations and gifts Grants Charitable Activities: Charitable activity Rental income Other Secondment EXPENDITURE ON: Charitable Activities: Charitable activity Wages and salaries Depreciation Rent Light and heat Repairs and maintenance Computer software costs Insurance Telecommunications Legal fees Bank charges Sundry expenses Independent examiner's fees NET (EXPENDITURE)/INCOME |
2025 Total funds £ - 6,960 |
2024 Total funds £ 426 20,123 |
|---|---|---|
| 6,960 26,210 |
20,549 27,540 |
|
| 26,210 1,030 |
27,540 193 |
|
| 1,030 | 193 | |
| 34,200 (18,433) (990) - (13,135) (6,246) (222) (4,372) (584) (3,000) - (121) (840) |
48,282 (15,342) - (500) (15,184) (8,225) (130) (4,171) - - (436) (782) - |
|
| (47,943) | (44,770) | |
| (47,943) | (44,770) | |
| (13,743) | 3,512 |
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