Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2025
Charity number: 1152450 | Company number: 08436638
England and Wales
Table of Contents
Report of the Trustees
| Report of the Trustees | |
|---|---|
| Objectives and Activities | 04 |
| Programmes | 05 |
| Achievements and Performance | 07 |
| Financial Review | 10 |
| Structure, Governance and Management | 11 |
| Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees | 12 |
| Financial Statements | |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 13 |
| Balance Sheet | 14 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 15 |
Report of the Trustees
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2025. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity’s governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” and the Charities SORP “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)”.
Public benefit
With reference to the duty in section 17(5) of the Charities Act 2011, 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 its current and future activities. The achievements and activities outlined in this report demonstrate the public benefit arising from the charity’s activities.
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Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025 3
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Objectives and Activities
Football Journeys (FJ) is a charity dedicated to uniting young people from diverse backgrounds through shared experiences centred around filmmaking and football. We strive to foster understanding, break down prejudices, and discover commonalities.
London presents a stark contrast of realities. While some experience the city as a hub of opportunity and personal development, others find their world confined to a limited geographical area defined by social codes and restricted choices. Within London’s landscape, areas of significant deprivation exist alongside pockets of considerable wealth. Our continuous research and engagement with young people reveal that those growing up in disadvantaged communities often feel restricted in their movements beyond their local area. They express anxieties about venturing into unfamiliar environments, and their perceptions of themselves and others from different backgrounds are negatively shaped by isolation and the prevalence of harmful stereotypes.
We deliver our provisions through two programmes, the schools and ambassadors programmes:
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Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025
FJ Schools Programme
The 16-week program creates an inclusive space for young people to share stories, develop, practice, and improve practical and ‘human’ skills, increase social networks, and expand comfort zones. This, in turn, helps participants develop core emotional and social skills crucial for their personal and social growth. This holistic approach to young people’s development introduces opportunities, responsibilities, and experiences that will benefit them later in life. We partner with secondary schools to reach young people in targeted areas of need, and we collaborate with school pastoral staff to identify young people who would most benefit from taking part. Whether they are engaging in disruptive behaviour, struggling with low self-esteem, or facing challenges at home, our programme offers a chance for young people to change their narrative.
Upon successful completion, young people earn a nationally recognized Open College Network Level 1 qualification in ‘Active Citizens & Leadership’.
Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025
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FJ Ambassadors Programme
Young people who complete the Schools Programme are invited to join FJ Ambassadors, our ongoing legacy program open to all graduates aged 14-18.
This program fosters continued personal and professional growth through tailored skills sessions, community-building activities, and youth-led social action projects.
By connecting young people with industry professionals, we expand their horizons, create pathways to further education and careers, and cultivate lasting relationships with peers from across London. Within this supportive environment, FJ Ambassa-
dors develop their agency and autonomy, co-designing activities that align with their interests and aspirations.
Previous initiatives have included employability skills workshops, peer-to-peer mentoring, and impactful presentations to funding bodies.
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Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025
Achievements and performance
After significant growth in the previous accounting period, 2024-25 was a year of consolidation for Football Journeys. Young people remain at the heart of our work, and we continue to explore new ways of funding it against a backdrop of an increasingly competitive Trusts and Foundations landscape across the charity sector.
This year we continued to demonstrate our commitment to innovation by launching new events and commercial partnerships, and took steps to improve funding diversification by expanding our networks of potential funders. We also prioritized building and strengthening partnerships with our current schools, and embarked on building additional corporate partnerships.
The Schools Programme saw young people participate from 4 schools across the boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith, Harrow and Westminster: Kensington Aldridge Academy, Hammersmith Academy, Harrow High, and the City of London Academy. This impactful program fostered positive changes in young people’s lives, enhancing their confidence, teamwork, communication, and leadership skills. Notably, 61 young people successfully achieved Level 1 National Open College Network qualifications in Active Citizens & Leadership.
The Ambassadors Programme continued its transformative journey, building on our first corporate relationship with tech company Equinix, which worked with our young people to help them develop ideas for an FJ app, and embarking on new corporate partnerships - most notably with tech company Academia.
Academia has supported Football Journeys on several of its initiatives in ways that not only bring positive experiences to our Young People, but also deliver tangible benefits to its own workforce in developing community awareness, and helping them to nurture and mentor the next generation in their journeys towards future employment.
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Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025
In November 2024, the Football Journeys team was proud to host its first Showcase Event at the home of the Leathersellers Company HQ in London. This unique event is run by our Young People, who demonstrate the transformational effect that FJ has had on their lives through a series of games, tasks and challenges that they set for invited corporate guests and friends and supporters of the organisation. Their success in showcasing FJ’s impact means that we have committed to making this an annual event.
May 2025 saw our first ever Family Fun Day and Corporate event hosted at Queens Park Rangers Football Club, in which our young people, their families, and a number of invited corporate organisations were given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play on a top level football ground that is steeped in history. This was the largest-scale event in FJ’s history and was huge success not just as a fundraiser, but also in deepening the ties between our young people, their families and our corporate partners. We are also committed to making this an annual event going forward.
We continue to work with the Association For Accredited Learning (AAL) as our new accreditation centre. This relationship has further innovated our approach and implemented much of the learning from our ambassador workshops. We are continuting to work with AAL on examining plans for a Level 2 qualification for our ambassadors programme.
The board of Football Journeys Trustees kicked off their ambitious ‘50 for 50’ campaign in mid 2025, aiming to raise £50,000 outside of trusts and foundations - enough to put 50 Young People through our Schools Programme.
We also began preliminary work on forming a Youth Advisory Board, ensuring that the young people who have been through our programmes have a stronger voice in determining our future.
We continue to be fiercely proud of the significant positive impact our work has had on the lives of many across London. We extend our sincere gratitude to our funders, partners, staff, volunteers, and most importantly, the young people who inspire us every day to keep improving to make Football Journeys the best it can be.
Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025
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Impact in numbers
Through collecting baseline data and feedback from young people who completed the programme and teachers from our partner schools we have found that on average over the past 5 years:
78%
75%
Greater confidence to travel to other areas and meet peers from other communities
Improved confidence and self-esteem
87% Improved teamwork skills
84%
Improved communication skills
77%
Improved leadership skills
71% Improved creative skills
75%
More considerate of other people’s feelings
73% More open-minded towards other people’s views
Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025
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Financial Review
Football Journeys has experienced a period of consolidation in the year ending 31 July 2025, driven by our commitment to diversifying our income to provide a stable long-term basis of funding for our charitable programmes and impact.
The charity’s total income for the financial year was £193,671 (compared to 2024’s income of £263,963 for a 16-month reporting period). Income was boosted again by funding for The Safe Southwark Taskforce project, which ended during this reporting period. Expenditure for the year was £203,468 (2024: £269,099).
As a result, there is a net deficit of £9,797 for the year ending 31 July 2025 compared to a net deficit of £5,136 in the 2023-24 reporting period.
Risks
The Trustees meet quarterly to discuss the risks facing the organisation. There is recognition that the organisation relies on grant funding as its primary source of income, and 2025 saw the start of a diversification push that looks to bring in income from a wider range of sources, including the corporate world.
Accounts are monitored every month to ensure that the organisation has sufficient cash flow and that all costs can be met. The organisation’s cash flow is reviewed and discussed at each Trustee meeting.
Reserves Policy
The Trustees have set a free reserves target of 2 months’ running costs, which is considered to provide sufficient flexibility to cover temporary shortfalls in income and allow the charity to cope and respond to unforeseen events whilst specific action plans are implemented.
Our unrestricted reserves of £9,236 at the end of the reporting period equate to less than 1 month of the organisation’s average monthly expenditure. The Trustees have reviewed the current level of reserves in the context of the charity’s size and operating model, and are satisfied that sufficient funds are available to meet the immediate running costs of the organisation. In particular, the Trustees are confident that adequate reserves are available to cover the costs of two key staff members together with any essential wind-up costs should the organisation cease to exist as a going concern. The Trustees continue to actively monitor reserve levels closely and seek to strengthen the position over time.
Going Concern
The trustees are confident that the charity and its funds are managed prudently, given the resources available, and have prepared the accounts based on the going concern basis.
We remain dedicated to our mission and believe that Football Journeys is well-positioned to make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of young people.
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Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025
Structure, governance and management
The charity is controlled by its governing document, the Articles of Association, and constitutes a company limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
Christopher Paul Holmes Emmanuel Akinmolodun (Resigned 1 October 2024) Matthew Paul Collins (Resigned 11 December 2024) Nicola Pollock (Resigned 11 December 2024) Rafael Alleyn Pablo Blackwood Ian Reeves (Appointed 8 November 2024) Yasmin Amevor Charlene Angelique Gravesande (Appointed 10 December 2024) Mark Anthony McCormack (Appointed 10 December 2024) Halema Hussain (Appointed 10 June 2025)
None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.
The trustees’ report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
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Signed . . . . . Ian Reeves Chair of Trustees
Date: ...28 April 2026...
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Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF FOOTBALL JOURNEYS
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Football Journeys (the charity) for the year ended 31 July 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law), you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.
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2 the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
3 the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or 4 the financial statements 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 financial statements 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 financial statements to be reached.
Signed. . . . .
Emma Houghton FCCA Sedulo London Limited Office 605 Albert House 256 - 260 Old Street London EC1V 9DD United Kingdom
Date: . 30 April 2026 . . . .
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Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025
Statement of Financial Activities Including Income and Expenditure Account
For the year ended 31 July 2025
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
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Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025
Balance Sheet
As at 31 July 2025
The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 July 2025.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved by the trustees on 28 April 2026. .. . . . . . Ian Reeves Chair Company registration number 08436638 (England and Wales)
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Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 July 2025
1 Accounting policies
Charity information
Football Journeys is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 20 Wenlock Road, London, N1 7GU, United Kingdom.
1.1 Reporting period
The comparative period in these financial statements was prepared to cover a 16-month period. This was as a result of the charity moving its accounting reference date to 31 July from 31 March and consequently extending the period originally due to end on 31 March 2024 to 31 July 2024. This change was been made in view of the fact that the charity works predominantly with young people and schools and will therefore benefit operationally from aligning its reporting periods to the school year.
1.2 Accounting convention
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity’s governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” and the Charities SORP “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)”. The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a statement of cash flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
1.3 Going concern
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
1.4 Charitable funds
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
1 .5 Income
Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received. Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount.
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Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued
For the year ended 31 July 2025
1 Accounting policies (Continued)
Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over them, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item, is probable and the economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), general volunteer time is not recognised.
On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.
1.6 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
1.7 Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
Equipment 25% on cost
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
1.8 Impairment of fixed assets
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
1.9 Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
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Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued
For the year ended 31 July 2025
1 Accounting policies (Continued)
1.10 Financial instruments
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity’s balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Derecognition of financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
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Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued
For the year ended 31 July 2025
2 Income from donations and legacies
3 Income from charitable activities
4 Expenditure on raising funds
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Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued
For the year ended 31 July 2025
5 Expenditure on charitable activities
6 Support costs allocated to activities
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Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued
For the year ended 31 July 2025
6 Support costs allocated to activities (continued)
7 Net movement in funds
8 Trustees
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.
9 Employees
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Number | Number | |
| Total | - | - |
There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.
The key management personnel of the charity consists of the trustees (who are not remunerated) and the Director (who is self-employed). The total remuneration paid to the key management personnel in the year was £50,250 (2024: £44,500).
10 Taxation
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
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Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued
For the year ended 31 July 2025
11 Tangible fixed assets
12 Debtors
13 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
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Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued
For the year ended 31 July 2025
14 Restricted Funds
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
15 Unrestricted Funds
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025
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Notes to the Financial Statements - continued
For the year ended 31 July 2025
16 Analysis of net assets between funds
17 Related party transactions
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).
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Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025
TM FOOTBALL JOURNEYS