2025-03-31-accounts

Charity number: 1153070

THE MARGINS PROJECT

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

UNAUDITED TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

CONTENTS

	Page
Details of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Its Trustees and Advisers	1
Trustee’s Report	2
Indpendent Examiner’s Report	14
Statement of Financial Activities 16	16
Balance Sheet 21	21
Notes to the Financial Statements 22-30	22-30

THE MARGINS PROJECT

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

DETAILS OF THE CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS

Trustees	Ken Beech, Interim Chair (Appointed 20 October 2025)
	Leon Chng, Chair (Resigned 2 October 2025)
	Vaughan Jones, Chair (Resigned 11 August 2024)
	Rev Catherine Bird (Appointed 13 February 2025; interim chair 2
	October 2025 to 20 October 2025))
	Angela Burnett
	Simon Carruth (Appointed 15 July 2024)
	Mark G Jones (Appointed 15 July 2024; resigned 16 December 2025)
	Sue Lukes
	Fajer Qasem (Appointed 30 May 2024)
Charity registered	1153070
number
Principal Office	19b Compton Terrace
	London
	N1 2UN
Independent Examiner	Goodman Jones LLP
	1st Floor
	Arthur Stanley House
	40-50 Tottenham Street
	London W1T 4RN
Bankers	Barclays Bank plc
	Leicester
	LE87 2BB
Solicitors	Bates, Wells and Braithwaite LLC
	10 Queen Street Place
	London
	EC4R 1BE

THE MARGINS PROJECT

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

FOREWORD BY THE CHAIR

The Margins Project – Proudly Serving the Community Since 1992

Established in 1992 and registered as a charity in 2013, The Margins Project exists to support those on the margins of society who are experiencing homelessness and other forms of crisis. For over three decades, it has been at the heart of community life, providing a welcoming, inclusive, and safe space for some of the most vulnerable members of our society. Through our core programmes— Drop-in, Advice and Engagement, and Supported Employment—we support individuals and communities facing daily challenges related to housing, poverty, health, and social exclusion.

Margins supports people to realise their potential and improve their quality of life by providing access to nutritious meals; offering advice on housing and welfare issues to help secure temporary and permanent accommodation and prevent eviction; facilitating access to creative engagement activities and physical and mental wellbeing services; and delivering training that leads to meaningful employment or further education, alongside increased confidence and self-esteem.

As Chair of the charity, I am proud to highlight Margins’ achievements during the 2024/25 financial year:

• Continued support for over 400 unique individuals, providing access to hot nutritious meals, showers, laundry, and IT facilities twice a week.

• A record number of over 300 guests received tailored advice and support on housing, benefits, and related needs, alongside referrals to specialist agencies.

• The Supported Employment Programme continued to gain recognition from local councils for its impact, with nine trainees completing Stage One and/or Two during the year.

• Ongoing strengthening of The Margins Project’s position within Islington’s voluntary and community sector partnerships.

• Expanded access to services for more diverse communities, including refugees and asylum seekers.

Margins is a practical, community-connected charity that consistently delivers a high level of support across all its programmes.

I would like to thank the volunteer board of Trustees for their work during the year, particularly Leon Chng (2023-2025) and Minister Cathy Bird for their service as chair. On behalf of the Board may I also thank the staff, trainees and volunteers who work so hard to make the organisation a success and a welcoming place for service users. We thank all our many tireless supporters and stakeholders who have contributed to our achievements, including our generous funders, the Church and Islington Council.

In 2026, we will begin the search for a new Chair to lead the board and drive our strategy. We remain determined to deliver high-quality, cost-effective services to our communities and to continue building on our success. We look forward positively to working closely with all organisations in the Union Chapel family.

Ken Beech

Chair

Page 2

THE MARGINS PROJECT

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (Continued)

The Trustees present their annual report together with financial statements of the Margins Project for the year 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.

Principal Aims and Objectives

The Margins Project (Margins) was established in 1992 to help people experiencing injustices and crisis, particularly those who are experiencing homelessness or living in precarious housing conditions. Although the charity helps people from across London, most of the people it supports are from the London Borough of Islington and surrounding boroughs.

In 2013 Margins registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). Its charitable objectives are ‘to relieve need, hardship and distress of persons who are in need by reason of their social and/or economic circumstances, in particular those who are facing homelessness and poverty, through a range of services including providing a safe space where they are encouraged to explore and develop their potential and progress to recovery’.

Values statement

• Inclusion : we strive to support people other agencies do not reach.

• Personal : we tailor our work to the individuals we work with, providing in-depth support that has a meaningful positive impact for them

• Empowerment : we provide people with the time, tools and opportunities to realise their potential and succeed and to do so at their own pace.

• Quality : we are a team of specialists who aim high, because people facing homelessness and social injustices have a right to be supported by experts.

• Belonging : we aim to foster conditions where our communities can exercise agency, participate fully, and cultivate a strong sense of belonging within mainstream society.

Vision statement

We are here to support people facing homelessness and social injustice. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to flourish, realise their potential, and live with dignity and belonging in society.

Mission statement

People facing poverty, homelessness, and social injustice will achieve significant improvements in their wellbeing, economic circumstances, employment prospects, and/or housing situation. They will achieve this through vertically integrated programmes of indepth activities provided by our Community Drop-in, Advice and Engagement, and Supported Employment Programmes, that are tailored to enhance personal development, maximise income, access housing support, and engage with wider group of communities.

We aim to support our service users to achieve the following outcomes:

• Increase quality of life through accessing better nutritious food, hygiene and safety, access to temporary or permanent accommodation, and the prevention of eviction.

• Improve physical and/or mental health and well-being.

• Improve economic circumstances through access to benefits and employment.

• Improve life skills and employability skills.

• Improve confidence and self-esteem

• Improve links and engagement with mainstream society.

We achieve this by delivering a coordinated range of programmes and services designed to promote a welcoming space of empowerment and long-term inclusion:

Page 3

THE MARGINS PROJECT

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (Continued)

Community Drop-in Programme:

Provides a warm, welcoming, and inclusive space where guests can enjoy nutritious hot meals and access to essential facilities, including showers, laundry, clothing, and emergency hardship support. The programme operates twice weekly and offers immediate relief alongside pathways to further support.

Advice and Advocacy Programme:

Provides guests with an initial assessment and tailored guidance on housing, benefits, and related support needs. The programme also facilitates referrals to specialist agencies for health care, debt management, immigration advice, and domestic abuse support, ensuring individuals can access the right help at the right time.

Community Engagement Programme:

Delivers inclusive and empowering creative workshops—such as poetry, drama, and acting —in collaboration with external partners. These activities support well-being, selfexpression, and confidence-building, helping participants strengthen their sense of belonging and community connection.

Supported Employment Programme:

Offers practical training in catering for individuals who have experienced homelessness and wish to develop new skills, build confidence, and prepare for employment or further training. In addition to hands-on experience, participants receive complementary support in areas such as CV development, job search skills, and workplace readiness.

Public Benefit

In shaping the objectives and planning activities for the year, the Trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, including the guidance on public benefit and fee charging.

In accordance with Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011, the Trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives that have been set.

The Trustees ensure that all activities are in accordance with the equal opportunities policy of The Margins Project and consider the accessibility to its venues for those on low incomes by offering free and/or low-cost activities, onsite and remotely.

Achievements and Performance

The Trustees review the aims, objectives and activities of the charity each year. This report looks at what the charity has achieved and the outcomes of its work within the last twelve months. The Trustees report the success of each key activity and the benefits the charity has brought in, to those groups of people that it is set up to help. The report also helps the Trustees ensure that the charity’s aims, objectives and activities remain focused on its stated purposes.

Summary Achievements and Challenges

Achievements

• Continued support to over 402 unique individuals with access to nutritious hot meals, shower, laundry and IT facilities twice a week.

• Record number of guests getting tailored advice and support on housing, benefits, and related support needs, alongside referrals to specialist agencies

• Supported Employment Programme continues to get recognition by the local councils for its potential to help vulnerable communities that the council works with. We had 9 trainees go through stage one and/or two in this financial year.

• Continued to entrench The Margins Project Islington’s vibrant Voluntary and Community partnership.

• Closer working relationship with Union Chapel Directions (UCD) to underscore and promote the role creative activities to support vulnerable people and communities,

Page 4

THE MARGINS PROJECT

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (Continued)

• Opening Margins’ services to wider and more diverse communities, reflecting the make-up of our society, including refugees and asylum seekers

• Strengthening and further developing good relationships with local statutory, voluntary and corporate organisations and funders.

• Featuring The Margins Project and its activities on local and local and national social mediums, such as on The Big Issu and BBC Radio2.

Community Support and Development Programmes

Margins’ four vertically integrated community programmes provide a range of support for people facing homelessness, isolation, and social injustice. Together, they address immediate, intermediate, and long-term needs—helping individuals progress from crisis to stability, growth, and belonging.

Our programmes include:

• Community Drop-in Programme: offering a warm, welcoming space with nutritious meals, showers, laundry facilities, and emergency hardship support.

• Advice and Information Service: providing tailored advice on housing, benefits, and related support needs, alongside referrals to specialist agencies.

• Engagement Programme: creating opportunities for creativity and craftsmanship through inclusive workshops that build confidence, connection, and wellbeing.

• Supported Employment Programme: offering structured catering training that helps participants develop confidence, transferable skills, and readiness for employment or further training.

As we continue to embed these programmes into our organisational ethos and culture, Margins strives to empower our communities to gain confidence to seek and advocate for the support they need—without feeling excluded from mainstream society.

During this reporting period, the number of guests using our services has continued to rise. Attendance at each drop-in session averaged 72 people, compared to 65 last year. This increase reflects growing needs due to:

• The ongoing impact of the cost-of-living crisis.

• legacy of transitioning from benefits to Universal Credit.

• Rising awareness of The Margins Project as a key Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) partner of Islington Council.

• The appeal of our professionally prepared, nutritious meals.

• Strong reputation for effective and trust on most of our services.

• The success of our Supported Employment Programme

• A welcoming and inclusive environment that encourages engagement and participation

Recognition of Margins as a safe and supportive space where people can find respite from hardship and isolation.

Margins delivered three blocks of drama and poetry activities in collaboration with Islington People’s Theatre. Each block consisted of eight workshops, offering guests creative opportunities for expression, confidence-building, and connection.

Page 5

THE MARGINS PROJECT

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (Continued)

We also provided regular IT support and digital skills training on Monday afternoons from November 2024 to March 2025, helping guests build essential It and digital skills for communication, and day-to-day life.

In partnership with Union Chapel Church, we offered a free haircut service on Tuesday afternoons for over 8 months, as well as dancing activities. These service, though simple, continues to have a meaningful impact—helping restore dignity, wellbeing, and confidence among our guests.

A. Community Drop-in Services Programme

The Community Drop-in Programme continued to provide essential frontline support to over 400 people, offering nutritious hot meals, access to showers, laundry, and IT facilities, as well as emergency housing and welfare benefits advice. Guests also had the opportunity to participate in kitchen-based training activities, supporting both skill development and community engagement.

Working collaboratively with the Advice & Engagement and Supported Employment programmes, the Drop-in Programme has ensured that guests receive coordinated, holistic support under one roof. Demand for services has more than doubled over the past three years, reflecting both the growing local need and the success of this integrated delivery model.

Key achievements during the reporting period include:

• Throughout the period, we continued to offer warm, nutritious meals and desserts to everyone who came through our doors. Alongside this, we estimate that more than 14,000 cups of tea and coffee were served —small moments of comfort that mean a great deal to our guests. As shown in the table below, we registered 7,003 guest attendances, including 1,121 women and

==> picture [420 x 164] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Community Drop-in Monthly Guest attendance
April 2024 to March 2025
800 558 566 691 659 664 608 534 582 624 663
600 459
395
400
200
0
Period/Time
April May June July AugustSeptember OctoberNovemberDecember January February March
Guest
----- End of picture text -----

216 individuals visiting for the first time. Our facilities have remained a vital lifeline; clients accessed showers on 981 occasions and used the laundry service 71 times. None of these would have been possible without our 16 dedicated volunteers, whose generosity of time represents the equivalent of 615 volunteer sessions. The chart above highlights the average monthly attendance.

• Ensured smooth, timely referrals to in-house advice and engagement worker, helping guests access essential support around housing, welfare, and wider needs.

• Sustained the provision of laundry and shower facilities, as well as occasional access to IT, and to haircut services whenever a barber is available — small but meaningful supports that help restore dignity and confidence.

Page 6

THE MARGINS PROJECT

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (Continued)

• Provided ongoing hands-on learning opportunities for participants in the Supported Employment Programme, giving trainees invaluable real-world experience in catering for vulnerable and marginalised communities.

• Maintained strong volunteer involvement, with 5–7 volunteers supporting each drop-in session, offering not just practical help but warmth, welcome, and consistency.

• Endeavouring to have a more structured guest feedback process, ensuring that the voices of those we serve directly shape future service design and quality improvements.

• Developed enhanced demographic and attendance monitoring systems to improve the accuracy of our data, deepen our understanding of guest needs, and strengthen our ability to measure impact.

Community Drop-in cumulative Attendance April 2024 - March 2025

==> picture [450 x 133] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
8000
7003
7000
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1121 981
1000 216 71 615
0 / — | | __ =
Guests Total New Guests Total Women Total Showers Total Laundry Total Volunteers total
Session
----- End of picture text -----

Advice and Engagement Programme

Our Advice and Engagement Programme experienced a substantial and sustained increase in demand during the reporting period. A significant proportion of this increase came from newly granted refugees seeking advice, advocacy and practical support as they navigated their new status and associated rights.

While the programme continues to prioritise individuals in acute or urgent need, the overall demand for advice and casework has become overwhelming. We offer support by telephone, email and text, but most of our advice is delivered through face-to-face appointments, as this approach is far more suitable and effective for most of our guests. Where appropriate, individuals are also signposted to specialist services for further or more complex assistance.

Over the reporting period, the programme experienced a marked rise in requests for financial assistance to meet basic needs—an indication of how deep and entrenched the cost-of-living crisis has become for many of our guests. This ongoing demand has been further compounded by the increasing number of asylum seekers seeking our support, including those staying in Home Office contingency hotels in Islington, as well as newly recognised refugees who have recently been granted status but are residing outside the borough. Together, these pressures have placed significant additional strain on our advice and engagement activities.

During the year, the Advice Engagement programme delivered the following outcomes:

• 309 unique advice and group engagements, averaging 78 per quarter.

• 387 face-to-face appointments, averaging 97 per quarter.

• 145 newly registered guests, averaging 37 per quarter.

Page 7

THE MARGINS PROJECT

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (Continued)

• Over 70 individuals supported with hardship support directly linked to the cost-of-living crisis.

• An increase of 26% in individuals seeking general benefits and housing advice.

The advice and engagement programme is devising a system to collect feedback that will inform how Margins can best prioritise the delivery of its services and strengthen opportunities for guest participation in shaping and implementing these services.

Activity summary table, April 2024 to March 2025

Activity	Numbers/info	Notes/description
Drop-in and food takeaway
Total number of unique visitors this year	423	highest number ever recorded
Total number of separate visits thisyear	7003	The highest number ever recorded.
Advice and support
Total number of advice and engagement sessions	309 Advice sessions	Highest number recorded
Number of people supported this year	309	 Advocacy by Benefit Advisor  Universal Credit Support  Cloudesley fund  General Benefit Advice given.  Housing Issues  Streetlink referral  Applied for benefits.  Applied for PIP  Benefit assessment pending  Food Bank  Signposted for mental health support.  Signposted to Law centre.  Housing options  Referred into 3rd Party employment.  Signposted to Immigration specialist.  Successful Benefit application  Drug and alcohol referral  Housing review

Margins delivered three blocks of drama and poetry activities in collaboration with Islington People’s Theatre. Each block consisted of eight workshops, offering guests creative opportunities for expression, confidence-building, and connection.

We also provided regular IT support and digital skills training on Monday afternoons from November 2024 to March 2025, helping guests build essential skills for communication and day-to-

Page 8

THE MARGINS PROJECT

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (Continued)

day life.

In partnership with Union Chapel Church, we offered a free haircut service on Tuesday afternoons for over 8 months, as well as dancing activities. These service, though simple, continues to have a meaningful impact—helping restore dignity, wellbeing, and confidence among our guests.

Supported Employment Programme

Margins intensive Supported Employment Programme, which includes tailored job-search support, worked with nine trainees. Referrals came from a range of organisations, including Union Chapel Church, though the majority this year came from the council. The referral pattern from the council proved challenging, as many of the candidates were not yet ready to progress into employment or further training. Consequently, we have returned to accepting referrals from organisations able to clearly identify individuals who would benefit from our programme, including Hillside Clubhouse, St Giles, as well as through internal referrals.

Three trainees successfully completed both Stage One and Stage Two of the programme, with one securing paid employment in a restaurant in addition to developing practical skills in food preparation, hygiene and safety, budgeting, healthy eating, customer service, and employability.

In 2024/25, a total of 13 people applied for the programme. Of these, nine trainees were enrolled and registered for trial periods. Their progress over the year is summarised below:

• One trainee withdrew during Stage One, as they required a level of support beyond what Margins can provide. In agreement with their referring agency, they were supported to access a more appropriate programme elsewhere.

• Two trainees withdrew during Stage Two, choosing — with Margins’ support — to move into structured volunteering opportunities that offer the additional guidance they need.

• Two trainees remain in Stage Two and are progressing well.

• Two trainees have completed the programme and continue to engage positively with us.

• One trainee successfully secured employment.

• One trainee, although having completed the programme, continues to receive additional support and now contributes actively by providing peer support to newly enrolled trainees.

Supported Employment Programme Trainees	Supported Employment Programme Trainees	Supported Employment Programme Trainees	Supported Employment Programme Trainees	Supported Employment Programme Trainees	Supported Employment Programme Trainees
	April- June 2024	April- June July -Sept 2024	Oct-Dec 2024	Jan-Mar 2025	Total 2024- 25
Applied/Registered	3	3	4	3	13
Trialled	3	3	3	3	9
Graduated	3	3	1	3	5
Employed/further training/volunteering	0	1	1	1	3
Moved withoutgraduation	0	0	0	1	2

External partners and links with service activities

Margins has continued to work, link and liaise closely with various organisations and groups throughout the year:

• Bright Lives Practitioners Forum

• Cloudesley

• Cross Islington Coordination Call

• Cubitt Artists

• Employability Practitioners’ Network

• Forward Trust

• Gender Informed Women’s Survey – a Pilot project

• Islington Homelessness Prevention Forum

• Islington People’s Theatre

• Islington Together

• Islington Voluntary, Faith & Social Enterprise Sector

• London Homelessness Foundation - London Homelessness Award; Policy discussion

• Manor Gardens Centre

Page 9

THE MARGINS PROJECT

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (Continued)

• Google – Local Food Summit

• Govia Thameslink Railway

• Help On Your Doorstep (HOYD)

• Hillside Clubhouse, volunteer referral and advice on mental health

• Homeless Prevention and Rough Sleeper Forum

• Islington Borough of Sanctuary Team

• Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants

• Mary’s – the charity arm of St Mary’s Islington – community development network

• NHS, Whittington Hospital outreach team

• Pret A Manger – funding support and training

• The Felix Foundation

• The Manna, St Stephens Church

• The Passage and the Upper Room – employability in hospitality

• Voluntary Action Islington

• Islington Food Partnership – structured regular catch up on food poverty in the borough

• Islington Hate Crime Forum

Margins continued to organise events and collaborates with partners to enhance community engagement, including:

• Hosting and collaborating with Islington People’s Theatre to deliver weekly community engagement workshops.

• Participating in and taking a leading role in Islington Food Partnership meetings, contributing significantly as a member of the coordinating group.

• Margins also facilitated a range of partner visits and activities:

• Four visits by the Council’s Rough Sleepers Outreach Team to Margins drop-in services.

• Monthly visits from Islington Library to replenish Margins’ book library/collection.

• NHS Trust doctors and nurses visiting Margins services on second Wednesday of a month.

• Supporting the Complex Need Navigators from Islington to conduct a survey on homelessness affecting women, as part of the Council’s Gender-Informed research.

• Distributing Islington Council Cost of Living crisis information leaflets and providing referrals to associated workshops.

Donation point

Our communities continue to be generous, and we encourage people to donate items, such as toiletries, underwear, socks, canned vegetables, but not large and bulky items such as bedding, jackets and trousers due to the lack of capacity within the organisation to manage these items. We have added online Wishlist of donation through Amazon, which has been very successful

The Felix Project have continued the delivery donations of fresh food every Monday, and we continue collecting fresh food from our regular two local businesses - Budgens and Belle Epoque - on drop-in days, Mondays and Wednesdays.

.

Page 10

Ot THE MARGINS PROJECT (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (Continued) Demography of service users and attendance TOTAL April 2024 - TOTAL April 2023 - April - June 2024 July - September 2024 Oct - Dec 2024 Jan - Mar 2025 March 2025 March 2024 % Where % Where % where % where % Increase Total unique users Number know Number know Number known Number known Number since n-1 Number Drop-ins 185 227 313 369 423 58% 268 Advice Service 136 127 233 282 309 26% 245 Total unique users New Guests Drop-ins 33 18% 42 19% 86 27% 56 15% 54 18% Advice Service 11 8% 44 35% 50 21% 49 17% 39 21% Advice and Engagement Gender Male 109 80% 102 80% 218 94% 251 89% 170 80% Female 27 20% 25 20% 15 6% 31 11% 25 20% Age 20 - 1 1% 2 2% 2 1% 8 3% 3 1% 21-30 52 38% 24 19% 71 30% 73 26% 55 29% 31-40 27 20% 36 28% 47 20% 93 33% 51 24% 41-50 12 9% 15 12% 67 29% 54 19% 37 10% 51-60 22 16% 8 6% 31 13% 17 6% 20 11% 61+ 22 16% 42 33% 15 6% 37 13% 25 25% Unknown Ethnicity White British or Irish 46 34% 28 22% 16 7% 31 11% 30 28% Other white EU nationals 12 9% 16 13% 42 18% 23 8% 23 11% Romanian/white other 5 2% 11 4% 8 Mixed/multiple ethnicity White and Black Caribbean 4 3% 6 5% 5 4% Asian/Asian British Indian 3 2% 3 2% 2 1% 3 1% 3 2% Pakistani 1 1% 1 1% 5 2% 4 1% 3 1% Bangladeshi 1 1% 2 2% 4 2% 3 1% 3 1% Chinese 1 1% 0% 6 3% 6 2% 4 Sri Lanka 0% 1 1% 1 0% 1 0% 1 Blank/African/Caribbean/Black British African 17 13% 24 19% 44 19% 71 25% 39 16% Caribbean Black British 13 10% 19 15% 30 13% 65 23% 24 12% ~~=~~ A b 12 9% 7 6% 29 12% 32 11% 20 7%

Page 11

THE MARGINS PROJECT

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (Continued) Demography of service users and attendance (continued) April - June 2024 July - September 2024 Oct - Dec 2024 Jan - Mar 2025 TOTAL April 2024 - TOTAL April 2023 - % Where % Where % where % where % Increase Total unique users Number know Number know Number known Number known Number since n-1 Number Housing Homeless 53 39% 51 40% 121 52% 152 54% 94 40% Permanent Housing 37 27% 41 32% 58 25% 59 21% 49 30% Temporary Accommodation 43 32% 31 24% 47 20% 59 21% 45 28% Unknown 3 2% 4 3% 7 3% 11 4% 6 3% Disability Mental Health 47 35% 58 46% 135 58% 144 51% 96 40% Physical ill health 15 11% 26 20% 37 16% 39 14% 29 16% Both mental & Physical ill health 40 29% 21 17% 30 13% 34 12% 31 23% Substance misuse/dependency 23 17% 14 11% 16 7% 48 17% 25 14% None 5 4% 4 3% 8 3% 11 4% 7 3% Unknown 6 4% 4 3% 7 3% 6 2% 6 4% Borough Islington 88 65% 79 62% 165 71% 192 68% 131 63% Camden 19 14% 8 6% 19 8% 25 9% 18 10% Enfeld 5 4% 5 4% 5 2% 6 2% 5 4% Hackney 11 8% 12 9% 12 5% 17 6% 13 9% Haringey 4 3% 6 5% 9 4% 17 6% 9 4% Kensington & Chelsea 1 1% 2 1% 3 1% 2 1% Tower Hamlets 4 3% 5 4% 5 2% 6 2% 5 3% Other 3 2% 8 6% 12 5% 14 5% 9 4% Unknown 2 1% 3 2% 5 2% 3 1% 3 2% Referred from Islington Council 36 26% 32 25% 42 18% 64.86 23% 44 26% JobCentre Plus 6 4% 7 6% 7 3% 5.64 2% 6 5% Margins Drop Ins 41 30% 32 25% 107 46% 121.26 43% 75 28% Online 8 6% 6 5% 9 4% 5.64 2% 7 5% Self-Referral 9 7% 8 6% 9 4% 14.1 5% 10 6% Word of Mouth 20 15% 25 20% 28 12% 31.02 11% 26 17% Third-party organisation 12 9% 15 12% 23 10% 33.84 12% 21 10% Unknown 4 3% 2 2% 7 3% 5.64 2% 5 2% Appointment Type In-person 105 77% 114 90% 221 95% 271 96% 178 83% Remote 31 23% 13 10% 12 5% 11 4% 17 17% Mixed ~~Si~~ Page 12

THE MARGINS PROJECT

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (Continued)

Plans for the Future

In the coming year, Margins will continue to play a significant role in supporting communities whose lives are made precarious by the current economic and political policy framework.

~~We will prioritise work with:~~

• People homeless or vulnerable to homelessness, because of insecure or inadequate housing, and domestic abuse

• Refugees, asylum seekers, including survivors of trafficking and people with no recourse to public funds

• People experiencing mental ill health, through prolonged duress, stress, depression, diagnosed and undiagnosed conditions

• People with inadequate income for their daily needs, who benefit from material help such as a hot meal

• People who need to acquire new skills including English language and vocational skills to advance within this society and be able to secure a place within the labour market

• Recognising the intersectionality with ethnicity, gender, sexuality, abilities within these groups

Our intention is to continue to be a welcoming space in which people affected by society’s injustices are enabled and supported by providing:

• practical help in the form of nutritious meals, clothing, showers, laundry;

• activities which encourage creativity, awareness raising, and mental and physical wellbeing.

• training that leads to employment and social integration, and language skills (in partnership with Union Chapel Church).

• advice on benefits, access to housing, housing repairs, and signposting to immigration advice services; and

• hardship intervention, as and when needed.

We will address the social policy issues which disproportionally disadvantage many of our communities by:

• advocating with our beneficiaries in resolving bureaucratic problems;

• publicising our work in a manner which adds dignity to our beneficiaries and highlights the inequalities and injustices which they experience; and

• participating in the wider voluntary sector campaigns and forums.

The impact of our work will be felt by our service users as they build relationships of mutual support, are enabled to access employment and/or further training, improve their wellbeing, and participate in the wider community.

Financial Review

Summary

Overall, Margins reported a surplus of £102,154 for the financial year compared with a surplus of £28,073 for 2024. Income increased by 39% to £415,109, while costs rose by 16% to £312,955. This is partly due to inflationary pressures but partly due to increased overheads as detailed below under the Expenditure heading.

Of the surplus, £22,781 has been carried forward as restricted reserves while £79,373 has been added to unrestricted reserves.

Net funds at 31 March 2025 were £133,241, of which £46,781 was restricted funds and £86,460 was unrestricted.

Income

Page 13

THE MARGINS PROJECT

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (Continued)

Income for the period was £415,109 (2024: £297,780) of which £345,081 (2024: £233,206) was from donations and legacies, and £70,025 (2024: £64,285) from charitable activities.

Expenditure

Expenditure for the year totalled £312,955 against £269,707 for 2024, an increase of 16%. The organisation was impacted by inflation in areas such as energy and food, the overall cost increase was also due to filling staff vacancies.

Going concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the CIO has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.

Reserves policy

Margins’ reserves policy reflects the organisation’s objective of striking a balance between the need for financial stability and the ambition to expand the range of services offered. This year reserves have been restored to a stronger level to ensure sustainability whilst working to develop a new strategy and associated funding model. Margins’ policy is to maintain reserves sufficient to cover six months’ unavoidable costs.

At 31 March 2025, unrestricted funds, of which reserves form a part, were reported as £86,460. This represents:

At 31 March 2025, unrestricted funds, of which reserves form a part, were reported as £86,460. This represents:	At 31 March 2025, unrestricted funds, of which reserves form a part, were reported as £86,460.
	£
Designated fixed assets reserve	4,964
Other unrestricted reserves	81,496
Total	86,460

Fundraising Approach

Margins’ approach to fundraising is to be transparent, clear and friendly. We currently use personnel employed by Union Chapel Project. Occasionally, we do engage with third party fundraisers or commercial operators and with online providers such as justgiving.com and crowdfunder.com . We fundraise for activities and services within Margins’ aims and objectives.

Our main fundraising activities are through formal applications to Trusts and Foundations, corporate supporters and statutory bodies. We also receive donations from individuals, mainly generated through our website, or through ticket sales and donations at fundraising events. The fundraising team, in liaison with the head of Margins, is responsible for managing all donated funds and reporting where required. The head of Margins, along with the Board of Trustees, reviews fundraising income, expenditure and procedures on a quarterly basis while the fundraising strategy is reviewed annually.

Margins is independently registered with the Fundraising Regulator and abides by its Code of Practice.

Margins has received no complaints about its fundraising activities. However, to ensure that vulnerable people are protected, it has adopted guidance from the Institute of Fundraising’s guide, Treating Donors Fairly – Fundraising with People in Vulnerable Circumstances .

Structure, Governance and Management

Constitution

The Margins Project is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (Charity registration no:1153070), registered on 25 July 2013. It is governed by a constitution which establishes the objects and powers of the charitable organisation.

Page 14

THE MARGINS PROJECT

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (Continued)

Margins is one of the four sister organisations based in Union Chapel in Islington:

• Union Chapel Project (UCP) (Charity No. 1010166, Company No. 02583801)

• Union Chapel Directions (UCD) (Company No. 03047257)

• Union Chapel Church (Charity No. 1172808)

UCP is the founding member and currently the sole member of Margins, and UCD is a trading subsidiary of UCP. There is much co-operation between the three organisations to mutual benefit. UCP provides support services for Margins including amongst other areas HR, Finance, Fundraising and premises. Previously UCP has provided financial support and letters of support for Margins finances.

The UCP family of organisations also share a number of relevant policies.

Margins is governed by its Board of Trustees, two of whom are nominated from the UCP. The Board of Margins oversees and directs the aims and objectives of The Margins Project.

Organisation

The Board meets four times each year, or more frequently if required. The Trustees are responsible for the strategic objectives of the organisation and to review the charity’s annual budget and operational plan.

Appointment of Trustees

In accordance with the constitution, there should be between four (minimum) and nine (maximum) Trustees. Two of these Trustees are nominated by UCP, with the remainder being elected. When considering new Trustees, the Board has regard both to the organisation’s need for any specialist skills and to the diversity of the Board’s membership.

All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the CIO. Any expenses reclaimed from the CIO are set out in Note 8 to the accounts.

Trustee induction and training

New Trustees undergo an orientation process to meet key staff and other Trustees. An information pack is provided that includes the Charity’s Constitution, most recent statutory and management accounts, the business plan and organisational chart, along with signposting to Charity Commission guidance on the role and responsibilities of Trustees.

Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events, where these will facilitate their own development and undertaking of their role.

Employees

Day to day management and operations of the CIO are delegated to its paid staff with specific responsibility for activities within the building.

Margins strives to be an equal opportunities employer and applies objective criteria to assess merit. It aims to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less than favourable treatment on the grounds of age, race, colour, nationality, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation or disability.

Selection criteria and procedures are reviewed to ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and treated based on their relevant merits and abilities. Equal opportunities data is collected to review and ensure recruitment processes are engaging with diverse applicants, and particularly applicants with protected characteristics or underrepresented in the organisation or sector, and to inform the shortlisting process to ensure applicants at interview stage represent the diversity of applications received. Diversity reviews are undertaken to ensure the Margins Project and Union Chapel are improving the representation of our local communities across the organisation; retaining staff, casuals, volunteers and Trustees/directors from diverse backgrounds; and improving our

Page 15

THE MARGINS PROJECT

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (Continued)

procedures, culture, engagement, development and approach to diversity, equality and representation.

Salaries are reviewed on an annual basis by the Finance and Remuneration SubCommittee. All employees are given equal opportunity and, where appropriate and possible, special training to enable them to progress both within and outside the organisation.

Risk Management

The Trustees are responsible for overseeing the risk management strategy for the organisation. A comprehensive review of risks and opportunities is carried out annually by the Trustees and the staff are responsible for overseeing and mitigating risks throughout the year.

Currently, the key risks facing the CIO are financial sustainability, staff capacity and safeguarding. Some of the measures taken to mitigate these risks are the following:

• Staff capacity is under ongoing review

• Robust adult and child safeguarding policies, and an established training plan to ensure all staff and volunteers have the necessary understanding to recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns with Margins' client group which includes people who are at risk of harm or abuse

• Plans in place to manage service capacity (up to a realistic maximum capacity) in response to increased demand arising from the cost-of-living crisis and other factors

• Monitoring by the Margins Board along with the management and development team to ensure funding (grants awarded and donations) is sufficient to ensure the continuation of the service and financial stability

Therefore, the Trustees are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate the risks identified

Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Ken Beec h (Chair of Trustees) Date:

.

Page 16

THE MARGINS PROJECT

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

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).

Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. The Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable incorporated organisation and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);

• make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable incorporated organisation will continue in business.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable incorporated organisation's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable incorporated organisation. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable incorporated organisation 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 charity and financial information 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.

Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Ken Beec h (Chair of Trustees) Date:

Page 17

THE MARGINS PROJECT

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Margins Project ('the charitable incorporated organisation')

I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charitable incorporated organisation for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and Basis of Report

As the Trustees of the charitable incorporated organisation you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act').

I report in respect of my examination of the charitable incorporated organisation'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 2011 Act.

Independent Examiner's Statement

Since the charitable incorporated organisation's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member 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 member of ICAEW, which is one of the listed bodies.

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charitable incorporated organisation has prepared the accounts in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has been withdrawn.

I understand that this has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.

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:

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charitable incorporated organisation as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or

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

3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content 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

Page 18

THE MARGINS PROJECT

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

This report is made solely to the charitable incorporated organisation's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charitable incorporated organisation's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent Examiner's Report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable incorporated organisation and the charitable incorporated organisation's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.

Signed: Julian Flitter

Dated: FCA

Julian Flitter

Goodman Jones LLP 1st Floor Arthur Stanley House 40-50 Tottenham Street London W1T 4RN

Page 19

THE MARGINS PROJECT

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR END 31 MARCH 2025

			2025		2024
		Unrestricted	Restricted	Total
	Note	funds	funds	funds	Total funds
		£	£	£	£
Income from:
Donations and legacies	3	100,104	244,977	345,081	233,206
Charitable activities	4	70,025	-	70,025	64,285
Investments		3	-	3	289
Total. Income		170,132	244,977	415,109	297,780
Expenditure on:
Raising funds		24,553	-	24,553	19,550
Charitable activities	5	56,828	231,574	288,402	250,157
Total expenditure		81,381	231,574	312,955	269,707
Net movement in funds		88,751	13,403	102,154	28,073
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds at beginning of
year		7,087	24,000	31,087	3,014
Net movement in funds		88,751	13,403	102,154	28,073
Transfer		(9,378)	9,378	-	-
Total funds at end of year		86,460	46,781	133,241	31,087

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

The notes on pages 22 to 30 form part of these financial statements.

Page 20

THE MARGINS PROJECT

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2025

		2025		2024
	Not
	e	£	£	£	£
Fixed Assets
Tangible fixed assets	9		4,964		959
Current Assets
Stocks	10	1,000		1,000
Debtors	11	1,376		1,255
Cash at bank and in hand		251,746		155,964
		254,122		158,219
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year	12	(125,845)		(128,091)
Net current assets			128,277		30,128
Total net assets			133,241		31,087
Charity funds
Restricted funds	13		46,781		24,000
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds	13	4,964		959
General funds	13	81,496		6,128
Total unrestricted funds			86,460		7,087
Total funds			133,241		31,087

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Ken Beech (Chair of Trustees)

Date:

The notes on pages 22 to 30 form part of these financial statements.

Page 21

THE MARGINS PROJECT

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1. General information

The Margins Project is a charitable incorporated organisation (“CIO”) registered with the Charity Commission in England and Wales under charity number 1153070. The main activities of the charity are to provide services to relieve need, hardship and distress for people in need as a result of social and / or economic circumstances. The registered office is 19b Compton Terrace, Islington, London N1 2UN.

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).

The Margins Project meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.

2.2 Going concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. The trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.

2.3 Income

All income is recognised once the CIO has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

Grants are included in the Statement of Financial Activities on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance Sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued.

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

Page 22

THE MARGINS PROJECT

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

2. Accounting policies (continued)

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 allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

Expenditure on raising funds includes all expenditure incurred by the charitable incorporated organisation to raise funds for its charitable purposes and includes costs of all fundraising activities events and non-charitable trading.

Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the charitable incorporated organisation's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.

2.4 Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charitable incorporated organisation; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.

2.5 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets costing £1,000 or more are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably.

Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition are included in the measurement of cost.

Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.

Depreciation is provided on the following basis:

Fixtures and fittings

• 25% Straight Line

2.6 Stocks

Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value after making due allowance for obsolete and slow-moving stocks.

2.7 Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

2.8 Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

Page 23

THE MARGINS PROJECT

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.9 Liabilities and provisions

Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance Sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.

Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the CIO anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.

Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities as a finance cost.

2.10 Financial instruments

The CIO only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

2.11 Funds

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charitable incorporated organisation and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the CIO for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Page 24

THE MARGINS PROJECT

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

3. Income from Donations and Legacies

Core	Unrestricted	Restricted	Total
Various other donations	85,104	1,167	86,270
Union Chapel Church		4,192	4,192
The Hadley Trust	15,000		15,000
Albert Hunt Trust		7,000	7,000
Cloudesley		35,000	35,000
Henry Smith Foundation		27,083	27,083
London Borough of Islington		25,000	25,000
Oak Foundation		36,000	36,000
Total	100,104	135,442	219,268
Supported Employment
Govia Thameslink Railway Ltd		20,000	20,000
Streets Of London		15,000	15,000
Total	-	35,000	35,000
Crisis Service - Housing and Benefits Advisor
Slaughter and May Charitable Trust		34,667	34,667
Total	-	34,667	34,667
Crisis Service - Drop in Service
Islington Giving		20,000	20,000
Tides Foundation		18,722	18,722
Total	-	38,722	38,722
Hardship Fund
Cloudesley		1,146	1,146
	-	1,146	1,146
Total for 2025	100,104	244,977	345,081

4. Charitable Income

Charitable income in both the year ended 31 March 2025 and the comparative period comprises proceeds from catering services provide by The Margins Project kitchen team and Supported Employment programme participants. 5.

Page 25

THE MARGINS PROJECT

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

5. Analysis of charitable expenditure by activities

		2025
	Supported	Crisis	Support
	Employment	Service	costs	Total
Staff costs	80,353	74,786	10,368	165,507
Cost of sales	29,756	29,774	1,781	61,311
Services costs	7,825	7,845	15,089	30,759
Premises costs	10,408	10,921	6,184	29,509
Other costs	372	372	572	1,316
	128,714	123,698	33,994	288,402
Allocation of support costs	17,335	16,659	(33,994)	-
	146,049	140,357	-	288,402
		2024
	Supported	Crisis	Support
	Employment	Service	costs	Total
Staff costs	95,808	49,205	10,058	155,071
Cost of sales	35,554	17,080	-	52,634
Services costs	5,191	5,691	10,798	21,680
Premises costs	4,350	4,558	4,115	13,023
Other costs	814	2,104	4,831	7,749
	141,717	78,638	29,802	250,157
Allocation of support costs	19,166	10,636	(29,802)	-
	160,883	89,274	-	250,157

The comparative figures have been restated to conform to the current year’s basis of presentation.

6. Independent examiner's remuneration

The independent examiner's remuneration amounts to an independent examiner fee of £2,100 ( 2024 £3,000 ).

7. Staff costs

	2025	2024
	£	£
Wages and salaries	149,629	141,865
Social security costs	12,886	10,967
Pension contributions	2,992	2,239
	165,507	155,071

Page 26

THE MARGINS PROJECT

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

7. Staff Costs (continued)

The average number of persons employed by the charitable incorporated organisation during the year was as follows:

was as follows:
	2025	2024
	No	No
Total employees	6	8

No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year

The total employee benefits including pension contributions of the key management personnel were £46,800 (2024: £45,432).

8. Trustees' remuneration and expenses

During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2024: £Nil ) . During the year, no Trustee expenses have been incurred (2024 - £Nil) .

9. Tangible fixed assets

	Cost or		Net book
Fixtures and fittings	valuation	Depreciation	amount
	£	£	£
At 1 April 2024	14,000	(13,041)	959
Additions	6,000		6,000
Depreciation		(1,995)	(1,995)
At 31 March 2025	20,000	(15,036)	4,964
10. Stocks
		2025	2024
		£	£
Goods for resale		1,000	1,000

10. Stocks

11. Debtors

	2025	2024
	£	£
Due within one year
Trade debtors	1,376	1,255
	1,376	1,255

Page 27

THE MARGINS PROJECT

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

12. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Creditors amounts falling due within one year

Creditors amounts falling due within one year
	2025	2024
	£	£
Trade creditors	10,224	9,514
Amounts owed to group undertakings	91,712	89,205
Other taxation and social security	5,218	4,511
Other creditors	688	444
Accruals and deferred income	18,004	24,417
	125,846	128,091

13. Statement of funds

	Balance at				Balance at
	1 April				31 March
	2024	Income	Expenditure	Transfers	2025
	£	£	£	£	£
Unrestricted Funds
Designated funds	959	-	-	4,005	4,964
General funds	6,128	170,132	81,381	(13,383)	81,496
Total unrestricted funds	7,087	170,132	81,381	(9,378)	86,460
Restricted funds
Supported employment	12,000	35,000	106,879	71,879	12,000
Crisis service	12,000	74,535	124,695	67,358	29,198
Margins - general	-	135,442	-	(129,859)	5,583
Total restricted funds	24,000	244,977	231,574	9,378	46,781
Total funds	31,087	415,109	312,955	-	133,241

Purposes of restricted funds

Crisis Services

Grants and donations in kind received towards the running of the Drop-In services and Advice Service.

Supported Employment Programme

Grants received towards the running of the Supported Employment programme.

Margins – Core

A number of funders provide grants which are restricted only in so far as they refer to Margins’ core costs. These funds are applied as allowed by the respective agreements. In the financial statements, Margins core costs and other costs related to the Supported Employment and Crisis Service activities are allocated to those activities based on their respective use. The Margins’ core restricted income is allocated to those activities to cover both direct and allocated costs and appropriate transfers are made.

Page 28

THE MARGINS PROJECT

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

13. Statement of funds (continued)

Transfers

An amount of £4,005 of general funds was moved to designated funds equal to the increase in fixed assets, while £9,378 was applied to the Supported Employment programme to supplement the restricted funds.

						Balance at
	Balance at 1	Balance at 1				31 March
	April 2023		Income	Expenditure	Transfers	2024
		£	£	£	£	£
Unrestricted Funds
Designated funds	-		-	-	959	959
General funds	3,014		109,174	105,101	(959)	6,128
Total unrestricted funds	3,014		109,174	105,101	-	7,087
Restricted funds
Supported employment	-		105,134	93,134	-	12,000
Crisis service	-		83,472	71,472	-	12,000
Total restricted funds	-		188,606	164,606	-	24,000
Total funds	3,014		297,780	269,707	-	31,087

14. Analysis of net assets between funds

	Unrestricted	Restricted	Total
	2025	2025	2025
	£	£	£
Tangible fixed assets	4,964	-	4,964
Current assets	190,841	63,281	254,122
Creditors due within one year	(109,346)	(16,500)	(125,846)
Total	86,460	46,781	133,241
	Unrestricted	Restricted	Total
	£	£	£
Tangible fixed assets	959	-	959
Current assets	134,219	24,000	158,219
Creditors due within one year	(128,091)	-	(128,091)
Total	7,087	24,000	31,087

Page 29

THE MARGINS PROJECT

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

15. Pension commitments

The Margins Project operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the charity to the fund. At 31 March 2025, contributions of £668 (2024: £444) were payable to the fund and are included in creditors.

Page 30