THE RIVER MANCHESTER
A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION (CHARITY No. 1153700) Annual Report & Accounts For the year ending MARCH 2025
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THE RIVER MANCHESTER SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION
Registered Name
Charity Incorporated Organisation The River Manchester Registration no. 1153700
Trustees
Deborah Fuller, Chair Sefadzi Kofi Amesu, Treasurer Ernest Edifor Deborah Anderton
Registered Office
3 Pepperhill Road Moss Side Manchester M16 7PD
Independent Examiners
Rana & Co P O Box 145 Manchester M19 IUY
Bankers
The Co-operative Bank Delf House, Southway, Skelmersdale, Lancashire WN8 6NY
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The River Manchester Trustees’Annual Year Ended 31 March 2025
Report
Charity Incorporated Organisation registered with the Charity Commission on 6 September 2013.
The Trustees present their Annual Report together with the independently examined financial statements of The River Manchester for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The Trustees who served during the year and up to the date of this report, together with the charity’s professional advisers, are listed on the accompanying Information Page.
Structure, Governance and Management
The management and administration of the charity is carried out by the Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Lydia Chan, who reports to the Board of Trustees on a quarterly basis. She is supported in the day-to-day running of the charity by a core staff member, the Project Co-ordinator (Donna Barber), a part-time driver, accounts staff, and a committed team of 10 regular volunteers.
Volunteers receive daily briefings to keep them informed of operational updates and health and safety matters. The CEO meets both individually and collectively with staff for supervision and also facilitates team meetings and feedback sessions with volunteers, enabling insights and concerns to be shared openly. The Board of Trustees meets quarterly, with additional meetings held as required to review progress and plan the future development of the charity. The Trustees are currently seeking to recruit additional trustees to strengthen governance and expertise.
Trustees’ Statement – Public Benefit
The Trustees confirm that the charity’s objectives have been developed in accordance with the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. Throughout the year, the Trustees have reviewed the charity’s activities both informally and at official Trustees’ meetings and have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit at all times.
Risk Management
The Trustees are responsible for identifying and managing the risks faced by the charity. Systems and controls are in place to provide reasonable, though not absolute, assurance against material misstatement, loss, or exposure to risk. Risk reviews are undertaken regularly, and policies and procedures are implemented to minimise internal risks.
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A significant risk identified during the year related to the lease of the charity’s building, as the property owners decided to sell the building at auction in September 2024. This posed a risk of increased rental costs or loss of premises. Following careful consideration, the Trustees resolved to purchase the building using existing reserves, supported by a fundraising strategy and a mortgage. The building was successfully purchased on 17 December 2024, securing the charity’s long-term operational base.
Objectives and Activities
Objectives
The charity’s objectives are:
The relief and support of persons who have suffered, or are in danger of suffering, from social and emotional difficulties, including those fleeing domestic violence or sexual abuse, and their children and dependants, through the provision of food, clothing, furniture, friendship, training, and other assistance.
Activities
Fundamental to the work of The River Manchester is our faith in Jesus Christ. Our Christian faith brings hope and transformation, which we demonstrate in practical ways. We provide a safe and welcoming environment where connections can be made, practical support such as food, clothing, furniture, and training can be accessed.
Activities During the Year
Fundraising and Income Generation
The charity’s income strategy is based on three key income streams:
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Charity shop income
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Donations from individual and corporate donors
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Grant funding
The Trustees recognise the risks of over-reliance on a single income source. This
was particularly evident in the previous year when grant income declined. Encouragingly, during the year under review, total income increased from £156,589 to £209,640, representing an increase of 33.87%.
Income from all three streams enabled the charity to further develop its intervention programmes, including one-to-one emotional wrap-around support for women and children moving to safety, expanded mental health workshops, and the purchase of the charity’s building.
Retail and Café
The charity operates two social enterprises: a charity shop and a café/community food club. These initiatives generate income while also providing training and
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empowerment opportunities for women to develop skills and move towards employment.
Participants involved in the food club completed Food Safety Level 2 training to ensure compliance with food hygiene standards. The charity shop continues to play a vital role, enabling the provision of resettlement packages for clients while serving the local East Manchester community.
Removal Service
With a dedicated team of volunteers, supported by volunteer and paid drivers and two assistants, the charity delivered an emergency moving service for women and children fleeing domestic abuse. Funding was secured to provide this service at low or no cost for direct referrals.
Training and Skills Development
The Project Co-ordinator, who is also a specialist domestic abuse worker, delivered one-to-one emotional support and recruited four trainee counsellors. The counselling service continues to grow in reputation, with a current waiting time of approximately six weeks, significantly shorter than statutory services. All four counsellors are registered members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Staff and volunteers also attended training on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and trauma-informed practice to enhance support for clients affected by trauma.
Training Courses Delivered
A range of courses were delivered to support mental health and recovery from trauma associated with domestic abuse, including:
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Living Life to the Full (CBT-based)
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Two six-week courses ran from 12 September to 17 October 2024 (12 participants) and from 10 September to 15 October 2024 (10 participants). The course explored mood, emotions, behaviours, and healthy routines. One participant shared that the course helped her find the confidence to speak openly for the first time in a safe and accepting environment.
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Domestic Abuse Awareness – Recovery Toolkit
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A six-week programme delivered from 25 September to 13 November 2024, attended by eight participants weekly. Topics included types of abuse, the power and control wheel, leaving the perpetrator, the impact of abuse on mothers and children, and healthy relationships.
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You and Me, Mum
A ten-week programme delivered from 14 May to 23 July 2024 with ten participants, focusing on recovery from domestic violence and addressing behavioural challenges in children affected by abuse.
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- Health and Wellbeing Sessions
Delivered from 31 October to 5 December 2024, incorporating mindfulness, arts and crafts, jewellery making, fascinator making, card making, and doodle art, providing a safe space for relaxation and recovery.
Events Organised During the Year
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Christmas wreath-making workshop (10 participants)
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Christmas dinner for volunteers in recognition of their dedication and commitment
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Two open days for the community
Volunteers
During the year, 61 volunteers were recruited. Volunteers provided coaching, one-to-one support, and confidence-building opportunities, helping individuals gain experience and preparation for the workplace.
The charity prides itself on fostering a strong sense of community and belonging, creating a supportive “family” environment for volunteers who may otherwise feel isolated. Volunteers are encouraged to support one another, and new volunteers are welcomed with enthusiasm. A Volunteer Policy is in place and available upon request.
Impact and Achievements
The charity’s work addressing food, furniture, and financial poverty, alongside supporting survivors of domestic abuse, achieved the following impact:
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A total of 1,135 referrals across all services, excluding the community food club, which supports approximately 80 individuals.
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Distribution of 710 emergency food parcels, including weekly deliveries to a refuge in Chorlton supporting seven single women.
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Counselling hours increased from 135 hours in 2024 to 538 hours in the year under review, reflecting increased demand and positive impact in reducing isolation, suicidal ideation, and mental health challenges.
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Furniture support valued at over £3,260 was provided through donations from the charity shop.
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Support for 28 “move to safety” relocations for single mothers and their children into secure tenancies.
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Additional referrals for domestic abuse workshops, one-to-one support, counselling, advice, and signposting.
Beneficiaries reported feeling safer, more connected, and more confident, with improved mental health, wellbeing, and employment aspirations. Referrals were primarily received from high-risk agencies including Women’s Aid, Independent
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Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs), Early Help, Children’s Services, Social Services, and WAST.
Client Testimony
“The River is my family, providing me with a support network and friends for the first time in my life, as well as a stable home. The courses, counselling, and wellbeing sessions gave me a lifeline. Without this support, I would not be where I am today, returning to employment.”
Building Space
The charity operates from a two-shop-floor unit with two rooms upstairs. While the premises enable current service delivery, limited space restricts further growth in staffing, resources, and service capacity. The upstairs area includes a refurbished training room and stock room, with a stairlift providing disability access.
Plans for the Future and Challenges
The charity plans to continue empowering individuals through its services, strengthen partnerships with referral agencies, and recruit additional trainees into its training programmes. Collaboration will continue with Openshaw community organisations, Gorton Hub, Women’s Aid, IDVAs, Manchester City Council Social Services, and other agencies.
Key priorities for the coming year include:
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Increasing income from the food club and charity shop
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Improving IT systems and digital inclusion
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Updating the charity’s website, strengthening our presence
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Increase provision for counselling
Financial Review and Reserves Strategy
The auction of the charity’s building during the year required the Trustees to convene a series of emergency meetings to carefully assess both the short-term and long-term financial implications of purchasing the property. While the acquisition represented a significant financial commitment, the Trustees concluded that securing ownership of the building was a strategic decision that would protect the charity from future rental uncertainty, provide long-term cost stability, and support sustainable service delivery.
The purchase of the building necessitated the use of a substantial proportion of the charity’s reserves and resulted in the deferral of planned capital expenditure, including the purchase of a van. Following completion of the purchase, the charity’s free reserves were reduced to approximately £30,000 , equivalent to around three months of operating expenditure.
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In recognition of this temporary reduction in reserves, the Trustees implemented a recovery strategy to strengthen the charity’s financial resilience. This included the successful securing of grant funding and a loan , alongside the mortgage arrangement for the property, which together have been used to stabilise cash flow, rebuild reserves, and support ongoing operations.
The Trustees operate a reserves strategy that aims to maintain free reserves at a minimum level equivalent to three months’ operating costs , providing sufficient flexibility to manage income volatility, respond to unforeseen events, and invest selectively in strategic growth. The reserves position and cash flow forecasts are reviewed regularly by the Trustees as part of ongoing financial oversight.
Looking ahead, the Trustees’ financial strategy focuses on rebuilding reserves beyond the minimum threshold, strengthening unrestricted income streams through the charity shop and food club, and diversifying funding sources to support service expansion, digital development, and long-term sustainability.
Independent Examiner
Rana & Co was appointed as the Independent Examiner for the year.
Deborah Fuller
Chair of Trustees
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THE RIVER MANCHESTER
Statement of financial activities
for the year ended 31 March 2025
| Statement of financial activities for the year ended 31 March 2025 |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | |||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Endowment | Prior Period | |||
| Notes | Fund | Fund | Fund | Total funds Total funds | ||
| Income and Endowments from: | 3 | £ | £ | £ £ |
||
| Donations and Legacies | 3.1 | 81250 | 42857 | 0 | 124107 81956 |
|
| Other Trading Activities | 3.2 | 85533 | 0 | 0 | 85533 74634 |
|
| Total | 166783 | 42857 | 0 | 209640 156590 |
||
| Expenditure On: | 4 | |||||
| Charitable Activities | 4.1 & 4.2 | 116722 | 35022 | 0 | 151744 158438 |
|
| Other | 4.3 | 1211 | 0 | 0 | 1211 996 |
|
| Total | 117933 | 35022 | 0 | 152955 159434 |
||
| Net Gains/(losses) on Investments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 0 |
||
| Net Income (expenditure) | 48850 | 7835 | 56685 -2844 |
|||
| Transfers between funds | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 0 |
||
| Net Movement in Funds | 48850 | 7835 | 0 | 56685 -2844 |
||
| Reconciliation of Funds | ||||||
| Total funds brought forward | 113420 | 11732 | 125152 | |||
| Total Funds carried forward | 162270 | 19567 | 181837 |
THE RIVER MANCHESTER
Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025
| Fixed Assets Tangible Assets Total Fixed Assets Currents Assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand Total Current Assets Current Liabilities Creditors: Amount falling due within one year Net Current Assets/(Liabilities) Total Assets less current liabilities Long Term Liability Creditors: Amount falling due More than One year Provision for Liabilities Net Assets The Funds of the Charity Restricted Income funds Unrestricted Fund Total Charity Funds |
Notes 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.4 |
1,340 64,052 65,392 3,097 |
2025 Total Funds 188,965 62,295 251,260 69,423 181,837 19567 162,270 181,837 |
3,900 120,437 124,337 4,895 |
2024 Total Funds 5710 119,442 125,152 - 125,152 11732 113,420 125,152 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
THE RIVER MANCHESTER
Notes to financial statements
for the year ended 31 March 2025
1. Basis of preparation
- 1.1 Basis of accounting
These accounts have been prepared on the basis of historic cost in accordance with:
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Accounting and reporting by Charities - statement of Recommended Practice (SORP 2015);
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and with* accounting standards; or Financial Reporting Standards for Smaller Enterprises (FRSSE);
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and with the Charities Act.
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1.2 Change in basis of accounting
This set of accounts represent The River Manchester 12th year financial reporting.
2. Accounting policies
This standard list of accounting policies has been applied by the charity except for those deleted. Where a difference or additional policy has been adopted then this is detailed in the box below.
INCOMING RESOURCES
| Recognition of Incoming | These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (Sofa) When: |
|---|---|
| resources | * the charity becomes entitled to the resources; |
| * the trustees are virtually certain they will receive the resources; and | |
| * the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability. | |
| Incoming resources with | Where incoming resources have related expenditure (as with fundraising or contract |
| related expenditure | income) the incoming resources and related expenditure are reported gross in the SOFA. |
| Grants and donations | Grants and donations are only included in the SOFA at the same time as the gift to which |
| they relate. | |
| Gifts in kind | Gifts in kind are accounted for at a reasonable estimate of their value to the charity or |
| the amount actually realised. | |
| Gifts in kind for sale or distribution are included in the accounts as gifts only when sold | |
| or distributed by the charity. | |
| Gifts in kind for use by the charity are included in the SOFA as incoming resources when | |
| receivable. | |
| Donated services and | These are only included in incoming resources (with an equivalent amount in resources |
| facilities | expended) where the benefit to the charity is reasonably quantifiable, measurable and |
| material. The value placed on these resources is the estimated value to the charity of the | |
| service or facility received. | |
| Volunteer help | The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described |
| in the trustees' annual report. | |
| Investment Income | This is included in the accounts when receivable. |
| Expenditure and Liabilities | Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing |
| Liability recognition | the charity to pay out resources. |
| Governance costs | Include costs of the preparation and examination of statutory accounts, the costs of trustee |
| meetings and cost of any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters. | |
| Support Costs | Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories |
| on a basis consistent with the use of resources. | |
| Assets | These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and cost at least |
| a thousand pounds. They are valued at cost |
3. Analysis of Incoming resources
| 3.1 Voluntary Income Donation from Sponsors/ individuals Gift Aid Tax Claimed Grants Received 3.2 Activities for generating funds Sponsorship -HMRC 80% Job Retention Grant Sales of Donated Goods 3.3 Investment Income Bank Interest Received 3.4 Charitable Activities Income Van Donation Received Total |
2025 Total £ 57861 3389 62857 124107 Unrestricted funds £ - 85533 85533 funds £ - 0 funds - 0 209640 |
2024 Total £ 17513 7317 57125 81956 Unrestricted funds £ - 74634 74634 funds £ - 0 funds - 0 156589 |
|---|---|---|
4. Analysis of resources expended
| 4.1 Cost of Charitable activities 2025 Total £ Salaries and wages 92307 PAYE/Empoyer & Employee NI 17406 Pension Contribution 4059 Staff Training Cost 124 Volunteers Training Cost 45 Vehicle Repair/Hire Cost 516 Vehicle Petrol Expenses 994 Volunteer/Staff Travel Expenses 350 Volunteer Expenses 1550 Project Cost 5578 Heat & Light 3799 Rent 6885 Business/Water Rates 732 Insurances 2542 Caretaking 2174 Repairs & Maintenance 1864 Postage & Stationery/printing 436 Phone & Internet 870 Publicity Cost/Website 537 IT Cost 1338 Equipment Purchased 269 Materials Purchased 51 Cafeteria /Food Club Purchased 1357 Cafeteria Equipment 1497 147278 4.2 Governance Cost £ Audit & Accountancy Cost 700 Trustee Meeting Expenses 172 Bank Charges 822 Building Loan Interest Paid 1922 Fees Paid 850 4465 4.3 Other Resources Cost Depreciation Fixture & Fittings 690 Depreciation Motor Vehicle 521 1211 Gains and Losses Asset Write off Van - Total 152955 |
2024 Total £ 78901 14579 3804 82 107 1158 1251 1110 2570 6484 10776 12992 1116 2121 660 6437 346 632 1034 210 757 - 2781 320 150229 £ 6750 101 881 477 8209 345 651 996 - 159434 |
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5. Notes to accounts Balance Sheet
5.1 Tangible Fixed Assets
| Tangible Fixed Assets Building Cost 15/10/2024 Depreciation Balance b/f Charge for the period 20% reducing Net Book Value as at 31 March 2025 As at 31 March 2024 |
YH63FML Motor Fixture/ Building Van Fittings £ £ £ 184466 7200 3450 4595 345 521 690 - 5116 1035 184466 2084 2415 2605 3105 |
Total £ 195116 4940 1211 6151 188965 5710 |
|---|---|---|
| 5.2 Debtors Staff Wages advanced 5.3 Accruals Accountancy & Audit HMRC- PAYE & NI Staff Pension Auto Enrolment Repairs & maintence Utilita |
£ 1,340 1,340 £ 150 1293 676 673 305 3097 |
|---|---|
| 5.4 Long Term Liability Co-Op Bank Loan Less: Repayment |
70000 577 69423 |
|---|---|
| 5.4 Charity Funds Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Charity Funds |
01-Apr-24 Income Expenditure £ £ £ 113420 166,783 117933 11732 42857 35022 |
31-Mar-25 £ 162,270 19567 181,837 |
|---|---|---|
Independent Examlner's Report on the Trustees of The River Manchester I wish to report of the accounts of the River Manchester for the year ended 31 March 2025. which are set out on pages I to 6 Respective responsibillties of trustees and examlner.. The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the charitie5 Act) and that an Independent examination 15 needed. It is my responsibility to.. examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, to fo15ow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity commisslon (under section 14515llbl of the Charities Act), and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Ba515 of Independent examlner's statement My examination was carrled out In accordance wlth general Directlons glven by the Charlty commlssion. An examination Includes a revlew of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparlson of the accounts presented wlth those records. It a150 includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be requlred In an audlt, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view" and the report Is limited to those matters Set out In the statement below, Independent examlner's statement In Connectlon wlth my examlnatlon, no matter has come to my attentlon: 111 whlch 8lves me reasonable cause to bèlieve that In, any material respect, the requlrements,. to keep accountln8 records In accordance wlth section 130 of the 2011 Charitie5 Act,. to prepare accounts which accord wlth the accounting records and comply wlth the accountlng requirements of the 2011 Charitles Act have not been met; or 121 to whlch, In my oplnlon, attentlon should be drawn in order to enable a proper understandlng of the aCCOLsnts to be reached. Rana & Co Independent Examiner 190-200 Platt Lane Manchester M14 7DE