REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER.. 08479090 (England and Wal•sl REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1154429 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025 FOR VETERANS OUTREACH SUPPORT Gibson Whitter Chartered Ac¢ounlanls and Chartered Tax Advisws Larch House Parklands Business Park Denmead Hampshire P07 6XP VETERANS OUTREACH SUPPORT CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025 Page Report of the Truste•$ 1 to 12 Ind•pondont Examlnels Report 13 Statement of Flnanclal A¢tlvltl8s 14 Balance Shoat Cash Flow Statomont 16 Notgs to the Cash Flow Statement Notes to the Financial Staternents 18 to 28 VETERANS OUTREACH SUPPORT REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025 The trustees who are also dlr8Ctors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the finanaal statements of the charity for the year ended 31 July 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charflies.. Statement of Recommended Pradice applicable to chartties preparing their accounts in accordance with the Finanoal Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 {effeclive 1 January 20191- CHAIR'S INTRODUCTION 2024-25 was a year of both progress and p￿sSUre for Veterans Outreach Support. Demand for our services grew. particularfy in our clinical and welfare work, and we slrenglhened our ability lo respond by se¢uring QMVMHS accreditslion. building new partnerships and launching Thrive Together South East. Al the same lime, a shortfall in core income and continued economic uncertainty highlighted the importance of the rinancial resilience strdnd of our new 2025-30 strategy. Over the year our teams delivered more than 900 hours of clinical support. handlod increaslng numbers of complex welfare cases, and offered a rich programme of social groups and wellbeing activities in Portsmouth. the Isle of Wight and the surrounding areas. Our volunteers contributed over 10,000 hours of input, and our delivery partners continued lo bring specialist expertise inlD our Drop-lns and oulre8ch work. We were parb'cu18dy pleased to see veterans and families from under-seNed groups including Merchant Navy seafar8rs and f8mal8 v81grans- beginning lo bgnefit from our larget8d outreach. Thls was also a year in which VOS'S volc8 was heard mor8 widely. W8 were awarded the Employer ReCOgni￿On Schemg Gold Award, electe(J to the Cobseo Executive Committee and began the process of appointing a high-calibre group of patrons, starting with our first Merchant Navy patron, Captsin Louise Sara MNM. These developments, alongside our leadership of the Thrive Together South East portfolio. reflect our strategic ambition lo combine high-quality local delivery with responsible regional and national leadership. Financially, the Charity ended the year with a modest overall surplus but a deficit in core operations, underlining the need to grow unreslricled income and rebuild reserves. Steps have already been taken to a¢Jdre5s this through a r8ViS8d structure, recruilmenl to key posts, investment in Systems and a renewed focus on fundraising diversification. None of this would be possible wilhoul the dedication of our staff, volunteers, delivery partners and funders, and the trust placed in us by veterans arid their families. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank everyone who has corilribuled lo VOS over the past year and to comm8nd this report as a record of what we have a¢hieved together and a slalernent of intent for th8 years ahead. Lt Cdr John SuvierRN (retd) Chairman of the Board of Trustees Vetèrans Outreach Support Page 1 VEfERANS OUTREACH SUPPORT REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025 OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Charltable Objects Veterans Outreach Support IVOSI exists to pr8S8rve and protect the mental health and wellbeing of Armed Forces veterans and former members of the Merchant Navy and their familie5, and lo relieve need by providing assessment, treatment, support, advic& and advocacy. The charity may a150 undertake other activities that, in the opinion of the trustees, further this objective. Vlslon and Mlsslon Our vision is lo be acknowledged as the exemplar of high quality, holi51ic and inclusive sUPPOrt to the Armed Forces and Merch8nl Navy veteran community, ensuring no veteran nor their f8mily is left behind. Our mission is to support veterans and their families through the provision of direct welfare. wellbeing. and clinical services. exerclsed through regional and national collaboration, and rooted in local delivery and strong partnerships. Who we Gerve VOS supports veterans from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, the British Army. the Royal Air Force and the Merchant Navy, both Regular and Reservist, and their close families Ispouses, partners. carers). In line with our 202&30 strategy, we are placing particular emphasis on under-served groups such as Merchant Navy seafarers. female veterans and carers. who can be harder lo identify and support. We focus on those facing challenges such as poor mental health. social isolation. financial or houslng insecurity, physical health issues and difficulties navigating civilian services. How we work Our work is organised through four service pillars and one regional programme= Care- clinical and psychological suptjort to improve mental health and functioning. Welfare- practical support w(th benefits, housing, debt and other welfare needs. Delivery - socAal groups, wellbeing activities and community outreach lo reduce isolation and buit peer support. Exec Gov- govemancE, firiance, HR and compliance for safe, effective services. Thrive Together- a regional partnership programme impToving access lo mental health and wellbeing support for veterans and farnilies across SE England. These pillars fomi the framework for our 2025-30 strategy. Over this period we aim to consolidate VOS as a centr& of excellence in veterans, mental health and welfare, a trusted regional systems leader, and a resilient charity with a strong volunteer base and sustainable funding. Monthly Drop-lns Monthly Droplns in Portsmouth and Newport, Isle of Wight, remain a key gateway into our services. At these Drop-lns, veterans and family members can access.. General welfare and wellbeing support from around 40 delivery partntsr organisalions. A Wel￿mIng social environment with refreshrnenls and peer support delwered by trained volunteers. On-site mental health triage provided by the Care team and clinical partners Publ1¢ Benoflt In setting our objectives and planning our activities. the trustees have had due regard lo the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit We believe the charity provides clear public benefit by.. Improving veterans. mental health and wellbeing. enabling them lo function better in daily life, work and relats'onships Reducing crisis, homelessness and finanryal risk through early interv6ntion and practical welfare support Strenglhenlng families by recognising and supportlng carers and family members Enabling veterans lo partlcipate more fully In their communsties, contributing their skills and experience Our services are open lo all who meet the eligibility criteria. with no requirement for any payment. and we actively reach out to under-5erved groups to ensure equitable access. Page 2 VETERANS OUTREACH SUPPORT REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025 ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Wellbeing Activities Examples of our activities and outreach can be found on our website www.vosuk.org and across our soaal media channels on Facebook, Instagram and Linkedln. Care- cllnlcal and mental health support Demand for our clinical services continued to grow. During 2024-25 the Care team delivered 910 hours of clinical activity, up from 632.55 hours last year - an increas8 of approximately 44%. Veterans and family members accgssed triag8 al both Portsmouth and Isle of Wight Drop-lns, psychiatric assessment and review. psychological assessment, a range of evidence-based Ihorapies lin¢luding EMDR, CBT, trautna-focused CBT and counselling) and slabilisakn'on inlgnigntions such as coping strategies, grounding techniques and Mental Health & W8llbeing "Cuppa & Chats Session8 were offgred in person, by telephone and online. mproving accessibility for those wlth moblllty, work or caring constraints. Cllnl¢al Outcomos During the reporting peri￿1, therapy outcome measures were reviewed for a sample of 10 service users who completed therapy. Slandardised measures were used lo ass8ss anxiety (GAD 71, depresslon {PHQ 91 and trauma related distress IIES Rl al th8 start and en¢J of therapy. The outcome data shows that all seNice users in the sample experienced improvements In their mental health. with many showing notabl8 reductions in symptoms by the end of therapy. Several individuals moved from moderate or sèvere levels of distress lo mild or miniTnal symptoms. Improvements were seen acr058 anxiety, depression and trauma related symptoms. Even where some difficulties remained. every Se￿1￿ user in the sample made progres5. demonslraling the positive impact of the therapy provided. These results indicate that the therapy service is effectwe and benefiaal, supporting improved wellbeing and recovery for those accessing support. These intenientions helped veterans better understand their mental health, manage symptoms and re-engag6 with family life, work and the wider community. Qualitative feedback from participants was consistenuy strong. For example, 100°/o of those attending stabilisalion sessions strongly agreed that the sessions gave them coping strategies they could use in daily lrfe. Veterans described Cuppa & Chal as providing "huge upliff, during 'an unbearably difficult lime" and reported feeling more able to cope with grief and anxiaty following CBT and counselling. strengthoning clinical quality and partnerships We strengthened our clinical quality and governance this year. On 13 May 2025 VOS was awarded Quality Ne￿Ork for Veterans Mental Health se￿￿5 IQNVMHSI accredilalion by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, recognising that our clinical services meet a9reed national standards. This accreditation is a comerslone of our 2025-30 strategy, to ernbed nationally recognised standards and strengthen our clinical governance. In partnership with PTSD Resolution, we estsblished a new trauma-focused therapy pathwayfor veterans and families, extending our reach across the Thrive Together region, complementing existing NHS provision beyond VOS'S direct resources. VOS also took initial steps lo loln the Triangle of Care accreditation pathway, becoming the first armed forces charity lo do so in Sept 2025. Led by our Families and Carers Outreach OffI￿r and Head of Care. this will help ensure carBrs are recognised. informed and involved appropriately in care. and will SkJPPOrt our applications lo extend family-focused work. including an AFCFT 'Family Focus, grant. ￿ongside our plannad participation in the Triangle of Care accredilalion pathway for carers. this demonslrales our intention to lead by examplo in veterans, mental health, with practical benefits for carers as well as service users. Page 3 VETERANS OUTREACH SUPPORT REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY2025 Physical h8alth ongside mental health. we began to address physical health more proactively. In February 2025, eight service users look part in a pilot health screening day delivered with the Mary How Trust, receiving a detsiled health assessment (including health questionnaire, dietary and lifestyle consullation, diabetes risk assessment, physical observations, blood tests including PSA for men aged 40-79, FIT bowel screening, urine dip test, abdominal ultrasound scan and pelvic scan for famalèsl and pgrsonalised action plan, with results shared with GPS wh8re consent was given. Based on the very positive service user f&8dback, we are working with participants lo develop Indlvidual health care plans and plan lo repeal and expand this offer with the Mary How TTUSI. Welfar•- pradlcal and flnanclal stablllty It h85 been another busy and productive year for the VOS Welfare team. We continued lo offer informal support al monthly DTOP-Ins in Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight, where veterans can receive quick advi￿ or raise new concerns, and we provided more intensive casework for those with complex needs. Over the year we handled 96 individual cases. many complox, representing a 350/0 incrtsase on the previous year. The majority of those we supported were ex-Army veterans. followed by individuals from the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force. Royal Marines, Merchant Navy and their partners OT carers. Of the veterans we assisted, 64 were of working age and 32 were older. reflecting both Iransition-related challenges and issues arising later in The most common reasons for seeking SUPPDrt remained War Pension and Armed Forces Compensation Schemfr claims, Personal Independence Payment IPIPI applications lincluding Mandatory Reconsidarations and appeals), and transitions be￿een benefits such as Employment Support Alowance and Universal Credit. We also helped veterans with housing and homelessness. debt, access to health and social care, and unclaimed prgs@rved pensions, often coordinating support across multiple agencies. Many cases requi￿d urgent action, particularly where housing and benefits issues risked homelessnoss. We slrenglhened partnerships with Portsmouth City Council. the local DWP Afmed Forces Champions, Probation and Portsmouth Adult Seryices, helping secure better and faster outcomes for veterans. Joint working with Op COURAGE, particulady on the Isle of Wight, ensured that those with combined mantal health and welfare needs received coordinated supporL To increase responsiveness, we became an aulhorised Teferrer for The Veterans Charity Icharity Règislralion.. 1123149). enabling rapid, one-off help such as emergency groc&ri8s or travel costs when other grant processes would be too slow. VOS is also contributing to th8 national Common Assgssmenl Approach co-production inilialive, with the Royal Marines Assoc4alion, which aims lo simplify referrals across sectors and reduce the burden on veterans of repgaledly rolelling their story. Int¢gratod ¢are Slrenglhening joint working be￿een Welfare and Care has been a deliberate strategic priority. By sharing insights and undertaking joint reviews, the teams are providing more responsive and Irauma-informèd support for veterans whose mental health. housing and financial issues are closely intertwinad. reducing the risk of fragmented care and improving outcomes. DelNery- soclal connectlon. actlvltles and volunteers Our Delivery work is driven by VOS'S values of being accessiblo, together. responsive, reflective. rgcovery-oriented and user-centred. We airn lo ensure: A safe, friendly, sociable and accessible Drop-ln Professional. evidence-based mental health support - Trustworthy'one-slop. access lo partner services Strong engagement of Servi￿ Ljsers and family members Inlelliganl and securg use of infomiation Throughout 2024-25 the Delivery team on the mainland and Isle of Wight actively engaged veterans through a diverse programme of soci81 groups, wellbeing activities, outreach and events. Page 4 VETERANS OUTREACH SUPPORT REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025 So¢lal group$ W&ekly soci81 groups in Southsea and Slubbinglon continued to grow, typically attracting around 20 attendees in Southsea and up lo 40 in Stubbinglon. On the Isle of Wight, weekly groups ran in Cow8S, Sandown, Brighslone 8nd Freshwater, collectively seeing around 60 service users each month, with 20-30 attendees al ea¢h venue. W¢llb•lng a¢tlvltles Over the course of the year we delivered a wide range of activities, including new inilialives such as the 'Page Turners. book club, survlval skills days, Chinese craft workshops. mobility classes, walking football, fossil-hunling trips and a user-led pantomime group. Established faVou￿teS such as the VOS singlng group continued to flourish. performing al community events and supporting veteran5' confiden￿, routine and Sense of purpose. Highlights included hosting the Chelsoa Pensioners, Joining Forces collaboration with emergency servi￿5 and showcasing the VOS singing group al Havant Borough Counal. Summer activities included picnics al Fort Victoria and other s￿niC spots, slnglng group, skittles, quiz evenings, book club and a private tour of the D-Day Tunnels. Participation in wider events including Arnied Forces Day Iboth mainland and Isle of Wighll, VE Day commemorations, Riverfesl, National Pride, the Fareham Community Showcase, HMNB Families Day, Royal Isle of Wight County Show and Ihe'LeVs Talk About Suicide. event in Victoria Park Portsmouth- helped raise VOS'S PTofil@ and colebral8 v8lerans' contribution. Strategic usa of villag8 halls on tha Isla of Wight improv8d cosl-efficiency and created welcoming veteran-only spa￿s. Volunteers Volunteers remained central lo this work. During 2024-25, 38 trained and DBS