**Registered Charity No: 1154552**
## **LADYWOOD COMMUNITY PROJECT**
(A Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
## **Annual Report and Financial Statements**
## **For the year ended**
## **31 March 2025**
**LADYWOOD COMMUNITY PROJECT TRUSTEE’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
|**CONTENTS**|Page|
|---|---|
|Reference and Administrative Information|2|
|Trustees’ Annual Report|3 - 15|
|Independent Examiner’s Report|16|
|Receipts and Payments Account|17|
|Statement of Assets and Liabilities|18|
|Detailed Receipts and Payments Account|19|
|Funds Analysis|20|
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**LADYWOOD COMMUNITY PROJECT TRUSTEE’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
The Trustees of Ladywood Community Project present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.
## **Reference and Administrative Information**
Charity name: Ladywood Community Project Charity registration no: 1154552 Principal address: Ladywood Community Centre St Vincent Street West Birmingham B16 8RP Board of Trustees: Bram Scott Chair Jacqueline Parker Gillian Robinson Resigned July 2024 Gerardine Giblin Margaret Weekes Karen Bailey Co-ordinator: Caron Hallahan Independent Examiner: Teresa Fennell, ACMA CGMA It Doesn’t Have to Cost the Earth Ltd 47 St Dunstans Close Worcester WR5 2AJ Bankers: Lloyds Bank Edgbaston Birmingham
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**LADYWOOD COMMUNITY PROJECT TRUSTEE’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
## **Structure, Governance, and Management of the Trust**
As of end of March 25, Ladywood Community Project employs two part time members of staff. There is a coordinator, Caron Hallahan who works for 30 hours and a Family support worker Alison Allen who works 30 hours. There are four volunteers. Gerardine Giblin (20 hours pw) Bernie Stringfellow (3 hours per week), Dot Collins (4 hours per week) and Jackie Parker (5 hours per week).
Other volunteers are recruited for events and projects especially at the Christmas party and there can be up to 20 volunteers at each event.
The day-to-day work of the project is reviewed by the Advisory committee and feedback is given to the trustees. They meet every 3-4 months and are made up of local community members and local organisations.
Advisory committee this year consists of 4 residents, reps from 2 local charities, a local Councillor, and a Birmingham City council representative. Staff and a trustee are also present to feedback. This provides a level of accountability to the community and gives good opportunities to network and add value to the service.
## The objects of the CIO are:
The relief of people in financial hardship, by providing grants, items and services, including advice and signposting to agencies and organisations.
## Background
Ladywood Community Project registered as a charity in November 2013. It had previously operated as a multi-disciplinary support agency operated by Birmingham City Council funded staff. It had been in existence since 1986 and is a well - known and trusted resource in the area and is seen as a first port of call to residents who need help.
Poverty continues to be a major issue for our residents. Latest figures, published by End Poverty campaigners show that Ladywood is the third poorest area in the country with 54% of children (17,938) growing up in poverty. 26.6% of residents live with fuel poverty (twice National average)
Ladywood is an area of high social housing and private rented with many residents working in low paid jobs. Many struggle to find adequately paid work to bring them out of poverty. Food and fuel have risen significantly over this period. We have seen the demands for our services increase as more and more people have fallen from the “just about managing” to being in financial crisis and needing help just to put food on the table and keep their lights on. It is a sad fact that many have do without heating or food just to survive.
The Ladywood Community project endeavours to improve the lives of local people in poverty or financial hardship and help, not only when they have a crisis but tackle the isolation and stress that poverty brings. We encourage families to feel part of a wider community that can offer friendships, shared leisure and be an active part of our team to address issues that worry them. We achieve this through practical, educational, physical, and financial interventions for those most in need of support.
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**LADYWOOD COMMUNITY PROJECT TRUSTEE’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
We provide assistance to those who are in a crisis by giving emergency help with gas/electricity through our partnership with Fuel Foundation, food from our stocks, helping with school uniforms, referring to local food banks, benefits and debt advice, letting them use our facilities- washing machine, dryer, cooker/microwave and listening to them when they are upset, in hardship, depression or anxiety or just in need of someone to talk to.
We work in partnership with other agencies to create a Resource hub where residents can come in for debt and benefit advice, help with water bills, look for employment or be directed to agencies for their housing and other needs.
We offer residents support and encourage them to drop in and use our garden, kitchen and lounge, have free refreshments, meet other families, get help and advice, join one of our groups or activities or go on our trips. We run a popular play and stay group giving parents and children opportunities to learn through play, craft and trips to enhance children’s experiences and encourage development.
In the school holidays (summer and Christmas), dependant on funds, we give supermarket vouchers to obtain fresh food as a way of helping those families whose children would normally get free school meals or those families who are on low income or burdened with debt.
In the summer we have weekly activities and trips, including one to the seaside or resort. All activities are free, and trips are heavily subsidised. We hold community events often in partnership with other local agencies to help people feel part of a community and not so isolated. At Christmas we hold a party for up to 150 children aged 0-11years. We have an entertainer, DJ, crafts, and food. Santa sees the children in his Grotto and there are presents for all the children. We take over the whole of the community centre and are helped by 20+ volunteers. It is very popular with local parents and children.
Over the years we have built up a network of other agencies that refer to us for help for residents. These are local primary schools, Ladywood Community Advice, Birmingham Settlement, Children’s Trust. They rely on us for help when their clients are in crisis or need extra help in the summer and at Christmas struggling to buy uniform.
## **This year 24/25 we have received 429 referrals from outside agencies.**
## Governance
This year one of our Trustees, Gill Robinson has stepped down. Gill has been a constant volunteer during the life of this charity and indeed has been very active in Ladywood for the last 40 years. She gave a great deal of her time in being part of the team organising and running the Fundays and Christmas parties and was chair of Ladywood residents group in the past and a member of Ladywood Development Trust. She has always had the interests of Ladywood residents in mind.
We thank her for her involvement and encouragement. We hope that she will still attend the Advisory committee as a resident.
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**LADYWOOD COMMUNITY PROJECT TRUSTEE’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
This year marks a period of unrest for this charity, residents and council services in Ladywood. Redevelopment plans have suffered delay after delay and so no firm plans could be made. We understand that the even the original plans for redevelopment have been redesigned and time scales have been reviewed.
Until contracts are signed, Ladywood residents and organisations will not know what the new plans are. It is anticipated that this will happen soon.
Birmingham City council is bankrupt and plans to either sell or demolish its community centres. We were told that we would need to vacate the building possibly by the end of March 25. This represents a major change for the charity.
This year we have been preoccupied with making contingency plans. We originally investigated taking over the building as a community asset transfer. We spoke to other interested partners who had an interest in forming a syndicate to own and manage the building as we knew that we did not have sufficient resources to do it on our own. Birmingham City council surveyed the building and informed us of the costs to do essential repairs. Unfortunately, this did not make the building financially viable and so we have been looking for alternative accommodation.
We have a great deal of equipment stored at the community centre and so needed to find a base for this as well as a base for staff and other services. We felt the nature of our work needed to be in the Ladywood area so that we could maintain the faceto-face aspect of our work which is so important to local residents.
We have identified possible storage at St John and St Peter’s schoolhouse and short-term accommodation locally.
There will be many changes that residents will go through and indeed the makeup of the area will drastically change in the long term We will need to respond to the needs of those most vulnerable and help them to navigate these changes.
Trustees are currently in talks with Councillors to keep fully up to date with the future proposals.
## Our Benefactors
We have received donations for this year to help with our anti-poverty initiatives as well as a bigger fund from Tudor Trust to support our core costs. The grant from Tudor ends this year. It does not appear in the accounts as this year was paid in the previous accounting period.
We continue to be overwhelmed by the generosity of our local businesses and local trusts and churches. We have longstanding CSR partners who have such a great understanding of our aims. They keep in regular contact with us and respond well to our requests for financial help towards our anti-poverty initiatives and needs for volunteers for specific tasks.
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**LADYWOOD COMMUNITY PROJECT TRUSTEE’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
We would like to thank BHSF, Federated Hermes, Al Rayan bank, Gowling WLG, Bayfield trust, Abacus, Nisa Retail group, Paradise Circus, Civic Square, WPR, J Hudson (Acme Whistles), Colmore BID, Cambridge Rd Methodists, Unitarian Church, Baron Davenports Trust, Michael Marsh Trust, Galliard, Brindley Place, WB Creative, St Johns and St Peters church, Concordia, William Cadbury Trust and Margetts Trust .
We also have many local businesses who have given our children experiences that will add to their positive memories of childhood. Paradise gave us a giant egg for our garden. Botanical Gardens welcomed our families to the Luminate event, Teddy bear’s picnic and the ladybug’s ball. PWC gave us tickets for families to see “The Little Mermaid” at The Alex. Colmore BID gave Easter eggs, Xmas hampers, and Dishoom hosted breakfast with Santa. Albert Schloss gave Xmas gifts and story time as well as hot chocolate, pastries and entrance to the big wheel and skating.
We would also like to thank the many individuals who give us monthly donations or money in response to our initiatives. We could not help as many people without their goodwill and generosity.
We also have regular volunteers who help us throughout the year particularly when we have events. We wish to thank them all. Their help is invaluable, and we cannot do all we do without them.
## **Achievements & Performance**
## **Our Work 2024/25**
## **Crisis Help**
We are increasingly asked to help those whose wages or benefits are not lasting until the next pay day. This can be for a variety of reasons although currently the prolonged rises in food costs and fuel have taken their toll and many have no savings left to fall back on.
Increasingly people do not have enough food or electricity to last until the next day and so we help with emergency grants in the form of supermarket vouchers. We can give families choice and dignity to buy food that is appropriate to their needs and preferences. We do not give cash, and we keep records of those who benefit from this and if the crisis is regular offer support to help remedy the cause.
We take referrals from trusted agencies such as Children’s Trust workers and debt and benefits advisors and ensure that this help is given to those in most need. This year we have helped 89 adults and 119 children by giving supermarket vouchers. This demand has doubled in the last year.
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**LADYWOOD COMMUNITY PROJECT TRUSTEE’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
## **Fuel help**
Many families are struggling to maintain a constant fuel supply in their homes and with fuel prices rising, this is increasingly taking more and more of their weekly budget.
In the winter there is extra pressure on heating costs and in the summer months the children are at home and families use more electricity and gas for cooking. The upcoming increases in the costs of fuel are particularly worrying, and for many of our residents, self-disconnection from supply will be a painful reality.
For several years, we have raised money to help individuals and families in greatest need keep their supply on particularly if a financial crisis arises due to a delay in benefit or an unexpected cost arising. During the lockdown 2020, we joined the Fuel Foundation and are now able to give help without giving cash. A code is sent to the user’s phone which can be used to top up their prepayment meter. The amount given varies throughout the year dependant on weather conditions in anticipation of fuel needed.
Families must be referred to the scheme from a money advisor, or other professionals such as health visitor, social care or support worker, advice staff at Birmingham food bank. Households must be in crisis with their supply in danger of being disconnected because of lack of funds.
During 24/25 we gave crisis help for fuel by making 189 referrals to the Fuel Foundation.
## **Holiday Hunger**
We know that parents struggle to feed their children during the summer, Easter and Christmas school break.
During term times many children have free school meals. Parents have not only extra food costs during the summer months but extra fuel costs.
For many years we have been giving extra support during holiday periods and whenever the family are in need
Families in need are referred from local schools, children’s trust support workers and debt and money advisors. In this way we know that we are reaching the most disadvantaged members of our community.
In Summer 2024 we helped 92 families that is 125 adults and 237 children by giving each household £100 supermarket vouchers.
At Christmas 2024 we gave supermarket vouchers, (£50 families £40 couple £30 singles) to 108 adults and 219 children.
We also made 57 referrals to food banks and gave 51 bags of food/toiletries/nappies from our stocks.
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**LADYWOOD COMMUNITY PROJECT TRUSTEE’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
## **Help with school uniform**
We know from our many years of working with parents that buying school uniform in the summer is a very difficult and stressful time for parents. This is particularly true when children are moving from Primary to Secondary schools.
The cost of clothing with the school logo is very high and require shopping in a specialist uniform shop. Parents struggle financially in the long summer holiday when there are extra food and fuel costs and buying uniform for all your children is daunting.
Children need to have the correct kit so that they can feel confident particularly when it is a new school they are attending.
We started the uniform fund many years ago.
Parents are referred by schools, children’s trust workers and debt and money advice professionals. We purchase the items that the children need online to provide a bespoke service.
The families who are referred often need extra help because they have no recourse to public funds, are in debt or all their children have had to move school because of homelessness or other problems.
This year we helped 45 families and their 58 children.
## **Hardship Fund**
The fund is to assist those who are homeless or at reach of losing their properties or finding that they cannot live there because of lack of facilities.
In the past we have helped with basic items of furniture such as mattresses, fridges, gas/electric, prescription costs, bus fare etc.
This year we have supported 8 residents who were struggling with their lack of resources. We bought a term bus pass for a child to get to school, helped with food hardship, gave emergency fuel and small grants to those waiting for benefits.
## **Resource Hub**
We wanted to create a hub where agencies could come to offer help and advice to the community.
We are in touch with a few agencies who could provide a twice monthly advice service. We already had a debt worker from the Settlement who attends weekly and someone from Severn Trent who attends every fortnight.
We share our space with a benefits advice team, Ladywood Community Advice.
On a Tuesday and Wednesday residents can come to see a specialist advisor, get emergency help from this charity or be signposted to other organisations and agencies, use our washing machine/dryer, get help with food or just contact us for information or support
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**LADYWOOD COMMUNITY PROJECT TRUSTEE’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
This year, an average 51 people have attended over the two days. This has been for: benefit enquiries (899) Severn Trent help (190) Debt (180) Advocacy (127) Support (651) Drop in (657) Our washing /drying machines have been used 51 times.
All visitors to our facilities are offered free refreshments and use of the garden to sit in.
## **Activities**
In reviewing their activities, the trustees have referred to the Charity Commission guidance of public benefit.
## **Wrigglers play and stay**
This is held on Monday mornings 10.00-11.45am during term time and is well attended. Children aged 4 and under attend with their parent/s and take part in creative play/cooking/activities. We have also engaged the children in growing vegetables and fruit.
There are outside trips to local places like the reservoir or local leisure centre for swimming.
This year Wrigglers group visited Ash End House Farm, had a Xmas party with presents and Santa, had breakfast at Albert Schloss,
There are on average 12 families who attend weekly.
This is a group, well represented by the wide diversity of cultures living in Ladywood. We celebrated these different cultures with foods and stories.
The group helps to promote harmony and understanding between the parents as well as their children and a great support network has built up. It is a chance for parents to form friendships and help with isolation especially if they are the only adult in the household. The children also form friendships, and regular attendance provides the perfect transition into nursery.
## **Low-cost trips**
Many parents dread the long summer, Easter and Christmas school breaks because there is a lack of affordable activities and to take children out costs extra money and many parents struggle to cope with these expenses. Parents sometimes feel upset that they cannot give holidays and outings to their children, and this undermines their expectations of what a good parent should provide. Relationships can sometimes suffer, and it is not always a positive time for families.
Since the project has been operating, we have always tried to offer very low-cost trips and activities. We want to help families to enjoy their time together and with the rest of their community. It is important for children because we all need positive memories in our childhood.
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**LADYWOOD COMMUNITY PROJECT TRUSTEE’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
We have heavily subsidized our coach trips so that the cost per seat is a minimal amount. (typically, £2 per seat) We have also provided lunch packs to keep costs down for the families.
This makes a day out affordable even for the largest family who would never have the opportunity or funds to enjoy a day out together.
In summer 2024 we had a trip to Twin Lakes which was enjoyed by 18 parents and 31 children
## **Local Trips**
Each year we are very fortunate to take families on trips, not just in the summer holidays, but throughout the year.
Places the families like to go to are local attractions, so we do walking trips, where we meet at the community centre and walk together, families bring along a packed lunch, we bring light weight sports equipment i.e., balls, bats, frisbees, hula hoops.
We go to the Edgbaston reservoir on a nature walk then on to the picnic area for lunch and games. We are also near the city centre and walking along the canal is enjoyed by all.
Having walking trips allows families to see what open free space they have on their doorstep as a lot of our families live in the high-rise tower blocks in confined accommodation. They enjoy nothing more than getting out and about.
In April we were invited by Colmore BID to attend film Willy Wonka at St Philip’s cathedral
In the summer we attended nature walking trips, Teddy Bear’s picnic and Ladybug ball courtesy of The Botanical Gardens
We held an in-house cinema day with popcorn supplied by Rudy’s
At October half term families attended an inflatable party at Ladywood Leisure centre.
In December we were invited to breakfast with Santa and 7 families attended. Children and their parents had breakfast at a city centre restaurant and received presents thanks to Dishoom and Albert Schloss.
In February we were given free tickets to see The Little Mermaid at the Alex.
## **Ladywood Funday**
Ladywood Fundays had been an annual event for over 10 years and have been greatly enjoyed by our community. This year it took place on Saturday 20[th] July, on the grounds of St John & St Peters school grounds and adjacent field.
It was a great success with 400 plus residents attending. The event was brought together by local organisations, charity groups, schools, faith groups, BCC regeneration team & community individuals and volunteers.
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**LADYWOOD COMMUNITY PROJECT TRUSTEE’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
Many of the activities were free. There were free inflatables. Patchwork meadow did crafts and seed sharing. Eat, make & play provided compost and cutting of veg plants to grow at home. Ladywood community Project provided free hand and face glitter art, also free water and cans of pop, sweets.
Alex a former local schoolteacher created a treasure hunt. Medals were awards to the children who completed the hunt. Over 100 children took part in event.
Suited for success held a clothing sale rail, with very low-cost work attire and some casual clothing.
Ladywood leisure centre came along with a cycle bike and rowing machine, so people could do a challenge, prizes were given to those who won.
BCC regeneration team held a colouring competition with prizes to the best, they also were available to anyone who wanted an update on the future for the area.
Youth on Stage, attended and did performances throughout day, promoting the drama group who meet in Ladywood and work with local children, to produce theatre production that take place in theatres around Birmingham.
Simon and sons ice cream sold ice creams at a very low cost and donated to the future event.
TS Vernon were unable to attend on the day but provided a tug of war rope and a volunteer
So Funk Fitness Sharon, introduced her so funk dance fitness to locals. Some of her regular class members were volunteering on the day, so they encouraged others to partake in the session.
Civic square held a craft stall where everyone had a chance to make a mini bench. This was to focus on sitting and talking to folk on benches doted around the local area.
TRJFP Central provide a variety of hot food including baked potatoes, veggie burgers, meat burgers, chicken, hot dogs, salad, patties. This was on a pay as you feel basis.
The rain held off until closing. Many thanks to all who came to volunteer, setting up, manning the stalls/inflatable, staying in the rain to help close and pack away, after a long but successful day. They were Pat, Margaret, Bernie, Heather, Harry, Lily, Megan, Molly, Lisa, Annabel, Christine, Laurie and Winnie
I would like to say a big thank you to Alex who helped from the start designing the posters, creating the treasure hunt, providing a lot of support and help with the organising alongside the staff of Ladywood community project.
Thank you to the organisations that donated funding to enable the day to take place.
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**LADYWOOD COMMUNITY PROJECT TRUSTEE’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
## **Christmas Party**
Ladywood is an area with a high incidence of child poverty and many of our families would not be able to afford a visit to see Father Christmas. Our parties are therefore very popular, and this year was no exception.
In previous years we have combined children visiting Santa in his Grotto with the parties. This year we decided to separate the party from the Santa visits. We invited children from the nine primary schools in the area and parents had to pre- book their place.
Parents could bring all their children. We charged £2 for children at the primary school and under 4s and over 11s were free. We bought presents for our core age group worth approx. £8 but still gave the other age groups a Santa’s gift.
We held the Grottos over 3 days after school. Children took part in a colouring competition, had glitter tattoos and refreshments before seeing Santa.
In total 122 children saw Santa 99 (ages 4-11) 16 (ages 0-3) 5 (ages11+)
Everyone who saw Santa was invited to a bigger party which took place on Friday 20[th] December.
We had a DJ, food, dancing, and games for the children. There were prizes for the games and the colouring competition. Each family was given a raffle ticket on entry, and we had a grand raffle at the end of the event. (prizes courtesy of Acme Whistles **)**
We are very grateful to all our partners who helped us either by contributing money to buy vouchers, collecting food and toys, giving presents to pass on to the children or helped us preparing for our events or volunteering at the party/Grotto events. Without you, we would not have been able to be so generous this Christmas. We would also like to thank all the volunteers who helped us wrapping presents, helping us with the Grottos and party.
They are Bernie, Kath, Pat, Pat, Bram, Lorrie, Alex, Annabel, Dawn, Sue, James, Harvey, Nettes, Linda, Dolores, Helen, Emma, Mitosis, Becky, Amanda, Polly, William, Jen, Nicky, Tom, Heather, Kay, Jennie, Kiran, Imogen, Neil, Brendan, Sharrane, Heather, Victoria, Johanna, Rachel, Kenny, Katie, Laura and Alice.
All the children really enjoyed themselves and for many it was their first community Christmas party.
## **Christmas Holiday Help**
We operated a Xmas holiday help project. We took referrals from schools, children’s trust support workers, debt advisors, benefit advisors and also recommended users of our service.
We bought supermarket vouchers, chocolates and asked our network of contacts to donate toys/presents /toiletries and food. We gave each family vouchers up to £70, a tub of chocolates, games/toys.
We helped 82 families, which is 108 adults and 219 children that were referred to us.
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**LADYWOOD COMMUNITY PROJECT TRUSTEE’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
We gave toys and personal care presents to an extra 40 children that attended the project during December. We also made up 20 food and toiletries /dignity packs and distributed them to people coming in with a crisis.
We are very grateful to all our partners who helped us either by contributing money to buy vouchers, collecting food and toys, giving presents to pass on to the children or helped us preparing for our events or volunteering at the party/Grotto events. Without you, we would not have been able to be so generous this Christmas.
We would like to thank Michael Marsh trust, Gowling, Aston University staff, Colmore BID, BMI, BHSF, Acme Whistles, WPR, Baren Davenport Trust, Galliard, Colmore BID, Concordia, Cambridge Rd Methodist church, Sisk, Brindley Place, Mike Gibbs, Ian Galer, Fuel Bank, Albert Schloss restaurant, Dishoom, and Suited for Success.
## **Referrals to Birmingham City Mission**
We are very pleased to be one of the referrals agents for City Mission. They deliver toys to families at Christmas and offer a bespoke service.
We have to register the family details, and they deliver to their home. The quality of the toys is outstanding and really helps families at such an expensive and often stressful time.
This year we referred 81 families with 206 children.
## **Future**
We are hoping that when we finally move, we will have more space to offer services. Our aims will include
Building on the success of interagency working in the resource centre by offering other agencies space to extend the range of advice offered.
Offering more groups to decrease isolation and give neighbours an opportunity to get to know each other and learn from each other.
Finding out what skills our community have and developing more user led groups and volunteering opportunities.
## **Financial Review**
Total income for the year was £60,910 (2024: £122,143).
Total expenditure for the year was £81,593 (2024: £83,403).
Total unrestricted funds held at 31 March 2025 and available for use towards the general objectives of the charity were £85,934 (2024: £70,144).
Trustees concluded that the level of unrestricted funds at the year-end is sufficient to meet the working capital requirements of the charity and enable it to continue its current activities should income decline or costs rise significantly.
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**LADYWOOD COMMUNITY PROJECT TRUSTEE’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
Restricted funds held at 31 March 2025 which are to be used for the specific projects they were provided for were £15,299 (2024: £53,389).
Designated funds held at 31 March 2025 (which are unrestricted funds ear marked for specific projects by the board of Trustees) were £2,392 (2024: £775).
## Reserves Policy
The charity has few overheads and is not locked into a lease agreement. Its antipoverty initiatives are funded through small grants specific to the needs of those in poverty. Any unrestricted reserves are spent on salaries and other costs, such as stationery, monthly rent, insurance and other running costs.
The trustees have decided that the charity need to keep in reserve a sum to cover any/all redundancy payments and 3 months running costs. This would be in the event:
- The charity had to close because of financial restraints;
- The post was no longer relevant to the aims of the charity
For this year the amount would be £25,000. This will be reviewed annually.
## Trustee Fees/Expenses
Expenses of £nil (2024: £809) were paid to trustee Gerardine Giblin during the year, being £nil (2024: £9) was paid for trustee travel and £nil (2024: £799) was paid for travel as a volunteer.
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LADYWOOD COMMUNITY PROJEcr
TRUSTEE'S ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Trustees, responsibilities in relation to the Financial Statements
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Annual Report and the
financial statements in accordan with applicable law and Unrted Kingdom
Accounting Standards (United King(lom Generally Accepted Accounting Practi).
The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the trustees to prepare
financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state
of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and applicatton of resources of
the charity 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 in the ChaTities SORP 2019 (FRS 102).,
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to
any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
prepare the financial ststements on the going conrn basis unless it is
inappropriate to presume that the charty will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with
reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them
to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the
Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust
deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charty and hence
for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other
irtegularities.
Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees. report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity's tiustees
Signature
Bram Scott
Position
Chainnan
Date
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**LADYWOOD COMMUNITY PROJECT TRUSTEE’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
## **Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Ladywood Community Project (‘the Charity’)**
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of the Charity, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2. The accounts do not accord with those records.
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.
## **Teresa Fennell, ACMA CGMA**
## **It Doesn’t Have to Cost the Earth Ltd**
47 St Dunstans Close Worcester WR5 2AJ
Date: 14th November 2025
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## **Ladywood Community Project CIO**
## **Receipts & Payments Account for the year ended 31 March 2025**
|**Note**
**RECEIPTS**
Donations
**1**
Grants
Other
**Total receipts**
**PAYMENTS**
Charitable Activities
**1**
**Total payments**
**Net receipts/(payments)**
**Transfers between funds**
Cash funds @ 31.3.2024
**Cash funds @ 31.3.2025**
**2**|**Unrestricted &**
**Designated**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**Total**
Unrestricted
& Designated
funds
Restricted
funds
Total
**£**
**£**
**£**
£
£
£
**55,374**
**5,136**
**60,510**
25,543
12,838
38,381
**-**
**-**
**-**
-
83,605
83,605
**400**
**-**
**400**
157
-
157
**55,774**
**5,136**
**60,910**
25,700
96,443
122,143
**38,367**
**43,226**
**81,593**
30,160
53,243
83,403
**38,367**
**43,226**
**81,593**
30,160
53,243
83,403
**17,407**
**(38,090)**
**(20,683)**
(4,460)
43,200
38,740
**-**
**-**
**-**
5,840
(5,840)
-
70,919
53,389
124,308
69,539
16,030
85,568
**88,326**
**15,299**
**103,625**
70,919
53,389
124,308
**2025**
2024|
|---|---|
Page 17
as at 31 ILvch 2025
Unrestricted
& Designated
funds
CASH FUNDS
& Dosignated
funds
Total
Restricted
fvnds
Totsl
Cash in Hand
1.125
1.481
68,313
1.125
1.481
121,702
1J31
1J31
101,739
Cash at Bank
15299
Total Cash funds
88.326
15.299
103,625
70,919
53,389
124.308
ASSETS
VLwchern purchased ft>r distribution
3,420
TL*al Cagh Fund* and Assets
3,420
3,420
LIABILITIES
Pension
162
162
HMRC PAYE
351
351
Indepondorrt Oxaminatson
8CA. Accounts preparation
BCA. Bookkeeping
Payroll
465
420
420
420
420
T¢)tsl Uabllltles
1,931
1.931
1.597
1,597
and were signed on tr1r bohalf by.
B Scott
Chaimian
## **Ladywood Community Project CIO**
## **Notes to the Receipts & Payments Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025**
## **1. Detailed Receipts & Payments Account**
|**RECEIPTS**
**_Income_**
Donations
Gift Aid
Sundry income (e.g. ticket sales)
Grant income
**Total receipts**
**PAYMENTS**
Salaries
Volunteer daily allowance
Event costs
Drop-in costs
Project costs
Vouchers/gift cards
Hardship
Uniform
Resources
Trips expenses
Emergency fuel
Christmas/Easter/Holiday Hunger project costs
Staff/Volunteer travel/Expenses
**_General overheads_**
Rent
Office Consumables
Telephone
Website
Computer equipment
Payroll fees
Sundry expenses
Subscriptions
Insurance
Staff/Volunteer training
Accountancy and Independent examinations
Bookkeeping
Bank/CAF Fees/Interest charges
**Total payments**
**Net receipts/(payments)**|**Unrestricted**
**& Designated**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**Total**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**54,783**
**5,136**
**59,919**
**591**
**-**
**591**
**400**
**-**
**400**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**55,774**
**5,136**
**60,910**
**10,931**
**37,274**
**48,205**
**-**
**-**
**2,396**
**725**
**3,121**
**19**
**19**
**13**
**88**
**101**
**11,906**
**2,200**
**14,106**
**-**
**-**
**50**
**2,182**
**2,232**
**8**
**357**
**365**
**868**
**400**
**1,268**
**-**
**-**
**138**
**138**
**-**
**-**
**26,329**
**43,226**
**69,555**
**2,910**
**-**
**2,910**
**172**
**-**
**172**
**420**
**-**
**420**
**230**
**-**
**230**
**113**
**-**
**113**
**254**
**-**
**254**
**179**
**-**
**179**
**169**
**-**
**169**
**331**
**-**
**331**
**138**
**-**
**138**
**885**
**-**
**885**
**5,928**
**-**
**5,928**
**309**
**-**
**309**
**12,038**
**-**
**12,038**
**38,367**
**43,226**
**81,593**
**17,407**
**(38,090)**
**(20,683)**
**2025**|Unrestricted &
Designated
funds
Restricted
funds
Total
2024|
|---|---|---|
|||£
£
£
25,272
12,770
38,042
271
68
338
157
-
157
-
83,605
83,605|
|||25,700
96,443
122,143|
|||9,007
34,575
43,582
990
-
990
676
4,727
5,404
119
-
119
-
-
-
8,895
10,127
19,022
15
499
513
27
1,406
1,433
293
-
293
-
1,779
1,779
-
30
30
-
-
-
868
-
868|
|||20,891
53,142
74,033
2,310
-
2,310
797
-
797
420
-
420
137
-
137
70
-
70
271
-
271
338
-
338
122
-
122
331
-
331
-
-
-
775
-
775
3,564
-
3,564
135
101
236|
|||9,269
101
9,370|
|||30,160
53,243
83,403|
||||
|||(4,460)
43,200
38,740|
Page 19
## **Ladywood Community Project CIO**
## **Notes to the Receipts & Payments Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025**
**2. Funds analysis**
|**Restricted funds**
Council (Hardship - Trident)
Private Donor
WPR Agency
MiCity
National Lottery
Federated Hermes
Karis Neighbour Scheme
BHSF
Birmingham City Council -
Be Bold CIL
Birmingham City Council - Celebrating
Communities
Tudor Trust
Gowling
**Designated funds**
Acme Whistles
Apsley Galliard
Baron Davenport Trust
Civic Square
Joe Lycett
Per Pro Unitarian New Meeting
William A Cadbury
Funday
Various small designated funds
**Unrestricted funds**
**Total funds**|01 April 2024
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
31 March 2025
4,886
-
88
-
4,798
-
800
400
-
400
2,358
1,500
2,182
-
1,676
707
-
310
-
397
3,425
-
3,274
-
151
-
2,000
2,000
-
-
-
86
86
-
-
-
750
-
-
750
1,211
-
-
-
1,211
1,602
-
886
-
716
34,000
-
34,000
-
-
5,200
-
-
-
5,200|
|---|---|
||**53,389**
**5,136**
**43,226**
**-**
**15,299**|
||-
1,500
1,500
-
-
-
1,000
-
-
1,000
-
1,500
1,273
-
227
-
1,000
1,000
-
-
-
5,000
5,000
-
-
-
1,000
651
-
349
-
800
800
-
-
775
-
-
775
-
785
744
41|
||**775**
**12,585**
**10,968**
**-**
**2,392**|
||70,144
43,189
27,399
-
85,934|
|||
||**124,308**
**60,910**
**81,593**
**-**
**103,625**|
Page 20