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← Home-Start Guildford

2025-03-31-accounts

Registered Charity No. 1154609

HOME-START GUILDFORD

Financial Statements

For the year ended 31[st] March 2025

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REPORT CONTENTS

Page Information
3 Legal and Administrative Information
4-6 Trustees Report

Objectives & Activities

Governance & Management

Financial Review
7 Independent Examiner’s Report
8 Statement of Financial Activities
9 Balance Sheet
10-13 Notes forming part of the Financial Statements

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LEGAL & ADMINISTRATION

Registered and Office Address

Home-Start Guildford Astolat Coniers Way Burpham Guildford Surrey GU4 7HL 01483 511181

Email: office@hsguildford.org.uk

Bankers

HSBC 12a North Street Guildford Surrey GU1 4AF

Independent Examiner

Kevin Cook Mindelo Heath View East Horsley Surrey KT24 5ED

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REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The Trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice known as FRS 102 (SORP).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Home-Start Guildford is a local, independent charity supporting families with at least one child under the age of 5, living in Guildford Borough. We are part of the HomeStart UK, one of the UK’s leading family support charities, benefitting from their policy framework and quality assurance, but not funding. We raise our own income through grants, charitable trusts and general funding.

Home-Start Guildford provides support and friendship to help parents give their children the best possible start in life. It is about parents helping other parents. We support a wide range of family difficulties: for example, post-natal depression, isolation, illness of parent or child, disability, or lack of parenting skills and confidence. Our support comes in the form of trained volunteer support in the family’s home or at one of our Family Groups in Pirbright and Hazel Avenue. Families with more complex needs benefit from working with our Family Support Workers, who are able to provide more focused work with the family in their home and out in the community.

The support we provide is tailored to the needs of the family, with regular support offered each week, for as long as the support is needed, which is on average 9-12 months. We carefully review the support provided to each family to ensure that it continues to be effective. When we feel that the family has made sufficient progress and their volunteer or support worker could be better deployed with another family, we will sensitively bring the support to a close.

GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Trustees: Home-Start Guildford had 8 trustees during the year, ending the year with 6 trustees.

Patrons : We also received the continued support of our 8 Patrons.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Overview

The year started with very healthy reserves following the amazingly successful fundraising ball held in February 2024. Unfortunately, this position was negatively impacted by the considerable reduction in funding received from Surrey County Council. Total income for the year was £163,853, compared to £302,555 in 2023-24. Historically income received from SCC and GBC has accounted for approximately 30% of our total income. Although we were awarded a grant from the Mental Health Investment Fund, this is for a 2-year period, and most of the money is being used to pay for an additional member of staff. Only a small part of the funds is available to help cover our core costs, which in this financial year were £231,216.

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The biggest expense we incur is staff salaries, which account for 77% of our total costs. We have 7 staff members, with a full time equivalent of 5.7 staff. Our staff recruit, train and look after our volunteers who support the families who are referred to us. They also run the groups, various events throughout the year such as Bockett’s Farm Park, and support other more complex families. The Trustees and home-visiting volunteers give their time freely.

Fundraising

Despite the significant loss of statutory funding, we were extremely fortunate to receive a generous grant of £15,000 a year for three years from the Borrows Charitable Trust. We were successful in our bid for a grant from BBC Children in Need which also awarded us £15,000 a year for three years, and we received a one-off grant of £15,000 from the Peter Harrison Foundation. We were very pleased to be selected as one of the Mayor’s Charities for her elected year of 2024-25. As the result of her Mistletoe Ball, we were fortunate to receive £9,900 towards training 6 volunteers. Various other local organisations and individuals supported our valuable work throughout the year through a range of one-off events such as running the Marathon to being Charity of the Year where on-going events resulted in donations to Home-Start.

Reserves Policy and Risk Management

Overall reserves total £113,031 including £51,184 which are restricted funds to cover specific programmes at the charity. The total reserves represent approximately 6 months of operating expenditure.

The Trustees consider that, with the fundraising strategy in place, there are sufficient reserves to maintain service through 2025/26.

The safeguarding of children is also a key risk, given the nature of our work. We follow the strict Safeguarding policies set by Home-Start UK, and we have strong links with local safeguarding professionals. Our Safeguarding lead Trustee is Charlotte French. All cases of concern are reported by the Manager to the Safeguarding lead Trustee and to the Management Committee.

The Financial Statements

Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements that give a true and fair view of the situation of the charity at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for the financial year. In doing so, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and

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which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. The Trustees are also responsible for the safeguarding of the assets of the charity and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Reference and Administration

Legal and reference information, as shown after the contents page, forms part of this report.

The financial statements comply with the current statutory requirements, the charity’s governing document and the SORP ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities’.

On behalf of the Trustees,

Hilary Nicholls Acting Chair

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Report of the Independent Examiner

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year to 31[st] March 2025 which are set out on pages 14 to 19.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

As the charity’s trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. You consider that the audit requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) do not apply.

It is my responsibility to state, based on procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charities Commission under s145(5)(b) of the Act, whether matters have come to my attention.

Basis of the independent examiner's report

My examination was conducted in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and the seeking of explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequently, I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

  1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:

  2. a) to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the Act; and

b) to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Act have not been met; or

  1. to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Kevin Cook Mindelo Heath View East Horsley Surrey KT24 5ED

Signed: ………………………………….… Date: ……………………………

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HOME-START GUILDFORD

Statement of Financial Activities for Year Ended 31[st] March 2025

Notes
Income & Endowments
2
Statutory grants
Charitable trusts
Fundraising events
Donations, legacies & other
Bank interest
Total income
Resources expended
Expenditure on raising funds
3
Expenditure on charitable activities
9
Total resources expended
Net income/costs
Funds b/f
Net income/costs for the year
Funds c/f		 UR
R
TOTAL
2025
2025
2025
£
£
£
5,000
40,454
45,454
29,006
43,275
72,281
18,915
0
18,915
27,203
0
27,203
0
0
0
80,124
83,729
163,853
10,637
0
10,637
174,700
45,879
220,579
185,337
45,879
231,216
-105,213
37,850
-67,363
167,060
13,334
180,394
-105,213
37,850
-67,363
61,847
51,184
113,031		 TOTAL
2024
£
88,870
88,012
81,794
43,879
0
302,555
15,157
201,389
216,546
86,009
94,385
86,009
180,394

The statement of Financial Activities has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations. The Charity has no gains or losses other than dealt with in the Statement of Financial Activities. The notes on pages 10 to 13 form part of these financial statements.

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HOME-START GUILDFORD

Balance Sheet as at 31[st] March 2025

Notes
Fixed Assets
Tangible Assets
6
Current Assets
Debtors
Cash at bank
Total Assets
Current Liabilities
Other creditors
7
Deferred income
Total Liabilities
Net Assets
The Funds of the Charity
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
9		 2025
£
0
0
113,267
113,267
236
0
236
113,031
61,847
51,184
113,031		 2024
£
0
2,572
183,516
186,088
1,194
4,500
5,694
180,394
167,060
13,334
180,394

The notes on the following pages form part of these financial statements.

…………………………….. ……………………………… Hilary Nicholls Victoria Roberton Acting Chair Trustee DATE

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HOME-START GUILDFORD

Notes to the Financial Statements as at 31[st] March 2025

1. Basis of Preparation

The financial statements have been prepared under the historic cost convention, following the recommendations of the Statement of Recommended Practice known as FRS 102 introduced in 2014 covering charities with a year-end after January 2015.

2. Accounting Policies

2.1 Income

All income is accounted for on an accrual basis, except for voluntary donations, which are considered when received.

Grants are recognised in full during the year that they are received.

Incoming receipts from tax reclaims are included in the SOFA at the same time as the gift to which they relate.

2.2 Fixed Assets

Fixed assets are stated at cost and depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of each asset over its expected useful life.

Computer equipment and office equipment 25% straight line basis. It is the Charity’s policy to capitalise fixed assets that are above a deminimus level of £800.

2.3 Pensions

Pension costs charged in the financial statements represent contributions payable by the charity in the year in accordance with FRS 17.

The pension scheme is administered by The Pension Trust.

2.4 Funds held for restricted purposes

Restricted funds represent income received by the Charity for specific purposes or areas.

2.5 Resources expended

Resources are accounted for on an accrual’s basis. Expenditure is appointed to cost categories based on the amount attributable during the year, including the cost of generating funds and charitable activities.

Governance costs include legal costs and Trustee meetings only.

2.6 Recognition of Liabilities

These financial statements recognise all liabilities that the charity has responsibility for. The charity is not aware of any contingent liabilities.

3. Costs of Generating Voluntary Income

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Our fundraising was focused on grant applications and on-line activities.

Direct costs of events are charged to fundraising, including our 100 Club prizes which are paid monthly.

The cost of raising funds is noted below:

Expenditure on raising funds
Direct costs of fundraising events
Departmental costs		 2025
275
10,362
10,637		 2024
3,957
11,200
15,157

4. Staff Costs

Gross salaries
Employers NIC
Employers pension costs		 2025
161,414
8,992
6,774
177,180		 2024
151,221
8,891
6,141
166,253

There were no employees with emoluments more than £60,000 per annum.

The average full time equivalent employees during the year were 5.7 heads.

5. Trustee Expenses

Expenses claimed by Trustees in the year were £194.

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6. Tangible Fixed Assets

There were no tangible assets held during the year.

7. Current Liabilities

This includes pension liabilities.

8. Lease

The charity has an annual lease for premises within the Astolat complex in Guildford, at a cost, inclusive of light, heat, and power, of £5,629 per annum.

The current lease was signed on 1[st] April 2023 and runs until 31[st] March 2026.

9. Restricted Funds

Albert Hunt
Community Fund for Surrey
Garfeld Weston
MHIF
Peter Harrison Foundation
Army Central Fund
BBC Children in Need
Total		 Balance
Additions
Charge
Balance
01/04/202
4
in year
for year
31/03/202
5
£
£
£
£
1,667
1,667
0
5,000
8,775
5,000
8,775
6,667
6,667
0
40,454
11,795
28,659
15,000
1,250
13,750
4,500
4,500
0
15,000
15,000
0
13,334
83,729
45,879
51,184

The balance on 31[st] March 2025 will be used within the current financial year, with the exception of £8,425 of the MHIF which will be used in the financial year ending 31[st] March 2027.

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10. Analysis of group net assets between funds

Funds on 31[st] March 2025 are represented by:

Tangible fxed assets
Debtors
Bank deposits
Current liabilities
Total		 URF
RF
Total
Funds
£
£
£
0
0
0
0
0
0
62,083
51,184
113,267
-236
0
-236
61,847
51,184
113,031

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