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← Carers Link - Lancashire

2025-03-31-accounts

Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Company Number 08584591 Charity Number 1156275

Carers Link Lancashire

Report and Financial Statements

For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Carers Link Lancashire

Contents

Page
Reference and administrative information 1
Trustee’s Annual Report 2
Independent Auditor’s report to the members 16
Statement of Financial Activities (Incorporating Income and Expenditure
Account)		 19
Balance sheet 20
Cash flow statement 21
Notes to the accounts 22

Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Carers Link Lancashire

Reference and administrative information

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Company Number 08584591 Charity Number 1156275

Registered office and 54-56 Blackburn Road, Accrington, BB5 1LE operational address

Trustees

Trustees, who are also directors under company law, who served during the year were as follows:

Brian Birtle Jeff Leahy Brian Ozenbrook Daniel Cassidy Mustafa Mohammed Shakil Salam Resigned September 2024 Patricia Ahmed Barbara Ashworth Susan Bibby Melissa Fisher Company Secretary Rebecca Hodgson Secretary Key Management Rebecca Hodgson Chief Executive Audra Higgin Services Manager/ Deputy to CEO Bankers CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4JQ Virgin Money Sunderland, SR43 4JB Charity Bank Fosse House, 182 High Street, Tonbridge, TN9 1BE United Trust 1 Ropemaker Street, London, EC27 9AW Triodos Bank Ltd Deanery Road, Bristol BS1 5AS Lloyds Bank PLC Blackheath Branch, PO Box 100, Andover, BX1 1LT Cambridge & Counties Charnwood Court, 5b New Walk, Leicester England, LE1 6TE Auditors MHA Richard House, 9 Winckley Square, Preston, PR1 3HP

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Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

The Trustees present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the accounting period ending 31 March 2025. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" (FRS 102) in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published October 2019.

Trustees of the charity

The Directors of the charitable company are its Trustees for the purposes of charity law. The Trustees who have served during the year were as follows:

Brian Birtle Chairperson & Director
Jeff Leahy Treasurer & Director
Brian Ozenbrook Director
Daniel Cassidy Nominated Representative
Mustafa Mohammed Director
Shakil Salam Director
Patricia Ahmed Director
Barbara Ashworth Nominated Representative
Susan Bibby Nominated Representative
Melissa Fisher Deputy Chairperson & Director

Objectives and activities

Carers Link Lancashire is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. The charity has evolved from Carers Link Hyndburn and Ribble Valley (2003) with the change being approved and adopted in 2013. All the work, projects, assets, and liabilities of the original organisation transferred to the new company, retaining the skills, knowledge and experience of staff and volunteers, and enabling the continuation of a number of successful partnerships and projects.

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

The Trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity's aims and objectives and in planning its future activities. In particular, the Trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives that have been set.

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Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Purpose and Aims

The charitable purposes of the company as set out in our Articles of Association are to relieve those who are ill, elderly or otherwise disabled living in Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale, Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, and areas of Lancashire by provision of information, training and support for their carers and to raise public awareness in all aspects relating to carers and caring.

Carers Link Lancashire supports unpaid carers to maintain their own health and wellbeing so that they can continue in their caring role for as long as possible.

This support is achieved through the provision of a person centred and holistic approach through collaborative partnerships, empowerment, innovation, and representation across East Lancashire.

The Charity’s vision is to be a values and outcomes driven organisation that enables:

The Charity[mission is to make a positive difference to the lives of carers and the people they care for by ] offering tailored support that is professional, respectful, non-judgemental and meets individual need.

Carers Link Lancashire has a new 3-year Strategy 2025-2028 in place which has influenced charitable delivery and activity this financial year. This current strategy has been produced through consultation and direct input from carers alongside staff and Trustees and is reviewed quarterly against objectives and targets.

This strategy includes the following strategic objectives:

Attached to the strategy is an operational plan which details the actions, resources and timescales required to meet the strategic objectives of the organisation.

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Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Definitions of Unpaid Carers

Carer: A carer is defined as someone who spends a significant proportion of their life providing unpaid support to family or friends. This could be caring for a relative, partner or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or substance misuse problems.

Young carer: A young carer is defined as a child or young person (up to the age of 18) who looks after someone in their family who has an illness, disability, mental health problem or substance misuse problem. Young carers take on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities that would normally be expected of an adult.

Parent carer : A parent carer is defined as a person with parental responsibilities for a child under the age of 18 with additional needs.

Former carer: A former carer is defined as a person whose caring role has ceased or significantly reduced due to bereavement or the cared-for person entering residential care.

During 2024/25, the charity has been providing support to adults and young carers from across East Lancashire. East Lancashire makes up one third of Lancashire representing 42% of Lancashire's Boroughs, with a number of wards being in the top 10% of deprivation, including Burnley and Hyndburn. Across East Lancashire, 12% of the population is made up of people from a BAME population and there are a significant number of isolated rural communities such as those in Pendle and the Ribble Valley. Within these rural communities, there are high proportions of people who are over the age of 50 years, of which some are living in isolation, with limited support networks, suffering from poor emotional health and wellbeing and who are caring for an elderly family member or caring for more than one person.

According to the 2021 census, there are over 36,000 unpaid adult carers in East Lancashire, of which 47% are caring for between 1-19 hours per week, 22% are caring for 20-49 hours per week and 31% are caring for 50 hours or more per week. On average, we receive 490 referrals for new carers every quarter (3 months).

The 2021 Census also identified there were 2,533 children and young people across East Lancashire aged under 25 years that provided levels of unpaid care, of which, a huge proportion are estimated to relate to children and young people under the age of 18.

Of the identified young carers, 588 (23%) were aged 0-15 years and 1,945 (77%) aged 16-24 years. Of these, 57% were identified as undertaking between 1-19 hours of caring per week, 30% were undertaking between 20-49 hours of caring per week and 13% were undertaking over 50 hours of caring per week.

As of the 31st March 2025, 2% of registered carers are aged 18-25 years, 52% aged 26-64 years and 40% are aged 65 years plus and 6% of registered carers have unknown ages.

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Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Carers Link Lancashire is a specialist carers charity who understand the needs and demands placed on carers along with the negative impacts their roles can have on them. Carers roles often affect their mental and physical health and wellbeing, financial stability, employment and career choices alongside the ability to access leisure opportunities with heightened feelings of loneliness through social isolation. Carers take on numerous responsibilities including day to day tasks, personal & medical care, transporting loved ones to health appointments and offering emotional support and advice to the person they are caring for. This demanding role often results in the carer's life being thrown into turmoil, with their own mental and emotional health and wellbeing suffering and deteriorating in the process.

In order to meet the existing and emerging needs facing carers, the charity provides a personalised, tailored and holistic service to support a wide range of unpaid carers enabling them to fulfil their roles whilst supporting them to alleviate impact and preventing them from reaching crisis point. Carers often do not recognise their role and see it as their duty and responsibility, therefore, the charity supports carers to recognise their role, providing them with person centred support and guidance on their rights as a carer.

All charitable work undertaken ensures that:

Public benefit statement

The charity's Trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the commission in exercising their powers or duties during this period.

Strategic report

Achievements and performance

The charity's main activities, support and beneficiaries are described below.

All charitable activities focus on supporting unpaid carers and are undertaken in order to further Carers Link Lancashire's charitable purposes for the public benefit.

During the year, Carers Link Lancashire has strived to offer high quality support and services to its beneficiaries.

Adult Carers

Throughout the year, the charity continued to work successfully alongside ncompass towards a brighter future in successfully delivering the Lancashire Carers Service. This service works across the county providing support, guidance and information to adult carers with n-compass delivering support in North and Central Lancashire and our charity delivering support in East Lancashire. The service supports people in their caring role, undertaking statutory carers assessments and supporting their emotional health and wellbeing. This sees the two organisations jointly delivering the statutory Lancashire carers service until 2026

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Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees’ Annual Report

Achievements and performance (Continued)

Adult Carers

Carers Link Lancashire provides a wide range of high quality, person centred support and services to unpaid adult carers living in East Lancashire across the Boroughs of Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley.

Identifying carers, particularly hidden carers, is a prime objective for Carers Link Lancashire. Throughout the year, 1,873 new carers have been identified and registered with the service.

Throughout the year, a further 1,486 existing registered carers also requested further support and services from the charity.

All registered carers receive regular information, support and services to assist them within their caring roles and during the year we have provided 3,971 one-to-one sessions with carers.

The charity provides a wide range of provision and services to support adult carers within their roles including:

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Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

As of 31st March 2025, Carers Link Lancashire has:

PRIMARY CONDITIONS:

AREA:

Young Carers

In addition to the work with adult carers, throughout the year, the organisation has also undertaken young carers support across Hyndburn and Ribble Valley. The young carers project was funded by BBC Children in Need until 31[st] October 2024 and the Eric Wright Charitable Trust to work directly with young carers aged 0-18 years from across Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley to improve their health and wellbeing. The BBC CIN Funding came to an end during the year, therefore, from the 1[st] November 2024, the service was fully funded from The Eric Wright Trust alongside investing some charitable reserves as match funding.

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Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

The charity’s young carers services provide holistic, person centred and whole family approaches to services and support to meet individual needs support includes:

Throughout the year, the service has continued to successfully meet objectives and provide young carers with holistic and individual support and services to improve their immediate and long-term outcomes including transition into adulthood, health and wellbeing, participation/achievement in education, employment and training and engagement in positive social and recreational activities.

Throughout the year, the young carers projects have successfully worked with 166 young and have provided some of the following:

As of the 31st March 2025 the young carers team were supporting 93 registered young carers from Hyndburn & Ribble Valley as follows:

Age:

Caring for:

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Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Cared for conditions:

All young carers who are registered with the service are provided with information, support and services which are tailored to meet their individual needs. This includes:

Volunteers

As of 31st March 2025, Carers Link Lancashire has 81 active volunteers who are assisting in supporting in the direct delivery of services. Throughout the year, 132 registered volunteers have provided the organisation with a total of 7047 volunteering hours. Volunteers have continued to support the charity and its beneficiaries through roles including supporting at events, groups and activities, community café, shops and garden, driving, young carers, administration, counselling and complementary therapies.

If the volunteering hours offered by volunteers during the year was quantified into a paid salary at national minimum wage, this would work out as £80,617.67 (£11.44 per hour).

Carers Assessments

Due to the Care Act 2014, carers are now recognised in their own right and are entitled to have their own needs assessed, identified and met through a carer's assessment. From this assessment, a personal budget can also be commissioned. The organisation has taken on this statutory duty from the Local Authority, undertaking carers assessments and commissioning a personal budget directly from them.

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Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Throughout the year, the charity has undertaken a total of 4352 statutory Carers Assessments and Reviews. budgets to carers in East Lancashire. From these assessments, 39% of carers have been commissioned a monetary personal budget to meet their needs and 61% of carers have had their needs met through universal services through our charity’s services & support.

Peace of Mind for Carers

During the year, the charity has undertaken 374 New POM4C plans (Peace of Mind for Carers) This contingency plan still remains an invaluable service for carers. Carers often describe this plan as their 'lifeline' should they unexpectedly be unable to continue with their caring role. The plan prevents carers from worrying about who will look after the people they care for in the event of something unexpectedly happening to them. This constant worry carries a high risk of affecting their emotional health and wellbeing, causing stress, preventing them from having a life of their own alongside their caring role.

The POM4C service is free and can be activated 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Family members or friends can be contacted in the event of an emergency, or free replacement care can be provided by a domiciliary care provider in the cared for persons own home for up to 72 hours. This service can also prevent strain on the health and social care system, preventing those who are reaching crisis point from accessing accident and emergency services and social care providers.

Over the past 24 months, there have been issues with replacement care being provided as this is part of the crisis service through Lancashire County Council and has often reached maximum capacity. Therefore, LCC are continuing to review and consult with carers and commissioners about the future of this service.

Carer Awareness Training (CAT)

Throughout the year, the charity has delivered 54 CAT sessions to a range of audiences with 540 professionals receiving the training. This service enables professionals to become 'Carer Champions' for their teams.

On average approx. 10 professionals attended each Carers Awareness Training Session.

Welfare and Benefits Support

The charity has continued to provide welfare and benefits support to carers offering appointments remotely and face to face across East Lancashire. During the year, we have secured £643,663.80 in benefits for our registered carers. An increase of +6% compared to the previous year.

Managing Risk

The charity has comprehensive risk management policies and procedures in place including a Risk Policy, Risk Register and monthly Risk Maps that highlight any potential or uncertain risks that may face the charity, its resource, services and beneficiaries.

The Risk Register is reviewed annually and focuses on all areas of the charity including Governance, Operational, Finance & Resources, External and Compliance with a thorough risk analysis of each of the areas.

The charity has three sub-groups which report directly into the Board covering Finance and Resources, Governance and Risk and Remuneration. At every Governance and Risk meeting, a live risk map is produced referencing any potential areas of risk along with suggestions to mitigate risk. This is scrutinised by the sub group members before providing a thorough report at the board meetings.

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Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Managing Risk

The charity also has a Business Continuity Plan in place. The charity's Trustees have given consideration to the major risks to which the organisation is exposed and satisfied themselves that systems and procedures are established in order to provide the necessary assurances that risk is being effectively managed.

The Trustees always have going concern around the majority of charitable income being derived from government grants in respect of the statutory adult contract, however, throughout the year the charity have been successful in procuring this contract in partnership with Ncompass until 2026.

Financial review

Over the financial year, the charity's main source of income has been the adult carers services/Lancashire Carers Service commissioned through Lancashire County Council. For the year, this makes up 77% of income, a decrease of 5% compared to funding in 2023/24.

The charity has also continued to benefit by owning its own headquarters which have significantly reduced running costs, with security of ownership. Further benefits have also been seen through the charity’s community facility. All floors of the headquarters are self-contained and independent supporting longer-term sustainability should income drop with each area being able to be sub-let.

The charity has still continued to move forward with strategic objectives throughout the year including fully renovating its second owned property in Colne which now houses a fully functioning charity shop and information and support hub.

The charity now has 3 charity shops /information and support hubs and 1 community café covering the areas of Hynburn, Pendle and Rossendale. These trading facilities support the charity in strengthening diversification of income and sustainability, lessening the charity’s dependence on the Lancashire County Council contract. This trading sits alongside the continuing task of seeking new and securing existing ongoing sources of funding.

During the year, the charity has also invested unrestricted reserves in purchasing a property in Bacup and Rossendale. This property will be renovated over the coming 12 months and will house a fourth charity shop, information and support hub and free community meeting space.

During the financial year, the total income received has been £1,293,275 (£1,116,235 2023/2024) an increase of 16% compared to 2023/24

In addition to the Lancashire County Council income, a substantial amount of financial support was received from BBC Children in Need and The Eric Wright Trust in respect of young carers services.

Additional smaller financial contributions for revenue and capital have also been received and greatly appreciated from Ribble Valley Borough Council. As always, the charity are extremely grateful to all their funders for their support and for making it possible for Carers Link Lancashire to provide a service to carers in East Lancashire.

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Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

As laid out in the Charity’s Investment Policy, Carers Link Lancashire seeks to produce the best financial return within an acceptable level of risk, on the financial investments it makes. Financial risk is managed by ensuring sufficient liquidity is available to meet foreseeable needs. As the majority of the company's debtors are public sector bodies, the level of credit risk is low. The Trustees review the Investment Policy annually, and where appropriate receive advice from a suitably qualified, independent financial company, as well as reviewing attitude to risk on an annual basis. At present, funds are being placed with several financial institutions in order to mitigate against possible bank collapses, and advice is sought from our investment advisor when required to minimise the risks of our portfolio.

The Trustees always have going concerns around the charities longer term sustainability, with the main sources of income from Lancashire County Council which is due to end on 30[th] September 2026. The charity is likely to tender for this service late 2025 / early 2026 and is very determined to continue to secure this contract continuing to provide specialist support to carers in East Lancashire.

The charity has secured Eric Wright funding until 2026 which moving forward also remains the only young carers funding, however, the charity is committed to continue to search and apply for additional funding streams to continue to deliver young carers services beyond 2026.

Reserves Policy

As of the 31 March 2025, the total charity funds stand at £1,037,561 (£978,213 2024) of which, £622,333 is invested in fixed assets and £Nil is restricted.

The total charity funds also comprise of fixed assets including the value of all owned properties in Accrington and Colne. Therefore, even though this is included in the total amount of total charity funds, it does not represent readily available free monetary reserves.

The Trustees have reviewed the funds available to the organisation and £70,429.76 has been designated for the following:

After designation and fixed assets £344,799 is free reserves and represents 3 months of budgeted recurrent expenditure (3.1 months 2023/24) The policy for free reserves is that Carers Link Lancashire will maintain free reserves not being less than three months expenditure. Therefore, the charity is meeting its reserves policy adequately. The main source of income for the organisation still remains to be generated from Lancashire County Council who continue to make payments in arrears. Therefore, charitable reserves are essential to maintain adequate cash flow levels.

In the event that all or any funding is lost the reserves will enable Carers Link Lancashire to maintain a service to carers whilst researching and sourcing other funding. To this end, the Trustees deem it prudent to designate funds from the reserves to cover the potential resulting redundancies and to secure services for carers.

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Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Plans for future periods

Throughout the year, our charity has worked hard to achieve business objectives as outlined in the organisations Strategy and Operational Plan 2021-2024 and furthermore, has also implementing the new 3 year strategy 20252028, which includes expanding our ability to provide accessible services, identifying and supporting all carers in East Lancashire and ensuring the charity is more sustainable in the longer term. This has been supported by us investing unrestricted reserves in purchasing a third property in Bacup Rossendale. This will be redeveloped over the coming 12 months with us securing capital funding and will provide another self-sustaining trading facility where we are able to provide accessible and visible support and services out in the community.

All current and future trading facilities support awareness raising of carers and services and support that is available to them in their communities. These future plans support the charity’s objectives of having accessible information and support in all 5 of the boroughs that the charity covers.

The Trustees see the future direction of the charity as developing further meaningful services that meet the needs of carers. Carers Link Lancashire continues to be a proactive, learning organisation, with all of its activities being carefully planned, risk assessed and evaluated.

Structure, governance, and management

Organisation

The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, number 08584591, incorporated on 25th June 2013. It was adopted as a charity on 19th March 2014.

The company was established under a memorandum of association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its articles of association.

Members of the charity guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charity in the event of winding up. The total number of such guarantees at 31st March 2025 was 9.

The Trustees are members of the charity but this entitles them only to voting rights. The Trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.

All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity.

Management

Day to day management of the charity including responsibility for the provision of services, staff management and development is delegated to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rebecca Hodgson. Any proposal the CEO would like to make relating to areas beyond delegated power, is made formally in a proposal document, which firstly, where practically possible is submitted to the relevant Sub Group for scrutiny before submissions and presentation to all board members.

The CEO undergoes regular supervision and support sessions with the Chair of Trustees and provides comprehensive and up to date information and advice to all Trustees. Remuneration of Key Management Personnel is set based on benchmarks for similar roles and is overseen by the Remuneration Group. Staff salaries are reviewed annually by the board of trustees at the Remuneration Group meeting.

Carers Link Lancashire is a Network Partner of Carers Trust. This affiliation enables staff and Trustees access to a variety of training and development courses/conferences organised by the Trust. These courses/conferences are usually provided free of charge although the cost of travel to the venues is borne by Carers Link Lancashire or individual Trustees. This partnership also enables up to date information and research into carers alongside regional support from the regional manager and regional network partners.

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Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Related Parties and Relationships with Other Organisations

There are no related parties.

Carers Link Lancashire has a formal consortium agreement with ncompass, a brighter future for the purposes of tendering for and delivering The Lancashire Carers Service. This partnership is purely for the purposes of which is described with Carers Link Lancashire delivering in East Lancashire and ncompass delivering in North and Central Lancashire.

Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees

Trustees are recruited through advertisements in the organisations quarterly magazine and e-bulletins alongside individual contacts by other Board Members or members of staff.

Prospective Trustees are invited to a preliminary meeting with the CEO for discussion about the roles and responsibilities of Trustees and general information about Carers Link Lancashire.

A Trustee appointment is subject to the completion of the DBS process and two satisfactory references. Potential Trustees are then invited to meet existing Trustees at a board meeting to give a presentation about themselves and their skills, and if agreed by all Trustees, they will be co-opted on to the board with their nomination as a Trustee being put to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) for formal appointment.

The organisation has a Trustee skills matrix in place that is regularly updated and identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the Board.

The weaker areas are then addressed through the Trustee recruitment processes. A full and thorough recruitment application process is in place with an information pack for interested persons and a comprehensive Trustee Handbook is provided for all Trustees.

Induction and Training of Trustees

All Trustees undertake a thorough induction process with the CEO and then also the Chair of Trustees as and when required. As part of this, they are required t o sign a code of conduct and confidentiality policy, declare their eligibility to be a Trustee alongside completing a declaration of interest's form which is reviewed annually.

Further training is provided, both in-house and externally, using a variety of methods including online and face to face training. Topics covered include all aspects of information governance, safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and equality and diversity. Updates on governance matters are distributed regularly to Trustees to ensure their knowledge remains relevant and up to date

Funds held as Custodian Trustee on behalf of others

No funds were held as custodian Trustee on behalf of any others.

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Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Statement of Responsibilities of the Trustees

The trustees (who are also directors of Carers Link Lancashire for the purposes of Company Law) are responsible for preparing the Trustee’s Annual Report (including the strategic report) and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company Law 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 charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

In so far as the trustees are aware:

In approving the Trustees' Annual Report, we also approve the Strategic Report included therein, in our capacity as company directors.

On behalf of the board

Signature:

Brian Birtle - Chair of the Board of Trustees

December 16, 2025

Date: …………………….

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Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Carers Link Lancashire

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Carers Link Lancashire (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the income and expenditure account, balance sheet, cash flow statement and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the trustees’ annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

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Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members

For the year ended 31 March 2025

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report and the directors’ report.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement, set out on page 17, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion.

Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise

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Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members

For the year ended 31 March 2025

from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Nicola Mason MA(Cantab) ACA DChA (Senior Statutory Auditor)

for and on behalf of MHA Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditor Nios Mceos Richard House 9 Winckley Square December 16, 2025 Preston PR1 3HP

MHA is the trading name of MHA Audit Services LLP, a limited liability partnership in England and Wales (registered number OC455542).

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Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Carers Link Lancashire

Statement of Financial Activities (Incorporating Income and Expenditure Account) For the year ended 31 March 2025

Note
Income from
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities:
Carers support and services
4
Retail income
Other trading activities
5
Investments
6
Other income
7
Total Income
Expenditure on
Raising funds
8
Charitable activities
Carers support and services
9
Other expenses – governance and support
costs
10
Total Expenditure
Net income / (expenditure) for the year
11
Transfer between funds
Net movement in funds for the year
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
Funds
27,950
993,046
117,304
38,995
11,316
19,115
1,207,726
157,158
969,813
19,850
1,146,821
60,905
(1,557)
59,348
978,213
1,037,561		 Restricted
Funds
-
85,549
-
-
-
-
85,549
8,408
78,303
395
87,106
(1,557)
1,557
-
-
-		 Total
2025
£
27,950
1,078,595
117,304
38,995
11,316
19,115
1,293,275
165,566
1,048,116
20,245
1,233,927
59,348
-
59,348
978,213
1,037,561		 Total
2024
£
28,801
980,320
77,265
16,249
9,328
4,272
1,116,235
147,571
913,660
23,854
1,085,085
31,150
-
31,150
947,063
978,213

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

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Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Carers Link Lancashire

Balance Sheet

As at 31 March 2025

Note 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Fixed Assets
Tangible assets 16 622,333 509,545
Total fixed assets 622,333 509,545
Current Assets
Debtors 17 101,114 91,946
Cash at bank and in hand 434,203 524,997
Total current assets 535,317 616,943
Liabilities
Creditors amounts falling due in less
than one year		 18 (120,089) (148,277)
Net current assets 415,228 468,666
Net Assets 1,037,561 978,213
The funds of the charity
Restricted income funds 19 - -
Unrestricted income funds 20 1,037,561 978,213
Total charity funds 1,037,561 978,213

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.

The Notes on pages 22 to 39 form part of these accounts

December 16, 2025 Approved by the Trustees on ………………………. and signed on their behalf by:

Brian Birtle (Chair) Jeff Leahy (Treasurer)

Company number 08584591

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Carers Link Lancashire

Statement of Cash Flows

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Note
Cash provided by / (used in) operating activities
23
Cash flows from investing activities:
Dividends, interest, and rents from investments
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Cash provided by/ (used in) investing activities
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year		 2025
£
57,761
11,316
(159,871)
(148,555)
(90,794)
524,997
434,203		 2024
£
87,383
9,328
(23,158)
(13,830)
73,553
451,444
524,997

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Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

1 Accounting policies

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgments and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective October 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Carers Link Lancashire meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.

Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis

The trustees are required to assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate, i.e. whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the charitable company to continue as a going concern. The Trustees make this assessment in respect of a period of at least one year from the date of authorisation of the accounts. At the date of approving these accounts the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has sufficient cash resources to enable it to meet its liabilities as they fall due for at least 12 months from the date of approval. Thus, the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

There are no key judgments which the Trustees have made which have a significant effect on the accounts.

The Trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.

Income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably.

Income from government and other grants, whether 'capital' grants or 'revenue' grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

Income received in advance of a provision of a specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.

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Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

Donated services and facilities

Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), general volunteer time is not recognised; refer to the Trustees' annual report for more information about their contribution.

On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the Trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose.

Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.

Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

Allocation of support costs

Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include back-office costs, finance, personnel, payroll and governance costs which support the charity's programmes and activities. These costs have been allocated between cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities. The bases on which support costs have been allocated are set out in note 9.

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Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

Operating leases

Operating leases are leases in which the title to the assets, and the risks and rewards of ownership, remain with the lessor. Rental charges are charged on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

Tangible fixed assets

Individual fixed assets costing £1000 or more are capitalised at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful economic lives on a straight-line basis as follows:

Land and Buildings 4% of cost per annum Fixtures & fittings 25% of cost per annum Office furniture & equipment 25% of cost per annum Computer equipment 33% reducing balance with the remaining balance written off in the third year Caravan 20% of cost per annum Motor vehicle 25% reducing balance

Debtors

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

Current asset investments

Current asset investments include cash investments with a maturity of greater than three months from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account and those accounts intended to be held for the longer term.

Cash at bank and in hand

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

Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

Financial instruments

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

Pensions

Employees of the charity are entitled to join a defined contribution 'money purchase' scheme. The charity's contribution is restricted to the contributions disclosed in note 11. There were outstanding contributions of £6,620 at the year end. The costs of the defined contribution scheme are included within support and governance costs and allocated to the funds of the charity using the methodology set out in note 9.

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Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

The money purchase plan is managed by SMART Pensions and the plan invests the contributions made by the employee and employer in an investment fund to build up over the term of the plan a pension fund which is then converted into a pension upon the employee's normal retirement year age when eligible for a state pension. The risk profile of the fund reduces as the employee gets closer to retirement. The total expense ratio of the plan is 1.25% and this is deducted from the investment fund annually. The trust has no liability beyond making its contributions and paying across the deductions for the employee's contributions.

Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement

The Charity makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will be, by definition, seldom be equal to the related actual results. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below.

Useful economic life of fixed assets – The depreciation policies remain consistent with the previous year. See accounting policy.

There are no critical areas of judgement.

2 Legal status of the charity

The charity is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales and has no share capital. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity. The registered office address is disclosed on page 1.

3 Income from donations and legacies

Donations
Ribble Valley
Caravan
Total
Total by fund 31 March 2025		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
5,996
4,678
17,276
27,950
27,950		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-		 Total
2025
£
5,996
4,678
17,276
27,950
27,950		 Total
2024
£
14,652
1,263
12,896
28,801
28,801

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Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

4 Income from charitable activities

Carers support & services
Adult Services Contract
Lancashire County Council
ASD
Young Carers
BBC Children in Need
Eric Wright Charitable Trust for YC
Small Grants - Adults
Small Grants – Youth Carers
Food Poverty grant
Building, Charity Hub and Garden
Capital grants
Total
Total by fund 31 March 2025		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
993,046
-
993,046
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
993,046		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
20,850
20,850
19,541
32,750
3,000
1,000
56,291
8,408
-
8,408
85,549		 Total
2025
£
993,046
20,850
1,013,896
19,541
32,750
3,000
1,000
56,291
8,408
-
8,408
1,078,595		 Total
2024
£
910,232
-
910,232
33,528
24,500
-
4,060
62,088
-
8,000
8,000
980,320

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Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

4 Income from charitable activities (Continued)

Prior year

Carers support & services
Adult Services Contract
Lancashire County Council
Young Carers
BBC Children in Need
Eric Wright Charitable Trust for YC
Children In Need youth Investment Grant
Small Grants – Youth Carers
Building, Charity Hub and Garden
Triangle Trust 1949 Fund
Capital grants
Total
Total by fund 31 March 2024		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
910,232
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
910,232		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
33,528
24,500
-
4,060
62,088
-
8,000
8,000
70,088		 Total
2024
£
910,232
33,528
24,500
-
4,060
62,088
-
8,000
8,000
980,320		 Total
2023
£
807,290
36,660
22,250
-
4,670
59,580
-
26,500
26,500
893,370

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Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

5 Income from other trading activities

ncome from other trading activities
Café income
Total		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
38,995
38,995		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-		 Total
2025
£
38,995
38,995		 Total
2024
£
16,249
16,249

All income from other trading activities in the current and prior year is unrestricted.

6 Investment income

Income from bank deposits
Total		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
11,316
11,316		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-		 Total
2025
£
11,316
11,316		 Total
2024
£
9,328
9,328

All investment income in the current and prior year is unrestricted.

7 Other income

Lottery
Miscellaneous
Total		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
8,110
11,005
19,115		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-		 Total
2025
£
8,110
11,005
19,115		 Total
2024
£
-
4,272
4,272

8 Cost of raising funds

Caravan costs, including depreciation
Administrative costs
Trading costs
Total		 2025
£
10,916
13,291
141,359
165,566		 2024
£
19,148
13,992
114,431
147,571

Included in cost of raising funds is restricted expenditure of £Nil (2024 £ Nil) and unrestricted expenditure of £165,566 (2024 £147,571). The caravan running and depreciation costs are included as part of fundraising and donations for the use of the caravan are treated as donations.

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Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

9 Analysis of expenditure of charitable activities

Staff costs
Accommodation
Administrative costs
Project costs
Governance and support
costs
(see note 10)
Building
and
garden
costs (see note 10)
Restricted expenditure
Unrestricted expenditure		 Adult
Services
Contract
£
760,668
25,817
39,012
78,739
56,445
9,132
969,813		 Adult
Carers
£
60
-
-
2,847
93
-
3,000		 Young
Carers
£
64,978
1,314
1,324
2,454
5,041
192
75,303		 CHUB
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Total
2025
£
825,706
27,131
40,336
84,040
61,579
9,324
1,048,116
2025
£
78,303
969,813
1,048,116		 Total
2024
£
706,478
21,598
37,666
68,392
56,321
23,205
913,660
2024
£
54,255
859,405
913,660

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Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

9 Analysis of expenditure of charitable activities

Prior year

Staff costs
Accommodation
Administrative costs
Project costs
Governance and support
costs
(see note 10)
Building
and
garden
costs (see note 10)
Restricted expenditure
Unrestricted expenditure		 Adult
Services
Contract
£
663,569
20,595
35,228
60,641
50,591
21,915
852,540		 Adult
Carers
£
-
-
-
779
188
-
967		 Young
Carers
£
42,909
1,002
2,438
6,972
5,542
1,290
60,153		 CHUB
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Total
2024
£
706,478
21,598
37,666
68,392
56,321
23,205
913,660
2024
£
54,255
859,405
913,660		 Total
2023
£
626,124
39,349
32,325
26,675
51,016
18,004
793,492
2023
£
53,419
740,073
793,492

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Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

10 Analysis of governance and support costs

Basis of
apportionment
Staff costs
% of income
Accommodation
% of income
Administrative costs
% of income
Project costs
% of income
Building and garden costs
Actual costs
Depreciation
% of income
Audit fees
Governance
Governance and support costs
Governance
Governance and Support Costs
recharged to Charitable Activities
and fundraising
Building and accommodation
costs recharged		 Support
£
27,122
4,631
7,751
6,779
11,908
47,078
-
-
105,269
(67,556)
(32,931)
4,782		 Governance
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
13,994
1,469
15,463
-
15,463		 Total
2025
£
27,122
4,631
7,751
6,779
11,908
47,078
13,994
1,469
120,732
(67,556)
(32,931)
20,245		 Total
2024
£
28,008
22,025
4,614
6,175
1,946
43,840
16,094
322
123,024
(66,452)
(32,718)
23,854

Prior year

Basis of
apportionment
Staff costs
% of income
Accommodation
% of income
Administrative costs
% of income
Project costs
% of income
Building and garden costs
Actual costs
Depreciation
% of income
Audit fees
Governance
Legal and professional
Governance
Other governance
Governance
Governance and Support Costs
recharged to Charitable Activities
and fundraising
Building and accommodation
costs recharged		 Support
£
28,008
22,025
4,614
6,175
1,946
43,840
-
-
-
106,608
(66,452)
(32,718)
7,438		 Governance
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
16,094
-
322
16,416

-
-
16,416		 Total
2024
£
28,008
22,025
4,614
6,175
1,946
43,840
16,094
-
322
123,024
(66,452)
(32,718)
23,854		 Total
2023
£
22,630
1,620
4,258
6,885
2,632
26,879
11,927
-
459
77,290

(60,269)
(35,342)
(18,321)

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Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

11 Net income / (expenditure) for the year

This is stated after charging/(crediting):
Depreciation
Operating lease rentals
Other
Auditor's remuneration - audit fees
Staff costs
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs
Staff travel, recruitment & other		 2025
£
47,078
12,075
12,335
71,488
2025
£
790,209
65,557
45,462
27,707
928,935		 2024
£
39,967
22,346
16,094
78,407
2024
£
658,348
51,945
35,517
23,443
769,253

12 Staff costs

No employee had employee benefits in excess of £60,000 (2024: £60,000)

The average number of full-time equivalent staff employed during the period was 34 (2024: 32).

The key management personnel of the charity comprise the Trustees and the Chief Executive Officer and the Deputy Chief Executive. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £110,768 (2024: £81,162).

13 Trustee remuneration and expenses, and related party transactions

Neither the Trustees nor any persons connected with them received any remuneration or reimbursed expenses during the year (2024: £Nil).

Trustees received travel and subsistence expenses during the year of £nil (2024: £Nil).

Aggregate donations in the form of entries to the charity lottery from related parties were £370 (2024: £Nil).

There are no donations from related parties which are outside the normal course of business and no restricted donations from related parties.

No Trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity, including guarantees, during the year (2024: £Nil).

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Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

14 Government grants

The government grants recognised in the accounts were as follows:

Lancashire County Council/ ELCCG 2025
£
993,041
993,041		 2024
£
910,232
910,232

There were no unfulfilled conditions and contingencies attaching to the grants.

15 Corporation Tax

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within Chapter 3 of Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the charity.

16 Fixed assets: tangible assets

Cost
At 1 April 2024
Additions
Disposals
At 31 March 2025
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024
Charge for the year
Disposals
At 31 March 2025
Net book value
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024		 Freehold
Building
£
265,000
152,000
-
417,000
46,800
10,917
57,717
359,283
218,200		 Building
Improvements
£
260,736
-
-
260,736
44,166
11,298
55,464
205,272
216,570		 Computer
equipment
£
65,643
8,093
-
73,736
52,546
9,788
62,334
11,402
13,097		 Caravan
and motor
vehicles
£
67,176
-
(222)
66,954
6,404
14,396
20,800
46,154
60,773		 Fixtures
and
fittings
6,330
-
-
6,330
5,424
680
6,108
222
906		 Total
£
664,885
160,093
(222)
824,978
155,340
47,079
202,419
622,333
509,545

Page | 33

Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

17 Debtors

17
Debtors
Grants receivable
Prepayments and accrued income
18
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Creditors
Other creditors and accruals
Deferred income		 2025
£
83,161
17,953		 2024
£
76,036
15,910
101,114 91,946
2025
£
17,792
30,754
71,543
120,089		 2024
£
36,927
35,001
76,349
148,277

Deferred income relates to income received in advance for future charitable activities.

Page | 34

Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

19
Analysis of movements in restricted funds
Balance at
1 April
2024
Income
£
£
Young Carers
BBC Children in Need
-
19,541
Young Carers Preston
-
1,000
Eric Wright Charitable Trust
-
32,750
Adult Carers
ASD
-
20,850
Small Grants
-
3,000
-
77,141
Building, Garden and
Charity Hub
Retail Grant
-
8,408
-
85,549		 Expenditure
£
(20,664)
(1,000)
(32,545)
(21,489)
(3,000)		 Transfers
£
1,123
-
(205)
639
-		 Balance at
31 March
2025
£
-
-
-
-
-
(78,698)
(8,408)		 1,557
1,557		 -
-
-
(87,106)

Page | 35

Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

Analysis of movements in restricted funds (continued)

Prior year
Young Carers
BBC Children in Need
Young Carers Preston
Eric Wright Charitable Trust
Building, Garden and
Charity Hub
Capital grants		 Balance at
1 April
2023
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Balance at
1 April
2023
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Income
£
33,528
4,060
24,500
62,088
8,000
8,000
70,088		 Expenditure
£
(34,077)
(4,000)
(21,720)		 Transfers
£
549
(60)
(2,780)		 Balance at
31 March
2024
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 (59,797)
-		 (2,291)
(8,000)
(8,000)
(10,291)		 -
-
-
-
-
(59,797)

Page | 36

Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

Analysis of movements in restricted funds (continued)

Name of

Adult Carers

Young Carers

Description, nature, and purposes of the fund

Funds for this service to Adult Carers are to provide local and accessible support and points of contact between carers and Lancashire County Council Social Services Directorate. To achieve this, we work to develop a clear identity for carers, develop support and information and develop knowledge to help carers in their role and to co-ordinate consultation and involvement between carers, Carers Link Lancashire, and Lancashire County Council.

Funds for this service for Young Carers are to provide flexible outreach support and to offer preventative support through respite activities and breaks. To achieve this, we work to provide a proactive and responsive service, reduce isolation, increase choice and access to multi agency support and facilitate the appropriate assessment of young carers and their families by statutory agencies.

20 Analysis of movement in unrestricted funds

General fund
Designated fund
Potential redundancy costs
3 months operating costs
Property Purchase
Renovations		 Balance at
1 April
2024
£
515,755
29,139
273,319
120,000
40,000
978,213		 Income
£
1,207,726
-
-
-
-
1,207,726		 Expenditure
£
(1,146,821)
-
-
-
-
(1,146,821)		 Transfers
£
43,402
1.290
73,751
(120,000)
-		 Balance at
31 March
2025
£
620,062
30,429
347,070
-
40,000
(1,557) 1,037,561

Page | 37

Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

Prior year

General fund
Designated fund
Potential redundancy costs
3 months operating costs
Property Purchase
Renovations
Security costs		 Balance at
1 April
2023
£
594,792
23,952
273,319
-
40,000
15,000
947,063		 Income
£
1,046,147
-
-
-
-
-
1,046,147		 Expenditure
£
(1,025,288)
-
-
-
-
-
(1,025,288)		 Transfers
£
(99,896)
5,187
-
120,000
-
(15,000)		 Balance at
31 March
2024
£
515,755
29,139
273,319
120,000
40,000
-
10,291
978,213

Page | 38

Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

Name of Description, nature, and purposes of the fund

General Fund The free reserves after allowing for all designated funds and including the property fixed asset.

Potential This fund has been designated by the Trustees to cover potential redundancies. redundancy costs There is a TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006) agreement being in place.

Renovations This fund is for planned renovation to the property.

Blackburn Road This fund is designated towards potential dilapidations at 54-56 Blackburn Property Road, Accrington.

21 Analysis of net assets between funds

Tangible fixed assets
Net current assets/(liabilities)
Prior Year
Tangible fixed assets
Net current assets/(liabilities)		 General fund
£
622,333
(981)
621,352
General fund
£
509,545
6,210		 Designated
funds
£
-
416,209
416,209
Designated
funds
£
-
462,458
462,458		 Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
Restricted
funds
£
-
-		 Total
2025
£
622,333
415,228
1,037,561
Total
2024
£
509,545
468,668



515,755 978,213

Page | 39

Docusign Envelope ID: EA921647-6141-419E-BD8B-C68CCE73C182

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

22 Operating lease commitments

The charity's total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases is as follows:

Less than one year
One to five years
Over five years
Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating
Net income/(expenditure) for the year
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charge
Dividends, interest, and rents from investments
Decrease / (increase) in debtors
Increase / (decrease) in creditors
Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities		 Equipment
2025
2024
£
£
10,352
11,210
10,804
15,824
-
400
21,156
27,434
activities:
2025
2024
£
£
59,348
31,150
47,079
39,967
(11,316)
(9,328)
(9,186)
(63,153)
(28,182)
88,747
57,761
87,383		 Equipment
2025
2024
£
£
10,352
11,210
10,804
15,824
-
400
21,156
27,434
activities:
2025
2024
£
£
59,348
31,150
47,079
39,967
(11,316)
(9,328)
(9,186)
(63,153)
(28,182)
88,747
57,761
87,383		 Equipment
2025
2024
£
£
10,352
11,210
10,804
15,824
-
400
21,156
27,434
activities:
2025
2024
£
£
59,348
31,150
47,079
39,967
(11,316)
(9,328)
(9,186)
(63,153)
(28,182)
88,747
57,761
87,383
27,434
2024
£
31,150
39,967
(9,328)
(63,153)
88,747
87,383

23 Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities:

24 Capital commitments

Capital commitments
Capital commitments 2025
£
-
-		 2024
£
-
-

Page | 40