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2025-12-31-accounts

SOMERFORD ARC CHARITY REPORT January 1[st] 2025- December 31[st] 2025

January 2025 CHARITY COMISSION REPORT december 2025

Relating to the performance of the:

Somerford ARC Community Centre

20 Southey Road Somerford BH23 3EH Charity No. 1156427 T: 01202 470770 E: info@somerfordarc.com W: www.somerfordarc.com

SOMERFORD ARC CHARITY REPORT January 1[st] 2025- December 31[st] 2025

REPORT TO CHARITY COMMISSION

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31[st] December 2025

The Trustees present their annual report and audit financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025 and confirm they comply with the Charities Act 2011, as amended the trust deed and the Charities SORP (FRS 102).

Reference and Administrative Information

Name Somerford Alliance Resource Centre
(Somerford ARC Community Centre)
Registered Charity
No		 1156427
Address 20 SoutheyRoad,Somerford Christchurch BH23 3EH
Trustees Christine Hopkins
Paul Hilliard
Mandy Forbes
David Jones
Jennifer Spencer
Bank HSBC
94 Terminus Road
Eastbourne
East Sussex
BN21 3ND

Governing Document

Somerford Alliance Resource Centre (Somerford ARC) is constituted as CIO registered with the Charity Commission 28 March 2014. It is governed by a constitution dated 6[th] January 2014 and amended on 26[th] March 2014.

Organisational Structure

The five serving Charity Trustees are responsible for the general control and management of the charity. The Trustees give their time freely and receive no remuneration or other financial benefits.

The Trustees meet as a body monthly and are responsible for all decisions taken in relation to running the community facilities and the activities provided by the Charity.

Day-to-day management of the community facilities and projects are delegated to Trustees, Volunteers, a paid Office Manager and a paid Office Assistant who deal with the day-to-day general running of the Centre.

Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees

All serving Trustees are aware of the legal rules of eligibility required to serve as a Trustee.

When selecting new Trustees, we will seek to identify people who regularly attend events and functions organised by the Charity and willing to volunteer to help broaden our work within the community.

Guidance will be provided to prospective Trustees with a balanced account of what their role entails, including their duties and responsibilities, and access to the Charity Commissions publication The Essential Trustee- CC3.

The applicant’s eligibility, personal competence, specialist knowledge and skills will be taken will be taken into consideration. Potential conflicts of interest will be carefully considered and managed ( Conflicts of Interest: A Guide for Trustees- CC29)

Potential Trustees will be invited to attend board meetings of Somerford ARC Community Centre as observers, offering them an insight into the details of the Charity's aims and activities.

Risk Management

Somerford ARC Community Centre manage risk management following the “Charities and risk management (CC26)” publication:

The Trustees review the risk matrix regularly and are satisfied that systems are in place, and arrangements are in hand, to manage the risks that have been identified.

Insurance cover is in place and the finances of Somerford ARC Community Centre are kept under review.

Appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, supported by regularly reviewed policies, are made for all those who work alone with children or other vulnerable groups within the Community Centre where needed.

Objectives and Activities

Our aims

The objects of the charity are set out in the charity's constitution and are summarised as follows:

Provide a community facility for the purposes of recreation, education and enjoyment principally but not exclusively for the people of Somerford and to promote through the Centre activities for the benefit of the residents of Somerford and of Christchurch.

Our objectives

To further or benefit the residents of Somerford, the Grange Ward and the neighbourhood. Without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or of political, religious or other opinions by associating together the said residents, the local authorities, voluntary sector and other organisations in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the objective of improving the conditions of life for the residents.

An important part of our strategy is Community Welfare and Education. All our community facilities, activities, classes, health initiatives, education and IT are advertised, and we welcome the participation of all in our local community.

Most of our activities are free and/or supported by donations or Grant Funding. Concessions are made for students, residents and pensioners for any payable activity.

Helping people who have moved to Somerford and to settle into the community successfully is important to us.

Use of Volunteers

Somerford ARC Community Centre places great value on the involvement of volunteers. Volunteers help keep Somerford ARC Community Centres work relevant to the community of Somerford by bringing a range of personalities, backgrounds, skills and experience into the organisation.

Once all contractual agreements are signed newly selected volunteers receive a full induction and a volunteer handbook, any training required to enable volunteers to fulfil their role is arranged and paid for by the organisation.

Our Trustees give time freely in the centre, and we currently have 8 local residents regularly giving their time.

All volunteers working with any projects involving children or other vulnerable groups are DBS checked and certificated where applicable.

Activities and achievements

How our activities deliver public benefit

The charity carries out a wide range of activities in pursuance of its charitable aims.

The Trustees consider that these activities, summarised below, provide benefit both to those who use the community facilities and the wider community of Somerford and Christchurch.

We deliver targeted services to address unemployment, reduce social isolation, and support mental health and financial wellbeing. Each group and activity we run is carefully designed to tackle these challenges and lessen their impact.

Community Activities

When considering the activities and events held at Somerford ARC Community Centre the Trustees follow guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit, and endeavour to ensure that events and activities are provided to the community enabling access to free events and courses.

We provide a community facility for the purposes of recreation, education and enjoyment principally but not exclusively for the residents of Somerford, promoting external activities beneficial to local residents and the wider Christchurch.

Being a universal point of access for residents, we respond to a range of issues, as well as providing well needed resources to the community, it’s vital we are up to date and understand any changes in our local town and the impacts these may have within the community, enabling us to deliver support and activities to their full potential.

Hall and rooms

When facilities are not required for community use, they are available for hire on Commercial terms and subsidised for residents.

Room Hire Price List

Space Standard Rate Local Residents Charities
Main hall £15.60ph £14.00ph £10.00ph
IT Suite £15.60ph £14.00ph £10.00ph
Snug £10.00ph £10.00ph £10.00ph
Support Drop-in Free Free Free

YEAR – January 1[st] 2025- December 31[st] 2025

New and current Sessions run by Somerford ARC

Community Lunch and Transport .

Christchurch has one of the highest proportions of residents aged 75+ in England, increasing the risk of social isolation among older adults. In Burton and Grange Ward, 24% of residents are over 65, and 15% live alone. Rising costs and modern pressures have intensified isolation, which is linked to poor health outcomes, including heart disease, depression and cognitive decline.

Research shows that social and meaningful activities lead to better health outcomes and a greater sense of purpose. Our lunch club helps combat isolation by offering a welcoming space for solicalising, mental stimulation, and a two-course meal, for just £5pp.

The lunch club is run entirely by volunteers, with additional support from the Christchurch Rotary and from the Christchurch Community Payback.

Our door-to-door bus service carries 18 passengers, ensuring access for our most isolated members.

Poverty and malnutrition remain a significant concern. In the UK, 1.4 million older people live in absolute poverty after housing costs, over 4.2 million aged 60+ have reduced their spending on food, and 1 in 10 older adults affected by malnutrition. To help address this, we offer fee waivers and provide additional take-home meals.

Additionally, to ensure members access wider support, we partner with Citizen’s Advice to provide one-to-one assistance during Lunch Club sessions, helping with applications for schemes such as the Household Support Fund.

ADaPt Café.

Christchurch has been identified as a dementia hotspot, with 2,400 diagnosed residents (2.8% of the local population), more than double the national average of 1.3%, or approximately 28 cases per 1,000 people.

ADaPt Café is a weekly support group for people living with Dementia, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and their carers. We focus on providing support not only during group sessions but also on challenging days outside of the group, offering a safe space for solace and understanding.

Monthly musical movement activities improve mobility, strengthen muscles and lift mood. Music is proven to stimulate memories and emotions and improve coordination. Creative craft sessions offer non-verbal emotional expression, reduce frustration, support cognitive function, and may help slow cognitive decline.

Those living with dementia can still experience sensation, relaxation, and reminiscence. Our magic table, with its interactive games, is specifically designed to stimulate these areas. This tool bypasses language barriers and creates meaningful moments of connection between individuals and their carers.

We are committed to ensuring no one feels isolated or forgotten in the face of dementia. Our goal is to offer a supportive, understanding environment where individuals can find comfort and a sense of belonging.

ADaPt Café Counselling.

CarersUK report more than three-quarters of carers (79%) feel stressed or anxious due to their caring role. The emotional and physical demands of caring can be overwhelming. Many carers face the heartbreak of watching someone they love gradually deteriorate, losing the person they once knew, yet they continue to provide care and support despite their own emotional pain. This often leaves little time or energy for self-care, maintaining friendships, or taking breaks, increasing isolation and strain.

As part of our ADaPt Café, we offer carers access to free counselling. Counselling provides a vital space where carers can be heard without judgment, express complex emotions, and explore coping strategies in a safe and confidential environment. This support helps carers manage the ongoing emotional toll of their role.

Lunch Club Trips.

Our monthly day trips aim to improve the quality of life for older residents by reducing isolation and supporting both mental and physical wellbeing, particularly for those living alone or without transport.

Visits to places like Bucklers Hard, Cake House Farm, Swanage and Exbury Gardens provide valuable social interaction and help enhance the health and happiness of vulnerable community members.

Send Parent Carer Drop-in.

In 2025, it was reported that over 4,000 children and young people in BCP were supported with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), with a further 7,552 are accessing SEN support.

Lived experience and engagement with local families which highlighted significant challenges in accessing support, with many parents feeling overwhelmed by poor communication and limited engagement from schools. This often leaves families navigating a complex education system without adequate guidance.

In response, we provide a dedicated drop-in offering face-to-face advice, guidance, and reassurance. The service helps parents and carers better understand their child’s needs, development, and educational options, reducing anxiety and supporting children’s overall wellbeing.

The drop-in runs alongside our Breakfast Hub, where families can access a free meal and connect with others facing similar challenges.

The initiative is strongly supported by the BCP Education Department, which attends and meet with parents alongside SENDiass4BCP, Parent Carers Together, The Parent Carer Foundation, and SENDCOs from local schools.

Breakfast Hub.

Breakfast Hub is a community-led initiative offering free breakfast to residents, including continental options, fruit, hot sandwiches and free baby food.

Food insecurity remains a major issue in the Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole (BCP) area, affecting approximately 25,000 households. Foodbanks are experiencing increasing demand, with Faithworks reporting a 200% rise in Dorset over the past two years. In 2024, Christchurch Food Bank+ reported:

As food insecurity worsens, services like Breakfast Hub become increasingly vital. By providing free meals, we help ease financial pressures and reduce the need for residents to choose between heating and eating. Leftover food is also shared among attendees to minimise waste.

Beyond meals, our breakfast sessions bring people together, promoting intergenerational friendships and helping to combat isolation, financial hardship and mental health challenges.

Children’s activities

The rising cost of children’s activities poses a real challenge for families, particularly during school holidays. For those facing financial hardship, the combined pressure of food costs and keeping children entertained can increase stress and contribute to further isolation.

We provide a safe and welcoming space with free weekly half-term sessions, including crafting, cinema days, and discos, all with lunch provided for both children and parents.

To ensure full support in the community we plan our activities around our support hub, to remove any barriers parents may face when seeking assistance during the holiday period.

Weekly Bread Bin

The bread bin is a free community bakery. Products rescued from supermarkets and distributed within local communities to support those in need and reduce the carbon footprint.

Weekly External Support Groups and Drop-in.

SNG Employment and Skills

In October 2025, 28,716 of universal claimants in BCP were not in employment. The English Indices of Deprivation 2025 rank Somerford among the most employment-deprived areas in England, with only 8% of neighbourhoods in England more deprived.

Barriers to employment include low educational attainment, gaps in essential skills, and low confidence, which limit access to sustainable work.

SNG provides one-to-one support and connects tenants with a range of resources and employment opportunities, including:

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice delivers free, confidential, and impartial support through face-to-face drop-in sessions at the ARC, ensuring accessible advice for all residents.

In 2024, Citizens Advice assisted 4,873 people across BCP with benefit-related issues, including raising awareness of underclaimed support such as Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance. They also resolved 3,200 housing issues linked to rising rents and limited housing options. This support is vital for residents navigating complex benefit and housing systems, accessing grant schemes, and securing emergency food funds.

Recognising Somerford is a hard-to-reach area, Citizens Advice has built trusted, consistent relationships within the community and is widely seen as a reliable and approachable source of support during times of need.

SNG

Around 50% of the local estate is owned by SNG, who are committed to investing in the community and supporting tenant to create a positive, thriving environment.

SNG Housing runs fortnightly face-to-face drop-in sessions at the ARC, allowing tenants to meet with their housing officer to discuss housing-related issues and ensuring residents feels heard, supported, and valued.

SNG Customer Income Advisor Face to Face Drop-in

In November 2025, 44,955 individuals in BCP were claiming Universal Credit (UC), designed to support low-income or out-of-work individuals. However, the mandatory five-week wait for initial payment often pushes claimants into immediate debt. Advance payments are then deducted from future UC payments, further reducing income. Additionally, the housing element of this benefit frequently falls short of actual rental costs, forcing claimants to cover the shortfall from already stretched budgets.

Older residents also face financial strain. The 2025 pension increase of 4.1% to £11,973 per year remains below the £14,400 minimum needed for standard living (excluding housing costs), as identified by the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association. Rising heating costs, changes in mobility, and limited digital access increase their vulnerability.

As the cost of living continues to rise and financial support fails to keep pace, many residents are finding daily life unaffordable. Debt levels are increasing, and some are now at serious risk of homelessness. To address this, SNG Housing offers a free face-to-face money guidance service, providing:

Access Wellbeing

Access Wellbeing is managed by BCHA and delivered in partnership with Help & Care, The Lantern Trust, NHS Dorset, Dorset HealthCare, and a broad network of community mental health teams, charities and voluntary sector organisations.

This service provides early, personalised support across mental health, finances, employment, housing, and benefits. By intervening early, Access Wellbeing helps prevent issues from

escalating, supporting residents to maintain independence and live well within their community.

Partnership Working

In developing our community programs, we are pleased to work in partnership with:

New and Current Groups and Classes

Annual Events

Lunch Club Christmas Dinner

We are joined by the community for a traditional Christmas dinner, with wine, Christmas crackers, and a festive sing-along featuring carols performed by the local school choir.

Children’s Christmas Disco

A Christmas party with hotdogs, games, activities, plus mulled wine for the parents, where every child receives a gift thanks to the generous support of Christchurch Rotary.

Adapt Café Christmas Party

An event for all members, featuring a buffet and wreath-making activities.

Going Forward in 2025

In July 2025, as part of our business plan process, staff and trustees came together to carry out a large community survey. This survey was informed by organisational knowledge and experience and gathered feedback from residents and service users across the community.

As a result of this process, we have developed clear plans to recruit additional volunteers and trustees to support future growth and long-term sustainability.

Feedback from the resident survey and wider community engagement highlighted a strong demand for expanded activities that cater all age groups.

Planned new activities for 2026

Computer Coding Sessions

One session per week for 40 weeks

Food skills and support

Two sessions per month delivered over 12 months

Anime Art Courses

two sessions per month delivered over 12 months

Science and planetarium dome experience

one session per quarter

Financial review year to 31 December 2025

Receipts

Core monthly hire from regular users / clubs is in the region of £800/£2,200pm which provides us a good base. This revenue is added to by other activities run by Skills and Learning and other organisations that have been in dialogue with the office manager and the team.

Somerford ARC Community Centre is reliant on funding and donations to enable us to provide services to the community. We would like to express our special thanks of gratitude to:

Their support has played a vital role in keeping our centre running throughout 2025 enabling us to continue providing much needed support in the community.

Payments

As expected in completing our ninth year running the ARC expenses have increased significantly due to an increase in staffing hours and general purchases.

Reserves policy

The level of financial reserves held by Somerford ARC Community Centre will be reviewed by the Board of Trustees at the Annual General Meeting during the discussions held regarding the budget for the next financial year.

The current minimum level of unrestricted reserves to be held by Somerford ARC Community Centre is between 25% and 33.7% of the annual precepted figure, i.e., to fully cover approximately three to four months of contracted expenditure.

Statement of Trustees' responsibilities

The charity Trustees are responsible for preparing an annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the charity Trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 1993, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Trustees for the purposes of charity law who served during the year and up to the date of this report are set out on page 1.

Signed: paulhilliard

Chair: Paul Hilliard

Date: 26.04.2026

Somerford ARC 1156427
Receipts andpayments accounts CC16a
For the period
from		 01-Jan-23 To 31-Dec-23
Section A Receipts and payments Section A Receipts and payments
A1 Receipts Unrestricted
funds
to the nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Restricted
funds
to the nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Endowment
funds
to the nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 2024
to the nearest £
34,376
42,622
76,998		 2025
to the nearest £
Hire Revenue - 32,534
Grants & Donations - 37,743
Bank Interest -
-
-
-
-
-
Sub total(Gross income for
AR)
-		 70,277
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
- - -
~~Sub total~~ - - -
Total receipts
A3 Payments
70,277
Council Tax - 169
Telephone / Computer Fees - 4,528
Gas & Electric - 2,184
Water & Sewerage - 369
CommunityEvents - 12,856
Breakfast Club 5,511
ADAPT club 3,508
Insurance/ licences - 2,675
General Expenses - 2,683
Maintenance - 13,302
Training& Wages 36,538
SundryPurchases - 3,604
**Sub total ** - 87,927
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
-
- -
**Sub total ** - -
Total payments
Net of receipts/(payments)
A5 Transfers between funds
A6 Cash funds last year end
Cash funds this year end
87,927
- -
- 4,890		 - 17,650
- - - -
- - 45,003 40,113
- - 40,113 22,463

CCXX R1 accounts (SS)

12/06/2026

1

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Categories
Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees
B5 Liabilities
B3 Investment assets
B2 Other monetary assets
B4 Assets retained for the
charity’s own use
B1 Cash funds		 Details
Details
Total cash funds
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
bank 01.01.2025
Details
Details
Computers, screens, TVs, projectors
Details
C Hopkins
Signature
philliard		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
to nearest £
22,463
-
-
-
-
22,463
-
Agreement Error
OK
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
asset belongs
Cost (optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
asset belongs
Cost (optional)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
liability relates
Amount due
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Print Name
Paul Hilliard
Chistine Hopkins		 Endowment
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
OK
Endowment
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
Current value
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Current value
(optional)
5,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
When due
(optional)
Date of
approval
philliard Paul Hilliard 26-Apr-26
C Hopkins Chistine Hopkins 26-Apr-26

CCXX R2 accounts (SS)

12/06/2026

2

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Somerford ARC (the Trust)

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 December 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 (the ‘2005 Act’), the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended), and the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). You are satisfied that your charity is not required by charity law to be audited and have chosen instead to have an independent examination.

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 44 (1) ( c) of the 2005 Act and section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed the requirements of Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept as required by section 44 (1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and section 130 of the 2011 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; and

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Regulation 8 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).

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.

Signed: a howland

Name: Alinda Howland

Relevant professional qualification(s) or membership of professional bodies (if any):

Address: Mudeford

Christchurch

Dorset

Date: 24/04/2026