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2025-11-30-accounts

Registered number: 07849857 Charity number: 1158666

BALLOONS (DEVON)

(A company limited by guarantee)

UNAUDITED

TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

CONTENTS

Page
Reference and administrative details of the Company, its Trustees and advisers 1
Trustees' report 2 - 10
Independent examiner's report 11 - 12
Statement of financial activities 13
Balance sheet 14 - 15
Notes to the financial statements 16 - 32

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE COMPANY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

Trustees M Betts
H Roberts
J Bearman, Treasurer
A Monaghan
C Holt
C Campbell
L J Martin
I Stevens (resigned 26 June 2025)
M Sharp
E Thomas
L Blandford (resigned 25 September 2025)
C Pallot, Chair
P Clayton (appointed 25 September 2025)
Company registered
number
07849857
Charity registered
number
1158666
Registered office
First Floor
6 Providence Court
Pynes Hill
Exeter
Devon
EX2 5JL
Chief executive officer
N Clarke
Accountants
Griffin
Chartered Accountants
Courtenay House
Pynes Hill
Exeter
EX2 5AZ
Bankers
Lloyds Bank PLC
234 High Street
Exeter
Devon
EX4 3NL

Page 1

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the Balloons (Devon) for the 1 December 2024 to 30 November 2025. The Annual report serves the purposes of both a Trustees' report and a directors' report under company law. The Trustees confirm that the Annual report and financial statements of the charitable company comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charitable company's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019).

Since the Company qualifies as small under section 382 of the Companies Act 2006, the Strategic report required of medium and large companies under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Report) Regulations 2013 has been omitted.

Objectives and activities

a. Policies and objectives

The charitable objectives of Balloons (Devon) are:

In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit, including the guidance 'Public benefit: running a charity(PB2)'.

Achievements and performance

a. Review of activities

Who we are:

Balloons provides pre- and post-bereavement support to children and young people (aged 5-25) and their caregivers in Exeter, Mid and East Devon. We also provide advice and training to professionals working across a range of disciplines.

Research clearly indicates that the death of a significant loved one is a critical, traumatic moment for children and young people. Unsupported children and young people have poorer health and educational outcomes, are more likely to enter the criminal justice system, have higher teenage pregnancy rates, and are more prone to a range of psychological disturbances. Balloons’ support mitigates against these negative health, educational and social outcomes.

Our Vision:

That bereaved children and young people have somewhere to turn when someone significant in their lives dies.

Page 2

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

Achievements and performance (continued)

Our Mission:

To support bereaved children and young people in our area when someone significant in their life dies. To work alongside their families and the professionals who provide care to them to further enhance the support they receive.

Our overall social objectives:

Our Values:

  1. Open, reflective and responsive : delivering a service which centrally positions the needs and concerns of bereaved children and young people and creates a safe space for them to process grief, remaining dynamic and responsive and building a bespoke and creative support package.

  2. Compassionate : ensuring that bereaved children and young people are treated with dignity and respect, and are listened to without judgement.

  3. Supportive : supporting the professional and family communities within which children and young people live so that they in turn can provide support to bereaved children and young people.

  4. Innovative: willing to engage with new developments in the field of childhood grief, to ensure that our practice is relevant and forward thinking.

  5. Trustworthy : building relationships that are open, honest and collaborative, and which are centered on children and young people .

Our Services:

This year we have delivered a wider range of services to support bereaved children and young people:

  1. 1:1 support - we work with children and young people when someone significant in their lives has died (postbereavement) or is going to die (pre-bereavement). The majority of our work is where a parent or significant carer has died. Our 1:1 support work is bespoke, responding to the individual needs of the children and young people, resulting in a range of positive outcomes - the ability to maintain emotional and social health, and to stay positively engaged in family and school life.

  2. Telephone and email helpline – our helpline provides comfort, advice, information and coping ideas for the pre-bereavement and post-bereavement phases. We frequently send out care packages and resources following these conversations.

  3. Training for partners and local agencies - we provide childhood grief training for professionals, equipping schools and other agencies with the skills and knowledge to better support grieving children and young people. This means that our work doesn’t just impact on individuals and families, but also enables changes in the communities that children and young people live in.

Page 3

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

Achievements and performance (continued)

  1. Coaching – We provide a small-scale coaching support service to school staff who are supporting bereaved children and young people in their school. School staff benefit from our specialist guidance and support and gain new skills and knowledge.

  2. Activity Days – We run a range of activities throughout the year to bring together those who have received a service from us to enhance their personal sense of wellbeing in a safe environment with others who have had similar bereavement experiences. This reduces feelings of isolation.

  3. Group Work - Offering small groups or whole class support following a bereavement in a school community.

Direct work:

2025 has been positive year for Balloons’ direct work with beneficiaries; delivering one-to-one and group work, running a programme of well-received activity days, responding to parents, carers and schools through our telephone helpline and email support, and sending out care packages.

Our work with bereaved children, young people and their families has continued to be crucial in the local community. Balloons is well placed to play a vital role in the prioritisation of bereaved children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing. The demand for our services is extremely high as parents, carers, social workers and schools reach out to us to provide our specialist grief support, and awareness of the services we offer grows. We respond to all calls and emails, providing advice and information, sending resources, and offering coaching or one to one grief support, as appropriate.

2025 Service Statistics:

Over the year we have supported 585 children and young people. We have:

Overall, over 2000 hours of volunteering time given to Balloons.

For the children and young people that we provided one to one support to:

Page 4

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

Achievements and performance (continued)

We receive feedback and constantly monitor our services to see how we can improve and best respond to the needs of those we work with. We provide additional training, team meetings and peer support for our Grief Support Workers to ensure we continue to develop and improve.

I really looked forward to my Balloons sessions each week. T was really kind and friendly and easy to talk to. (Young Person)

H found the sessions to be fun with lots of activities. Sessions helped H understand where her Nanny L is and gave her time to talk about Nanny L. Helped with He's emotions, before having the session H used to cry often at night now she does not cry anymore.

I loved time with N and I’m sad it has finished she made me feel happy in my head about my mum passing away. (Child)

I have had a lot of therapy and you were the only one I found useful. I wish you could help me with everything else I have issues with. (Young Person)

Balloons workers are just incredible. Our young people really value the space and the work you all do. (School)

P was wonderful and she really knew how to connect with H and to support him in a personal way that was right for him. (School)

‘L seems a lot more settled in school since having his sessions with Balloons. We have seen an improvement in his mood and behaviour. He appears to be more regulated and more full of energy (I think his sleep has improved!)’ (School)

‘I really liked having someone to talk to and I loved how they gave me stuff before I even started. You have made me feel a lot better’ (Child)

‘C said that the sessions were very useful. Her grief worker supported her around anxiety and they made a memory box and memory jar. C feels like she can talk about her loss now without 'welling up' or getting tearful. There is nothing she feels she would change about the sessions. She thought that T was warm and kind and really easy to talk to.’ (Parent)

‘Thank you so much for the support both children had. B has hugely benefitted from the support he has had and has spoken to me about how he appreciated chatting to someone and learning some strategies to deal with his grief.’ (Parent)

‘Thank you so much L as really helped A cope with losing her Grandad and she has also gained so much more confidence.’ (Parent)

Page 5

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

Achievements and performance (continued)

Balloons Trustees:

Balloons is supported by a Trustee Board of 12 volunteers who bring a wide range of skills, expertise and knowledge to govern our work. The Board has continued to work hard and govern the charity appropriately, with regular board and committee meetings, including an annual strategy day.

This year we had some changes on our board with Paul Clayton joining and Lynne Blandford and Iain Stevens stepping down. All other Trustees have indicated that they would wish to be re-appointed at the expiry of their current terms of office. We are currently recruiting to the vacant position. The Board continues to rise to the challenges of our work, keeping sight of the role of governance in delivering the values and cultures across the charity.

Balloons Staff:

The small, dedicated staff team have achieved so much this last year. They never waver from their commitment to delivering a quality service to grieving children and young people.

Nicola Clarke has now completed four years in post as our CEO, taking forward the work of the charity. Nicola has worked well with the Trustee Board and has continued to make changes to modernise the way Balloons works. Nicola has led the development of our next 3 year strategy, working well with board, trustees and volunteers to create an effective plan and priorities for the coming 3 years.

Donna James, Clare Hammond and Liz Cook are our Clinical Managers who manage our direct work, supporting many families and carers over the phone, running activity days, and providing training, supervision and support to the volunteer team to in turn support our children and young people.

Our Office Manager, Tristan Billing, continues to play a key role supporting across the whole staff and volunteer team, and working with the CEO on improvement projects for the charity. As well as managing day to day finances and support with digital improvements, Tristan continues to also bring a creative flair to the team professionalising our communications.

Nasim Hartmann continues in post with the majority of her hours as our Fundraising Officer. Nasim works part time to focus on growing fundraising across individuals, corporates and community organisations; she has made many new connections for Balloons, run fundraising events, and developed new relationships with business, community groups and schools. These have all had a positive impact on our community fundraising income. Nasim also does a few hours of direct work each work with a key focus on group work.

The staff are still enjoying the charity’s base in Pynes Hill. The location has been great for the team, with more one-to-one grief support taking place on site, as well as meetings and other activities. Home working continues for staff for part of their weeks, and this works well with SharePoint and Teams.

Grief Support Worker Volunteers:

We are extremely lucky to have a wonderful team of volunteer Grief Support Workers, who are trained and supported by the Clinical Team. We often receive very positive feedback on the quality of our volunteer training programme, and know that the calibre of volunteers who are picked is at the highest level.

Over the year our volunteer Grief Support Workers have supported 153 children and young people through oneto-one support, and we are extremely grateful for their time, commitment and dedication. Our Grief Support Workers are at the heart of our service, and we continue to provide them with excellent support, supervision and CPD opportunities. We trained 7 new grief support workers and have a team of 45. We will continue to run an annual training programme with the aim of managing a volunteer team around 45 – 50 people.

Page 6

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

Achievements and performance (continued)

Our focus on 2025 is to embed our new Grief Support Workers, and work again on promoting our volunteer opportunities and seeking new individuals to train – we will run another training programme in September. The more Grief Support Workers we have, the more children and young people we can support, and therefore we will continue in our focus to find ways to promote and deliver our training to reach as many people as we can.

Balloons Funding:

Full details of all those who financially supported us during this year can be found in our accounts. We are incredibly grateful to them all. In many ways we ‘punch above our weight’ and deliver so much on quite modest amounts.

We continue to fundraise on a regular basis and have had a range of grants which have enabled us to deliver our services. In particular our 4 year grant from the National Lottery, which started in 2024, covers approximately a third of our total costs.

We also received generous funds from Trusts and Foundations in this year including:

The Bloss Family Foundation, Children in Need, Misses Barrie Charitable Trust, Postcode Community Trust, Sedel Collings Trust, The Forrester Family Foundation, The Kenora Charitable Foundation, The Leonard Laity Stoate Charitable Trust.

A huge thank you to those corporates and organisations that have supported us this year through donations and fundraising including:

Armada Asset Finance, Beaverbrooks, Bellway, Bertram Law, Bicton Feltmakers, Brake, Carousel Court, Centrica, Cocolato, Cogs and Wheels Ladies Morris, Cooks Aweigh, Craft4Others, Cranbrook Arrows Netball Club, Crediton Dairy, Day Lewis Pharmacy, Eurostar, Everys Solicitors, Exeter Chiefs, Exeter Community Lottery, Exeter Eyewear, Exeter RAG, Exeter Road Primary, Exeter Round Table, John Lewis, a La Choirs, Lidl, Openwork Foundation, Primark Exeter, Puerto Lounge, Raymond Hill Ladies Group, Sir Walter Raleigh Community Pub, Squid and Child, St Disen's Church, Stephens Scown, Tesco Community Fund, The Duke of York Pub, The Globe, The Kings School, The Maynard School, The Vintage Maker, The Works, Topsham Wine, Walter H Squires & Son Funeral Directors, Warburtons, Widecombe PCC, Wine World

We are also extremely grateful for all the individuals who give regularly, have donated or raised money for us through fundraising. A special mention must go to 8-year-old Marlow and his Dad Jim for their amazing cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats! Our annual impact report on our website contains a full list.

Financial review

a. Going concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, we continue to adopt the “going concern” basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the “going concern” basis can be found in the accounting policies.

Page 7

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

b. Reserves policy

Our Reserves Policy is carefully considered and reviewed on a regular basis. Balloons receives no statutory funding and is reliant on the generosity of the public and grant givers in order to provide our services. With limited exception, financial commitments to Balloons tend to be short term in duration and non-recurring, and as such Balloons’ income streams are volatile and variable across each year. Balloons receives a mix of unrestricted and restricted funds from donors and grant givers. Where income is given with specific restrictions it is excluded from reserves. The Charity has no endowments and holds all funds in cash form in interest-bearing accounts.

In deciding the target level of reserves, Trustees aim to ensure that we are not carrying too high a level of reserves which could be spent delivering our aims and objectives, but that we have a sufficient cushion to give us time to secure the future of Balloons should reserves fall to this lower limit. Based on the most recent review the Trustee Board aims to maintain the charity’s reserves between the following:

Balloons Free Reserves at year end were £252,489 which equates to just over 11 months of operational expenditure which is within our upper threshold target.

The Trustees are prioritising the diversification of our fundraising programme in the coming 12 months by implementing a three-year fundraising strategy and investing further in our fundraising staff and volunteers. We are also celebrating our 20th year in 2026, which will give us significant fundraising opportunities.

c. Principal risks and uncertainties

The Trustees regularly review the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and systems have been established to mitigate those risks, based on a dynamic Risk Register. The Trustees discharge their ongoing duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed, and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.

d. Review of 2025

Financial Position:

The Statement of Financial Activities shows total income received for the year to 30 November 2025 of £312,138 (2024: £238,707) with total expenditure for the year of £228,299 (2024: £227,176), to generate a surplus of £83,839 (2024: surplus of £11,531). The charity began the year with reserves of £281,198 and ended the year with reserves of £365,037, of which £107,804 (2024: £52,338) was restricted and £257,233 (2024: £228,860) was unrestricted, including £Nil of designated reserves (2024: £10,100).

Page 8

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

e. Looking ahead

In 2026 we are delighted to be celebrating our 20th anniversary – a huge milestone for a small charity!

Our key priority is to implement our strategy for the coming 3 years focussing on supporting bereaved children and young people, continuing to build our fundraising capability, using our 20th year celebrations to help with this, and looking after our staff and volunteers.

As ever I am incredibly grateful to the staff team, my fellow Trustees, and the Balloons Grief Support Workers and other volunteers, who worked throughout the year to ensure that we were able to support so many grieving children, young people and their families.

Structure, governance and management

a. Constitution

Balloons (Devon) is registered as a charitable company limited by guarantee and was set up by a Trust deed.

b. Methods of appointment or election of Trustees

The management of the Company is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Trust deed.

c. Pay policy for key management personnel

The Trustees are responsible for recruiting and appointing staff with the relevant skills and experience to deliver executive roles as required. Key management personnel receive regular appraisals.

Page 9

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

Statement of Trustees' responsibilities

The Trustees (who are also the directors of the Company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' 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 . Under company law, the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the 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 Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

C Pallot (Chair of Trustees) Date: 06/09/2026

J Bearman (Treasurer) 

06/10/2026

Page 10

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

Independent examiner's report to the Trustees of Balloons (Devon) ('the Company')

I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 30 November 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the Trustees of the Company (and its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the Company's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Since the Company's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of ICAEW, which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

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

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

  4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].

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.

Page 11

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

This report is made solely to the Company's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Company's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.

Signed: Dated: 11/6/26

Laura Waycott FCA

Griffin Chartered Accountants Courtenay House Pynes Hill Exeter EX2 5AZ

Page 12

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

Note
Income from:
Donations and legacies
4
Investments
5
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
6
Charitable activities
7
Total expenditure
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Net movement in funds
Total funds carried forward		 Restricted
funds
2025
£
171,098
-
171,098
-
115,632
115,632
55,466
52,338
55,466
107,804		 Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
135,268
5,772
141,040
21,115
91,552
112,667
28,373
228,860
28,373
257,233		 Total
funds
2025
£
306,366
5,772
312,138
21,115
207,184
228,299
83,839
281,198
83,839
365,037		 Total
funds
2024
£
233,749
4,958
238,707
13,289
213,887
227,176
11,531
269,667
11,531
281,198

The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

The notes on pages 16 to 32 form part of these financial statements.

Page 13

(A company limited by guarantee) REGISTERED NUMBER: 07849857

BALLOONS (DEVON)

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30 NOVEMBER 2025

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
11
Current assets
Debtors
12
Cash at bank and in hand
Current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year
13
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Net assets excluding pension asset
Total net assets
Charity funds
Restricted funds
14
Unrestricted funds
14
Total funds		 70,857
291,236
362,093
(1,800)		 2025
£
4,744
4,744
360,293
365,037
365,037
365,037
107,804
257,233
365,037		 5,376
277,301
282,677
(1,731)		 2024
£
252
252
280,946
281,198
281,198
281,198
52,338
228,860
281,198

Page 14

BALLOONS (DEVON)

(A company limited by guarantee) REGISTERED NUMBER: 07849857

BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED) AS AT 30 NOVEMBER 2025

The Company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of Companies Act 2006.

The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

C Pallot J Bearman (Chair of Trustees) (Treasurer) Date: 06/09/2026 06/10/2026

J Bearman (Treasurer)

The notes on pages 16 to 32 form part of these financial statements.

Page 15

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

1. General information

Balloons (Devon) is a charity, limited by gurantee, incorporated in England and Wales. It does not have share capital and each of the Trustees in liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £10 towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation. The registered office address is First Floor, 6 Providence Court, Pynes Hill, Exeter, Devon, EX2 5JL.

2. Accounting policies

2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - 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 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Balloons (Devon) meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.

2.2 Going concern

The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern and that there is sufficient working capital for the next twelve months.

2.3 Income

All income is recognised once the Company has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

Grants are included in the Statement of financial activities on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued.

Income tax recoverable in relation to investment income is recognised at the time the investment income is receivable.

2.4 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

Page 16

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.4 Expenditure (continued)

Expenditure on raising funds includes all expenditure incurred by the Company to raise funds for its charitable purposes and includes costs of all fundraising activities events and non-charitable trading.

Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Company's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.

All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

2.5 Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Company; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.

2.6 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets costing £250 or more are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably.

Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost.

Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.

Depreciation is provided on the following basis:

Office equipment - 25% Straight-line

2.7 Debtors

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

2.8 Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and 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.

Page 17

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.9 Liabilities and provisions

Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.

Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Company anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.

Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of financial activities as a finance cost.

2.10 Financial instruments

The Company 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.

2.11 Pensions

The Company operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the Company to the fund in respect of the year.

2.12 Fund accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Company and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Company for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.

Page 18

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

3. Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgment

Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Critical accounting estimates and assumptions:

The Charity makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. No estimates or assumptions were considered to be significant.

Page 19

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

4. Income from donations and legacies

Donations and legacies
Grants
Donations and legacies
Grants		 Restricted
funds
2025
£
70,000
101,098
171,098
Restricted
funds
2024
£
-
146,223
146,223		 Unrestricted
funds
2025
Total
funds
2025
£
£
78,868
148,868
56,400
157,498
135,268
306,366
Unrestricted
funds
2024
Total
funds
2024
£
£
87,526
87,526
-
146,223
87,526
233,749

5. Investment income

Interest receivable on bank deposits
Interest receivable on bank deposits		 Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
5,772
Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
4,958		 Total
funds
2025
£
5,772
Total
funds
2024
£
4,958

Page 20

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

6. Expenditure on raising funds

Fundraising trading expenses

General fundraising costs
Salaries
Employers NI costs
Employers pension costs		 Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
3,811
15,231
1,311
762
21,115		 Total
funds
2025
£
3,811
15,231
1,311
762
21,115

Fundraising trading expenses (continued)

General fundraising costs
Salaries
Employers NI costs
Employers pension costs		 Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
2,427
10,200
152
510
13,289		 Total
funds
2024
£
2,427
10,200
152
510
13,289

Page 21

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

7. Analysis of expenditure by activities

Bereavement support
Bereavement support		 Activities
undertaken
directly
2025
£
172,691
Activities
undertaken
directly
2024
£
170,644		 Support
costs
2025
£
34,493
Support
costs
2024
£
43,243		 Total
funds
2025
£
207,184
Total
funds
2024
£
213,887

Analysis of direct costs

Staff costs
Direct delivery costs
Supervision and other staff costs
Travel		 Bereavement
support
2025
£
156,892
6,843
2,748
6,208
172,691		 Total
funds
2025
£
156,892
6,843
2,748
6,208
172,691

Page 22

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

7. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)

Analysis of direct costs (continued)

Staff costs
Direct delivery costs
Supervision and other staff costs
Travel
Analysis of support costs
Depreciation
Rent
Light, heat and power
Insurance
Administration
Subscriptions
Governance costs		 Bereavement
support
2024
£
156,183
4,832
4,516
5,113
170,644
Bereavement
support
2025
£
807
18,404
887
1,979
8,932
385
3,099
34,493		 Bereavement
support
2024
£
156,183
4,832
4,516
5,113
170,644
Bereavement
support
2025
£
807
18,404
887
1,979
8,932
385
3,099
34,493		 Total
funds
2024
£
156,183
4,832
4,516
5,113
170,644
170,644
Bereavement
support
2025
£
807
18,404
887
1,979
8,932
385
3,099
34,493		 Total
funds
2025
£
807
18,404
887
1,979
8,932
385
3,099
34,493

Page 23

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

7. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)

Analysis of support costs (continued)

Depreciation
Rent
Light, heat and power
Insurance
Administration
Subscriptions
Governance costs
Independent examiner's remuneration
Fees payable to the Company's independent examiner for the independent
examination of the Company's annual accounts		 Bereavement
support
2024
£
562
19,559
1,110
1,882
14,580
375
5,175
43,243
2025
£
1,800		 Total
funds
2024
£
562
19,559
1,110
1,882
14,580
375
5,175
43,243
2024
£
1,731

8. Independent examiner's remuneration

Page 24

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

9. Staff costs

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Contribution to defined contribution pension schemes		 2025
£
160,515
5,765
7,916
174,196		 2024
£
151,182
8,318
7,545
167,045

The average number of persons employed by the Company during the year was as follows:

2025 2024
No. No.
Employees 6 6

No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.

The key management personnel of the charity comprises the Trustees and the Chief Executive Officer. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel is £47,953 (2024 - £48,995).

10. Trustees' remuneration and expenses

During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2024 - £NIL) .

During the year ended 30 November 2025, no Trustee expenses have been incurred (2024 - £NIL) .

Page 25

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

11.
Tangible fixed assets
Cost or valuation
At 1 December 2024
Additions
At 30 November 2025
Depreciation
At 1 December 2024
Charge for the year
At 30 November 2025
Net book value
At 30 November 2025
At 30 November 2024
12.
Debtors
Due within one year
Prepayments and accrued income
13.
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
Accruals and deferred income		 2025
£
70,857
70,857
2025
£
1,800		 Office
equipment
£
9,292
5,299
14,591
9,040
807
9,847
4,744
252
2024
£
5,376
5,376
2024
£
1,731

Page 26

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

14. Statement of funds

Statement of funds - current year


Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
Improvement and development fund
General funds
General funds
Total Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
National Lottery
Anton Jurgens Trust
Sedel - Collings
Other grants
Comic Relief
Donations
True Colours
Children In Need
Tesco
Hendy Foundation
Albert Hunt Trust
Clare Milne Trust
The Leonard Laity Stoate Charitable Trust
Kenora
Total of funds		 Balance at 1
December
2024
£
10,100
218,760
228,860
26,205
-
1,677
900
1,000
-
4,021
5,665
2,238
1,872
2,527
6,233
-
-
52,338
281,198		 Income
£
-
141,040
141,040
74,148
4,000
-
-
-
70,000
-
13,950
3,000
-
-
-
1,000
5,000
171,098
312,138		 Expenditure
£
(10,100)
(102,567)
(112,667)
(71,225)
(4,000)
(1,677)
(900)
-
-
(4,021)
(14,229)
(3,948)
(1,872)
(2,527)
(6,233)
-
(5,000)
(115,632)
(228,299)		 Balance at
30
November
2025
£
-
257,233
257,233
29,128
-
-
-
1,000
70,000
-
5,386
1,290
-
-
-
1,000
-
107,804
365,037

Page 27

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

14. Statement of funds (continued)

The specific purposes for which the funds are to be applied are as follows:

National Lottery - £74,148 of was received in year to provide bereavement support for children and young people.

Children in Need - £13,950 was received in year for rent.

Tesco - £3,000 was received in year to support resource and mileage costs

Sedel - Collings - £10,000 was received in the prior year for core costs.

Comic Relief - £6,000 was received in the prior year to provide pre -bereavement support for children and young people.

Kenora - £5,000 was received in year to support the digitizing of resources.

Anton Jurgens Trust - £4,000 was received in year to support volunteer expenses.

The Leonard Laity Stoate Charitable Trust - £1,000 was received in year to support mileage costs for grief support workers.

True Colours Trust - £6,000 was received in the prior year to provide one-to-one bereavement support to children and young people.

Clare Milne Trust - £10,685 was received in in the prior year to provide bereavement support to children with additional needs.

Albert Hunt Trust - £4,000 was received in the prior year for the facilitation of grief support sessions.

Hendy Foundation - £3,500 was received in the prior year for travel and grief support sessions.

Other restricted grants included - The Bloss Family Foundation and Devon Community Foundation Supporting the Supporters.

Donations - £70,000 restricted donation to fund grief support work.

Page 28

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

14. Statement of funds (continued)

Statement of funds - prior year

Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
Improvement and development fund
General funds
General funds
Total Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Sedel - Collings
Other grants
Northbrook Community Trust
Comic Relief
National Lottery
True Colours
Children In Need
Tesco
Hendy Foundation
Albert Hunt Trust
Clare Milne Trust
Total of funds		 Balance at
1 December
2023
£
21,500
230,736
252,236
-
5,377
-
-
-
-
10,179
1,875
-
-
-
17,431
269,667		 Income
£
-
92,484
92,484
10,000
7,000
8,660
6,000
73,053
6,000
13,950
3,375
3,500
4,000
10,685
146,223
238,707		 Expenditure
£
(11,400)
(104,460)
(115,860)
(8,323)
(11,477)
(8,660)
(5,000)
(46,848)
(1,979)
(18,464)
(3,012)
(1,628)
(1,473)
(4,452)
(111,316)
(227,176)		 Balance at
30
November
2024
£
10,100
218,760
228,860
1,677
900
-
1,000
26,205
4,021
5,665
2,238
1,872
2,527
6,233
52,338
281,198

Page 29

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

15. Summary of funds

Summary of funds - current year

Designated funds
General funds
Restricted funds
Summary of funds - prior year
Designated funds
General funds
Restricted funds		 Balance at 1
December
2024
£
10,100
218,760
52,338
281,198
Balance at
1 December
2023
£
21,500
230,736
17,431
269,667		 Income
£
-
141,040
171,098
312,138
Income
£
-
92,484
146,223
238,707		 Expenditure
£
(10,100)
(102,567)
(115,632)
(228,299)
Expenditure
£
(11,400)
(104,460)
(111,316)
(227,176)		 Balance at
30
November
2025
£
-
257,233
107,804
365,037
Balance at
30
November
2024
£
10,100
218,760
52,338
281,198

Page 30

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

16. Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds - current year

Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
Total		 Restricted
funds
2025
Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
£
-
4,744
107,804
254,289
-
(1,800)
107,804
257,233		 Total
funds
2025
£
4,744
362,093
(1,800)
365,037

Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year

Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
Total		 Restricted
funds
2024
£
-
52,338
-
52,338		 Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
252
230,339
(1,731)
228,860		 Total
funds
2024
£
252
282,677
(1,731)
281,198

17. Pension commitments

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the charity to the fund and amounted to £7,916 (2024 - £7,545). £Nil (2024 - £Nil) is payable to the fund at the balance sheet date and is included within creditors.

18. Related party transactions

No related party transactions took place in the period.

Page 31

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

19. Operating lease commitments

At 30 November 2025 the Company had commitments to make future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:

Not later than 1 year
Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years		 2025
£
15,000
10,000
25,000		 2024
£
15,000
25,000
40,000

Page 32