Company Number: 08746685
Charity Number: 1158777
VOLA Consortium
IA Company Limited by Guarantee)
Annual Report
Audited Financial Statements
For the year ended
31 March 2025
Page I

VOLA Consortium
Contents
Pages
3-10
Trustees. Annual Report. including Trustees. Responsibilities
11-14
Independent Auditor's Report
15-16 Statement of Financial Activities
17
Balance Sheet
18
Cash Flow
19-27 Notes to the Financial Statements
Page 2

VOLA Consortium
Trustees, Annual Report (including Directors, Report)
For the year ended 31 March 2025
The trustees. who are also Directors for the purposes of the Companies Att. present their annual report and
financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The financial statements have been prepared
In accordance with the accounting policies set out in note I to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing
document. the Companies Act 2LJ)6 and Accountin8 and Reportin8 by Charities.. Statement of Recommended
Prartice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard 102
applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
The Charity
VOLA Consortium Is constituted as a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital. The company is
registered in England and Wales No. 08746685. The charity is registered with the Charity Commission No. 1158777.
The principal governing document is the Company Memorandum and Articles of AsscKiation as amended on 25th
September 2014.
Objectives and Activities
The charity's objects are".
a) the advancement of education and lifelong learning in such ways as the trustees think fit:
b) the provision of crime prevention and offender rehabilitation sepiices:
cl the promotion of the voluntary sector in the Liverpool City Region and the surrounding areas in particular by-
i) building the capacity of charitable and voluntary organisations operating within the area of benefit and
providin8 them with the nece55ary sUPPOrt. information and service5 to enable them to pursue or
contribute to any charitable purpose but in particular the advancement of education and the rehabilitation
of offenders: and
ill promoting. organisinB and facilitatin8 Co-operation and partnership working between chadtable and
Voluntary organisations and statutory and other relevant bodies within the area of benefit.
For the purposes of rhis clouse, "the voluntory sertor. meons charities and voluntary orgonisations defined
as follows.. "Chorities ore orgonisotion5. which ore estobli5hedfor exclusively choritoble purposes in
ottordance with the low of England and Woles. "Volunfary Organisotions" ore whole or o significont settion
of the community. and which are not permitted by their constitution to make o profitfor private
distribution. Volunrory orgonisotions do nor include locol government or orher stotutory outhorities"
d) To further such purposes a5 are charitable within the law5 of England and Wale5 a5 the Trustee5 shall from time
to time determine.
In setting our objectives and planning our artivities the trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity
Commi55ion'5 guidance on public benefit.
Page 3

VOLA Consortium
Trustees, Annual Report (including Directors, Report)
For the year ended 31 March 2025
Con50rtium Membershi
In Its eleventh year of operation as a re8iStered charity. as at 31 March 2025. VOLA Consortium's membership
stands at 66 voluntary sertor or8anisations {67 last year}- with one former member unfortunately ceasin8 trading in
September 2024.
Artivities and Serylces
Over the13st twelve months, the charit(s operations have focused on providing employment support to
economically inactive people and continued support for the local digital inclusion agenda. This has been enabled by
inveslment from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority ILCRCAI UK Shared Prosperity Fund IUKSPF),
delivered through two key projerts:
Continued delivery of the 'Digitol Connectivity For Locol Community Focilittes. grants programme:
7he Progre55 Portnership'_ a new Community-Led Employment Support projett.
The Progress Partnershlp
The Progre55 Partnership project commenced in April 2024. initially funded until March 2025. with the aim of
supporting 680 economically inactive city region residents into or closer to employment. with a target of 50% into
pald work. education or training.
A 14-5tron8 delivery partnership was formed, comprising consortium member5 With expertise in working with
people from diverse ethnic backgrounds, women. disability. and neurologicallneurodivergent conditions. amon8St
others. all 8roups represented disproportional￿ in temis of economic inactrvity.
A team of experienced Key Workers support people in a holistic manner, through individually tailored packages of
support, to help them overcome ihe challenges that prevent them actively looking for work.
The project use5 a blend of One-t(￿ne and small group work to help participants to access support Services and
opportunities to build confidence and create pathways for progression. In addition to si8npostin8 and encoura8in8
Individuals to access complementary 'barrier removal. seprfices. Key Workers draw on their wealth of experience in
providing tailored employability SUPPOrt such a5 coachin& confidence buildin& CV writing. job-search skills and
inteprfiew techniques; which are introduced at the right point in people's journey5.
In addition to the primary Key Worker support service. most project delivery partners provlde other 'ln-house'
barrler removal sep4ices le.g. recreation. advice, health/wellbeing. food bankslpantrles, clothes-banks and tralning
services). with embedded links to other such services where not delivered in-house. Proactive referral to
complementary activities and senrfices is a key feature and clear strength of the delivery model. supporting people's
personal and social development.
Contractual recruitment targets were exceeded by 12%. with 764 local people en8aged and supported. 84% of
whom identified as being socially excluded.
The partnership has been highly 5ucce55ful in reachin8 the priority groups it set out to engage. 56% of participants
were female: 47% disclosed a disability or lon8-term health condition. 37% were from ethnic minority backgrounds
(both far surpassing their respective 25% targets). 21% were aged over So and 3% over 65.
Page 4

VOLA Consortium
Trustees, Annual Report (including Directors, Report)
For the year ended 31 March 2025
During the yeaf. 419 people completed their programme of support, with 93 contlnuln8 on pro8ramme Into the
subsequently announced Year-2 extension of the project.
59% of 764 participants progressed to a posttive destination following the support they received. including 153
people in employment or self-employment. 160 in educationltraining and 172 moving from economic inactivity into
active job-search. In addition, 154 people indicated an improvement in basic skills on exit, with 76 achieving basic
skills qualifications.
Beyond the 'hard' job and progre55ion outcome5. the projert 15 helping to brin8 about 518nifi(ant improvement5 in
personal development. aspiration & motivation. health & wellbeing and employability. with clear succe55 in buildin8
personal capacity and supportin8 transformational 8rowth. These underpinnin8 enablers and softer skllls lay
sustainable foundations for future employability, particularly among those facing multiple disadvantage.
A robust. independent evaluation took place in Febwary and March 2025. with a comprehensive report produced
that detailed the varied successes of the project. including a suite of heart-wam)ing case studies highlighting the
real-IlfÈ stories and positive impacts on the people it supported. This is available on the tharitys website
Iv4ww.volamerse side.or
'Digital Connectivity For Local Community Facilities. Grants Proyamme
In Its third year. this £1.3 mlllion 8rants pro8ramme is available to LCR-based. voluntary. community. faith and social
enterprise (VCFSE) sector organisations that provide. or are planning to provide public-acces5 digital facilities to their
communities. These include both facilities that are 'open-acces5' to the general public and those targeted at specific
client 8roups. The primary focus is on sUPPOrtin8 places where people can 80 to '8et online, and that support LCRCA
Digital Inclusion priorities.
The overall purpose of the grants pro8ramme is to support VCFSE sectoi organisations to:
Create new facillties in areas of need (spatial and thematlcl- and
Improve or expand existing facilities.
In addition to the 117 grants made in the first three funding rounds. a further 65 grants were awarded over two
more funding rounds in thi5 financial year. taking the total investment to £1.314,849 through 182 individual grant
awards.
In total, over the five funding rounds 161 individual organisations received fundin8, covering 170 different site5. 21
organisations were funded rnore than once {19 twice and I three times): 12 of which for the same site and 8 for
different sites. 83 completely new facilities were created. with 87 existing facilities either upgraded and/or
expanded In terms of capacity.
Funding has been awarded to a wide variety of or8anisations, including 76 reeistered charities, 19 CIOS and 66 other
not-for-profit organisations {46 CICS, 11 CLGS. plus 9 others). including 12 Churches and a Mosque.
Beneficiary organisations possess a wide nature of functions, activities and target groups. General purpose
community centreslhubs accounted for the largest proportion of erant recipients135%1. providing open-access
digital facilities to their local communities. Advice, education, training & employment support providers accounted
for a significant proportion {16%1. as did organisations workin8 Wlth children & young people119%), minority ethni
communities {Il%l. di5ability19%1. and mental health16%).
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VOLA Consortium
Trustees, Annual Report (including Directors, Report)
For the year ended 31 March 2025
A multitude of other or8anisations with different remits. specialisms. and tar8et groups have also benefited from
the fundin& Including health. mental health. advice a8encies le.g. CABS). youth centres. older people. carers. family
support, domestic violence services, addiction recovery, homelessness support, veterans, organisations, LGBTQ+
groups, sports clubs, creative arts initiatives, and even an urban fami and local community allotment.
As a result of the investment, 93 facilities reported improved digital conne(tNity through faster broadband/intÈmet
speeds, and 162 reported intreased usage of their IT fatilities.
Beneficiary Organisations reported an overall increase of 4.373 weekly IT users. with an average rise of 26 per
facility- Increases ranged from single figures for some organisations to more than 50 for others. depending on the
size and nature of the or8ani5ation and its IT facilitie5.
A comprehensive, independent evaluation of the grants programme took place in early 2025 whereby 97 out of 161
funded organisations responded. This was an excellent response rate, with universally high levels of satisfaction
reported in rèlation to all elements of the Programme's application process and 8uidance. as well as the support
they received individually from the Grants Team at VOLA.
A detailed evaluation report is available on the charivs website. It analyses programme design and rationale,
delivery and performance. positive impacts for beneficiary organisations and their seThi￿ users, key success factors.
and recommendations for future development.
Future O
ortunities and Devek>
ments
Following the announcement by government in the Autumn Budget of a transition year for UKSPF. in February 2025
the LCRCA confirmed a one-year extension to both of VOLA'5 UKSPF projects until March 2026. Thi5 5ecure5 the
charitvs future for the coming twefve months. whilst the government's new plans for skills. employment support
nd communities unfold.
The Progress Portnership ITPP} received £668k to support a minimum of 442 economically inactive resident5 to move
Into or closer to employment. Additionally. the Digitol Connectivity For Locol Community Facilities 8rant programme
received a further £284k. with a target of distributing 32 grants to support local facilltles. Desplte a 2S% reduction in
revenue fundin8 (applied consistently across all LCRCA UKSPF projects), through careful budget planning. we have
managed to retain all TPP projert delivery partners and sustain staffing at 2024125 levels. both key priorities of the
Board.
OrSglnally planned to end in March 2025. the twelve month UKSPF extenslon was the result of polltlcal pressure from
within the sector, together with local and mayoral combined authoritie5 across the UK. in which VOLA played an
artive role, alongside it5 partners in VS6. The aim of this transition period 15 to provide more certainty ahead of
wider funding reforms over the comirbg twelve months, planned to facilitate a Smooth transition from the current
UKSPF programme to a new fundin8 framework in the future. details of which are as yet unknown.
With funding in place to ensure the charl￿S immediate sustainability until March 2026. and ne8Otiations currently
under way concerning the extension of a more recently secured fvnding stream until March 2027 (see Financial
Review section). further new sources will be identified in the coming year to support the charity's longer-term
SU5tainability. The Consortium Manager will continue to work closely with key stakeholders, including VS6 and the
LCR Combined Authority, to influence policy and strategy and to stay alert to emerging opportunities.
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VOLA Consortium
Trustees, Annual Report (including Directors, Report)
For the year ended 31 March 2025
Of particular interest is the govemmenys Get Britoin Working {GBWI White Paper. published in November 2024.
which presents both risks and opportunities to the wider employment support sector and to the charity itself. Our
priority for the coming year is lo proattively engage in the emerging local GBW landscape to Influence its deslgn
and. ultimately. to ensure we position the consortium and wider VCFSE sector to capitalise on the opportunities It
presents. The new Connect to Work employment support programme for economically inactive people and the
Youth Guorontee Trailblazer for inactive young people aged 18-21 have been identified as key funding prioritie5 for
the charitv.
Financial Review
During the 2024125 financial year. charitable activity generated an income of £1.391,857 to be used to further the
organisation's objertives.
Followin8 a slS8ht reduction in unrestrirted reserves of £3.567 last year. unrestrirted reserves increased si8nificantly thls
year, by £11.998, leaving a carry forward balance of £44.289. A modest (£5,750) underspend on The Progress Partnership
project over the year. against total advance grant payments received from our funder ILCR Combined Authority). was held
by the charity at financial year.end. and has since been retumed to the funder.
As of 31" Marth 2025. the tharity maintained a healthy balante sheet. with sufficient cash at bank1£64,0351 and actrued
income {£30,6271 to more than cover all accrued expenditure relating to the financial year1£50,3731.
With the charity's forecast income from the two UK5PF-fvnded projerts in relation to anticipated levels of expenditure,
current financial projections provide the Board of Trustee5 with strong confidence in the charity's ability to continue as a
8oln8 concern for the comin8 2025126 financial year.
Further to this, a new contract ha5 recently been secured from the LCR Combined Authority (September 20251 to manage
Youth Guarantee Trailblazer Community Grants pro8ramme. The initial contract runs until March 2026. with a potential
three-year extension clause. Central government has since confirmed additional fundin8 for the Trailblazer programme in
2026127- and we are currently in negotiations with the LCR Combined Authority concerning the 2026127 funding level.
This provides assurance of the charity's ability to continue as a going concern until at least March 2027, with potential for
an even longer period of financial stability.
Reserves
Vnrestrirted cash reseprfes are ample to cover anticipated financial liabilities in the event of the charivs closure.
The charity maintains a feseThes policy of £5.(MXI to cover the costs anticipated le.8. financial and legal costs) in the event
of the charitable company being wound up, This policy reflects the charivs continued position in relation to staffing and
fixed a5set5, in that it doe5 not dirertty employ any staff and. therefore, has no direct employment or redundancy
liabilities. nor doe5 it have any loans or other liabilities in relation to buildin85 either owned or le35ed.
Thls pollcy has been reviewed again thls year and wlll tontinue to be reviewed annually. subject to amendment should the
charity's risk profile change, for example, if the charity began to directly employ staff or secure premises.
The charity has no subsidiary undertakings. nor is any fund within the charity's accounts materially in deficit.
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VOLA Consortium
Trustees, Annual Report (including Directors, Report)
For the year ended 31 March 2025
Reference and administrative details
Charity number:
1158777
Company number:
08746685
Registered Office:
Burlington House, Crosby Road North, Waterloo, Liverpool, L22 OLG
Our advisors
Auditors:
Anita Mason BA(Hons) BFP FCA, Mitchell Charlesworth,
Suites C. D. E & F. The Plaza. 100 Old Hall Street. Liverpool. L3 90J
Barlkers:
UnityTrust Bank Plc, 9 Brindleyplace. Birmingham. Bl 2HB
Solicitor5:
8rabners, Horton House. Exchange Fla85. Lrverpool. L2 3YL
Dirertors and trustees
The directors of the charitable company (the charity) are its trustees for the purposes of charity law. The trustees
and officers serving during the year and since the year*nd were as follows=
Truslees
Jame5 Brett
Andrew Coulson (Appointed 11 December 2024)
Damian France (Chair of Trustee51
Raymond Moore
Angela White OBE
Claire Cook
Nicola Crosby
Debbie Gayle
Mark Ord
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document
VOLA Consortium Is a company limlted by guarantee governed by its Memorandum and Articles of
Association amended on 25 September 2014. It is registefed with the Charity Commission. Anyone over the age of
16 can become a member of the Company and there are currently 9 trustee members {8 in 20231241, each of whom
agrees to contribute £1 in the event of the charity windin8 up. In addition to the tmstees. the charity had 66
membership organisations as at 31" March 2025. who also a8ree to contribute £1 in the event of the charlty
wlndlng up.
Appolntment of trustees
As set out in the Articles of Association the trustees are ele(ted by members of the charitable company attendin8
the Annual General Meeting. The longest service one third of trustees retires each year and are able to offer
themselves for rethelection.
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VOLA Consortium
Trustees, Annual Report (including Directors, Report)
For the year ended 31 March 2025
Structure, Governance and Management (Continued)
Trustee Inductlon and tralnln8
New trustees under80 an Induction pr¢xess to brief them on= their legal obli8ations under charity and company law.
the Charity Commission 8uidance on public benefit. and inform them of the content of the Memorandum and
Articles of Association, the committee and decision-makin8 processes, the business plan and recent financial
performance of the charity. During the induction process they meet key employees and other trusiees. Trustees are
encoura8ed to attend appropriate external trainin£ events where these will facilitate the undertaking of their role.
Organlsailon
The board of trustees. which can have up to 12 members. administers the charity. The board normally meets
quarterly. A Manager is appointed by the trustees to manage the day-to-day operations of the charity. To facilitate
effective operations the Manager has delegated authority. within the tem)s of delegation approved by the trustees,
for operational matters including finance. employment. and seprfice delivery activity. The Manager and other
members of the staff team are employed by Sefton Council for Voluntary Service. a VOLA membership organisation.
with VOLA Consortium being recharged for any staff time incurred in the operation of its projects. A written
membership agreement is in place outlinin8 the temis of this staffing relationship.
Related partles and Covoperatlon wlth other orEanlsatlons
None of our trustees receives remuneration or other benefit from their work with the charity. Any connettlon
between a trustee or senior mana8er of the charity and any client or supplier is disclosed to the full board of
trustees in the same way as any other contractual relationshlp with a related party- In the current year no such
related party transactions were reported.
Rlsk Management
The trustees have a risk management strategy which comprises.
an annual review of the principal risks and uncertainties that the charity faces:
the establishment of policies, Systems and pr(xedures to mitigate those risks identified in the annual
revlew- and
the implementation of procedures designed to minimise or manage any potential impact on the charity
should those risks materialise.
This work has identified that financial sustainability is the major financial risk for the charity. A key element in the
management of financial risk is a regular review of available liquid funds to settle debts as they fall due, regular
liai50n with the bank and artive management of trade debtor5 and creditors balance5 to ensure sufficient working
capital by the charity.
Attention has also been focused on non-financial risks arising from fire. health and safety of clients and data
protection. These ri5k5 are managed by ensurin8 accreditation 15 UP to date. having robust policies and procedure5
in place and regular awareness training for staff working in these operational areas.
Page 9

VOLA Consortium
Trustees, Annual Report (including Directors, Report)
For the year ended 31 March 2025
Trustees, Responsibilities
The trustees. who are also the directors of VOLA Consortium for the purpose of company law. are responsible for
preparin8 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 charity trustees to prepare financial statements for eath financial year which give a true
and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incomin8 resources and application of
resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year. In preparin8 the financial
statements, the trustees are required to-
11 selert Sultable attountlng pollcies and then apply them consistently-
21 observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP-
31 make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
41 state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed. subject to any material departures
disclosed and explained in the financial statements:
5) prepare the financial statements on the going con￿rn basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the
charity will continue in busine55.
The trustees are responsible for keepin8 proper accountin8 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
Companies Act 21)06. They are also responsible for the safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking
reasonable Steps for the prevention and detection of fraud or other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included
on the charitable company's webstte. Legislation in the United Kingdom goveming the preparation and
dissemination of financial statements may differ from le8islation in other jurisdictions.
Audltor
In accordance with the compan*s artlcles. a resolution proposing that Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited be
reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meetin8.
Dlsclosure of Infomiatlon to the audltor
Each of the trustees has confirmed that there is no information that they are aware of which is relevant to the audlt,
but of which the auditor is unaware. They have further confirmed that they have taken appropriate step5 to identify
such relevant information and to establish that the auditor is aware of such information.
Small company provisions
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provision5 relating to small companie5 Within part 15
of the Companies Act 2(rfJ6.
This report was approved by the board of trustees on 16 December 2025 and signed on their behalf.
Dqmiqn France
Chair of Trustees
Page 10

Independent Auditor's Report
To the members of VOLA Consortium
For the year ended 31 March 2025
Oplnlon
We have audited the financial statements of Vola Consortium for the Period ended 31 March 2025 which comprise
the statement of financial activities. the balance sheet. the statement of cash flows and the notes to the financial
statements, including a summary of 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 oplnlon. the finandal statements:
give a true and fairview ofthe state of the charirfs affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its in¢om•n8
resources and application of resources. for the Period then ended:
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kin8dom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice;
and
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charwties Act 2011.
Basls for oplnion
We conducted our audrt in accordance with International Standards on Auditlng IUKI (ISAS IUK?) and appllcable law.
Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's respon5ibilitie5 for the audit of the
financial statements section of our report. We are independent of Vola Consortium 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 belleve
that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Please note that the previous yearfs comparative figures are unaudited as an independent examination of the
financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 was performed.
Concluslans relatln8 to golng concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees, use of the going concern basis of
ccounting in the preparation of the financial statement5 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 Vola Consortium'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 respett to going concern are described in the
relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the 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 we do not express
any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so.
conslder whether the other information is materially Inconsistent with the flnancial statements or our knowledge
obtained in the course of the audit. or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.
Page 11

Independent Auditor's Report
To the members of VOLA Consortium
For the year ended 31 March 2025
If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements. we are required to determlne
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.
We have nothing to report in thls regard.
Matters on whlch we are requlred to report by exceptlon
We have nothin8 to report in respect of the followin8 matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and
Reports) Regulations 2008 require us to report to you if, in our opinion:
the information given in the financial statements is inconsistent in any material respect with the trustees,
report- or
sufficient accounting records have not been kept: or - the financial statements are not in agreement with
Ihe accounting records.. or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
Responsibllltles of trustees
A5 explained more fully in the Statement of Tru5tees' Responsibilwtie5, the trustees 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 directors 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 Vola Consortium's ability to
continue as a 8oin8 concern. disclosin& as applicable. matters related to 80in8 concern and using the 80in8 concern
basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to cease operations. or have no realistic alternative but to do
so.
Audltor's re5ponslbllltles for the audh of the financlal statements
We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charitie5 Act 2011 and report in accordance with the
Act and relevant regulations made or having effett thereunder.
Our objeaives 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 detert a material misstatement when it exists. MisStatement5 can arise from fraud or error and
are considered material if. individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be experted to influence the
economic decisions of users taken on the basi5 of these financial statements.
Ifregularities, including fraud. are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in
line with our re5ponsibilitie5, Qutlined above, to detert material mi55tatements in re5pett of irregularities, including
fraud.
The extent to vthich our procedures are capable of detetting irregularities. including fraud, is detailed below.
Page 12

Independent Auditor's Report
To the members of VOLA Consortium
For the year ended 31 March 2025
The extent to whlch the audlt was consldered capable of detectlng Irregularltle5. Includlng fraud
Our approach to identifylng and assesslng the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularltles, Includin8
fraud and non<ompllance with laws and re8ulations. was as follo￿..
the en8agement partner ensured that the en8agement team collertively had the appropriate competence,
capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations:
we identified the laws and regulations applicable to the company through discussions with directors and
other mana8ement:
we focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the
financial statements or the operations of the company, including the Charities Act 2011, taxation legislation
and data protection. anti-bribery. employment and health and safety legislation-
we assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identwfied above throu8h makin8
enquiries of management and insperting legal correspondence: and
identified laws and regulation5 were communicated within the audit team regularly and the team remained
alert to instances of non-compliance throughout the audtt
We assessed the susceptibility of the charity's financial statements to maierial misstatement, including
obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur. by-
making enquiries of management as to where they considered there was susceptibilrty to fraud. their
knowledge of artual, suspected and alleged fraud. and
considerin8 the internal controls in place to miti8ate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and
regulations. To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls. we:
performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships..
tested journal entries to identify unusual transartion5;
assessed whether judgements and assumption5 made in determining the accounting estimates were
IndScative of potential bias- and
invesiigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions. In response to the risk of irregularities
and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included. but were not
limited to:
agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;
readin8 the minutes of meetings of those charged with governance.. and
enquiring of management as to actual and potential litigation and claim5.
There are inherent limitations in our audit procedure5 described above. The more removed that laws and
regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance.
Auditin8 Standards a150 limit the audit procedure5 required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to
enquiry of the trustees and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence. if any.
Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they mav
involve deliberate concealment or collusion.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council's website at:
htt
www.frc.or
auditorsres
onsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Page 13

Independent Auditor's Report
To the members of VOLA Consortium
For the year ended 31 March 2025
Other matters
Your attention Is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared financial statements in accordance with
'Accountln8 and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Pradice applicable to charities preparing their
accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS
1021" las amended) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended
Practice issued on l April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn.
This has been done in order for the financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with current
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charitrf5 trustees. as a body, in accordance with part 4 of the Charrtie5 (Account5
and Reports) Regulations 2CQ8. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might slate to the charity's trustees
those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors, 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 charity and the charity's
trustees as a body. for our audit work. for this report. orfor the opinions we havefonned.
Anlta Mason BA {Hons) BFP FCA1Senior Statutory Auditorl
For and on behalf of Mitchell Charlesworth (Auditl Limited,
Statutory Audltor and Accountants
Sultes C, D. E & F.
14 Floor The Pla2a,
ICK) Old Hall Street,
Liverpool.
L3 9Ql
Date 16 December 2025
Page 14

VOLA Consortium
Statement of Financial Activities
(Incorporating Income & Expenditure Account)
For the year ended 31 March 2025
Current Year Ended 31 March 2025
Unrestrlrted
Fund
Restrkted
Fund
Total 2025
Total 2024
Income and
endowments frorn:
Charitable activitie5
1391,857
1391,857
453,954
Total Income
1391.857
1391.857
453.954
Expendlture on:
Charitable activitie5
10.997
1.381.524
1392,521
591,412
Total expendtture
10,997
1381.524
1392.521
591,412
Net
Income/(expendlture)
Transfers between
funds
Net movement In
funds
110.9971
10,333
1137.4581
12
21.995
122.9951
11.998
112.6621
1664)
1137.4581
Reconciliation of
funds:
Funds b/fv4d
Funds clfwd
32.291
44,289
12.662
44.953
44.289
182,411
44,953
The Statement of Financial Activities also complies with the requirement5 for an income and expenditure account
under the Companies Att 2Ixi6.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Page 15

VOLA Consortium
Statement of Financial Activities
(Incorporating Income & Expenditure Account)
For the year ended 31 March 2025
Previous Year Ended 31 March 2024
Unrestrlrted
Fund
Restrlrted
Fund
Total 2024
Income and
endowments from:
Charitable activities
451.354
453.954
Total Income
451,354
453.9S4
Expendlture on:
Charitable activities
6.167
585.245
591.412
Total expenditure
6,167
585,245
591,412
Net
Income/(expendlture)
Transfers between
funds
Net movement In
funds
13,567)
1133.8911
1137,4581
13
13,567)
{133.8911
1137.4581
Reconciliation of
fvnds:
Funds b/fwd
Funds clfwd
35.858
32.291
146,553
12.662
182.411
44.953
The note5 Qn paqe5 19 to 27fvrm part of thesefinonciol statements
Page 16

VOLA Consortium
Balance Sheet
As at 31 March 2025
Company Number-. 08746685
2025
2024
Note
Current Assets
Debtors
30.627
64.035
94.662
618
Cash at bank and in hand
87,944
88.562
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one
vear
io
50,373
43,608
Net Current Assets
44,289
44,953
Total Net Assets
13
44.289
44.953
Funds of the Charlty
Designated Funds
General Fund
44.289
32.291
Total Unrestricted Funds
li
44.289
32.291
Restricted Fund
12.662
Total Restricted Fund
12
12,662
Total Funds
44,289
44,953
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject
to the small companies. regime.
The flnandal statements were approved by the board of trustees 16 December 2025.
Damlan Frnnce
Chalr of Trustees
The note5 on paqes 19 to 27form part of thesefinancial statement5
Page 17

VOLA Consortium
Statement of Cash flows
For the year ended 31 March 2025
2025
2024
Cash flows from operating activitles
Net income per Statement of Financial Activitie5
Adjustments for=
Decrease/llncrease) In trade and other receivables
{Decreasel/lncrease in trade and other payables
{6641
1137,4581
130.(M)91
6,765
474,382
1291,3931
Net cash lused In) /provlded by operatlng artlvltles
123.9081
45,531
Net cash from Investlng artlvltles
Net cash from financlni actlvltles
Net (decrease) Ilncrease In cash and cash equlvalents
123,9081
45,531
Cash and cash equivalents at the be8innln8 ol the year
87,944
42,413
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
64,035
87,944
Components of cash and ush equivalents
Cash and bank balances
64.035
87,944
64,035
87.944
Page 18

VOLA Consortium
Notes to the Accounts
For the year ended 31 March 2025
l Accounting Policies
la. Basls of preparatlon
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 IFRS 1021
(effective l January 20191- (Charities SORP IFRS 102)), and the Companies Act 2¢XI6 and the UK Generally
Accepted Accounting Praclice amended for accounting periods commencing from l January 2016.
VOLA Consortium meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are
initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless othepwise stated in the relevant accounting
policy note.
The functional currency used by VOLA Consortium is the £ Sterling.
Fin•nci41 instruments
The charity has elected to applythe provisions of Section 11 '8asic Financial Instwments. and Section 12
'Other Financial Instrument5 Issues. of FRS 102 to all of its financial instrument5.
Financial instnjments are recognised in the charity'5 balance sheet when the charity become5 Party to the
contrartual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset. with the net amounts presented in the financial statements. when
there is a le8ally enforceable ri8ht to set off the reco8nised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a
net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Crltkal accountln8 estlmates and Judgements
In the application of the charity's accounting policies. the trustees are required to make judgements,
estimates and assumptions about the tarrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent
from other source5. The estimates and a550ciated assumptions are based on historical experience and
other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are feviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting
e5timate5 are reco8nised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that
period. or in the period of the revision and future peri¢)ds where the revision affects both current and
future period5.
Ib. Preparation ol the accounts on a goinz concem basis
On assessment of income streams and the required fixed and variable overheads required to complete the
ongoin8 projects successfully. the trustees consider that the accounts should be prepared on a 8oin8
concern basis.
Page 19

VOLA Consortium
Notes to the Accounts (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2025
l Accounting Policies (cont.}
Ic. Income
Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds. any performance conditions attached
to the itemls) 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 condttions 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
and is not deferred.
Interest on funds held on deposit is intluded when reteivable and the amount tan be measured reliably by
the charity. this is nomially upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.
Id. Deferred income
Income from donations and grants. including capttal grants are deferred when the following condwtions are
met:
a) when donors specify that donations and grants given to the charity must be used in future accountin8
periods. the income is deferred until those periods
b) when donors impose conditions which have to be fulfilled before the charity becomes entitled to Ltse
such income. the income is deferred and not included in incoming resources until the preconditlons
for use have been met.
le. Donated servkes and facllltles
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 the economic benefit can be measured
reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP IFRS 1021. the general volunteer time is not recognised and
refer to the trustees, annual report for more information about their contribution.
On receipt. donated professional Se￿i(e5 and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of
the gift to the charity whSch 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 reco8nised In
expenditure in the period of receipt.
If. Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or construrtive 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 attivity headings..
al Expenditure on charitable artivities includes the edutational attivities undertaken to further the
purposes of the charity and their associated support costs.
b) Other expenditure represents those items not falling into any other heading.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.
Page 20

VOLA Consortium
Notes to the Accounts (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2025
l Accounting Policies (cont.}
18. Funds Accountln8
All income and expenditure together with zaln5 and losses are allocated to a specific charitable f und.
Unrestricted funds are avallable to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charlty.
Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be used solely for particular areas of
the charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.
Further details of restricted funds together with their purposes are set out in note 12.
Ih. 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.
li. 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 depostt or similar account.
IJ. CrÈdltors and pnwlslons
Creditors and provislons are recognised where the charlty has a present obligatlon 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 tan be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their
settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
Ik. Taxatlon
The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxe5 Act 1988 or
section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its
charilable objects.
Page 21

VOLA Consortium
Notes to the Accounts (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2025
Charltable Actlvlty Income
Restrirted
2025
Unrestricted
2025
Total
1025
Current year ended 31 Marth 2025
LCRCA_ UKSPF The Progress Partnership
LCRCA- UKSPF Di8ltal Connectivity Grants
V5NW - VS6 representative roles
WEA. Multiply Steering Group
830,907
560,950
830,￿1
560,950
1,391.857
1.391,857
Restricted
2024
Unrestrirted
2024
Total
2024
Prevlous yeor ended 31 March 2024
LCRCA - UKSPF The Progress Portnership
LCRCA - UKSPF Digltol Connertivity Gronts
VSNW- V56 repre5ent(Jtive role5
WEA - Multipfy Steering Group
451.354
451,354
2.5LXI
ILXJ
2.5LKP
451.354
453.954
Page 22

VOLA Consortium
Notes to the Accounts (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2025
Charltable actlvltles
VCF
Capacity
Building
Education
and
Training
General
Funds
Total
2025
Total
2024
Dirett staff costs
2.2
39.459
69.599
111.258
48.321
Project costs
521,271
750,286
1,271,557
539,663
Share of support Costs
(see note 41
Share of governance
osts (see note 4
997
212
698
1.907
932
7.800
1,392.521
2.496
591,412
10,997
560,942
820.583
The dired staff costs are the total seconded staff costs charged to VOLA.
The average number of seconded employees for the year was 5.
Anatysls by fund
Restricted funds
560.942
820.582
1.381.524
10.997
Unrestrirted funds
10.997
10.997
560.942
820.582
1,392.521
Prevlous year ended 31
March 2024
Restrictedfvnds
Unre5trirtedfunds
585.245
585.245
6.167
6.167
6.167
585,245
591,412
Support costs
Support
costs
G¢>vernancÈ
costs
Basls of
2024 allocatlon
2025
Contribution to
overheads
Allocated acr055
932 all 3 funds
1,907
1.9)7
Independent examlners
fees
Allocated to
2,496 General Funds
Allocated to
General Funds
Independent audit fee5
1,9)7
9.707
3,428
Page 23

VOLA Consortium
Notes to the Accounts (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2025
Flnanclal Instruments
2025
2024
Carrying amount of financial assets
Debt instruments measured at amortised cost
94.662
88,562
Carryong amount of financlal1Sabllltles
Measured at amortised cost
50.373
43,608
Trustees
No remuneration was paid to trustees during the year {2024- nil)
No Expenses were reimbursed to trustees during the year12024 - nil)
Related Party transartions
During the year, a large number of consortium members participated in the charwtable projerts led by
VOLA. The purpose of VOLA'S operations IS to lead charitable projects on behalf of its consortium
members and other associated chartties. hence. multiple consortium members received payments from
VOLA in the period. which have been reco8nised as restricted expenditure in the statement of financial
attivity- For further detail on which related parties received funding and amounts they received please
contact stuart.mc
ro
volamerse
5ide.or
Remuneration of key management personnel
The remuneration of key management personnel is as follows:
2025
2024
A8gregate compensation
40,408
29,165
40,408
29,165
Debtors
2025
2024
Trade debtors
Accrued Income
30.627
618
30.627
618
Cash at bank and in hand
2025
2024
Cash at bank
64,035
64,035
87,944
87,944
Page 24

VOLA Consortium
Notes to the Accounts (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2025
10. Credltors: Amounts falllng due wlthln one year
2025 £
6,929
29,894
2024 £
19.995
21,117
2.496
Grants Payable
Trade creditors
Accruals and deferred income
Unallocated grant funds repayable
5.750
50.373
43,608
11. Unrestrirted Funds
Previous year ended31 March
2024
Bolonce
Corried
forword
2024
Bolonce
brought
fvnvord
Transfers
between
Aunds
Income
Expenditure
Generol Fund
35.858
(6.167)
32.291
Generol Fund- VSNW/ VS6
repre5entotive mles
General Fund- WEA. Multiply
Steerinq Group
2.5tXI
(2.5￿)
(1(￿}
Totol Fund5 (previous year)
35.858
(6,1671
32.291
Current year ended 31 March
2025
Balance
Carried
forward
2025
Balance
brought
forward
Transfers
between
funds
Income
Expendlture
General Fund
32,291
(10,9971
22,995
44,289
Total Funds (current year)
32,291
(10,9971
22.995
44,289
The transfer between funds relates to a surplus generated over the last two financial years resulting from the
simplified cost option applied to the two UKSPF projects by funders. in relation to overheads contributions, which
re paid at a flat rate of 15% of projert Staff costs attributable to these projerts.
Page 25

VOLA Consortium
Notes to the Accounts (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2025
12. Restricted Funds
Balance
Corried
Forword
2024
Prevlous year ended 31
March 2024
Bolonce
brought
fonvard
Transfer5
between
fund5
Income
Expenditure
UKSPF- Digitol Gmnts
146.553
451.354
(585.245)
12.662
Totol Funds
(current yeaTI
146.S53
451.354
1585.245)
12.662
Balance
Carried
Forward
2025
Current year ended 31
Marth 2025
Balance
brought
forward
Transfers
between
funds
Income
Expenditure
UKSPF- Di8ital Grants
12,662
560.950
1560.9421
(12.670
UKSPF - The Progress
Partnership
830,907
1820.5821
(10,325
Total Fund5
{current year)
12.662
1.391.857
(1,381.5241
(22.995
• UKSPF- Digital Grants projert (Digitol Connertivitylor Locol Community Focilities) provides grants and support for
the voluntary. community. faith and social enterprise sertor to improve public.facing IT facilities & create new
facilities in priority areas.
UKSPF . The Progress Partnership is a community-led employment support initiative that provides Key Worker
support to economically inactive residents of the Liverpool City Re8ion to help them io overcome barriers that
prevent them from actively looking for work.
Both project5 are funded by the UK Government through the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority ILCRCA) UK
Shared Prosperity Fund IUKSPF).
Page 26

VOLA Consortium
Notes to the Accounts (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2025
13. Analysis of Net Assets
Previous year ended 31 Morch 2024
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Totol
Funds
Net Current Asset5
32.291
32.291
12.662
12.662
44,953
44.953
Current year ended 31 March 2025
Unrestrkted
Funds
Restrkted
Funds
Total
Funds
Net Current Assets
44,289
44,289
44.289
44.289
14. Company Limited by Guarantee
The company 15 limited by guarantee, not havin8 a share capital. The liability of members is limited to £1 each in the
event of winding up.
Page 27