Annual Report and Financial Statements: Year Ending 31st March 2025
www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk 01733 262226 Registered Charity Number: 1160178
Contents
Legal and Administrative Information......3 Trustees’ Report........................................4 Our Impact................................................11 Audit Report.............................................12 Statement of the Financial Activity.........17 Balance Sheet...........................................18 Cash Flow Statement...............................19 Notes to the Financial Statements..........20
Registered Charity Number: 1160178
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Legal and Administrative Information
Iain Crighton MBE Timothy Bedward-Jones Tina Moser-Wager Emerson Patton Peter Jackson Emma Hannon Matthew Kember Michelle King
Trustees
Chief Executive Officer Registered Charity Number[1160178] Registered Office
Little Miracles @The Spinney Hartwell Way Ravensthorpe Peterborough PE3 7LE
Statutory Auditor
GH Audit Ltd Focus 4 Fourth Avenue Letchworth SG6 2TU
Bankers
Barclays Bank 1-3 Church Street Peterborough PE1 1XE
Solicitors
Hunt and Coombs Solicitors 35 Thorpe Road Peterborough PE3 6AG
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Registered Charity Number: 1160178
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Trustees' Report
The Trustees present their report along with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on pages 9 to 15 and comply with the Charity’s Constitution and applicable law.
Vision
Our vision is a world where all families that have children with additional needs, disabilities and life-limiting conditions have the support that they need, at the time that they need it. Over the next ten years we will improve the lives of 50,000 children across the UK
Purpose
~~as a~~
Our purpose is to help families with disabled children to get the support that they need to live their lives and fulfil their potential
Mission
Little Miracles uses its expertise and knowledge to ensure that families are getting the support they need at the time that they need it. We work in a variety of ways to equip the whole family to take control of their future
~~—~~ We do this by providing: = ~~———~~ =
Support – in order to address families’ questions, worries and fears and ensure that they are receiving everything that they are entitled to, both financially and emotionally
Training – to both the parents/carers and the young people so they can develop the essential skills needed to care for their families and achieve their full potential
Activities – where children and young people can build relationships, receive essential respite and enjoy accessible development opportunities
Respite – essential breaks for families in order for them to thrive and grow
Safe-spaces – where families can come, be themselves and receive the support they need in an inclusive, non-judgmental and supportive atmosphere
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Trustees' Report continued
Values
Reaching families one by one – we recognise that every family is unique and the life-changing difference we can make to them
Available to all – every family that has a child with additional needs, disabilities and/or life-limiting conditions is welcome and cost is never a barrier
Integrity is the heart of our service – we create a place of trust and safety where people can grow in a secure environment
Never boring – there is always a sense of fun, excitement and adventure in what we do
Beneficial - we benefit all users in a measurable way
Outstanding – we strive to be the best in everything we do
We can do it together – we recognise that no one person can deliver our vision and goals alone but that if we work together as a team alongside our families then miracles can happen
Beliefs
Little Miracles strives to provide effective solutions to meet local need and to campaign for change that will ensure that families with disabled children get the support that they need, when they need it
Activities, achievements and performance ~~a eeerere ee~~ Little Miracles is a charity that exists to provide support to families that have children with additional needs, disabilities and life-limiting conditions. Although we started in Peterborough and continue to deliver services from our purpose-built centre, The Spinney, we are also now delivering services across the region of the East of England and have expanded to provide services in the following areas:
Peterborough Ramsey Milton Keynes Holbeach St Neots Ely Spalding Wisbech Kings Lynn March Stamford Littleport Bourne Chatteris Cambridge Leicestershire Downham Market Boston Ashfield in Nottinghamshire
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Trustees' Report continued
This year has been a year of consolidation for Little Miracles. After a period of significant growth, we have focused on strengthening our foundations so that our services remain sustainable, responsive and centred on families’ needs.
A key priority has been developing our IT and data systems, enabling us to work more efficiently and ensuring that our staff and volunteers are able to spend more time directly supporting families, rather than managing administrative processes. Aa
Alongside this internal development, we have continued to extend our reach. During the year we began providing support in Cambridge and Downham Market in response to the needs of our families. Looking ahead, we plan to increase support in St Ives and Huntingdon, expand into villages across East Cambridgeshire, and extend provision further towards Skegness. This measured approach allows us to grow responsibly while maintaining the quality and values that families trust.
Financially, this has been a significant year for the charity. For the first time, our income exceeded £1 million, reaching £1,085,076. This growth reflects an increase in the range and scale of services we are delivering, particularly through contracted provision. As expected, our expenditure also increased in line with this activity, totalling £1,013,999. We generated a modest surplus of £71,077 which will be used to strengthen our reserves in line with our reserves policy and ensure the organisation’s longterm stability.
This has also been an exceptionally challenging year for the families we support. Thresholds for statutory support continue to rise, leaving many families without the support they need. In response, we have worked closely alongside statutory partners to ensure families are not left to navigate these challenges alone. Many of the families we support are living with multiple difficulties including poverty, isolation and the additional costs associated with disability, all of which have been intensified by the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Our annual Impact Survey provides a clear and sobering picture of these realities and the pressures families face. It reinforces that families are not experiencing single issues in isolation, but layers of ih challenge that affect emotional wellbeing, confidence and day-to-day life. At the same time, the survey highlights the vital role Little Miracles plays as a consistent, trusted source of support when alternatives are limited or inaccessible.
Despite the increasing complexity of need, families continue to tell us that our support makes a meaningful difference. While many challenges are long-term in nature, the stability, connection and - 7 practical help provided through Little Miracles enables families to cope, feel less alone, and move 7 forward with greater confidence.
We are deeply grateful to our staff and volunteers for their commitment throughout the year. Their compassion, flexibility and determination have enabled us to meet rising demand and support families through some of their most difficult moments. Volunteers in particular have played a vital role, providing counselling, emotional and practical support, adapting sessions to meet individual needs, and helping children and young people remain engaged with education and community life.
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Trustees' Report continued
Our support services can be broadly classified into the following categories:
Support - Counselling - Benefits advice - Bereavement care - Education support - Play therapy - Emergency essentials including food S - Sensory work - Behaviour support - Family support - Advocacy * Training - For parents - For young people out of traditional education - For young adults with additional needs to support them into paid T employment - For professionals working with families who have children with additional ~ needs, disabilities and life-limiting conditions Activities - Parent and child groups - After-school clubs A - Sports sessions - Play schemes - Youth clubs - Education and social events Respite - For a small but growing number of young people on a referal basis R * Safe Spaces - Our centres - Adapted play areas - Fully-adapted caravan S - Sensory rooms
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For professionals working with families who have children with additional needs, disabilities and life-limiting conditions
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For a small but growing number of young people on a referal basis
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Groups and private hire of venues where our young people can have fun and play in a safe way
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Trustees' Report continued
Financial Review
Total income received during the year increased to £1,085,076, up from £999,882 in the previous year, representing an 8% increase. Total expenditure amounted to £1,013,999, compared with £904,378 last year, an increase of 12%. While we are pleased to report a net surplus of £71,077, which has been added to reserves, this is lower than the £95,504 contributed in the previous year. As we continue to grow, it remains important to strengthen our reserves to provide a much-needed financial safety net.
Reserves Policy
The Trustees' policy is to maintain a sufficient level of general reserves to enable the charity to continue in normal existence for three months, followed by an orderly curtailment of activities over the following three months if necessary. It is the aim of the Trustees to review this policy on an annual basis. The Trustees therefore aim to hold up to six months of expenditure as unrestricted funds.
At 31 March 2025 unrestricted funds amounted to £330,437 (2024: £241,089) which provides a base for the charity to move forward with its future plans as set out above. In our designated reserves account we hold £250,000 which whilst an increase is not where we would like it to be.
Structure, Governance and Management:
Governing Document
Little Miracles is registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) under its constitution
dated 1st December 2014 prior to this we were registered as an Unincorporated Charity since 1st March 2010
Tax Status
As a registered charity, number 1160178, Little Miracles is exempt from corporation tax and income tax on its charitable activities.
Trustees
The Board of Trustees who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:
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Iain Crighton MBE
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e Tina Moser-Wager fi al ck .
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Emerson Patton
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e Peter Jackson -~
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Emma Hannon
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Matthew Kember FCA
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Timothy Bedward-Jones Paul Fearnhead
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Julie Randall Rachael Evans
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David John McAughtrie
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Trustees' Report continued
Appointment of Trustees
The charity’s constitution requires a minimum of three Trustees. Trustees are
appointed for a term of three years and are invited to join the Board and elected by a resolution of the Trustees.
Public Benefit Statement
The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit, 'Charities and Public Benefit'.
Reference and Administrative Details
The principal addresses and details of professional advisers are included in the information sheet at the front of these accounts.
Trustees' Responsibilities in Relation to Financial Statements
The law applicable to Charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the Charity for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on an going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
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Trustees' Report continued
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the Trust Deed. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
In so far as the trustees are aware:
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there is no relevant audit information of which the charity's auditors are unaware; and
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the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of that information.
AUDITORS
The auditors, GH Audit Limited, will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming General Meeting.
th
This report was approved by the Trustees on 24 January 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Iain Crighton Matthew Kember FCA Chair of Trustees Treasurer
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Our Impact After spending time at Little Miracles in 2024... 100% of families 89% of families reported improvements reported an in their child’s improvement in their wellbeing circumstances 96% of families said 92% of families 86% of parents and Little Miracles reported improvements carers reported helped reduce their in their child’s life improvements in child’s social skills their own isolation & confidence wellbeing wake “An amazing charity, everyone there is a credit to the name. We would be very lost without little miracles” “Accessing the activities with children and families in similar situations together is just wonderful. To make memories together with children like mine, is so precious. The support you receive from other LM families is priceless. I am super grateful to Little Miracles. Michelle King is an incredible woman and her team are just amazing.”
“Little miracles has given us a place for our kids to be not judged for who they are. They have opened our eyes to what support we can get and are helping us with it. Knowing we are not the only ones going through a particular situation”
“Amazing team I wouldn’t know where I be now. Thanks to little miracles my child is no longer suicidal and helped me to get my child in the correct school for him”
“Little Miracles is a life line and I would be lost without them”
“The support, care and encouragement show to my child at Little Miracles, has significantly helped them improve their belief in themselves and to grow in confidence to try new things.”
“Amazing service which has given my son the childhood he would never have thought possible without Little Miracles. They go over and above to make you feel supported, empowered and worthy”
“It's helped us as a family to go new places and meet new people. People that understand difficulties rather then judging. We now go out and enjoy things in the community rather then avoid due to anxiety or fear of judgement from others.”
“Little Miracles has been a massive support and have have done lots of activities that are accessible for my son. These activities have helped with my mental wellbeing.”
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Audit Report for the year ended 31 March 2025
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Little Miracles CIO (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Aa Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and 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 (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
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give a true and fair view of the state of the charity's affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
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have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.
Basis for Opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial ih statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a - 7 basis for our opinion. 7
Conclusions Relating to Going Concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
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Audit Report for the year ended 31 March 2025
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other Information
The other information comprises the information included in the trustees' annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information. 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, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Matters on which we are required to Report by Exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 require us to report to you if, in our opinion:
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Audit Report for the year ended 31 March 2025
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the information given in the trustees’ report is inconsistent in any material respect with the financial statements; or
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sufficient accounting records have not been kept; or
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Aa
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the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records; or we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
Responsibilities of Trustees
As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities, 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 trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Our responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements
We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect ih thereunder.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud - or error, and to issue a Report of the Independent Auditors that includes our 7 7 opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
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Audit Report for the year ended 31 March 2025
The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
We gained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the Charity and how it operates and considered the risk of the Charity not complying with the applicable laws and regulations including fraud in particular those that could have a material impact on the financial statements. This included those regulations directly related to the financial statements. In relation to the Charity this included employment law, financial reporting and health & safety. The risks were discussed with the audit team, and we remained vigilant to any indications of noncompliance throughout the audit. We carried out specific procedures to address the risks identified these included the following:
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We reviewed systems and procedures to identify potential areas of management override risk. In particular, we completed testing of manual journals, specifically those relating to large or unusual entries or entries relating to management estimates.
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We tested the assumptions and judgements made by management in its significant accounting estimates including reviewing historical data to assess the appropriateness of previous assessments.
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We reviewed minutes of Trustee Board meetings for indication of error of fraud occurrence.
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We have enquired of management about any actual or potential litigation claims, and any known instances of non-compliance - none were identified as a result of our enquiries.
We assessed the appropriateness of the competence and capabilities of the engagement team, including the teams knowledge of the industry and the appropriateness of their practical experience through training and participation with audit engagements of a similar nature.
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Audit Report for the year ended 31 March 2025
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions Aa reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Report of the Independent Auditors.
Use of our Report
This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state 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, or for the opinions we have formed.
GH Audit Limited, Statutory Auditor ih Unit 1b Focus 4 Fourth Avenue Letchworth - Hertfordshire 7 7 SG6 2TU
Dated:
GH Audit Limited is eligible for appointment as auditor of the charity by virtue of its
eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.
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Statement of Financial Activity for year ending 31st March 2025
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities. The notes on pages 20 to 27 form part of these financial statements.
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Balance Sheet as at 31st March 2025
The notes on pages 20 to 27 form part of these financial statements.
These accounts were approved by the Trustees on 24th January 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Iain Crighton Matthew Kember FCA Chair of Trustees Treasurer
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Cash Flow Statement
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Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2025
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Registered Charity Number: 1160178
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2025
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01733 262226
Registered Charity Number: 1160178
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2025
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01733 262226
Registered Charity Number: 1160178
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2025
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Registered Charity Number: 1160178
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2025
No employee received remuneration in excess of £60,00.00(2024: None).
The Charity considers that the key management personnel comprise the senior management team. The total employee benefits of key management personnel of the charity were £190,901 (2024: £180,809). This includes employer national insurance contributions of £15,826 (2024: £14,240) and employer pension contributions of £5,585 (2024 £3,323).
Trustees Remuneration and Benefits
No Trustee, or persons connected with the Trustees, received any remuneration or were reimbursed any expenses from the charity during the year (2024: None).
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Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2025
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Registered Charity Number: 1160178
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2025
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Registered Charity Number: 1160178
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2025
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