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← Eastcott Community Organisation

2025-03-31-accounts

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ORGANISATION ALE
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ANNUAL REPORT

Registered Charity 1160538

Reporting period April 2024-March 2025

Our Mission:

To enhance the life of the Eastcott Community through the provision of events, activities and opportunities.

Our Vision:

To be a successful and innovative organisation, managing a vibrant and inclusive community resource.

Our story: Eastcott Community Organisation became a constituted group in February 2013. In May 2014 we took over community management of Eastcott Community Centre (formerly Savernake Street Social Hall), with the vision to create a community hub for us all to enjoy. We are a registered charity and Charitable Incorporated Organisation.

Public benefit: We are mindful of our responsibility to run our charity in a way that is beneficial to the public; and to demonstrate this in accordance with the Charities Act 2022.

  1. There must be an identifiable benefit or benefits

  2. The benefit must be to the public – or a section of the public.

Our mission and aims support our constitutional objectives to increase opportunities for people in our area of benefit, and this is a constant reference point for all our activities.

We believe that our activities this year have enabled us to follow our mission , by increasing opportunities for local residents to:

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● join community activities at low cost to participants due to grants or other funds.

MANAGING A COMMUNITY RESOURCE:

This was the first reporting period since 2019/2020, where Covid-19 restrictions have not featured in our primary decision making regarding the hire of the hall. This has been a welcome change and we have seen community use of the centre steadily increase, particularly in the evenings and over weekends.

Regular hire has increased from 22 hirers in April 2024 to 26 regular hirers in April 2025. There has been a steep increase in the amount of requests received for private residents' parties, having received a total of 175 requests from residents this reporting period. We were able to accommodate 40 out of these, with hall availability coupled with the availability of volunteers.

Long standing hirers such as Higashi Karate, Tai Chi, Jack and Jills Playgroup and U3A continue to thrive using the centre as a venue. Support and health groups, fitness activities and classes for children and young people further increased the range of activities available.

In June 2024 , we recruited an experienced Community Centre Administrator to oversee the bookings and day-to-day running of the Centre. The Centre has been able to accommodate a steady increase in bookings under her supervision, providing vital income to carry out our charitable aims.

Throughout the reporting period, the trial period of moving our bookings paperwork fully electronic continued. The Community Centre Administrator will work to be as efficient with our time and resources as possible, while still meeting the needs of a diverse hirer group.

Thanks to trustee Sara Fluck, we maintained a Level 3 Advancing certificate from the Royal Horticulture Society following our entry into the In Your Neighborhood, Britain in Bloom Competition arranged by the South Swindon Parish Council.

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ORGANISING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES:

Of note, the organisation in its current form celebrated its 10th Anniversary in May 2024. The celebration saw staff and volunteers, both past and present come together to celebrate. A commemorative pennant was made by local charity Stitch Social and hangs proudly in Raggy Powell Hall.

The Repair Cafe and Free Shop events continue to be popular and well attended. We offer our thanks to Dave Foster and the Repair Cafe and Free Shop volunteers for their commitment to these events. In September 2025, the Repair Cafe will celebrate its 10th Anniversary and plans are underway for this celebration. Open Door, a small charity based in Swindon, has been running the refreshments cafe during these events, providing opportunities for those with learning disabilities and mental health issues to build confidence through volunteering.

Our Community Inclusion Co-ordinator successfully added 3 new events to our programme of events for the reporting year:

“I was dead impressed by how busy it was too so it’s clearly popular! Great job ” ~ and look forward to joining you again soon!

“We thought it was great! A nice social thing for the community and a chance to grab some great bargains.”

This was the first Silver Sunday event hosted by Eastcott Community Organisation with support from the Wiltshire Community Foundation’s Older Peoples Programme. The event saw three musical acts performing songs from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

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The Community Inclusion Co-ordinator role received continued support from the Wiltshire Community Foundation (the second year of a three year grant). Further support was announced in January 2025 with funding from the National Lottery Community Fund to contribute to all community inclusion events for 2025.

We held the seventh Eastcott Window Wanderland in March 2025 involving 80 window makers creating a magical illuminated walking trail for all the community to enjoy. The theme was “Reach for the Stars” which saw Eastcott lit up with scenes of space, celebrities and inspirational images. This was the first year a fully online map was available. This received mixed feedback and next year we will have printed maps available again. There are concerns that the popularity of this event is waning across the entire network of organisers. Window Wanderland have invited the organisation to join a working group throughout 2025 to look at revitalising the Window Wanderland project nationally and it is hoped this will bring new energy and ideas to Window Wanderland 2026.

“I love art and don't really have an outlet anymore so this is a nice annual event to look forward to.”

“Loved the opportunity of being part of the community, we are new to Old Town, so it was a lovely way to become involved in the community.”

FINDING OUT WHAT OUR COMMUNITY WANTS

This year we have collected feedback which has directly influenced our plans for 2025/2026 and beyond:

Feedback forms are available at all community events. We have collected and reviewed over 50 feedback forms as well as received feedback through meaningful 1-2-1 conversations with our community. With events like the Big Lunch and Repair Cafes this year we’ve seen that attending free or low cost activities is still very important to those in our area but feedback stating this did not feature as prominently as the previous two years. Continued opportunities to come together as a community did feature in feedback received.

Feedback forms and comment books will continue to be available at events going forward.

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FINANCE

Funding and support

We have two main income streams – grant funding/fundraising and revenue from hiring out the community centre.

We have generated 56% (£32270) of our income from lettings (down from 69.8% last year.) We have received 33% (£19000) of our income from grants. A grant for all community inclusion activities was received from the National Lottery Community Fund, this is the first time one funder has supported a year’s worth of events at the centre. Fundraising made up 2% (£1150) of our income. Plans are underway to upgrade the equipment at the centre and maintain the appearance of the building where possible.

Grant funding:

We would like to thank our funders for 2024/25: Wiltshire Community Foundation and National Lottery Community Fund

Revenue from hirers:

We would like to thank all our regular hirers for supporting a community resource. We also thank the residents who chose to hold their private celebrations at Eastcott Community Centre.

Reserves policy

We have seen an increase in our expenditure as expected in the current economic climate. Our previous reserves policy was six months running costs for the centre (£2000 x 6). In January 2025, we increased our reserves to £18000 (£3000 x 6). Our reserves reflect six months of running costs, not including our restricted funds of £17149.

We believe that this more accurately represents the current costs associated with running Eastcott Community Centre moving forward. The Committee will review this regularly as the uncertainty of the current economic climate continues.

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VOLUNTEERS, COMMITTEE AND STAFF

As always, our biggest thanks this year goes to our volunteers. The volunteers have given their time generously to the organisation.

Current Volunteer Roles include:

32 volunteers contribute to the success of Eastcott Community Organisation. 12 operational volunteers who serve on the committee and those hold keys for the centre, supporting regular hirers. And 20 volunteers supporting community events and the delivery of the newsletter and flyers.

At our AGM in November 2024, eight trustees joined the volunteer board. Six were reappointments. We conclude our current reporting period with seven trustees. Our trustees’ experience includes finance, charity work, social work, project management, marketing, business development, administration, IT, journalism, environmental issues and engineering.

Chair: Stephanie Newton Secretary: Barrie Hudson Garden and Grounds: Sara Fluck Trustee: Josh Sheppard

Vice-Chair: Anna Smart Treasurer: Anne Stone Trustee: Lauren Wallis

Our committee is appointed in line with our constitution and has met monthly on the 2nd Monday of the month 7.30 – 9pm.

We have retained two part time positions.

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THE FUTURE

We continue to learn, grow, and respond to interest within the community.

In the year ahead we plan to:

THANK YOU to:

The members of our community who have participated in our activities and supported us.

The volunteers

Our hire groups

Our staff: Jaine, Tracey and Sophie

Our centre, event and newsletter volunteers

Our funders: National Lottery Community Fund and Wiltshire Community Foundation

ACRE, Community First, Voluntary Action Swindon and the Base Camp Network for their advice and support

Annual report approved by committee at a meeting held on 11th August 2025

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EASTCOTT COMMUNITY ORGANISATION

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1160538

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED

31 MARCH 2025

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT2024
INCOME TOTAL RESTRICTED UNRESTRICTED TOTAL
Grants Received 19,100 19,100 8,415
Donations Received 27 27 37
Income from Fund Raising 1,511 1,511 1,725
Lettings 32,270 32,270 34,692
Sale / Hire of Equipment 20 20 293
Book Sales 36 36 195
Deposits 4,125 4,125 3,900
Waste Collection/Grit 468 468 434
Window Wanderland 16 16 0
TOTAL

 £57,573 £23,225 £34,348 £49,691

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EASTCOTT COMMUNITY ORGANISATION

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1160538

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED

31 MARCH 2025

31 MARCH 2025 31 MARCH 2025 31 MARCH 2025
2024
EXPENDITURETOTAL RESTRICTED UNRESTRICTED TOTAL
On Restricted Expenditure 14,215 14,215 9,107
Expenditure on Fund Raising Events 434 434 504
Rent 4,125 4,125 4,500
Cleaning 7,838 7,838 5,396
Insurance 1,019 1,019 948
Newsletters/Flyers 0 0 350
Waste /Sanitary Collection 1,149 1,149 1,055
Grit Bin Re-fill 0 0 126
Printing/Stationery/Postage 319 319 240
Accountancy Payroll 477 477
459
Accountancy 180 180 180
Music / Media /Premises Licence 528 528 139
Equipment 1,492 1,492 200
Gardening 0 0 0
Maintenance /Decorating/Repairs 354 354 484
Neighbourhood Lunch 105 105 0
Miscellaneous 623 623 440
Subscriptions & Memberships 390 390 430
Training 24 24 54
Staff 12,646 12,646 11,641
Window Wanderland 260 260 529
Cookery Book 0 0 283
Wi-Fi 288 288 288
TOTAL £46,466 £14,215 £32,251 £37,353
TOTAL

Net Surplus (Deficit for the Year)
£11,107 £9,010 £2,097 £12,338

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EASTCOTT COMMUNITY ORGANISATION
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1160538
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 MARCH 2025
BALANCE SHEET
Bank & Cash
Lloyds Bank Account 51,293
Cash in Hand 68
__
TOTAL ASSETS £51,361

Represented By
Unrestricted Funds 34,212
Restricted Funds 17,149
_____
TOTAL£51,361
 2024
40,186
68
_
£40,254
32,115
8,139
______
£40,254

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EASTCOTT COMMUNITY ORGANISATION REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1160538

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1160538 REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1160538
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 MARCH 2025
1 Movement on Restricted Funds
Balance Income Expenditure Balance
At in in at
31/03 /2024 Year Year 31/03/2025
Deposits 2,295 4,125 4,275 2,145
ECOFEST 2023 333 0 315 18
WCF Grant (1) 2,500 0 2,500 0
WCF Grant (2) 3,011 0 2,945 66
WCF Grant (3) 0 5,000 1,250 3,750
National Lottery Grant 0 14,100 2,930 11,170
_________
£8,139 £23,225 £14,215 £17,149
2 Fundraising Even
Income Expenditure Surplus
Repair Cafe/Freeshop 300 10 290
Clothes Swap 225 92 133
Sip and Paint 367 224 143
Yard Sale 70 5 65
Wine Night 549 103 446
£1,511 £434 £1,077
3 Reserves
TOTAL RESTRICTED UNRESTRICTED
As at 31 March 2024 40,254 8,139 32,115
Surplus (Deficit) for Year 11,107 9.010 2,097
As at 31 March 2025 £51,361 £17,149 £34,212
4 approved by committee 11th Aug 25

Eastcott Community Organisation Registered Charity Number 1160538 Flnancial Statements For The Year Ended 31st March 2025 Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Eastcott Community Organisation I report on the accounts for the year ended 31st March 2025 which Are set out on pages 2 to 4 Respective responsibilities of Management committee and examiner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 ' The Act" and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:_ -Examine the accounts under section 145 of The Act -Follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 145151 Ib} of The Act; and -state whether particular matters have come to my attention Basis of Independent Examiner's Statement My examination was carried out in accordance with General directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a rewew of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts. and seeking explanations from the Trustees con￿mIng any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit. and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a "true and fair" view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent Examiner's Statement In connertion with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: I Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that,in any material respert. the requirements -To keep accounting records in accordance with sertion 130 of The Act -To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of The Act have not been met or 2 To which in my opinion . attention Should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reach Date Robert Raynes FCA 85 Priors Hill Wroughton Swindon Wilts SN4 ORL

Eastcott Community OrKdnisation Registered Charity Number 1160538 Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31st March 2025 Incorne and Expenditure Account Total Restricted Unrestricted 2024 Total Income Grants Received Donations Received Income from Fund Raising Events Lettings Sale/Hire of Equipment Book Sales Deposits Waste Collection/Grit Window Wanderland Total 19,100 27 I,sii 32,270 20 36 4,125 468 16 £57,573 £23.225 19,100 8,415 37 1,725 34,692 293 195 3,900 434 27 1,511 32,270 20 36 4.125 468 16 £34,348 £49,691 Expenditure On Restricted Expenditure Expenditure on Fund Raising Events Rent Cleaning Insurance Newsletters/Flyers Waste & Sanitary Collection Grit Bin Re -fill Printing, Stationery & Postage Accountancy Payroll Accountancy Music/ Media/Premises Licence Equipment Gardening Maintenance, Decorating & Repairs Neighbourhood lunch Miscellaneous Subscriptions and Memberships Training Staff Window Wanderland Cookery Book Wi-Fi Total 14,215 434 4,125 7.838 1,019 14,215 9,107 504 4,500 5,396 948 350 1,055 126 240 459 180 139 434 4,125 7,838 1,019 1,149 1,149 319 477 180 528 1,492 319 477 180 528 1,492 354 105 623 390 24 12,646 260 354 105 623 390 24 12,646 260 484 430 54 11.641 529 283 288 £37,353 288 £46,466 £14,215 £32,251 Net Surplus ( Deficit) for the Year £11,107 £9,010 £2,097 £12,338

Eastcott Community Organisatlon Registered Charity Number 1160538 Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31st March 2025 Balance Sheet 2024 Bank & Cash Lloyds Bank account Cash in Hand 51,293 68 40,186 68 Total Assets £51,361 £40,254 Represented By Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds 34,212 17.149 32,115 8,139 Total £51,361 £40,254 Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf

Eastcott Communlty Organisation Registered Charity Number 1160538 Notes to the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31st March 2025 l Movement on Restricted Funds Balance Asat 3U0312024 2,295 333 2,500 3.011 Income in Year 4,125 Expenditure in Year 4.275 315 2.500 2,945 1.250 2,930 £14,215 Balance Asat 31/0312025 2,145 18 Deposits Ecofest 2023 WCF Grant (11 WCF Grant {2) WCF Grant13) National Lottery Grant 66 3,750 11,170 £17,149 14.100 £8,139 £23,225 2 Fund Raising Events Income 300 225 367 70 549 £1,511 Expenditure io 92 224 Surplus 290 133 143 65 446 £1,077 Repair Café/ Freeshop Clothes Swap Sip and Paint Yard Sale Wine Night 103 £434 3 Reserves Total 40,254 Restricted Unrestricted 8.139 32,115 As at 31st March 2024 Surplus {Deficit) for year 11.107 9,010 2,097 As at 31st March 2025 £51,361 £17.149 £34,212