Charity Number 1162976
ACCESS ADVENTURES
Trustees Report and Financial Statement Year Ended 31 March 2025
| Charity number | 1162976 | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of registration | (England & Wales) | |
| Operational address | Edge Adaptive Sports | Centre |
| Heron Lake Road | ||
| Staines | ||
| TW19 6HW | ||
| Trustees | Gordon Bloor | (1 April 2020 – present) |
| Stephanie Kaye* | (1 April 2020 – present) | |
| Duncan White* | (1 April 2020 – present) | |
| Chris Nicoll | (1 Feb 2021 – present) | |
| Becky Newham* | (1 Feb 2021 – 31 March 2025) | |
| Noel Miles* | (1 May 2024 - present) | |
| *has a disability |
Access Adventures aims to have a minimum 50% representation on the board from people with a disability.
| Chief Executive Officer | Jane Sowerby* |
|---|---|
| Senior Management Team | Clare Williams |
| Tim Farr* | |
| Independent Examiners | Colin Wilks & Co Limited |
| Suite 2, Douglas House | |
| 32-34 Simpson Road | |
| Fenny Stratford | |
| Milton Keynes | |
| MK1 1BA |
ACCESS ADVENTURES
Trustees Report Year Ended 31 March 2025
The Trustees present their report and the independently examined financial statements for the period ended 31 March 2025.
Objectives and activities
Purposes and aims
We aim to deliver life-changing adaptive adventure sports. Our services are designed to challenge expectations and build self-confidence for people with disabilities. We provide such people with opportunities to participate in adventure sports that promote physical health and fitness and improve their conditions of life.
Public Benefit
The trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.
Our vision:
A world where people with disabilities have equal access to the benefits of adventure sports.
Our mission:
To deliver life-changing adaptive adventure sports.
Our values/ objectives:
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Challenge expectations - we inspire people to break boundaries
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Encourage progression - in a supportive environment
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Increase confidence - we provide opportunities to empower and motivate
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Promote community - we offer a welcoming space for a long-lasting impact
Main Achievements
During this financial period, Access Adventures supported more than 400 individuals, providing opportunities to take part in a range of adaptive adventure sports such as waterskiing, wakeboarding, alpine skiing, land kiting, kayaking, paddleboarding and biking. Beneficiaries reported improvements in self-esteem and confidence after participating, with 100% of respondents indicating their overall experience with our services was extremely positive.
Our exclusive lake access, upgraded clubhouse, and on-site accommodation greatly enhanced the life-changing benefits of our summer programmes. Families and friends were welcomed as spectators and participants through dedicated family days and private hire, further strengthening the sense of community. Regular social events also highlighted the importance of peer support and shared experiences beyond the sports themselves.
Adaptive waterskiing and wakeboarding continued as our core sports between April and October. A range of day sessions and residential camps enabled a greater number of individuals from diverse locations to benefit from our services. Group packages were further developed, incorporating adaptive watersports alongside accommodation and catering provisions.
Tailored programmes for under-18s remained in high demand, with parents frequently noting both the transformative impact of these opportunities on their children and the scarcity of accessible adaptive adventure sports for younger participants.
Staff and volunteer capacity was strengthened through a new agreement that formalised processes and clarified roles. Early-season training days alongside progressive one-to-one training further enhanced volunteer proactivity and ensured safe, effective support for adaptive waterskiers.
Access Adventures partnered with British Waterski & Wakeboard to deliver adaptive training for coaches, upskill staff and introduce new participants through part-funded taster sessions - strengthening both coaching quality and awareness of adaptive watersports.
Collaborating with Adaptiv Mobility enabled us to expand our adaptive sports offerings. A range of adaptive off-road bikes and wheelchair add-ons were provided. The two-day event was highly successful: the first day engaged health professionals, and the second offered individuals with disabilities the opportunity to demo the equipment.
Over the winter, Access Adventures successfully delivered two adaptive ski and snowboard camps: one beginner-focussed in Colorado, and one for intermediate to advanced participants in France. Participants demonstrated significant progression at both locations. Following these camps, reunion events at the lake further motivated individuals to engage in other adaptive sports and strengthened the positive impact.
These achievements were made possible during this financial period thanks to the generous support from The Hargreaves Foundation, Bruce Wake Charity, Groundworks UK, Sport England, Alecto Trust, The Gosling Foundation, Community Foundation for Surrey, Enterprise, Bernard Sunley Foundation, Grocers Charity, Squire Foundation, Mobbs Memorial Trust, Garfield Weston, Broadcom and Teleflex. Thanks also to our community fundraisers and regular givers whose commitment has been instrumental in enabling us to deliver life-changing opportunities through adaptive adventure sports.
Main Challenges
The principle challenge for Access Adventures during the year was financial sustainability. Fundraising income did not meet expenditure, and reserves had not yet been replenished following the essential refurbishment works at the centre. As the charity continues to heavily subsidises costs for all beneficiaries, fundraising remains critical to deliver life-changing adaptive sports.
In response, the Management Team, working closely with the Trustees, developed and implemented an emergency fundraising strategy. Recognising the over-reliance on grants and trusts, the strategy focused on diversifying income streams, including corporate partnerships, and mobilising support from the Access Adventures community.
The emergency fundraising strategy delivered positive outcomes within a short timeframe and was fully effective in stabilising the immediate financial position by year end. Efforts are now focused on developing a longer-term fundraising strategy to ensure sustainability. Although only a small number of participants and volunteers responded to the emergency fundraising request, their efforts luckily met the immediate target. However, the experience highlighted the challenges of engaging a broader base of supporters. Developing strategies to expand participation will be essential to strengthen fundraising capacity.
Staffing and volunteer capacity also continues to be a significant challenge, directly influencing the number of beneficiaries we can support and the range of services we can provide. Expanding training opportunities and recruiting targeted expertise remain priorities to strengthen the effectiveness of our services.
Investing significant time and resources to deliver high-quality services at Edge Adaptive Sports Centre has demonstrated an impactful purpose and built a strong community, though it has limited the pace of development in other sports and locations.
Plans for the future
As we look ahead, our vision continues to guide us: a world where people with disabilities have equal access to the benefits of adventure sports. Everything we do is rooted in our mission: to deliver life-changing adaptive adventure sport.
Over the past decade, Access Adventures has built a strong foundation, shaped by our values: challenging expectations, encouraging progression, increasing confidence, and promoting community. As we celebrate our 10-year anniversary in 2025, we are proud of the lives touched and the boundaries broken together. We are grateful to the many participants, volunteers and supporters who have been part of the journey.
Our plans for the next 10 years are even bigger and bolder. We aim to increase our positive impact for a greater number of people, offering more opportunities to experience the freedom, challenge, and joy of adaptive adventure sports.
Key priorities for the future include:
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Strengthening our team – Growing our staff structure will free up the management team to focus on strategic growth, while expanding and training our staff and volunteer base will ensure the highest quality of service delivery. We remain mindful of the financial implications of this growth.
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Expanding opportunities – We will explore additional adaptive sports and locations, plus create tailored services for specific groups, ensuring more people can access life-changing adventures.
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Building stronger partnerships – By improving collaboration with partners, we can extend our reach, resources, and long-term sustainability.
Reserves Policy
The trustees recognise the need to hold reserves to allow protection of the charity's activities and to promote balanced, long-term strategic planning. However, trustees exclude from the free reserves all designated funds. The trustees’ policy is that the unrestricted reserves held by Access Adventures should be 3 months of operating costs to ensure charitable activities can be funded without interruption should there be a sudden decline in income. This ensures that commitments made, for example, in the form of contractual commitments to staff, suppliers and funding partners, can be met with confidence. In addition, the trustees have established that a contingency should be held to meet any unexpected costs associated with the infrastructure required to provide services, including buildings, boats, and other equipment. In total and in line with this policy, the trustees target for reserves is £59,000.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ACCESS ADVENTURES
CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Access Adventures
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31st March 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("The Act").
I report in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145 (5) (b) of the Act.
Independent Examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a "true and fair view" which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with this examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
C T Wilks
Colin Thomas Wilks FCMA FCCA Colin Wilks & Co Limited 19 Main Road Drayton Parslow Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire MK17 0JR
Date: 21st August 2025
ACCESS ADVENTURES CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
| Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Accomodation rental Activity provision Membership Fees Sales / hire of equipment & merchandise Catering sales & Bar Income Private Hire Swim Heron Government grants Donations and legacies 2 Total EXPENDITURE ON Raising Funds 3 Charitable activities 3 Other 3 Total NET INCOME / (EXPENDITURE) Transfers between Funds Net Movement in Funds RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Funds transferred from Yorkshire & Central Funds transferred from BDWWA Restricted Funds utilised & transferred Total Funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
2025 2024 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Funds Funds Funds Funds £ £ £ £ 2,316 2,316 3,795 56,038 56,038 37,708 691 691 2,076 593 593 816 6,925 6,925 6,128 14,333 14,333 14,427 10,547 10,547 9,847 6,778 6,778 0 128,325 65,644 193,969 170,918 |
|---|---|
| 226,546 65,644 292,190 245,715 19,845 19,845 4,307 5,230 50,000 55,230 47,723 229,380 15,644 245,024 270,812 |
|
| 254,455 65,644 320,099 322,842 |
|
| (27,909) 0 (27,909) (77,127) |
|
| (27,909) 0 (27,909) (77,127) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 496,263 5,792 502,055 579,182 |
|
| 468,354 5,792 474,146 502,055 |
CONTINUING OPERATIONS
All income and expenditure has arisen from continuing activities of Access Adventures.
ACCESS ADVENTURES CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION BALANCE SHEET At 31 March 2025
| Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible Assets 6 CURRENT ASSETS Cash at bank Debtors CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 7 NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES NET ASSETS FUNDS Unrestricted Funds 8 Restricted Funds 8 TOTAL FUNDS |
2025 2024 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Funds Funds Funds Funds £ £ £ £ 387,800 387,800 430,934 83,705 5,792 89,497 72,504 3,621 3,621 4,450 6,772 6,772 5,833 |
2025 2024 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Funds Funds Funds Funds £ £ £ £ 387,800 387,800 430,934 83,705 5,792 89,497 72,504 3,621 3,621 4,450 6,772 6,772 5,833 |
|---|---|---|
| 80,554 5,792 86,346 71,121 |
||
| 468,354 5,792 474,146 502,055 |
||
| 468,354 5,792 474,146 502,055 |
||
| 468,354 468,789 5,792 5,792 |
||
| 474,146 502,055 |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on and were signed on its behalf by:
Gordon Bloor Trustee Date:
ACCESS ADVENTURES CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparation
These accounts have been prepared under the historic cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to these accounts.The financial statements of the charity have been prepard in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS102) 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 (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2015), Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland", and the Charities Act 2011.
Income
All income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when the charity becomes entitled to the resources, it is more likely than not that the trustees will receive the resources, and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.
There has been no offsetting of assets and liabilities, or income and expenses, unless required or permitted by the FRS 102 SORP or FRS 102
Grants and donations are only included in the SoFA when the general income recognition criteria are met.
The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the trustees' annual report.
Expenditure and Liabilities
Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty.
Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost relating to the category.
Support costs have been allocated between governance costs and other support. Governance costs comprise all costs involving public accountability of the charity and its compliance with regulation and good practice. Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
The charity made no redundancy payments during the reporting period.
No material item of deferred income has been included in the accounts.
The charity has debtors and creditors which are measured at settlement amounts.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
ACCESS ADVENTURES CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
Tangible Fixed Assets
These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year and costs at least £1000. They are valued at cost less accumulated depreciation. The depreciation rates and methods used are disclosed in Note 6.
Fund Accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
2 INCOMING RESOURCES
Income in the current period is from donations, accomodation rental,and waterski & wakeboard activities previously carried out by the British Disabled Water Ski & Wakeboard Association. All income is entirely attributable to the Charity's principal activities and objectives.
There was restricted income brought forward of £5792 from earlier years. During the year there were restricted income receipts totalling £65,644 of which £65644 was spent during the year leaving the brought forward £5,792 of restricted funds to be further carried forward.
ACCESS ADVENTURES
CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
3 ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE
| Expenditure on raising funds: Incurred seeking donations Branded merchandise Total Expenditure on charitable activities: Camp Activity costs Total Other Depreciation of equipment Heron site costs Staff Costs Administration costs Accounting and legal fees Total TOTAL EXPENDITURE Within the unrestricted expenditure on Camp Catering Bar Activity provision France ski trip Colorado ski trip Advertising, marketing, direct mail and publicity |
2025 2024 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Funds Funds Funds Funds £ £ £ £ 18,503 18,503 730 1,251 1,251 1,567 91 91 2,010 |
|---|---|
| 19,845 19,845 4,307 |
|
| 5,230 50,000 55,230 47,723 |
|
| 5,230 50,000 55,230 47,723 |
|
| 43,134 43,134 49,478 31,236 5,000 36,236 61,561 144,058 10,644 154,702 149,002 8,522 8,522 9,211 2,430 2,430 1,560 |
|
| 229,380 15,644 245,024 270,812 |
|
| 254,455 65,644 320,099 322,842 |
|
| Activity costs, the following items are material: £ £ 5,001 4,530 4,178 2,555 0 20,846 1,967 27,947 5,548 |
The Accounting and legal fees shown above include the Independent examiner's fees of £1620 for the examination of the accounts.
4 TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND STAFF COSTS
There was no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for either the current period or previous year. However, there were staff costs as follows:
| However, there were staff costs as follows: | |
|---|---|
| Salaries and wages Pension costs Social security costs Total |
2025 2024 £ £ 136,508 137,013 3,411 2,812 14,783 9,177 |
| 154,702 149,002 |
The employees were engaged in Fundraising activities and Activity provision.
5 TRUSTEES' EXPENSES
There were no trustees' expenses paid for either the current year or the previous year.
6 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| Cost or valuation At the beginning of the period Additions Revaluations Disposals At the end of the period Depreciation and impairments At the beginning of the period Disposals Depreciation charge for the period At the end of the period Net Book Value At the beginning of the period At the end of the period |
Cableway Fixtures, and Fittings Buildings Equipment Total £ £ £ £ 203,089 416,532 6,129 625,750 0 0 0 0 Activity Equipment |
|---|---|
| 203,089 416,532 6,129 625,750 |
|
| £ £ £ £ 122,864 67,176 4,776 194,816 20,056 22,392 686 43,134 |
|
| 142,920 89,568 5,462 237,950 |
|
| 80,225 349,356 1,353 430,934 |
|
| 60,169 326,964 667 387,800 |
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. Heron Lake buildings - 5% on cost Cableway - 10% on cost Boats & Other activity equipment - 25% reducing balance Fixtures, fittings and equipment - 20% on cost
ACCESS ADVENTURES CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
7 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| Taxation and social security Other creditors |
2025 2024 £ £ 3,469 2,982 3,303 2,851 |
|---|---|
| 6,772 5,833 |
8 MOVEMENTS IN FUNDS
| Restricted Funds: Service delivery Site improvements Safety equipment World Champs Salary costs Unrestricted Funds: General Total |
At 1 April Incoming Outgoing At 31 March 2024 Resources Resources Transfers 2025 (Inc gains) £ £ £ £ £ 0 50000 50000 0 0 5000 5000 0 5792 5792 0 0 0 10644 10644 0 |
|---|---|
| 0 65,644 65,644 0 5792 |
|
| 496,263 226,546 254,455 0 468,354 |
|
| 496,263 226,546 254,455 0 468,354 |
9 RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31st March 2025.