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2025-03-31-accounts

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1164092

Report of the Trustees and

Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

for

South Essex Advocacy Services

Butlers Chartered Accountants

1434 London Road Leigh on Sea Essex SS9 2UL

South Essex Advocacy Services

Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Page
Reference and Administrative Details 1
Report of the Trustees 2 **to5 **
Independent Examiner's Report 6
Statement of Financial Activities 7
Balance Sheet 8
Notes to the Financial Statements 9 to14
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 15 to16

South Essex Advocacy Services

Reference and Administrative Details for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

TRUSTEES N Gupta MBE Trustee P Whittle Chairman K Davidson Treasurer M Carr Trustee PRINCIPAL ADDRESS 225-235 West Road Westcliff on Sea Essex SS0 9DE

REGISTERED CHARITY 1164092 NUMBER

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Butlers Chartered Accountants 1434 London Road Leigh on Sea Essex SS9 2UL

Page 1

South Essex Advocacy Services (SEAS)

Trustee Report for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

The trustees of South Essex Advocacy Services (SEAS) are pleased to present their annual report together with the unaudited financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2025. This report outlines the charity’s achievements, challenges, governance and financial position over the past year. SEAS continues to provide a vital lifeline for vulnerable adults across Southend, ensuring that their voices are heard and their rights protected.

The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Charities SORP (FRS 102).

1. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Charitable Purpose

SEAS exists to promote the wellbeing, rights, independence, and safety of vulnerable adults who may struggle to have their voices heard. Our mission is to ensure that every person—regardless of disability, mental health, age, background, or circumstance—is empowered to participate fully in decisions affecting their life.

Our services are designed to prevent crisis escalation, reduce social isolation, support informed decision-making, and safeguard individuals who may otherwise be unseen or unheard.

2. ADVOCACY & SUPPORT SERVICES

Throughout 2024–25, SEAS delivered a high-quality portfolio of statutory and non-statutory advocacy services. Many of the individuals we support face complex, overlapping challenges—mental illness, learning disabilities, exploitation, homelessness, social isolation, or age-related decline. Our services ensure that these individuals can access justice, support, and protection.

Care Act Advocacy

Our Care Act Advocates support individuals who have substantial difficulty participating in:

Advocates ensure the local authority meets its legal duties, and that individuals’ wishes and outcomes remain central to decision-making.

Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA)

IMCAs safeguard the rights of people who lack mental capacity and who have no appropriate family or friends to consult. They support critical decisions relating to:

IMCAs provide independent representation, gather information, consult professionals, and submit formal reports to ensure decisions made are truly in the individual’s best interests.

Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)

IMHAs support individuals detained or treated under the Mental Health Act. They help them:

This service is vital in enabling patient autonomy within restrictive settings.

Page 2

General & Community Advocacy

General Advocacy fills the gap for people who do not meet statutory thresholds yet still need support with:

This service prevents small problems escalating into crisis and ensures no one is left voiceless.

Financial Advocacy

Advocates help vulnerable individuals who are victims of financial abuse or those who cannot manage finances independently. Support includes:

NHS Complaints Advocacy

This service supports individuals to raise concerns or complaints about NHS treatment. We help people understand the process, draft statements, prepare for meetings and ensure complaints are dealt with transparently and fairly.

Relevant Persons Representative (RPR) & Rule 1.2 Representative

These statutory roles ensure the rights of individuals subject to Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards are protected, particularly those who cannot express their objections. Our advocates:

3. PROJECTS & COMMUNITY PROGRAMMES

Hello Life – Tackling Loneliness in Older Adults

Supporting adults aged 60+, Hello Life provides emotional support, confidence building, and social reconnection. Many beneficiaries experience profound loneliness, and the project plays a crucial role in reducing isolation and improving wellbeing.

Hospital to Home – Safe Discharge Advocacy

This project supports individuals at the point of hospital discharge, ensuring safe planning, appropriate intervention, and reduced readmission risk. Advocates liaise with hospitals, social care, families, and community services to secure stable, safe outcomes.

A Place Called Home (Launched June 2024)

Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, this project provides specialist housing advocacy for individuals facing:

We advocate on behalf of clients with housing authorities, landlords and support services, helping people remain safe in their homes.

Page 3

4. PUBLIC BENEFIT

The trustees confirm that SEAS has complied with the duty to demonstrate public benefit as set out in the Charities Act. SEAS supports around 1 ,700 people annually, each facing barriers that significantly affect their ability to live independently or safely.

Our work results in:

5. SOCIAL IMPACT & VOLUNTEERS

SEAS volunteers are an essential part of our operational model, contributing hundreds of hours each year. Their support:

For every £1 invested, SEAS generates approximately £1.57 in social value across the local community. Volunteering enhances community cohesion, creates pathways to employment, and strengthens local resilience.

6. EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

SEAS is committed to dismantling barriers that prevent fair and equal access to services. Our EDI principles are embedded across:

Advocacy is inherently an equality-driven role; by amplifying the voices of marginalised individuals, SEAS actively works to challenge discrimination and promote social justice.

7. FINANCIAL REVIEW

Our principal funding continues to be the Commissioned Statutory Advocacy Contract from Southend City Council. Additional grant funding was received from:

These funds enable SEAS to diversify services, increase resilience and enhance impact.

Reserves Policy

The trustees aim to maintain a minimum of six months of unrestricted expenditure to provide stability and ensure service continuity.

Page 4

8. FUTURE PLANS

Looking ahead, SEAS will focus on:

SEAS is well positioned to continue growing and evolving in response to community need.

9. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

SEAS is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) governed by a deed of trust.

Trustee Recruitment & Appointment

Trustees are recruited from the local community through direct approaches and recommendations. All trustees undertake induction covering governance, legal duties, safeguarding, and the operational context of the charity.

Management Structure

The Board of Trustees provides strategic oversight. The Chief Executive, Paula Blundell, leads day-to-day operations, supported by a skilled team of staff and volunteers.

Partnership Working

We collaborate with a wide network of organisations including:

These partnerships enable multi-agency working and improved outcomes for vulnerable adults.

10. Trustees’ Responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for ensuring the charity maintains proper accounting records, prepares financial statements in accordance with the Charities Act, and safeguards the charity’s assets.

This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 18 September 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

K Davidson - Trustee

Page 5

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of South Essex Advocacy Services

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of South Essex Advocacy Services I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of South Essex Advocacy Services (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust 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 Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.

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:

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or

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

3. 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 the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Hayley Meagher ACA

Butlers Chartered Accountants 1434 London Road Leigh on Sea Essex SS9 2UL

18 September 2025

Page 6

South Essex Advocacy Services

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Unrestricted
funds
Designated
INCOME AND
Notes
£
£
ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
8,199
-
Charitable activities
General Advocacy Services
301,824
-
Investment income
2
1,208
-
Total
311,231
-
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds
2,360
-
Charitable activities
General Advocacy Services
273,480
-
Total
275,840
-
NET INCOME
35,391
-
Transfers between funds
10
(100,000)
100,000
Net movement in funds
(64,609)
100,000
RECONCILIATION OF
FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
198,087
15,000
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED
133,478
115,000
FORWARD		 Restricted
funds
£
-
100,233
-
100,233
-
100,233
100,233
-
-
-
-
-		 31.3.25
Total
funds
£
8,199
402,057
1,208
411,464
2,360
373,713
376,073
35,391
-
35,391
213,087
248,478		 31.3.24
Total
funds
£
68,661
297,910
836
367,407
1,643
355,523
357,166
10,241
-
10,241
202,846
213,087

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 7

South Essex Advocacy Services

Balance Sheet 31 March 2025

Unrestricted
funds
Designated
FIXED ASSETS
Notes
£
£
Tangible assets
7
1,810
-
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
8
11,576
-
Cash at bank and in hand
147,301
115,000
158,877
115,000
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one
year
9
(27,209)
-
NET CURRENT ASSETS
131,668
115,000
TOTAL ASSETS LESS
133,478
115,000
CURRENT LIABILITIES
NET ASSETS
133,478
115,000
FUNDS
10
Unrestricted funds:
General fund
Desig- Redundancy
Desig - Office Relocation
TOTAL FUNDS		 Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 31.3.25
Total
funds
£
1,810
11,576
262,301
273,877
(27,209)
246,668
248,478
248,478
133,478
15,000
100,000
248,478
248,478		 31.3.24
Total
funds
£
2,701
63,448
163,065
226,513
(16,127)
210,386
213,087
213,087
198,087
15,000
-
213,087
213,087

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 18 September 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

K Davidson - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 8

South Essex Advocacy Services

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Computer equipment - 33% on cost

Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

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.

Hire purchase and leasing commitments

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charity's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

Page 9

continued...

South Essex Advocacy Services

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

2. INVESTMENT INCOME

31.3.25 31.3.24
£ £
Deposit account interest 1,208 836

3. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.

4. STAFF COSTS

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

31.3.25 31.3.24
Management 1 1
Administration 1 1
Delivery 10 8
12 10

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

5.

COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted
funds
Designated
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
£
£
Donations and legacies
68,661
-
Charitable activities
General Advocacy Services
280,600
-
Investment income
836
-
Total
350,097
-
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds
1,643
-
Charitable activities
General Advocacy Services
333,213
-
Total
334,856
-		 Restricted
funds
£
-
17,310
-
17,310
-
22,310
22,310		 Total
funds
£
68,661
297,910
836
367,407
1,643
355,523
357,166

Page 10

continued...

South Essex Advocacy Services

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

5.
COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
Designated
funds
£
£
£
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
15,241
-
(5,000)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
182,846
15,000
5,000
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
198,087
15,000
-
6.
INTANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Development
Computer
costs
software
COST
£
£
At 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025
3,306
5,949
AMORTISATION
At 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025
3,306
5,949
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2025
-
-
At 31 March 2024
-
-
7.
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Fixtures
and
Computer
fittings
equipment
COST
£
£
At 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025
6,416
16,605
DEPRECIATION
At 1 April 2024
6,246
14,074
Charge for year
56
835
At 31 March 2025
6,302
14,909
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2025
114
1,696
At 31 March 2024
170
2,531		 Total
funds
£
10,241
202,846
213,087
Totals
£
9,255
9,255
-
-
Totals
£
23,021
20,320
891
21,211
1,810
2,701

Page 11

continued...

South Essex Advocacy Services

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

8. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR WITHIN ONE YEAR WITHIN ONE YEAR
31.3.25 31.3.24
£ £
Trade debtors 1,539 300
Prepayments and accrued income 10,037 63,148
11,576 63,448
9. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
31.3.25 31.3.24
£ £
Trade creditors 4,046 1,345
Taxation and social security 5,297 3,438
Other creditors 17,866 11,344
27,209 16,127
10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Net Transfers
movement between At
At 1.4.24 in funds funds 31.3.25
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 198,087 35,391 (100,000) 133,478
Desig- Redundancy
15,000 - - 15,000
Desig - Office Relocation - - 100,000 100,000
213,087 35,391 - 248,478
TOTAL FUNDS 213,087 35,391 - 248,478
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming Resources Movement
resources expended in funds
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 311,231 (275,840) 35,391
Restricted funds
Essex Community Foundation 8,500 (8,500) -
National Lottery Community Fund 91,733 (91,733) -
100,233 (100,233) -
TOTAL FUNDS 411,464 (376,073) 35,391

Page 12

continued...

South Essex Advocacy Services

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net
movement At
At 1.4.23 in funds 31.3.24
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 182,846 15,241 198,087
Desig- Redundancy
15,000 - 15,000
197,846 15,241 213,087
Restricted funds
Essex Community Foundation 5,000 (5,000) -
TOTAL FUNDS 202,846 10,241 213,087
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming Resources Movement
resources expended in funds
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 350,097 (334,856) 15,241
Restricted funds
Essex Community Foundation 5,000 (10,000) (5,000)
Police and Fire Crime Commissioner 12,310 (12,310) -
17,310 (22,310) (5,000)
TOTAL FUNDS 367,407 (357,166) 10,241
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
Net Transfers
movement between At
At 1.4.23 in funds funds 31.3.25
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 182,846 50,632 (100,000) 133,478
Desig- Redundancy
15,000 - - 15,000
Desig - Office Relocation - - 100,000 100,000
197,846 50,632 - 248,478
Restricted funds
Essex Community Foundation 5,000 (5,000) - -
TOTAL FUNDS 202,846 45,632 - 248,478

Page 13

continued...

South Essex Advocacy Services

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Essex Community Foundation
National Lottery Community Fund
Police and Fire Crime Commissioner
TOTAL FUNDS		 Incoming
Resources
Movement
resources
expended
in funds
£
£
£
661,328
(610,696)
50,632
13,500
(18,500)
(5,000)
91,733
(91,733)
-
12,310
(12,310)
-
117,543
(122,543)
(5,000)
778,871
(733,239)
45,632

The charity has designated funds for the following uses:

Redundancy fund:

Funds set aside to cover the costs of redundancies of staff should the charity need to close.

Office Relocation fund:

Funds set aside towards the relocation and refurbishment of a new office and service delivery area.

Transfers between funds

The transfers in the year from restricted funds are due to fixed asset equipment purchased from a grant that was then reclassified to the general fund upon the satisfaction of the grant conditions.

11. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Page 14

South Essex Advocacy Services

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

31.3.25 31.3.24
£ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Donations and legacies
Donations 3,199 1,508
Legacies - 67,153
Grants 5,000 -
8,199 68,661
Investment income
Deposit account interest 1,208 836
Charitable activities
Grants 100,233 17,310
Advocacy Services 301,824 280,600
402,057 297,910
Total incoming resources 411,464 367,407
EXPENDITURE
Raising donations and legacies
Fundraising staffing costs 2,360 1,643
Charitable activities
Wages 275,973 242,089
Social security 18,852 19,263
Pensions 5,891 5,406
Rent 14,576 14,274
Rates and water 567 1,310
Insurance 3,847 2,824
Telephone and internet 6,105 5,219
Advertising 342 -
Cleaning 1,975 1,134
Travel Expenses 8,900 6,062
Refreshments 542 399
Postage and stationery 848 950
Light and heat 4,383 2,501
Subscriptions 149 348
Training 841 1,668
Sundries - 777
Repairs and renewals 565 1,140
Computer costs 17,422 4,176
Project costs 3,474 30,348
Gifts & Entertainment costs 1,011 1,657
Bookkeeping 4,111 7,279
Quality assurance - 3,003
Fixtures and fittings 56 84
Carried forward 370,430 351,911

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 15

South Essex Advocacy Services

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
31.3.25 31.3.24
£ £
Charitable activities
Brought forward 370,430 351,911
Computer equipment 835 1,246
Interest payable 78 -
371,343 353,157
Support costs
Finance
Bank charges 153 150
Governance costs
Auditors' remuneration for non audit work 2,100 2,100
Legal and professional fees 117 116
2,217 2,216
Total resources expended 376,073 357,166
Net income 35,391 10,241

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 16