2025-06-30-accounts

Charity number: 1164650

THE ASSIST FUND

(A Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025

THE ASSIST FUND

Contents

Contents
	Page
Contents	1
Reference and Administrative Details of the Charity, its Trustees and Advisers	2
Trustees' Report	3 - 6
Auditor's Report	7 - 10
Statement of Financial Activities	11
Balance Sheet	12
Statement of Cash Flows	13
Notes to the Financial Statements	14 - 20

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THE ASSIST FUND

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025

Dispensation

The names of the Trustees are withheld in accordance with formal dispensations as required by section 10(3) of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 1995.

Charity registered number

1164650

Principal office

PO Box 62849, London, SE1P 5AE

Investment Managers

M&G Group, 10 Fenchurch Avenue, London EC3M 5AG

CCLA, 1 Angel Lane, London EC4R 3AB

Solicitors

Charles Russell Speechlys, 5 Fleet Place, London EC4M 7RD

Bank

London Drummonds

Auditor

Moore Kingston Smith LLP, 9 Appold Street, London EC2A 2AP

2

THE ASSIST FUND TRUSTEES' REPORT

YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025

The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of The Assist Fund, a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, ("the CIO") for the year 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Constitution

The CIO was incorporated on 2 December 2015 with charity number 1164650. The CIO is governed by its Constitution document. A predecessor charity, Assist Fund, charity number 25419, was established by a Deed of Trust dated 13 September 1966. During the year ended 30 June 2017, the assets and activity of the predecessor charity were transferred to the CIO, in accordance with the Charities Act 2011. The CIO operates from the same principal address.

Trustees

In accordance with the CIO's Constitution there shall be a minimum of two Trustees: there is no maximum. The Board comprised 11 Trustees in the reporting period. The names of the Trustees are withheld in accordance with formal dispensations as required by section 10(3) of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 1995.

Trustees may appoint another or other Trustees at their discretion by resolution at a properly convened meeting of the Charity’s Trustees. A Nominations Committee will be formally established comprising up to three current Trustees and a selection process will be conducted. Recommendations will be proposed for the Board’s ratification.

The Charity's financial year runs from 1 July to 30 June and the Trustees meet four times a year to oversee the strategy, policies, governance and investments of the CIO. The day-to-day running of the Charity is delegated to the Chief Executive Officer, staff and Trustee-led committees made up largely of unpaid volunteers. The Charity not only awards grants, loans and benefits to eligible beneficiaries to achieve its purpose of preventing and relieving poverty but it also promotes the efficiency of the Service through the provision of well-being and morale enhancing initiatives.

Risk Management

The Trustees regularly review the risks to which the Charity is exposed and the systems which have been established to mitigate them. The principal risks include loss of invested funds through poor management or adverse financial climate; loss of funds through financial or administrative fraud or malpractice; and reputational damage through failure to ensure compliance with changes in legislation and regulations. The Charity remains alert to the threat posed by widespread health issues and has learnt and recorded lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic. As with the previous three years the increase in the cost-of-living continued to be the most significant external risk factor to our beneficiary family. The Charity responded with additional support to combat the financial challenges faced by its beneficiary family.

OBJECTS AND ACTIVITIES

Objects

The Objects of the Charity are to promote the efficiency of the Service by providing support and assistance to its personnel, past and present, and their dependants and to provide for the relief of need amongst beneficiaries and their dependants.

The Charity achieves its purposes through the making of payments, grants, loans and benefits to the said persons, and their dependants, who are or have been employees of the beneficiary organisation and its associated organisations and who may stand in need of such assistance. Furthermore, initiatives to enhance the morale and well-being of current staff, outside the responsibility of the beneficiary organisation, are also considered.

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THE ASSIST FUND TRUSTEES' REPORT

YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025

Activities for Achieving Charitable Purpose

The Charity has three delivery Committees: the Financial Assistance Committee; the Development Committee; and, the Friends Committee. The prevention and relief of poverty work of the Charity is primarily undertaken by the Financial Assistance Committee, led by two Trustees, administered by the Financial Assistance Committee Manager, and supported by unpaid volunteers. As well as the continuing cost-of-living challenges we continue to see the deleterious effects of relationship breakdowns not only in terms of emotional health but also in terms of financial well-being. As the restructured support measures introduced in 2023 were working well, they were retained throughout 2025. But further support measures have also been introduced in order to help retain diversity in the workplace through childcare cost assistance. Other targeted initiatives focused on travel cost support to help former and current staff afford the cost of travel in order to maintain contact and friendship with family and friends thus combating social isolation as well as supporting those in fuel poverty with a monthly grant throughout the winter months. The Development Committee is responsible for introducing and overseeing morale and well-being initiatives designed to promote the efficiency of the current staff members. The demand for its services continued to increase especially in the area of bursaries, personal development grants and grants to support current staff members with additional care responsibilities for their loved ones. The Friends Committee friendship network, designed to counter the adverse effects of social isolation through enhancing the morale and camaraderie of the former staff community - as well as aiding in the identification of those in need, has now passed 1,100 members. Each committee has delegated financial authority agreed annually by the Board of Trustees; grants and loans above a fixed threshold or over and above the agreed authority are referred to the Board of Trustees for approval.

PUBLIC BENEFIT

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission in determining the activities undertaken by the Charity. As well as implementing a programme of regular training in all aspects of being a good trustee for members of the Board it also has a Trustee induction programme.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Review of Activities

Before the revaluation of investments, there was surplus income over expenditure for the year ended 30 June 2025 of £127,303 (period ended 30 June 2024 – surplus income over expenditure of £257,881). The revaluation of investments for the year gave a loss of £158,689 (2024 – gain of £1,328,333). After that adjustment, the result for the year was surplus expenditure over income of £31,386 (2024 – surplus income over expenditure of £1,586,214).

Other contributing factors to this result were donations of £311,003 (including one donation of £125,000) (2024 legacies and donations total - £503,248), investment income of £815,653 (2024 - £731,625), offset by grants to beneficiaries of £791,550 (2024 - £731,279), other support costs of £146,889 (2024 - £164,377) and governance costs of £23,311 (2024 - £23,899).

Once again, through the introduction of the new initiatives, the Charity continued to respond to the current needs of its beneficiary family.

At 1 July 2024, there were 83 outstanding loans to beneficiaries totalling £316,440 (2023 – 56 loans totalling £260,379). During the year, 25 loans totalling £64,974 were repaid in full or converted to grants. Three balances totalling £7,118 were written off or adjusted after a review covering recoverability. Assistance to the value of £231,390 was provided to 56 beneficiaries and their dependants, made up of payday loans, rent deposits and long-term loans. Individual grants and regular grants totalling £111,408 were awarded to 41 beneficiaries and £650,891 was paid in grants for staff initiatives. Partial repayments of £117,392 were received on outstanding loans resulting in 111 outstanding loans to beneficiaries at 30 June 2025 in the amount of £358,346.

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THE ASSIST FUND TRUSTEES' REPORT

YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025

The Trustees are pleased to report that the Charity has had a strong beneficial impact upon those within the Assist Fund family (current and former members of the beneficiary organisation and their dependants), helping all those in need of charitable assistance. By doing so, Trustees are assured that the Charity, through its work for its beneficiaries, is adding to society as a whole. The cost-of-living crisis and its impact on the beneficiary family remains a significant focus for our activity.

RESERVES AND INVESTMENT POLICY AND PERFORMANCE

The CIO's expenditure continued to be funded through donations, legacies, proceeds from small-scale fundraising activities and investment income. Investment objectives coupled with other income generation generate sufficient income to meet current expenditure. The Charity has adopted a risk-based approach to its reserves identifying investment income as the main risk to achieving its charitable purposes. Accordingly, the level of reserves is set at £2m which has been assessed as sufficient to achieve its charitable purpose should investment markets suffer prolonged falls in value. The Trustees review the Charity’s reserves in light of Charity Commission guidance and will continue to adapt and develop the Reserves Policy as the Charity grows.

The Charity, in accordance with its Investment Policy, has adopted a risk-based approach to its investments which are held with CCLA’s COIF, the CCLA Deposit Fund and M&G’s Charifund.

On reviewing the Strategic Risk Register, Trustees remain satisfied that appropriate steps have been taken to lessen the threat to the CIO's investment portfolio through diversification of funds with an appropriate risk level and that sufficient measures are in place to prevent financial or administrative fraud or malpractice and to ensure compliance with recent changes in relevant legislation.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Going Concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees recognise that the CIO has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the Accounting Policies.

The Trustees are pleased to retain a responsive and flexible approach to meeting the needs of its beneficiary family. Many of these measures were introduced as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and remain relevant today.

In making the assessment on whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate, the Trustees have considered not only the impact of the hike in the cost-of-living and lessons learned from the pandemic but also the other threats facing the Charity’s beneficiary family , such as the emotional and financial toll taken by relationship breakdowns. Trustees are satisfied that the substantial reserves and liquid assets held by the Charity justify their belief that there are no material uncertainties that cast significant doubt on the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Fundraising Practices

The Assist Fund relies principally on investment income, charitable donations and legacies. It does not conduct direct mail, telephone, text, television or other kinds of public fundraising. It does have however a fundraising policy in accordance with the Fundraiser Regulator and Charity Commission guidance.

PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS

I n recognition of the adverse effects of the challenging economic climate the Charity, in 2024-25, continued:

• measures to support those members of its beneficiary family with young children throughout the summer holiday period;

• a support grant to help ease the financial burden associated with full-time childcare and thus assisting the diversity of the beneficiary organisation’s workforce;

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THE ASSIST FUND TRUSTEES' REPORT

YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025

• funding to enable its entire beneficiary base to better afford to travel to see family and friends thus removing potential causes of social isolation; and

• an energy grant to support those facing fuel poverty during the winter months.

• Plans for 2025-2026 include:

• continuing the support measures listed above, except the childcare support grant as the Government has introduced 30-free hours of pre-school childcare for 9-months to 3-year old children;

• continuing to provide financial support to those members of the beneficiary family finding themselves relocated at short notice owing to external pressures; and

• reviewing its investment strategy - in particular its investment managers - to ensure investment income remains strong enough to support the Charity’s ambition to support more of its family more of the time.

TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The law applicable to charities in England & 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 CIO and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the CIO for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

• make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the CIO will continue in operation.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the CIO's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the CIO 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. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the CIO and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

This report was approved by the Trustees on 02 April 2026 and signed on their behalf by:

Matthew Vaight

For and on behalf of Trustees of The Assist Fund

Charity no 1164650

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THE ASSIST FUND

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE ASSIST FUND

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of The Assist Fund for the year ended 30 June 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial 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, including FRS 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard Applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

• give a true and fair view of the state of the charity’s affairs as at 30 June 2025, and of its incoming resources and application of resources, for the year then ended;

• have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

• 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 Auditor’s Responsibilities for the audit of the financial 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 basis for our opinion.

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.

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 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, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

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In connection with our audit of the financial statements, 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 audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. 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 where the Charities Act 2011 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

• the information given in the Trustees’ Annual Report is inconsistent in any material respect with the financial statements; or

• the charity has not kept adequate accounting records; or

• the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

• we have not received all the information and explanations we required for our audit.

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement, 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 charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s 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 regulations made under section 154 of that Act.

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 an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.

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Explanation as to what extent the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud

The objectives of our audit in respect of fraud, are; to identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud; to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud, through designing and implementing appropriate responses to those assessed risks; and to respond appropriately to instances of fraud or suspected fraud identified during the audit. However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both management and those charged with governance of the charity.

Our approach was as follows:

• We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory requirements applicable to the charity and considered that the most significant are the Charities Act 2011, the Charity SORP, and UK financial reporting standards as issued by the Financial Reporting Council.

• We obtained an understanding of how the charity complies with these requirements by discussions with management.

• We assessed the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements, including the risk of material misstatement due to fraud and how it might occur, by holding discussions with management.

• We inquired of management and those charged with governance as to any known instances of noncompliance or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations.

• Based on this understanding, we designed specific appropriate audit procedures to identify instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. This included making enquiries of management and obtaining additional corroborative evidence as required.

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK) we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

• Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

• Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purposes of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the charity’s internal control.

• Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the trustees.

• Conclude on the appropriateness of the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify

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our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the charity to cease to continue as a going concern.

• Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 8 of the Charities Act 2011. 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 auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to any party other than the charity and charity's trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinion we have formed.

Moore Kingston Smith LLP, Statutory Auditor 9 Appold Street London, EC2A 2AP Date: 13 April 2026

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STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025

Note Unrestricted funds 2025 £ Income from: Donations and legacies 2 311,003 Investments 3 815,653 Total income 1,126,656 Expenditure on: Charitable activities 6 999,353 Total expenditure 6 999,353 Net income before investment gains/(losses) 127,303 (Losses) gains on investments 9 (158,689) Net (expenditure) income before other recognised gains and losses (31,386) Net movement in funds (31,386) Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward 19,445,096 Total funds carried forward 19,413,710	Total funds 2025 £ Total funds 2024 £ 311,003 503,248 815,653 731,625 1,126,656 1,234,873 999,353 976,992 999,353 976,992 127,303 257,881 (158,689) 1,328,333 (31,386) 1,586,214 (31,386) 1,586,214 19,445,096 17,858,882 19,413,710 19,445,096	Total funds 2025 £ Total funds 2024 £ 311,003 503,248 815,653 731,625 1,126,656 1,234,873 999,353 976,992 999,353 976,992 127,303 257,881 (158,689) 1,328,333 (31,386) 1,586,214 (31,386) 1,586,214 19,445,096 17,858,882 19,413,710 19,445,096
		19,445,096

The notes on pages 14 to 20 form part of these financial statements.

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BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30 JUNE 2025

Note Fixed assets Investments 9 Current assets Debtors 10 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 11 Net current assets Net assets Charity funds Unrestricted funds 12 Total funds	2025 £ 18,589,227 509,942 531,541 1,041,483 217,000 824,483 19,413,710 19,413,710 19,413,710	2024 £ 18,753,246 449,199 357,513 806,712 114,862 691,850 19,445,096
		19,445,096
		19,445,096

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 02 April 2026 and signed on their behalf by:

Matthew Vaight

Trustee

For and on behalf of the Trustees of The Assist Fund

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STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025

Note Cash flows from operating activities Net cash used in operating activities 14 Cash flows from investing activities: Distributions and income from investments Disposal of investments Purchase of investments Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year Cash and cash equivalents brought forward Cash and cash equivalents carried forward 15	2025 £ (646,955) 815,653 1,550,000 (1,544,670) 820,983 174,028 357,513 531,541	2024 £ (478,588) 731,625 900,000 (1,281,349)	2024 £ (478,588) 731,625 900,000 (1,281,349)
		350,276 (128,312) 485,825 357,513
			357,513

The notes on pages 14 to 20 form part of these financial statements.

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Accounting Policies

1.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair' view. This departure has involved following the Charities SORP (FRS 102) published on 16 July 2014 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland ("FRS 102") and the Charities Act 2011.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the Charity. Monetary amounts are rounded to the nearest pound.

The Assist Fund constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

1.2 Income

All income is recognised once the CIO has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the CIO is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor(s) to the Trust that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the CIO has been notified of the executor's intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the CIO, or the CIO is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.

Donated services or facilities are recognised when the CIO has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use of the CIO of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), general volunteer time is not recognised. Refer to the Trustees' Report for more information about volunteer contribution.

On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the CIO which is the amount the CIO would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

Income tax recoverable in relation to investment income is recognised at the time the investment income is receivable.

1.3 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, 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 classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are

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apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent.

Support costs are those costs incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the CIO and include project management carried out at headquarters. Governance costs are those incurred in connection with administration of the CIO and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.

Grants payable are charged in the year when the offer is made except in those cases where the offer is conditional, such grants being recognised as expenditure when the conditions attaching are fulfilled. Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year-end are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure.

1.4 Investments

Fixed asset investments are a form of financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction cost and subsequently measured at fair value at the Balance Sheet date, unless fair value cannot be measured reliably in which case it is measured at cost less impairment. Investment gains and losses, whether realised or unrealised, are combined and shown in the heading ‘Gains/(losses) on investments’ in the Statement of Financial Activities.

1.5 Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the CIO; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.

1.6 Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

1.7 Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

1.8 Liabilities and provisions

Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance Sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the CIO anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide. Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pretax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised within interest payable and similar charges.

1.9 Financial instruments

The CIO only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments under Section 11 of FRS 102. Financial instruments are recognised in the CIO’s balance sheet when the CIO becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and the liability simultaneously.

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1.10 Fund accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the CIO and which have not been designated for other purposes.

1.11 Going concern

The Trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate and have considered possible events or conditions that might cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The Trustees have made this assessment for a period of at least one year from the date of approval of the financial statements. In making the assessment on whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate, the Trustees have considered the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and future movements in interest rates and the rate of inflation and are satisfied that the substantial reserves and liquid assets held by the Assist Fund justify their belief that there are no material uncertainties that cast significant doubt on the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The Charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.

1.12 Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement

In preparing financial statements, it is necessary to make certain judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts recognised in the financial statements. The Trustees consider the estimates involved in the valuation of investments to have the most significant effect on amounts recognised in the financial statements. These are taken directly from the Investment Managers’ reports.

2. Income from donations and legacies

			Unrestricted	Total	Total
			funds	funds	funds
			2025	2025	2024
			£	£	£
Donations and legacies			311,003	311,003	503,248
	Total	2024	503,248	503,248

3. Investment income

3.	Investment income
			Unrestricted	Total	Total
			Funds	Funds	Funds
			2025	2025	2024
			£	£	£
Investment income - distributions			815,325	815,325	730,302
Investment income - interest			328	328	1,323
			815,653	815,653	731,625
		Total 2024	731,625	731,625
4.	Support costs
			The Principal
			Object	Total	Total
			2025	2025	2024
			£	£	£
Wages	and salaries		137,448	137,448	151,861
National insurance			7,567	7,567	9,810
Pension cost			1,874	1,874	2,706
			146,889	146,889	164,377
		Total 2024	164,377	164,377

See note 8 for further details of the staff related costs above.

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THE ASSIST FUND

5. Governance costs

. Governance costs
	Unrestricted	Total	Total
	Funds	Funds	Funds
	2025	2025	2024
	£	£	£
Audit fee	23,311	23,311	23,899

6. Analysis of expenditure by type

		Staff costs	Other costs	Total	Total
		2025	2025	2025	2024
		£	£	£	£
The Principal Object		146,889	829,153	976,042	953,093
Governance		-	23,311	23,311	23,899
		146,889	852,464	999,353	976,992
	Total 2024	164,377	812,615	976,992

7. Related party transactions and key management personnel

During the year one trustee, who qualified as a beneficiary under the Constitution, received a grant of £3,892 (2024 – three trustees or trustees’ dependants who qualified as beneficiaries under the Constitution received grants totalling £3,696. These grants were available to all).

The Trustees are considered to be the key management personnel of the CIO.

During the year no Trustee received any remuneration (2024 – none).

During the year no Trustee received any benefits in kind (2024 – none).

During the year four Trustees received reimbursement of travel expenses totalling £618 (2024 – £649, also for travel).

8. Staff costs

At the end of the year the CIO directly employed six paid staff (2024 – five). Total staff costs in the year were as follows:

as follows:
	2025		2024
	£		£
Wages and salaries	137,448		151,861
Social security costs		7,567		9,810
Other pension costs		1,874		2,706
	146,889		164,377
The average number of persons employed during the year was as follows:
	2025		2024
	No.		No.
Administration	5.4		5.0

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THE ASSIST FUND

9. Fixed assets investments 2025 £ 2025 £ 2024 £ Market value At 1 July 2024 18,753,246 Additions 1,544,670 Disposals (1,550,000) Profit on disposals 10,154 20,232 Revaluations (168,843) 1,308,101 (Losses)/gains on investments (158,689) At 30 June 2025 18,589,227 Historical cost at 30 June 2025 20,049,066 Investments at market value comprise: 2025 £ Fund investments 18,589,227 All fixed asset investments are held in the UK. Valuation The valuations of the Fund investments are by reference to readily available market prices. Material investments The CIO’s investments are held in the following funds: 30 June 2025 £ Held with M&G: Charifund 530,171.403 units at £15.7298 per unit (2024 431,549.480 units at £15.1677 per unit) 8,339,490 Held with CCLA: COIF 499,059.645 units at £19.4144 per unit (2024 537,361.694 units at £20.3418 per unit) 9,688,944 Cash deposit 560,793 18,589,227	2024 £ 17,043,564 1,281,349 (900,000) 1,328,333 18,753,246
	18,504,396 2024 £ 18,753,246
	30 June 2024 £ 6,545,613 10,930,904 1,276,729 18,753,246

18

THE ASSIST FUND

10. Debtors

10. Debtors
				2025	2024
				£	£
Due after more than one year
Loans to beneficiaries				231,905	200,435
Due within one year
Loans to beneficiaries				126,441	116,006
Prepayments and accrued income				151,596	132,758
				509,942	449,199
11. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
				2025	2024
				£	£
Accruals and deferred income				217,000	114,862
12. Statement of funds
Statement of funds current year
	Balance at			Gains/	Balance at
	1 July 2024	Income	Expenditure	(losses)	30 June 2025
Unrestricted funds	£	£	£	£	£
General funds (all funds)	19,445,096	1,126,656	(999,353)	(158,689)	19,413,710
Statement of funds prior year
	Balance at			Gains	Balance at
	1 July 2023	Income	Expenditure	(losses)	30 June 2024
	£	£	£	£	£
General funds (all funds)	17,858,882	1,234,873	(976,992)	1,328,333	19,445,096
13. Analysis of net assets between funds
Analysis of net assets between funds	– current year
			Unrestricted funds		Total funds
				2025	2025
				£	£
Fixed asset investments				18,589,227	18,589,227
Debtors due after more than one year				231,905	231,905
Current assets				809,578	809,578
Creditors due within one year				(217,000)	(217,000)
				19,413,710	19,413,710
Analysis of net assets between funds	– prior year
			Unrestricted funds		Total funds
				2024	2024
				£	£
Fixed asset investments				18,753,246	18,753,246
Debtors due after more than one year				240,435	240,435
Current assets				566,277	566,277
Creditors due within one year				(114,862)	(114,862)
				19,445,096	19,445,096

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THE ASSIST FUND

14. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities

	2025	2024
	£	£
Net (expenditure)/income for the year (as per statement of financial activities)	(31,386)	1,586,214
Adjustment for:
Losses/(gains) on investments	158,689	(1,328,333)
Distributions and interest from investments	(815,653)	(731,625)
(Increase)/decrease in debtors	(60,743)	26,041
Increase/(decrease) in creditors	102,138	(30,885)
Net cash provided by operating activities	(646,955)	(478,588)
15. Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
	2025	2024
	£	£
Cash in hand	531,541	357,513
Total	531,541	357,513

20