## **ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
**For the Year Ending 31 March 2025**
“CHANGING LIVES & INSPIRING KINDNESS”
Charity Registration Number (England and Wales) 1166238. Date registered: 29th March 2016. Registered address: PO Box 3154, Reading RG1 9AT www.52-lives.org
LIVES
WWW.52-LIVES.ORG
## Contents
A Year in Numbers ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������3 Report of the Trustees for the Year Ending 31 March 2025 ������������������������������������������������������������������������������4 A Message from our CEO �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������4 Our Purpose ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������7 Our Philosophy ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������8 Our Approach and Impact Framework��� �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������8 The Lives we Changed��� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������9 Special Projects �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������10 Diversity Monitoring ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������12 Case Study��� ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������13 School of Kindness Project ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������14 Kindness Workshops ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������15 Special Assemblies ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������15 Kindness Ambassador Programme ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������16 National Kindness Awards �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������18 Measuring Our Impact ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������19 Teaching Resources �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������21 Kids’ Kindness Club ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������22 Kindness Fund �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������22 Kind Leadership Group ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������23 Inspiring Kindness��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������23 Deepening Our Impact and Enhancing Wellbeing �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������24 Building a Strong Foundation to Fulfill our Aims ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������25 Plans for the Future �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������26 Structure, Governance and Management �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������27
“HOW DO WE CHANGE THE WORLD? ONE RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS AT A TIME.” Morgan Freeman
A YEAR IN NUMBERS
3,500
283,000
people helped
children from 1,500
schools took part in
our Kindness
Workshops and
Assemblies
£3,050
in donations and
goods donated
each week to our
'lives,' on average.
800
pupils Kindness
Ambassadors
working in 79
schools
THOUSANDS
of kind messages
sent to the
people we help
120,000
unique visitors
to our School
of Kindness
website
HUNDREDS OF
THOUSANDS
of people inspired
to be kindl
## RepoRt of the trustees foR the year eNdiNg 31 MArch 2025
The trustees are pleased to present their annual report together with the consolidated financial statements of the charity for the year ending 31 March 2025. The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and 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 2015).
## a message froM our Ceo
This past year has reminded us once again just how powerful people can be when they come together�
At 52 Lives, our mission has always been simple – to change someone’s life every week through kindness� But what we do is so much more than providing practical help. Each week, we see people from all walks of life coming together to help a stranger, not just to ease their immediate need, but to remind them they are seen, valued, and not alone�
In a world that can sometimes feel divided, we believe that kindness and empathy are powerful tools for bringing us back together� The work we do is not only about giving, but about listening – about truly seeing the people we help and seeking to understand their challenges� And our community of almost 100,000 supporters does the same� They respond with generosity, but also with compassion and care, offering not just resources but respect and human connection.
Thanks to you, we have changed thousands of lives this year� We’ve provided families in crisis with food,
clothing, and household essentials. We’ve partnered with baby banks, school uniform banks, refugee charities, homelessness charities, befriending charities and more, to reach even more people who needed urgent help. And we’ve continued to grow our School of Kindness, reaching a record number of children and giving them tools to improve their wellbeing while encouraging them to be curious, compassionate, and kind�
The numbers in this report tell an important story – how many people were helped, how much money was raised – but the true impact of 52 Lives is harder to measure� It’s in the restored hope of the people we help� It’s in the joy our supporters tell us they feel when they get to be part of someone else’s story� It’s in the empathy that is sparked when we stop and imagine what life feels like for someone else�
To everyone who has donated, shared our appeals, cheered us on, or simply been part of this movement��� thank you� You are the heart of 52 Lives, and you are proof that kindness can change the world�
**4**
WWW.52-LIVES.ORG
“When we seek to understand each other, we begin to change the world.”
- Unknown -
**Jaime Thurston** _Founder of 52 Lives_
## about 52 lives
52 Lives exists to create positive social change through kindness - improving individual wellbeing, strengthening communities, and building a more compassionate society� Our approach combines direct help for people in need with education that inspires kindness through our School of Kindness� This dual focus creates a powerful cycle of impact: kindness given leads to lives changed, wellbeing improved, and more kindness inspired in return. Our theory of change is simple: when people experience kindness, they are more likely to extend it to others, helping to build a kinder world�
**5**
-we cannot believe itl We are so overwhelmed by
what we've received. The children are so happy."
Life # 476- Frankie's mum
"I'm so happy I did actually have a little cry.
Life # 456- Wanda
'Thank you so much for sending [the messages]. It's
hard to hear nice things after hoving so much
negativity all my life so it really does mean a lot to
me. especially when someone says they're proud of
me because I never had someone there to soy that.
Life # 465 - Chloe
I ve got tears in my eyes. This is unbelievable
kindness and love from people we don't even knowl
In the future we want to be your charity supporters.-
Life # 472- Sameena
he impact your help has had is amazing...the kids
are so happy. Otis is going to school every day. It's
so good to see him smiling again.
Life # 476 - Otis and Clara
WWW.52-LIVES.ORG
## our purpose
_**100% of what our individual supporters give goes to the people we help**_
52 Lives aims to change someone’s life every week of the year and inspire people to be kind� It is based on the simple premise that people are good, and when good people work together, we can achieve amazing things
## ChaNgiNg lives...
- 1� People nominate someone in need of help. Most of our nominations come from social workers, health workers and other charities.
- 2� Every week, we choose someone to help, share their story and request what they need�
- 3� Our supporters provide what they need and help to change their life�
- 4� The kindness of 52 Lives supporters inspires other people to be kind� The world changes�
It’s a very simple but powerful way of charitable giving, that has gained an overwhelming amount of support since launching in 2013� 52 Lives is supported by almost 100,000 people across our social media channels and newsletters, who help us to change lives every single week.
**“I always say that however good or bad the system is, people will fall through the cracks. I want to be among the people who catch them.”**
Jo, a 52 Lives donor who also sends homemade cards each week for the people we help�
## inspirIng kiNdness...
Alongside this, we run a comprehensive education programme through our School of Kindness. It aims to inspire more kindness in young people by teaching them about the importance of kindness, the science of kindness and the impact it has not just on the world around them but also on their own wellbeing�
**7**
## our phIlosophy
52 Lives gives people tangible help, but our philosophy goes much deeper than that� The people we help often say the same thing: that it wasn’t just the ‘things’ we gave them that changed their life – it was the kindness, and the fact that people cared about them� They felt less alone�
We believe our collective actions determine the kind of world we live in – so if we are kind, it will inspire others to be kind and ultimately create a kinder world�
## our AppRoaCh And impact fRamewoRk...
The purpose of 52 Lives is to create positive social change through kindness, improving individual wellbeing, strengthening communities, and helping to build a more compassionate society�
Our approach is grounded in a simple belief: when people experience kindness, it not only meets an immediate need but also inspires further kindness in others, creating a lasting ripple effect.
## **To achieve this, we deliver two complementary strands of work:**
## _**Direct Support**_
Providing practical and emotional help to individuals and families in need through our weekly life-changing appeals� These stories of kindness also inspire our community of supporters, giving people the opportunity to make a tangible difference and strengthening their own sense of connection and wellbeing�
## _**Education & Inspiration**_
Empowering children and communities through our School of Kindness and associated initiatives, which teach the science and practice of kindness and its benefits for wellbeing and social connection.
**8**
WWW.52-LIVES.ORG
These two strands reinforce each other - the people helped by 52 Lives experience tangible acts of kindness, the children we teach learn that kindness has real power to change lives, and our supporters
experience the positive impact of giving. Together, they form a self-sustaining cycle that deepens empathy, inspires action, and strengthens community bonds�
## **Our work follows a clear framework:**
**1. Inputs:** A committed community of supporters, donors, schools, nominators and partners, supported by a small, skilled team�
**2. Activities:** Delivering direct help to individuals, and providing kindness education and resources for schools�
**3. Outputs:** People receive essential support; children and teachers gain knowledge and practical tools to embed kindness in their daily lives; supporters experience the wellbeing benefits of helping others.
**4. Outcomes:** Improved wellbeing, resilience, and connection among those we help, those who learn from
us, and those who give�
**5. Long-term Impact:** A kinder, more empathetic and connected society, where people feel empowered to help one another�
This framework ensures that as we continue to grow - particularly through the expansion of the School of
Kindness - our strategy remains focused on the same central aim: to change lives and inspire kindness.
## the lives we Changed...
During the year, we helped more than 3,500 people which is slightly less than the previous year� This includes people we have helped through our core work helping individuals and families in need of support, people helped through our Christmas project, along with hundreds of others helped through targeted special projects we run with additional donations we receive�
52 Lives raised an average of £2050 in financial donations to our weekly appeals, representing a 14% increase on the previous year� However, as well as the direct financial donations shown in the charity accounts, we also helped to generate approx� £1000 a week in goods and services donated by our supporters for the people we help. This reflects the popularity of the Amazon wishlists we set up for our
beneficiaries. Many of our supporters enjoy buying a specific item rather than making a cash donation. Overall, we have an incredibly loyal supporter base and are also fortunate to have the support of a small number of major donors, who periodically contribute large amounts to our weekly appeals�
Just a few examples of how we helped include providing furniture and carpet for families living in extreme poverty, providing Easter eggs to children using food banks, buying beds and warm bedding for children sleeping on the floor, giving coats and help with heating bills to keep people warm, providing financial support to families caring for terminally ill children and helping young care leavers to access further education.
**9**
## special projeCts
We were also able to help a greater number of people through special projects, often working in partnership with some small charity partners�
**10**
WWW 52-LIIIES ORG
FOOTBALL BOOTS
AND KITS
so 40 asylum seekers could start a football team
500 CHILDREN
were helped with
uniform, shoes and
school supplies
CLASS
TRIP
for 7 pupils who
otherwise would
have missed out
COTS AND a1
BUGGIES .
for 20 new mums
TOILETRIES
FOR NEW-
MUM PACKS
EASTER
EGGS
so 66 women would have
everything they need when
they leave hospital
for 140 children whose
families rely on food banks
NEW UNDERWEAR
AND SOCKS
for 100 children using school uniform banks
li
## diveRsItY MoNitoRiNg
To make sure we’re serving our community as effectively as possible, we want to better understand the people we support� Three years ago, we introduced an anonymous, optional diversity survey for our beneficiaries. While participation has stayed fairly low, the responses we do receive have given us
valuable insights� We also recognise that the data isn’t fully representative, as it doesn’t capture information from the larger groups we reach through our special projects. This is an important consideration when we interpret the results�
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## CAse study...
## _**A new home, a new baby, and a community of kindness behind her.**_
Chloe is 22 years old� She was removed from her parents at the age of eight due to neglect and grew up in the care system. She developed severe anxiety and began using cannabis to cope. By the time she was 18, she was homeless�
Fortunately, Chloe was referred to a homelessness charity and moved into supported accommodation. At first, she struggled to trust the staff who were trying to help her. She was also in an abusive, controlling relationship and had lost confidence in herself. But that has all changed. Chloe has left that relationship, has been substance-free for 18 months, and for the first time she feels hopeful about her future.
Her support worker said:
## _**“Despite everything that she has experienced, she has used it to become a better version of herself.”**_
When we first heard about Chloe, she was preparing for the birth of her baby and was about to move into her first home. She had been incredibly resourceful – saving hard, finding second-hand furniture, and collecting essentials from local baby banks – but there was still a great deal she needed.
Chloe had also tried to reconnect with her parents, but after realising that their lives remained chaotic, she made the brave decision to end contact and focus on creating a safe, stable environment for her child.
Thanks to our supporters, we were able to provide almost £2,000 worth of funds and gifts to help Chloe set up her home, along with countless kind messages and cards. The support you gave has made these first few months with her new baby a little easier... and reminded her that she is not alone.
**“I was overwhelmed with how kind people are...it might be the hormones but the messages got me very emotional!”**
_**Chloe, Life # 465**_
## sChool of kiNdness project
The incredible momentum of our school project continued this year. We are on track to have run free Kindness Workshops and Assemblies for a record 283,000 children from almost 1500 schools in the 24/25 academic year – a 30% increase in the number of children we worked with in the previous year� Our lesson plans and resource packs remained steady at more than 10,000 downloads and we attracted more than 120,000 unique visitors to the School of Kindness website�
2024/25 marked the ninth year of our School of Kindness project, which continues to inspire children across the UK to see the power of their everyday choices. Our aim is simple but transformative: to help children understand that kindness can change lives - improving their wellbeing, strengthening their communities, and making the world a better place.
We do this through a range of initiatives including free Kindness Workshops and assemblies in primary schools, teacher resources, our expanding Kindness Ambassador Programme, national Kindness Awards,
the Kids’ Kindness Club, and our Kindness Fund, which provides small grants for child-led kindness projects�
We reached more schools than ever before and almost tripled the reach of our Kindness Ambassador Programme, empowering more than 800 children to lead kindness initiatives in their schools and out in their local communities.
The need for this work is clear� According to The Children’s Society’s Good Childhood Report 2024, 11% of children aged 10–17 report low wellbeing, and 14�3% are unhappy with school – more than with any other area of life� By teaching children the science of kindness, how it reduces stress, improves mood, and strengthens relationships, we provide them with practical tools to look after their mental health and create kinder school communities.
Through our work this year, we helped hundreds of thousands of children understand the power of kindness and encouraged them to put it into action.
WWW.52-LIVES.ORG
## kindness workshops
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Kindness Workshops
and Assemblies for
a record 283,000
children from almost
1500 schools
**----- End of picture text -----**
We run free Kindness Workshops in primary schools all over the UK, both face to face and virtually. As well as discussing the social, emotional and physical benefits of kindness, the workshops give the children practical kind tasks to do to put the theory into action. Our Kindness Workshops help schools to meet the requirements outlined in the PSHE curriculum, including building and maintaining healthy relationships, mental wellbeing and physical
health, while also supporting the wider work of developing children’s personal attributes of empathy and kindness�
We ran free Kindness Workshops for 32,000 children from 185 schools – a slight drop on the previous year, reflecting a rise in the number of smaller schools requesting workshops.
## special assemblIes
Our special virtual assemblies have become a firm favourite for the schools we work with, which is reflected in the incredible growth we experienced in attendance during the year. We reached more than 250,000 children from 1,313 schools with our assemblies – an increase of 41%� Our assemblies focus on three main pillars of work: kindness to
others, kindness to ourselves and kindness to the planet. We hosted our flagship virtual World Kindness Day assemblies, Children’s Mental Health Week and Mental Health Awareness Week assemblies and we also introduced a World Environment Day assembly, working with RSPB youth ambassadors to encourage young people to be kind to the planet too�
**15**
## kindness AMbassador progrAmme
Launched in September 2022 with just six schools, the Kindness Ambassador Programme has grown into a nationwide movement that empowers children to shape the classrooms, schools, and communities they want to live in. Thanks to funding from the Born This Way Foundation’s Kindness in the Community Fund, the programme now spans 79 schools with over 800 pupil ambassadors�
Each class elects a Kindness Ambassador who joins a whole-school, mixed-year team. Supported by staff and our programme facilitators, Ambassadors meet termly to brainstorm, plan, and deliver initiatives that promote kindness in three key areas:
- Within their classrooms
- Across their whole school
- Throughout their local community
Our facilitators guide schools every step of the way—hosting welcome calls, offering creative resources, supporting brainstorms, answering queries, and celebrating achievements.
The programme nurtures a national network of young changemakers who share ideas, inspire one another, and take pride in being a force for good�
## **Programme Impact:**
We aim to secure funding to expand the programme further during the 2025/26 academic year�
**16**
“Kindness is everywhere in our school — and Ofsted agreed. This programme unlocks what’s already inside our children. It’s transformational.”
**– David Metcalfe, St Bede CE Primary**
## nationAl kindness Awards
Now in their second year, the National Kindness Awards continue to celebrate and recognise outstanding acts of kindness in primary schools across the UK.
brings together inspiring voices from education, media, the health sector, and children’s literature, who reviewed hundreds of nominations submitted between November 2023 and April 2024�
The awards shine a spotlight on the importance of kindness and give schools a platform to celebrate the pupils, staff, and classes making a positive difference in their communities. One school will also be honoured with the prestigious title of ‘Kind School’ of the Year�
Winners from the 2023/24 awards were announced in July 2024, with highlights including a pupil who launched regular food bank drives to support local families and the Collective Kindness Award, which went to two inspiring girls who created a kindness podcast to spread positivity across their school.
The 2024/25 awards are proudly sponsored by The Week Junior, NBB Recycled Furniture, and Einstein Tax, whose support has helped us grow the reach and impact of the programme� Our judging panel
Nominations for the 2024/25 awards opened in November 2024, with winners set to be announced in July 2025.
**18**
WWW.52-LIVES.ORG
## MeasurIng our impact
The feedback we receive from children and teachers following our Kindness Workshops continues to be overwhelmingly positive. To measure the difference we are making, we conduct follow-up surveys –
kindly carried out on a pro bono basis by Magenta Research – to assess the impact of our workshops on the children we work with�
**The surveys showed that our workshops are having a significant effect:**
## **Our workshops are also supporting teachers directly, with:**
We are proud that our Kindness Workshops are building stronger, more compassionate school communities. We are also deeply grateful to NBB
Recycled Furniture for continuing to sponsor the programme, enabling us to offer our workshops and resources to schools free of charge�
**19**
LIVES
WHAT DO CHILDREN SAY AFTER OUR
KINDNESS WORKSHOPS?
QQ This was the best day QQ Ifelt like a rainbow
of colour
QQ Ifelt calm, brave and QQ Ifelt unique and
joyful
special
WfrIAT DO TEAGh'ERS SAY AFTER
OUR KINDNESS WORKStrIOPS?
"We were so impressed with the workshop and it has left a
lasting impression on the school."
Ms Davies, Head of Life Skills, Pinewood School
-It's such special. meaningful work that you are all doing.
The School of Kindness is o superb initiative. Truly
inspirotionalfor the children.
"Our pupils were buzzing and couldn't wait to show kindness
to theirfriends, fomilies and teochers."
"A really amazing workshop. with fantastic and meaningful
activities for all year groups.
"Lot5 of staff commented on how much kindness was spread
across the school and not just within our own classrooms.
20
WWW.52-LIVES.ORG
## teachiNg Resources
To grow the sustainable impact of our work, we continue to invest in creating high-quality teaching resources that enable schools to embed a culture of kindness long after our workshops end.
In 2024/25, we expanded our resource bank, developing a wide range of new materials - including a special lesson plan created in collaboration with our patron, best-selling author Donna Ashworth - and adding more content tailored for Early Years Foundation Stage. These new resources help teachers introduce kindness education at every stage of primary school�
We also run regular Kindness Challenges, encouraging children to take part in fun, practical activities that
spread kindness throughout their schools and communities. These challenges are sometimes delivered in collaboration with inspiring figures — for example, this year we partnered with our patron Emily Coxhead, author and founder of The Happy Newspaper� For this challenge, children were invited to draw their favourite way to be kind� Emily then published a selection of their designs, which are now available to buy through The Happy Newspaper shop, with profits being donated to 52 Lives.
All resources are created in collaboration with teachers and are free to download from our School of Kindness website — which has become a trusted hub for educators seeking tools to teach kindness, empathy, and emotional wellbeing.
**21**
## kIds’ kINdNess Club
Our Kids’ Kindness Club is free to join and provides members with a monthly newsletter filled with kindness challenges, competitions, a kind news segment, self-kindness tips and activities. It is designed as a way to keep children engaged in being kind to others, to themselves and to the planet� Our Kindness Challenges reflect different values that we encourage the children to focus on, for example, empathy, gratitude, self-kindness and kindness to others� Although the club was set up with children in mind, many of our members are teachers who use the monthly Kindness Challenge as an activity for their entire class. We have 700 members (up from 505), but the reach of the club is far greater� This year, some of these challenges were created in collaboration with authors such as Jarvis and Emily Coxhead, who is also one of our patrons� And our ambassador, artist Stacie Swift, contributes activity sheets on a different theme each month.
## the kiNdness fuNd
This was the fourth year of running our small grant scheme for children� The Kindness Fund provides small grants to children who have amazing ideas for spreading kindness in their school or community� Funds are granted via the school, and applications are open to children from Year 3 up to Sixth Form�
During the period of this report, The Kindness Fund awarded 14 grants to bring children’s ideas to life� Some examples includes children setting up snack shacks for families in poverty, creating wellbeing and friendship areas in their schools, and hosting tea and coffee sessions with local care homes to build bonds and combat loneliness�
WWW.52-LIVES.ORG
## kind leAdeRship Group
This year, we launched our Kind Leadership Group — a network of headteachers and senior leaders dedicated to embedding kindness at the heart of school culture� The group meets termly via Zoom and features guest speakers who share insights and practical approaches to leading with kindness. It provides a space for school leaders to connect,
exchange ideas, and strengthen kindness from the top down as well as the bottom up. Working alongside our Kindness Ambassador Programme, it promotes compassionate, inclusive leadership and supports schools to make kindness a visible part of everyday life�
## inspirIng kiNdness
This year, we continued to grow the reach and impact of the School of Kindness through our popular School of Kindness Newsletter and dedicated social media channels, connecting with thousands of educators every month. Our teacher newsletter community grew to over 12,500 subscribers, a 47% increase from the previous year, and our website attracted more than 120,000 unique visitors�
We took part in key national campaigns, including Children’s Mental Health Week, Anti-Bullying Week, and Random Acts of Kindness Week, using each as an
opportunity to highlight the powerful link between kindness and wellbeing� Throughout the year, we also ran a series of half-term kindness challenges, providing teachers with practical, fun ways to nurture kindness in their classrooms�
A huge thank you to our sponsor, NBB Recycled Furniture, who generously donated Kindness Benches and Kindness Tables as prizes, inspiring even more schools to take part and spread kindness across their communities.
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## deepenIng our impact and enhancIng wellbeinG
52 Lives has a community of dedicated supporters who come together every week to show kindness� Our newsletter and social media channels have created a welcoming space for people who share similar values. Supporters often tell us the positive impact that being part of our community has on their wellbeing� Research has shown that kindness has a positive impact on people’s physical and
mental health, which many people may be unaware of. It is a core part of our education programme in schools, but we also continue to try to promote this aspect of kindness to our adult community so more people understand the impact kindness has on our wellbeing� Although it is not the primary reason most of our supporters are engaged with the charity, it is a welcome side effect.
_**“You make me feel proud to be a small part of the 52 lives community.”**_
_**“I get so much joy from helping.”**_
_**‘It really does restore your faith in humanity and is such a tonic when everything else seems so negative.”**_
WWW.52-LIVES.ORG
## buildiNg a stRoNg fouNdatioN to fulfill ouR aims
At 52 Lives, our small but dedicated team continues to achieve big things. Through efficient systems and thoughtful processes, we’re able to have a farreaching impact while keeping our overheads low, ensuring more of our resources go directly towards helping those who need us most�
Thomas’s Battersea Prep School and Brighton College Prep Kensington leading inspiring fundraising efforts that raised significant funds for our projects. We’ll be continuing to nurture these partnerships and encourage more schools to join our growing network of supporters�
Our heartfelt thanks go to our principal sponsor, Gala Bingo, whose ongoing partnership provides essential stability for our core work� We were delighted that Gala Bingo renewed its support in June 2024 for a further two years, giving us the confidence to plan ahead and continue growing.
To strengthen our long-term sustainability, our trustees have been proactively exploring new income streams to reduce our reliance on a single major sponsor. This year, we secured additional corporate donations and ongoing backing from valued partners including Eagle Eye, Provide Security and Einstein Tax, who have supported us for several years� We were also proud to once again be selected by Advent of Change as one of their beneficiary charities through their annual Christmas products� Meanwhile, Magenta Research continues to play an important role, making regular donations and kindly offering their professional services free of charge�
Support from schools has also played a vital part in our success this year� We were honoured to be chosen as Charity of the Year by several schools, with
Our School of Kindness project continues to thrive thanks to the generous ongoing sponsorship of NBB Recycled Furniture, which has confirmed its support for 2024/25. In addition, we received new funding from the Born This Way Foundation’s Kindness in the Community Fund, enabling us to expand our Kindness Ambassador Programme to reach even more young people�
Looking ahead, we’ll continue to build awareness of 52 Lives and strengthen our connection with supporters� Our large and engaged social media community remains a key channel for sharing our work, and we’re placing renewed focus on growing our newsletter subscriber base — giving us more direct, reliable ways to communicate, independent of changing social media algorithms�
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission in determining the activities undertaken by the charity.
**25**
## plaNs for the future
As we move into 2025/26, our focus remains clear - to bring hope, kindness, and practical help to people when they need it most� Our aim is simple but powerful: to change someone’s life every single week of the year�
Over the past year, we’ve continued to be creative and efficient in how we deliver this support, periodically partnering with other small charities to reach more people and provide more targeted help� This approach has allowed us to make a bigger difference with the resources we have, and in the year ahead, we’ll be strengthening and expanding our network of charity partners to extend that impact even further�
We’ll also be taking part in several Big Give matchfunding campaigns again this year, including the Christmas Challenge, which helps us raise funds for warm winter essentials such as coats and bedding for those in need�
Our target for the year is to provide direct, practical and emotional support to at least 3,500 people.
While financial pressures on households continue to make fundraising more challenging, it’s also reinforced the importance of what we do� We’ll be focusing on reaching new supporters and helping donors see the real-life impact of their generosity� By deepening these connections, we aim to build lasting loyalty. We’re also grateful for the continued commitment of our major donors, whose generosity allows us to plan ahead�
Our relationships with schools remain a cornerstone of our work� The Kindness Ambassador Programme continues to flourish, inspiring pupils and strengthening ties with participating schools. The programme is free to access, and we’re now collaborating with schools on creative mini fundraising initiatives to help sustain it for the future.
We’re also working closely with our patrons to reach new audiences and inspire even more people to get involved in spreading kindness�
The School of Kindness has seen remarkable growth once again� In the 2024/25 academic year, we worked with more than 280,000 children� Thanks to the continued support of NBB Recycled Furniture, our workshops will remain free for schools, and our strong operational systems ensure we can continue scaling without losing quality�
We will continue to evaluate the impact of our programmes with our pro bono research partners, and introduce new creative projects to bring kindness to life. These include new promotional videos and a short animation explaining the science of kindness, designed to engage children and adults alike� After some delays, our new 52 Lives and School of Kindness websites will also go live in 2025/26, giving us modern, accessible platforms to share our work and stories�
On the fundraising side, we’re excited to launch our first-ever charity golf day, hosted by a corporate partner, and to cheer on our first batch of London Marathon runners, both of which will raise vital funds and awareness�
Regardless of what is going on in the world, we will continue to harness people’s kindness and shine a light on all the good that exists, sharing stories of compassion, community and hope through our website, social media, and weekly newsletter. Our goal is to change lives, inspire kindness and create a kinder world�
**26**
WWW.52-LIVES.ORG
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
52 Lives is a charitable incorporated organisation, registered on 29 March 2016 with the Charity Commission under charity number 1166238. It is governed by a foundation CIO constitution.
The 52 Lives movement was founded in 2013 by Jaime Thurston (now CEO). The CEO and staff comprise the key management personnel of the charity, with the trustees taking responsibility for the strategic oversight and accountability for delivering the organisation’s objectives.
There were five trustees as of March 2025, who bring a wealth of skills and experience to fit the needs of the charity. Potential trustees are interviewed by existing trustees, and a proposal is made to the Board. If all agree, they are then appointed by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the trustees. New trustees are taken through an induction and introduction to the charity which includes a briefing on their legal obligations, the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit, the content of the constitution, decision-making processes, the strategic plan and recent financial performance of the charity.
To enable the executive team to operate effectively, the trustees have put in place a schedule of delegated responsibilities that clearly set out where the CEO is authorised to act without recourse to the trustees. Any item of expenditure, contractual term or commitment that is outside the scope of this schedule must be put before the Board of Trustees for their approval. Trustees’ positions are reviewed regularly, and each is elected on staggered three-year engagements�
## **INTERNAL CONTROLS AND RISK MANAGEMENT**
The trustees have responsibility for the oversight of risk management within 52 Lives and review risk on an annual basis� The trustees implement risk management procedures, so each review will incorporate an assessment of the impact and likelihood of individual risk, the actions that have been taken to mitigate or control risks, the effectiveness of our risk management controls and whether there are new risks for the charity that need to be considered�
## **RELATED PARTIES AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST**
None of our trustees receive remuneration or other benefit for their work with the charity. Any potential or perceived connection between a trustee or the CEO and any party that could impact decision-making is disclosed to the full Board of Trustees, and steps are taken to mitigate or eliminate any conflict. A conflicts of interest register is maintained and updated if necessary� Greig Trout (a sibling of trustee Barry Trout and spouse of Jaime Thurston CEO) is a co-director of company Be Kind Ltd. Be Kind Ltd provided services to the charity’s School of Kindness project, running School Workshops and Assemblies, giving talks, developing resources and running our Kids’ Kindness Club. Barry Trout and Jaime Thurston are not involved in decisionmaking related to using the services of this company or the amounts paid� Be Kind Ltd is contracted to provide these services and offers a reduced charitable rate to do so. The fees paid to Be Kind Ltd during the year were £24,960� The trustees conduct market comparisons to ensure the rate that is paid to Be Kind Ltd represents good value for money and to ensure transparency in the remuneration process.
**27**
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
The following paragraphs provide highlights of the financial position of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025�
During 2024–2025, total income amounted to £369,915 (2024: £370,827), remaining broadly in line with the previous year. The charity continues to be heavily reliant on voluntary income and corporate sponsorship to fund its activities.
Total expenditure for the year increased to £394,339 (2024: £328,783). Of this, £232,622 was paid directly to beneficiaries (2024: £191,175). This increase was driven largely by a deliberate decision by the trustees to increase beneficiary support and help more people, while remaining within the charity’s reserves policy.
In keeping with 52 Lives’ values and ethos, administrative costs continue to be carefully controlled. Based on internal management analysis, total administration-type costs were approximately £73,867, consistent with the prior year. Approximately 64% of these costs related to staff salaries, with the remainder primarily comprising IT costs, postage, professional fees, fundraising costs, insurance and bank charges�
An analysis of expenditure allocation shows that approximately 90% of total costs related directly to charitable activities, consistent with the previous year.
The charity recorded a net expenditure for the year of £24,424 (2024: net income of £42,044). This deficit arose largely as a result of the increased level of beneficiary support provided during the year.
Cash balances at 31 March 2025 amounted to £126,337 (2024: £167,847). The reduction in cash during the year was greater than the reported net expenditure, primarily due to an increase in debtors at the year end� No set of accounts can fully reflect the value of the charity’s work, much of which involves coordinating peerto-peer support, including financial assistance, donated services and acts of kindness. Further information regarding these intangible contributions is included on page 9.
52 Lives remains reliant on the generosity of its supporters and on unrestricted funding from its corporate sponsors, Gala Bingo (which sponsors the core charity) and NBB Recycled Furniture (which sponsors the School of Kindness project). Gala renewed its sponsorship for a further two years in June 2024, and NBB Recycled Furniture renewed its support for a further year in August 2024� The trustees remain mindful of the current reliance on a small number of major donors and continue to work towards broadening the charity’s supporter base�
## **RESERVES**
The trustees have agreed that an appropriate reserves policy is for the charity to maintain reserves equivalent to between six and nine months of expected core operating expenditure. This policy is reviewed annually as part of the trustees’ financial oversight.
Net assets at 31 March 2025 amounted to £158,010 (2024: £182,434), of which £47,000 (2024: £56,140) related to restricted funds held for beneficiaries. Unrestricted funds at the year end totalled £111,010 (2024: £126,294)�
**28**
WWW.52-LIVES.ORG
Of the unrestricted funds, the trustees have designated £31,000 to the School of Kindness fund to ensure the charity can meet its commitments to schools in 2025/26. In addition, £26,000 has been designated to a Business Continuity Fund, representing approximately six months of core operating costs, to provide resilience given the charity’s reliance on a small number of major funding sources�
After allowing for these designations, the charity’s free reserves at 31 March 2025 amounted to £54,010 (2024: £69,294). The reduction in free reserves during the year reflects the trustees’ planned decision to increase beneficiary support while remaining satisfied that reserves remain sufficient to support ongoing operations.
The trustees consider the level of reserves held at the year end to be appropriate in light of the charity’s current activities, risk profile and funding structure.
## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPECT OF THE TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
Under the trust deed and rules of the charity and charity law, the trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. The trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with FRS 102 the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
The charity and charity’s financial statements are required by law to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, generally accepted accounting practice entails that the trustees:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards and the Statement of Recommended Practice have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
- state whether the financial statements comply with the trust deed and rules, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are required to act in accordance with the trust deed and the rules of the charity within the framework of trust law. They are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, sufficient to disclose at any time, with reasonable accuracy, the financial position of the charity at that time, and to enable the trustees to ensure that, where any statements of accounts are prepared by them under section 132(1) of the Charities Act 2011, those statements of accounts comply with the requirements of regulations under that provision, They have general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the charity and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities. The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the financial and other information included on the charity’s website. Legislation in the UK governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
**29**
## Statement as to disclosure to our auditors
In so far as the trustees are aware at the time of approving our trustees’ annual report:
- there is no relevant information, being information needed by the independent examiner in connection with preparing their report, of which the group’s independent examiner is unaware, and
- the trustees, having made enquiries of fellow directors and the group’s independent examiner that they ought to have individually taken, have each taken all steps that he/she is obliged to take as a director in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the independent examiner is aware of that information.
By order of the Board of Trustees
**Signed: Laura Britland Furness Position: Chair Date: 16/12/2025**
**30**
**Charity registration number 1166238**
## **52 LIVES**
**ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
## **52 LIVES**
## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
|**Trustees**|J Cockerell|
|---|---|
||Mrs L B Furness|
||C H Welham|
||J Thurston|
||B Trout|
|**Charity number**|1166238|
|**Accountants**|Kirk Rice LLP|
||The Courtyard|
||High Street|
||Ascot|
||Berkshire|
||SL5 7HP|
## **52 LIVES**
## **CONTENTS**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Statement of financial activities|1|
|Balance sheet|2|
|Notes to the financial statements|3 - 10|
## **52 LIVES**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_
|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**2025**
**2025**
**Notes**
**£**
**£**
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
**3**
77,883
262,262
Charitable activities
**4**
29,770
-
**Total income**
107,653
262,262
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds
**5**
7,466
-
Charitable activities
**6**
78,811
308,062
**Total expenditure**
86,277
308,062
**Net income/(expenditure)**
21,376
(45,800)
Transfers between
funds
(36,660)
36,660
**Net movement in**
**funds**
(15,284)
(9,140)
**Reconciliation of funds:**
Fund balances at 1 April 2024
126,294
56,140
**Fund balances at 31 March**
**2025**
111,010
47,000|**Total**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**2025**
**2024**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
**£**
340,145
80,144
257,683
29,770
33,000
-
369,915
113,144
257,683
7,466
3,038
-
386,873
51,529
274,216
394,339
54,567
274,216
(24,424)
58,577
(16,533)
-
(26,697)
26,697
(24,424)
31,880
10,164
182,434
94,414
45,976
158,010
126,294
56,140|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
337,827
33,000|
|---|---|---|
|||370,827|
|||3,038
325,745|
|||328,783|
|||42,044
-|
|||42,044
140,390|
|||182,434|
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
- 1 -
## **52 LIVES**
## **BALANCE SHEET**
## _**AS AT 31 MARCH 2025**_
|**Notes**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
**10**
**Current assets**
Debtors
**11**
Cash at bank and in hand
**Creditors: amounts falling due within**
**one year**
**12**
**Net current assets**
**Total assets less current liabilities**
**Net assets excluding pension liability**
**The funds of the charity**
Restricted income funds
Unrestricted funds|**2025**
**£**
38,287
126,337
164,624
(7,732)|**£**
1,118
156,892
158,010
158,010
47,000
111,010
158,010|**2024**
**£**
23,175
167,847
191,022
(8,625)|**£**
37
182,397|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||182,434|
|||||182,434|
|||||56,140
126,294|
|||||182,434|
6/1/2026
The financial statements were approved by the trustees on .........................
.............................. Mrs L B Furness **Trustee**
- 2 -
## **52 LIVES**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **Charity information**
52 Lives is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) operating throughout England and Wales.
52 Lives aims to change someone's life every week of the year and inspire people to be kind. People nominate someone in need of help and every week we choose someone to help, share their story and request what they need. It's about spreading kindness and changing lives. We also run Kindness Workshops in schools, which aim to empower children by helping them to realise that their choices matter.
## **1.1 Accounting convention**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charities governing document, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "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). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements 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 Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
## **1.2 Going concern**
At the time of approving the financial statements, the charity has a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the charity continues to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
## **1.3 Charitable funds**
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the charity in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the charity.
## **1.4 Income**
Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
- 3 -
## **52 LIVES**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_
## **1 Accounting policies**
**(Continued)**
Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.
## **1.5 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 apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
## **1.6 Tangible fixed assets**
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
Computers
33% Straight Line
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
## **1.7 Impairment of fixed assets**
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
## **1.8 Cash and cash equivalents**
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
## **1.9 Financial instruments**
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charities balance sheet when the charity 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 settle the liability simultaneously.
- 4 -
## **52 LIVES**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **(Continued)**
## _**Basic financial assets**_
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
## _**Basic financial liabilities**_
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
## _**Derecognition of financial liabilities**_
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
## **1.10 Retirement benefits**
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
## **2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements**
In the application of the charities accounting policies, the charity are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
## **3 Income from donations and legacies**
||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Total**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**funds**|**funds**||**funds**|**funds**||
||**2025**|**2025**|**2025**|**2024**|**2024**|**2024**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Donations and gifts|77,883|262,262|340,145|80,144|257,683|337,827|
- 5 -
## **52 LIVES**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_
## **4 Income from charitable activities**
||**Corporate**|
**Corporate**|
|---|---|---|
||**Advertising**|**Advertising**|
||**2025**|**2024**|
||**£**|**£**|
|Ancillary trading income|29,770|33,000|
|**Analysis by fund**|||
|Unrestricted funds|29,770|33,000|
|**Expenditure on raising funds**|||
||**Unrestricted**|**Unrestricted**|
||**funds**|**funds**|
||**2025**|**2024**|
||**£**|**£**|
|**Fundraising and publicity**|||
|Other fundraising costs|7,466|3,038|
## **5 Expenditure on raising funds**
- 6 -
## **52 LIVES**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_
## **6 Expenditure on charitable activities**
|||**Charitable**|**Charitable**|
|---|---|---|---|
|||**activities**|**activities**|
|||**2025**|**2024**|
|||**£**|**£**|
||**Direct costs**|||
||Staff costs|53,458|49,651|
||Depreciation and impairment|217|36|
||Beneficiary Payments|232,622|191,175|
||Consultants fees|17,198|11,822|
||Advertising|8,913|3,239|
||Artwork, design and printing|1,561|965|
||Web design and computer costs|10,618|14,548|
||Postage|2,508|1,824|
||School resources|6,060|2,977|
||Travel|3,712|1,986|
||Facilitator Fees|35,720|35,115|
||Admin Support|7,000|4,349|
||Other charitable expenditure|405|129|
|||379,992|317,816|
||**Share of support and governance costs (see note 7)**|||
||Support|3,355|4,366|
||Governance|3,526|3,563|
|||386,873|325,745|
||**Analysis by fund**|||
||Unrestricted funds|78,811|51,529|
||Restricted funds|308,062|274,216|
|||386,873|325,745|
|**7**|**Support costs allocated to activities**|||
|||**2025**|**2024**|
|||**£**|**£**|
||Non-charitable admin|3,355|4,366|
||Governance costs|3,526|3,563|
|||6,881|7,929|
||**Analysed between:**|||
||Charitable activities|6,881|7,929|
- 7 -
## **52 LIVES**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_
|**7**
**Support costs allocated to activities**
**Governance costs comprise:**
Accountancy|**(Continued)**
**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
3,526
3,563
3,526
3,563|**(Continued)**
**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
3,526
3,563
3,526
3,563|
|---|---|---|
|||3,563|
## **8 Trustees**
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.
## **9 Employees**
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
||**2025**|**2024**|
|---|---|---|
||**Number**|**Number**|
||2|2|
|**Employment costs**|**2025**|**2024**|
||**£**|**£**|
|Wages and salaries|48,239|44,979|
|Social security costs|4,146|3,697|
|Other pension costs|1,073|975|
||53,458|49,651|
There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.
- 8 -
## **52 LIVES**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_
|**10**
**Tangible fixed assets**
**Cost**
At 1 April 2024
Additions
At 31 March 2025
**Depreciation and impairment**
At 1 April 2024
Depreciation charged in the year
At 31 March 2025
**Carrying amount**
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024
**11**
**Debtors**
**Amounts falling due within one year:**
Trade debtors
Other debtors
**12**
**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
Other taxation and social security
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
**13**
**Retirement benefit schemes**
**Defined contribution schemes**
Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes|**Computers**
**£**
109
1,299
1,408
73
217
290
1,118
37
**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
36,047
23,175
2,240
-
38,287
23,175
**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
2,789
2,596
3,023
4,229
1,920
1,800
7,732
8,625
**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
1,073
975|**Computers**
**£**
109
1,299
1,408
73
217
290
1,118
37
**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
36,047
23,175
2,240
-
38,287
23,175
**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
2,789
2,596
3,023
4,229
1,920
1,800
7,732
8,625
**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
1,073
975|
|---|---|---|
|||1,408|
|||73
217|
|||290|
|||1,118|
|||37|
|||**2024**
**£**
23,175
-|
|||23,175|
|||**2024**
**£**
2,596
4,229
1,800|
|||8,625|
|||**2024**
**£**
975|
- 9 -
## **52 LIVES**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_
## **13 Retirement benefit schemes**
## **(Continued)**
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.
## **14 Analysis of net assets between funds**
|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**2025**
**2025**
**£**
**£**
**At 31 March 2025:**
Tangible assets
1,118
-
Current assets/(liabilities)
109,892
47,000
111,010
47,000
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**2024**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
**At 31 March 2024:**
Tangible assets
37
-
Current assets/(liabilities)
126,257
56,140
126,294
56,140|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
1,118
156,892|
|---|---|
||158,010|
||**Total**
**2024**
**£**
37
182,397|
||182,434|
## **15 Related party transactions**
Please see the Trustees Report for a full list of Related Party Transactions in the year.
- 10 -
**Independent examiner's report on the accounts**
**Section A Independent Examiner’s Report**
**Report to the trustees/** Charity Name 52 Lives **members of On accounts for the year** 31[st] March 2025 **Charity no** 1166238 **ended (if any) Set out on pages** 1-10
**Respective** The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. **responsibilities of** The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year **trustees and examiner** under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Charities Act”) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
- to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
- to 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 review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning 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.
1
**IER**
**Independent examiner's statement**
In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below *) which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
- the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
- the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
- the accounts did 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 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.
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Date: 12/01/2026
Signed:
Name: Dan Devonald
CTA FMAAT
Relevant professional
qualification(s) or body
(if any):
Address: 59 Dukes Wood Avenue
Gerrards Cross
SL9 7JY
**----- End of picture text -----**
**Section B Disclosure Give here brief details of** N/A **any items that the examiner wishes to disclose** .
2
**IER**
Charity Registration Number (England and Wales) 1166238. Date registered: 29th March 2016. Registered address: PO Box 3154, Reading RG1 9AT www�52-lives�org
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