OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator. This document is also available as Markdown.

← Little Edi Foundation

2025-04-05-accounts

Little Edi Foundation

Charity No. 1169242

ANNUAL REVIEW 2023/2024

1

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIR – TESS GRIGGS

Foreword: A Year of Growing Together

As we look back on the past twelve months and look ahead, I am struck by a single, powerful truth: a child’s potential should never be defined by the weight of the challenges they carry.

This year, we have seen that weight grow heavier for many. With the rising cost of living, families in our community have faced impossible choices between heating their homes and feeding their children. At the Little Edi Foundation, we refused to let those families walk that path alone.

Because of your unwavering support, we have transformed our space into a true sanctuary.

This year, we:

We are more than just a charity; we are a community forged through "unbreakable relationships" with local schools, businesses, and volunteers. Our recent recognition as an award-winning non-profit in 2025 is not just a trophy on a shelf; it is a testament to the collective heartbeat of everyone who believes that every child in Essex deserves an equal start.

We aim for "even better and bigger things". We do this not for the reports or the statistics, but for the child who puts on a new school uniform and feels like they finally belong.

Thank you for being the reason we can say "yes" when a family needs us most. We truly cannot do what we do without you.

With deepest gratitude,

T. Griggs

ANNUAL REVIEW 2023/2024

2

About the Little Edi Foundation

Founded in 2016, the Little Edi Foundation is an Essex based non-profit where children and young people are at the heart of our organisation. Our objective is to help children and young people have equal access to education and learning development, enabling them to reach their full potential.

The Little Edi Foundation responds to community needs across Essex, prioritising supporting families who are most vulnerable. Referred families receive a home visit from one of our team who assess their financial and emotional support needs. As can be seen from this report, support is delivered via a number of ways, including food boxes, support groups, courses, and trips. In addition, we have a Youth Forum, which provides volunteering opportunities for young people, including those who are disengaged, which enables them to learn key skills and build their confidence.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2023/2024

3

==> picture [323 x 38] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
. — aS
Our New Centre
----- End of picture text -----

At the end of 2024, it became apparent to everyone that The Hub was no longer working for us a charity, as our space was just too small. Whilst it offered some shared outside space, meeting rooms and a kitchen we could hire, our dedicated space was so full of food and other items that packing boxes was logistically difficult and hosting people was tricky. We therefore started a search for a new space.

In addition to having more storage space, we were keen to find somewhere we could offer a safe place, a food bank, courses, a garden, a washing machine and ironing board, a clothing room, a library for children and parents, rooms to use for a variety of activities and a space to have a drink with staff who are ready to listen.

We are delighted to confirm we found a new space in Chelmsford city centre and took possession in February 2025.

Although we knew the space we found could offer all these things, it was a former office so needed a lot of work to make it the welcoming place we envisaged. We put a plea out on Facebook for help and were overwhelmed by the support we received from individual and local businesses.

There are too many jobs to mention, but to name a few we had helpers painting, putting new electrical sockets in, building furniture, installing a kitchen and white goods, building racks, and clearing the garden.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2023/2024

4

We have called our new premises the ‘Little Edi Centre’ and at the time of this report, we had just had a fantastic open day when we invited the Deputy Mayor, local MP, and our supporters to come and take a look. We very much look forward to developing the space and welcoming many families to the Centre.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2023/2024

5

This year we secured grants and/or donations to fund our work, including from the following organisations:

ANNUAL REVIEW 2023/2024

6

We have also received support and donations from local individuals, schools, churches, and businesses, for which we are very grateful.

A particular highlight in the year was to watch 18 people run (or waddle!) the Maldon mud race to raise funds. Everyone said it was the hardest challenge they had ever done and they finished extremely muddy!

Thanks to the U9 Magpies at Galleywood FC for running a marathon to raise funds.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2023/2024

7

To raise funds, 10 intrepid Chelmsford City FC fans undertook an arduous 250mile hike from the top of The Great Orme, Llandudno to Chippenham for the final away game of the season. Some of our children also enjoyed a complimentary trip to watch Chelmsford City FC at the stadium in Melbourne.

We have been invited on several occasions to Morrisons (Regiment Way and Beaulieu in Chelmsford) to talk to customers about food poverty and raise awareness of the work our charity does. We were overwhelmed by the amount of pre-packed bags of essential food items customers bought.

New City Voices sung all afternoon in Higher Chelmer Shopping Centre to raise funds, and it was lovely to see the local community enjoying the event.

From October 2024, members of three local Co-op supermarkets and one local Co-op funeral home could donate to our charity when they made purchases.

In January 2025, we found out we had been chosen as charity of the year for Barratt Homes Eastern Division, and we look forward to spending time with their team over the next year.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2023/2024

8

Poverty continues to have a profound impact on the children and young people in our communities across Essex and as they are at the heart of the organisation, our Community Projects aim to improve their health, social, and mental well-being. We recognise we need to support them as a group of families rather than just individuals, to give them a sense of community.

To respond to community members urgently in need of our support we have been:

ANNUAL REVIEW 2023/2024

9

Coffee Mornings

We have continued to hold our coffee mornings once a month in a local church hall. This event remains an important part of our projects, as it gives us a chance to engage with our families and children. We are able to listen to them and give support, advice, and guidance.

Before the event, we order fresh fruit and vegetables so every family in the project can take some home with them. Families also have the opportunity to browse the donated clothes, books, food, and toiletries, and children are occupied by the art and craft activities set up around tables.

Where possible, we try and hold a coffee morning during school half terms as we know they are expensive and so we offer a free morning for parents to talk to one another and a chance for children to play in a safe environment.

After School club

Our after-school club continued to be very popular. We invited the most vulnerable children in our project to come to a local church hall every Wednesday during term time from 4:30pm-6pm. The children enjoyed a wide range of activities, such as crafts, petting animals, playing games, and a picnic in the garden. They were also offered a healthy dinner during each session. A couple of highlights included time aboard the Little Legs Bus, which has ball pools, slides, cargo nets and squeeze through rollers and a trip to a local bowling alley.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2023/2024

10

Baby and Toddler Group

Due to the success of our baby and toddler group, we continued to hold sessions every Wednesday in a local church hall and invite children in our project aged 0-4 years old to attend. Refreshments are always provided with a range of activities to stimulate the children.

Fun Day Out

In January, we took a group of children to Marsh Farm who thoroughly enjoyed learning about the animals and spending time in the playground. Members of our Youth Forum came and made sure the children had a great day out.

Easter

Over 80 children enjoyed hunting for eggs around a local church garden while their parents relaxed with a hot drink provided by members of the Youth Forum. A staggering 197 eggs were kindly donated by two local supermarkets and one organisation.

Colouring competitions and decorating Easter baskets kept all the children busy for the morning.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2023/2024

11

Summer Scheme

This year we had 3 fantastic days out with the children in our project.

Those children aged between 4 and 8 years old were taken, together with members of our Youth Forum, Volunteers, and our Project Leaders, by coach to Colchester Zoo. Here the children enjoyed a fun day looking at the animals and enjoying the activities. Every child enjoyed a picnic and a drink, as their family had been given a supermarket voucher to buy the items.

The second day out was to Walton on the Naze. Two coaches of excited children and their families enjoyed picnics, a play in the park, and then time on the beach. Children loved splashing in the sea, collecting shells, and building sandcastles. Again, we gave every family of a child going on the trip a supermarket voucher so they could buy lunch and a drink.

Our last day out was to a local park where families could enjoy a picnic whilst members of the Youth Forum and volunteers kept the children entertained with games.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2023/2024

12

October half term

The children had two wonderful days at a local school where they enjoyed a range of activities including learning about exotic animals, art and crafts, cake decorating with spooky colouring, a scavenger hunt with their own microscopic pots, a Halloween party with an entertainer, bubble machine and games. This was all done with their face painted by some of our volunteers.

Members of the Youth Forum attended to “buddy up” to a younger child and offer them support throughout the day.

All children received a party bag to take home containing a colouring book and pens.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2023/2024

13

Harvest Festival

We had a fantastic response to our Harvest Festival appeal and received donations from many individuals, local schools, and organisations.

As a charity we understand that winter - and especially Christmas time - can be a challenging time of year for our families, both financially and emotionally. We try to take away as much of this burden as we can.

Below are several initiatives we ran over the winter period:

Reverse advent calendar

Due to the success of the reverse advent calendars in previous years, we decided to ask our supporters for these again. They were delivered to our families and meant they could have a few luxuries as well as some staple items for the Christmas period.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2023/2024

14

Pyjamas and coats

Families at a local school were invited to take a label from one of the gift trees and buy pyjamas for a child in our project. Families also donated coats, which were laid out at one of the coffee mornings, so that each child within the project had a coat to see them through the cold months.

Christmas Lunch

Thanks to the help of volunteers and the Youth Forum, each family received the ingredients to make the perfect Christmas lunch: turkey, potatoes, carrots, parsnips, Brussels sprouts, gravy, stuffing, and a dessert. They also received some Christmas treats, advent calendars, biscuits, chocolates, and crackers.

Every family also received a Christmas hamper thanks to the generosity of our helpers.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2023/2024

15

Presents

Thanks to kind donations from our Amazon wish list, individuals, local businesses, and schools, the young children in our project were given a present and a box containing toys, art and crafts, and toiletries. The older children received a voucher and a bag of goodies.

Christmas party

The children had a wonderful Christmas party organised by the Youth Forum. They enjoyed games and food and had a visit from Father Christmas and his Elf who gave them each a selection box and a present.

Help with utility bills

As we have seen in previous years, energy bills continue to be of great concern to the families on our project. We therefore gave each family a contribution to their bills, so they were able to keep their heating on during the coldest time of year.

Pantomime

We took 32 very excited children to see Snow White at the local theatre. Everyone had a great time and were treated to a bag of treats, a drink and a glow wand to wave.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2023/2024

16

Education Education

As the price of uniform and school supplies continued to be very expensive and many of our families cannot afford such items, we maintained our school uniform project. Each child received a new pair of school shoes and items of branded school uniform. In addition, we have provided school equipment where needed.

These items are really important to the children, as it makes them feel the same as their peers and helps them to reach their full potential.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2023/2024

17

Our organisational objective is to help children and young people, enabling them to reach their full potential. One of the ways we achieve this is to provide volunteering opportunities for local young people, including those who have become disengaged, aged 13 – 18, which enables them to learn key skills and builds their confidence to take on new challenges.

Some of the Youth Forum activities:

ANNUAL REVIEW 2023/2024

18

Meet The Trustees

Tess Griggs

Sarah Bonamy Sheryl Perry

The Trustees

The Little Edi Foundation trustees are a team of unpaid volunteers - their time and knowledge come at no expense to the charity - all the donations and funds raised go straight to the charity.

They take responsibility for using the resources efficiently, achieving measurable results and being accountable to the supporters, partners, people, and most of all, the children, with whom the charity works.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2023/2024

19

Principal address: 585 Galleywood Road
Chelmsford
CM2 8BS
Type of governing document: Constitution adopted 19thSeptember
2016 and amended on 27thJune 2022.
How the charity is constituted: CIO - Foundation
How trustees are appointed: Trustees are appointed in trustee
meetings.
Brief statement of the charity’s policy
on reserves (full policy available upon
request):		 The charity has a reserve of £10,000 for
reasons such as to fund any unforeseen
expenditure, unforeseen day-to-day
operational costs, and short-term
deficits.
Details of any funds materially in deficit: None.

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature:

Full name: Tess Griggs Position: Chair Date:29 January 2026 2026

ANNUAL REVIEW 2023/2024

20

Balance Sheet

Little Edi Foundation As at 31 March 2025 Cash Basis

31 MAR 2025

Fixed Assets

Tangible Assets
Computer Equipment
349.00
Total Tangible Assets
349.00
Total Fixed Assets
349.00
Current Assets
Cash at bank and in hand
200 CLUB
7,855.68
Little Edi Account 1
28,518.01
Total Cash at bank and in hand
36,373.69
Prepayments
3,250.00
Total Current Assets
39,623.69
Creditors: amounts falling due withinone year
Accounts Payable
(300.00)
Total Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
(300.00)
Net Current Assets (Liabilities)
39,923.69
Total Assets less Current Liabilities
40,272.69
Net Assets
40,272.69
Capital and Reserves
Current Year Earnings
3,939.78
Retained Earnings
36,332.91
Total Capital and Reserves
40,272.69

23 Jan 2026 Page 1 of 1

Balance Sheet Little Edi Foundation

Profit and Loss

Little Edi Foundation For the year ended 31 March 2025 Cash Basis

Profit and Loss
Little Edi Foundation
For the year ended 31 March 2025
Cash Basis
2025
Gross Profit -
Administrative Costs
Amazon purchases 941.68
Charity subscriptions 546.45
Clothing 841.25
Entertainment-100% business 830.96
Food Purchased 9,882.90
General Expenses 12,047.23
Insurance 615.58
IT Software and Consumables 269.17
Light, Power, Heating 4.41
Motor Vehicle Expenses 4,157.09
Printing & Stationery 75.89
Project Help 12,876.14
Project/activity taxis 4,407.92
Rent 5,432.50
Repairs & Maintenance 670.32
Rounding 3.45
Telephone & Internet 415.19
Travel - National 410.00
Utilities Help 830.00
VAT 78.00
Wages 15,216.90
Total Administrative Costs 70,553.03
Operating Profit (70,553.03)
Other Income
Charitable and Political Donations 74,492.81
Total Other Income 74,492.81
Profit on Ordinary Activities Before Taxation 3,939.78
Profit after Taxation 3,939.78

Profit and Loss Little Edi Foundation

23 Jan 2026 Page 1 of 1

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Sectlon A Independent Examlner'# Report Report to the trusteesl members of The Little Edi Foundation On accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 (5 April 2025) Charlty no {if any) 1169242 Set out on pages 1&2 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (llhe Trust.) for the year ended 3110312025. Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance wrth the requirements of the Charities Acl 2011 (Yhe Act.). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charty Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respeGt: accounting records were not kept in accordan￿ wtth section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examinerfs statement I have no con￿M$ and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: 2510112Lo Name: Vicky Coffman Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): FCCA Address: Viewpoint Accountants Ltd Saxon House, 27 Duke St Chelmsford, CM1 1 HT Sectlon B Dlsclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32. Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). IER October 2018

Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .

2

October 2018

IER