**COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER : 10348139** 

# **HOME-START ESSEX LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31 MARCH 2025** 

**Charity Number : 1170940** 

## Edmund Carr LLP 

Chartered Accountants 146 New London Road 

Chelmsford Essex CM2 0AW 



## **HOME-START ESSEX LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE** 

## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** 

## **YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 

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CONTENTS PAGE<br>Trustees' annual report 1<br>Independent Examiner's report to the Trustees 12<br>Statement of financial activities 13<br>Balance sheet 14<br>Statement of cash flows 15<br>Notes to the financial statements  16<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>




## **HOME-START ESSEX LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE** 

## **TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT** 

## **YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 

The Trustees, who are also Directors of the Charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The Trustees/Directors have prepared the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 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 2019). 

## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** 

**Registered Company number** 10348139 (England and Wales) 

**Registered Charity number** 1170940 

**Registered office** Home-Start Essex Maldon District Council Princes Road Maldon Essex CM9 5DL 

**Trustees** 

Bryan Burrough (Vice Chair & Treasurer) Anna Casbolt – resigned 15/11/24 Rebecca Dixon Deborah Fielding – appointed 16/05/25 Joanna Georgiades Lauren Josman David Neale – resigned 15/05/24 Neil Oakley Edwin Powell Helen Robinson Graham Robjohns (Chairman) Sarah St. Pierre – resigned 15/11/24 Dawn Taylor 

**Company Secretary** Graham Robjohns 

**Chief Executive Officer** Nicola O'Brien 

## **Ambassadors** 

Rex Howling KC The Right Honourable Sir John Whittingdale OBE MP 

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## **HOME-START ESSEX LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE** 

## **TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (continued)** 

## **YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 

## **Members Guarantee** 

The company is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee with liability of each of the members being limited to £1. 

## **Independent examiner** 

Alex Stone FCCA Edmund Carr LLP 146 New London Road Chelmsford Essex CM2 0AW 

## **INTRODUCTION FROM THE CHAIR** 

It is a privilege to have taken on the role of Chair of Trustees for Home-Start Essex in November 2024 and to introduce this Annual Report for the year ending 31 March 2025. 

I would first like to express heartfelt thanks to my predecessor, Sarah St Pierre. Sarah was initially a Trustee of Home-Start Maldon she then joined Home-Start Essex as a Trustee in 2017 when the charity was formed later stepping in as interim CEO before becoming Chair in December 2019. During her time as Chair, the charity has significantly grown the number of families and children we support and the organisation is well governed, strong and stable with an excellent team of people. We are deeply grateful for her dedication and delighted that she will continue her involvement with the charity as an Associate, offering ongoing support and insight. 

At the heart of Home-Start Essex is our passionate team of staff and volunteers, who work tirelessly to deliver life-changing support to children and families navigating complex and often difficult circumstances. We believe in the power of a happy and secure childhood and the pivotal role parents play in shaping their children’s futures. Our vision is that every child in Essex has the best possible start in life and grows up in a family that is strong and resilient and able to access support as and when they need it. 

As demand for our services continues to rise, so too does the complexity of the challenges families face. In response we strive to be more targeted and effective; we have grown both the number of families we support and the scope of our service offer, focusing on areas of greatest need, including wellbeing, SEND and behaviour support. 

In October 2024 we met as a trustee, staff and volunteer team to set an annual action plan to help meet our Strategic Priorities that we set out for the period 2022 to 2025. These priorities are central to our mission: 

- Expanding the reach and range of our services 

- Diversifying income streams 

- Raising awareness of our work and impact 

- Investing in and valuing our staff and volunteers 

- Improving how we work to maximise our impact 

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## **HOME-START ESSEX LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE** 

## **TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (continued)** 

## **YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 

Our volunteers are essential to the support we provide to families both in the home and in family groups. Whilst we are proud of our good volunteer retention, attracting new volunteers remains a challenge, one shared by many in the charity sector. Our Volunteer Strategy is helping us with this as well as improving our volunteer experience. We are also working hard to enhance the awareness of Home-Start Essex as we believe that people with a passion for our cause are far more likely to volunteer and so it is vital to bring our story to as many people as possible. 

The funding environment remains highly competitive. This year, we welcomed two new fund raisers to help us navigate this difficult environment and to strengthen and diversify our income. We are immensely grateful to the trusts, foundations, local businesses, and individuals who continue to back our work, recognising the critical importance of early years development and supporting us in so many generous and meaningful ways. 

Thanks to this support, we can continue to work tirelessly to help parents and carers give their young children the best possible start in life, because we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive. 

**Graham Robjohns** _**,**_ **Chair of Trustees** 

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## **HOME-START ESSEX LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE** 

## **TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (continued)** 

## **YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 

## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** 

## **Objectives and aims** 

The Objects of the Charity are: 

_a)   To safeguard, protect and preserve the good health, both mental and physical, of children and parents of children;_ 

_b)   To prevent cruelty to or maltreatment of children;_ 

_c)   To relieve sickness, poverty and need amongst children and parents of children;_ 

_d)   To promote the education of the public in better standards of child care;_ 

Principally, but not exclusively, within the area of Essex and its environs. 

The vision of the Charity, as captured in our Strategic Plan is: 

_“For every child and young person in Essex to grow up in a family that is strong and resilient and able to access the support they need, when and where they need it.”_ 

The Charity’s Mission Statement is: 

_“To provide high-quality, family-led services, by ourselves and in collaboration with others, which enable families to be strong and resilient.”_ 

Home-Start Essex (HSE) supports families experiencing difficulties and have at least one child under the age of eight. HSE supports children and parents/carers facing difficulties such as additional needs, learning or physical disabilities, mental health, domestic abuse, social isolation, poverty, bereavement and many other issues affecting their ability to cope and provide a nurturing environment for their children. 

We recruit and train volunteers, through an accredited programme who provide regular weekly homebased, group or telephone support to families. They provide positive role models, offer friendly and informal confidential support to help parents build their confidence, resilience and to improve their wellbeing. They are supervised, supported, and receive ongoing training from experienced Family Support Co-ordinators who assess and with the family agree a bespoke programme of support. This may include specialist wellbeing or behaviour support programmes in addition to 1:1 and group support. 

We receive referrals from statutory and other partner organisations and increasingly families refer themselves for support. We are well respected and are commissioned through the Essex Child & Family Well Being service to provide services across the three quadrants of Mid, West and South Essex. 

All of the developments in our support to families during the early years are based on the belief that all children need a happy and secure childhood to help them to achieve their full potential and that underpinning this is a need for parents/carers to have the opportunity to have someone they trust alongside them to help them navigate when times are difficult. 

HSE’s support of parents and children helps them to grow in confidence, strengthens their relationships, builds local supportive networks within the community, and so ensures that children are given the best possible start in life. 

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**HOME-START ESSEX LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (continued) YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 

## **Public Benefit** 

The trustees confirm that they have reviewed the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, including guidance on charging for services, when setting and reviewing the aims and objectives of the Charity and making plans for the future. 

The Charity currently provides services at no cost to beneficiaries, and these are funded through applications to the National Lottery Community Fund, public sector bodies, trusts and foundations, and through community fundraising, individual giving, and sponsorship. 

## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE** 

Through the Charity’s work, the Trustees/Directors are pleased to report the following Outputs and Outcomes as highlights for the financial year to 31 March 2025: 

During 2024-2025 we received over 1,000 referrals, and we supported 1,025 families an increase of 11%, benefiting over 2,000 children and over 3,500 total beneficiaries. 

We are committed to supporting families who are facing health inequalities and those families, living within the 20% most deprived communities, are often severely impacted. We continue to receive a high number of referrals where parents/carers are struggling with mental health issues and isolation. We continue to support many families who are struggling with finance issues, regularly using the Foodbanks, living in social or temporary housing, struggling with housing issues, having no access to transport and not having English as a 1[st] language. All of these factors increase health inequalities and negatively impact the longer-term outcomes of achieving healthy lifestyles for families. 

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**HOME-START ESSEX LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (continued)** 

## **YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 

Moreover, we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of parents/carers and children who have a special educational need or disability, rising to 41% of supported families, an increase of 20% from the previous year. In addition, of total supported families 36% of children were struggling to be school ready, an increase of 19% on the previous year and 51% of parent/carers struggle to manage their children’s behaviour, an increase of 11% on the previous year. 

In order to meet the rising need we have further developed our Behaviour Support programme by expanding the provision of group and 1:1 support by 46% and training additional staff  and volunteers to support the delivery of the service. 

Our successful school readiness programme continues to be a rolling programme delivered within our weekly Family Support Groups. 

We have also expanded our SEND groups with a new group in Basildon providing the same provision as the existing groups in the Braintree district assisting families with getting appropriate advice and support/ strategies in place, providing a safe play and activity environment with other families that are experiencing similar or the same SEND issues. In addition, we invite local partners to attend to provide guidance to parents and support to access early developmental checks. 

We have been able to provide new services to support both mental and physical wellbeing due to local authority health inequalities funding. We have opened a Family Fitness & Fun weekly group in Harlow, to introduce a variety of different fitness activities, healthy eating and school readiness activities to promote more active and healthy lifestyles. In addition, the Healthy Happy Family programme is a new wellbeing initiative focussed on identifying and tackling the challenges/barriers that maybe having a detrimental impact on mental health, such as finances, diet and nutrition, housing, unhealthy lifestyles, isolation, lack of support network and physical health/inactivity. In South Essex we have introduced an extended Healthy Happy Families programme which has a creative writing element helping parents/carers to develop new skills and build their confidence whilst exploring issues which are important to them. 

The expansion of services within our Wellbeing programme, including our ‘Mothers in Mind’ perinatal group and therapeutic counselling service supporting mental health issues, has enabled us to provide further support to families within the perinatal period; 35% of supported families are within the perinatal period and all are struggling with mental health issues. Home-Start Essex’s early support dramatically increases the parent/infant bond and positive mental health and development outcomes for the infant. 

We are pleased to report the creation of a strength-based approach to partnership working with academic partners at the University of Essex. Together we have designed, implemented and are currently trialling an outcome framework that illustrates and evidences how differential but preventable health outcomes stemming from social inequalities can be mitigated. We will generate recommendations and potential solutions that are need sensitive to the affected communities and the final report will be produced in late 2025. 

Volunteers are at the core of Home-Start Essex’s support providing our holistic home-visiting and telephone Family Support Mentor service and vital support within our group environments. We have experienced another year impacted by low availability of volunteers but we have made great steps to overcome this issue by increasing the number of flexible volunteering opportunities to attract a wider demographic and provide volunteer options that can engage people wherever they are in their life journey. 

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## **HOME-START ESSEX LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE** 

## **TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (continued)** 

## **YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 

Our expansion of service provision based on the emerging needs of families, within the local communities we support, enables us to provide early intervention to support families when it is needed and prevent needs escalating and becoming entrenched. We will often support families with 2 or even 3 services if there are multiple needs that require different support. 

The following feedback is from a parent who accessed our weekly Family Support Group, our Behaviour Support group and a Wellbeing group: 

_“Support has helped me by meeting other mums at group, making new friends. It has helped with my own mental health and how the brain works. I feel I can now reign my emotions more and reach out more. The bond is strong with my youngest son. It helped having time and something to do at group at a time when I has post-natal depression._ 

_I learnt how to communicate with my eldest son and give him more control, giving him warnings and options so he understands. Without the group, meeting new mums would have been a struggle and helped starting conversations.”_ 

This parent moved on from Home-Start Essex support with a support network in place of other supported parents who created their own ongoing peer support network. 

## **FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES** 

Reported total income fell marginally to £932,242 but this masked an underlying increase of 27% over last year if you strip out the £220,961 one off income due from the Art Show the previous year. 

Our grant income increased by over 50% to £676,196 with important new grants from the Public Sector Accelerator Bid, SSE Health Inequalities and Southend’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. We have worked hard to encourage funding from both central and local government. We continue to be supported by the National Community Lottery Fund, BBC Children in Need, Elijah’s Pot and the Mulberry Trust. We also received grants from a number of Essex Community Foundation’s fund holders including Braintree District & Greenfields Community Fund and Daphne Woodward. The new Grants & Commissioning Manager, who started in June 2024 has made a meaningful impact on our fundraising activities. 

Contractual income decreased from £238,178 to £175,000 due to two contracts being reclassified as grants. The remaining income represents the important sub-contract we have from the HCRG Care Group as part of the Essex Child & Family Wellbeing Service. 

Donation and legacy income rose from £15,316 to £45,177, whilst income from fundraising activities fell from £29,957 to £25,414. This reflected the work of the new Events & Partnership Manager. 

Given the increasing demand for our services, the Board of Trustees are encouraged by the increase in fundraising income following the appointment during the year of a Grants & Commissioning Manager and an Events & Partnership Manager. 

## **PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS** 

Our plans for the coming year are focused on our Annual Plan for 2025/26 that we agreed in October 2024 to support our 2022-2025 Strategic Priorities. In summary the action plans for the coming year are: 

- **Service delivery** : – To develop specialist roles for Volunteer Family Support Mentors. 

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## **HOME-START ESSEX LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE** 

## **TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (continued)** 

## **YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 

- **Diversifying our income streams** : - Increasing our corporate relationships; developing a funding 

- strategy; piloting a paid for service; building our major donor base and legacy funding; to grow our community fund raising and establish two or more strategic partnerships. 

- **Raising awareness of our work and impact** : - Develop our communications and marketing plan to support fundraising and volunteers and build our profile; improve the use of our digital platforms; raise our profile to attract new volunteers including establishing a network of ambassadors to promote our profile and holding networking events. 

- **Investing in and valuing our staff and volunteers** : - Increase our active volunteer base; improve our retention rate through developing a volunteer strategy and a Volunteer Journey; investing in training for staff and volunteers. 

- **Improving how we work to maximise our impact** : - Research and establish a social value model; leverage our relationship with Essex University to evaluate the social impact of our different services; improve our effectiveness in using our IT systems and digital platforms. 

In October of 2025 we will be reviewing our Strategic Priorities and updating them for the 2026-2028 3- year period. 

Our core strategy focuses on broadening and diversifying our funding streams, strengthening and expanding our volunteer network, and investing in the development and wellbeing of our staff team to enhance and broaden our service delivery. In addition, we aim to work to broaden the awareness and recognition of Home-Start within the Essex community. We will be developing our detailed priorities around the key areas of funding, our volunteers, our staff, service delivery and brand awareness. 

We expect that important themes for our updated strategic priorities will include social value and impact evaluation, partnership working and being ready for the risks and opportunities of the up-coming Essex local government reorganisation and increased devolution. 

## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** 

|Total Income<br>Total expenditure<br>Net Income / (Expenditure)|2025<br>£<br>932,242<br>875,839<br>56,403|2024<br>£<br>952,750<br>918,411<br>34,339|
|---|---|---|



The income for the year comprised Donations and Legacies of £45,177, income from Charitable Activities of £851,196, income from other trading activities - fundraising of £25,414 and Bank Interest of £10,455. Donations rose by 151% following the appointment of a new Events & Partnership Manager. Income from Charitable Activities rose by 25% over last year, comprising of Grants of £676,196 and Contracts of £175,000. During the year, we were pleased to receive substantial grant income from several organisations including the National Lottery Community Fund (£173,784), Essex County Council’s Public Health Accelerator Bid (£128,313) and Southend City Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (£45,570). In addition, once again we were grateful to the Essex Community Foundation, through which we received funds from various organisations totalling £36,843. Contract income was £175,000, down 27% due down due to reclassifying UKSP Southend and UKSP Uttlesford from contracts to grants, whilst we continued with the contract with HCRG Care Group. 

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## **HOME-START ESSEX LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE** 

## **TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (continued)** 

## **YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 

There is more detailed information under the Fundraising Activities section (above) and also on page 22. We thank all those named in the Report, and all our other funders and donors, for their support in helping Home-Start Essex deliver their services to families in need of assistance. 

During the year the Charity continued to adjust its services to meet the changes in need which, together with the effects of inflation, resulted in an increase in underlying costs if you strip out the impact of the Art Show last year. Staffing costs rose 11.6% over last year and continued to be the largest part of our expenditure at £724,067 (82.7%). The continuing changes in the modes of delivering the Charity’s services saw an increase in Travelling and Expenses of staff and volunteers. There was an increase in Governance costs and project costs. However there was a reduction in Training costs. 

The Trustees are confident that there are sufficient funds, both available and due to be received, to support the services being delivered by Home-Start Essex for, at least, the next twelve months. Monitoring procedures are in place to identify when grants and contracts are due to end, so that an early decision can be made, to either allocate alternative funding, or to re-plan service delivery. 

## **Reserves Policy** 

The Home-Start Essex reserves policy is to hold unrestricted funds equivalent of three to six months’ budgeted expenditure. The Trustees consider that this is essential in order to continue to provide existing services, to support an expansion of services to meet rising demand, to provide sufficient cover for the possible loss of one or more major funders and to enable a proper winding-down of the Charity, should that become necessary. 

The total funds held by the Charity at 31 March 2025 stood at £612,982, of which £182,640 were restricted funds and £430,342 were unrestricted funds. This is in line with the reserves policy target level of unrestricted funds which, based on budgeted expenditure for 2025/26 of £977,052, is between £244,263 and £488,526. 

## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** 

## **Governing document** 

Home-Start Essex is a registered Charity, number 1170940 (Registered in England and Wales), and a Company Limited by Guarantee, number 10348139, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. 

Home-Start Essex’s governing document, a Memorandum and Articles of Association, sets out the significant structural rules relating to the organisation. It covers matters such as the minimum and maximum number of Trustees, the powers of Trustees, terms of office, and how important meetings are managed. The document also outlines the charitable objects (purpose) of the charity, which is the frame of reference for many of the decisions the Trustees will make. 

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**HOME-START ESSEX LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE** 

## **TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (continued)** 

## **YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 

## **Governance** 

Home-Start Essex relies on a strong, effective Board of Trustees. They have a wide range of responsibilities, in ensuring that the charity complies with regulatory requirements and delivers on its charitable purpose. Our Board of Trustees, who are also Directors of the Charity for the purposes of the Companies Act, have overall responsibility for setting the strategy of the Charity. Our Chief Executive Officer, working with the Senior Leadership Team, is responsible for delivering the Board’s vision and strategy and for its day-to-day operations. 

The Trustees annually review Board performance and meet at least four times a year, as do each of our three committees. The Operations and Governance, Finance and Business Development and Human Resources Management committees formally report to the Board at each Board meeting and operate under a Scheme of Delegation. The Trustees ensure that Home-Start Essex complies with all requirements of its Agreement with Home-Start UK (HSUK), and with the Home-Start Quality Assurance standards. We are required to report regularly on our compliance with the Quality Standards and are subject to external Quality Assurance reviews. We are also required to adopt and implement all mandatory policies provided by Home-Start UK. Home-Start Essex also leverages Home-Start UK’s model policies and produces its own additional policies as necessary. �� 

## **Recruitment and appointment of new Trustees** 

Home-Start Essex regularly reviews the skills of Trustees and identifies any specific skills gaps, and we endeavour to actively recruit new Trustees with those skills. We also take into consideration the need to have a succession plan, either by preparing existing Trustees to take on lead roles, or by actively advertising for Trustees, so that we reduce the risk of losing essential skills on the Board. In an attempt to increase the diversity of the Board’s membership we advertise widely for new Trustees, and ensure, throughout the recruitment process, that all applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds have an opportunity to succeed. 

The Board of Trustees has established procedures for recruiting and appointing Trustees, including informal visits or discussions, formal application and a panel of Trustees, with the Chief Executive Officer, interview all prospective Trustees to determine that they have the required skills to contribute to the charity’s management and development. New appointments are ratified by the full Board of Trustees and co-opted to the Board and will hold office until they are duly elected to the Board at the next Annual General Meeting in accordance with the Articles of Association. We have also introduced a role of Special Advisor in order to strengthen and broaden the specialist support to our committees and the Board, for those who may not be able to commit to, or do not wish to have, a role as a Trustee, or who may wish to consider this role in the future. 

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## **HOME-START ESSEX LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE** 

## **TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (continued)** 

## **YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 

## **Induction and training of new Trustees** 

Home-Start Essex is committed to the full induction and ongoing training of Trustees. A comprehensive induction pack and plan is agreed with all new Trustees, tailored to individual needs and previous experience, which includes meeting with operational staff, and opportunities to meet with families and volunteers. A Trustee Code of Conduct is signed by all new Trustees and under the Home-Start UK Agreement, all Trustees will be expected to complete the Home-Start UK induction within six months of becoming a Trustee. The Chair meets regularly with Trustees in order to continually learn, and provide development opportunities, in support of the organisation. All Trustees have an annual review with the Chair of Trustees. 

## **Arrangements for setting pay and remuneration of key management posts** 

When determining the salaries for key management posts, Trustees collect information about comparable roles in other voluntary organisations as well as across the Home-Start Federation. This information is used to benchmark the Charity’s salaries, normally aiming to set them at a level that appears to represent the market average. The pay of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) comprises a single fixed salary point - i.e., no banding. The CEO’s pay is reviewed annually. Each year, the Trustees will consider whether an independent review of salaries is necessary. In reviewing the Charity’s Remuneration Policy and annual increments, the Trustees will consider available advice and best practice, including, but not limited to, the NCVO’s guidance on “Setting and Communicating Remuneration Policies”. 

## **Risk management** 

The Board of Trustees has a duty to identify and review the risks to which the Charity is exposed and to ensure that appropriate controls are in place to manage these risks and provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. The Board of Trustees has given careful consideration to the major risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that the systems which have been established are effective in managing the risks. 

The Board of Trustees reviews the Strategic Risk Register at least annually and to support the Board, each of the formal Board Committees takes a direct role in leading on the ongoing review of a group of identified risks from the register, which are reported to the Board at a minimum six monthly.  At any stage as deemed relevant by Trustees or the CEO and Senior Management Team there may be a more detailed review to test the effectiveness of our approach to risk management. 

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. 

Approved by order of the Board of Trustees/Directors on .............................. and signed on its behalf by: 12 Sept 2025 

## ............................ Bryan Burrough 

............................ 

## **B Burrough** 

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**HOME-START ESSEX LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE** 

## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES** 

## **YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2025 which are set out on pages 13 to 26. 

## **Responsibilities and basis of report** 

As the charity trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’). 

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your company’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act. 

## **Independent examiner's statement** 

Since the company’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of  the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies. 

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 

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

3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or 

4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). 

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 

..................................... **Alex Stone FCCA** Edmund Carr LLP 146 New London Road Chelmsford 

CM2 0AW 

> 25 September 2025 ................. 

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## **HOME-START ESSEX LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE** 

## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)** 

## **YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 

|**Note**<br>**INCOME FROM:**<br>Donations and legacies<br>**2**<br>Charitable activities<br>**3**<br>Investments: Bank interest<br>Other trading activities: fundraising<br>**4**<br>**TOTAL INCOME**<br>**EXPENDITURE ON:**<br>Raising funds<br>**5**<br>Charitable activities<br>**6**<br>**TOTAL EXPENDITURE**<br>**NET INCOME / (EXPENDITURE)**<br>**Transfers between funds**<br>**NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**<br>**Reconciliation of funds:**<br>Total Funds brought forward<br>**Total Funds carried forward**|**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>45,177<br>250,134<br>10,455<br>25,414<br>331,180<br>4,698<br>366,375<br>371,073<br>(39,892)<br>-<br>(39,892)<br>470,234<br>430,342|**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>-<br>601,062<br>-<br>-<br>601,062<br>-<br>504,766<br>504,766<br>96,295<br>-<br>96,295<br>86,345<br>182,640|**Total Funds**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>45,177<br>851,196<br>10,455<br>25,414<br>932,242<br>4,698<br>871,141<br>875,839<br>56,403<br>-<br>56,403<br>556,579<br>612,982|**Total Funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>15,316<br>681,584<br>4,932<br>250,918<br>952,750<br>141,920<br>776,491<br>918,411<br>34,339<br>-<br>34,339<br>522,240<br>556,579|
|---|---|---|---|---|



The charity has no recognised gains or losses other than the results for the period as set out above. 

**The notes on pages 16 to 26 form part of these financial statements.** 

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## **HOME-START ESSEX LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE BALANCE SHEET** 

## **AS AT 31 MARCH 2025** 

|**Note**<br>**CURRENT ASSETS**<br>Debtors<br>**9**<br>Cash at bank|**£**<br>55,954<br>603,991|**2025**|**£**|**£**<br>33,538<br>573,038|**2024**|**£**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**CREDITORS: Amounts falling**<br>**due within one year**<br>**10**|659,945<br>(46,963)|||606,576<br>(49,997)|||
|**NET CURRENT ASSETS**|||612,982|||556,579|
|**NET ASSETS**|||612,982|||556,579|
|**FUNDS OF THE CHARITY**<br>Restricted funds<br>**12**<br>Unrestricted funds<br>**13**|||182,640<br>430,342|||86,345<br>470,234|
|**TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS**|||612,982|||556,579|



For the period ending 31 March 2025 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. 

Directors’ responsibilities: 

- i) The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the period in question in accordance with section 476; 

- ii) The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. 

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions for small companies under Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006. 

These financial statements were approved by the Trustees on …................................  and are signed on 12 September 2025 their behalf by: 

## Bryan .................................... Burrough 

## **Bryan Burrough** 

Trustee 

Company Registration Number: 10348139 

**The notes on pages 16 to 26 form part of these financial statements.** 

14 



## **HOME-START ESSEX LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS** 

## **YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 

|**Notes**<br>**Net movement in funds for the reporting period**<br>(as per the statement of financial activities)<br>**Adjustments for:**<br>(Increase) / decrease in debtors<br>**7**<br>Increase / (decrease) in creditors<br>**8**<br>**Cash flows from operating activities:**<br>**Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities**<br>**Cash flows from investing activities:**<br>Dividends, interest and rents from investments<br>**Net cash provided by / (used in) investing activities**<br>Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period<br>Cash and cash equivalents brought forward<br>**Cash and cash equivalents carried forward**|**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>56,403<br>(22,416)<br>(3,034)<br>30,953<br>-<br>-<br>30,953<br>573,038<br>603,991|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>34,339<br>28,329<br>30,802<br>93,470<br>-<br>-<br>93,470<br>479,568<br>573,038|
|---|---|---|



**The notes on pages 16 to 26 form part of these financial statements.** 

15 



## **HOME-START ESSEX LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** 

## **YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 

## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES** 

## **a) Basis of accounting** 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (effective 1 January 2019) (Charities SORP FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. 

Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes. 

## **b) Legal Status** 

The charity is a company limited by guarantee and meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. It is incorporated in England and Wales and its registered address is Maldon District Council, Princes Road, Maldon, England, CM9 5DL. 

## **c) Income** 

Income from donations and grants, including capital and government grants, is included in incoming resources when these are receivable, except as follows: 

When donors specify that donations and grants given to the charity must be used in future accounting periods, the income is deferred until those periods. 

When donors impose conditions which have to be fulfilled before the charity becomes entitled to use such income, the income is deferred and not included in incoming resources until the preconditions have been met. 

When donors specify that donations and grants, including capital grants, are for particular restricted purposes, which do not amount to pre-conditions regarding entitlement, this income is included in incoming resources of restricted funds when receivable. 

16 



## **HOME-START ESSEX LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)** 

## **YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 

## **d) Expenditure** 

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and includes VAT as the charity is not VAT registered. Governance costs are associated with the governance arrangements of the charity. Support costs are apportioned between the funds based on budgeted expenditure at the start of the year. 

## **e) Fixed Assets** 

Capital items costing in excess of £1,000 are capitalised. Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost of an asset, less its estimated residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset by the straight-line method. 

There were no capitalised assets at the year-end date. 

## **f) Debtors** 

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid. 

## **g) Creditors and provisions** 

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount. 

## **h) Fund accounting** 

Funds held by the charity are either: 

Unrestricted general funds – these are funds which can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees. 

Restricted funds – these are funds that can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. 

17 



## **HOME-START ESSEX LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)** 

## **YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 

## **2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES** 

|General donations<br>Legacies<br>_Total 2024_|**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>38,532<br>6,645<br>45,177<br>_15,316_|**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>_-_|**Total Funds**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>38,532<br>6,645<br>45,177<br>_15,316_|**Total Funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>15,316<br>-<br>15,316|
|---|---|---|---|---|



## **3. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES** 

|**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>75,134<br>175,000<br>250,134<br>_Total 2024_<br>_182,875_<br>**4. INCOME FROM TRADING ACTIVITIES**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>-<br>25,414<br>25,414<br>_Total 2024_<br>_250,918_<br>Grants to support charitable activities<br>Contracts to provide charitable activities<br>Art show - sales and sponsorship<br>Other|**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>601,062<br>-<br>601,062<br>_498,709_<br>**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>_-_|**Total Funds**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>676,196<br>175,000<br>851,196<br>_681,584_<br>**Total Funds**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>-<br>25,414<br>25,414<br>_250,918_|**Total Funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>443,406<br>238,178<br>681,584<br>**Total Funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>220,961<br>29,957<br>250,918|
|---|---|---|---|



18 



## **HOME-START ESSEX LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)** 

## **YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 

## **5. FUNDRAISING EXPENDITURE** 

|Art show costs<br>Other<br>_Total 2024_<br> **CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE**<br>Service Delivery<br>Events<br>Staff costs<br>Home-Start UK Levy<br>Support costs:<br>Rent and rates<br>Office costs<br>Equipment and materials<br>Travelling and expenses<br>Advertising<br>Training<br>Bank charges<br>Project costs<br>Other<br>Governance costs**(note 7)**<br>_Total 2024_|**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>-<br>4,698<br>4,698<br>_141,920_<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>284,722<br>12,000<br>9,600<br>31,868<br>-<br>-<br>993<br>-<br>60<br>6,387<br>5,471<br>15,274<br>366,375<br>_277,917_|**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>_-_<br>**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>12,464<br>-<br>439,345<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>7,505<br>42,767<br>-<br>2,685<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>504,766<br>_498,574_|**Total Funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>-<br>4,698<br>4,698<br>_141,920_<br>**Total Funds**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>12,464<br>-<br>724,067<br>12,000<br>9,600<br>31,868<br>7,505<br>42,767<br>993<br>2,685<br>60<br>6,387<br>5,471<br>15,274<br>871,141<br>_776,491_|**Total Funds**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>137,107<br>4,813<br>141,920<br>**Total Funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>9,673<br>-<br>648,662<br>12,000<br>9,600<br>29,623<br>8,203<br>31,265<br>1,781<br>4,716<br>66<br>1,457<br>6,843<br>12,602<br>776,491|
|---|---|---|---|---|



## **6. CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE** 

19 



**HOME-START ESSEX LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)** 

## **YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 

## **7. GOVERNANCE COSTS** 

|Independent examination<br>Accounts preparation<br>Payroll fees<br>Fees payable to Independent Examiner<br>Other professional fees<br>**8. ANALYSIS OF STAFF COSTS**<br>Wages and salaries<br>Social security costs<br>Pension costs<br>Staff expenses|**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>1,680<br>5,710<br>5,508<br>12,898<br>2,376<br>15,274|**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-|**Total Funds**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>1,680<br>5,710<br>5,508<br>12,898<br>2,376<br>15,274<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>660,931<br>44,792<br>18,087<br>257<br>724,067|**Total Funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>1,600<br>3,580<br>5,046<br>10,226<br>2,376<br>12,602<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>595,240<br>36,164<br>16,139<br>1,119<br>648,662|
|---|---|---|---|---|



Staff costs are allocated between funds based upon the time spent by staff members on restricted charitable activities and administration. 

None of the employees' emoluments exceeded £60,000. 

None of the trustees or persons connected with them received any remuneration for their services. 

The average number of employees during the year, by head count, was 39 (2024: 39). 

The remuneration benefits of key management personnel totalled £48,648 (2024: £49,874). 

20 



## **HOME-START ESSEX LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)** 

## **YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 

## **9. DEBTORS** 

|Trade debtors<br>Prepayments<br>Accrued income|**2025**<br>**£**<br>51,665<br>1,435<br>2,854<br>55,954|**2024**<br>**£**<br>29,167<br>1,433<br>2,938<br>33,538|
|---|---|---|



## **10. CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year** 

|Trade creditors<br>Other creditors<br>Tax and social security<br>Accruals<br>Deferred income|**2025**<br>**£**<br>4,031<br>419<br>11,558<br>6,622<br>24,333<br>46,963|**2024**<br>**£**<br>1,934<br>2,969<br>9,169<br>8,556<br>27,369<br>49,997|
|---|---|---|



Deferred income relates to grants received that are specified for expenditure in a future period. 

## **11. COMMITMENTS UNDER OPERATING LEASES** 

Total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows: 

|Within one year<br>Between 2 and 5 years|**2025**<br>**£**<br>5,450<br>-<br>5,450|**2024**<br>**£**<br>5,450<br>-<br>5,450|
|---|---|---|



21 



## **HOME-START ESSEX LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 

## **12. RESTRICTED FUNDS** 

|1)<br>BBC Children in Need<br>2)<br>Braintree District Council Cost of Living<br>3)<br>Brentwood Community Fund<br>4)<br>Essex County Council:<br>a)<br>Community Initiatives Fund<br>b)<br>Local Community Funds for Basildon<br>c)<br>Local Community Funds for Braintree<br>d)<br>Local Community Funds for Brentwood<br>e)<br>Local Community Funds for Epping<br>f)<br>Local Community Funds for Uttlesford<br>g)<br>Chelmsford Council Locality Fund<br>h)<br>Public Health Accelerator Bid<br>5)<br>Essex Community Foundation:<br>a)<br>Turncole Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund<br>b)<br>Braintree District & Greenfields Community Fund<br>c)<br>Daphne Woodward<br>d)<br>Diana Tinson Fund<br>e)<br>Little Braxted Community & Educational Fund<br>f)<br>Sebright & Yellow Car Charitable Fund<br>6)<br>Elijah's Pot<br>7)<br>NHS Health Inequalities Fund for Basildon and Brentwood<br>8)<br>Home-Start UK<br>9)<br>Mulberry Trust<br>10) The National Lottery Community Fund<br>11) The National Lottery Community Fund - Awards for All<br>12) Neighbourly<br>13) The Places Foundation<br>14) Qualis Property Solutions Ltd, Qualis Community Benefit Fund<br>15) The Rosca Trust<br>16) Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust - Ann Rylands<br>17) Skipton Building Society Charitable Foundation<br>18) Southend City Council: UK Shared Prosperity Fund<br>19) NHS South East Essex Health Inequalities<br>20) Tesco Community Grant<br>21) UK Shared Proserity Fund Castle Point Community Grant<br>22) UK Shared Prosperity Fund Health Inequalities for Chelmsford<br>23) Uttlesford District Council<br>24) Warburton Community Grant<br>25) Winter Active Families<br>26) Essex Youth Trust<br>27) Garfield Weston<br>25 Septe2025|**Balance at**<br>**01/04/2024**<br>**£**<br>5,850<br>-<br>-<br>1,350<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>5,000<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>1,867<br>6,953<br>-<br>7,068<br>12,500<br>-<br>-<br>419<br>5,000<br>-<br>-<br>2,000<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>422<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>2,500<br>35,417<br>86,345|**Income**<br>**Expenditure **<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>37,132<br>(38,708)<br>10,000<br>(3,705)<br>7,056<br>(7,056)<br>-<br>(1,350)<br>7,620<br>(6,397)<br>1,276<br>(1,276)<br>4,369<br>(4,369)<br>5,232<br>(5,232)<br>6,000<br>(6,000)<br>9,595<br>(9,595)<br>128,313<br>(33,960)<br>-<br>(5,000)<br>13,000<br>(12,824)<br>10,843<br>(10,740)<br>5,000<br>(5,000)<br>8,000<br>(8,000)<br>-<br>(1,867)<br>31,267<br>(30,477)<br>3,766<br>(2,844)<br>12,375<br>(16,143)<br>22,000<br>(27,481)<br>158,097<br>(130,779)<br>15,687<br>(6,946)<br>-<br>(419)<br>-<br>(5,000)<br>2,500<br>(2,500)<br>3,500<br>(1,457)<br>-<br>(2,000)<br>2,125<br>(1,896)<br>45,570<br>(45,570)<br>26,560<br>(8,751)<br>875<br>(852)<br>4,303<br>(4,057)<br>8,000<br>(8,000)<br>9,000<br>(9,000)<br>400<br>-<br>1,600<br>(1,600)<br>-<br>(2,500)<br>-<br>(35,417)<br>601,062<br>(504,766)<br>**Movement in resources:**|**Balance at**<br> **31/03/2025**<br>**£**<br>4,274<br>6,295<br>-<br>-<br>1,223<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>94,353<br>-<br>176<br>103<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>7,743<br>922<br>3,300<br>7,019<br>27,318<br>8,741<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>2,043<br>-<br>229<br>-<br>17,809<br>445<br>246<br>-<br>-<br>400<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>182,640|
|---|---|---|---|



22 



## **HOME-START ESSEX LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 

## **12. RESTRICTED FUNDS (continued)** 

The purposes of the restricted funds are as detailed below: 

- 1) BBC CIN: To fund Family Groups in Chelmsford, Witham, Basildon and Maldon. 

- 2) BDC Cost of Living: A contribution towards funding a family support group in Witham. 

- 3) BCF: To fund a family support group in Brentwood. 

- 4) **ECC Funds:** 

- a) ECC Community Initiatives Fund: To provide a text service. 

- b-f) ECC Local Community Funds: Contribution towards home-visiting and telephone befriending services and volunteer recruitment and training in the area specified. 

- g) ECC Chelmsford Council Locality Fund: To train new Volunteer Family Support Mentors to support families in the North Chelmsford area. 

- h) ECC Public Health Accelerator Bid: To provide well being services, staff and volunteer training. 

- 5) **Essex Community Foundation Funds:** 

- a) ECF Turncole Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund: To deliver behaviour support sessions. 

- b) ECF Braintree District & Eastlight Community Fund and Jean & Peter Davey Charitable fund: To support families with preschool aged children through family wellbeing groups. 

- c) ECF Daphne Woodward: To fund family holidays to families living in Essex. 

- d) ECF Diana Tinson Fund: To contribute towards the salaries of two staff members with responsibility for income generation and fundraising activities. 

- e) ECF Little Braxted Community & Educational Fund: A contribution towards funding a family support group in Witham. 

- f) ECF Sebright & Yellow Car Charitable Fund: To purchase IT equipment to be used to deliver peer support groups and training to volunteers in West Essex. 

- 6) Elijah's Pot: To contribute towards the Volunteer Co-ordinator's salary & to fund a family SEND group. 

- 7) NHS Health Inequalities Fund for Basildon and Brentwood: To provide baby massage services. 

- 8) Home-Start UK - Funding towards core costs, wellbeing and family support groups and volunteering. 

- 9) Mulberry Trust - Funding core costs and family support group. 

- 10) National Lottery - Family support services, volunteers and core costs were funded by: Reaching Communities/Partnerships, Reaching Communities/Partnerships Cost of Living Fund and Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund. 

- 11) National Lottery - Awards for All: To fund a family support group in Uttlesford. 

- 12) Neighbourly: To contribute towards volunteer training and appreciation. 

- 13) The Places Foundation: To provide wellbeing services. 

- 14) Qualis Property Solutions Ltd: To fund a well being services in Loughton. 

- 15) The Rosca Trust: To provide lone working devices and laptops. 

- 16) Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust - Ann Ryland Grants Programme: 

- A contribution towards administrative staff salaries. 

- 17) Skipton Building Society Charitable Fund: To provide families with air fryers. 

- 18) Southend City Council - UK Shared Prosperity Fund: For the Building Stronger Futures in Southend project. 

- 19) NHS South East Essex Health Inequalities: To provide well being services in South East Essex. 

- 20) Tesco Community Grant - To contribute towards our family support group and wellbeing services. 

- 21) UK Shared Prosperity Fund Castle Point Community Grant Programme: To recruit volunteers in Castle Point. 

- 22) UK Shared Prosperity Fund Health Inequalities for Chelmsford: To fund well being services in Chelmsford. 

- 23) Uttlesford District Council: To fund home-visiting volunteer support in Uttlesford. 

- 24) Warburton Community Grant: To fund family resources in South Essex. 

- 25) Winter Active Families: To fund family trips. 

- 26) Essex Youth Trust: To contribute to core costs 

- 27) Garfield Weston: to contribute to core costs 

23 



## **HOME-START ESSEX LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 

## **12. RESTRICTED FUNDS** 

|**Prior year restricted funds movement:**<br>**Balance at**<br>**01/04/2023**<br>**£**<br>1)<br>Basildon, Billericay & Brentwood NHS Health<br>-<br>Inequalities Fund<br>2)<br>BBC Children in Need<br>17,436<br>3)<br>Chelmsford City Council Community Funding Scheme<br>-<br>Essex County Council:<br>4)<br>Community Initiatives Fund<br>350<br>5)<br>Chelmsford Council Locality Fund<br>-<br>6)<br>Co-Op Community Fund<br>1,265<br>Essex Community Foundation:<br>7)<br>Turncole Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund<br>-<br>8)<br>Braintree District & Eastlight Community Fund<br>7,824<br>and Jean & Peter Davey Charity Fund<br>9)<br>Braintree District & Greenfields Community Fund<br>-<br>10)<br>Daphne Woodward<br>-<br>11)<br>Mid and South Essex Community Partnership<br>11,227<br>12)<br>Provide Foundation<br>-<br>13)<br>Sebright & Yellow Car Charitable Fund<br>-<br>14)<br>Thriving Third Sector<br>8,250<br>15) Elijah's Pot<br>1,667<br>16) Essex Youth Trust<br>-<br>17) Garfield Weston<br>10,417<br>18) Home-Start UK<br>2,910<br>19) Mulberry Trust:<br>-<br>20) The National Lottery Community Fund<br>20,728<br>21) The National Lottery Community Fund - Awards for All<br>1,331<br>22) Neighbourly<br>556<br>23) The Places Foundation<br>-<br>24) Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust - Ann Rylands<br>-<br>Grants programme<br>25) Southend City Council: UK Shared Prosperity Fund<br>598<br>26) Tesco Community Grant<br>1,652<br>27) Uttleford District Council: UK Shared Prosperity Fund<br>-<br>28) Uttlesford District Council<br>-<br>86,210|**Income**<br>**Expenditure**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>2,651<br>(2,651)<br>20,708<br>(32,294)<br>5,620<br>(5,620)<br>1,000<br>-<br>3,500<br>(3,500)<br>-<br>(1,265)<br>5,000<br>-<br>-<br>(7,824)<br>3,250<br>(3,250)<br>6,861<br>(6,861)<br>-<br>(11,227)<br>-<br>-<br>3,342<br>(1,475)<br>10,000<br>(18,250)<br>27,525<br>(22,239)<br>2,500<br>-<br>25,000<br>-<br>14,875<br>(10,717)<br>16,625<br>(4,125)<br>269,699<br>(290,427)<br>-<br>(1,331)<br>-<br>(137)<br>5,000<br>-<br>2,000<br>-<br>38,613<br>(39,211)<br>1,375<br>(2,605)<br>24,565<br>(24,565)<br>9,000<br>(9,000)<br>498,709<br>(498,574)<br>**Movement in resources:**|**Balance at**<br>**31/03/2024**<br>**£**<br>-<br>5,850<br>-<br>1,350<br>-<br>-<br>5,000<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>1,867<br>-<br>6,953<br>2,500<br>35,417<br>7,068<br>12,500<br>-<br>-<br>419<br>5,000<br>2,000<br>-<br>-<br>422<br>-<br>-<br>86,345|
|---|---|---|



24 



**HOME-START ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 

## **12. RESTRICTED FUNDS (Prior year continued)** 

The purposes of the restricted funds are as detailed below: 

- 1) Basildon, Billericay & Brentwood NHS Health Inequalities Fund: To fund a family support group plus programme in Basildon 

- 2) BBC CIN: To fund Family Groups in Chelmsford, Witham, Basildon and Maldon. 

- 3) CCC Community Scheme: To provide funds to contribute to a family support groups in Chelmsford. 

- 4) ECC Community Initiatives Fund: To support four families in Castle Point and Rochford and provide a text service. 

- 5) ECC Chelmsford Council Locality Fund: To train new Volunteer Family Support Mentors to support families in the North Chelmsford area. 

- 6) Co-Op Community Fund: To contribute towards volunteer training costs. 

- 7) ECF Turncole Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund: To deliver behaviour support sessions. 

- 8) ECF Braintree District & Eastlight Community Fund and Jean & Peter Davey Charitable fund: To support families with preschool aged children through family wellbeing groups. 

- 9) ECF Braintree District & Greenfields Community Fund: To fund a family support group in Braintree 

- 10) ECF Daphne Woodward: To fund family holidays to families living in Essex. 

- 11) ECF Mid & South Essex Community Partnership: To fund well-being support to families in Mid and South Essex. 

- 12) ECF Provide: To contribute towards the Area Lead Co-ordinators salaries to oversee service delivery. 

- 13) ECF Sebright & Yellow Car Charitable Fund: To purchase IT equipment to be used to deliver peer support groups and training to volunteers in West Essex. 

- 14) ECF Thriving Third Sector: Fundings towards Basildon, Witham, & Maldon family support groups and to upskill the communications and marketing team. 

- 15) Elijah's Pot: To contribute towards the Volunteer Co-ordinator's salary & to fund a family SEND group. 

- 16) Essex Youth Trust: To contribute towards core costs. 

- 17) Garfield Weston: To contribute towards core costs. 

- 18) Home-Start UK - Funding towards core costs, wellbeing and family support groups and volunteering. 

- 19) Mulberry Trust - Funding core costs and family support group. 

- 20) National Lottery - Family support services, volunteers and core costs were funded by: Reaching Communities/Partnerships, Reaching Communities/Partnerships Cost of Living Fund and Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund. 

- 21) National Lottery - Awards for All: To fund a family support group in Uttlesford. 

- 22) Neighbourly: To contribute towards volunteer training and appreciation. 

- 23) The Places Foundation: To provide wellbeing services. 

- 24) Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust - Ann Ryland Grants Programme: A contribution towards administrative staff salaries. 

- 25) Southend City Council - UK Shared Prosperity Fund: For the Building Stronger Futures in Southend project. 

- 26) Tesco Community Grant - To contribute towards our family support group and wellbeing services. 

- 27) Uttlesford District Council - UK Shared Prosperity Fund: For the Building Stronger Futures in Uttlesford project. 

- 28) Uttlesford District Council: To fund home-visiting volunteer support in Uttlesford. 

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**HOME-START ESSEX LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 

## **13. UNRESTRICTED FUNDS** 

|General unrestricted funds|**Balance at**<br>**01/04/2024**<br>£<br>470,234<br>470,234|**Gains, losses**<br>**Income**<br>**Expenditure**<br>**& transfers**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>331,180<br>(371,073)<br>331,180<br>(371,073)<br>-<br>**Movement in resources:**|**Balance at**<br>**31/03/2025**<br>**£**<br>430,342<br>430,342|
|---|---|---|---|



## **14. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS (between restricted and unrestricted funds)** 

|General unrestricted<br>Restricted|**Tangible**<br>**fixed assets**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>-|**Other net**<br>**assets**<br>**£**<br>430,342<br>182,640<br>612,982|**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>430,342<br>182,640<br>612,982|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>470,234<br>86,345<br>556,579|
|---|---|---|---|---|



## **15. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS** 

Two trustees were reimbursed for expenses totalling £165 in the year (2024 - one trustee: £378). 

## **16. COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE** 

Every member of the company undertakes to contribute to the assets of the Company in the event of the same being wound up during the time he/she is a member, or within one year afterwards, for the payments of the debts and liabilities of the company contracted before the time at which he/she ceases to be a member and of the costs, charges and expenses of winding up the same, and for the adjustments of the rights of the contributors among themselves such amount as may be required not exceeding one pound. 

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