2025-12-31-accounts - Hands Together Ludlow

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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Trustees, Annual Report for the period From 1tst January 2025 Period stsrt date, to 315t December 2025 Period end date Charity name: Hands Together Ludlow Charity reglstration number: 1171979 Objectives and Activities SORP reference Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in ils governing document Paro 1.17 The relief of those in need by reason of youth, old age, ill health, loneliness, dysfunctional relationships, disability, or financial hardship who a living in Ludlow and surroundin es. We support our communities through.. The provision, largely through community volunteers, of direct services. resources and activities to individuals and families in need Working alongside local agencies lo help develop and implement local plans. Working in partnership with a range of organisalions and facililaling networking. Operationally, many of our activities depend on joint working (for example, surplus food collection) Supporting other organisations through sharing of good practice and activities The trustees have been provided with the Charity Commission Public Benefit guidelines and are reminded of them at the beginning of each Board meeting Summary ofthe main activities in relation lo those purposes for the public benefit, in particular the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. Para 1.17 and Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit Para 1.18 Additional inforrnation loptional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about.. SORP feren Policy on grant making. Para 1.38 Not applicable Policy on social inveslrnenl including program related investment. Para 1.38 Not applicable

Achievements and Performance SOR? refwe A total of 417 beneficiaries were engaged, across 4633 engagements and 1388 sessions, reducing loneliness and isolation and supporting vulnerable people in the communty. 203 new Individuals were erngaged 96 Communty Lunches served {1386 meals) 19 Company 8t Christmas meals plus deliveries and takeaways. 314 Befriending sesslons122 individu8lsl 754 So¢ial spa Visits 12 individuals attended Mind1 Colouring 51 individuals had subsidised transport to HTL events (return trips) 241 Men's Shed sessions (684 attendances) 12 Good Grief Café sessions (181 attendances) 8 Fibromyalgia support se55ion5 14 healthy eating sessions127 attendances) 53 Walks for All140 individuals) 171 individuals signposted to other provisior). 23 DigTtal Inclusion sessions118 8ttendeesl 18 Pride of Pla se$sn$(l99 volunteer hours) 5026 Community Fridge visits ty 2877 indivKluals resulting in 3541.9 kg of food saved from landfill. 8536.06 volunteer hours given, with a social worth value of£137174.47 Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity's work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. P¥a 1.20 Additlonal Information {optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about". Perfomiance against the business plan is monitored and reported on quarterly at trustee meetings. Achievements against objectives sel. Para 1.41 Fundraising activtties reflect the priorities estsblished in the business plan in order to facilitate service delivery. Fundraising has been sufficienl to meet those priorities. Perfom)an¢e of fLJndraising activities against oLyectives set. Pata 1.41

Financial Review Review of the chariws fin8ncial position at the end of the peric P8B121 The charitys financial posltion is healthy but requires continuous fundraising for a 5UStainable future. The finance subcommittee rneels as part of the monthty Executive meetings. A separate statement of accounts is submitted. Ttte trustee board has aged a policy of holding unrestricted reserves equivalent to 6 months, worth of operating costs. This is lo cover limited periods of unexpected loss of fvnding and any unforeseen losses or wind-u costs. 6 months, worth of operating costs in 2025 was £108.833 HTL is carrying forward £232,839 of unrestricted funds (excluding designaled funds), equivalent to 12 8 months of operating co81s al 2025 budget ures. Not 8ppIic8ble statement explaining the policy for holding Seryes stating why they are held Para 122 Amount of reserves held Par¥ 1.22 Reasons for holding zero reserves Details of fund materialty in deficit Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern Para 124 Not applicable Pard 1.23 Not applicable Additional Information {oplional) You ma choose to include further ststements where relevant about.. There are Ihree pillars to HTLS fundraising strategy. 1. Major ndIng organisation8, such 88 the National Lottery 2. Local grants 2nd trusts 3. Indtvidual donors The charity's principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) Pa 1.47 Investment policy and objectives including any sc¢ial inveslmenl poli adopted. HTL has an investment account. This is in order to further secure the future viabilty of the charity. Pard 1.46 A description of the PrinpaI risks facing the Charity Pora 1.46 Risks to the ¢harity are detailed in the organisatM)n81 risk log Other

Structure, Governance and Management Description of charity s Irusls.. Type of governing document Para 1.25 Constitution How is the charity constituted? Para 1.25 Charitable Incorporated Organisation Trustee selection methods including details of any conslilulional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees Para 1.25 Trustees are re-appointed on a rotating basis al the AGM. Trustees may be appointed by the governing body, and selection process is in pla Additional information loptionall You may choose to include further statements where relevant about.. A trustee induction policy has been developed and implemented. A regular Iruslee skills audit identifies gaps in knowledge and training needs. Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees. Par8 1.51 HTL is led by volunteer trustees and managed by a Chief Operating Officer. Currently there are 9 (maximum 121 Iruslees. Service delivery is by volunteers and a small group of staff. The charity is not part of any umbrella organisalion. The charity's organisalional structure and any wider network with which the charity works. Pera 1.51 A contract with Shropshire Council to deliver activity funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund is in place until December 2025 Relationship with any related parties Para 1.51 Other

Reference and Administrative detsils Char name ()ther name the ch8r uses istered char numbgr Charity's principal address Hands T ether Ludlow HTL 1171979 15 Lower Galdeford Ludlow SY8 1RU Names of the charity trust vkno manage the charity Offic• IlfJnyl 4ctsd If not forwhol• Name of pernon lor body) enti8d to appoint tfAn Trwtw namg year Sue Chantler Chair Mike Beazley Chris Deaves Treasurer Janna Vigar Helen Rooker St¢xJd down 15107125 Nicholas Young Marc Gaunt Rob Jenkins Graham Cheshire cpted durrng 2024. elected al AGM on 1510512025 Coopted during 2024, elected at AGM on 1510512025 Julia Evans 10 Co orate trustees- names of the directors at the dale the re Dlroctor name wasa roved. Name of trustees holding title to propety beknnging to Ihe charity Trts0 name Dates acted rf not lor whol8 •ar

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others. Description of the assets held in this ca aci Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this fall wthin the custodian charity.'s objects. Details of arrangements for safe custoty and segregation of such assets frorn the charitys oym assets None Addltlonal Inforniatlon {optlonall Names and addre558s of advisers (Optional inforniation Type of N8me Address adviser Name of chl•f axa¢utivo or narnes of senior staff members (Optional infoThation) Exemptions from disclosure Reason for noTr¢isclo$ure of ke rsonnel details Other o tional inforniation Declarations The trustees declare that they have approved the trusteos, roport above. Slgned on behalf of the charity's trustees Signature(s) Full namels) Position (eg Secretary. | Chair, etol Date

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Hands Together Ludlow Charitable Incorporated Organisation (‘the CIO’)

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the CIO for the year ended 31 December 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the CIO you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the CIO’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

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

accounting records were not kept in respect of the CIO as required by section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records.

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.

Signed:

Name: Alan Layng

Address: The Reader’s House, Church Walk, Ludlow SY8 1AL Date: 13[th] March 2026

Hands Together Ludlow, Registered Charity No 1171979

Accounts for the Year Ended 31 December 2025

Statement of Financial Activities

	Unrestricted funds Designated funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Prior year total funds
Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies Income from charitable activities Other trading activities (1) Investments (2) Other income Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds Expenditure on charitable activities (3) Other expenditure Total expenditure Net income / (expenditure) resources before transfer Transfers Gross transfers between funds - in Gross transfers between funds - out Other recognised gains / losses Gains/losses on investment assets (2) Gains on revaluation, fixed assets, charity's own use (5) Net movement in funds	49,415 - - - 49,415 53,140 38,008 67,000 133,602 - 238,610 226,711 - - - - - 1,633 - - - - - - - - - - - -
	87,423 67,000 133,602 - 288,025 281,485 2,468 126 62 - 2,656 333 18,934 47,054 127,010 - 192,999 183,052 5,182 14,567 3,450 - 23,200 29,701
	26,584 61,748 130,522 - 218,855 213,087
	60,839 5,251 3,079 - 69,170 68,398 - - - - - 440 - - - - - (440) (1,112) - - - (1,112) 1,060 - - - - - 3,231
	59,727 5,251 3,079 - 68,058 72,690

Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward	172,330	20,899	16,472	-	209,703	137,012
Total funds carried forward	232,058	26,151	19,552	-	277,761	209,703
Represented by
Unrestricted
General Fund (4)	232,058	-	-	-	232,058	172,330
Designated
Garfield Weston	-	20,000	-	-	20,000	-
Hall Garth Settlement	-	-	-	-	-	4,844
Ludlow Hospital League Of Friends	-	6,151	-	-	6,151	11,055
The Screwfix Foundation	-	-	-	-	-	5,000
Restricted
Ludlow Men's Sheds	-	-	5,434	-	5,434	2,755
National Lottery Grant	-	-	14,118	-	14,118	13,716

Balance Sheet

Class and code Description	As at 31/12/2025 As at 31/12/2024
Fixed assets F01 Fixed Assets (5) F03 COIF Charities Ethical Investment (2) Total Fixed assets Current assets A01 Barclays Community Account A02 Petty Cash Men's Sheds A03 Petty Cash Office A04 Debtors A07 Petty cash food A08 Lloyds Bank Business Account A09 Lloyds Bank 32 day notice deposit account Z05 Accounts Receivable (6) Total Current assets Net Asset surplus (deficit) Reserves Excess/(deficit) to date Z01 Starting balances Z02 Gains/(losses) on investment assets Z03 Gains/(losses) on revaluation of fixed assets Total Reserves Represented by Funds General (Unrestricted) (4) Designated Restricted Total	5,759 6,207 49,948 51,060
	55,708 57,268 - - 10 26 24 5 - - - 6 101,568 33,122 103,531 101,394 16,917 17,878
	222,053 152,435 277,761 209,703 69,170 95,439 209,703 109,971 (1,112) 1,060 - 3,231
	277,761 209,703 232,058 172,330 26,151 20,899 19,552 16,472 277,761 209,703

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

						Last
Class and nominal code	General	Designated	Restricted	Endowment	Total	year
Fixed Asset - Investments
F03: COIF Charities Ethical Investment (2)	49,948	-	-	-	49,948	51,060
Total	49,948	-	-	-	49,948	51,060
Fixed Asset - Tangible Assets
F01: Fixed Assets (5)	2,528	3,231	-	-	5,759	6,207
Total	2,528	3,231	-	-	5,759	6,207
Current Asset - Cash At Bank And In Hand
A02: Petty Cash Men's Sheds	-	-	10	-	10	26
A03: Petty Cash Office	24	-	-	-	24	5
A07: Petty cash food	-	-	-	-	-	6
A08: Lloyds Bank Business Account	76,024	22,919	2,624	-	101,568	33,122
A09: Lloyds Bank 32 day notice deposit account	103,531	-	-	-	103,531	101,394
Total	179,581	22,919	2,634	-	205,135	134,556
Current Asset - Debtors
Z05: Accounts Receivable (6)	-	-	16,917	-	16,917	17,878
Total	-	-	16,917	-	16,917	17,878
Net total assets	232,058	26,151	19,552	-	277,761	209,703
Represented by
General (Unrestricted)	232,058	-	-	-	232,058	172,330
Designated - Garfield	-	20,000	-	-	20,000	-
Designated - Hall Garth	-	-	-	-	-	4,844
Designated - League of Friends	-	6,151	-	-	6,151	11,055
Designated - Screwfix	-	-	-	-	-	5,000
Restricted - Lottery	-	-	14,118	-	14,118	13,716
Restricted - Men's Sheds	-	-	5,434	-	5,434	2,755
Total	232,058	26,151	19,552	-	277,761	209,703

Analysis of income and expenditure

Total

					This	Last
	Unrestricted	Designated	Restricted	Endowment
					year	year
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:
Donations and legacies
101 - Private donations and SOs	16,808	-	-	-	16,808	31,132
102 - Organisational donations	19,511	-	-	-	19,511	13,688
105 - Gift Aid	3,462	-	-	-	3,462	6,740
106 - Other unrestricted income	9,633	-	-	-	9,633	1,579
Donations and legacies Totals	49,415	-	-	-	49,415	53,140
Income from charitable activities
201 - National Lottery Grant (4)	-	-	67,489	-	67,489	63,706
203 - Hall Garth Settlement	-	20,000	-	-	20,000	20,000
204 - Millichope Foundation	-	3,000	-	-	3,000	3,000
210 - Garfield Weston	-	20,000	-	-	20,000	20,000
211 - Ludlow Men's Sheds	-	-	6,624	-	6,624	4,333
214 - Other Restricted Grants	-	-	-	-	-	3,560
217 - Community Food Hub	14,239	-	-	-	14,239	15,024
221 - Winter Support Services	-	-	-	-	-	930
222 - UK Shared Prosperity Fund (4, 6)	549	-	59,487	-	60,037	49,156
223 - Heart of England Community Foundation	-	-	-	-	-	27,000
224 - Ludlow Hospital League of Friends	-	20,000	-	-	20,000	15,000
225 - The Screwfix Foundation	-	-	-	-	-	5,000
226 - Shropshire Council Housing Rough Sleeper Work	-	4,000	-	-	4,000	-
227 - The Big Event 2025	23,219	-	-	-	23,219	-
Income from charitable activities Totals	38,008	67,000	133,602	-	238,610	226,711
Other trading activities(1)
301 - Lunch clubs and meals income	-	-	-	-	-	190

302 - Men's Shed trading income	302 - Men's Shed trading income	-	-	-	-	-	1,443
Other trading activities	Totals	-	-	-	-	-	1,633
Income and endowments Grand totals		87,423	67,000	133,602	-	288,025	281,485
EXPENDITURE ON:
Raising funds
E101 - Just Giving fees		90	126	-	-	216	216
E102 - The Big Event		2,305	-	62	-	2,367	-
E103 - Website/Social Media		-	-	-	-	-	9
E104 - Other fundraising and Friends Events		73	-	-	-	73	108
Raising funds	Totals	2,468	126	62	-	2,656	333
Expenditure on charitable	activities(3)
E201 - Salaries		7,213	34,577	84,238	-	126,029	119,861
E202 - National Insurance		5,962	8,135	19,419	-	33,517	28,013
E203 - Pensions		1,027	2,586	6,347	-	9,961	7,445
E204 - Volunteer Recruitment		156	13	301	-	470	-
E205 - Payroll costs		229	350	117	-	696	848
E206 - Recruitment		495	-	-	-	495	255
E207 - Staff expenses		14	57	354	-	425	329
E208 - Volunteer expenses		-	83	2,126	-	2,210	2,541
E209 - HR support costs		936	936	-	-	1,872	936
E210 - Staff Training		-	-	681	-	681	778
E211 - Apprentice Levy		-	61	-	-	61	-
E212 - Office Equipment costs		98	-	-	-	98	189
E213 - Food project costs: Lunch, Fridge, Space		41	54	5,679	-	5,775	6,780
E214 - Men's Sheds costs		-	-	1,575	-	1,575	2,268
E215 - Bank Charges and Accountancy software		436	90	-	-	526	360
E216 - Hardship Fund		310	-	-	-	310	1,530
E217 - Marketing and outside printing		2	-	3,274	-	3,276	4,418
E218 - Good Start Together		-	-	-	-	-	40
E219 - Community Hub Equipment and Resources		1,902	108	1,084	-	3,095	294

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|||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |E220 - Befriending|-|-|-|-|-|182| |E221 - Subsidised transport costs|-|-|-|-|-|125| |E223 - Good Grief Cafe|-|-|-|-|-|34| |E225 - Summer Lunch Club|-|-|-|-|-|1,274| |E226 - Other Project costs inc|110|-|7|-|117|920| |Room Hire| |E227 - Networking Activity|-|-|38|-|38|125| |-|-|-| |E228 - Volunteer Training|1,764|1,764|3,497| |Expenditure on charitable|-| |18,934|47,054|127,010|192,999|183,052| |activities Totals| |Other expenditure| |E301 - Governance costs|3|47|-|-|50|100| |E302 - Office Supplies and|281|91|50|-|423|1,144| |Stationary| |E303 - Telephone costs inc Mobiles|769|1,101|-|-|1,871|1,079| |E304 - IT costs|33|-|-|-|33|-| |E305 - Insurance|-|1,322|-|-|1,322|901| |E306 - Other costs|114|-|-|-|114|325| |-| |E307 - Rent for premises (8)|1,700|4,250|3,400|9,350|11,050| |-|-| |E308 – Utilities (8)|1,059|2,754|3,814|9,422| |-|-|-| |E310 - Property Maintenance (8)|5,000|5,000|4,627| |E312 - Meeting costs and AGM|48|-|-|-|48|60| |E313 - Depreciation of fixed assets|1,172|-|-|-|1,172|992| |(5)| |-| |Other expenditure Totals|5,182|14,567|3,450|23,200|29,701| |-| |Expenditure Grand totals|26,584|61,748|130,522|218,855|213,087|

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Notes to the Accounts

Trading Income – None of the Charity’s income in 2025 was from trading. All income was from donations, grants, legacies and charitable activities.
Investments – The Charity has agreed an ethical investment policy and has invested in the CCLA’s COIF Ethical Investment Fund.
Charitable Activities – 88% of the Charity’s expenditure was on charitable activities.
Reserves Policy – The Charity’s reserves policy is to hold in reserve in the General Fund unrestricted funding sufficient to cover six months of planned expenditure. Based on the total expenditure in 2025 of £218K, the reserve should be a minimum of £109K, but expenditure is predicted to rise in 2026 due to additional staff and premises costs, so the planned reserve for 2026 is £150K. In addition two major funding streams finish in 2026 (UK SPF and National Lottery). The carried forward unrestricted reserves at the start of 2026 amount to £232K.
Fixed Assets – Grouped office, Men’s Shed and catering equipment, depreciated at 25% p.a.
Accounts Receivable – Payments due from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for charitable activities carried out in 2025.
Staff Costs – Staff costs amounted to £121K in 2025. This represents 77% of all expenditure. The average number of staff was 5. The number of staff at the end of the year was 5. All members of staff were paid less than £40K.
Building Costs – Building costs increased substantially in 2023 due to the taking on of the lease for the Lower Galdeford building. Building costs remain significant at £18K, 8% of expenditure in 2025.

M G Beazley MBE MA CDipAF(ACCA), Hon Treasurer

17 February 2026