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2025-05-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1[st] June 2023 Period start date To 31[st] May 2024 Period end date

Charity name:

Charity registration number:

Objectives and Activities

SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document
Para 1.17 To promote social inclusion for the
public benefit by preventing people
from becoming Socially Excluded,
relieving the needs of those people
who are Socially Excluded and
assisting them to integrate into
society. For the purpose of this clause
‘Socially Excluded’ means being
excluded from society, or parts of
society, as a result of one of more of
the following factors: unemployment;
financial hardship; youth or old age; ill
health (physical or mental); substance
abuse or dependency including
alcohol and drugs; discrimination on
the grounds of sex, race, disability,
ethnic origin, religion, belief, creed,
sexual orientation or gender re-
assignment; poor educational or skills
attainment; relationship and family
breakdown and domestic abuse; and
poor housing (that is housing that
does not meet basic habitable
standards.
The prevention or relief of poverty in
London and England by providing:
grants, items and services to
individuals in need and/or charities,
or other organisations working to
prevent or relieve poverty amongst
the Socially Excluded.
To relieve poverty or financial
hardship among refugees, asylum
seekers, migrant workers and their
dependants living in London and
England generally by providing
mentoring support and advice.
The relief of unemployment for the
benefit of the Socially Excluded in such
ways as may be thought fit, including
assistance to find employment.
Summary of the main
activities in relation to those
purposes for the public
benefit, in particular, the
activities, projects or
services identified in the
accounts.
Para 1.17 and
1.19
During 2023-2024, the Charity has
assisted twelve (12) individuals who
have been in need of both financial
and non-financial support and
mentoring. Of the twelve, 5 were
homeless, 2 were ex-convicts who had
just been released from prison, 3 had
mental health issues and one couple
were assisted out of their debt. These
individuals were assisted in either
finding jobs, provided with
accommodation for a certain period as
well as counselled to better their
situations.
Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit
Para 1.18 The Trustees have had regard to the Guidance
issued by the Charity Commission on public
benefit.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

SORP reference
Policy on grant making Para 1.38 The Trustees have created a policy on grant-
making as set out in Annex 1 to this Annual
Report.
Policy on social investment
including program related
investment
Para 1.38 Not applicable.
Contribution made by
volunteers
Para 1.38 Not applicable
Other Not applicable

Achievements and Performance

SORP reference

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.
Para 1.20 During 2023-2024, the Charity has
assisted twelve (12) individuals who
have been in need of both financial
and non-financial support and
mentoring. Of the twelve, 5 were
homeless, 2 were ex-convicts who had
just been released from prison, 3 had
mental health issues and one couple
were assisted out of their debt. These
individuals were assisted in either
finding jobs, provided with
accommodation for a certain period as
well as counselled to better their
situations.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against
objectives set
Para 1.41 Achieved
Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives
set
Para 1.41 None
Investment performance
against objectives
Para 1.41 None
Other Not applicable

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of theperiod
Para 1.21 As at the end of May 2024, the Charity had
total donations of £7,880 and net income of -
£1457. Total funds are £46,790.
Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held
Para 1.22 Not applicable
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 Not applicable
Reasons for holding zero
reserves
Para 1.22 Not applicable
Details of fund materially in
deficit
Para 1.24 Not applicable
Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern
Para 1.23 None
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements
where relevant about:
The charity’s principal
sources of funds (including
any fundraising)
Para 1.47 Not applicable
Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted
Para 1.46 Not applicable
A description of the principal
risks facing the charity
Para 1.46 Not applicable
Other None

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s
trusts:
Type of governing document
(trust deed, royal charter)
Para 1.25 Constitution
How is the charity
constituted?
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)
Para 1.25 Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Trustee selection methods
including details of any
constitutional provisions e.g.
election to post or name of
any person or body entitled
to appoint one or more
trustees
Para 1.25 There are no formal selection
methods for the appointment of
Trustees apart from the fact that they
must have spent some time serving
at a London-based soup kitchen and
display a willingness
and apassion to assist homelesspeople.
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements
where relevant about:
Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction
and training of trustees
Para 1.51 The Trustees must read and comply
with the Charity’s policies on:
-
Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults
-
Grant-Making Policy
-
The Charity
Commission’s
Safeguarding
Guidance
-
The Charity’s
Constitution
The charity’s organisational
structure and any wider
network with which the
charity works
Para 1.51 The Charity has 4 Trustees and will continue
to leverage its network of contacts in order to
facilitate assisting beneficiaries off the street.
Relationship with any related
parties
Para 1.51 None
Other None

Reference and Administrative details

Charityname The Starting Over Fund
Other name the charityuses None
Registered charitynumber 1172396
Charity’s principal address Barnes Noble Ltd
Unitec House
2 Albert Place
London
N3 1QB

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole
year
Name of person (or body) entitled
to appoint trustee (if any)
Eu-Gene Toh Chairman 03/08/18 to date
Ashraf Shahata Trustee 23/09/16 to date
Vinod Baid Treasurer 28/07/16 to date
Andrew Whitworth Secretary 25/07/16 to date

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name Not applicable

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name **Dates acted if not for whole year **
Not applicable Not applicable

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets Not applicable held in this capacity Name and objects of the Not applicable charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for Not applicable safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of
adviser
Name
Address
**Accountant ** Romit Basu Barnes Noble Ltd
Unitec House
2 Albert Place
London
N3 1QB

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Not applicable

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Not applicable

Other optional information

Not applicable.

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s)
Full name(s)
Position (eg Secretary,
Chair, etc)
Date

Vinod Baid
Andrew Whitworth
Vinod Baid Andrew Whitworth

Treasurer
Secretary
29.08.25
29.08.25

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: CE009819 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1172396

Report of the Trustees and

Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 May 2025

for

The Starting Over Fund

Barnes Noble Ltd Unitec House

2 Albert Place London N3 1QB

The Starting Over Fund

Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 May 2025

Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 5
Independent Examiner's Report 6
Statement of Financial Activities 7
Balance Sheet 8 to 9
Notes to the Financial Statements 10 to 14

The Starting Over Fund (Registered number: CE009819)

Report of the Trustees

for the Year Ended 31 May 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 May 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

To promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing people from becoming socially excluded, relieving the needs of those people who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society.

For the purpose of this clause 'socially excluded' means being excluded from society, or parts of society, as a result of one or more of the following factors: unemployment; financial hardship; youth or old age; ill health (physical or mental); substance abuse or dependency including alcohol and drugs; discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, disability, ethnic origin, religion, belief, creed, sexual orientation or gender re-assignment; relationship and family breakdown; poor housing (that is housing that does not meet basic habitable standards; crime (either as a victim of crime or as an offender rehabilitating into society).

Significant activities

The charity has assisted five (5) individuals who have been in need of both financial and non-financial support and mentoring. Of the five were homeless, all had mental health issues. Two were given assistance in obtaining identity documents in order to help them re-integrate into society. One of the individual was assisted in finding jobs, all three were given allowances to help with their daily lives as well as mentoring and support .

Page 1

The Starting Over Fund (Registered number: CE009819)

Report of the Trustees

for the Year Ended 31 May 2025

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Grantmaking

The trustees have created the following policy on grant-making:

(1) Objective: To assist a vulnerable person who is socially excluded to become self-sufficient and to empower them to improve their circumstances by providing them with grants.

(2) Definitions:

Child or Children: A child is under the age of 18 (as defined in the United Nations convention on the Rights of a child) and children shall be defined accordingly

Grants: This is either money, non-monetary support, mentoring support that is provided to a venerable person who is socially excluded.

Socially Excluded: Means being excluded from society, or parts of society, as a result of one or more of the following unemployment; financial hardship; youth or old age; ill health (physical or mental); substance abuse or dependency including alcohol and drugs; discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, disability, ethnic origin, religion, belief, creed, sexual orientation or gender re-assignment; relationship and family breakdown; poor housing (that is housing that does not meet basic habitable standards; crime (either as a victim of crime or as an offender rehabilitating into society).

Vulnerable Adult: A person who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of disability, age or illness and is or may be unable to take care or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation. This definition of an adult covers all people over 18 years of age.

Vulnerable Person: A vulnerable adult and/or a vulnerable child, as the context dictates.

(3) Criteria: The grants are open to all vulnerable persons regardless of age, nationality, sex, religion, disability or immigration status. The vulnerable person is socially excluded and must:

a. Be currently in the UK only;

(4) Administration of Grant: The grant will be administered as follows:

a. Where possible the grant must be paid in a non-monetary way (gift vouchers, Oyster Cards) or purchased directly for the vulnerable person, although discretion can be exercised in provided cash to a vulnerable person where a non-monetary gift is not practicable (such as purchase of a uniform), subject to 3(d) being complied with.

b. Any suppliers or service providers must be reputable and trustworthy, who are known to the TSOF.

c. Any amount spent on the vulnerable person must be fair and reasonable and capable of being objectively justified to the other trustees as well as to any potential donors.

Page 2

The Starting Over Fund (Registered number: CE009819)

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 May 2025

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

d. Receipts and invoices for all spend must be retained where possible. Where receipts are not provided, a note should be made of the spend. Each receipt or note should have the reference number of the vulnerable person so that total spend on each vulnerable person can be calculated.

e. The grants should be reviewed every six months.

f. Grants should continue up to a period of 6 months, unless all trustees agree to extend the grant on the basis of the facts of the circumstances for each vulnerable person.

g. The ability to help the vulnerable person should be balanced against the risk of creating a dependency of the vulnerable person relying on the grant.

h. The trustees will not be checking the legal status of the vulnerable person as a primary concern is to help that vulnerable person by the way of a grant. If the trustees decide to check the legal status of the vulnerable person, they will ask the vulnerable person what their status is and carry out any checks at their sole discretion to verify this, to the best of their ability.

i. This grant policy will be updated regularly, taking into account the experiences and learnings of the TSOF.

(5) Other TSOF policies

a. This policy should also be read in conjunction with the TSOF safeguarding policy.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Charitable activities

The trustees have worked with twelve beneficiaries during this financial year.

One beneficiary is currently being assisted by given funding to obtain legal assistance and support to challenge a decision to access public funding. This individual is also being helped with subsistence and is an ongoing beneficiary.

The second beneficiary has been provided with funding to help her pay her utility bills and have food to eat. The third beneficiairy is being provided with ad hoc support whilst he recovers healthwise.

The remaining two beneficiaries were supported by obtaining their passports.

The charity has developed good contacts with local hostels, legal experts, and suppliers of useful surplus stock. Funding to the charity has also increased through its assistance offered to churches as well as the generosity of a major donor, who shares the Charity's vision for empowering the socially disadvantaged to better their lives.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

Page 3

The Starting Over Fund (Registered number: CE009819)

Report of the Trustees

for the Year Ended 31 May 2025

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Charity constitution

Charitable Incorporated Organisation.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

There are no formal selection methods for the appointment of trustees apart from the fact that they must have spent some time serving at a London based soup kitchen and display willingness and a passion to assist homeless people.

Organisational structure

The charity has four trustees.

The charity will also leverage its network of contacts in order to facilitate assisting beneficiaries off the street. The charity has developed good contacts with local churches, hostels, legal experts, and suppliers of useful surplus stock. Funding to the charity has also increased through its assistance offered to schools, churches as well as one major donor who shares the Charity's vision for empowering the socially disadvantaged in bettering their own lives.

Induction and training of new trustees

The trustees must read and comply with the charity's policies on:

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number

CE009819 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

1172396

Registered office

Trustees

A S Shahata

A M Whitworth V K Baid E Toh

Independent Examiner

Mr Romit Basu FCA Barnes Noble Ltd Unitec House 2 Albert Place London N3 1QB

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 28th August 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

Page 4

The Starting Over Fund (Registered number: CE009819)

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 May 2025

Andrew Whitworth

.......................................................... A M Whitworth - Trustee

Page 5

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Starting Over Fund

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Starting Over Fund ('the Company') I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 May 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's 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 charity'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

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:

  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.

Mr Romit Basu FCA The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

Barnes Noble Ltd Unitec House 2 Albert Place London N3 1QB Date: .............................................

Page 6

The Starting Over Fund

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 May 2025

31.5.25 31.5.24
Unrestricted Total
fund funds
Notes £ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies 7,880 7,004
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Charitable activities 7,482 18,421
Other 1,855 3,049
Total 9,337 21,470
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (1,457) (14,466)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward 46,790 61,256
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 45,333 46,790

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 7

The Starting Over Fund (Registered number: CE009819)

Balance Sheet

31 May 2025

31.5.25
Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
5
91
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
6
1,631
Cash at bank
44,931
46,562
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
7
(1,320)
NET CURRENT ASSETS
45,242
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES
45,333
NET ASSETS
45,333
FUNDS
8
Unrestricted funds
45,333
TOTAL FUNDS
45,333
31.5.24
Total
funds
£
175
1,313
46,803
48,116
(1,501)
46,615
46,790
46,790
46,790
46,790

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 May 2025.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 8

continued...

The Starting Over Fund (Registered number: CE009819)

Balance Sheet - continued

31 May 2025

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 28th August 2025. and were signed on its behalf by:

Andrew Whitworth

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

A M Whitworth - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 9

The Starting Over Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 May 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Computer equipment - straight line over 3 years

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Page 10

continued...

The Starting Over Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 May 2025

2. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

31.5.25 31.5.24
£ £
Depreciation - owned assets 84 77

3. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 May 2025 nor for the year ended 31 May 2024.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 May 2025 nor for the year ended 31 May 2024.

4. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Unrestricte
fund
£
Donations and legacies 7,004
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Charitable activities 18,421
Other 3,049
Total 21,470
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (14,466)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward 61,256
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED
FORWARD 46,790

Page 11

continued...

The Starting Over Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 May 2025

5. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Computer
equipment
£
COST
At 1 June 2024 and 31 May 2025 252
DEPRECIATION
At 1 June 2024 77
Charge for year 84
At 31 May 2025 161
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 May 2025 91
At 31 May 2024 175
6. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Other debtors 31.5.25
£
1,631
31.5.24
£
1,313
7. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Trade creditors 31.5.25
£
-
31.5.24
£
1
Accrued expenses 1,320 1,500
1,320 1,501
8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Unrestricted funds At 1.6.24
£
Net
movement
in funds
£
At
31.5.25
£
General fund 46,790 (1,457) 45,333
TOTAL FUNDS 46,790 (1,457) 45,333

Page 12

continued...

The Starting Over Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 May 2025

8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming Resources Movement
resources expended in funds
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund
7,880
(9,337) (1,457)
TOTAL FUNDS
7,880
(9,337) (1,457)
Comparatives for movement in funds
At 1.6.23 Net
movement
in funds
At
31.5.24
£
Unrestricted funds
£ £
General fund
61,256
(14,466) 46,790
TOTAL FUNDS
61,256
(14,466) 46,790
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming Resources Movement
resources expended in funds
£
Unrestricted funds
£ £
General fund
7,004
(21,470) (14,466)
TOTAL FUNDS
7,004
(21,470) (14,466)

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
TOTAL FUNDS
Net
movement
At 1.6.23
in funds
£
£
61,256
(15,923)
61,256
(15,923)
At
31.5.25
£
45,333
45,333

Page 13

continued...

The Starting Over Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 May 2025

8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming Resources Movement
resources expended in funds
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 14,884 (30,807) (15,923)
TOTAL FUNDS 14,884 (30,807) (15,923)

9. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 May 2025.

Page 14