2025-04-15-accounts - Eli Project

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Report of the Trustees

& Unaudited Financial Statements For the year ended 15th April 2025

🌐 eliproject.co.uk ELI Project Wales

Charity Number: 1181538

Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 15 April 2025

	Page
Report of the Trustees	1-8
Independent Examiner's Report to The Trustees	9
Statement of Financial Activities	10
Comparative Statement of Financial Activities	11
Statement of Financial Position	12
Notes to the Financial Statements	13 - 16
The following pages do not form part of the financial statements
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities	17

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Charity Number: 1181538

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 15 April 2025

The trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 15 April 2025.

Objectives and Activities: 2024–25

Mission : To uplift families facing social exclusion due to additional needs. We build inclusive communities, foster deep connections, and provide empowering support to every family we touch.

United Kingdom: Breaking the Cycle of Isolation

We focus on providing accessible, inclusive environments across Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot, and Ammanford, ensuring that families don't just survive, but thrive.

Building Community : Our monthly Family Nights and The Hangout (for teens/adults) serve as regional lifelines. These gatherings are essential safe spaces that combat isolation and build lasting support networks.
Inclusive Advocacy: We extend our mission beyond our own walls by partnering with churches across Wales and England.
Direct Integration : We work on-site to assist with family integration, ensuring children with additional needs can participate fully in community life.
The Mindset Shift : We provide the training and advocacy required for organisations to evolve their buildings and outreach into sustainable, welcoming environments.

Africa: Empowerment & Essential Aid

Internationally, we provide life-changing support to families facing the dual challenges of poverty and disability:

Economic Empowerment : We provide micro-business opportunities, enabling families to build sustainable livelihoods to support their children's long-term needs.
Educational & Medical Support : We deliver essential learning resources and vital medical equipment, removing barriers to health and education.

Strategic Milestone: Setting Down Roots

Building Purchase & Development On July 4, 2024, ELI Project achieved a long-held ambition: taking full ownership of our permanent home in Grovesend, Swansea.

Achievement : Secured mortgage-free, thanks to the relentless fundraising of Todd and Steph Presley and the extraordinary generosity of our global community.
Impact : This building provides a permanent foundation to launch our mission of inclusion for generations to come.

Volunteer Power: The Heart of ELI

The progress of the last year—both in our new building and our community events—is the direct result of the extraordinary people who call ELI Project home. With all our hearts— thank you!

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Charity Number: 1181538

Achievements and Performance

2024–25: Remaining Connected whilst Setting Down Roots

This year has been defined by a significant transition for ELI Project. As we moved toward the permanent purchase and development of our own dedicated building, we focused on "setting down roots" without losing the vital connections that define our community.

1. A Home of Our Own: Building Purchase &

Development

The acquisition of our new building marks a historic milestone for ELI Project. This wasn't just a financial investment; it was a community-led transformation.

The Power of Community : We harnessed the collective energy of our supporters to prepare the site. From clearing out decades of debris to the deep cleaning required for a safe family environment, our volunteers were at the heart of the process.
Special Recognition : We extend a heartfelt thanks to Gareth Owen and his family, whose tireless work and dedication were instrumental in getting the building ready for its first opening.

Image 1: Our Community in Action - Clearing our New Home

2. Family Nights: Creative Connections

While our physical base was under development, we ensured that no family was left isolated. We maintained our "creative connections" by taking ELI Project on the road, hosting Family Nights in diverse locations across South Wales to ensure accessibility for all.

Exploring the Region : From BBQ sessions at Pembrey Country Park (complete with go-karting) to boat trips on the Copper Jack in Swansea.
Community Hubs : We gathered at Blackpill Lido, Aberavon Beach, The Gateway, and Llys Nini Animal Rehoming Centre.
Memorable Milestones : Our day out in Llanelli—featuring live music and train rides—and our seasonal celebrations like the Fireworks display and the Luminate trail at Margam Park.

3. The Hangout: Empowering Teens and Adults

Recognising the unique needs of older children and adults with additional needs, The Hangout has continued to provide a dedicated space for peer support and socialisation.

Activities : This year included competitive bowling in Swansea, silent discos, and beach days at Aberavon.
The "Hangout Family" : As noted by our members, these evenings are more than just activities; they are a space where everyone gathers around the table as a "family," reducing the isolation often felt as children enter adulthood.

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Charity Number: 1181538

4. Major Annual Events

Our "Big Events" remain the primary gateway for new families to discover ELI Project:

Annual Easter Egg Hunt : An inclusive, sensory-friendly celebration that welcomed both long-term members and new faces.
Christmas Luminate : A magical conclusion to the year, allowing families to enjoy festive traditions in a supportive, non-judgmental environment.

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Charity Number: 1181538

5. The ELI Network: Digital Reach & Community Inclusion

While we have been busy "setting down roots" physically, the ELI Project has continued to grow as a vital Digital Sanctuary. Our online presence ensures that even when families cannot travel, they are never isolated.

5.1 Our Digital Sanctuary: Facebook Community Insights

This year, our Facebook group solidified its position as a primary regional hub for caregivers. It is more than a social media page; it is a 24/7 peer-support ecosystem.

Demographic Strength : Our community remains a female-led support network (86% female). We are specifically reaching the "sandwich generation" of caregivers, with 62.6% of our members being women aged 35–54.
Multigenerational Impact : We have seen steady growth in the 25–34 bracket (supporting new parents in the early years) and the 55–64 bracket (supporting
grandparents and long-term caregivers), ensuring our community supports every stage of a child’s development.

While our foundations remain in Swansea (163 members) and Neath (148 members), our digital footprint has expanded across the South Wales corridor:

Coastal & Industrial : Strong presence in Port Talbot (46) and Gorseinon (45).
Valleys & Rural Hubs : Growing clusters in Pontardawe, Ystalyfera, Pontardulais, and Ammanford.
Wider Outreach : Continued engagement from Bridgend, Llanelli, and Cardiff, proving we are meeting a vital regional need for specialist support.

"It's more than just stats; it's about making sure a mother in a rural valley or a father in a new town knows they aren't alone."

5.2 Building Inclusive Spaces: Beyond Our Walls

Our mission is to shift the "inclusion mindset" across the UK. By combining our in-person expertise with online mentorship, we have helped churches in Wales and England become more inclusive environments.

Direct Support : We assist with on-site family integration.
The Mindset Shift : We provide the training necessary for churches to evolve their buildings and outreach programs into spaces where every family truly belongs.

Voices of Our Community

"What a great first opening of the new building. Really enjoyed and everyone so happy there. Can’t wait to meet up again soon." — Gareth Owen

"Honestly tonight was awesome... Hayley could see how children and their families are having so much fun together and parents being able to catch up and support each other." — Robin Birch

"Mark seemed to enjoy it... happy to have found a decent sized conker on the walk before we joined you all." — Paul Winstone

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Charity Number: 1181538

Kenya: Family Support and Health Intervention

In 2024/25, the charity provided £300 in targeted relief to a family of six in Kenya facing extreme poverty and a complex health crisis involving malnutrition, HIV, and Tuberculosis (TB). Working through our local partner, Marion Wathingira, these funds secured three months of essential food rations, medical supplements, and basic fuel, ensuring the family remained housed and fed while the mother underwent intensive treatment. This intervention resulted in a significant medical recovery, with both the mother and child achieving "undetectable" viral loads. Furthermore, the support provided a vital safety net during severe regional flooding that decimated local manual labour opportunities. By addressing these immediate physiological and safety needs, the grant

successfully stabilised a high-risk household, preventing homelessness and enabling the family to integrate fully into their local community and church life.

Financial Review

The charity relies upon voluntary donations from the generosity of both families that access our activities and friends, as well as an increasing number of grant providers, as its reach grows. It has sufficient funds to meet all its financial requirements and to fund all current projects. The charity monitors its income and expenditure monthly and considers this during trustee meetings.

Reference and Administrative Details

Charity name	ELI Project
Other names the charity uses	N.A.
Registered charity number	1181538
Charity’s principal address	ELI Project Centre, 6 High Street, Grovesend, Swansea, SA4 4GT

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity:

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year
Rhiannon Carpenter	N.A.	N.A.
Harold Presley	N.A.	N.A.
Jonathan Kirk	N.A.	N.A.
Todd Presley	Founder and CEO	N.A.
Trevor Clowers	N.A.	N.A.

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Charity Number: 1181538

Independent Examiner:

Carl West ACA CSW Accountancy Ltd ICAEW 43 Brynymor Road Gowerton Swansea SA4 3EY

Structure, Governance and Management

The charity is governed by its Constitution as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, where only charity trustees hold voting rights. New trustees are appointed by a resolution of a quorum of existing trustees, with no external body having the authority to appoint trustees. All new trustees receive an induction, including the ELI Project's governing document, Charity Commission Guidance on Public Benefit, and the Trustee Welcome Pack from the Charity Commission website. Trustees are selected for their specific skills crucial to the organisation, with ongoing training needs regularly assessed and supported by the trustees.

In the UK, the charity operates predominantly but not exclusively in South Wales, holding social events in Swansea and Neath. The charity also works in close association with ELI Project Kenya to deliver programmes in that country.

Risk Management

The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against instances of fraud and error.

The trustees' annual report was approved on 12th February 2026 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:

Rhiannon Carpenter Trustee

Todd Presley CEO

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Charity Number: 1181538

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of ELI PROJECT For The Year Ended 15 April 2025

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of ELI PROJECT (the Trust) for the year ended 15 April 2025.

Responsibilities and Basis of Report

As the charity trustees of the Trust 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 Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the 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 Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and contents of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have 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.

Carl West ACA Date

43 Brynymor Road Gowerton Swansea SA4 3EY

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Charity Number: 1181538

ELI PROJECT Statement of Financial Activities For The Year Ended 15 April 2025

The notes on pages 13 to 16 form part of these financial statements.

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Charity Number: 1181538

ELI PROJECT Comparative Statement of Financial Activities For The Year Ended 15 April 2025

The notes on pages 13 to 16 form part of these financial statements.

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Charity Number: 1181538

ELI PROJECT Statement of Financial Position As At 15 April 2025

On behalf of the board on 12th February 2026:

Rhiannon Carpenter Trustee

Todd Presley Director

The notes on pages 13 to 16 form part of these financial statements.

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Charity Number: 1181538

ELI PROJECT Notes to the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 15 April 2025

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Charity Number: 1181538

ELI PROJECT

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

For The Year Ended 15 April 2025

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Charity Number: 1181538

ELI PROJECT

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 15 April 2025

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Charity Number: 1181538

ELI PROJECT

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 15 April 2025

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Charity Number: 1181538

ELI PROJECT

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities For The Year Ended 15 April 2025

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Charity Number: 1181538