Water Stars Foundation
Trustees’ Annual Report – For the period 1 January 2024 31 December 2024
Charity Details
Name: Water Stars Foundation Registration Number: CE016310 Charity Number: 1181730 Registered Address: 133 Hassell Street, Newcastleunder-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 1BB
Trustees
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Robert Trimmings
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Rachel Beckett
Chief Executive Officer: Andrew Lipscomb
Professional Contacts
Bankers:
Santander Bank
4–6 Town Road, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 2HA Accountant/Auditors:
Robert Moore
Moores Accountancy
138 Hassell Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 1BB
Aims and Objectives
The aims of the Water Stars Foundation are:
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To advance the education of the public in the subject of swimming and water safety, creating lifelong learners and participants.
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To advance the education of pupils in educational institutions by providing swimming lessons that teach vital skills in swimming, water safety, and lifelong wellbeing.
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To provide educational water safety courses for children across North Staffordshire, increasing knowledge and understanding of the risks involved in water activities.
Charity Overview
The Water Stars Foundation operates within Staffordshire.
The charity delivers educational swimming lessons and water safety courses for children, helping them gain essential life skills to stay safe in and around water.
We work closely with local schools to provide National Curriculum swimming lessons and offer teacher training in water safety education to enhance community-wide water safety awareness.
Financial Review
Income
Total income received during the financial period: £622,583
This income was received from both educational
establishments (schools) and Water Stars Foundation members.
Expenditure
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Wages and Salaries: £350,054
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Our team expanded during 2024 with the recruitment of additional instructors.
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Salary increases were implemented in line with the national minimum wage and to remain above industry standards.
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Rent and Pool Hire: £142,352
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This covers all swimming pool facilities hired during the year.
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Costs are expected to rise in 2025 due to
anticipated price increases at several locations.
Reserves Policy and Debts
The charity has continued to repay its Bounce Back Loan, which is now close to being fully repaid. Our target is to build reserves of £150,000, which would cover approximately six months of staffing wages.
Achievements and Performance
During 2024, the Foundation continued to expand its reach and impact:
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Increased the number of children learning to swim each week.
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Delivered regular water safety sessions for local schools and community groups.
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Enhanced the quality and consistency of teaching through updated lesson plans and training.
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Strengthened partnerships with schools to deliver swimming lessons in line with the National Curriculum for Physical Education.
Through these initiatives, the charity has successfully advanced its educational aims and improved public understanding of swimming and water safety.
Public Benefit
The charity continues to provide a clear public benefit by offering accessible swimming education and water safety training to children and young people.
By equipping participants with vital swimming skills and knowledge, the Foundation contributes to reducing drowning risks and promoting lifelong health and wellbeing.
We also deliver structured schemes of work and progressive assessments to ensure measurable educational outcomes.
Future Plans (2025 and Beyond)
Looking ahead to 2025, the Water Stars Foundation aims to:
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Increase membership numbers, enabling more children to access swimming lessons and water safety education.
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Expand school partnerships, currently teaching around 12 primary schools, with plans to grow further in line with National Curriculum standards.
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Develop and expand the Water Safety Programme, building stronger links with local schools and community organisations.
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Recruit an additional swimming instructor to meet growing demand.
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Strengthen the Board of Trustees by recruiting new members to support the charity’s governance and growth across Staffordshire.
Profit and Loss
Water Stars Foundation
For the year ended 31 December 2024
| Profit and Loss Water Stars Foundation For the year ended 31 December 2024 |
|
|---|---|
| 2024 | |
| Turnover | |
| Sales | 622,583.54 |
| Total Turnover | 622,583.54 |
| Cost of Sales | |
| Direct Expenses | 30,358.35 |
| Direct Wages | 350,054.41 |
| Total Cost of Sales | 380,412.76 |
| Gross Profit | 242,170.78 |
| Administrative Costs | |
| Audit & Accountancy fees | 3,000.00 |
| Charitable and Political Donations | 75.00 |
| Consulting | 89,832.66 |
| Insurance | 2,099.61 |
| Rent | 142,345.02 |
| Total Administrative Costs | 237,352.29 |
| Operating Profit | 4,818.49 |
| Profit on Ordinary Activities Before Taxation | 4,818.49 |
| Profit after Taxation | 4,818.49 |
Profit and Loss Water Stars Foundation
10 Oct 2025 Page 1 of 1
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees Charity Name WATER STARS FOUNDATION On accounts for the year 31 December 2024 Charity no 1181730 ended (if any) Set out on pages 1 - 2 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets) I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/12/2024. Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report 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 all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content 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.
.
| Signed: Name: Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: |
Robert Moore | 22/10/2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Moore | ||
| Chartered Institute of Management Accountants | ||
| 138 Hassell Street, Newcastle, Staffordshire, ST5 1BB. | ||
1
Oct 2018
IER
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
2
Oct 2018
IER