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2025-03-31-accounts

Charity Registration no. 1182905

THE USEFUL WOOD COMPANY

ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

THE USEFUL WOOD COMPANY

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees Anthony Hewat Michael Deavin George Varney Stephen Barter Brian Henry Charity number 1182905 Registered office and 15-29 Goldsworth Road Principle address Woking Surrey GU21 6JT Independent Examiner P I Vickerman 31a Nightingale Road Godalming Surrey GU7 2HP Bankers HSBC

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THE USEFUL WOOD COMPANY

CONTENTS

Page
Trustees’ report 4-5
Independent Examiner’s report 6
Statement of financial activities 7
Balance sheet 8
Notes to the financial accounts 9-14

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THE USEFUL WOOD COMPANY

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’REPORT)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year to 31 March 2025.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity’s governing document 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 the Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)’’ (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016).

Governance

The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organization (CIO), and is a member of the National Community Wood Recycling Project, which supports a national network of over 30 wood recycling organisations with similar aims, providing marketing to national construction companies, training resources and advice.

Activities

The vision of The Useful Wood Company (TUWC) remains to see those on the margins of society, and who have suffered various traumas that result in loss of confidence and self-esteem, get work experience, training and support to enable them to achieve employment and contribute back to society and the community.

The TUWC continues to operate from premises which are rent and rates free, and which include yard, workshops and a retail/display area. Three collection vans collect commercial waste wood from sites which is then sorted with suitable timber used to make products, such as planters, bin stores, table and benches etc, selling wood from the retail area and so supports both the wood recycling project and our work with beneficiaries. The charity continues to focus on helping beneficiaries grow in self-esteem and skills by mentoring, encouragement and advice with a view to them gaining future employment. Beneficiaries continue to be referred to us by statutory and non-statutory bodies such as Welcome Church, Woking Job Centre, Probation Service (Payback), Surrey Choices, and similar agencies.

Achievement

Since TUWC started operations in September 2019 we have continued to see year on year growth, in the reporting period we have been able to collect 15,265 cubic yards of wood from going to landfill. In terms of our social action, we have 35 beneficiaries, a small decrease from the previous year, 7 volunteer supervisors, and 5 helpers. The trustees are encouraged that 5 beneficiaries found employment.

Operations

TUWC has continues to operate from premises in Goldsworth Road Woking which are provided by Welcome Church who have continued to lease these from a development company. Within the lease there is provision for the landlord to serve 3 months’ notice. The lease was renewed in 2024 with the developers expressing the likelihood that development works would not commence before March 2026. The landlord has since agreed to extend our current lease to July 2028.

Collection of waste wood, continues to be the main source of income but encouragingly we have again seen increases in both retail and wood sales The collection service is actively marketed nationally by NCWRP to major construction companies (95%) and TUWC remains free to source such collections with a greater focus having been made locally (5%). Wood that cannot be used or resold is sent to be chipped for biomass fuel.

The charity continues to employ 3 full time and one part time staff, an operations manager, two drivers and workshop manager, and operate three vans.

The opportunities for the beneficiaries include working in the retail area, helping the van in wood collections, sorting/storing wood, office/administrative help, and working in the workshop to produce products and gain competence in using machinery.

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THE USEFUL WOOD COMPANY

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’REPORT)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (CONTINUED)

Finances

No applications for grant support were submitted during this reporting period,

The charity has continued to benefit from premises that are rent-free and with 100% rate relief. We are mindful that new premises may be needed from 2028 with the resulting substantial increase in cost and the trustees continue to hold reserves in the charity in order to enable relocation in the future.

In the year to March 2025, the charity made a gain of £2,700 on the sale of a van, recognised grant income of £5,582, received donations of £6,082, interest of £2,374 and earned income of £338,157, mainly from wood collection, but also from the sale of recycled wood and products made in the workshop. Expenditure, all on, or in support of, charitable activities amounted to £287,510, leaving a surplus of £67,385 in the year. Reserves at the yearend were £232,841.

Trustees’ Responsibilities

Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial period which give a true and fair

 Prepare the financial statements on the ongoing concern basis unless it is not appropriate to assume that the The trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

This report was approved by the trustees on 18 December, 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

Anthony A Hewat (Chair of Trustees)

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THE USEFUL WOOD COMPANY

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE USEFUL WOOD COMPANY

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of The Useful Wood Company (the charity) for the year to 31 March 2023 as set out on pages 7 to 14.

Responsibilities and basis of report

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. The Charity’s trustees consider an audit is not required for this financial period under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’ report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

P I Vickerman FCA Practising Accountant 31a Nightingale Road Godalming Surrey GU7 2HP

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THE USEFUL WOOD COMPANY

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

2025 2024
**Unrestricted ** Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total
Notes funds Funds funds funds funds funds
£ £ £
Income from:
Donations & legacies 3 6,082
-
6,082 1,166 - 1,166
Grants 3 - 5,582 5,582 - 9,544 9,544
Charitable activities 4 338,157
-
338,157 300,588 - 300,588
Investment Income 5 2,374
-
2,374 1,764 - 1,764
Profit on disposal 2,700
-
2,700 - - -
Total Income 349,313
5,582
354,895 303,518 9,544 313,062
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities 6 287,510
-
287,510 258,857 9,544 268,401
Net Income 61,803
5,582
67,385 44,661
-
44,661
Opening fund balances 165,456
-
165,456 120,804 - 120,804
Net income for the year / 61,803
5,582
67,385 44,661 - 44,661
Net movement of funds
Closing fund balances 227,259
5,582
232,841 165,465 - 165,465

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THE USEFUL WOOD COMPANY

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2025

As at As at
31 March 2025 31 March 2024
Notes £ £
Fixed Assets:
Tangible assets 11 32,358 26,184
Current Assets:
Stock 12 3,674 3,012
Debtors & prepayments 13 51,592 52,706
Cash at bank and in hand 180,633 117,906
235,899 173,624
Creditors: Amounts falling due
within one year 14 35,415 33,593
Net Current Assets 200,483 140,030
Total assets less current liabilities 232,841 166,214
Creditors: Amounts falling due
after more than one year 14 0 758
Net Assets 232,841 165,456
Income funds:
Unrestricted funds 232,841 165,456
Restricted funds - -
Total 232,841 165,456

The notes on pages 9-14 form part of these financial statements.

Approved by the trustees on 18 December, 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

Anthony A Hewat (Chair of Trustees)

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THE USEFUL WOOD COMPANY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

The Useful Wood Company was incorporated in England and is a charitable incorporated organisation which is registered with the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales. It’s registered office is at 15-29, Goldsworth Road, Woking, Surrey, GU21 6JT.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity’s governing document, The charities Act 2011 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 the Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)’’ (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives

unless the funds have been designated for other purposes.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and use of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

1.4 Incoming resources

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require the deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid is recognised at the time of the donation.

1.5 Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliability.

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THE USEFUL WOOD COMPANY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

The acquisition of minor capital items such as fixtures, fittings and equipment below a cost of £200 are charged to revenue in period they were purchased.

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost, net of depreciation and any impairment losses. This also applies to gifted assets which are valued at an amount in excess of £200.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following basis:

1.7 Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If anysuch indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

1.8 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments.

1.9 Financial assets and liabilities

Debtors

Short term debtors are measured at transaction price (which is usually the invoice price), less any impairment losses for bad and doubtful debts. Loans and other financial assets are initially recognised at transaction price including any transaction costs and subsequently measured at amortised cost determined using the effective interest method, less any impairment losses for bad and doubtful debts.

Creditors

Short term creditors are measured at transaction price (which is usually the invoice price). Loans and other financial liabilities are initially recognised at transaction price net of any transaction costs and subsequently measured at amortised cost determined using the effective interest method.

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

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THE USEFUL WOOD COMPANY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

3 Donations and grants

3Donations and grants
2025 2024
**Unrestricted ** Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total
funds funds funds funds funds funds
Donations and legacies £ £ £ £ £ £
Donations & Gifts (non gift-aided) 5,682 - 5,682 516 - 516
Donations & Gifts (gift-aided) - - - - - -
Grants Received - 5,582 5,582 - 9,544 9,544
Donations in Kind 400 - 400 650 - 650
6,082 5,582 11,664 1,166 9,544 10,710
Grants receivable for core activities
Woking Borough Council - 2,774 2,774 - 4,870 4,870
Shanley Foundation - 416 416 - 625 625
Clothworkers - 2,392 2,392 - 4,049 4,049
Grants Received (Recognised) - 5,582 5,582 - 9,544 9,544

4 Income from charitable activities

2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted Total UnrestrictedRestricted Total
Funds funds funds funds funds funds
£ £ £ £ £ £
Sales within charitable activities - wood recycling
National Collections 274,850 - 274,850 229,582 - 229,582
Local Collections 13,895 - 13,895 16,504 - 16,504
Product Sales 8,723 - 8,723 9,386 - 9,386
Wood Sales 34,339 - 34,339 37,049 - 37,049
Hardware Sales 4,132 - 4,132 4,201 - 4,201
Pallet Sales 958 - 958 2,870 - 2,870
Firewood Sales 386 - 386 0 - 0
Miscellaneous Sales 874 - 874 996 - 996
338,157 - 338,157 300,588 - 300,588

5 Investments

5 Investments
2025 2024
**Unrestricted ** Restricted Total UnrestrictedRestricted Total
funds funds funds funds funds funds
£ £ £ £ £ £
Interest Received (Gross) 2,374 - 2,374 1,764 - 1,764

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THE USEFUL WOOD COMPANY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

6 Expenditure on charitable activities

2025 2024
**Unrestricted ** Restricted Total UnrestrictedRestricted Total
funds funds Funds funds funds funds
£ £ £ £ £ £
Workshop consumables 1,898 - 1,898 467 - 467
Small tools & minor equipment 4,360 - 4,360 4,091 1,694 5,785
Machinery maintenance 69 - 69 44 - 44
Hardware purchases 2,770 - 2,770 3,145 - 3,145
Wood purchases 14 - 14 74 - 74
Paints, adhesives & finishes 407 - 407 1,183 - 1,183
Packaging materials 148 - 148 0 - 0
Waste disposal costs 72,323 - 72,323 65,350 - 65,350
Van costs (incl van hire) 34,939 - 34,939 27,051 - 27,051
Van depreciation 10,779 - 10,779 11,179 6,299 17,478
Protective clothing 763 - 763 1,140 - 1,140
Staff costs 118,864 - 118,864 109,294 - 109,294
Light, heat & power 19,645 - 19,645 13,884 - 13,884
Volunteers’ expenses (incl refreshm 3,139 - 3,139 2,340 - 2,340
270,118 0 270,118 239,242 7,993 247,235
Support costs (note 7) 15,760 - 15,760 17,637 1,551 19,188
Governance costs (note 8) 1,632 - 1,632 1,978 - 1,978
287,510 0 287,510 258,857 9,544 268,401

7 Support Costs

7 Support Costs
2025 2024
**Unrestricted ** Restricted Total UnrestrictedRestricted Total
funds Funds Funds funds funds funds
£ £ £ £ £ £
Printing, postage & stationery 292 - 292 378 - 378
Telephone & internet 1,320 - 1,320 1,196 - 1,196
IT costs 569 - 569 935 - 935
Repairs & maintenance 363 - 363 3,315 - 3,315
Marketing, PR & website 423 - 423 1,364 - 1,364
Travelling & motor expenses - - - - - -
Cleaning 376 - 376 387 - 387
Safety & first aid 728 - 728 1,816 - 1,816
Franchise fee 210 - 210 190 - 190
Sundry expenses 348 - 348 194 - 194
Training 212 - 212 150 - 150
Fixtures & fittings (moveable) 53 - 53 102 - 102
Water supply 250 - 250 3,000 - 3,000
Merchants’ charges 1,011 - 1,011 1,157 - 1,157
Bank charges 61 - 61 60 - 60
Payroll services 450 - 450 395 - 395
Provision for doubtful debts 5,474 - 5,474 1,300 - 1,300
Equipment Depreciation 3,620 - 3,620 1,698 1,551 3,249
15,760 - 15,760 17,637 1,551 19,188

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THE USEFUL WOOD COMPANY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 8 Governance Costs

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31
8 Governance Costs
MARCH 2025
2025 2024
**Unrestricted ** **Restricted ** Total **Unrestricted ** RestrictedTotal
funds funds Funds funds funds funds
£ £ £ £ £ £
Business insurance 1,132 - 1,132 770 - 770
Legal & professional fees - - - 458 - 458
Independent Examiners fee 500 - 500 750 - 750
1,632 - 1,632 1,978 - 1,978

9 Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the period (2024 – none).

10 Employees

The charity had, on average, 5 employees during the year (2024 - 3).

11 Tangible Fixed Assets

11 Tangible Fixed Assets
31 March 2025 31 March 2024
**Unrestricted ** Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total
funds funds funds funds funds funds
£ £ £ £ £ £
Cost:
Additions in period 20,573 - 20,573 9,605
-
9,605
Disposals in period (9,969) (9,969) -
Balance brought forward 39,559 33,042 72,601 29,954
33,042
62,996
Total 50,163 33,042 83,205 39,559 33,042 72,601
Depreciation:
Provision for period 8,817 5,582 14,399 6,578
7,850
14,428
Accumulated charge on disposals (9,969) - (9,969) -
-
-
Balance brought forward 19,483 26,934 46,417 12,905
19,084
31,989
Total 18,331 32,517 50,847 19,483 26,934 46,417
Net Book Value at start of period 20,076
6,108
26,184 17,049
13,958
31,007
Net Book Value at end of period 31,833
525
32,358 20,076
6,108
26,184
31 March 2025 31 March 2024
Plant &
Machinery,
etc
Motor
vehicles
Total Plant &
Machinery,
etc

Motor
vehicles
Total
£ £ £ £ £ £
Cost:
Additions in period 583 19,990 20,573 9,605 - 9,605
Disposals in period (1,329) (8,640) (9,969) - - -
Balance brought forward 23,566 49,035 72,601 13,961 49,035 62,996
Total 22,820 60,385 83,205 23,566 49,035 72,601
Depreciation:
Provision for period 3,620 10,779 14,399 3,249
11,179
14,428
Accumulated charge on disposals (1,329) (8,640) (9,969) -
-
-
Balance brought forward 11,046 35,371 46,417 7,797
24,192
31,989
Total 13,337 37,510 50,847 11,046 35,371 46,417
Net Book Value at start of period 12,520 13,664 26,184 6,164 24,843 31,007
Net Book Value at end of period 9,483 22,875 32,358 12,520 13,664 26,184

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THE USEFUL WOOD COMPANY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

12 Stocks
31 March 2025 31 March 2024
£ £
Stock of consumable items 3,674 3,012
13 Debtors
31 March 2025 31 March 2024
Amounts falling due within one year: £ £
Trade debtors 51,781 47,689
Provision for doubtful debts (1,994) (4,496)
Other debtors 1,805 9,512
Total 51,592 52,706
14 Creditors
31 March 2025 31 March 2024
£ £
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors - -
VAT 11,301 7,830
Other creditors 725 655
Accrued expenses 22,200 19,095
Deferred Income 1,189 6,013
Total 35,415 33,593
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
Deferred Income - 758
Total - 758

15 Rent free accommodation

The charity currently benefits from rent free accommodation, which includes a workshop, a retail area and a storage area. The current lease runs to March 2026, but the landlord has, since the year end, agreed to extend this to July 2028.

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