Annual Review and Financial Statements 2024/25
© When women and girls rise, we all thrive . The Vavengers; we campaign, convene and connect to end Gender-Based Violence. www.thevavengers.co.uk | info@thevavengers.co.uk
Structure, Governance and Management
Board of Trustees as of submission date February 2026
Serving as a Trustee since
Co-Chair and Trustee: Co-Chair and Trustee: Trustee: Trustee: Trustee: Trustee:
Naimah Abdullahi Hassan Rachel Louise Cullen Frederick Thomas Ingham Clark Milosz Mieszko Palej Sara Samra Sahrish Iftikhar
December 2024 October 2025 July 2023 August 2022 October 2025 October 2025
Trustees during the financial year April 2024/April 2025
Served as aTrustee from
Hodan Ali Warsame Najmo Fiyasko Rose Violet Bonham Carter Soraya Abdulkadir Mohamed Ali Mabel Marie Evans Yasmin Fatemeh Pakzad
November 2021 to May 2024 January 2022 to November 2024 June 2022 to December 2024 January 2022 to February 2025 November 2021 to May 2025 February 2025 to November 2025
Serving since
October 2021
Chief Executive Officer:
Chief Executive Officer: Sema Gornall October 2021 The Vavengers is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in England and Wales, registered in July 2019. Registration Number: 1184202 Registration Address: The Vavengers HQ, 59 Cornhill House, First Floor, London EC3V 3PD, UK
Contact us at: info@thevavengers.co.uk & www.thevavengers.co.uk
Contents
Foreword 4 Annual Statement 5 Connect 6 Convene 8
10 Campaign & Convene Campaign:Media 22 Coverage Campaign, Convene, Connect[23]
www.thevavengers.co.uk | info@thevavengers.co.uk
Foreword
“These are challenging times, particularly for women and girls both nationally and around the world. Funding keeps shrinking for our sector while anti-rights movements continue to rise. Despite all the challenges we have faced, as a survivor and women-led movement, we know what it means for organisations like The Vavengers not only to be present but to continue campaigning against violence, and to do so more strongly than ever. This year has taken its toll on us like any other organisation in this important space and our monetary income dropped significantly. We watched many crucial organisations close their doors due to complete funding cuts and demand increased for our services with no extra financial resources available to us. This is why I am so proud of our gift in kind power. When we were saying goodbye to our incredible partners, hearing how much more the communities need us, all while working to navigate our own survival, our corporate partners stepped in and stepped up. We have understood the meaning of allyship by all the companies pouring in pro bono of services and goods donations and our communities also witnessed how much care there is for vulnerable women and children, despite what it feels like a global turmoil.
We communicated the challenges we were facing and I am proud to announce the biggest ‘yet’ gift in kind we ever received in this incredibly concerning landscape. We welcomed £490,346.66 of gift in kind this year and mobilised lifeline support for our communities, built evidence through one of a kind research and continued campaigning loud and clear. We also convened hundreds of partners through safe spaces hosted at law firms, the UN, UK government departments and in our own home in City of London. We continued providing survivor leadership and wellbeing workshops to our ambassadors and the number of volunteers and ambassadors went up in solidarity with our organisation’s need.
I am proud to be a Vavenger and I am proud to stand by this powerful organisation in the in the most challenging times. So long as there is allyship and survivor leadership - we are not going anywhere. A deep gratitude also to our funders who chose to fund us and acknowledged the importance of our work. I hope our friends and partners will continue to support us while we navigate these uncertain times.”
- Sema Gornall Chief Executive Officer
Annual Statement
“We are proud to provide guidance and strong governance to the Vavengers as it continues its vital work connecting, convening and campaigning, and providing a safe space to communities, activists and survivor leaders. While navigating financial challenges, we welcomed new gift in kind partners and continued receiving support from our existing supporters. As the staff team reduced, the Board has strengthened its support to the CEO while making significant changes to improve our governance so that The Vavengers not only survives but remains a beacon of hope and support system for women and children affected by FGM and all forms of violence against women and girls
We reviewed our skills at a board level and stepped into maturity as an organisation with a new strategy reflecting the challenges of today. We welcomed new board members and advisors, so we are fit to navigate the current funding and advocacy landscape. We will continue onboarding more leadership to help guide our brilliant team while also providing essential support to our leadership. We would like to share our sincere gratitude to our Chief Executive Officer Sema Gornall, our ambassadors and volunteers for being brave, bold and persevering during immensely challenging times for the sector and our organisation. Their hard work, vision and leadership, is the reason this movement continues to thrive. . We are also grateful to advisors for stepping in to help guide the trustees and to give us more confidence and support in the work that we do. A recognition also extends to our Patrons Baroness Rosie Boycott and Sir Max Hill KCB KC who both provided above and beyond support and visibility to our charity. We would also like to thank our Cofounders Hoda Ali and Mabel Evans. We are grateful to them for creating The Vavengers and providing a decade of service in various capacities to The Vavengers.
We are stepping into a mature phase while marking our 10th anniversary and we feel proud to be part of a resilient and important movement.”
- The Board of Trustees
Jb Connec Ibtr. YEAR HIGHLIGHTS THE VAVENGERS
Support & Wellness Hubs for 7 Women and Girls & Survivor Support We hosted hubs in Croydon, Islington, and Ealing offered a monthly support & wellness safe spaces online throughout the year to our community, which allowed us to have a nationwide reach.
Our community also had access to referral services, including free legal representation on any matter, housing support, access to mental health care, referrals to physical health care, and practical support such as clothing, furniture, food, children’s essential supplies, toys, period products, self-care items such as make-up, essential supplies, hair products, work clothes and more.
We also continued offering ongoing safe spaces and development workshops, such as media training, leadership, and public engagement courses for activists and survivors in our City of London hub on a monthly basis.
CONNECT | YEAR HIGHLIGHTS APRIL 2024 TO APRIL 2025
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10 years of campaigning, convening and connecting to end Gender-Based Violence.
YEAR HIGHLIGHTS
9 23 My Body, My Book Club We celebrated the first anniversary of our book club!
‘My Body, My Book Club’ was created by our Outreach Supporter, Dr Julia Martins, to connect people and create communities while discussing important issues we work to end, including but not limited to GenderBased Violence, Racism, Displacement, and Sexism. Each book club raises small contributions by attendees, and the donations are sent to partner grassroots movements supporting women and girls in diverse ways.
We are proud to see this safe space continue online and in person with Julia’s incredible leadership. Each month, an important subject continues to be discussed through various feminist books.
mybodymybookclub.com CONVENE | MY BODY, MY BOOK CLUB | YEAR HIGHLIGHTS JUNE 2024
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Campaign & Convene Government, Civil Society and Public Engagement
YEAR HIGHLIGHTS
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10 Year of The Vavengers Milestone Celebration Convening | July 2024
The Vavengers wins RMNI Love Award by Rimini Street | July 2024
We marked our 10th anniversary with an impressive convening. The Vavengers has been working to end Gender-Based Violence since we were founded in 2014 and we convened partners from government, civil society and community to celebrate our collective achievements. The convening was co-hosted by the Crown Prosecution Service and represented a safe space to talk about how we can continue to serve communities while closing systemic issue gaps. With survivors, grassroots activists and creatives sharing tables with the Metropolitan Police, Home Office, MOPAC, corporate lawyers, prosecutors, and other social organisations, we left feeling full of hope and ready for more action.
We were delighted to receive the support of Rimini Street through RMNI Love Award. We made no secret of the fact this year as with all women and girls specialist charities we are struggling to raise funds as grants and individual giving were redirected or halted due to new global wars. At challenging times like this, it’s important that for-profit businesses step in to address the funding gap our sector faces as so often the women and girls are the first to be affected at times of crisis. RMNI Love Award recognised our advocacy and direct support work by selecting us as one of their annual winners. The international award also came with a £10,000 unrestricted donation.
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The Vavengers is at the UN General Assembly 79th Session & Summit of the Future | September 2024
More than 100 world leaders, thousands of diplomats and advocates including The Vavengers came together at UNHQ in New York to join the 79th United Nations General Assembly debate. The summit saw statements delivered to tackle global challenges centered around 21stcentury world issues. The theme for the general debate of the 79th session of the General Assembly was “Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development, and human dignity for present and future generations”. The Vavengers took part in important convenings and meetings to discuss global health & legal landscape facing survivors of Gender-Based Violence. We created safe spaces for activists taking part in lived experience conversations, focused on survivorleadership work in partnership with organisations such as Orchid Project.
Stirred and The Vavengers partnership work wins the Communique awards | October 2024
We were honoured our partnership work with Stirred Health; a healthcare communications business that provided pro bono work to support our advocacy work was recognised by the Communique awards. We won the category of ‘Excellence in Pro Bono Working Award sponsored by The Green Square and Passion Partnership’.
Celebrating 10th anniversary of the Girl Summit in partnership with The Girl Generation and Latham & Watkins LLP | October 2024
Co-hosted with The Girl Generation, the convening brought together partners from civil society, government and community to celebrate the 10th anniversary of The Girl Summit on the International Day of Girl Child. We welcomed speakers from The Girl Generation, The Vavengers, Crown Prosecution Service, FCDO, Orchid Project, African Women’s Rights Advocates and the Africa-Led Movement to end FGM. We were hosted by one of our long-term corporate partners Latham & Watkins LLP at their London offices.
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Corporate & Civil Society Convening co-hosted with King & Spalding | October 2024
We co-hosted a convening in partnership with King & Spalding at K&S London offices to discuss how we can close the data gap facing the FGM issue. The convening welcomed survivor leaders, activists and NGOs from human rights sector and corporate and government partners. This significant convening then opened up a dialogue where we commissioned the world’s first health & legal landscape report on FGM for Wilmer Hale and King & Spalding to deliver as co-counsels.
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The Vavengers contributes to ‘Ethics in Researches on Modern Slavery’ a review of the current landscape and evaluation of research ethics appropriateness | December 2024
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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre led by the University of Oxford led this research which was carried out by the University of Liverpool and the University of Nottingham to examine the current landscape and evaluate research ethics and appropriateness of ethics in research on modern slavery. With our CEO Sema Gornall taking part as an advocacy expert stakeholder consultant to this important research, The Vavengers proudly contributed to this report and fed in the lived experiences of our communities and how intersectional modern slavery is with other forms of violence and why these extreme vulnerabilities must be considered in the research field while conducting research.
Source and full report:
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- https://www.modernslaverypec.org/resources/ethics in modern slavery research
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CAMPAIGN & CONVENE | GOVERNMENT, CIVIL SOCIETY AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT | YEAR HIGHLIGHTS
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FCDO, Ministry of Justice and Home Office special roundtable to mark 16 Days of Activism | December 2024
In December 2025, FCDO, Ministry of Justice and the Home Office held a special ministerial roundtable with advocates to mark the 16 days of activism on violence against women and girls (VAWG). The agenda was about the violence women and girl children are facing all over the world and why no country or context is immune. Our CEO Sema Gornall was part of the roundtable and she highlighted global issues facing women and girls including the intersectionality of Gender-Based Violence with war, poverty and racial injustice. Our CEO was joined at this roundtable by Anneliese Dodds, Minister for Development and Women & Equalities, Alex Davies-Jones, Minister for Victims and VAWG, Jess Phillips, Minister for Safeguarding and VAWG, Sharon Gaffka, spiking campaigner, Rehema Muthamia, Solace Women’s Aid ambassador, Jess Davies, online misogyny campaigner, Nour Norris - domestic abuse campaigner, and Halimot Ogunnaike, anti- FGM & human trafficking campaigner.
CAMPAIGN & CONVENE | GOVERNMENT, CIVIL SOCIETY AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT | YEAR HIGHLIGHTS
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Capacity building workshop in Kenya at survivorleadership & frontline conference hosted by AWRA to mark 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence | November 2024
We were delighted to be part of African Women Right’s Advocatesorganised convening in Nairobi, Kenya with dozens of delegates from East & West Africa and community-based global movement leaders. While we enjoyed hearing from frontline experts in Africa on ongoing work to end FGM and intersecting violence, we were also honoured to deliver a capacity building workshop in partnership with AWRA on the final day of the conference. It’s moments like these we see the impact of our partnership with aligned organisations.
IOPC x Vavengers workshop for frontline organisations to improve policing | January 2025
IOPC and Vavengers launched a new partnership through a launch convening hosted at IOPC office in London. We brought together activists, survivor leaders and frontline professionals to discuss VAWG landscape in Greater London and the UK and how can policing services be improved. A report was drafted as a result of this day with important discussions and valuable survivor-led feedback which is due to be released to public in 2026.
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Zero tolerance for FGM convening with TGG, AWRA, Home Office | February 2025
Continuing on our public & private partnerships, we brought together law firms, UK government representatives, civil society and community members with our partners The Girl Generation and African Women’s Rights Advocates. The convening discussed ongoing work to end FGM and why FGM must be tackled with intersectional approach. Survivor-led narrative and data poverty were key subjects of the day.
Wellbeing retreat for survivor activists, welcoming our fifty ambassadors to our safe space | February 2025
As a sruvivor and women-led movement, we created a safe space at this annual retreat. The day included trauma informed workshops both in a group and one to one settings, a safe resting space and a community workshop in a fully funded day for activitsts.
We are also proud to have continued our support for our fifty ambassadors throughout the year by providing quarterly wellness opportunities to improve their wellbeing.
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The Vavengers at the ministerial roundtable at FCDO to mark International Zero Tolerance for FGM Day | February 2025
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Hosted by Annalisa Dodds MP, we joined a ministerial roundtable at the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office in London. The high-level meeting welcomed activists and NGOs from around the world working on ending FGM within the FCDO portfolio. The Vavengers talked about our global report on health and legal disparities on ending FGM movement and asked for the UK to address challenges facing survivors and those at risk of FGM within the UK context as well as continuous funding to end GenderBased Violence globally.
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CAMPAIGN & CONVENE | GOVERNMENT, CIVIL SOCIETY AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT | YEAR HIGHLIGHTS
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- New York and DC: Marking CSW69 - Mapping out global healthcare and legal disparities facing survivors of FGM | March 2025
We convened hundreds of legal, NGO, health and government representatives in New York and Washington DC during United Nation’s Commission on Status of Women 69th session. We soft launched our global health & legal report with data to date and launched the commission of financial report on FGM. CAMPAIGN & CONVENE | GOVERNMENT, CIVIL SOCIETY AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT | YEAR HIGHLIGHTS
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Welcoming our second Patron, Sir Max Hill KCB KC
We are proud to announce Sir Max Hill KC as the second ever Patron to The Vavengers. Joining the Patron’s circle alongside Baroness Rosie Boycott, Sir Max brings years of public service experience as well as a significant legal pro-bono workforce to the organisation. As former Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) between 2018 and 2023 and a prominent legal leader, he is invaluable in helping us increase national visibility while also guiding us with his tremendous legal expertise. Sir Max has been an ally in the anti-FGM space, most notably known for his leadership efforts for CPS to increase prosecutions of sexual violence. The first ever successful convictions on FGM was during his time as DPP at the CPS despite the law existing since 1985.
CAMPAIGN & CONVENE | GOVERNMENT, CIVIL SOCIETY AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT | YEAR HIGHLIGHTS
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Campaign: Media Coverage
1 BBC Politics London covers The Gambia’s FGM ban reversal debate with The Vavengers.
2 The Vavengers BBC Politics coverage of the Iraqi legislation posing risk of forced marriages against children.
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Third prosecution in England and Wales on FGM/C secured; first prosecution on conspiracy.
Baroness Rosie Boycott talking about lack of survivor healthcare in the UK and request to ban labiaplasty within healthcare at House of Lords
CAMPAIGN | MEDIA COVERAGE
23 Campaign, Convene, Connect : Gift in kind powered campaigns, convenings and connected communities and
£490,346.66
gift in kind secured!
CAMPAIGN, CONVENE, CONNECT
The Vavengers is honoured to serve to communities of women and children with survivor and women-led approach. Thank you to all supporters from donor, volunteer and partner communities. Find out more about our ongoing work at: www.thevavengers.co.uk
The Vavengers is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) in England and Wales Registration number: 1184202 Registered address: The Vavengers HQ, 59 Cornhill House, First Floor, London EC3V 3PD, United Kingdom https://www.thevavengers.co.uk | Contact us at: info@thevavengers.co.uk
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When women and girls rise, we all thrive .
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The Vavengers
Charity Registration No.1184202
Report and Unaudited Financial Statements Year ended 4 April 2025
Shruti Soni Ltd Chartered Certified Accountants 117A St Johns Hill Sevenoaks TN13 3PE
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The Vavengers
Reference and Administrative Details
Status: Charity Registration No.1184202 The charity's governing document is its constitution dated 1 July 2019 amended on 29 April 2024 Registered Office: The Vavengers Headquarters 59-60 Cornhill House, First Floor London United Kingdom EC3V 3PD Chief Executive: Sema Gornall Trustees: Hodan Ali Warsame Trustee November 2021 to May 2024 Najmo Fiyasko Trustee January 2022 to November 2024 Rose Violet Bonham Carter Trustee June 2022 to December 2024 Soraya Abdulkadir Mohamed Ali Trustee January 2022 to February 2025 Mabel Marie Evans Trustee November 2021 to May 2025 Yasmin Fatemeh Pakzad Trustee February 2025 to November 2025 Milosz Mieszko Palej Trustee Appointed in August 2022 Frederick Thomas Ingham Clark Trustee Appointed in July 2023 Naimah Abdullahi Hassan Trustee Appointed in December 2024 Rachel Louise Cullen Trustee Appointed in October 2025 Sahrish Iftikhar Trustee Appointed in October 2025 Sara Samra Trustee Appointed in October 2025
Independent examiner: Shruti Soni FCCA FCIE Shruti Soni Ltd Chartered Certified Accountants 117a St. John's Hill, Sevenoaks TN13 3PE
Bankers:
Metro Bank 1 Southampton Row London WC1B 5HA WC1B 5HA
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Trustees' Report for the year ended
The Vavengers
4 April 2025
The trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 4 April 2025. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements and the requirements of the Constitution. 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)
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Background and Scope
The Charity was created by a deed dated 1 July 2019 as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), exclusively for ending Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) and creating awareness of the issue with the aims of ending both FGM/C and other forms of Gender-Based Violence. The Charity was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 1 July 2019, charity registration number 1184202. The charity amended its governing document on 29 April 2024, with the agreement of the Charity Commission, thereby widening the scope of its vision and mission.
The trustee selection process includes trustee role advertisement, followed by applications and a two-stage interview process. At least two trustees must be present during the process, and the voting of a new trustee must be brought to the attention of the entire board for the final decision.
Board of Trustees as of submission date February 2026
Naimah Abdullahi Hassan, Co-Chair and Trustee, appointed December 2024 Rachel Louise Cullen, Co-Chair and Trustee, appointed October 2025 Frederick Thomas Ingham Clark, appointed July 2023 Milosz Mieszko Palej, appointed August 2022 Sara Samra, appointed, October 2025 Sahrish Iftikhar, appointed October 2025
Trustees during the financial year April 2024/April 2025
Hodan Ali Warsame | Served as a trustee from November 2021 to May 2024 Najmo Fiyasko | Served as a trustee from January 2022 to November 2024 Rose Violet Bonham Carter | Served as a trustee from June 2022 to December 2024 Soraya Abdulkadir Mohamed Ali | Served as a trustee from January 2022 to February 2025 Mabel Marie Evans | Served as a trustee from November 2021 to May 2025 Yasmin Fatemeh Pakzad | Served as a trustee from February 2025 to November 2025 Milosz Mieszko Palej | Serving as a trustee since August 2022 Frederick Thomas Ingham Clark | Serving as a trustee since July 2023 Naimah Abdullahi Hassan | Serving as a trustee since December 2024
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Aims and Objectives for the Public Benefit
The objectives of the charity are:
(A) TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH, AND IMPROVE THE CONDITIONS OF LIFE OF SURVIVORS OF, AND PEOPLE AFFECTED BY, FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION / CUTTING AND / OR GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE BY PROVIDING ADVICE, SUPPORT SERVICES, OUTREACH HUBS AND NETWORK GROUPS TO AND FOR SUCH INDIVIDUALS;
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The Vavengers
Trustees' Report
for the year ended
4 April 2025
(B) TO ADVANCE THE EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC IN THE SUBJECT OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION / CUTTING AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE BY (I) CONDUCTING AND / OR COMMISSIONING RESEARCH ON FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION / CUTTING AND / OR GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE, (II) CONDUCTING AND / OR COMMISSIONING NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGNS CENTRED ON RAISING AWARENESS OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION / CUTTING AND / OR GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE, AND (III) PROVIDING TRAINING, EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL IN THAT REGARD TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, BUSINESSES (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS), CHARITIES AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS; AND
(C) TO PROMOTE EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY IN RELATION TO SURVIVORS OF, OR PEOPLE AFFECTED BY, FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION / CUTTING AND / OR GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT BY (I) THE ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION ON THE GROUNDS OF BEING A SURVIVOR OF, OR AFFECTED BY, FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION / CUTTING AND / OR GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE, (II) ADVANCING EDUCATION AND RAISING AWARENESS IN EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY, (III) PROMOTING ACTIVITIES TO FOSTER UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN PEOPLE FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS, (IV) CONDUCTING AND / OR COMMISSIONING RESEARCH ON EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY ISSUES AND PUBLISHING THE RESULTS TO THE PUBLIC, (V) CULTIVATING A SENTIMENT IN FAVOUR OF EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY, AND (VI) PROMOTING PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE RIGHTS OF REFUGEES, ASYLUM SEEKERS, AND MIGRANTS.
The activities of the charity are:
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Community outreach hubs in the UK that support the physical, psychological, and legal wellbeing of vulnerable women and girls who are survivors of FGM/C and all other forms of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).
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Educational workshops about FGM/C and other forms of VAWG for organisations, including healthcare professionals and government agencies.
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National and international campaigns to ensure FGM/C and other forms of VAWG is on the political and social agenda.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
During the year, the Charity undertook community projects, education, advocacy and campaigning to empower our communities and to build an understanding about legal rights and services available to women and girls, whilst also creating high-level awareness and understanding of the gaps in healthcare and education for the most marginalised people living in the United Kingdom. The charity utilised gift-in-kind in response to the global funding crisis and received six-figure legal & research pro bono support.
PUBLIC BENEFIT
In shaping our objectives for the year and planning our activities, the trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit and have complied with section 4 of the Charities Act 2011.
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The Vavengers
Trustees' Report for the year ended 4 April 2025
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Income during the year under review was £633,832 (2024: £361,838) of which £4,000 (2024: £40,000) was restricted and £629,832 (2024: £321,838) was unrestricted. Expenditure during the year was £667,480 (2024: £356,185). Of the total expenditure £2,946 (2024: £46,543) was from restricted grants. The charity had net expenditure during the year of £33,648 (2024: net income £5,653). General reserves held at the year end were £30,435 (2024: £31,236) and restrticted funds were £1,054 (2024: £33,901). Based on these figures, the trustees consider an amount of £45,000 to cover between 3 months of running expenditure to be a sufficient level of reserve.
Total unrestricted income and expenditure include donated gift-in-kind services received during the year, valued at £490,347, which was for rent waiver for our safe space HQ, and pro bono towards policy, research and campaigning work. The trustees realise that the valuation of pro-bono services included in the accounts is high for a charity of this size, but it explains why the charity’s impact has been much bigger than its annual financial income, as a direct result of the generous pro-bono work received. The trustees have decided to reflect the full amount as it showcases the true impact of the charity's Thomson Reuters Foundation membership and valuable legal partnerships.
RESERVE POLICY
The Charity has a Reserve Policy to build up free reserves of 3-6 months of current running costs. At present, due to the funding challenges facing the anti-Violence Against Women and Girls sector, we operate with less than 6 months of current running costs.
MANAGING RISK OF HARM
In carrying out the charity’s purpose to achieve public benefit, the trustees have managed the risk of detriment or harm to the charity’s beneficiaries or to the public in general (which they feel is minimal). This has been achieved by identifying such risks where possible, minimising them and making sure any harm that might arise is of a minor consequence to the carrying out of such purpose.
GOING CONCERN
While the lack of funding and interest continues to face our area of anti-Violence Against Women and Girls, The Vavengers works hard to secure stability. This financial year, we have continued triple match funding every pound donated to the charity with gift-in-kind pro-bono work, and we are implementing a new strategic plan to identify new sources of funding, such as corporate social responsibility. The charity is also continuing to onboard more trustees and high-level supporters to increase the stability of financial support and organisational visibility. The high-level gift-in-kind support we received through legal, research and goods donations enabled us to continue serving communities during a challenging national funding landscape while also continuing our strong advocacy work. The charity utilises high level gift in kind model to ensure it can continue being effective and have a high impact, even if at timesthe funding landscape doesn’t match the community need.
After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue for the next year. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements despite the low general reserves at the end of the financial year. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the Accounting Policies.
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The Vavengers
Trustees' Report
for the year ended
4 April 2025
FUTURE PLANS
The Trustees intend to continue to support as many women and girls as resources permit.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
During the financial year 2024/25, no trustees were paid.
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
a) select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
b) observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
c) make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
d) state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
e) prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities (continued)
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that 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 Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on ........................ and signed on its behalf.
___ ________ Rachel Louise Cullen Name: Naimah Abdullahi Hassan (Trustee and Co-Chair)
Name: Naimah Abdullahi Hassan (Trustee and Co-Chair)
Signed: 02/02/2026
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Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of The Vavengers
I report to the charity trustees on the financial statements of the company for the year ended 4 April 2025 as set out on pages 8 to 17.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees 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 charity’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
Since the company’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I a member of Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies.
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 that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do 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.
Shruti Soni ACCA Date:3 February 2026 Shruti Soni Ltd ● Chartered Certified Accountants 117a St. John's Hill, Sevenoaks TN13 3PE
7
The Vavengers
Statement of financial activities (incorporating an income and expenditure account) For the year ended 4 April 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | ||
| fund | fund | fund | fund | fund | fund | ||
| Note | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Income from: | |||||||
| Grants and donations | 136,147 | 4,000 | 140,147 | 132,998 | 40,000 | 172,998 | |
| Donation in Kind | 2 | 490,347 | - | 490,347 | 162,535 | - | 162,535 |
| Fundraising income | 3,274 | - | 3,274 | 26,100 | - | 26,100 | |
| Investment income | |||||||
| Interest income | 64 | - | 64 | 205 | - | 205 | |
| Total income: | 629,832 | 4,000 | 633,832 | 321,838 | 40,000 | 361,838 | |
| Expenditure on: | |||||||
| Cost of raising funds | |||||||
| Fundraising costs and events | 4,172 | - | 4,172 | 37,131 | - | 37,131 | |
| Charitable activities | |||||||
| Direct project cost | 23,244 | 2,946 | 26,190 | 34,994 | 11,296 | 46,290 | |
| Consulting fees | - | - | - | - | 232 | 232 | |
| Staff costs | 90,404 | - | 90,404 | 89,689 | 29,361 | 119,050 | |
| Support costs | |||||||
| Bank charges | 111 | - | 111 | 153 | - | 153 | |
| IT software and consumables | 4,464 | - | 4,464 | 5,700 | 3,881 | 9,581 | |
| Printing and postage | 158 | - | 158 | 665 | - | 665 | |
| Legal and Professional fees | 486,938 | - | 486,938 | 117,355 | - | 117,355 | |
| Sundry expenses | 9,373 | - | 9,373 | 3,165 | 1,773 | 4,938 | |
| Depreciation | 8,711 | - | 8,711 | 8,185 | - | 8,185 | |
| Travel and subsistence | 7,780 | - | 7,780 | 6,388 | - | 6,388 | |
| Independent examination | 2,447 | - | 2,447 | 1,440 | - | 1,440 | |
| Rent, insurance and utilities | 25,610 | - | 25,610 | 4,777 | - | 4,777 | |
| Council Tax | 177 | - | 177 | - | - | - | |
| Recruitment costs | 945 | - | 945 | - | - | - | |
| Total expenditure: | 664,534 | 2,946 | 667,480 | 309,642 | 46,543 | 356,185 | |
| Net income/(expenditure) | (34,702) | 1,054 | (33,648) | 12,196 | (6,543) | 5,653 | |
| Transfer between fund | 33,901 | (33,901) | - | (1,169) | 1,169 | - | |
| Net movement in funds | (801) | (32,847) | (33,648) | 11,027 | (5,374) | 5,653 | |
| Reconciliation of funds: | |||||||
| Total funds brought forward | 11 | 31,236 | 33,901 | 65,137 | 20,209 | 39,275 | 59,484 |
| Total funds carried forward | 11 | 30,435 | 1,054 | 31,489 | 31,236 | 33,901 | 65,137 |
All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. Movements in funds are disclosed in Note 11 to the financial statements.
8
The Vavengers Balance sheet
As at 4 April 2025
| Note £ Fixed assets: 7 Current assets: 8 15,710 11,219 26,929 Liabilities: 9 1,326 10 11 Tangible assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one Total net assets / (liabilities) Restricted income funds Unrestricted income funds: The funds of the charity: General funds Total charity funds |
Note £ Fixed assets: 7 Current assets: 8 15,710 11,219 26,929 Liabilities: 9 1,326 10 11 Tangible assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one Total net assets / (liabilities) Restricted income funds Unrestricted income funds: The funds of the charity: General funds Total charity funds |
2025 £ 5,886 5,886 31,489 1,054 30,435 31,489 |
£ 11,246 47,108 |
2024 £ 13,020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13,020 65,137 |
||||
| 26,929 1,326 |
58,354 6,237 |
|||
| 33,901 31,236 |
||||
| 65,137 |
These financial statements were approved by the Trustees on and signed on its behalf by:
and
Trustees and Co-Chairs
Name: Rachel Louise Cullen and Naimah Abdullahi Hassan Date: 02/02/2026
9
The Vavengers Statement of cash flows
For the year ended 4 April 2025
| Note Net income / (expenditure) for the reporting period Depreciation charges Dividends, interest and rent from investments (Increase)/decrease in debtors Increase/(decrease) in creditors Net cash from/(used in) operating activities Analysis of cash and cash equivalents Cash in hand and at bank Total cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year Net cash provided by / (used in) financing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year Dividends, interest and rents from investments Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets Purchase of fixed assets Proceeds from sale of investments Purchase of investments Net cash provided by / (used in) investing Cash flows from investing activities: |
£ 64 - (1,577) - - |
£ (33,648) 8,711 (64) (4,464) (4,911) 2025 |
£ 205 - (14,503) - - |
£ 5,653 8,185 (205) (11,246) 3,882 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (34,376) (1,513) - |
6,269 (14,298) - |
|||
| (35,889) 47,108 |
(8,029) 55,137 |
|||
| 11,219 | 47,108 | |||
| At 04 April 2025 £ 11,219 |
At 04 April 2024 £ 47,108 |
|||
| 11,219 | 47,108 |
10
The Vavengers Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 4 April 2025
1 Accounting policies
a) Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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) - (Charities SORP FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy or note.
The financial statements have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following the 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) issued on 16 July 2014 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.
b) Public benefit entity
The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
c) Going concern
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern as described in the trustees report.
There are no key judgements that the charity has made which have a significant effect on the accounts.
The trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.
d) Income
Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and that the amount can be measured reliably.
Income from government and other grants, whether ‘capital’ grants or ‘revenue’ grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.
11
The Vavengers
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 4 April 2025
1 Accounting policies (continued)
e) Interest receivable
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.
f) Fund accounting
Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the fund.
Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources received or generated for the charitable purposes.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular purposes.
g) Expenditure
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 reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following headings:
Costs of raising funds relate to the costs incurred by the charity in inducing third parties to make voluntary contributions to it, as well as the cost of any activities with a fundraising purpose
-
Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs of activties undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs
-
Support costs include the cost of overall direction and administration of the charity's activities, comprising the overhead costs of the central function
-
Other expenditure represents those items not falling into any other heading
h) Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
i) Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account. Cash balances exclude any funds held on behalf of service users.
12
The Vavengers Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 4 April 2025
1 Accounting policies (continued)
j) Creditors and provisions
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
k) Tangible fixed assets
Items of equipment are capitalised where the purchase price is £250 or more. Depreciation costs are allocated to activities on the basis of the use of the related assets in those activities. Assets are reviewed for impairment if circumstances indicate their carrying value may exceed their net realisable value and value in use.
Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life. The depreciation rates in use are as follows:
- Office & Computer Equipment
3 years
2 Donation in kind
Total unrestricted income and expenditure include donated services received during the year valued at £490,347 of which £3,409 was for rent-waiver for the safe space and £486,938 was for legal pro-bono work re: legal advise on policy and campaigning.
13
The Vavengers
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 4 April 2025
3 Staff cost, Trustee remuneration and expenses
Staff costs were as follows:
| Salaries and wages Social security costs Employer’s contribution to defined contribution pension schemes |
2025 £ 87,052 1,768 1,584 |
2024 £ 112,149 4,739 2,162 |
|---|---|---|
| 90,404 | 119,050 |
No employee earned more than £60,000 during the year (2024: nil).
The total employee benefits including pension contributions of the key management personnel consisting of Chief Executive Officer and Finance Director were £52,125 (2024: £52,520).
4 Staff numbers
The average number of employees (head count based on number of staff employed) during the year was as follows:
| Charitable activities | 2025 No. 5.0 |
2024 No. 6.0 |
|---|---|---|
| 5.0 | 6.0 |
5 Related party transactions
No trustees at the time of their trusteeship were paid or received any other benefits from employment with the charity during the year (2024: nil). No other charity trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity (2024: £nil).
No trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contractor transaction entered into by the charity during the year (2024: nil).
No donations was received from trustees during the year (2024: nil).
6 Taxation
The charitable company is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.
14
The Vavengers
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 4 April 2025
7 Tangible fixed assets
| 7 Tangible fixed assets |
||
|---|---|---|
| 8 Other debtors Prepayments Debtors At the start of the year Charge for the year At the end of the year Net book value At the start of the year Cost or valuation At the start of the year Additions in year At the end of the year At the end of the year Depreciation |
£ 24,556 1,577 Computer & Office Equipment |
Total £ 24,556 1,577 |
| 26,133 | 26,133 | |
| 11,536 8,711 |
11,536 8,711 |
|
| 20,247 | 20,247 | |
| 5,886 | 5,886 | |
| 13,020 | 13,020 | |
| 2025 £ 6,817 8,893 |
2024 £ 6,817 4,429 |
|
| 15,710 | 11,246 |
9 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
| Other creditors Accruals Taxation and social security |
2025 £ - (114) 1,440 |
2024 £ 2,795 248 3,194 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,326 | 6,237 |
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The Vavengers
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 4 April 2025
10 Analysis of net assets between funds
| Analysis of net assets between funds | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two magpies Fund The Clothworkers Foundation Total restricted funds General funds Total funds Total unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds: Prism the grant fund Restricted funds: SafeLives Net assets at the end of the year Movements in funds Net current assets Tangible fixed assets Analysis of net assets between funds Tangible fixed assets Net current assets Net assets at the end of the year |
5-Apr-24 £ - 13,754 14,868 5,279 |
Unrestricted £ 5,886 24,549 |
Designated Restricted £ £ - - - 1,054 - 1,054 Designated Restricted £ £ - - - 33,901 - 33,901 Outgoing resources & losses Transfers £ £ (2,946) - - (13,754) - (14,868) - (5,279) (2,946) (33,901) (664,534) 33,901 (664,534) 33,901 (667,480) - 2025 2024 |
Total funds £ 5,886 25,603 |
|
| 30,435 | - | 1,054 | 31,489 | ||
| Unrestricted £ 13,020 18,216 |
Total funds £ 13,020 52,117 |
||||
| 31,236 | - | 33,901 | 65,137 | ||
| Incoming resources & gains £ 4,000 - - - |
Outgoing resources & losses £ (2,946) - - - |
Transfers £ - (13,754) (14,868) (5,279) |
4-Apr-25 £ 1,054 - - - |
||
| 33,901 | 4,000 | (2,946) | (33,901) | 1,054 | |
| 31,236 | 629,832 | (664,534) | 33,901 | 30,435 | |
| 31,236 | 629,832 | (664,534) | 33,901 | 30,435 | |
| 65,137 | 633,832 | (667,480) | - | 31,489 |
11 Movements in funds
16
The Vavengers
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 4 April 2025
11 Movements in funds (continued)
| Movements in funds (continued) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total restricted funds General funds Total unrestricted funds Total funds Anonymous donor The Clothworkers Foundation London Community Foundation Unrestricted funds: Barclays ML Heintz Check Home office Anonymous grant Restricted funds: Prism the grant fund Two magpies Fund Happy Baby Community Orchid Project |
5-Apr-23 £ 5 3 34 153 18,579 14,868 250 - 104 5,279 - |
Incoming resources & gains £ - - - - 10,000 - - - - - 30,000 |
Outgoing resources & losses £ - - - - (14,825) - - - - - (31,718) |
Transfers £ (5) (3) (34) (153) - - (250) - (104) - 1,718 |
4-Apr-24 £ - - - - 13,754 14,868 - - - 5,279 - |
| 39,275 | 40,000 | (46,543) | 1,169 | 33,901 | |
| 20,209 | 321,838 | (309,642) | (1,169) | 31,236 | |
| 20,209 | 321,838 | (309,642) | (1,169) | 31,236 | |
| 59,484 | 361,838 | (356,185) | - | 65,137 |
Transfers between funds
Transfers from restricted grants to general funds represents underspend on these projects moved to general funds. Also, transfer from London Community Foundation to general funds represents overspend which is funded by general funds.
Purposes of restricted funds
SafeLives Fund - Funds provided for urgent purchases for the clients of The Vavengers and to spend small amounts on their community members as agreed by SafeLives.
Prism the grant fund - Funds provided to enable The Vavengers to continue its front line programme support hubs by funding various project related costs including staff salaries.
Two magpies Fund - Funds provided to enable The Vavengers to continue running its front line programme support hubs by funding any expenditure item related to support hub costs including staff salaries.
The Clothworkers Foundation - Funds provided to enable for The Vavengers to purchase tech spec to use for Charity's day to day operations.
17
The Vavengers Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 4 April 2025
12 Legal status of the charity
The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organizations (CIO) registered with the Charity Commissioners on 1 July 2019, charity registration number 1184202. It's members are it's trustees. Currently there are 6 members.
18