CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1184764
Taking Positive Steps Foundation
Financial Statements For The Year Ended 29 February 2024
Raywin P-Cole & Co Ltd
Chartered Certified Accountants ACCA Registered Firm 131 Tivoli Road, West Norwood London SE27 0EE
Taking Positive Steps Foundation
Financial Statements For The Year Ended 29 February 2024
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and administrative details | 1 |
| Trustees report | 2 - 3 |
| Chartered Accountants' report | 4 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 5 |
| Balance Sheet | 6 |
| Notes to the accounts | 7 - 8 |
Taking Positive Steps Foundation Reference and adminstrative details For the year ended 29 February 2024
Status The charity is constituted as an unincorporated body Governing document The charity is established under a model constitution Charity registration 1184764 Principal address Suite A, 82 James Carter Road Mildenhall, Bury St. Edmunds Suffolk IP28 7DE Trustees Dr Claudine Duberry Judie Regis Jayson Meade Nadine French Bankers Starling Bank 5th Floor, Fruit & Wool Exchange, Duval Square London E1 6PW Metro Bank 136A High Road London N22 6EB Independent examiner Raywin P-Cole & Co Ltd Chartered Certified Accountants ACCA Registered Firm 131 Tivoli Road West Norwood London SE27 0EE
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Taking Positive Steps Foundation
Trustees report for the year ended 29 February 2024
The Trustees present their report with the accounts for the year ended 29 February 2024 which are set out on the annexed pages.
Objectives and Activities
Structure and Management
Taking Positive Steps Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees who are responsible for setting the strategic direction and ensuring compliance with our charitable objectives. All previous trustees remain in their roles, and no new trustees were recruited during 2024.
Recognising the importance of youth representation, we have engaged in several conversations with young people in our community. These discussions have aimed to explore the potential for either recruiting young individuals to the Board or establishing a formal consultation process. This will ensure that our services remain relevant and responsive to the needs of the young people we aim to serve. Day-to-day operations and decisions are managed by our team. with regular meetings and evaluations helping to maintain accountability and alignment with our objectives.
Objectives and Activities
The Foundation’s primary objectives are to support vulnerable families, young people, and children by addressing issues such as youth exclusion (mainly education), gang crime and exploitation, and family court involvement. Our work is focused on delivering meaningful public benefit by empowering individuals and fostering resilience in the communities we serve.
Activities in 2024
Due to the knock-on effect of COVID 19, in 2024, the charity concentrated on strategic development rather than direct project delivery. Key activities included:
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Research and Community Engagement: Conducted research to validate the benefits of our services and ensure they address current community needs.
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Youth Consultation: Held discussions with young people to better understand their priorities and explore ways to include their voices in our decision-making process.
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Marketing Strategy Development: Refined our promotional strategies to strengthen relationships with stakeholders, including schools, local authorities, and legal professionals.
Achievements and Performance
While no new projects were delivered in 2024, the year marked significant progress in preparing for future impact:
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Validated the effectiveness of our services through focused research and community feedback.
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Laid the groundwork for a youth-inclusive approach, ensuring that young people’s voices inform our services and strategy.
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Strengthened our marketing and media presence to increase awareness and visibility among key stakeholders.
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Strengthened partnership with legal and educational processionals, and children and families services.
Public and Community Benefit
The Trustees confirm that all activities undertaken during 2024 align with the charity’s objectives and demonstrate a commitment to delivering public benefit. By prioritising research and youth consultation, we have ensured that our future services will be even more impactful and aligned with the needs of our community.
Taking Positive Steps Foundation operates with a clear commitment to delivering public benefit by addressing critical challenges faced by families, children, and young people in our community. All our activities are designed to create meaningful, lasting change in the lives of those we serve.
Trustees
The Trustees who served during the year and at the date of this report are:
Dr Claudine Duberry Judie Regis Jayson Meade Nadine French
4 February 2025
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Taking Positive Steps Foundation
Trustees report for the year ended 29 February 2024
Objectives and Activities Continued
Public Benefits 1. Improved Family Outcomes: Through our family support services, we provide guidance and advocacy for vulnerable families navigating complex systems such as children’s services and family courts. By empowering families with knowledge and resources, we help reduce stress, improve relationships, and promote better outcomes for children. 2. Prevention of Exclusion and Disengagement: Our focus on addressing youth disengagement and school exclusion aims to keep young people connected to education and opportunities. By doing so, we help reduce the long-term societal costs associated with exclusion, such as unemployment, mental health challenges, and involvement with the justice system. 3. Enhanced Community Cohesion: By fostering partnerships with schools, local authorities, and legal professionals, we create a network of support that strengthens the community as a whole. Collaborative efforts enable a more comprehensive response to the challenges faced by vulnerable individuals, benefiting the broader public. Community Benefits 1. Youth Empowerment and Inclusion: In 2024, we prioritised conversations with young people in our community, recognising their unique insights and lived experiences. By involving them in the development of our services and exploring opportunities for them to join the Board, we are empowering the next generation to shape solutions that address their own needs and those of their peers. 2. Tailored Support for Local Needs: Our research and community engagement efforts in 2024 ensured that our services remain relevant and responsive to the specific challenges faced by families in our area. This local focus ensures that our work delivers the maximum benefit to those who need it most. 3. Raising Awareness of Key Issues: Our media and marketing strategies in 2024 aimed to raise awareness of critical issues such as safeguarding, exclusion, and family welfare. By educating the public and engaging stakeholders, we are creating a culture of understanding and proactive support within our community. 4. Strengthened Stakeholder Relationships: Our partnerships with local authorities, schools, and legal professionals ensure a coordinated approach to supporting families and children. These relationships allow us to pool resources and expertise, maximising the impact of our collective efforts. Commitment to Equality and Inclusion Taking Positive Steps Foundation is committed to ensuring that all members of the community, regardless of their background or circumstances, have access to the support they need. Our work actively promotes inclusivity, equality, and social justice, fostering a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. By focusing on these areas, we not only fulfill our charitable objectives but also contribute to the creation of a more resilient, compassionate, and equitable society.
Future Plans for 2025
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Implementing youth engagement initiatives, including possible trustee recruitment or a formal consultation group.
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• Launching new projects to address youth exclusion, family support, and safeguarding concerns.
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Deepening partnerships with schools, local authorities, and family courts to enhance service delivery.
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Expanding organizational capacity to better support families and young people in need.
The Trustees extend their heartfelt gratitude to the team, supporters, and community members who have contributed to our work in 2024. We are excited to translate this year’s planning and development into tangible outcomes in 2025.
Financial policies are in place to ensure the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The board of trustees receive regular financial reports to enable them to monitor the charity's income and expenditure thus keeping them up to date with the Trust's financial position.
Dame Claudine Duberry Chair of Trustees
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Taking Positive Steps Foundation
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees and Members
We report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 29 February 2024 which are set out on the annexed pages.
Respective Responsibilities of the Trustees and Examiner
The Trustees of the Charity are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; and consider that the audit requirement of section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 does not apply and that an independent examination is needed. It is our responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
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to follow the procedures specified in general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act, and
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to state whether particular matters have come to our attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner's Report
Our examination was carried out in accordance with general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes 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 the Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently we do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent Examiner's Statement
In connection with our examination, no matter has come to our attention:
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1) Which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act;
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and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met;
or
- 2) To which, in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Raywin P-Cole & Co Ltd
Chartered Certified Accountants ACCA Registered Firm 131 Tivoli Road, West Norwood London SE27 0EE
4 February 2025
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Taking Positive Steps Foundation Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 29 February 2024
| Incoming Resources Grants Resources Expended Charitable activities Beneficiaries Welfare Mentoring & Consultant Cost Rent & Rates Office Administration Costs Website & Social Media Training Cost Travel & Subsistence Governance costs Accountancy Bank Charges Total Resources Expended Net incoming/(outgoing) resources Transfers between funds Net movement in funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Notes | Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds 2024 £ £ £ 4,700 - 4,700 70 70 2,000 2,000 - - - 62 62 - - - - - - - 2,132 - 2,132 300 300 71 - 71 371 - 371 2,503 - 2,503 2,197 - 2,197 - - - 2,197 - 2,197 (30,572) - (30,572) (28,375) - (28,375) |
2023 £ 12,300 1,866 9,876 990 2,616 100 1,149 632 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 1 |
|||
| 17,229 | |||
| - 92 |
|||
| 92 | |||
| 17,321 | |||
| (5,021) - |
|||
| (5,021) (25,551) |
|||
| (30,572) |
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Taking Positive Steps Foundation Balance Sheet as at 29 February 2024
| Notes Current assets Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 2 Net current liabilities Net liabilities Funds of the charity Unrestricted funds Total funds |
2024 £ - (28,375) (28,375) (28,375) (28,375) (28,375) |
2023 £ 58 (30,630) (30,572) (30,572) (30,572) (30,572) |
2023 £ 58 (30,630) (30,572) (30,572) (30,572) (30,572) |
|---|---|---|---|
| (30,572) | |||
| (30,572) | |||
| (30,572) |
These financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 4 February 2025 & signed on their behalf by:
Dame Claudine Duberry Chair of Trustees
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Taking Positive Steps Foundation Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 29 February 2024
1 Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The Financial Statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities and Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities".
Incoming resources
Unrestricted Income comprises donations and is recognised on receipt basis. Restricted Income relates to donations raised for specific purposes and is recognised on receipt basis. However, the donors have agreed that that once the primary purpose has been satisfied, any surplus funds remaining will be used for the running of the Charity's ordinary activities.
Depreciation
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over it's estimated useful lives based on reducing balance method.
Equipments 20%
Resources Expended
Charitable Activities
These comprise all expenditure directly relating to the objects of the Charity. Support costs are an integral part of the expenses incurred in carrying out those charitable activities, which the Charity was established to perform.
Governance Costs
Governance costs comprise the costs of running the charity, including strategic planning for its future development, also includes accountancy & legal fees and all costs relating to consnstitutional and statutory compliance.
Rent & Rates
Rent & rates is currently on a pay & use basis as & when there is a need. An operating lease agreement which will be subject to annual renewal, will be considered once the charity returns to normal activities.
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Taking Positive Steps Foundation Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 29 February 2024
| 2 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Bank loans and overdrafts Accountancy Other creditors |
2024 £ 45 300 28,030 28,375 |
2023 £ - - 30,630 |
|---|---|---|
| 30,630 |
3 Analysis of net assets between funds
| Current assets Creditors: amounts falling due after one year At 29 February 2024 |
Unrestricted Funds £ - - (28,375) (28,375) |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - |
Total £ - - (28,375) |
|---|---|---|---|
| (28,375) |
4 Personnel costs
Personnel cost represent payments to Advisors, Interns Freelancers, Admin & Consultants under contract for services provided to the charity. Other than that, no remuneration was paid to any of the trustees and their expenses also not borne by the Trust.
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