**Restoration Shack** (Registered charity, number 1186691) **Financial Statements for the year ended 5 April 2025**
|**Page**|**Contents**|
|---|---|
|2 - 6|Trustees’ annual report|
|7|Independent examiner’s report|
|8|Receipts & Payments Account|
|9|Statement of Assets & Liabilities|
|10|Notes to the Accounts|
## **Restoration Shack Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 5 April 2025**
**Full name** Restoration Shack
**Registered charity number** 1186691
## **Principal address**
15 Gordon Crescent Stoke-on-Trent ST1 6BU
## **Workshop Premises**
115 Fegg Hayes Road Fegg Hayes Stoke on Trent ST6 6QR
## **Trustees**
Anna Flint (Chair) Claire Bashford Kate Marshall John Dixon (Acting Chair)
Resigned 18/03/2025
**Operational Director** Linda Williams
## **Independent examiner**
Daryl Denson ACMA VAST The Dudson Centre Hope Street Hanley Stoke on Trent ST1 5DD
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## **Restoration Shack Trustees’ Annual Report (continued) for the year ended 5 April 2025**
## **Charity Objectives**
Restoration Shack exists to support vulnerable adults, including those:
- Living with mental health conditions
- With learning disabilities
- Ex-offenders and those at risk of offending
- Experiencing loneliness or social exclusion
We provide a creative, structured environment that promotes confidence, wellbeing and skills development, thorough hands-on activities, mentoring, education and holistic support.
## **OUR ETHOS: The Starfish Story**
We are inspired by the starfish story which tells of a little girl throwing starfish back into the ocean. A curious lady asks what she is doing, and the girl explains that the sun is coming up and the starfish will die if they’re not back in the ocean. The lady replied there’s miles of beach and thousands of starfish; you’ll never be able to save enough to make a difference. The girl picks up another starfish and replies, “I can make a difference to this one”.
Restoration Shack is working in one of the most deprived areas in the country, with an Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) ranking as the 13[th] most deprived local authority in England. The needs are indeed vast, but we believe in the power of small, consistent acts of restoration.
We understand that we cannot be available to the masses, we therefore intentionally focus on working with small groups, building deep, meaningful relationships that lead to long-term change.
## **Our aims and objectives work to:**
- Reduce Isolation: Providing a creative hub where individuals can thrive and develop a sense of belonging.
- Develop Skills: Developing personal, practical and employability skills through training and support, empowering and equipping participants on their journey of change.
- Improve Wellbeing: Making a positive impact on the mental wellbeing of participants, by creating meaningful activities that provide routine, purpose and structure, helping to develop confidence and self-esteem.
- Support Peer Mentoring: Providing opportunities for appropriate individuals with lived experience, to mentor other participants on a similar journey.
- Provide Opportunities: Creating volunteer, training and employment opportunities for participants and residents, to encourage social inclusion and intergenerational working.
- Signposting: Supporting individuals to address issues that cause stress and anxiety by providing support and signposting to appropriate services.
- Partnership Working: To further the objectives of the charity, we work with third sector, public and private organisations to bring about beneficial change in the lives of vulnerable individuals and communities.
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## **Restoration Shack Trustees’ Annual Report (continued) for the year ended 5 April 2025**
## **Structure, Governance and management**
The charity is governed by its CIO constitution document dated 30 March 2019 and registered with the Charity Commission on 2 December 2019.
Our Trustees have the overall responsibility for the charity and bringing creativity and vision to the development and progress of the charity’s aims and purpose.
The charity currently operates with four voting Trustees, bringing a variety of experience and expertise in human resource management, project management, social media, communications, education and finance.
New Trustees are recruited from those who have an interest in the work of the charity and have the skills and abilities to benefit the charity’s work. Trustees are inducted and briefed in all operational aspects of the charity when appointed and are encouraged to engage with the Charity Commission website in understanding and observing the duties, powers and responsibilities in accordance with Trustee guidance.
The **Operational Director/Founder** (OD) has the responsibility for the day to day running of the charity and is supported by the Trustees. The OD reports regularly to the Chair of the Trustees and provides detailed activity and financial updates during Trustee meetings. The charity is also supported by regular volunteers, most with lived experience and/or specialist expertise.
## **Risk Management**
The charity has clearly defined methods for identifying and reporting risk. The Trustees are given regular reports on any major risks to which the charity is exposed, and they have satisfied themselves that systems or procedures are established in order to manage those risks.
## **Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit**
## **Facilities:**
During the past year we recognise that not all participants can make or upcycle furniture, for a variety of reasons including dexterity and health conditions. Therefore, we have developed complementary activities that complement our existing work. This has meant that we have renovated and adapted two new rooms to accommodate these different activities:
- Project Room which utilises new equipment including our CNC machine, to develop and produce new items which can be made by participants with mixed abilities.
- Upholstery/Sewing Room where small items can be recovered, and soft furnishings created to complement our upcycled furniture.
## **Referrals:**
Although the majority of our referrals are made through statutory or third sector organisations, we are receiving increased numbers of self-referrals from local residents who feel lonely, isolated, or lacking confidence, particularly after the pandemic.
Throughout the year we have had 19 volunteers who have undertaken a variety of roles, including mentoring, administration, supervision, logistics and technical expertise. We have received 21 referrals, of which we supported 16 individuals. Our aim is to support between 16 – 25 individuals within a 12-month period (depending on levels of need).
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## **Restoration Shack Trustees’ Annual Report (continued) for the year ended 5 April 2025**
## **Community Workshops:**
During 2024/2025 we delivered several community workshops, including:
- 14 ‘Woodworking Workshops’ (totalling over 83 hours), during which we produced a selection of bespoke planters and outdoor seating.
- An ‘Introduction to Upholstery Training Day’, for 12 attendees.
- 3 ‘Basic Sewing Skills’ for 10 participants.
## **Partnerships:**
We continue to build relationships with local businesses, statutory and third sector organisations, including NHS Mental Health Teams, MPs and Local Counsellors, Walk Ministries, The Hub, Sylvester Community Trust, B.Arts, CAFAG, VAST, QS Railing, JTwo Ltd and Newfield Timber.
These sessions helped to engaged both our core participants and local residents in practical, confidence-building activities.
## **Public Benefit Statement**
The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commissions general guidance on public benefit, ‘Charities and Public
## **Achievements and Performance**
We have been nominated for the Kings Award to Voluntary Services and during January 2024 we went through an assessment process. Irrespective of the result, the process itself was informative and humbling, and we are proud to have been nominated.
Nevertheless, a positive consequence of this process has been that the trustees, staff, and volunteers took time to reflect on the past 4 turbulent years, the result of which affirmed our direction of travel.
That said, the process did identify a priority, which is to source the necessary funds to employ our OD on a full-time basis. Currently this role is voluntary for 3 days. The remaining 3 days of her time is taken up with working for another charity which provides the funds needed to cover living expenses. Being able to employ our OD will mean that we will be able to increase our capacity, engage with more participants, develop more products, and produce more items, the funds from which will be reinvested back into the charity for additional activities.
## **Acknowledgements**
The Trustees have gratefully received the following grants and donations during the period of this report:
- Stoke-on-Trent City Council - £250
- National Lottery Awards for All England - £10,000
- The Clothworkers’ Foundation - £9,900
- Certo MS Limited - £3000
- (K & H.S.) - £3,500
- Williams – £10,389
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## **Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Restoration Shack for the year ended 5 April 2025**
## **Additional Support** :
Sincere thanks go to the following supporters for donations of expertise and resources:
- Donations: Various financial donations totalling £10,388.57
- J Two Ltd: Donation of materials, time, and expertise
- RS Builders: Donations of wood
- MA Rapson: Donations of time and financial expertise
- Dunelm: Donations of a sewing machine and materials
We have received other donations from a local business where the donor wishes to remain anonymous, we acknowledge their ongoing contribution with sincere thanks.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:
Signed _____________________________________________ Date __________
John Dixon Chair
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## **Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Restoration Shack for the year ended 5 April 2025**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the period ended 5 April 2025 which are set out on pages 7 to 9.
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
As the charity’s trustees of Restoration Shack, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act).
I report in respect of my examination of Restoration Shack accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. Accounting records were not kept in respect of Restoration Shack as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts to not comply with the accounting 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.
27/01/2026 Signed _________________________ Date ______________________ Daryl Denson ACMA VAST
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## **Restoration Shack Receipts & Payments Account for the year ended 5 April 2025**
|**Receipts**
Donations and Legacies
Charitable Activities
Sales of Product Income
Grants
Gift Aid
Loan from Operational Director
**Total receipts**
**Payments**
Overhead running costs
Salaries plus expenses
Premises
Production costs
Interim Short-Term Donors Loan
Vehicle Expenses
Volunteer Expenses
**Total payments**
**Net receipts/(payments)**
Cash funds at start of this period
Transfers between funds
**Cash funds at end of this period**|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Total**
**Total**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
28,685
1,608
30,293
5,709
8,994
-
8,994
3,446
1,354
-
1,354
-
-
2,526
2,526
23,650
3,458
-
3,458
-
-
-
-
5,000
**42,491**
**4,134**
**46,625**
37,805
-
8,784
8,784
2,470
9,093
-
9,093
11,250
6,620
-
6,620
7,122
959
2,729
3,688
11,537
6,474
-
6,474
-
2,674
-
2,674
1,551
437
-
437
2,352
**26,257**
**11,513**
**37,770**
36,282
**16,234**
**(7,379)**
**8,855**
**1,523**
6,633
8,564
15,197
13,674
-
-
-
-
**22,867**
**1,185**
**24,052**
15,197|
|---|---|
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## **Restoration Shack Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 5 April 2025**
|**Cash assets**
Bank Current Account
Cash
Petty Cash
**Liabilites due**
Loan
Accountancy Fees|**2025**
**£**
24,000
-
52
**24,052**
7,756
472
**8,228**|**2024**
**£**
14,890
(110)
417|
|---|---|---|
|||**15,197**|
|||7,756
450|
|||**8,206**|
These financial statements are accepted on behalf of the charity by:
Signed ___________________________________ Dated ___________ John Dixon Chair
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## **Restoration Shack Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 5 April 2025**
## **1. Receipts & payments accounts**
Receipts and payments accounts are statements that summarise the movement of cash into and out of the charity during the financial year. In this context “cash” includes cash equivalents, for example, bank accounts where cash can be readily withdrawn to pay for debts as they become due. For the purposes of understanding a statement of assets and liabilities at the year-end has been included.
## **2. Trustees’ remuneration**
Trustees received no expenses, remuneration or benefits in this year.
##
There is an amount due to Linda Williams of £7,756 at the year-end for items purchased for the charity **.**
## **4. Gratitude and Acknowledgements**
The Trustees and staff are deeply gratefully for the following grants and donations during the period of this report:
|•|S & H Kennedy|- £5,000|
|---|---|---|
|•|Garfield Weston Foundation|- £5,000|
|•|Certo MS Limited|- £2,500|
|•|Jerusalem Trust|- £2,000|
|•|Bagold Limited|- £20,000|
|•|L.A. Williams|- £2,473|
## **Additional Support and In-Kind Gifts:**
Sincere thanks also go to the following supporters for their expertise and resources:
|•|JTwo Ltd:|Donation of materials, time, and expertise|
|---|---|---|
|•|QS Railings:|Donations of wood and transport|
|•|MA Rapson:|Donations of time and financial expertise|
|•|Newfield Timber:|Donations of wood|
We have received other donations from a local business where the donor wishes to remain anonymous, we acknowledge their ongoing contribution with sincere thanks.
## **5. Looking Ahead**
Restoration Shack is more than a workshop; it is a community of transformation. With continued support, we aim to:
- Increase weekday programming to 5 per/week
- Offer 24-week placements to more individuals
- Expand our peer mentoring network
- Create employment roles for those with lived experience
We remain committed to restoring lives and communities, one starfish at a time.
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