Annual Report 2024/2025
BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES WITH SAFE PLACES, TRUSTED SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES TO THRIVE
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WELCOME
Welcome to our Annual Report and Financial Accounts 2024/2025
It again has been an incredible year during which The Space has developed, grown and adopted new ways of working and increased e�iciencies as a result of our successful Transition Plan.
We were able to meet future demands for our existing services and implemented our strategy of ‘building a community of support’ with a new physical presence in Cheddar Valley and our plans to develop a Wellbeing Centre in Cheddar.
We have expanded our support to parents, families and carers to create local support aimed at prevention and early intervention.
A Word from our Chair
The theme of Building Brighter Futures, Safe places, Trusted Support, and Opportunities to Thrive is close to our hearts.
Everything we do is centred around providing safe, supportive spaces where children and young people can thrive, be themselves, connect with others, and grow in confidence.
Whether through our weekly Youth Club or Out of School Activities, we o�er a welcoming environment for young people to relax, have fun and talk openly about life, knowing that trusted adults are there to listen and guide.
Our Play Therapy and Counselling services provide psychological support for improved mental health, and our nature therapy, holiday activities and family workshops encourage connection, wellbeing and community belonging.
Our work is about more than activities, it’s about helping children and young people thrive. It’s about giving them the space to explore who they are, develop resilience, and realise that they matter.
We’re proud to stand alongside other organisations championing young people’s mental health and wellbeing. Together, we’re helping to build brighter futures — one safe, supportive space at a time.
John Pimblott Chair of Trustees
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THE SPACE TEAM
Our Team
Our Trustees
John Pimblott - Chair
Sandra Legg
Lisa Clark, CEO
Katharine Thompson, Strategic Head of Operations and People
Laura Wilcox, Head of Clinical Services
Ian Biggs
Stephen Kite
Ruth Carter, Head of Marketing and Impact
Suzanne Smith
Victoria Boorman, Head of Youth and Community
Sara Appleton, Head of Fundraising
Sue Summers, Counsellor
Peripatetic Therapy
Team:
Lindsay O’Sullivan
Katie Purnell
Kirstin Lean
Jenny Haile
Will Humphreys
Laura Thompson
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WHO ARE WE
The Space delivers measurable, life-changing outcomes for children, young people, and families across Somerset through evidence-based therapeutic interventions, community engagement, and family support. We are building a resilient, inclusive community where young people can thrive.
pathways, and practical activities, ensuring that provision remains responsive and inclusive to evolving demands of children and young people, families and the community.
We are a front-end prevention partner, keeping children close to home, preventing unnecessary admissions and reducing health inequalities.
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Integrated therapeutic o�er across ages — play therapy for under-8s, counselling for 9–17s, and group work provide age-appropriate, trauma informed support for those with Adverse Childhood Experiences.
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Whole-family approach — parent/carer support, SEND navigation and parenting cafés support families alongside children and young people.
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Community-rooted delivery — youth club, youth café, holiday activities and a community garden create informal, accessible spaces that reduce stigma and build belonging. These approaches encourage young people to connect with each other, build confidence and trust.
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Flexible pathways from need to support via partners and digital referral/forms so young people and parents move smoothly into the right intervention.
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Strong local partnership network — a trusted local partner bridging schools, families, health services, local business and voluntary organisations to widen our reach, enabling early identification and joined-up care.
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— activity-based
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programmes (Go Active, pool parties, community allotment) engage young people who don’t need (or want) to access traditional talking therapy.
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Responsive, data-informed practice — the use of our CRM system, impact monitoring, regular feedback from stakeholders and local mapping (Connect Somerset/INSIGHT) keeps provision aligned to changing community needs.
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IMPACT
We deliver measurable, life-changing outcomes for children, young people, and families in Somerset through evidence-based therapeutic interventions, community engagement, and family support.
Our Impact is:
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Children & Young People
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Thriving emotionally, socially, academically and mentally, with reduced reliance on crisis services.
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Early intervention prevents escalation into CAMHS or statutory crisis pathways.
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Families
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Are stronger, more resilient family units and better equipped to manage mental health challenges with improved coping strategies.
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Stigma around mental health is reduced, fostering openness to seek early help.
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Community
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model of mental health provision.
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Schools reported fewer behavioural issues and exclusions and increased attendance.
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Increased social inclusion, reduced isolation, and stronger community cohesion.
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A replicable, evidence-based model that can be scaled to other rural areas.
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What we Learnt
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The Space’s ability to deliver early, trauma-informed interventions to reduce isolation, and embed sustainable, community-led support, enabling children and young people to thrive, works.
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way to meet increasing complexity and rising demand in children’s and young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
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Partnerships matter
Collaboration with local organisations proved essential for building trust, visibility, and deeper community engagement.
- Community spaces are powerful
The adoption of the Community Garden and Allotment showed the therapeutic and social value of safe, inclusive outdoor spaces for both young people and families.
- Feedback drives relevance
Structured feedback and co-designed activities ensured services stayed responsive and relevant to emerging needs, reinforcing the importance of continuous listening and adaptation.
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Achievements during the year
The Space made substantial progress in Empowering Minds, Strengthening Communities and Inspiring Change. We are Building Brighter Futures, Safe Places, Trusted Support and Opportunities To Thrive for children, young people, and families in Cheddar and the surrounding Somerset area.
impact. A central Hub was established, providing a professional, welcoming environment for Counselling and Play Therapy, while our expanded clinical services ensured timely, tailored support.
Outcomes were strong: 78% of counselling clients and 70% of play therapy participants showed measurable improvements in wellbeing. All young people who disclosed suicidal thoughts at the start of therapy no longer presented risk at the end.
Over the past year, the need to provide additional support for parents, carers, and families has become increasingly evident, leading to the development next year of a central Wellbeing Blend.
Community Garden, which o�ered therapeutic outdoor activities and environmental projects.
Organisationally, The Space strengthened its therapy team and organisation structure, introduced a bespoke CRM system to improve data management, and deepened partnerships with schools, health providers, and local organisations.
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PLANS FOR 2025/2026
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The Space will continue to drive long term change and legacy, providing early provision and intervention that works. With continued investment, The Space will sustain and scale this model, ensuring that no child or family faces mental health challenges alone.
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Create a partnership with Co�ee@TheHub to develop a Wellbeing Blend – a local vibrant support hub for parents, carers and the community.
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Youth Café for
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confirm the value of informal, welcoming spaces by developing a 15–19 year-olds and show the importance of safe, structured out-of-school activities.
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Support parents and carers in the Wellbeing Blend and demonstrate how vital parent/carer support is to improv communication, strengthened family relationships, and helped identify emerging needs earlier.
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The Space (CIO)
Annual report of the trustees
The trustees present their report together with the unaudited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Administrative details
The Space is a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) number 1188929.
The administrative office and operational address is:
The Estate Office Lower North Street Cheddar Somerset BS27 3HA
Trustees
John Pimblott - Chair Sandra Legg Ian Biggs Stephen Kite Suzanne Smith
Reporting accountants
Brooking Ruse Chartered Accountants 2 Stafford Place Weston-super-Mare Somerset BS23 2QZ.
Bankers
National Westminster Bank Plc
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The Space (CIO)
Annual report of the trustees …continued
Purposes and aims
Our charity’s purposes are set out in the charity’s constitution dated 6[th] April 2020.
We aim to:
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preserve and protect the mental health of children and young people, in particular, but not exclusively aged between 4-18 living in the Cheddar Valley, Somerset through:
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a) The provision of one-to-one counselling, support, advice and information;
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b) Recreational and leisure time activities
Structure, governance and management
The Space uses a risk management process to assess our exposure to a variety of risks and to implement mitigation. The risks to which the charity is exposed are reviewed regularly by the Board of Trustees. The defined risks include health and safety, personal safety, reputation, financial, service delivery and governance. The impact of each risk is assessed together with the likelihood of its occurrence. The product of these two factors is used to identify significant risks, to prioritise and assess adequacy of mitigation actions.
We are constantly working to safeguard all of the children and young people who we support. Given the nature of the services we provide and the vulnerability of the children and young people who need support, we ensure that all our staff and volunteers are trained and supported to ensure safety and to raise concerns appropriately and confidently. In practice we have robust safeguarding processes which are regularly reviewed.
These include:
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coordinating the needs of the child or young person with the capability of our staff
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systematic, thorough recruitment and screening procedures
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training programme for staff and volunteers
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extensive recruitment and vetting process including DBS checks
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continued, regular supervision of staff and volunteers supervised by an experienced Head of Operations and People
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professional development of all members of the team
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internal audits conducted by the Designated Safeguarding Lead These requirements are implemented as part of our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy which is reviewed on an annual basis.
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part of the risk management process is a review of our insurance policy to ensure risks are adequately covered.
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The Space (CIO)
Annual report of the trustees …continued
Public benefit
The Trustees have referred to The Space Constitution and the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit at Trustee meetings, when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning current and future activities.
We fund services which complement services already provided by statutory bodies, including Somerset Unitary Authority and Somerset NHS and do not fund services and support which are within their statutory duty.
The Trustees are satisfied that our activities to preserve and protect the mental health of children and young people living in the Cheddar Valley Area meet our charitable purposes for the public benefit.
Our activities include therapy services for ages 4-17 years, a youth club, holiday activities, a community wellbeing garden and allotment, peer to peer collaboration, and social media awareness for our beneficiaries and general public.
Direct beneficiaries are the local children and young people. Indirect beneficiaries are their direct and indirect family members and the local community.
Reserves
The Trustees of The Space CIO unanimously confirm that they adopt a Reserves Policy to provide reserves provision to cover three months unexpected operating costs at the 202 6 forecast level of expenditure. Most operating costs are the cost of staff contracts with the reserve provision providing cover for potential contract termination costs. 10
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The Space (CIO)
Annual report of the trustees …continued
Statement of trustees’ responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England & 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 income and expenditure of the charity for that year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements, and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient 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 on 3 December 2025 and signed on its behalf by
………………………………..
Trustee
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The Space (CIO)
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of The Space (CIO)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Space (CIO) for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 5 to 8.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity 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 Trustee’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 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:
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(1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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(2) the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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(3) 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.
Robert Orr, Brooking Ruse, Chartered Accountants, 2 Stafford Place, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, BS23 2QZ.
3 December 2025
SM.CB.11055
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The Space (CIO)
Statement of financial activities for the year ended 31 March 2025
| Notes Restricted Unrestricted Total Funds Funds 2025 £ Incoming resources Grant Funding 130,000 34,320 164,320 Community Fundraising - 19,932 19,932 Charitable Activities - 4,253 4,253 Contributions to service - 605 605 Bank Interest - 4,290 4,290 __ _ _ 130,000 63,400 193,400 __ _ _ Resources expended Charitable Activities and Projects 4 188,084 64,138 252,222 Governance Costs 5 - 8,117 8,117 __ _ _ 188,084 72,255 260,339 __ _ _ Net incoming/(outgoing) resources 6 ( 58,084 ) ( 8,855 ) ( 68,939 ) __ _ ___ |
2024 £ 165,504 19,504 1,322 - 4,037 __ 190,367 _ 145,867 6,314 ___ 152,181 __ 38,186 ____ |
|---|---|
The notes on pages 15 to 17 form an integral part of these financial statements.
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The Space (CIO)
Statement of financial position as at 31 March 2025
| Notes | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Current assets | |||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 114,791 | 169,969 | |
| Debtors | 541 | 554 | |
| ______ | ______ | ||
| 115,332 | 170,523 | ||
| Current liabilities | 6 | ( 47,028 ) | ( 35,280 ) |
| ______ | ______ | ||
| Net assets | 68,304 ______ |
135,243 ______ |
|
| The funds of the charity | 7 | 68,304 ______ |
135,243 ______ |
The financial statements were approved by the board on 3 December 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Trustee
The notes on pages 15 to 17 form an integral part of these financial statements.
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The Space (CIO)
Notes to the unaudited financial statements
for the year ended 31 March 2025
1. Accounting Policies
(a) Basis of preparation of financial statements
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 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
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(b) Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis The charity reported a deficit for the year of £66,939 which resulted in a valuation of funds held within the charity of £68,304 at 31 March 2025. The Trustees are confident of receiving the continued support from its members and on this basis, the Trustees have prepared the accounts on a going concern basis.
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(c) Funds structure
Unrestricted income funds comprise those funds which the trustees are free to use for any purpose in furtherance of the charitable objects. Unrestricted funds include designated funds where the trustees, at their discretion, have set aside resources for a specific purpose.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by the donor.
(d) Incoming resources
All incoming resources are recognised once the charity has entitlement to the resources, it is certain that the resources will be received and the monetary value of incoming resources can be measured with sufficient reliability. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:
Grants, where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the charity, are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant.
Incoming resources from grants, where there are performance or service deliverables required by the terms of the grant, are accounted for as the charity earns the right to payment through its performance.
Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified.
Investment income is included when receivable.
(e) Resources expended
Liabilities are recognised as resources expended as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to the expenditure. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category.
(f) Irrecoverable VAT
Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the category of resources expended for which it was incurred.
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The Space (CIO)
Notes to the unaudited financial statements
for the year ended 31 March 2025 …continued
2. Trustees remuneration
No members of the management committee received any remuneration during the year, nor were any expenses reimbursed to trustees.
3. Taxation
As a charity, The Space is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within sections 466 to 493 Corporation Tax Act 2010 (CTA 2010) or section 256 Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 (TCGA 1992) to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the charity.
| 4. Restricted Unrestricted Charitable activities and projects Funds Funds Staffing costs–including social security and training 185,904 29,695 Project costs 2,180 7,829 Community Hub - 14,371 Communications, computer and software - 6,865 General expenses - including travel and DBS - 5,378 _ _ 188,084 64,138 _ _ 5. Restricted Unrestricted Governance Costs Funds Funds Payroll and Human Resources - 5,596 Independent examination - 1,200 Insurance - 1,085 Bank charges - 236 _ _ - 8,117 _ _ 6. £ 2025 Current liabilities Accruals 2,328 Deferred grant income 44,700 _ 47,028 _ |
Total 215,599 10,009 14,371 6,865 5,378 _ 252,222 _ Total 5,596 1,200 1,085 236 _ 8,117 _ £ 2024 960 34,320 _ 35,280 _ |
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The Space (CIO)
Notes to the unaudited financial statements
for the year ended 31 March 2025 …continued
| 7. | Restricted | Unrestricted | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds of the Charity | Funds | Funds | ||
| At 1stApril 2024 | 91,725 | 43,518 | 135,243 | |
| Surplus/(deficit) for the year | ( 58,084) | ( 8,855 ) |
( 66,939 ) | |
| __ | __ | __ | ||
| As at 31 March 2025 | 33,641 | 34,663 | 68,304 | |
| __ | __ | __ |
- Related Party Transactions
The building from which the charity operates is owned by a member of senior charity personnel. The lease was entered into on an arm’s length basis and no favourable terms are in place.
During the year, the charity paid rent and associated costs totalling £14,371 to the landlord.
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The Space (CIO)
The following pages do not form part of the statutory financial statements of the charity
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The Space (CIO)
Statement of financial activities by project for the year ended 31 March 2025
| Notes | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The | Connect | Total | ||||||||
| Space | Somerset | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| £ | £ | |||||||||
| Incoming resources | ||||||||||
| Grant Funding | 130,000 | 34,320 | 164,320 | 165,504 | ||||||
| Community Fundraising | 19,932 | - | 19,932 | 19,504 | ||||||
| Charitable Activities | 4,253 | - | 4,253 | 1,322 | ||||||
| Contributions to service | 605 | - | 605 | - | ||||||
| Bank Interest | 4,290 | - | 4,290 | 4,037 | ||||||
| ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ | |||||||
| 159,080 | 34,320 | 193,400 | 190,367 | |||||||
| ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ | |||||||
| Resources expended | ||||||||||
| Charitable Activities and Projects | 221,927 | 30,295 | 252,222 | ( | 145,867 | ) | ||||
| Governance Costs | 8,031 | 86 | 8,117 | ( | 6,314 | ) | ||||
| ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ | |||||||
| 229,958 | 30,381 | 260,339 | ( | 153,181 | ) | |||||
| Contribution towards The Hub | 3,939 | ( | 3,939 ) | - | - | |||||
| ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ | |||||||
| Net incoming/(outgoing) resources | ( | 66,939 ) | - | ( | 66,939 ) | - | ||||
| ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ |
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The Space (CIO)
Detailed expenditure accounts by project
for the year ended 31 March 2025
| The Charitable activities and projects Space Staffing costs–including social security and training 186,494 Project costs 10,009 Community Hub 14,371 Communications, computer and software 6,865 General expenses–including travel and DBS 4,188 _ 221,927 _ The Governance Costs Space Payroll and Human Resources 5,596 Independent examination 1,200 Insurance 1,085 Bank charges 150 _ 8,031 _ The Funds of the Charity Space At 1stApril 2024 135,243 Surplus/(deficit) for the year ( 66,939) _ As at 31 March 2025 68,304 _ |
Connect Total Somerset 29,105 215,599 - 10,009 - 14,371 - 6,865 1,190 5,378 _ _ 30,295 252,222 _ _ Connect Total Somerset - 5,596 - 1,200 - 1,085 86 236 _ _ 86 8,117 _ _ Connect Total Somerset - 135,243 - ( 66,939 ) _ _ - 68,304 _ _ |
|---|---|
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DOCUMENT COMPLETED BY ALL PARTIES ON 08 DEC 2025 11:11:04 UTC
REF. NUMBER IKX7V-DXNPQ-ABP2V-RG6J6
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