Registered Charity Number: 1192175
The Together Project CIO
Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 October 2025
The Together Project CIO
Contents
| Contents | |
|---|---|
| Page | |
| Charity information | 3 |
| Trustees’ report | 4 |
| Independent examiner’s report | 9 |
| Statement of financial activity | 10 |
| Balance sheet | 11 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 12 |
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The Together Project CIO
Charity information
Registered charity name The Together Project CIO Trustees Kelly Keating – Chair Elin De Zoete – Vice-chair Jon Clyne – Treasurer Nisha Goyal Alicia Luther-Jones Ashley Alleyne Frances Brownhill (resigned 15th January 2026) CEO Alexa Sutheran Charitable objects The objects of the CIO are to promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing people from becoming socially excluded and relieving the needs of those people who are socially excluded in the UK through the provision of community-based social, recreational and cultural activities. ‘Socially excluded’ means being excluded from society, or parts of society, as a result of one or more of the following factors: youth or old age; ill health (physical or mental); disability. Registered charity number 1192175 Principal address Taylor House 22C Sutherland Road London E17 6SS Independent examiners Muras Baker Jones Regent House Bath Avenue Wolverhampton WV1 4EG
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The Together Project CIO
Report of the Trustees for the year ending 31 October 2025
The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 October 2025. 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 (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019) as detailed in the accounting policies.
The Together Project was originally set up as a Community Interest Company (“CIC”) on 9 October 2017. On 5 November 2020, it converted to being a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (“CIO”). The process of conversion means that the entity has a continuous existence, so it does not affect the accounts.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The Together Project is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation governed by a Board of Trustees in accordance with The Together Project constitution (dated 12 September 2020).
Organisational structure
The Together Project Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) is responsible to Trustees for the day-to-day management of the organisation. The CEO monitors financial performance and delivery of objectives in pursuit of the strategy agreed by The Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees approves the annual budget and delegates operational responsibility for the charity’s activities to CEO. The Board of Trustees offer a wide range of expertise and experience essential to the good governance of the charity. The Board of Trustees monitor the charity’s governance by way of quarterly board meetings and regular one-to-one conversations held with the CEO.
The Board of Trustees met 4 times during the year ending 31 October 2025, with two of these meetings being fully virtual and two meetings being a hybrid of in-person and virtual.
Apart from the first charity Trustees, every Trustee must be appointed by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity Trustees. In selecting individuals for appointment as charity Trustees, the Trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the charity. The Trustees will make available to each new Trustee, on or before his or her appointment, a copy of the current version of the constitution and a copy of the charity’s latest Trustees’ Annual Report and statement of accounts.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The objects of the charity are to promote social inclusion for those experiencing, or at risk of, social exclusion relating to age, disability or health (mental or physical).
The Together Project tackles this through intergenerational programmes that reduce isolation, improve wellbeing and foster community cohesion.
This year saw us build on the success of the previous year, with increases in beneficiary numbers, programme delivery and income.
We ran two core programmes during this period, collaborated on a brand new project with the support of Haringey Council, launched our first staff engagement programme through our work with a new corporate partner and saw our brand on billboards across the country.
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The Together Project CIO
Report of the Trustees for the year ending 31 October 2025
Our Programmes
Our Songs & Smiles programme grew significantly, expanding into new geographical areas. By the end of the financial year we had grown from 47 weekly sessions, taking place in older people’s care and retirement settings, to 60 sessions per week. This growth was supported by a sizable donation from HARIBO, which supported 6 homes launching in West Yorkshire, along with the continuation of the City Bridge Foundation Partnership.
The multi-age music and social groups brought together 0-4 year olds, their parents/guardians and older adults to sing, move, play and make friends, helping to reduce social isolation and improve quality of life.
Our annual evaluation work found that 97% of residents that attended said that the sessions brightened their week, with 78% of parents/guardians and 75% of older adults feeling less lonely as a result of participating, and 86% of parents/guardians saying the programme developed better community connections for them.
Example feedback included:
”[Songs & Smiles] reminded me of having my own children and also being a child myself. It made me feel happy." - Care home resident
“Songs and Smiles lets residents engage with people that are younger and it brings back memories, letting the residents socialise who don't have many visitors. It means more to the residents than we know.” - Care Home Staff
“Songs and Smiles is one of our favourite parts of the week. My little boy loves the music and movement and it's such a joy to see how much happiness he brings to the residents at the care home. It's the only class we started when he was tiny that we still go to, which is testament to how much we enjoy it!” - Parent
Crafting Connections supported 277 participants to build friendships across generations. The project pairs children with older adults living in care homes across the UK to form long-term friendships via the post. Each of the pair receives an arts and crafts challenge to complete, based on a given topic, and some related questions to answer about themselves. When complete, these are swapped in the post with their partner (via The Together Project for safeguarding and monitoring). Each participant receives a Friendship Folder in month one in which to store their partner’s submissions, building up a record of their friendship as the months progress. In addition, children receive arts & crafts materials and ‘words of wisdom’ from older people in each monthly pack.
This year we expanded our evaluation to get the children's perspective which has fed into the design and delivery of the packs.
Example feedback included:
97% of children feel happy or very happy when they think about their older friend
“Alma gets so excited when she receives the artwork from Michael. She listens intently, with a big grin on her face, and proudly shows everyone the pictures and photos she receives.” - Care Home staff
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The Together Project CIO
Report of the Trustees for the year ending 31 October 2025
“My little girl gets very excited when she gets her letter through the post. We enjoy spending time away from the TV and completing the craft activities and reading all the letters from our friend.” - Parent
Community Projects & Collaborations
This year saw The Together Project partner with Haringey Council and Creative Engagement Services to deliver the Haringey Intergenerational Podcast (HIP), an intergenerational podcasting programme that brought together young people aged 14–18 from Bruce Grove Youth Space (BGYS) and older people aged 72–85 from the local Haringey community to connect through the creation of podcasts.
The sessions created a safe space for the different generations to mix, to be able to talk freely, raising questions and helping each other see things from different perspectives. All of the older people that took part stated that they felt the younger people were interested in what they had to say, they felt valued and respected and that their confidence with younger people has improved as a result of being a part of this project.
In Summer 2025, The Together Project partnered with Clear Channel’s Platform for Good initiative to share the joy of intergenerational connection on billboards across the UK. Our campaign focused on the theme of “That’s What It’s All About,” celebrating the simple but powerful moments of music, rhythm, smiles, and togetherness that bring people of all ages closer. The campaign gave us a valuable opportunity to raise awareness, spark curiosity, encourage conversations, and invite more families and care homes to discover our intergenerational work.
Public benefit
The main activities undertaken to further the charity's purposes for the public benefit are described above.
The trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on Public Benefit requirement under the Charities Act 2011 when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives and in pursuing charitable activities.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
This year saw the continued growth and expansion for The Together Project. Some of our highlights include:
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40% increase in the number of people of all ages engaging with our services, from 4,374 last year to 6,148 this year
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Winners of the Health Investor Senior Housing Awards - Best Health and Wellbeing Service of the Year award!
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Winners of 2 awards at the ‘Age Friendly Awards’ - The Creativity Award and Best Intergenerational Project for Babies and Toddlers
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Our first corporate partnership established with HARIBO, supporting our growth into new areas, and establishing a successful employee engagement programme
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The Together Project CIO
Report of the Trustees for the year ending 31 October 2025
In total our work reached 1,431 older adults and 5,011 parents/guardians and children. The vast majority of these beneficiaries engaged with our programmes on a regular, ongoing basis, meaning that deep, meaningful connections could be formed that ultimately have a more profound effect on wellbeing.
Plans for the future
The Together Project's vision is of a connected, inclusive society in which everyone has the chance to form joyful intergenerational friendships. Our five-year strategy sets out the charity’s ambitions for activities reaching ‘every age and life stage’ at a national level. This includes the growth of our current service offerings and the development of new ones, expansion into new geographical areas and reaching new beneficiary groups.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The financial results are as shown in the accounts. The charity generated income of £335,039 (2024: £258,205) during the year ending 31 October 2025, which was mainly generated from grant income and donations. Expenditure totalled £315,189 (2024: £235,815). This resulted in a net increase to funds of £19,850 (2024: net increase of £22,390) for the year.
At 31 October 2025, the charity had total funds of £130,044 (2024: £110,194). Of these funds, £46,407 (2024: £43,941) is restricted for expenditure on Songs & Smiles, £250 (2024: £13,248) is restricted for expenditure on Crafting Connections, £3,167 is restricted to core costs such as salaries (2024: £1,167) and nothing is restricted for expenditure on rent and office utility costs (2024: £1,000).
The remaining £80,220 (2024: £50,838) of funds are unrestricted. Based on the current level of funds held and a prudent projection for future cashflow, the charity is expected to have sufficient funds to be able to pursue its plans and cover core costs for the coming 12 months. There are also opportunities in the pipeline to be able to expand on what is currently being delivered.
Reserves
Reserves are the part of the charity’s unrestricted funds that are freely available to spend on any of the charity’s purposes. There will be occasions where grants and donations are restricted and can only be used for a particular charitable purpose. These amounts will be excluded when considering what the charity’s reserves levels are.
Our aim is to maintain our reserves at a level which is at least equivalent to three months’ running costs, including staffing and overheads, which equates to £65,147 (as of October 2025).
The Board regularly reviews the amount of reserves at its quarterly board meetings, to ensure that they are adequate to fulfil our continuing obligations. At 31 October 2025, the charity had £80,220 (2024: £50,838 of reserves). This covers the three months’ running cost target, and a significant portion of the running costs of the charity are currently covered by restricted funds. The Trustees therefore consider this level of reserves and expected future cashflow sufficient to allow the charity to perform its intended activities over the next 12 months and beyond.
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The Together Project CIO
Report of the Trustees for the year ending 31 October 2025
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees 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, the Charities Act 2011, Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed 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, including the income and expenditure, of the charity for that period. In preparing those 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 Charity SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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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 proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to 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.
APPROVAL
This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 4 June 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
Kelly Keating
Chair of Trustees
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The Together Project CIO
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of The Together Project CIO
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Together Project CIO (the charity) for the year ended 31 October 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity Trustees of the charity 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 Trust’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 Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
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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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust 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.
Signed:
Name:
Oliver Ross
Relevant professional qualification: FCA
Address:
Muras Baker Jones Limited
Regent House
Bath Avenue
Wolverhampton
WV1 4EG
Date:
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The Together Project CIO
Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) For the year ending 31 October 2025
| Note Incoming resources Donations 3 Grant income 4 Charitable trading activities 6 Bank interest Total incoming resources Resources expended Employment costs 13 Staff costs Crafting Connections Songs & Smiles We are friends Podcast costs Printing/postage IT costs Depreciation 9 Insurance Governance 7 Bad debt expense Advertising/comms Fundraising costs Travel Accountancy Rent and office costs Bank and stripe fees Other Total resources expended Net income Total funds b/f Total funds c/f 12 |
2025 2025 2025 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total funds £ £ £ 122,130 2,000 124,130 5,000 133,472 138,472 70,938 - 70,938 1,499 - 1,499 199,567 135,472 335,039 90,278 108,446 198,724 853 - 853 6,592 2,000 8,592 31,894 28,263 60,157 - - - 10,000 - 10,000 203 - 203 494 - 494 976 - 976 - 665 665 300 - 300 340 - 340 1,584 - 1,584 9,471 - 9,471 751 - 751 4,091 974 5,065 11,061 4,656 15,717 1,275 - 1,275 22 - 22 170,185 145,004 315,189 29,382 (9,532) 19,850 50,838 59,356 110,194 80,220 49,824 130,044 |
2024 2024 2024 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total funds £ £ £ 70,946 780 71,726 5,000 134,948 139,948 45,947 - 45,947 584 - 584 |
|---|---|---|
| 122,477 135,728 258,205 75,168 90,026 165,194 1,447 127 1,574 5,094 3,200 8,294 11,112 25,320 36,432 4 - 4 - - - 108 - 108 939 - 939 1,981 - 1,981 - 725 725 312 - 312 1,037 - 1,037 4,238 - 4,238 345 - 345 213 568 781 3,366 9,549 12,915 376 - 376 560 - 560 |
||
| 106,300 129,515 235,815 |
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| 16,177 6,213 22,390 34,661 53,143 87,804 |
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| 50,838 59,356 110,194 |
The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
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The Together Project CIO
Balance sheet As at 31 October 2025
| Notes Fixed assets Tangible fixed assets 9 Current Assets Debtors 10 Cash at bank and in hand Liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within a year 11 Net current assets Total Assets less liabilities Funds of the charity Unrestricted funds Restricted funds 12 Total charity funds |
2025 £ £ 934 934 31,628 109,862 141,490 (12,380) 129,110 130,044 80,220 49,824 130,044 |
2024 £ £ 913 913 21,967 97,185 119,152 (9,871) 109,281 110,194 50,838 59,356 110,194 |
2024 £ £ 913 913 21,967 97,185 119,152 (9,871) 109,281 110,194 50,838 59,356 110,194 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 913 109,281 |
|||
| 141,490 (12,380) |
119,152 (9,871) |
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| 110,194 | |||
| 50,838 59,356 110,194 |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 4[th] June 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:
Kelly Keating Jon Clyne Chair of Trustees Treasurer
The notes form part of these financial statements.
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The Together Project CIO
Notes to the Financial Statements Year ending 31 October 2025
1. BASIS OF PREPARATION
CIO information
The Together Project CIO was registered as a charitable incorporated organisation in England on 5 November 2020 and is governed by a constitution dated 12 September 2020 and registered with the Charity Commission under charity number 1192175. The charity’s principal office address is Taylor House, 22C Sutherland Road, London, E17 6SS.
Conversion from CIC to CIO
The Together Project was originally set up as a Community Interest Company (“CIC”) on 9 October 2017. On 5 November 2020, it converted to being a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (“CIO”). The process of conversion means that the entity has a continuous existence, so it does not affect the accounts.
1.1 Basis of accounting
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The accounts present a true and fair view and the accounting policies adopted are those outlined in Note 2.
1.2 Going concern
The Trustees have reviewed the financial position of the charity and are satisfied that it has sufficient resources to continue for at least 12 months beyond the date of approval of these accounts. There are sufficient funding streams in place and a variety of potential other sources of income in the pipeline to ensure that core costs can be covered and committed activity can be undertaken as planned. The accounts are therefore prepared on a going concern basis.
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The Together Project CIO
Notes to the Financial Statements Year ending 31 October 2025
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
For the purposes of FRS102, the Charity is a public benefit entity and accounting policies are adopted accordingly. The charity has only basic financial instruments and 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.
Recognition of income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Grants and donations are only included in the SoFA when the general income recognition criteria are met. In the case of performance related grants, income must only be recognised to the extent that the charity has provided the specified goods or services as entitlement to the grant only occurs when the performance related conditions are met.
Gift Aid receivable is included in income when there is a valid declaration from the donor. Any Gift Aid amount recovered on a donation is considered to be part of that gift and is treated as an addition to the same fund as the initial donation unless the donor or the terms of the appeal have specified otherwise.
Donations in kind are recognised at their open market value to the charity when received and an equivalent amount is included in the appropriate expenditure line; the only amounts included for donated services are those provided in a professional capacity.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category.
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The Together Project CIO
Notes to the Financial Statements Year ending 31 October 2025
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the Trustees. Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.
Financial instruments
The charity accounts for basic financial instruments on initial recognition as per paragraph 11.7 FRS102 SORP. Subsequent measurement is as per paragraphs 11.17 to 11.19, FRS102 SORP.
Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Cost includes the original price of the asset and the costs attributable to bringing the asset to its working condition. Items are capitalised where it is expected that they will be used for over a year, such as equipment to be used in Songs and Smiles sessions.
Items are only capitalised if they cost at least £25.
Depreciation is calculated to write down the cost less estimated residual value of all tangible fixed assets, other than freehold land, over their expected useful lives, using the straight-line method. The rates applicable are:
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Equipment (such as items used in Songs & Smiles sessions) 2 years
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● Computer hardware and software 3 years
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 held for working capital.
Debtors
Debtors (including trade debtors and loans receivable) are measured on initial recognition at settlement amount after any trade discounts or amount advanced by the charity. Subsequently, they are measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be received.
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The Together Project CIO
Notes to the Financial Statements Year ending 31 October 2025
Creditors
Creditors 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.
Provisions
A liability is measured on recognition at its historical cost and then subsequently measured at the best estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation at the reporting date.
Deferred income
Income received in advanced of services being delivered is recognised as deferred income. Grant income is deferred if any associated performance conditions have not been met at the balance sheet date.
3. INCOME FROM DONATIONS
Donations are recognised at the point of receipt. Tax recoverable under gift aid is recognised at the date of the corresponding income.
| Donations/gifts Gift aid Total |
Unrestricted Restricted Total 2025 £ £ £ 117,349 2,000 119,349 4,781 - 4,781 122,130 2,000 124,130 |
Unrestricted Restricted Total 2024 £ £ £ 65,370 780 66,150 5,576 - 5,576 |
|---|---|---|
| 70,946 780 71,726 |
A donation of £2,000 was received on 3rd September 2025 from John Lewis to support with the running of Songs & Smiles at George Mason Lodge Care Home for one year. There was £485 of expenditure in relation to this donation during the year end. The £780 donation received in the prior year which was restricted to Songs and Smiles was spent during the year end. This means total expenditure of restricted donations during the year was £1,265.
Seventeen volunteers donated their time to The Together Project during the year. Goods and services with a total value of £1,800 (2024: £500) were donated to the charity during the year. This has been shown as £1,800 (2024: £500) of donation income, with £1,800 (2024: £500) showing in expenditure (this figure was included in Accountancy in the Statement of Financial Activities).
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The Together Project CIO
Notes to the Financial Statements Year ending 31 October 2025
4. INCOME FROM GRANTS
The following restricted grants were received during the year:
| Awards for all McCarthy Stone Foundation Charles S French 2024 AdLib Foundation Sir Jules Thorn Trust City Bridge Trust The Childwick Trust 2022 London Borough of Waltham Forest Global Make Some Noise Chalk Cliff Trust Clarion Housing Woodroffe Benton Salters Charitable Foundation Focus Foundation Garfield Weston Foundation Inman Charity Schroder Charity Trust D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust The Childwick Trust 2025 Total |
At 31 October 2024 Received during the year Expenditure during the year At 31 October 2025 £ £ £ £ 11,248 - (11,248) - 1,000 - (1,000) - 2,000 - (2,000) - 2,917 - (2,917) - 1,167 - (1,167) - 7,097 41,250 (41,656) 6,691 333 - (333) - 11 273 (284) - 18,645 30,700 (27,429) 21,916 3,500 - (3,500) - 1,184 - (1,184) - 7,611 - (4,651) 2,960 1,863 5,000 (5,603) 1,260 - 6,749 (1,226) 5,523 - 30,000 (27,500) 2,500 - 3,000 (2,750) 250 - 4,000 (3,333) 667 - 3,500 (2,625) 875 - 9,000 (3,333) 5,667 |
|---|---|
| 58,576 133,472 (143,739) 48,309 |
Awards for all
A grant of £19,283 was received in 2024 to support salary costs for Crafting Connections across two calendar years. This has been fully spent by 31 October 2025.
McCarthy Stone Foundation
During 2023 a grant for £5,000 was received to cover the cost of one year’s rent for some new office space for The Together Project. At 31 October 2024 this was all spent. A further grant of £6,000 was then made during 2024 to cover another year of rent, plus some office costs, and at 31 October 2025 this was all spent.
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The Together Project CIO
Notes to the Financial Statements Year ending 31 October 2025
Charles S French 2024
Charles S French supported Crafting Connections for the second time during 2024, donating £4,800 to cover the cost of four care homes to participate in the programme for 12 months. This was fully spent by 31 October 2025.
AdLib Foundation
In a previous year a grant of £5,000 was awarded by this small family trust to support the growth of Songs & Smiles, primarily spent on staff salaries. This was fully spent by 31 October 2025.
Sir Jules Thorn Trust
In a previous year a donation of £2,000 was made under the trust’s Ann Rylands Small Donations programme to support The Together Project’s core running costs. This was fully spent by 31 October 2025.
City Bridge Trust
The next 4 instalments of a total grant of £125,000 (awarded in 2023 and covering a three-year period) were received during the year. The funds support the expansion of Songs & Smiles across London, specifically targeting care settings housing residents who experienced high levels of socioeconomic disadvantage. The funding primarily covers core team salaries, with some allowance for equipment, materials and facilitator fees.
The Childwick Trust 2022
A grant of £4,000 was received in a previous year to cover the continued delivery of Songs & Smiles in one London care home for two years. The funds were spent on facilitator fees, staff time and materials. This was fully spent by 31 October 2025.
London Borough of Waltham Forest
During a previous year we received a grant of £273 from the council’s Community Ward Funding pot to support the delivery of Songs & Smiles in a Waltham Forest care home. This was fully spent by 31 October 2025.
Global’s Make Some Noise
The Global media company awarded a two-year grant of £61,400, with the second 50% received during the year. The funds will be spent on running Songs & Smiles in eight care settings in the north-west of England.
Chalk Cliff Trust
A grant of £3,500 was awarded to support salary costs for the team delivering Songs & Smiles during a previous year. This was fully spent by 31 October 2025.
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The Together Project CIO
Notes to the Financial Statements Year ending 31 October 2025
Clarion Housing
During a previous year a grant of £4,680 was awarded to support the cost of running Songs & Smiles in three of their assisted living schemes. This was fully spent by 31 October 2025.
Woodroffe Benton
The first instalment of a two-year grant to support the delivery of Songs & Smiles in three east London care homes was received in the prior year, with the second instalment due in the next financial year.
Salters Charitable Foundation
The second instalment of a two-year grant to support the delivery of Songs & Smiles in three east London care homes was received. £1,260 of this grant remains unspent at 31 October 2025.
Focus Foundation
We received £6,749 to fully fund 2 Songs & Smiles sessions in the Greater Manchester area. £5,523 of this grant remains unspent at 31 October 2025.
Garfield Weston Foundation
We received £30,000 towards our core costs to support us to scale up our programmes and create more partnerships in order to significantly expand our reach and impact across the country. £2,500 of this grant remains unspent at 31 October 2025.
Inman Charity
We received £3,000 to support the running of Crafting Connections, this will cover the cost of 3 care homes participating for one year. £250 of this grant remains unspent at 31 October 2025.
Schroder Charity Trust
We received £4,000 to support with organisational core costs. £667 of this grant remains unspent at 31 October 2025.
D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
We received £3,500 to support the salary of a Team Assistant responsible for coordinating and delivering Songs & Smiles, our intergenerational music programme. £875 of this grant remains unspent at 31 October 2025.
The Childwick Trust 2025
We received £9,000 to allow for 6 low income care homes to participate in Songs and Smiles for a year. £5,667 of this grant remains unspent at 31 October 2025.
Unrestricted income:
Masonic Charitable Foundation
An unrestricted grant of £5,000 was received from the Masonic Charitable Foundation.
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The Together Project CIO
Notes to the Financial Statements Year ending 31 October 2025
5. INCOME FROM GOVERNMENT GRANTS
No Government grant income was received during the year.
6. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Income from charitable activities was comprised of the following:
| Songs & Smiles sessions in care homes Crafting Connections Care Home income London Borough of Haringey – Youth Engagement Programme Total |
2025 £ 55,431 1,360 14,147 70,938 |
2024 £ 44,417 1,530 - |
|---|---|---|
| 45,947 |
7. DETAILS OF CERTAIN ITEMS OF EXPENDITURE
The independent examiner’s fee was £300 (inclusive of VAT) for carrying out the independent examination (2024: £300). This was included in Governance costs.
Other governance costs, such as Trustee training and the costs of running Board meetings, were nil (2024: £12).
8. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
No Trustee, or any person connected with them, received remuneration from the charity.
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The Together Project CIO
Notes to the Financial Statements Year ending 31 October 2025
9. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| Equipment | Computer hardware | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| & software | |||
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Cost | |||
| At 1 November 2024 | 3,103 | 2,647 | 5,750 |
| Additions | - | 997 | 997 |
| Disposals | (191) | - | (191) |
| At 31 October 2025 | 2,912 | 3,644 | 6,556 |
| Accumulated depreciation | |||
| At 1 November 2024 | 2,554 | 2,283 | 4,837 |
| Charge for the year | 541 | 435 | 976 |
| Disposals | (191) | - | (191) |
| At 31 October 2025 | 2,904 | 2,718 | 5,622 |
| NBV at 31 October 2025 | 8 | 926 | 934 |
| NBV at 31 October 2024 | 549 | 364 | 913 |
10. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| Trade debtors Provision for doubtful debts Accrued income Total debtors |
2025 £ 4,733 (240) 27,135 31,628 |
2024 £ 10,505 - 11,462 |
|---|---|---|
| 21,967 |
All amounts recognised as trade debtors at 31 October 2025 have been received in cash by the date of signing these accounts, which the exception of £240 which continues to be chased up but has been provided against at 31 October 2025 in case it cannot be recovered.
The accrued income is partly comprised of £1,285 of gift aid claims submitted to HMRC for donations made on or before 31 October 2025, where the charity holds a valid gift aid declaration.
It is also comprised of grant amounts due where the conditions had been met for the payment to be received but there was a delay due to administrative reasons. This was £10,500 due under the City Bridge grant, which was paid on 25[th] November 2025, and £15,350 due under the Global Make Some Noise grant which was paid on 24[th] November 2025.
20
The Together Project CIO
Notes to the Financial Statements Year ending 31 October 2025
11. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| Trade creditors Other creditors Accruals Total creditors |
2025 £ 5,947 5,433 1,000 12,380 |
2024 £ 2,743 3,878 3,250 |
|---|---|---|
| 9,871 |
Other creditors are comprised of employee taxes due to HMRC at 31 October 2025 and amounts due to the charity’s pension provider.
Accruals represent services received by The Together Project on or before 31 October 2025 where an invoice had not been submitted by the supplier by 31 October 2025.
12. MOVEMENTS IN RESTRICTED FUNDS
During the financial year the charity held restricted funds for the charitable activities Songs & Smiles and Crafting Connections. Funding was received from the McCarthy & Stone Foundation in previous periods to help fund some office space for the charity. £34k was received from Garfield Weston Foundation and The Schroder Charity Trust to fund core costs such as salaries and office costs.
| Fund name Songs & Smiles Crafting Connections Funding for office space Core costs Total |
At 31 October 2024 Grant income Donations (inc Gift aid) Expenditure At 31 October 2025 £ £ £ £ £ 43,941 96,472 2,000 (96,006) 46,407 13,248 3,000 - (15,998) 250 1,000 - - (1,000) - 1,167 34,000 - (32,000) 3,167 |
|---|---|
| 59,356 133,472 2,000 (145,004) 49,824 |
Total restricted expenditure of £145,004 shown above is comprised of £143,739 of grant expenditure (see note 4) and £1,265 of donation expenditure (see note 3).
21
The Together Project CIO
Notes to the Financial Statements
Year ending 31 October 2025
13. EMPLOYEES
The average number of persons employed by the charity during the period was 7 (2024: 6). Staff costs recognised in the SoFA in the year were as follows:
| Salaries and wages Social security costs Pension costs (defined contribution scheme) Total |
2025 £ 184,752 9,795 4,177 198,724 |
2024 £ 152,735 8,942 3,517 |
|---|---|---|
| 165,194 |
No employee received total employee benefits totalling more than £60,000 during the year.
Alexa Sutheran took on the role of acting CEO from July 2025 and was officially appointed as CEO on 1st December 2025. The cost to the charity of salary and benefits paid in respect of the charity’s CEO salary for the year was £46,181 (2024: £41,913). This covers Louise Goulden's salary up until the end of June 2025 and then Alexa Sutheran's salary from 1st July 2025.
Pension costs incurred during the year of £4,177 (2024: £3,517) were allocated as £2,279 (2024: £1,917) in restricted funds and £1,898 (2024: £1,600) in unrestricted funds.
14. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions during the year.
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