Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From Period start date: 25/06/2024 – 24/06/2025 Charity name: THE SPARKLE FOUNDATION UK Charity registration number: 1192213
The Sparkle Foundation UK – TAR 24-25
Structure, Governance, and Management
Our Lived-Experience Model
Our approach is deeply rooted in lived experience. Every one of our trustees and volunteers has direct personal experience of the issues we address. We operate a peer-led model where the majority of service delivery is run by previous service users. We have actively upskilled former service users, many of whom have progressed to become committed volunteers and trained facilitators. Currently, one-third of our trustees and group facilitators are themselves former service users. We are all volunteers.
Governance & Compliance
We maintain strong working relationships with GPs, schools, colleges, local authorities, social prescribers, social services, community groups, and partner charities. We operate fully in accordance with Charity Commission guidance and regularly seek professional advice to ensure we deliver the best possible service while remaining compliant.
Partnership with Grant Makers
We work in close partnership with our grant makers, who regularly visit us and engage directly with our groups. Together, we collaborate to evidence our work and clearly demonstrate the impact made possible through their support.
The Sparkle Foundation 1192213 25/06/2024 – 24/06/2025
Objectives and Activities
The Sparkle Foundation UK provides vital, compassionate support to individuals and families facing poverty, crisis, mental health challenges, and trauma, providing clear and measurable public benefit.
Public Benefit Statement
The Trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance. This year has been exceptionally demanding; the persistent cost-ofliving crisis and rising financial pressures have driven a significant increase in demand. Many people are experiencing working poverty, while others have been pushed deeper into hardship. We have worked creatively and tirelessly to ensure timely, dignified help is available when it is needed most.
Achievements and Performance
We continue to buddy with other charities to complement each other’s services and fill critical gaps in immediate care.
Mental Health & Wellbeing Support
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Steve’s Legacy: Continued to expand this therapist-led men’s mental health and wellbeing programme with additional groups and pop-up sessions across the UK. Service users have shared that they “would not be here today” without this support.
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Women’s Support: Opened additional women’s groups this year, providing safe spaces for group therapy, peer support, and tailored wellbeing activities.
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Crisis & Trauma: Extended specialist support to families bereaved by suicide and those living with long-term trauma, including therapy and financial assistance.
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Lemon-Aid (Wales): Successfully launched this wellbeing, crisis, and signposting service led by trustee Dave Colley, establishing itself as a highly valued community resource.
The Sparkle Foundation 1192213 25/06/2024 – 24/06/2025
Community Outreach & Practical Aid
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Signposting Service: Now reaches into remote and rural communities, helping people connect with appropriate help when local services are limited or unavailable.
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Practical Assistance: Increased support including help with prescriptions, food vouchers, shopping, and food parcels.
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Lunch Clubs: Continued our community lunch clubs as important safe spaces for connection and further support.
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Corporate Partnerships: Sustained local sports clubs by providing commercial kitchens, building materials, clothing, travel assistance, and event support.
Awards & Recognition
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Winner: Community Group Award (BBC Make a Difference Awards)
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Winner: Most Supportive Poverty & Crisis Foundation of 2025
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Runner-up: Radio Cornwall Unsung Hero
The Trustees are proud to share that The Sparkle Foundation UK has been nominated for The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS), the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK. This nomination serves as a testament to the exceptional commitment of our volunteer team and the positive difference they continue to make in our local community. While we await the official announcement in November, we are deeply honoured that the impact of our work has been recognised at this national level.
Financial Review
Overview
In many cases, we remain the only accessible and timely support available, particularly for those in acute crisis or facing long waiting lists. For the financial year ending 24 June 2024, our total income was £84,792 and total expenditure was £87,229. For the financial year ended 24[th] June 2025 our total income was £131,428 and total expenditure was £108,754.
Reserves Policy
The trustees have reviewed the level of unrestricted reserves appropriate to meet our charitable objectives in the event of a temporary shortfall in income.
The Sparkle Foundation 1192213 25/06/2024 – 24/06/2025
Looking Ahead
It remains a very tough time for charities, but we recognise that it is even tougher for our service users. We will therefore continue to support them wherever we can, with grit, a great sense of humour, and the outstanding commitment of our supporters, volunteers, and trustees. We remain as strong as ever and are truly grateful to you all.
Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees' report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:
Signature: Name: Leigh Yates BEM, BCa
Position: Chair of Trustees
Date:
The Sparkle Foundation 1192213 25/06/2024 – 24/06/2025
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (incorporating income and expenditure account) For the period 25 June 2024 to 24 June 2025
| Notes Incoming resources Incoming resources from generated funds Donations 2 Restricted Grants 2 Unrestricted Grants 2 Fundraising Income 2 Total incoming resources Resources expended Cost of generating funds 3 Crisis Fund Spending 3 Governance costs 4 Total resources expended Net (outgoing)/incoming resources for the year/net (expenditure)/income for the year Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Restricted funds £ - 104,972 - - 104,972 - 55,873 8,248 64,120 40,852 5,252 46,104 |
Unrestricted funds £ 5,352 - 21,103 1 26,456 10,742 15,160 18,731 44,634 - 18,178 - 4,294 - 22,472 |
Total 2025 £ 5,352 104,972 21,103 1 131,428 10,742 71,033 26,979 108,754 22,674 958 23,632 |
Total 2024 £ 16,456 47,006 21,330 - 84,792 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7,822 57,868 21,539 |
||||
| 87,229 | ||||
| - 2,437 3,395 |
||||
| 958 |
The Sparkle Foundation 1192213 25/06/2024 – 24/06/2025
BALANCE SHEET
For the period 25 June 2024 to 24 June 2025
| Notes Fixed assets 9 Current assets Cash at bank Cash in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 8 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Accruals and deferred income 8 Net assets Funds 11 Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Total funds |
£ 6,271 - |
2025 £ £ 18,900 1,266 - 1,266 518 24,724 - 1,090 23,635 46,104 - 22,472 23,632 |
2024 £ 1,783 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6,271 - 477 |
|||
| - 825 | |||
| 958 | |||
| 5,252 - 4,294 |
|||
| 958 |
The Sparkle Foundation 1192213 25/06/2024 – 24/06/2025
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 24[th] June 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
1.1. BASIS OF PREPARATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value, and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008). The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP), 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities' published in March 2005 and applicable accounting standards
1.2. FUND ACCOUNTING
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes. Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
1.3. INCOMING RESOURCES
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of financial activities when the charity has entitlement to the funds, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Donated services or facilities, which comprise donated services, are included in income at a valuation which is an estimate of the financial cost borne by the donor where such a cost is quantifiable and measurable. No income is recognised where there is no financial cost borne by a third party.
Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Other income is recognised in the period in which it is receivable and to the extent the goods have been provided or on completion of the service.
1.4. RESOURCES EXPENDED
Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been included under expense categories that aggregate all costs for allocation to activities. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular activities they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of the resources.
Fund-raising costs are those incurred in seeking voluntary contributions and do not include the costs of disseminating information in support of the charitable activities. Support costs are those costs incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity and include project management carried out at Headquarters. Governance costs are those incurred in connection with administration of the charity and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.
1.5. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS AND DEPRECIATION
All assets costing more than £100 are capitalised
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following bases:
| Long-term leasehold property | - | Over life of lease |
|---|---|---|
| Session equipment | - | 10% per annum |
| Plant & Machinery | - | 10% per annum |
| Computer Equipment | - | 33% per annum |
The Sparkle Foundation 1192213 25/06/2024 – 24/06/2025
2 DONATIONS
| Restricted funds £ General donations 0 Interest Income 0 Restricted Grants 104972 Unrestricted Grants 0 104972 3 COSTS OF GENERATING VOLUNTARY INCOME Restricted funds £ Fundraising & promotions 0 Direct Charity Spending 55873 55873 4 INVESTMENT INCOME Restricted funds £ Interest Income 0 0 5 GOVERNANCE COSTS Restricted funds £ Accountancy and bookkeeping 0 General Administrative Costs 8248 8248 |
Unrestricted funds £ 5,352 1 0 21,103 26,456 Unrestricted funds £ 10,742 15,160 25,903 Unrestricted funds £ 1 1 Unrestricted funds £ 1,690 17,041 18,731 |
Total 2025 £ 5,352 1 104,972 21,103 131,428 Total 2025 £ 10,742 71,033 81,775 Total 2025 £ 1 1 Total 2025 £ 1,690 25,289 26,979 |
Total 2024 £ 16,456 0 47,006 21,330 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 84,792 | |||
| Total 2024 £ 7,822 57,868 |
|||
| 65,690 | |||
| Total 2024 £ 0 |
|||
| 0 | |||
| Total 2024 £ 1,691 19,847 |
|||
| 21,538 |
6 NET INCOME
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received expenses During the year, no Trustees received any benefits in kind.
The Sparkle Foundation 1192213 25/06/2024 – 24/06/2025
7 STAFF COSTS
The charity has no employees other than the Trustees, who did not receive any remuneration.
No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in the year.
8 CREDITORS
| Trade creditors PAYE/NI/Pensions/wages Accruals and deferred income |
2025 2024 £ £ 518 - 638 - 71120 1,090825 |
|---|---|
| 1,537307 |
| Cost At 25th June 2024 Additions Disposals As at 24th June 2025 Depreciation At 25th June 2024 Charge for the year As at 24th June 2025 Net book value At 25th June 2024 As at 24th June 2025 |
Plant & Machinery £ 90 - - 90 90 - 90 - - |
Motor Vehicles £ - 21,000 - 21,000 - 2,100 2,100 - 18,900 |
Computer Equipment £ - - - - - - - - - |
Total 2025 £ 90 21,000 - |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21,090 | ||||
| 90 2,100 |
||||
| 2,190 | ||||
| - | ||||
| 18,900 |
The Sparkle Foundation 1192213 25/06/2024 – 24/06/2025
10 STATEMENT OF FUNDS
| General fund Restricted funds Total of funds |
Brought Forward £ - 4,294 5,252 958 |
Incoming resources £ 26,456 104,972 131,428 |
Resources Expended £ 44,634 64,120 108,754 |
Carried Forward £ - 22,472 46,104 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23,632 |
11 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
| BETWEEN FUNDS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current assets Current liabilities |
Restricted funds £ 46,104 - - |
Unrestricted funds £ - 20,810 - 1,662 - 22,472 |
Total 2025 £ 25,293 - 1,662 23,632 |
Total 2024 £ 1,266 - 307 |
| 959 |
The Sparkle Foundation 1192213 2510612024- 2410612025 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiners report on the accounts Report to the ttusteesl members of e Sparkle Foundation UK On accounts for the yea ende 4" June 2025 Charity n rfan 1192213 Set out on page I ieport to the tTuslee5 on my exatrination of the accoun15 of the above charity {Yhe Trusfi for tha year ended 2410612025 Responsibilities and basis As ihe charity's trustees, you are responSie for the preparation of the of report accounts in accoidance wth the requiiemenls of the Chaiities Act 2011 fthe I report in respect of my examination of the Trusl's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrySng oul my examination. I havè followed all the aprdicable DirectKJns qiven by the Charity commison under seclion 145{5llb) of th8 Acl. Independent examiners statèmèntl have completed my examinalion. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attenllon in connedion rith thè examSnation (other than that disdosed below") which qives me cause to believe that in. any material respèci.. the accounting iecoids were not kept in accordance with se(*on 130 of the Charities Act,. or the accou[ did not accoid wilh the accounling iecord5". or the accounls did not compty with ihe appliCae requirements concerning the form and conlenl of accounts sel oul in the Charities (Accounis and Reports) Requlations 2008 other Ihan any requirement that thè accounts give a '"IiuÈ and fair. view which is not a matter consideied a5 part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have comè across no other matters in connection wtth the exatninalion to which attention should be diawn in this ieport in order to ènaNe a propèr undèrstanding of the accounts lo be reach6d_ . Please delète the words in the brackets If theydo not apply. Date 4104r26 Signed Name Ral h Gabbali55 Relevant piofessiona qualifKation{sl or tx)dy I" any) NIA IER Oct 2018
The Sparkle Foundation 1192213 2510612024- 2410612025 Addiess Street Hartle ool S26 8DT Only cornplele il the examinei needs lo highlight tnalerial matters ol concein (see CC32. Independent exarThnalion of charity accounts.. directions and ouidance for examiners). Glve here brFel detalls of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. At the Balance Sheet date Restricted Funds were usèd to supplèment unrestricted exPen¢tre to the amount of £22.472 due to the Charity buySng items at lavourable pris. This was corrected the followng month by unre511icted donalions. IER (kt 2018