## The Saffires Project
Report and Accounts Year ended 31 March 2025
1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk
## **THE SAFFIRES PROJECT**
## **LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE c/o Central Baptist Church Charles Street Leicester LE1 1LA GOVERNING DOCUMENT CIO Foundation registered February 2021 as amended April 2021 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1193407 TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR Susan Bamber MANAGING THE CHARITY Deborah Bryan (appointed September 2024) Andrew Elton Claire Greaves Rebecca Panting
BANKERS CAF Bank Ltd INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Jaimée Young Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
## **INDEX**
Page 1 Legal & Administrative Details Pages 2-4 Trustees' Report Page 5 Independent Examiner's Report Page 6 Receipts and Payments Account Page 7 Statement of Assets & Liabilities Pages 8-9 Notes to the Accounts
Page 1
## **THE SAFFIRES PROJECT**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
## **Objects of the charity**
The charity is governed by a constitution and is constituted as a charitable incorporated organisation. The charity's principal objects, as set out in its governing document, are:
- To advance the Christian faith in accordance with the Statement of Faith;
- To relieve the charitable physical, emotional and spiritual needs of people who are involved in the sex industry in particular, but not exclusively, by:
(a) providing outreach and support services directed to such needs; and
(b) raising awareness and educating the general public about the condition and needs of sex industry workers;
- To relieve and prevent poverty among people who are involved in the sex industry in particular, but not exclusively, by operating a hardship fund to provide financial assistance to such persons who are in or at risk or poverty
In each case in the city of Leicester and in such other parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the charity trustees may from time to time think fit.
We, as trustees, recognise that it is our legal obligation to ensure that the charity’s activities are in line with our objectives and activities and we are satisfied that this is the case for the period in question. We also confirm that we have had regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit.
## **Governance**
The management of the charity is the responsibility of the trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Constitution. New trustees are advised of their obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Constitution as well as the structure and decision making process of the charity. Trustees who are also members generally meet quarterly but will also meet more frequently if the need arises. Meetings are minuted.
The trustees determine the day to day operations of the charity or appoint appropriate officers to whom this responsibility is delegated.
## **Achievements and Performance**
## _Outreach_
Street and Parlour Outreach activities continued during this period, and formed the bulk of our activity with beneficiaries. During this period 40 street outreach sessions took place, during which 36 women were engaged with 111 times. These interactions involved sharing information about dangerous customers, providing drinks and snacks, condoms, warm gloves, gifts at particular times of year, as well as a friendly face to talk to. Where appropriate, prayer was offered to women. Parlour outreach visits took place 77 times, visiting 5 parlours where we engaged with 38 women 178 times. During these visits, gifts were delivered, safety information shared, and relationships invested in as the teams spent time getting to know each woman. We also offered bespoke support to 8 women across 83 sessions during this period. Support needs varied across individual women and the length of time support was offered was determined by each individual - some have accessed ongoing support on a regular basis, others for a short period or for specific needs.
A key encouragement during this period has been the increase in women reaching out to us independently for support. One woman in particular reached out to us as she was looking for faithbased support. With our support she was able to reconnect with church, exit selling sex, volunteer at a local business, and escape an abusive relationship.
Page 2
## _Safeguarding_
All staff and volunteers received contextualised safeguarding training in this financial year. This was delivered internally but in partnership with a similar charity based in Coventry and Birmingham, allowing for opportunities for networking and peer-learning amongst volunteers. The implementation of the safeguarding module on our database greatly improved our recording, management and reporting of safeguarding concerns and disclosures.
## _Recruitment_
Staff levels have remained largely unchanged during this period. Most notable variations include our Fundraiser starting maternity leave at the end of 2024, for which we have struggled to recruit suitable cover and have engaged the services of a consultant fundraiser in her absence. With the return of our Outreach Support Worker from maternity leave at the very end of the financial year, we were able to retain her cover in a new position as Admin Assistant thanks to a large donation specifically for the role, which will hopefully increase the capacity of the team. With the launch of our outreach van at the end of the financial year, we were able to recruit a number of additional volunteers to drive the van, as well as another outreach volunteer. We have struggled to recruit additional volunteers for our parlour outreach team so still remain at only one volunteer alongside the staff team.
## _Training & Awareness_
At the end of 2024 we produced a training session for other professionals to increase their understanding of the issues women who sell sex may be facing, as well as supporting them to facilitate and respond to disclosures that women may make. This was trialled at a partner agency staff training day and after receiving highly positive feedback we have been able to roll this out to other organisations, as well as continuing to share our awareness sessions with county-wide groups such as Women’s Institute meetings, church groups and other local interest groups.
## **Financial review**
During the year income increased by £83,800, to £129,600, and expenditure increased by £71,800, to £113,500. As a result the cash held by the charity increased by £16,000, to £45,900, of which £15,700 is unrestricted and can be used for any charitable purpose.
Finances are reviewed each month by two trustees and at each trustee meeting.
## **Reserves policy**
The reserves policy is to aim to hold unrestricted cash reserves equivalent to 3 months of core expenditure (approximately £13,000); comprised of the total of salaries/pensions/tax, utility costs, and rental costs. This is in addition to any fixed assets held and used for the charity’s aims and purposes. This level of reserves should ensure that at any time of the year the charity is not required to borrow funds on overdraft from its bankers. Any additional reserves are generated with a view to fund longerterm projects.
Financial updates, including the level of unrestricted cash reserves, are produced for the Trustees for each Trustee meeting, or monthly in times of high inflation, and at the end of the financial year.
At the year end, the charity held unrestricted cash of £15,700 and the charity is complying with its reserves policy.
Page 3
## **Responsibilities of trustees**
Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.
We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.
We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.
## **Approval**
This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
RPanting RPanting (Nov 28, 2025 14:04:27 GMT)
___________________________ Rebecca Panting
Nov 28, 2025 Date:_______________________
Page 4
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT**
## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF**
## **THE SAFFIRES PROJECT**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Saffires Project ('the charity') for the year ended 31 March 2025 on pages 6 to 9 following.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’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:
1. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
## J. Young
J. Young (Dec 4, 2025 11:43:47 GMT)
Jaimée Young Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
Date: Dec 4, 2025
Page 5
## **THE SAFFIRES PROJECT**
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
|Notes
**_Income receipts_**
Donations and grants
4
Gift aid receipts
Interest
Other
**_Total receipts_**
**_Payments_**
2
4
**_Total payments_**
Transfers between funds
4
**Net movement in funds**
Cash funds as at last year end
**Cash funds at this year end**
A
Net of receipts / (payments) before
Payments
in
relation
to
charitable
activities undertaken directly
Purchase of fixed assets [van]||General
Designated
Funds
Funds
£
£
24,518
-
-
-
465
-
97
-
25,080
-
29,868
-
29,868
-
-
-
-
-
29,868
-
(4,788)
-
-
-
(4,788)
-
20,517
-
15,729
-
Unrestricted Funds|Restricted
Funds
£
104,498
-
-
-
104,498
62,092
62,092
21,594
21,594
83,686
20,812
-
20,812
9,377
30,189|2025
£
129,016
-
465
97
129,579
91,961
91,961
21,594
21,594
113,555
16,024
-
16,024
29,894
45,918|2024
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||General
Funds
£
24,518
-
465
97
25,080
29,868
29,868
-
-
29,868
(4,788)
-
(4,788)
20,517
15,729||||
||||||45,383
-
271
93|
||||||45,746|
||||||41,744|
||||||41,744|
||||||-|
||||||-|
|||||||
||||||41,744|
||||||4,002
-|
||||||4,002
25,892|
||||||29,894|
The notes on pages 8 - 9 form part of these accounts.
Page 6
## **THE SAFFIRES PROJECT**
## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES**
## **AS AT THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
|Notes
**A**
**Cash funds**
Cash at bank with immediate access
Petty cash
**B**
**Other monetary assets**
Gift aid due to charity
Other debtors
**C**
**Liabilities**
**Falling due within one year**
Taxes due
Pension due
Fee for Independent Examination
**D**
**Assets retained for charity's own use**
Equipment
Motor vehicles (van) - purchased January 2025||General
Designated
funds
funds
£
£
15,719
-
10
-
15,729
-
2,840
-
6,909
-
9,750
-
-
-
259
-
1,080
-
1,339
-
Unrestricted Funds|Restricted
funds
£
30,189
-
30,189
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Purchase
cost
£
21,594
21,594|2025
£
45,908
10
45,918
2,840
6,909
9,750
-
259
1,080
1,339
Value
2025
£
9,171
9,171|2024
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||General
funds
£
15,719
10
15,729
2,840
6,909
9,750
-
259
1,080
1,339||||
||||||29,867
27|
||||||29,894|
||||||1,210
-|
||||||1,210|
||||||270
-
840|
||||||1,110|
|||||||
The purchase cost has been shown for the van.
The trustees have used insurance values for equipment - insurance values may differ materially from current values.
## **E Guarantees and secured debts**
The charity has not given any guarantees and has not provided its assets as security for any liabilities.
The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
RPanting RPanting (Nov 28, 2025 14:04:27 GMT) ___________________________________Rebecca Panting Date:_______________________ Nov 28, 2025
The notes on pages 8 - 9 form part of these accounts.
Page 7
## **THE SAFFIRES PROJECT**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
## **1 Accounting policies**
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.
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. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.
|**2**
**Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly**
Employment costs
Note 3
Vehicle expenses
Outreach, activity costs and training
Rent
Administration, support and equipment
Insurance
Independent examination||Unrestricte|Designated
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
d Funds|Restricted
Funds
£
32,209
27,919
1,964
-
-
-
-
62,092|2025
£
53,283
27,919
4,304
2,033
2,927
654
840
91,961|2024
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||General
funds
£
21,074
-
2,340
2,033
2,927
654
840
29,868|||||
|||||||34,346
-
2,515
2,071
2,307
505
-|
|||||||41,744|
## **3 Transactions with related parties**
Rebecca Panting served as a manager and was paid £20,544 [2024: £18,591] for serving in that capacity, not for serving as a trustee; these payments are permitted by the charity's governing document, and include employer pension contributions.
No payments were made to any other trustees or persons related to them, except for reimbursement of expenses paid out on behalf of the charity.
Page 8
## **THE SAFFIRES PROJECT**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
|**4**
**Movement of funds**
General funds
Restricted funds
Fundraiser
Street
Christmas
Outreach van
Admin assistant
Parlour
Parlour - Inspire bags
Wellbeing packs
Total funds|Opening
balance
£
20,517
-
7,308
-
-
-
40
191
1,837
9,377
29,894|Receipts
£
25,080
7,200
10,000
515
57,268
3,016
26,500
-
-
104,498
129,579|Payments
£
(29,868)
(5,565)
(10,207)
(361)
(49,513)
-
(17,004)
-
(1,036)
(83,686)
(113,555)|Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|Closing
balance
£
15,729
1,635
7,101
154
7,755
3,016
9,536
191
801|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||30,189|
||||||45,918|
Fundraiser - relates to a grant provided to support the costs of employing a fundraiser. Street relates to funds raised to support our street outreach programme Christmas - relates to donations for purchasing Christmas gifts to be distributed on outreach to clients accessing bespoke support services. Outreach van - funds were raised for a van which was purchased during the year, and the remaining funds will be spent on associated vehicle expenses. Admin assistant - relates to funds raised to employ an Admin assistant.
Parlour - Inspire bags are bags we took to each parlour 4 times a year. These included a range of creative activities and resources to give women opportunities to try something new, exercise creative skill and hopefully build connections with others as they worked together on a creative project. Activities included making Christmas cards, making their own grounding kit, stone painting, and some reading material/puzzle books.
Wellbeing packs are packs that contain a variety of items to improve women's wellbeing. Items include safety information, signposting leaflets, personal alarm, sexual health items for physical wellbeing, a notebook, pen, candle, sweet treat, fidget toy, wellbeing booklet, colouring activity and pencils for mental and emotional wellbeing. These are primarily being offered through online outreach but will be used across the project as appropriate.
Page 9