**Charity Registration No. 1195424**
## **ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM**
**ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
**ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
## **Trustees**
L Snow T J Harris H Blackburn C J Emerton Mr J P Gosnell
(Resigned 27 May 2025) (Appointed 18 February 2025) (Appointed 5 June 2024) (Appointed 6 September 2023)
**Charity number (England and Wales)** 1195424
**Independent examiner** Bronze Oak Accountancy Ltd 12 Bonner Walk Grays Essex RM16 6PW **Bankers** Lloyds Bank PLC 120 Lewisham High Street London SE13 6JG
## **ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM**
## **CONTENTS**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Trustees' report|1 - 9|
|Independent examiner's report|10|
|Statement of financial activities|11|
|Balance sheet|12|
|Statement of cash flows|13|
|Notes to the financial statements|14 - 29|
## **ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**_ **TRUSTEES' REPORT**
The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "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)".
## **Objectives and activities**
To support women experiencing sexual violence, domestic abuse, multiple disadvantages and complex needs, involvement with the criminal justice system, and who have children in the care system.
To provide abstinence-based recovery support through education, training, and volunteer opportunities.
To support men and women seeking recovery support, and family members of people with addiction, by providing Christmas presents and food.
## **Activities Include**
## **Recovery Day Program**
Three days a week of structure, peer support, and life skills for adults in early recovery and beyond.
## **Carrie’s Outreach**
Specialist outreach supporting women affected by street-based prostitution. We provide harm reduction, safety advice, food, clothing, and build trusting relationships to support access to housing, health services, and pathways away from exploitation. The work is trauma-informed and women-led .
## **Road to Recovery Men & Women’s only services.**
- A new service launched to widen access for people excluded from traditional treatment options.
- Peer-led support and wellbeing work.
- Co-delivered by staff and volunteers with lived experience.
- Creating gender specific spaces for both men & women seeking recovery
## **Family Support**
Family support at Christmas is for families affected by addiction. We cover the basics, Christmas dinner hamper, weekly food shop, electricity / gas top-ups and small presents for the children.
## **Charity Shop**
Provides affordable goods, training and volunteering opportunities, and sustainable income for the charity. The shop has become a community within a community supporting volunteers who are no recourse to public funds & those with special educational needs.
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## **ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**_
## **Street Prostitution Conference**
Aspirations hosted and contributed to a local conference bringing together frontline services, outreach workers, and individuals with lived experience. The event focused on the realities of street-based prostitution, barriers to support, and trauma-informed, relationship-based outreach. It strengthened partnership working across Southend and raised awareness of the need for compassionate, coordinated responses.
## **New Developments**
- Launch of the ‘Road to Recovery’ service.
- Day program relocated to a new home to support growth and reduce waiting lists.
- Expansion of Carrie’s Outreach to reach more women in Southend.
- Increased collaboration with local partners.
- New kitchen for Carrie’s Outreach.
- Specialist training delivered to agencies, improving local knowledge and financial impact.
- • Charity shop
## **Achievements and Impact**
This year, Aspirations delivered life-changing support to vulnerable individuals, strengthening recovery journeys, improving wellbeing, and expanding the reach of our services.
## **Key Achievements**
Over the reporting period, we made significant progress in developing sustainable services and strengthening our impact:
- We opened our first charity shop, improving financial sustainability and community presence while creating meaningful volunteer opportunities.
- We celebrated our 100th program graduate, with 39 additional graduates this year, marking a major milestone.
- We relocated our day program to larger premises, increasing capacity.
- Carrie’s Outreach continued to build consistent, non-judgemental relationships, providing practical support and enabling access to housing, healthcare, and specialist services, resulting in no women accessing our services facing homelessness.
- Increased access to sexual health services, mental health support, bereavement support, drug and alcohol services, one-to-one support, hygiene products, food parcels, and clothing.
- We contributed to and helped deliver Southend-on-Sea’s second Street Prostitution Conference.
- Outreach provision expanded to include daytime delivery and an additional evening session, improving engagement and pathways into recovery.
## **Essential Support Delivered**
55 women who sell sex were provided with food parcels, toiletries, and condoms.
- 900 outreach bags and food parcels distributed.
- 10 women engaged with drug and alcohol treatment services.
- Two women exited street prostitution
- 30 women accessed weekly mental health support.
- 85 personal safety alarms and 15 mobile phones provided
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## **ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**_
## **Impact on the People We Support**
- Improved mental wellbeing, confidence, and emotional stability.
- Sustained recovery through structured support and peer connection.
- Reduced isolation and stronger community connections.
- Moving on from homelessness into independent living
- Of the 39 individuals who graduated:11 moved into independent living.
- 16 gained full-time employment.
- 12 are in full time employment
- 5 progressed into peer mentoring
- 9 are volunteering in the community
- 4 entered adult education .
- 2 parents regained custody of their children.
Women supported reported feeling seen, heard, and valued, with improved safety and engagement in longer-term support. Two women joined the day program .
## **User Voice**
“I didn’t trust anyone before… that’s what changed things for me.”
“This place gave me somewhere safe to be when everything else felt like chaos.”
“They met me where I was at… that’s why it worked.”
## **Volunteer Capacity and Coordination**
- The charity strengthened its workforce through a Volunteer Coordinator role.
- Volunteers contributed approximately 6,000 hours, valued at £80,000–£100,000.
- Volunteers with lived experience progressed into training, employment, and leadership roles.
## **Awards and Recognition**
In 2024, Aspirations received the Outstanding Partner Award at the NHS Quality and Excellence Awards. This reflects the strength of partnership working, trust in the organisation, and delivery of trauma-informed support.
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## **ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**_
## **Summary**
- During the reporting period, Carrie’s Outreach and the wider Aspirations Program evolved into a recognised, system-influencing model supporting women experiencing multiple disadvantages.
- Strengthening outcomes and recovery pathways.
- Recognition and replication of our model.
- Co-production with statutory services.
- Securing and developing funding.
- Expanding strategic partnerships.
- Leadership in lived-experience practice.
- • Enhancing community engagement.
## **Fundraising**
The Sobriety Football Cup delivered measurable social value and strengthened community engagement, reducing stigma and increasing awareness.
Fundraising streams included grants, community events, running events, donations, charity shop income, in-kind donations, and digital campaigns.
A key development was securing a commissioned role from the Southend City Council Drug and Alcohol Commissioning Team.
## **Financial Management**
A second bank account was opened for restricted funds to improve financial governance and transparency.
## **Financial Review**
||**2025**|**2024**|
|---|---|---|
|Total income:|£245,480|£225,879|
|Total expenditure:|(£219,945)|(£218,755)|
|Net position:|£25,535|£7,125|
Reserves policy: Trustees aim to hold 3 months of operating costs.
## **Governance and Infrastructure Strengthening**
The charity is governed by trustees overseeing strategy, compliance, and safeguarding.
A long-term HR partnership supports governance, staff management, and compliance.
Service users contribute lived experience to service development and decision-making.
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## **ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**_
## **Training and Development**
The charity invested in internal and external training, including bereavement, resilience, and palliative care.
Staff accessed compliance and health training, and internal systems training was delivered.
The founder continued delivering specialist training to partner organisations, contributing to wider learning.
Training strengthened staff confidence and safeguarding practice .
## **Risk Management**
Key risks are managed through:
- Financial controls.
- Safeguarding policies.
- Trauma-informed training.
- • Lone-working policies.
Trustees review risks regularly, prioritising accessibility and preventing individuals from falling through gaps.
## **Future Plans**
- Expand Carrie’s Outreach capacity.
- Maintain day program capacity.
- Develop volunteer pathways.
- Strengthen partnerships.
- Apply for National Lottery funding.
- Expand on leadership roles
## **Trustees’ Responsibilities**
Trustees are responsible for preparing the report and financial statements in line with the Charities Act 2011.
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## **ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**_
## **A Note from Our Founder**
The vision for Aspirations is driven by my own lived experience and a deep belief that every man and woman deserves safety, dignity, and the chance to rebuild his or her life. We created this charity as a unique specialist charity rooted in Southend, designed to respond directly to the needs of local men and women facing some of the most complex and marginalised circumstances. The service stands apart in its approach, understanding, and reach.
We are the only specialised women-only service supporting women caught up in street-based prostitution. We are also the only stand-alone peer lead abstinent based only space. While we understand abstinence is not one size fits all, we will signpost to other recovery models where appropriate.
We pride ourselves on working within gender-informed and trauma-informed frameworks. Where we say women-only spaces, we are women-only spaces. We launched the first all-women’s only wrap around support of its kind in Southend. We pride ourselves on being the only specialised Outreach services for women who sell sex in our city while offering mixed-gender spaces in separate venues away from our women-only service.
Through compassion, trust, and unwavering commitment, the initiative has become a lifeline, providing practical support, hope, connection, and real pathways forward.
Men and women are not just supported in moments of crisis; they are empowered to reclaim their confidence, improve their wellbeing, and take courageous steps towards change.
We turn pain into purpose and nurture victims of some of the most adverse childhood and adult experiences into survivors. It is nothing short of a privilege to serve those we work with. They are the true unsung heroes within the charity.
We will continue to fiercely advocate within the violence against women and girls’ sector and be the voices of those seeking recovery from addiction because they are the people who sometimes feel like they do not have one.
## Marie Edmonds
Founder
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## **ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**_
## **A Note from Our Chair**
I have been a Trustee with Aspirations for the past three years and have served as Chair for the last 18 months. It has been both a privilege and an honour to be associated with such dedicated people who consistently go above and beyond in their work.
Carrie’s Outreach and the Day Program are two of our frontline services, helping so many people within our community. Our strategy for addressing street prostitution is trailblazing within the field, and this year we hosted our second conference on street prostitution in Southend, continuing to lead important conversations and drive change.
It has been a challenging year, with charities of our size facing significant funding pressures. Despite this, our team has worked hard to secure funding, providing stability and opportunities for growth over the next five years. Another wonderful milestone was celebrating our 100th graduate completing the Day Program, a truly remarkable achievement.
The success of our charity shop has also been significant, providing a valuable local service while strengthening our connection with the community. The move to a larger location for the Day Program, alongside the development of the new Road to Recovery project, demonstrates how the charity's vision to support men and women is becoming a reality.
I would also like to recognise the outstanding work of Carrie’s Outreach. This year, 10 women engaged with the & alcohol services, 55 women involved in selling sex were provided with condoms and food parcels, and two women successfully exited street prostitution. These are truly exceptional achievements, made possible by the dedication of our team and volunteers. Their commitment ensures that this critical and important work can continue.
I am continually inspired by the care, compassion, and support our team provides. They help so many people and make a genuine difference, changing lives for the better every day.
The social value of our charity shop to the community is also of crucial importance. Through the efforts of our volunteers, it raises awareness of our work, strengthens community engagement, and highlights the importance of the services we provide.
I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of this outstanding charity, helping to change how street prostitution is understood and addressed. It is an honour to serve as its Chair. Under the leadership of Founder Marie Edmonds, alongside her dedicated team, volunteers, and my fellow Trustees, we continue to work across Southend to create better opportunities and brighter futures for many people.
## Signed : _ 𝑱𝒐𝒉𝒏 𝑮𝒐𝒔𝒏𝒆𝒍𝒍
## Date : 𝟏𝟗 𝑱𝒖𝒏𝒆 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
John Gosnell
Chair of Trustees
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## **ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**_
## **A note from our Treasurer**
Our yearly financial review shows steady income, controlled expenditure, and a positive year-end balance. As treasurer, I’m pleased to report that our financial practices remain strong and aligned with our long-term goals.
## **We would like to thank our funders:**
|**We would like to thank our funders:**||
|---|---|
|Southend- On- Sea City Council|48,102.50|
|National Lottery Community Fund|39,000.00|
|Lloyds Bank Foundation|25,000.00|
|Southend Association of Voluntary Services CIO|19,980.00|
|Garfield Weston Foundation|15,000.00|
|Southend Emergency Fund|8,000.00|
|Rosca Trust|5,750.00|
|Tudor Trust|1,300.00|
|Shared Space Boost Fund|450.00|
||162,582.50|
## **Financial review Reserve Policy**
The Trustees have established a level of reserves (that is funds that are freely available) that the charity needs to have of £30,000 that is to mitigate against the financial impact of risk. Working capital represents a significant element of our reserves but not all balances are immediately available.
The Trustees will continue to review the reserves policy on an annual basis.
## **Reserves policy**
It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three- and six-month’s expenditure. The Trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.
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## **ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**_
## **Structure, governance and management**
The Trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were: L Snow (Resigned 27 May 2025}) T J Harris (Appointed 18 February 2025) H Blackburn (Appointed 5 June 2024) C J Emerton (Appointed 6 September 2023) Mr J P Gosnell
## **Recruitment and appointment of trustees**
New Trustees undergo an orientation day to brief them on their legal obligations under charity law, the content of the constitution, the committee and decision-making processes, the business plan and recent financial performance of the charity. During the induction day they meet key employees and other trustees. Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events where these will support them in their role.
None of the Trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All the Trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of winding up.
The company's current policy concerning the payment of trade creditors is to follow the CBI's Prompt Payers Code (copies are available from the CBI, Centre Point, 103 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1DU).
The company's current policy concerning the payment of trade creditors is to:
- settle the terms of payment with suppliers when agreeing the terms of each transaction;
- ensure that suppliers are made aware of the terms of payment by inclusion of the relevant terms in contracts; and · pay in accordance with the company's contractual and other legal obligations.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
... ........................... Mr J P Gosnell **Trustee**
Date: ........23.6.26.....................................
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## **ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM**
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Aspirations Day Program (the charity) for the year ended 31 August 2025.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the Trustees of the charity, you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared the financial statements in accordance with the relevant version of the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn. I understand that this has been done in order for the financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
- 1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Charities Act 2011.
- 2 the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
- 3 the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of financial statements set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the financial statements 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 financial statements to be reached.
Ricardo Bernard FCCA Bronze Oak Accountancy Ltd Bonner Walk Grays Essex, RM16 6PW
Date: ....23.6.26........................
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## **ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**_
|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**2025**
**Notes**
**£**
**£**
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
**3**
4,451
14,344
Charitable activities
Grant
**4**
64,750
105,623
Fund Raising
**4**
16,664
5,231
Charity Shop
**4**
34,130
-
Investments
**5**
286
-
**Total income**
120,282
125,198
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
Grant
**6**
58,694
151,125
Fund Raising
**6**
4,420
1,275
Charity Shop
**6**
1,866
2,437
Investments
**6**
129
-
**Total charitable expenditure**
65,108
154,837
**Total expenditure**
65,108
154,837
**Net income/ (expenditure)**
55,174
(29,639)
Transfers between funds
~~-~~
-
**Net movement in funds**
**8**
55,174
(29,639)
**Reconciliation of funds:**Fund
balances at 1 September 2024
(36,094)
75,575
**Fund balances at 31 August 2025**
19,080
45,936|**Total**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**2024**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
**£**
18,795
5,471
884
170,373
89,775
92,616
21,895
8,259
10,062
34,130
18,808
-
286
5
-
245,480
116,846
102,678
209,819
180,624
27,929
5,695
5,872
0
4,303
4,160
58
129
111
0
219,945
190,768
27,987
219,945
190,768
27,987
25,535
(68,451)
75,575
-
-
-
25,535
(68,451)
75,575
39,482
32,357
-
65,017
(36,094)
75,575|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
6,355
-
182,391
18,321
18,808
5
225,879
208,554
5,872
4,218
111
218,755
218,755
7,125
-
7,125
32,357
39,482|
|---|---|---|
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
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## **ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM**
## **BALANCE SHEET**
## **AS AT 31 AUGUST 2024**
|**AS AT 31 AUGUST 2024**||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||**2025**|||**2024**||
||**Notes**|**£**||**£**||**£**|**£**|
|**Fixed assets**||||||||
|Intangible assets|**12**||||488||566|
|Tangible assets|**13**||||8,567||3,157|
||||||9,055||3,723|
|**Current assets**||||||||
|Debtors|**14**||8,661|||7,144||
|Cash at bank and in hand|||159,930|||154,287||
||||168,591|||161,431||
|**Creditors: amounts falling due within**|**15**|||||||
|**one year**|||(69,131)|||(82,173)||
|**Net current assets**|||||99,460||79,258|
|Total assets less current liabilities|||||108,515||82,980|
|**The funds of the charity**||||||||
|Restricted income funds|**18**||||35,035||17,907|
|Unrestricted funds|**19**||||73,111||65,073|
||||||108,515||82,980|
The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on ..23.6.26.......................
. ............................. Mr J P Gosnell **Trustee**
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ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM
## **ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM**
## **STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**_
|||**2025**|||**2024**||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Notes**|**£**||**£**|**£**|**£**|
|**Cash flows from operating activities**|||||||
|Cash generated from operations|**22**|||13,726||17,329|
|**Investing activities**|||||||
|Purchase of tangible fixed assets||(8,369)|||(269)||
|Investment income received||286|||5||
|**Net cash used in investing activities**||||(8,083)||(264)|
|**Net cash generated from financing activities**|||-|||-|
|**Net increase in cash and cash equivalents**||||5,643||17,065|
|Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year||||154,287||137,222|
|**Cash and cash equivalents at end of year**||||159,930||154,287|
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## **ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**_
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**_
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **Charity information**
Aspirations Day Program is a Charity Incorporated Organisation (CIO).
## **1.1 Accounting convention**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "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)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, [modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value]. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
## **1.2 Going concern**
At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
## **1.3 Charitable funds**
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the charity.
## **1.4 Income**
Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
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## **ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM**
Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.
## **1 Accounting policies**
**(Continued)**
## **1.5 Expenditure**
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, 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 classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
## **1.6 Intangible fixed assets other than goodwill**
Intangible assets acquired separately from a business are recognised at cost and are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses.
Intangible assets acquired on business combinations are recognised separately from goodwill at the acquisition date where it is probable that the expected future economic benefits that are attributable to the asset will flow to the entity and the fair value of the asset can be measured reliably; the intangible asset arises from contractual or other legal rights; and the intangible asset is separable from the entity.
Amortisation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
Website 10% Straight line
## **1.7 Tangible fixed assets**
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
Fixtures and fittings 20% Straight line Computers 33.33% Straight line
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
## **1.8 Impairment of fixed assets**
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
## **1.9 Cash and cash equivalents**
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
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## **ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**_
## **1 Accounting policies**
**(Continued)**
## **1.10 Financial instruments**
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
## _**Basic financial assets**_
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
## _**Basic financial liabilities**_
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
## _**Derecognition of financial liabilities**_
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
## **1.11 Employee benefits**
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
- 17 -
## **ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**_
## **1.12 Retirement benefits**
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
## **2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements**
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
## **3 Income from donations and legacies**
||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Total**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**funds**|**funds**||**funds**|**funds**||
||**2025**|**2025**|**2025**|**2024**|**2024**|**2024**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Donations and gifts|4,451|14,344|18,795|5,471|844|6,355|
- 18 -
## **ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**_
## **4**
## **Income from charitable activities**
|Charitable activities
Grant income
**Analysis by fund**
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds|**Grant Funding**
**Fund Raising**
**2025**
**2025**
**£**
**£**
-
21,895
170,373
-|**Charity**
**Shop**
**2025**
**£**
34,130
-|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
56,025
170,373|**Grant Funding**
**Fund Raising**
**Charity**
**Shop**
**Total**
**2024**
**2024**
**2024**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
-
18,321
18,808
37,129
182,391
-
-
182,391|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||170,373
21,895|34,130|226,398|182,391
18,321
18,808
219,520|
||64,750
16,664
105,623
5,231|34,130
-|115,544
110,854|89,775
8,259
18,808
56,898
92,616
10,062
-
162,622|
||170,373
21,895|34,130|226,398|182,391
18,321
18,808
219,520|
## **ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**_
## **Performance related grants analysis**
|**Performance related grants analysis**|||
|---|---|---|
||**Grants**|**Grants**|
||**2025**|**2024**|
||**£**|**£**|
|Southend- On- Sea City Council|48,103|2,299|
|National Lottery Community Fund|39,000|39,000|
|Lloyds Bank Foundation|25,000|25,000|
|Southend Association of Voluntary Services CIO|19,980|-|
|Garfield Weston Foundation|15,000|10,000|
|Southend Emergency Fund|8,000|3,000|
|Rosca Trust|5,750|2,333|
|Tudor Trust|1,300|35,000|
|Shared Space Boost Fund|450||
|Randal Foundation|-|7,527|
|Tudwick Foundation|-|6,000|
|Trusthouse Charitable Foundation|-|6,000|
|Neighbourly Foundation (B&Q)|-|3,900|
|Albert Hunt|-|3,750|
|High Sheriff Fund (Essex Community Foundation)|-|2,917|
|Ashworth Charity|-|2,250|
|Grocers Charity|-|1,667|
|Groundwork|-|1,083|
|Annie Trammer Charitable Trust|-|833|
||162,583|152,559|
## **5 Income from investments**
||**Unrestricted**|**Unrestricted**|
|---|---|---|
||**funds**|**funds**|
||**2025**|**2024**|
||**£**|**£**|
|Interest receivable|286|5|
## **ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**_
## **6 Expenditure on charitable activities**
|**Direct costs**
Travel & Subsistence
Administration Cost
Delegate Social Hour (Lunches)
Emergency B&B
Fund Raising Cost
Staff Cost
Meals & Food Parcels
Office Costs
Outreach Supplies
Printing, Postage and Stationery
Rehabilitation Programs
Wage Cost|**Carries**
**Charity Shop**
**Day**
**Program**
**Family**
**Support**
**Harley Space**
**Men's Only**
**Group**
**Operations**
**Road to**
**Recovery**
**Total**|
|---|---|
||**2025**
**2025**
**2025**
**2025**
**2025**
**2025**
**2025**
**2025**
**2025**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
183
1
113
-
-
-
-
-
298
1,913
305
2,383
1,731
-
-
9,078
-
15,410
882
-
2,828
-
-
46
-
222
3,978
100
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
100
997
80
113
30
-
-
4,406
69
5,695
35,387
22,106
37,422
2,457
2,456
420
4,592
13,128
117,968
6,822
-
1,133
2,155
-
-
-
-
10,110
14,297
8,867
9,838
-
-
-
8,886
-
41,887
1,450
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,450
222
93
389
-
-
-
1,055
-
1,760
-
-
877
-
-
-
-
-
877
780
2,893
9,876
-
-
70
-
-
13,618|
||63,032
34,346
64,972
6,373
2,456
536
28,017
13,419
213,150|
**Share of support and governance costs (see note 7)**
|Support
Governance|**Carries**
**Charity Shop**
**Day**
**Program**
**Family**
**Support**
**Harley Space**
**Men's Only**
**Group**
**Operations**
**Road to**
**Recovery**
**Total**|
|---|---|
||**2025**
**2025**
**2025**
**2025**
**2025**
**2025**
**2025**
**2025**
**2025**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
578
-
17
-
-
-
2,442
-
3,037
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,758
-
3,758|
||578
-
17
-
-
-
6,200
-
6,795|
## **ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**_
||**Carries**|**Charity**
**Shop**|**Day**
**Program**|**Family**
**Support**|**Harley**
**Space**|**Men's Only**
**Group**|**Operations**|**Road to**
**Recovery**|**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**2024**|**2024**|**2024**|**2024**|**2024**|**2024**|**2024**|**2024**|**2024**|
|**Direct costs**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Travel & Subsistence|414|41|528|-|-|38|91|14|1,126|
|Administration Cost|322|186|3,720|74|-|5,313|300|4,606|14,522|
|Delegate Social Hour (Lunches)|-|-|5,832|-|-|321|180|-|6,333|
|Emergency B&B|490|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|490|
|Fund Raising Cost|135|-|2,284|-|43|708|1,017|1,685|5,872|
|Staff Cost|-|110|99|-|-|722|-|68,542|69,473|
|Meals & Food Parcels|5,582|351|3,043|912|-|113|-|-|10,001|
|Office Costs|13,718|12,339|9,949|12|-|28,206|137|10,612|74,972|
|Outreach Supplies|2,260|-|196|1,260|-|-|-|379|4,095|
|Printing, Postage and Stationery|32|-|84|-|-|4,063|-|1,022|5,201|
|Rehabilitation Programs|-|-|2,308|-|-|-|-|-|2,308|
|Wage Cost|1,414|525|12,457|-|-|612|-|-|15,008|
||24,366|13,552|40,501|2,259|43|40,096|1,726|86,859|209,403|
**Share of support and governance costs (see note 7)**
||**Carries**|**Charity**|**Shop**|**Day**|**Program**|**Family**
**Support**|**Harley**
**Space**|**Men's Only**
**Group**|**Operations**|**Road to**
**Recovery**|**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**2024**|**2024**|||**2024**|**2024**|**2024**|**2024**|**2024**|**2024**|**2024**|
||**£**|**£**|||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Support|-||17||-|-|2,022|-|-|-|2,039|
|Governance|-||-||-|-|7,313|-|-|-|7,313|
||-||17||-|-|9,335|-|-|-|9,352|
## **ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**_
**(Continued)**
|**6**|**Expenditure on**|**Expenditure on**|**charitable activities**|**charitable activities**|**charitable activities**||||||||||||||**(C**|**ontinued)**||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Analysis by fund**|||||||||||||||||||||
|||**Carries**|**Charity**|**Day**|**Family**||**Harley**||**Men's**|**Operation**|**Road to**|**Total**||**Carries**||**Charity**|**Day**|**Family**|**Operation**|**Harley**|**Total**|
||||**Shop**|**Program**|**Support**||**Space**||**Only**|**s**|**Recovery**|||||**Shop**|**Program**|**Support**|**s**|**Space**||
||||||||||**Group**|||||||||||||
|||**2025**|**2025**|**2025**|**2025**||**2025**||**2025**|**2025**|**2025**|**2025**||**2024**||**2024**|**2024**|**2024**|**2024**|**2024**|**2024**|
|||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**||**£**||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**||**£**||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|**Unrestricted**||-|28,834|3,370|-||-||-|32,905|-|65,108||7,442||13,518|30,392|1,396|137,977|43|190,768|
||**funds**|||||||||||||||||||||
|**Restricted**||63,610|5,512|61,620|6,373||2,456||536|1,312|13,419|154,837||16,925||34|10,126|862|40|-|27,987|
||**funds**|||||||||||||||||||||
|||63,610|34,346|64,989|6,373||2,456||536|34,216|13,419|219,945||24,366||13,552|40,518|2,259|138,017|43|218,755|
## **ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**_
## **7 Support costs allocated to activities**
|Depreciation
Governance costs
**Analysed across services:**
Carries
Day Program
Family Support
Harley Space
Men’s Only Group
Road to Recovery
Charity Shop
Operations
**8**
**Net movement in funds**
The net movement in funds is stated after charging/(crediting):
Fees payable for the independent examination of the charity's financial
statements
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets
Amortisation of intangible assets|**2025**
**£**
3,037
3,758
2,057
393
199
72
73
344
1,169
2,488
6,795
**2025**
**£**
-
2,959
78
6,795|**2024**
**£**
2,239
7,313
3,860
-
4
15
0
0
355
5,117
9,352
**2024**
**£**
-
1,954
78
9,352|
|---|---|---|
## **9 Trustees**
None of the Trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.
- 24 -
## **ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**_
## **10 Employees**
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
||**2025**|**2024**|
|---|---|---|
||**Number**|**Number**|
||11|8|
|**Employment costs**|**2025**|**2024**|
||**£**|**£**|
|Wages and salaries|107,935|67,627|
|Social security costs|-|3,734|
|Other pension costs|1,438|752|
||109,372|72,113|
There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.
## **10 Taxation**
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
- 25 -
## **ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**_
|**12**|**Intangible fixed assets**||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||**Website**|
|||||**£**|
||**Cost**||||
||At 1 September 2023 and 31 August 2024|||781|
||**Amortisation and impairment**||||
||At 1 September 2024|||215|
||Amortisation charged for the year|||78|
||At 31 August 2025|||293|
||**Carrying amount**||||
||At 31 August 2025|||488|
||At 31 August 2024|||566|
|**13**|**Tangible fixed assets**||||
|||**Fixtures and**|**Computers**|**Total**|
|||**fittings**|||
|||**£**|**£**|**£**|
||**Cost**||||
||At 1 September 2024|4,920|2,925|7,845|
||Additions|8,369|-|8,369|
||At 31 August 2025|13,289|2,925|16,214|
||**Depreciation and impairment**||||
||At 1 September 2024|2,561|2,127|4,688|
||Depreciation charged in the year|2,328|631|2,959|
||At 31 August 2025|4,889|2,758|7,647|
||**Carrying amount**||||
||At 31 August 2025|8,400|167|8,567|
||At 31 August 2024|2,359|798|3,157|
- 26 -
## **ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**_
|**14**|**Debtors**||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||**2025**|**2024**|
||**Amounts falling due within one year:**||**£**|**£**|
||Trade debtors||6,898|1,418|
||Prepayments and accrued income||1,764|5,726|
||||8,661|7,144|
|**15**|**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**||||
||||**2025**|**2024**|
|||**Notes**|**£**|**£**|
||Other taxation and social security||3,935|5,708|
||Deferred income|**16**|63,991|71,782|
||Trade creditors||1,207|1,083|
||Accruals||-|3,600|
||||69,133|82,173|
||**Deferred income**||||
|**16**|||||
||||**2025**|**2024**|
||||**£**|**£**|
||Other deferred income||63,991|71,782|
||Deferred income is included in the financial statements as follows:||||
||||**2025**|**2024**|
||||**£**|**£**|
||Deferred income is included within:||||
||Current liabilities||63,991|71,782|
||Movements in the year:||||
||Deferred income at 1 September 2024||71,782|64,489|
||Released from previous periods||(71,782)|(64,489)|
||Resources deferred in the year||63,991|71,782|
||Deferred income at 31 August 2025||63,991|71,782|
- 27 -
## **ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**_
|**17**|**Retirement benefit schemes**|||
|---|---|---|---|
|||**2025**|**2024**|
||**Defined contribution schemes**|**£**|**£**|
||Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes|1,438|752|
## **18 Restricted funds**
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
||**At 1**|
**Incoming**|
**Resources**|**Transfers**|
**At 31**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**September**|
**Resources**|
**expended**||**August 2025**|
||**2024**|||||
||£|£|£|£|£|
||17,907|125,198|(108,070)|**-**|
35,035|
|||||||
|**Previous year:**|**At 1**|**Incoming**|**Resources**|**Transfers At 31 August**||
||**September**|**resources**|**expended**||**2024**|
||**2023**|||||
||**£**|**£**|**£**||**£**
**£**|
||10,866|105,062|(112,103)|-|17,907|
## **19 Unrestricted funds**
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
||**At 1**|**Incoming**|**Resources**|**Transfers**|**At 31 August**||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**September**|**resources**|**expended**||**2025**||
||**2024**||||||
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**||
|General funds|73,480|121,699|(130,106)|-|65,073||
|**Previous year:**|**At 1**|**Incoming**|**Resources**|**Transfers**|**At 31 August**||
||**September**|**resources**|**expended**||**2024**||
||**2023**||||||
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**||**£**|
|General funds|49,374|120,900|(96,794)|-|73,480||
- 28 -
## **ASPIRATIONS DAY PROGRAM**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**_
## **20 Analysis of net assets between funds**
|||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**funds**|**funds**||
|||**2025**|**2025**|**2025**|
|||**£**|**£**|**£**|
||**At 31 August 2025:**||||
||Intangible fixed assets|488|-|488|
||Tangible assets|8,567|-|8,567|
||Current assets/(liabilities)|(84,959)|184,420|99,461|
|||(75,904)|184,420|108,516|
|||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**||
|||**funds**|**funds**|**Total**|
|||**2024**|**2024**|**2024**|
|||**£**|**£**|**£**|
||**At 31 August 2024:**||||
||Intangible fixed assets|566|-|566|
||Tangible assets|3,158|-|3,158|
||Current assets/(liabilities)|(142,575)|221,832|79,257|
|||(138,851)|221,832|82,981|
|**21**|**Related party transactions**||**2025**|**2024**|
||There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).||||
|**22**|**Cash generated from operations**||**2025**|**2024**|
||||**£**|**£**|
||Surplus for the year||21,935|10,724|
||**Adjustments for:**||||
||Investment income recognised in statement of financial activities||(286)|(5)|
||Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets||78|78|
||Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets||2,959|1,954|
||**Movements in working capital:**||||
||(Increase) in debtors||(1,518)|(5,016)|
||Increase in creditors||(1,651)|2,301|
||Increase/(decrease) in deferred income||(7,791)|7,293|
||**Cash generated from operations**||13,726|17,329|
|**23**|**Analysis of changes in net funds**||||
The charity had no material debt during the year.4
- 29 -