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2025-09-30-accounts

Charity registration number: 1195487 Company number: CE026427

The Healthy Living Platform

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025

The Healthy Living Platform

Contents

Contents
Reference and Administrative Details 1
Trustees’ Report 2
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities 17
Independent Examiner's Report 18
Statement of Financial Activities 19
Balance Sheet 20
Cash Flow Statement 21
Notes to the Financial Statements 22

The Healthy Living Platform

Reference and Administrative Details

Chairman

Mrs Tanya Spence Trustees

Mrs J Baker Mr G Gibson Mrs Bel-Olivia Osas Mr David Wood Mrs Davina Jane Belcher Mrs Tanya Spence Charity Registration Number

1195487 Principal Office

336 Brixton Road London SW9 7AA

Independent Examiner

Mr Keith Powers 13 Ambleside Botley Southampton Hampshire SO30 2NS

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The Healthy Living Platform

Trustees’ Report

Executive Summary

2024/25 has been a year of resilience, progress and impact for Healthy Living Platform (HLP) and the communities we serve. While demand for our services continued to rise amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and a challenging funding environment, our response has been strong and proactive. We have built on our strengths, deepened our reach and further strengthened our role as a multi-purpose charity empowering communities and improving access to healthy, affordable food. With new initiatives, growing partnerships and increasing recognition of our model, this is an exciting time for HLP.

Over the year, we distributed an impressive 264,225 kg of food to 60 community groups, providing the equivalent of 629,107 meals, and significantly bolstering access to healthy and affordable food. Our Pantries also became self-sufficient for the first time, thanks to the fantastic work of our Hub and Pantry teams, ensuring an efficient and measured allocation of resources. We launched our Community Lunch at 336, which has been a success in feeding the community and providing a developmental pathway for Food Ambassadors.

We expanded our community education programmes, launching a new series of Food Ambassador courses with funding from Lambeth Council’s Community Connections, which will deliver five rounds of training over this year and the next. This course continues to inspire hope and equip the residents of Lambeth with the skills and confidence to drive change in their communities. Another milestone for this year has been in HLP fiscally hosting the projects of two of our volunteers under the Lambeth Food Partnership’s Small Grants Programme.

Our Food Hub continues to develop as a community distribution point, and our Pantries and Kitchen as community focal points, both facilitating the provision of wrap-around services and local information. Interest in our Food Hub model has also continued to increase, with several neighbouring boroughs interested in learning from our model.

A special thank you to our incredible funders who support our work and partner with us.

It is an honour to present this report and financial statements for the year ended 30[th] September 2025 on behalf of the Board of Trustees.

Tanya Spence

Chair of Trustees Chief Executive Officer

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The Healthy Living Platform

Trustees’ Report (continued)

1. Summary of the Purposes of the Charity as Set Out in its Governing Document

At Healthy Living Platform we make it easier for local communities to lead healthier and more sustainable lives. Our focus is on connecting communities through food across neighbourhoods, focusing on the following strategic aims:

The objectives of the CIO, to be carried out in London and such other parts of England as the Trustees shall from time to time determine, are:

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The Healthy Living Platform

Trustees’ Report (continued)

2. Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts

Access

Increasing access to affordable nutritious food

Access to affordable, nutritious and culturally appropriate food remains at the heart of Healthy Living Platform’s work. In a year marked by funding cuts and rising demand, we have continued to strengthen our local food infrastructure to ensure communities can reliably access good food with dignity. Through our Surplus Food Hub, pantries and distribution partnerships, we are not only responding to immediate need but building a more resilient and sustainable local food system, one that reduces waste, supports community groups and ensures healthy food reaches those who need it most.

Surplus Food Hub

HLP has continued to showcase the Hub, its 3 pantries and Community Kitchen as examples of best practice in working at-scale in the coordination of surplus food. We have welcomed visits from other projects and London councils, who view us as a model of best practice and a valuable community resource.

The Hub has continued to increase in capacity and efficiency as a hub-and-spoke model, delivering the last-mile distribution of surplus food. Thanks to the donation of Eva the E-Van in February, we have been better able to collect food offsite directly, including from the Felix Project’s Deptford depot, Greenford Multibank and donations across London. This has proven a boon in helping us to further reduce UK food waste and increase our intake of surplus food and essential items. In conjunction with this, and in pursuit of closing the local food cycle, we have begun composting locally, donating suitable food waste as animal feed to Ebony Horse Club and Slade Gardens. Conversations are also on-going around the set-up of an anaerobic digestion system with our local partners.

Disappointingly, Lambeth council made the decision to cut their funding of the Food Hub at the end of March 2025, following this, Impact on Urban Health (IoUH) stepped in and awarded us a grant to cover the costs of the Food Hub for nine months. This enabled the Food Hub to remain open while we explore longer-term funding opportunities. Impact on Urban health has offered robust support during this transition, and we are exploring the possibility of a future partnership moving forward, which we welcome.

Lambeth Council also cut the Household Support Fund at the end of March 2025. This fund enabled us to supplement what we receive in surplus, ensuring that we have a good stock of essential and cultural items during periods of low surplus food in-take. Losing this fund will negatively affect both the quantity and diversity of food we can provide to community groups. We have begun work to mitigate these cuts by incorporating multibank items alongside our food provision. Further plans include exploring partnership bids, cooperate purchasing and bulk-buying models, as well as supporting community groups to identify sustainable local alternatives for food provision. Nevertheless, we unfortunately will no longer be able to accept direct referrals from Lambeth Council’s Cost of Living Support Team for the provision of emergency food crates.

Looking ahead, we launched our Secure the Hub campaign on 22[nd] September 2025. With MPs, councillors, community partners, surplus suppliers and community activists in attendance, the campaign has generated momentum across partnerships, fundraising and advocacy. This campaign aims to raise awareness of the Hub’s far-reaching benefits, the risk of its closure, and its role in the surplus food supply chain. Overall, the campaign

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The Healthy Living Platform

Trustees’ Report (continued)

is a collective stimulus to build a sustainable funding base that will protect the Surplus Food Hub, allowing it to grow to meet increasing community need.

Figure 1: Breakdown of food provided and received

2024/2025 Q1 Oct-Dec 24 Q2 Jan-Mar 25 Q3 Apr-Jun 25 Q4 Jul-Sep 25 Annual TOTAL
ALL FOOD
PROVIDED (kg)		 59,987 66,115 67,373 70,750 264,225
Surplus donated
Food (kg)		 56,167 62,184 64,036 64,389 246,776
Bought Food
(Essential Items,
kg)		 4,754 2,296 2,956 5,272 15,278
Emergency
Crates Requested		 31+ 25+ 26+ 20+ 102+
2024/2025 Q1 Oct-Dec 24 Q2 Jan-Mar 25 Q3 Apr-Jun 25 Q4 Jul-Sep 25 Annual TOTAL
Groups supported
45		 49 52 48 60
Avg. wk
households
supported		 1,941 2,244 2,401 2,460 2,162
Avg. wk
individuals
supported		 7,765 8,976 9,602 9,841 9046

Pantries

Our Pantries continue to supply essential low-cost food to residents and provide a focal point for community-building and the delivery of wrap-around services.

Amid Local Authority cuts to our food budget, efficiency and cost-saving measures have been a key focus this year. Thanks to a strong, system-led approach by the Food Hub team, our Pantries became self-sufficient for the first time. The introduction of a new pantry pricing model in October 2024 has helped to mitigate rising food demand by offering more flexibility and choice for customers, as well as improved access to fresh fruit and vegetables, contributing directly to our health outcomes – a key aim for the charity.

In support of these changes, we have strengthened ties with the housing associations whose residents we support. Through our partnership with Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH) we have gained access to the resource and micro-funding platform – Match My Project. This enabled us to successfully appeal for support with our distribution costs. This led to Nourish Care donating £500 for the purchase of a specialist trolley and equipment for our Food Hub team. In addition, thanks to Morgan Sindall we continue to access free, certified training for all volunteers and staff at HLP, helping to expand their skills and personal development. To date we

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The Healthy Living Platform

Trustees’ Report (continued)

have supported 19 volunteers and staff to access 61 courses. We look forward to continuing these collaborations and greatly appreciate their support to date.

Education

increasing knowledge and skills to support healthy eating

We believe that long-term food security is strengthened when people have the knowledge, confidence and opportunity to make the most of the food available to them. Our education programmes are designed to build practical skills, strengthen peer networks and create pathways into volunteering and employment within the food system. By investing in residents as Food Ambassadors and community leaders, we are supporting a shift from food provision alone towards food empowerment, enabling communities to grow their own capacity and share learning more widely.

Community Connections Food Ambassadors

Following our successful bid with Lambeth Council’s Community Connections Fund we have begun delivering a new series of Food Ambassadors courses, building on nutritional knowledge, strengthening social bonds, encouraging peer-to-peer learning and supporting onward development. These courses have been re-designed to build capacity within the community groups receiving surplus food from the Food Hub, helping them do more with their food and inspire new food programmes at each group. Beginning in June 2025 and led by a nutritional therapist, we have delivered 2 out of 5 courses to a total of 16 individuals with a 100% completion rate. Interestingly, one-third were male, our highest percentage of men participating since starting delivery of our Food Ambassadors programme in 2018. The course includes a Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate and access to mentoring across our community events, providing a clear pathway to both community action through volunteering opportunities and paid work that can lead to a career in the food system.

A milestone for our Food Ambassador course this year was that HLP were able to act as a fiscal host for a community food programme led by a Food Ambassador, who was awarded £500 through the Lambeth Food Partnership’s Small Grants Programme. This project was developed and delivered by the Food Ambassador themselves, demonstrating progression from training into autonomous community-led activity.

Food Ambassadors Pro

In November 2024, we piloted a programme to provide structured support to Food Ambassador graduates who are interested in further upskilling themselves, potentially pursuing a future in food. This 4-week course supported Food Ambassadors to develop their skills and plan a food workshop, while offering tailored business development sessions and mentoring, helping them to achieve their goals. This programme was deemed a success, and will be continued with a further 3 courses through our Community Connections funding.

Community Café at 336

This year saw the relaunch of our weekly Community Café, now located at 336 Brixton Road. Joint funded by Lambeth Council’s Changing Lives and Brixton North Big Local, this café provides a hot lunch on a ‘pay what you can’ basis for the community, as well as an opportunity for Food Ambassadors to gain first-hand experience cooking at scale in a professional kitchen. Notably, the diversity within our Food Ambassador team allowed for

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The Healthy Living Platform

Trustees’ Report (continued)

a huge variety of cuisines on offer, including North African, Latin American, Mediterranean and South Asian. By popular demand, our Windrush week became a monthly special featuring delicious Caribbean dishes.

We value this community space as another venue for residents and wrap-around services to connect, including Disability Lambeth, Carers Hub and the Health & Wellbeing Bus. Notably, in April luxury event caterer Blue Strawberry visited for a Community Café takeover, a collaboration we greatly enjoyed and hope to expand upon in the future.

Community

Increasing community connectivity and capacity

Food continues to act as a powerful entry point for connection across our neighbourhoods. Our Hub, pantries and Community Kitchen operate not only as food access points, but as trusted spaces where residents, community groups and service providers can meet, share information and collaborate. By strengthening relationships and creating opportunities for partnership, we are helping to build a more connected and resilient Lambeth, one where local organisations are better equipped to support their communities and where residents feel part of something collective.

HLP’s Surplus Food Hub as an Information Distribution Point

This year has seen HLP continue to be a showcase in the power of food to bring people together. The Surplus Food Hub continues to be an information distribution point, distributing leaflets and sharing key information about community events and council updates, while also facilitating communication among the community groups it supports. This year we have distributed information regarding:

HLP’s Pantries & Community Kitchen as a Community Focal Point

Our Pantries & Community Kitchen continue to be community access-points for residents and wrap-around service partners to commune. They demonstrate the power of food as a facilitator of social and community support. This year we have welcomed:

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The Healthy Living Platform

Trustees’ Report (continued)

Volunteer Celebration

As a thank you to all the fantastic contributions that HLP’s volunteers, past and present, have made over the past year, we held our annual Volunteer Celebration. Taking place this year at the local Dwaynamics Community Centre in Loughborough Park, activities included a Live DJ, facepainting, drumming, crafts, a BBQ buffet. Certificates were also given out to recognise and thank volunteers for their support and collaboration across all our community food projects.

First 5 Lambeth – Measles & Pertussis Awareness Campaign

We collaborate as a First 5 Lambeth partner, a consortium of nine community groups supporting early years children, launched officially to the public in November 2023.

In 2025, Healthy Living Platform led a First 5 Lambeth consortium project, funded by Lambeth Council’s Public Health to raise awareness of the continued prevalence of measles and pertussis, and encourage vaccine uptake across Lambeth. The campaign was delivered through 6 community events and activities led by different consortium partners, with over 100 families recorded as engaged. Public Health colleagues were present on the day to provide expert guidance on recognising risks, preventing infection, and supporting parents to make informed vaccination decisions during pregnancy and their child’s early years.

Advocacy

improving food policy and decision making in Lambeth

Alongside direct service delivery, we remain committed to contributing to wider conversations about food justice and local food systems. Through hosting visits, speaking at events and engaging in learning exchanges, we share our hub-and-spoke model and frontline experience to inform policy and practice. In a challenging funding climate, this advocacy work is increasingly important. By demonstrating what works and amplifying community-led solutions, we aim to influence decision-making and strengthen the long-term sustainability of food support across Lambeth.

– Hosting Visits Advocacy Through Example and Learning Exchanges

During a period of uncertainty within the charity sector, with multiple major donors pausing their usual grant applications, we are encouraged by a growth in the number of high-profile visits over the last year. These visits provide us with optimism for the potential of future partnerships.

Much of HLP’s advocacy occurs through both hosting visits and organising learning exchanges with funders and other community organisations. This allows us to promote our hub-and-spoke model, and enable them to

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The Healthy Living Platform

Trustees’ Report (continued)

learn from us as a model of best practice. In particular, we hosted Kingston upon Thames and Southwark Councils this year, both keen to learn from our model.

Noteworthy Visits to HLP

Noteworthy Visits to:

Noteworthy Public Engagements

Another core part of HLP’s advocacy is in attending and speaking at public events throughout the year. With Interim Managing Director Carla Thomas as our predominant speaker for this year’s events, we are glad to have seen a growth in our speaking engagements. These public engagements reflect HLP’s growing prominence within London’s surplus food ecosystem, as both a model of best practice and thought leader for our hub-and-spoke model. Moving forward, with the appointment of our new Chief Executive Officer, Davina Belcher, we aim to strengthen these connections further, advocating for both our model and strategic aims in the pursuit of ending hunger.

– A) Nomination for Voices to End Hunger Award Partnerships Category, April 2025

The Voices to End Hunger awards spotlight unsung heroes tackling hunger in the UK and globally. It elevates community organisations, providing visibility and connections to expand their impact. With two billion people lacking safe, nutritious food, the fight is urgent. Aligned with SDG 2 – Zero Hunger by 2030, these awards amplify those turning this vision into reality.

This year we were honoured to be nominated by the Felix Project in the Partnerships category for Voices to End Hunger, alongside two other Lambeth organisations: Ace of Clubs and Maureen’s Kitchen (Community category). The awards ceremony was held at the Institute for Contemporary Arts (ICA), with other leading organisations in surplus food distribution, including community category winner Surplus to Supper, who previously visited us along with other councils to learn from our Hub model and HLP’s work.

B) Speaking at ‘There Are Many Alternatives’ series with the Brixton Project, September 2025

Launched in 2024, this event series explores alternative ways of living and being, and invites local organisations working towards social, food and climate justice.

Carla Thomas presented on a panel highlighting how our practices and efforts could be collectivised, co-operatised and scaled for impact through shared governance models. She also discussed HLP’s role as vital

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The Healthy Living Platform

Trustees’ Report (continued)

infrastructure, a resource hub and community asset for Lambeth. Topics also included doughnut economies, community commons and how the Hub could become a protected & community-owned asset.

C) BBC Breakfast appearance at The Felix Project Deptford Depot Launch, November 2024

In celebration of the King’s birthday, a new Depot was opened at the Felix Project Deptford.

With Dame Louise Casey, Dame Martina Milburn and Sadiq Khan in attendance alongside King Charles, Carla Thomas was invited to speak live on BBC Breakfast and Channel 5 for the launch of the Felix Project’s new Deptford Depot. The interview focused on the need for more donated food in the community and highlighted our strong ties within London’s surplus food supply chain.

’ – D) Lord Mayor s Coffee Colloquy SDG 2 Zero Hunger, October 2024

For World Food Day 2024, Carla Thomas and our Office Manager Brodie Neilson attended the Lord Mayor’s Coffee Colloquy, organised by City Harvest. For this event, City Harvest invited food industry experts to tackle the challenge of how the world can work to end hunger and ensure access to food for all people, and in particular the poor and vulnerable, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.

– ’ E) Brixton North Big Local Mayor s Parlour, Lambeth Town Hall, February 2025

At Brixton North Big Local’s launch surrounding support for community and youth projects, Carla Thomas presented our Community Lunch and Community Café projects. This presentation discussed how food can act as a mechanism for connection, engagement and support.

F) Livery Visit to City Harvest at New Covent Garden Market, April 2025

HLP joined Livery Food Initiative’s tour of City Harvest at New Covent Garden Market. At this event, Carla Thomas presented how the food they donate impacts communities, emphasising the need for more food hubs like ours.

Evaluation

Coproduced Evaluation Project Launch

In September 2025, we began a co-designed independent evaluation project with local social impact evaluator PatchWorks, designed to build a robust evidence base for HLP’s work and to strengthen accountability to the communities we serve. The project uses a mixed-methods approach, including surveys with community group partners, volunteers and residents, alongside in-depth interviews at Moorlands Community Pantry and with key partners including HLP’s surplus food suppliers.

This work represents an important step in strengthening how we understand, evidence and communicate our impact. By involving residents, volunteers and partners directly in shaping the evaluation, the project ensures that our learning is grounded in lived experience and reflective of what matters most to the people we support.

We intend to learn from this process and to strengthen and embed robust, sustained monitoring and evaluation across our work. This has coincided with the piloting of a dedicated Monitoring and Impact Officer role, allowing us to test and develop internal capacity for impact measurement, learning and continuous

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The Healthy Living Platform

Trustees’ Report (continued)

improvement. We will review the effectiveness of this role over the coming months and use the learning to inform future organisational development.

Data collection began positively, with strong engagement from partners and community members. We anticipate publishing the full evaluation report later in 2025 and look forward to using the findings to inform service development, partnership working and strategic planning across the organisation.

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The Healthy Living Platform

Trustees’ Report (continued)

3. Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit

The trustees have had regard to Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and consider that the objectives, aims and achievements of the charity described in the report enable it to meet its duty to the Charity Commission as per section 17 of the Charities Act 2011, and to the benefit of the public.

Additional Information

Building Relations via Corporate Volunteering Days

Over the past year, we have begun hosting corporate volunteering day packages to build mutually beneficial relationships with interested businesses and help diversify our funding. This involves a team of corporate colleagues joining us for a day of hands-on support. Split between the Food Hub and Kitchen, participants typically assist with food deliveries, visit one of our pantries, portion bulk supplies and prepare a family-style lunch using surplus ingredients.

This is an opportunity for corporates to gain a direct connection and understanding of HLP and our mission, beyond what is available digitally. This initiative has proven successful, with Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) notably donating £20,000 in addition to their volunteering day package, covering the running costs of our pantries for a full year. We look forward to hosting more corporate volunteering days, and further strengthening the connections established.

Corporate Volunteering Days Hosted:

With more on the way…

Contribution made by volunteers

Volunteers remain pivotal to the work we do, and we are forever grateful for the generosity and care demonstrated by our community for one and other. Across the year we were supported with a total of 5,424 hours across 118 volunteers, through volunteer shifts at our surplus Food Hub, Community Kitchen and pantries.

Despite working with a smaller group of volunteers when compared with 2023-24, this year has seen a 39% increase in the number of hours given per volunteer. At £13.85/hr, this represents £75,112.40 (in kind) based on the London Living Wage.

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The Healthy Living Platform

Trustees’ Report (continued)

4. Financial Review

Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period.

Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held

HLP’s Reserves Policy is not static and can be subject to change annually. HLP’s reserves policy considers designated funds that are allocated to specific projects. HLP’s current Reserves Policy is to keep sufficient funds in reserves to cover 3 months of salaries, any leases HLP is liable to pay and money to support legal costs. HLP agrees that if it receives more funding that can be allocated to Reserves as an extra contingency then this will be done at the Board’s discretion.

The Trustees have assessed the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. This assessment involved reviewing the charity's financial position, cash flow forecasts, and future funding commitments. Based on this review, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue operating for the foreseeable future. Therefore, the financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.

Additional Information

The charity’s principal sources of funds as of September 2025 (including any fundraising)

  1. Lambeth Council

  2. Impact on Urban Health

  3. Feeding Britain

  4. Changing Lives

  5. Lambeth Made

  6. Community Connections

  7. North Brixton Big Local

  8. ICG

  9. Awards for All

  10. The Caerlow Trust

  11. Donations

  12. National Lottery, Awards for All

A description of the principal risks facing the charity

The principal risk currently facing HLP is securing sustained funding for the Food Hub following the Lambeth Council’s cuts and the conclusion of Impact on Urban Health’s funding. In response, we have pivoted our income strategy towards building a broader, more diversified funding base, reducing reliance on any single funder and strengthening long-term resilience.

We have developed a robust and dynamic funding pipeline and have actively pursued a portfolio of smaller grants as part of a more sustainable income model. While future funding has been secured in part, including confirmed support from The Draper’s Hall Company from December 2025, a number of funding applications remain pending and there remains a risk that long-term financial sustainability is not yet fully assured.

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The Healthy Living Platform

Trustees’ Report (continued)

Alongside this, we have taken deliberate steps to strengthen organisational foundations. Our 2024/25 accounts indicate that reserves have increased by £65k, with a projected year-end balance of £155k. Governance has been strengthened through the appointment of new trustees, enhancing financial oversight and internal controls. We have also developed a full cost-recovery model to support longer-term sustainability and the rebuilding of reserves following a challenging 2023/24.

The appointment of a Chief Executive Officer in September 2024 has further strengthened organisational leadership, with a clear focus on income diversification, strategic development and long-term stability.

Despite these positive steps, the external environment remains challenging. The financial climate for London’s charity sector continues to tighten, with several long-standing funders pausing programmes for review and ongoing under-funding of local authorities placing additional pressure on community services. In this context, fundraising, advocacy and raising awareness of the Hub’s unique and high-impact model within Lambeth remain strategic priorities.

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The Healthy Living Platform

Trustees’ Report (continued)

5. Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts: Not applicable

Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) : Constitution

How is the charity constituted? (e.g. unincorporated association, CIO) : CIO

Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees: Trustees are voted in by existing Trustees following an application process.

6. Reference and administrative Details

Charity Name: Healthy Living Platform Other name the charity uses: HLP Registered charity number: 1195487 Charity’s principal address: 336 Brixton Road, SW9 7AA

7. Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity as of 30[th] September 2025

  1. Tanya Spence (Chair as of 01/09/2025)

  2. Michele Marotta (08/11/21 to 1/2/25)

  3. Giles Gibson

  4. Alexis Martinowsky (08/11/21 to 1/2/25)

  5. Janet Baker

  6. Bel-Olivia Osas

  7. Hubert James (25/03/2024 to 22/1/25)

  8. David Wood (Treasurer)

  9. Davina Jane Belcher (Chair until 31/08/2025)

At the end of 2024, with a new Chair and Treasurer in post along with one other new Trustee, some of the longer serving Trustees stepped down. Their ongoing support for HLP through the pandemic and the setting up of the Food Hub was hugely beneficial, but they felt ready to move on, confident in the new appointments to continue their legacy. This did mean a reduction in Board members that HLP is still trying to resolve, although finding new recruits can be a challenge in itself, and one that the Board is prioritising.

8. Corporate Trustees - names of the directors at the date the report was approved

No Corporate Trustees

9. Name of Trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Not applicable – no property owned by the charity

10. Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

No funds or assets held on behalf of others

11. Additional Information (optional)

No advisors involved

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The Healthy Living Platform

Trustees’ Report (continued)

12. Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (optional)

Davina Belcher, Chief Executive Officer (01/09/25 – present) Carla Thomas

Co-Managing Director (Feb 24 – 31/08/2025)

Food Hub Director (01/09/25 – present)

14. Exemptions from disclosure

No exemptions

Additional detail required in submission

Noteworthy Donors :

Including financial, food and service donations

Staff

During the past year, the charity experienced a higher-than-usual level of staff turnover. This reflected a period of organisational transition following an intensive programme of work, which saw the conclusion of several projects. In addition, we had the unexpected departure of a team member due to immigration circumstances. Altogether, this placed additional pressure on staff capacity. While challenging, this period also created an opportunity to strengthen organisational structures, clarify strategic priorities, and build a more resilient and stable team. These changes have helped establish a strong foundation for the charity’s continued development and future growth.

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The Healthy Living Platform

Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with the United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and applicable law and regulations.

The law applicable to charities 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 of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, and the provisions of the constitution. The trustees 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.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Approved by the trustees of the charity on 9 June 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

......................................... Mrs Tanya Spence Chairman and trustee

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The Healthy Living Platform

Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of The Healthy Living Platform

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Healthy Living Platform for the year ended 30 September 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of The Healthy Living Platform 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 The Healthy Living Platform'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 Healthy Living Platform's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 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:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of The Healthy Living Platform as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting 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.

In their assessment of the going concern basis of preparation of the accounts, the trustees have concluded that a material uncertainty exists which could cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue beyond April 2027; nevertheless, they remain confident that adequate funding will be obtained to support the charity’s continued operations for the foreseeable future.

I have no other 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.

......................................

Mr Keith Powers 13 Ambleside Botley Southampton Hampshire SO30 2NS

9 June 2026

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The Healthy Living Platform

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 30 September 2025

Unrestricted
Total
funds
Restricted funds
2025
Note £
£
£
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies 4,086
-
4,086
Charitable activities 67,106
313,471
380,577
Other income 1,324
-
1,324
Total income 72,516
313,471
385,987
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities (26,513)
(294,387)
(320,900)
Total expenditure (26,513)
(294,387)
(320,900)
Net income
46,003
19,084
65,087
Net movement in funds
46,003
19,084
65,087
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 115,202
(24,698)
90,504
Total funds carried forward
9
161,205
(5,614)
155,591
Unrestricted
Total
funds
Restricted funds
2024
Note £
£
£
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies 5,694
5,025
10,719
Charitable activities 51,757
390,983
442,740
Other income 12,824
-
12,824
Total income 70,275
396,008
466,283
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities (105,171)
(470,342)
(575,513)
Total expenditure (105,171)
(470,342)
(575,513)
Net expenditure
(34,896)
(74,334)
(109,230)
Net movement in funds
(34,896)
(74,334)
(109,230)
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 150,098
49,635
199,733
Total funds carried forward
9
115,202
(24,699)
90,503

All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for 2024 is shown in note 9.

The notes on pages 22 to 28 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 19

The Healthy Living Platform

(Registration number: 1195487) Balance Sheet as at 30 September 2025

2025
2024
Note £
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
6		 47,797
64,932
Debtors
7
- due within one year 8,877
92,888
Cash at bank and in hand 209,417
46,527
218,294
139,415
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
8
(110,500)
(113,844)
Net currentassets
107,794
25,571
Netassets
155,591
90,503
Funds of the charity:
Restricted income funds
Restricted funds (5,614)
(24,699)
Unrestricted income funds
Unrestricted funds 161,205
115,202
Total funds
9
155,591
90,503

The financial statements on pages 19 to 28 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 9 June 2026 and signed on their behalf by:

......................................... Mrs Tanya Spence Chairman and trustee

The notes on pages 22 to 28 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 20

The Healthy Living Platform

Cash Flow Statement for the Year Ended 30 September 2025

2025
2024
Note £
£
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash income/(expenditure) 65,087
(109,229)
Adjustments to cash flows from non-cash items
Depreciation 17,135
18,456
82,222
(90,773)
Working capital adjustments
Decrease in debtors
7		 84,011
41,804
(Decrease)/increase in creditors
8		 (3,343)
5,624
Net cash flows from operating activities
162,890
(43,345)
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayment of bank borrowings -
(32,061)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
162,890
(75,406)
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 October 46,527
121,933
Cash and cash equivalents at 30 September
209,417
46,527

All of the cash flows are derived from continuing operations during the above two periods.

The notes on pages 22 to 28 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 21

The Healthy Living Platform

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025

1 Accounting policies

Statement of compliance

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the second edition of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

Basis of preparation

The Healthy Living Platform meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. The accounts (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.

Going concern

The trustees have reviewed the charity’s forecasts covering a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements (to April 2027). These forecasts have been prepared taking into account current funding commitments, planned income generation, and ongoing cost management.

The financial statements cover the period to 30 September 2025, and therefore the going concern assessment extends approximately 18 months beyond the reporting date.

The forecasts indicate that, while the charity is able to meet its obligations in the short term, there is currently no funding formally secured beyond October 2026. In the absence of additional funding, this would create pressure on cashflow and, in a downside scenario, would require the trustees to begin a managed wind-down of operations from that point.

However, the trustees consider it appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis. This is based on a credible and active funding pipeline, including grant applications in progress, the development of corporate partnerships and fundraising activity, and the ability to take mitigating action on costs and delivery if required.

As a result, a material uncertainty exists which may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern beyond April 2027; however, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that sufficient funding can be secured to enable the charity to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.

Accordingly, the financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis and do not include any adjustments that would result if the charity were unable to continue as a going concern.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Deferred income

Deferred income represents amounts received for future periods and is released to incoming resources in the period for which, it has been received. Such income is only deferred when:

Page 22

The Healthy Living Platform

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025 (continued)

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. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Support costs

Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources, for example, allocating property costs by floor areas, or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage.

Taxation

The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

Depreciation and amortisation

Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:

Depreciation and amortisation
Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off
residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:		 the cost or valuation, less any estimated
Asset class Depreciation method and rate
Fixtures and fittings 20% on reducing balance
Leasehold Improvements Straight-line through lease term ending
Dec 2027

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

Fund structure

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.

Page 23

The Healthy Living Platform

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025 (continued)

2 Income from charitable activities

Unrestricted
funds Restricted Total Total
General funds 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Grants 26,925 210,525 237,450 199,473
Service income 40,181 102,946 143,127 243,266
67,106 313,471 380,577 442,739

3 Expenditure on charitable activities

Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
Total
Total
General
funds
2025
2024
Note £
£
£
£
Staff costs 5,290
155,970
161,260
282,757
Allocated support
costs 21,223
138,417
159,640
292,756
26,513
294,387
320,900
575,513
Activity
undertaken Activity support
directly costs 2025
£ £ £
Support costs - 1,504 1,504
General 319,396 - 319,396
319,396 1,504 320,900
Activity
undertaken Activity support
directly costs 2024
£ £ £
Support costs - 1,500 1,500
General 574,012 - 574,012
574,012 1,500 575,512

4 Staff costs

The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:

Page 24

The Healthy Living Platform

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025 (continued)

2025
2024
£
£
Staff costs during the year were:
Wages and salaries 149,545
257,405
Employer’s national insurance 6,439
18,201
Pension costs 2,992
5,097
Other staff costs 2,284
2,054
161,260
282,757

The monthly average number of persons (including senior management / leadership team) employed by the charity during the year expressed as full time equivalents was as follows:

charity during the year expressed as full time equivalents was as follows:
2025 2024
No No
Staff 6 9

5 Taxation

The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.

6 Tangible fixed assets

6
Tangible fixed assets
Land and
Furniture and
buildings
equipment
Total

£

£
£
Cost
At 1 October 2024 67,196
41,676
108,872
At 30 September 2025
67,196
41,676
108,872
Depreciation
At 1 October 2024 28,657
15,283
43,940
Charge for theyear 11,856
5,279
17,135
At 30 September 2025
40,513
20,562
61,075
Net book value
At 30 September 2025
26,683
21,114
47,797
At 30 September 2024
38,539
26,393
64,932

Included within the net book value of land and buildings above is £Nil (2024 - £Nil) in respect of freehold land and buildings and £26,683 (2024 - £38,539) in respect of leaseholds.

Page 25

The Healthy Living Platform

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025 (continued)

7 Debtors

7
Debtors
2025 2024
£ £
Trade debtors 1,419 71,199
Accrued income - 14,468
Other debtors 7,458 7,221
8,877 92,888
8
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2025 2024
£ £
Other taxation and social security 1,966 254
Other creditors 3,993 4,033
Accruals 4,950 1,500
Deferred income 99,591 108,057
110,500 113,844

9 Funds

Balance at 1
October 2024
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
Balance at 30
September 2025		 Balance at 1
October 2024
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
Balance at 30
September 2025
£
£

£

£
Unrestricted funds
General
Pantries
12,994
31,180
(4,154)
40,020
General Fund
102,207
41,340
(22,362)
121,185
115,201
72,520
(26,516)
161,205
Restricted funds
The Hub
(24,698)
193,481
(168,783)
-
Lambeth Household & Winter Fund
-
54,914
(54,914)
-
Pantries -
12,856
(12,856)
-
Community Kitchen -
40,920
(46,534)
(5,614)
Food Ambassadors -
5,648
(5,648)
-
First 5 Lambeth -
2,640
(2,640)
-
NCB -
3,000
(3,000)
-
Total restricted funds
(24,698)
313,459
(294,375)
(5,614)
Total funds
90,503
385,979
(320,891)
155,591

Page 26

The Healthy Living Platform

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025 (continued)

The negative fund balance of (£5,614) for Community Kitchen is a short-term timing difference which reversed in the next financial year with receipt of funding to match the costs incurred.

Programs related to the following Restricted Funds ended during the year to September 30, 2025: First 5 Lambeth, Food Ambassadors (Awards for All, Changing Lives, Lambeth Made), NCB, Household Fund, Hub (Brixton Hub). Funding received for each of these Restricted Funds was fully expended on program related activities.

At September 30, 2025, grant funding received for the following programs was recorded as deferred income on the balance sheet: Community Kitchen - Awards for All £19,771, Community Kitchen - North Brixton Big Local £4,182, Food Ambassadors - Community Connections £2,057, Restricted Pantries - ICG £9,760, Restricted Pantries - MTVH £2,500, Hub - Impact on Urban Health £59,658, Hub - Arnold Clark £1,000 . These programs were on-going at September 30, 2025 with funding conditional on the Charity meeting certain objectives which had not been fully met by that date.

Balance at 1 Incoming Resources Balance at 30
October 2023 resources expended September 2024
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General
Pantries 8,748 40,128 (35,882) 12,994
General Fund 141,349 30,146 (69,288) 102,207
150,097 70,274 (105,170) 115,201
Restricted
The Hub - 193,013 (217,711) (24,698)
Lambeth Household & Winter Fund 10,923 85,086 (96,009) -
LEAP 6,451 51,414 (57,865) -
Pantries 7,195 35,350 (42,545) -
Community Kitchen 18 25,386 (25,404) -
Food Ambassadors 18,000 3,399 (21,399) -
Co-Create 7,049 - (7,049) -
First 5 Lambeth - 2,360 (2,360) -
Total restricted funds 49,636 396,008 (470,342) (24,698)
Total funds 199,733 466,282 (575,512) 90,503

10 Analysis of net assets between funds

Page 27

The Healthy Living Platform

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025 (continued)

Unrestricted Total funds at 30
funds Restricted September
General funds 2025
£ £ £
Tangible fixed assets 47,798 - 47,798
Current assets 121,257 97,032 218,289
Current liabilities (7,851) (102,645) (110,496)
Total net assets 161,204 (5,613) 155,591
Unrestricted Total funds at 30
funds Restricted September
General funds 2024
£ £ £
Tangible fixed assets 64,932 - 64,932
Current assets 56,452 82,962 139,414
Current liabilities (6,182) (107,660) (113,842)
Total net assets 115,202 (24,698) 90,504

11 Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions in the year.

Page 28

The Healthy Living Platform

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 30 September 2025

Total
Total
2025
2024
£
£
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies (analysed below) 4,086
10,719
Charitable activities (analysed below) 380,577
442,740
Other income(analysed below) 1,324
12,824
Total income
385,987
466,283
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities(analysed below) (320,900)
(575,513)
Total expenditure
(320,900)
(575,513)
Net income/(expenditure)
65,087
(109,230)
Net movement in funds
65,087
(109,230)
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
90,504
199,733
Total funds carried forward
155,591
90,503

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements. Page 29

The Healthy Living Platform

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 30 September 2025 (continued)

Total
Total
2025
2024
£
£
Donations and legacies
Donations and legacies 4,086
10,719
4,086
10,719
Charitable activities
Grants 237,450
199,473
Service income 143,127
243,267
380,577
442,740
Other income
Other income 1,324
12,824
1,324
12,824
Charitable activities
Purchases (45,543)
(145,874)
Wages and salaries (149,545)
(257,405)
Social security costs (6,439)
(18,201)
Pension costs (2,992)
(5,097)
Other staff costs (2,284)
(2,054)
Sundry expenses (4,836)
(346)
Contractors (11,447)
(27,028)
Utilities (12,226)
(131)
Rent (43,532)
(50,296)
Insurance (3,013)
(2,257)
IT and communications (1,054)
(3,410)
Print and stationary -
(3,918)
Travel and motor (5,046)
(18,705)
Accountancy and legal fees (11,181)
(14,497)
Recruitment costs (276)
(1,175)
Bank charges (839)
(1,113)
Depreciation (17,135)
(18,456)
Cleaning (2,375)
(1,824)
Marketing (1,137)
(1,574)
Bad debt expense -
(2,152)
(320,900)
(575,513)

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements. Page 30