1 The Strongtower Foundation Charity Number: 1195771 Annual Return 2024-2025
Annual Return FY24-25
Introductory Note From CEO
Dear Reader,
This financial return for 2025 reflects a foundational year for The Strongtower Foundation, marking the transition from planning to active service delivery.
During this period, we successfully launched our supported housing provision and opened our first safe accommodation facility. This milestone enabled us to place our first resident, who settled well into the programme and began her journey toward independent living.
Alongside this, we trained our first cohort of volunteers, equipping them with essential skills in trauma-informed care, safeguarding, and basic counselling support. These volunteers now form a critical part of our delivery model and community-based support system.
Our financial activity this year reflects deliberate investment into establishing infrastructure, securing accommodation, and building a sustainable foundation for future growth.
This report reflects not only financial stewardship, but the beginning of tangible, life-changing impact. Sincerely,
Rachael King
Chief Executive Officer The Strongtower Foundation
Charity Number: 1195771
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Annual Return FY24-25
Who We Are
Access to Safe Housing & Accommodation
The Strongtower Foundation (STF) is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), founded in September 2021, with a mission to support victims of modern slavery and human trafficking. We believe that modern slavery is a critical contemporary issue, and we are committed to ensuring people can live free from slavery in our communities and nationwide.
During the financial year, we continued to provide essential support to victims through our structured reintegration programme, focusing on housing, mental well-being, education, and employability. Our work remains volunteer-driven, with trustees contributing their time voluntarily without remuneration.
Our name is taken from Psalm 61:3:
For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy .
Please visit our website for more information: www.thestrongtowerfoundation.org
Objectives & Activities
Twelve Month Re-integration Programme
STF operates as more than just a safehouse.
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a) We provide safe accommodation for victims to call their home
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b) We run a volunteer-led 12-month programme providing holistic care and support to bring healing to the whole person: mind, body, and soul
Our aim is to break the cycle of dependence by equipping those who have affected by this crime through tool-building support programmes that will empower them to transition into independent living .
Charity Number: 1195771
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Annual Return FY24-25
Our mission
At the heart of our mission is a strong commitment to empower victims of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking (MSHT) to move past their trauma and achieve independent living and engage the community to drive real change
Our approach is grounded in volunteer-led services. Through university workshops, training sessions and events, we rally local support, making the fight against MSHT a shared responsibility.
Our victim support programs focus on rehabilitation and reintegration to prevent re-trafficking:
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Empowerment and Support: Our comprehensive services provide survivors with the tools they need to rebuild their lives, including mental health support and life skills.
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Safe Transitional Housing : We provide safe, nurturing environments where victims can heal and regain their independence.
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Sustainability: We ensure our services are effective and sustainable, maintaining high standards through ongoing training for staff and volunteers.
Our purpose
Our charity bridges the critical gap in survivor support. Many remain trapped in a cycle, making them vulnerable to re-trafficking. By offering tailored programs through our Five Pillar Support Program, focused on empowerment, skills training, and safe transitional housing, we equip survivors to rebuild their lives and regain autonomy, ensuring that no one navigates this journey alone.
Our Support Programme
Our Five Pillar Support Programme includes 5 elements:
Befriending Support Network
We recruit and train volunteers to befriend our residents so that they can get to know the local area. The interaction can range from helping with shopping to a coffee and a chat in the local park. This service is essential to community integration.
Charity Number: 1195771
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Annual Return FY24-25
Our training will cover essential modules such as safeguarding, dealing with mental health and spotting the signs of MSHT.
🔷 Life-skills Training
During the 12-month period we support women by sharing essential life skills that will help with confidence building, such as cooking classes and healthy eating tips. Finance and budgeting skills are a core part of this service. We aim to teach women to manage their budget and enable them to save for a deposit for independent living during their time with us.
🔷 Mental wellbeing and Counselling sessions
We work with trained volunteers to help victims develop emotional skills, cope with life challenges and manage their triggers; this will enable them to function independently and socially. This can range from 1-1 counselling to art and music therapy.
🔷 Education & Employability Opportunities
Over a 12-month period, we work with career advisors to help victims consider their future, opportunities and career path. We partner with organisations to provide essential skills-development for future employment and/or education in preparation for living independently, finding work and becoming self-sustaining.
🔷 Self-discovery and Development Tools
A core part of independence is identity. Our programme integrates volunteer-led self-discovery sessions chosen by the victims. This can range from book-clubs to baking to gardening.
Charity Number: 1195771
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Annual Return FY24-25
Our values
Restoration
MSHT strips away an individual’s humanity so that they can be commodified, we want to restore this by ensuring victims are given the support they need, the dignity they deserve and the freedom and self-determination they are entitled. Many survivors of MSHT have endured unimaginable hardships. We want to restore their, faith, hope and trust in people.
Justice
Human Rights are at the core of what we do. We believe in the inherent and inalienable right to liberty, dignity and self-determination. We strive to uphold these principles and realise them in the lives of the victims that come into our care.
Compassion and Care
We aim to empower victims of MSHT to move past their trauma and become survivors. We want to provide a safe and understanding environment that fosters stability and recovery.
Collaboration
We serve a mission that is bigger than us and we recognise that we cannot do this work alone. We encourage engagement with our local community and actively pursue collaborations and partnerships to further our mission.
Opportunity
We want to give opportunities for development to people through working with us, whether through volunteerism or employment, as well as the opportunity for a fresh start for those we support.
Agape Love
Agape love is defined as the love that comes from God for all mankind. It is the premise that every person, irrespective of their culture, class, creed or colour is loved and embraced. While we are not a proselytising organisation, we are founded on the values taught by Jesus to show care and
compassion
for the vulnerable in a practical way
Charity Number: 1195771
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Annual Return FY23
-24 Charity Details
Charity Details
| Charity Number | 1195771 | |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Date | 9 September 2021 | |
| Registered Address | The Strongtower Foundation | |
| 3rd Floor | ||
| 86-90 Paul Street | ||
| London EC2A 4NE | ||
| Board of Trustees | ||
| Nathan King | Chair | Appointed 09 September 2021 |
| Lauren Romanish | Trustee | Appointed 29 February 2024 |
| Christopher Rose | Trustee | Appointed 08 April 2024 |
| Samantha Betz | Trustee | Appointed 10 September 2024 |
| Secretary | ||
| Adetola Okunuga | Non-voting Administrator | Appointed 01 July 2023 |
| Key Management | ||
| Rachael King | Chief Executive Officer & Founder | Appointed 09 September 2021 |
Charity Number: 1195771
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Annual Return FY24-25
Advisors
Bank
Co-Operative Bank 1 Balloon Street, Manchester M60 4EP
Financial Review
Financial Performance
During the financial year ending 31 May 2025, the charity generated income primarily through donations, including a significant £10,000 contribution received in February 2025.
Key financial highlights include:
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Total income: £14,940.69
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Housing-related costs: £5,301.27 (Property lease: £5,050 | Furniture: £251.27)
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Other operating expenditure: £6,644.43
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Total expenditure: £11,945.70
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Net surplus for the year: £2,994.99
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Closing balance: £7,611.33
Reserves Policy
The charity aims to maintain sufficient unrestricted reserves to ensure continuity of operations and to respond to emerging needs.
At year-end, the charity held £7,611.33 in unrestricted funds, providing a stable base moving into the next financial year.
Principal Funding Sources
The charity’s primary funding sources during the year were individual donations and a major one-off donation received in February 2025.
Charity Number: 1195771
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Annual Return FY24-25
Plans for Future Periods
The charity plans to expand supported housing provision, increase resident capacity, strengthen volunteer training, and secure additional funding streams.
Annual Return FY24-25 Financial Review
Statement of Financial Activities
| Notes Total 2025(£) Total 2024(£) |
Notes Total 2025(£) Total 2024(£) |
|---|---|
| Income from: | |
| Donations – corporates | 10,000.00 18,000 |
| Donations – individuals | 1,266.40 1,122 |
| Rental Income | 2,050.00 - |
| Grant income | - - |
| Other receipts | 1,624.29 - |
| Total Income | 14,940.69 19,122 |
| Expenditure on: | |
| Housing-related costs | 5,301.27 25,170 |
| Office costs | 50.23 288 |
| Event Costs | 2,145.23 - |
| Operating costs | 4,448.97 364 |
| Total expenditure | 11,945.70 25,822 |
| Net movement in funds | 2,994.99 -6,700 |
| Fund balances at 1 June | 4,616 11,316 |
| Fund balances at 31 May | 7,611.33 4,616 |
Charity Number: 1195771
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Annual Return FY24-25
Balance Sheet as at 31 May 2025
| Balance Sheet as at 31 May 2025 | Balance Sheet as at 31 May 2025 |
|---|---|
| Notes 2025(£) 2024(£) |
|
| Current assets | |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 7,611.33 4,616 |
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year |
- - |
| Net current assets | 7,611.33 4,616 |
| Total net assets | 7,611.33 4,616 |
| Funds | |
| Unrestricted funds | 7,611.33 4,616 |
| Restricted funds | - - |
| Total charity funds | 7,611.33 4,616 |
Charity Number: 1195771
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Annual Return FY24-25 Accounting Policies & Analysis
Accounting Policies
Basis of Preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) and applicable UK accounting standards.
Recognition of Income and Expenditure
Income is recognised when receivable, and expenditure is accounted for on an accrual basis.
Fund Accounting
Funds are classified as restricted or unrestricted, with restrictions applied to specific grants and donations.
Valuation of Fixed Assets
Fixed assets are recorded at cost and depreciated over their useful economic lives, where applicable.
The charity does not currently hold any fixed assets.
| Category | Amount (£) |
|---|---|
| Income Analysis | |
| Donations – corporations | 10,000.00 |
| Donations – individuals | 1,266.40 |
| Rental Income | 2,050.00 |
| Other receipts | 1,624.29 |
| Total Income | 14,940.69 |
| Expenditure Analysis | |
| Housing-related costs | 5,301.27 |
| Office costs | 50.23 |
| Event costs | 2,145.23 |
| Other operating expenditure | 4,448.97 |
| Total Expenditure | 11,945.70 |
Charity Number: 1195771
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Annual Return FY24-25 Accounting Policies & Analysis
Staff Costs & Trustee Remuneration
Number of Employees and Payroll Costs
The charity operates through a dedicated volunteer-led model, with no salaried employees during the financial year. Delivery is supported by a growing network of trained volunteers, including individuals equipped in trauma-informed care and safeguarding practices. This approach reflects a deliberate focus on maximising frontline impact, ensuring that resources are directed primarily toward beneficiary support and programme delivery.
Disclosure of Any Payments to Trustees
No trustees received remuneration, expenses, or any other financial benefits during the financial year.
The Board continues to provide strategic oversight, governance, and leadership on a wholly voluntary basis, demonstrating a strong commitment to the charity’s mission and long-term sustainability.
Funds Movement
Changes in Restricted and Unrestricted Funds
- Net Movement (surplus) in Funds: £2,994.99
The charity recorded a net surplus for the financial year ended 31 May 2025, reflecting careful cost management during its foundational year of operations.
Restricted / Unrestricted funds
All income received and expenditure incurred during the year relates to unrestricted funds . This provides the charity with full flexibility to allocate resources where they are most needed, particularly in establishing its supported housing provision and delivering core services.
Charity Number: 1195771
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Annual Return FY24-25 Accounting Policies & Analysis
Approved by the Board of Trustees on 31 March 2026 Signed on behalf of the Trustees:
Nathan King
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Nathan King (Chairperson)