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2025-08-31-accounts

SPEAR BRISTOL

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Charity Number: 1195810

SPEAR BRISTOL

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Contents Pages
Reference & Administrative Information 1
Trustees’ Annual Report 2 – 6
Independent Examiner’s Report 7 – 8
Statement of Financial Activities 9
Balance Sheet 10
Notes to the Financial Statements 11 – 16

SPEAR BRISTOL

REFERENCE & ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Spear Bristol is a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation

Trustees Caroline Jowett-Ive (Chair of Trustee Board)
Andrew Street
Patrick Sykes
Tony Condon
Daniel Haustead
Claire Harman (Appointed 16 September 2024)
Rev Janet Lee (Appointed 16 June 2025)
Rev Dr Andrew Murray (Appointed 16 June 2025)
Dr Graham Stuart (Resigned 31 December 2025)
Rev Paul Langham (Resigned 31 July 2025)
Sophie Brookes (Resigned 31 May 2025)
Samuel Wright (Resigned 31 May 2025)
Solomon Hardy (Resigned 31 December 2024)
Anna Wright (Resigned 31 December 2024)
Charity registration number 1195810
Principal and registered address Christ Church
Linden Gate,
Clifton Down Road,
Bristol BS8 4AH
Independent Examiner Joshua Kingston BSc (Hons) FCA
Burton Sweet Ltd,
The Clock Tower, 5 Farleigh Court
Old Weston Road
Flax Bourton
Bristol BS48 1UR
Telephone 07840527336
Email hello@spearbristol.co.uk
Website https://www.spear.org.uk/centre/bristol/
Bankers CAF Bank Ltd,
25 Kings Hill Avenue,
Kings Hill,
West Malling,
Kent ME19 4JQ

1

SPEAR BRISTOL

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Structure, Governance and Management

Spear Bristol is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation governed by its Constitution and led by a Board of Trustees who meet quarterly. The Board is made up of people living or working in Bristol.

A person who is willing and eligible to act as a trustee, and who would not be disqualified from this action, may be appointed to be a trustee by a decision of the trustees. Trustees with relevant knowledge, skills or experience are appointed for the effective administration of the charity.

Any decision of the trustees must be either by decision of a majority of the trustees present and voting at a quorate trustees’ meeting, or when the majority of trustees have indicated to all the trustees by any means (including email) that they share a common view on a matter.

Objects:

Spear Bristol equips 16–24 year-olds, facing the most significant barriers to employment, with the skills, mind-sets and attitudes needed to secure and thrive in work.

The objects of Spear Bristol as set out in its constitution:

The objects of Spear Bristol are for the benefit of the public and within a Christian ethos, to act as a resource for young people between the ages of 16 to 24 living in and around Bristol by providing advice, assistance and support, educational programmes and other activities as a means of:

Public Benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission

2

SPEAR BRISTOL

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

on public benefit.

Activities

Spear Bristol was established in 2021. Through the award-winning Spear Programme, we equip young people (16-24 year-olds) facing significant barriers to employment with the skills, mind-sets and attitudes needed to secure and thrive in work.

We run six programmes per year with up to 15 young people on each programme. Starting with a six-week phase known as Spear Foundation, our coaches follow a diverse curriculum, equipping trainees with the mindset and skillset required for employment e.g., Professionalism Week, Interview Week, Communication Week. The programme addresses CV writing and job search skills and offers insights including the hidden rules of work such as how to dress for an interview and how to make small talk.

The second phase, Spear Career, provides a year of follow-on support as trainees gain greater independence and move into employment or training opportunities that increase their prospects.

We operate in partnership with the national charity Spear (formerly Resurgo Trust) who have many years of experience working with unemployed young people and partner with eighteen other Spear Centres across the country. They provide on-going training and development delivered by coaches accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), programme curriculum support and development, impact monitoring, quality assurance, and fundraising support.

Achievements and Performance

During this financial period, we ran 6 Spear programmes and 77 young people completed Spear Foundation. 75% of all young people completing Foundation with Spear Bristol are in employment, education or training twelve months later.

Our trainees have gone to work for a wide range of employers, including: Pets at Home, Bristol City Council, Anne’s House Childcare Centre, Artist’s Residence, MacDonald’s, Ashton Gate Stadium, Electrical Solutions, Footlocker, Nando’s and Greggs.

We have worked with a variety of referrers to find the young people we can best support, these have included: DWP Job Centres (Temple Street, Bedminster, Broadwalk and the Galleries Youth Hub), Bristol City Council, Families in Focus, Bristol Drugs Project, One Front Door, The Prince’s Trust, Barnardo’s, City of Bristol College and St Giles Trust.

3

SPEAR BRISTOL

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

All of the young people we work with have 1 or more barriers to entering employment and staying there. Over half of those we worked with in this reporting period had 3 or more of those barriers including: being a care leaver, having family involved in crime, living in supported housing, having less than 5 GCSE’s, mental health challenges, a criminal record or being entitled to free school meals.

The young people we have worked with come from all over Bristol with a high proportion from Bedminster, Knowle, Avonmouth, Easton and Hartcliffe, medium proportions from St George’s, Clifton, Eastville, Bishopsworth, Kingswood, Brislington and Horfield, and lower proportions from Southmead, Lawrence Weston, Knowle West, St Paul’s, and Whitehall.

Contribution made by volunteers

Spear Bristol relies on volunteers generously giving their time to support our trainees. During this financial period over 60 volunteers supported Spear Bristol with Mock Interviews and Career Panels – encouraging our trainees through the sharing of their own experience, identifying the trainee’s strengths, and supporting their interview skills development.

In addition to this, many volunteers have attended the celebrations held at the end of each 6-week programme to encourage and support the trainees as they move onto Spear Career and looking for work.

Financial Review

This year Spear Bristol’s income exceeds the £250,000 threshold for preparing accounts on an accruals basis. As a result, the figures for 2023/24 reported on a receipts and payments basis in the previous year have been re-stated to ensure consistency of reporting in the current year.

In 2024/25 Spear Bristol received total income of £270,126 (2023/24 - £116,903) through the generous support of corporate and individual donors, charitable trusts and local foundations. The income comprised £190,076 (2023/24 - £82,158) from corporate and individual donors, £43,000 (2023/24 - £20,500) from charitable trusts and grants, £36,126 (2023/24 - £14,182) from gift aid on eligible donations and £924 (2023/24 - £63) from bank interest.

Total expenditure for the financial period, all of which was incurred in support of Spear Bristol’s charitable activities, was £150,977 (2023/24 - £159,104). There was no expenditure against restricted funds in either the current financial period or the previous one.

4

SPEAR BRISTOL

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Total spending in the period was closely managed within the budget set by the trustees at the start of the year.

Over 90% of payments made during the period represented staff salaries, including national insurance and pension contributions, and programme costs, including costs paid to charitable partners with whom we deliver the Spear programme.

As at 31 August 2025 Spear Bristol held total free reserves of £118,126.

Reserves Policy

The trustees review the charity’s requirements for reserves annually in light of the key operational, governance, compliance and risks to the organisation. The latest review has identified a target range for reserves of £50,000 to £100,000 in order to ensure the charity is able to meet its ongoing operational needs.

If free reserves fall below the target range the board will urgently consider whether this poses any serious risk to the charity. The board will also aim to address any shortfall within 2 years.

In line with Charity Commission guidance, if free reserves are above the maximum target, the board will agree how such funds should best be used to further the aims of the charity, as unnecessarily holding onto funds limits the benefits that can be delivered.

Unrestricted funds of £118,126 as at 31 August 2025 (2024 – £20) were above the higher level of the target range set by the trustees as a result of successful fundraising during the financial year. The trustees expect that reserves will fall back into the target range as a result of normal operations within a few months and that no further action is needed.

Future Plans

Spear Bristol plans to continue to deliver exceptional training and impressive results, working to deepen relationships with other organisations in the local community, to increase referrals and open up new opportunities for the young people we have the privilege of working with.

In 2026 Spear Bristol plans to open a new centre in Avonmouth in the North West of Bristol. The new centre will deliver the same training framework and will increase the number of trainees that can be supported into education, employment and training.

5

SPEAR BRISTOL

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Statement of trustees’ responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England & Wales 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 income and expenditure of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient 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 Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the constitution. They 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.

Approved by the Board of Trustees on the 20[th] of April 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

……………………………………………….. Caroline Jowett-Ive Chair of Trustees

6

SPEAR BRISTOL

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Spear Bristol

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Spear Bristol (the Charity) for the year ended 31 August 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Charity 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 Charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

Since the Charity’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:

7

SPEAR BRISTOL

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

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 accounts to be reached.

Joshua Kingston BSc (Hons) FCA Burton Sweet Chartered Accountants The Clock Tower 5 Farleigh Court Old Weston Road Flax Bourton Bristol BS48 1UR

Date: 20th of April 2026

8

SPEAR BRISTOL

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Note
Income from:
Donations and grants
2
Investments
3
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
4
Total expenditure
5
Total funds at start of year
11
Total funds at end of year
11
Net income/(expenditure) and
net movement in funds
Total Funds
2025
£
269,202
924
270,126
150,977
150,977
119,149
20
119,169
Total Funds
2024
£
116,840
63
116,903
159,104
159,104
(42,201)
42,221
20

The Charity has no recognised gains or losses other than the results for the year as set out above.

All of the activities of the charity are classed as continuing.

All of the current and prior year funds are unrestricted.

The notes on pages 11 to 16 form part of these financial statements

9

SPEAR BRISTOL

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 AUGUST 2025

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
8
Current assets
Debtors
9
Cash at bank and in hand
Liabilities
Creditors : amounts falling
due within one year
10
Net current assets
Net assets
FUNDS
Unrestricted funds
General funds
12
Designated funds
12
Total funds
2025
£
1,043
1,043
3,000
127,562
130,562
(12,436)
118,126
119,169
118,126
1,043
119,169
2024
£
2,084
2,084
500
36,745
37,245
(39,309)
(2,064)
20
(2,064)
2,084
20

These financial statements were approved by the Trustees on the 20th of April 2026 and are signed on their behalf by:

Caroline Jowett-Ive Chair of Trustees

The notes on pages 11 to 16 form part of these financial statements

10

SPEAR BRISTOL NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

1 Accounting policies

Accounting convention

The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued in October 2019 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2019.

The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and 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 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) issued in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

The charity is a public benefit entity as defined under FRS102. The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties affecting the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern.

Income

Income from donations is included in income when these are receivable, except as follows:

I. When donors specify that donations given to the charity must be used in future accounting periods, the income is deferred until those periods; II. When donors impose conditions which have to be fulfilled before the charity becomes entitled to use such income, the income is deferred until the pre-conditions have been met.

Investment income is included on a receivable basis.

Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised in the period in which it is incurred. Expenditure includes attributable VAT which cannot be recovered.

Governance costs

Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the audit fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity. Governance costs are included within support costs.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charity contributes to defined contribution pension schemes. Contributions payable to the charity's pension schemes are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

Tangible fixed assets

Fixed assets are held at cost less accumulated depreciation. Assets costing less than £1,500 are not capitalised. Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost of an asset, less its estimated ultimate residual value, over the useful life of that asset as follows:

Computer Equipment - over 5 years; straight line

11

SPEAR BRISTOL NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

1 Accounting policies (continued)

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objects 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.

Designated funds form part of unrestricted funds and have been identified as being for particular purposes by the Trustees. They are not restricted and can be transferred to general funds at any time at the discretion of the Trustees.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in note 11 of the financial statements.

2 Income from: Donations and grants

----- Start of picture text -----
Total Funds Total Funds
2025 2024
£ £
Donations 190,076 82,158
Gift aid 36,126 14,182
Grants received 43,000 20,500
269,202 116,840
----- End of picture text -----

3 Income from: Investments

----- Start of picture text -----
Total Funds Total Funds
2025 2024
£ £
Interest received 924 63
924 63
----- End of picture text -----

12

SPEAR BRISTOL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

4 Expenditure on: Charitable activities

----- Start of picture text -----
|||| |---|---|---| |Total Funds|Total Funds| |2025|2024| |£|£| |Direct costs| |Staff costs (see note 6)|73,193|90,327| |Subcontractor Costs|1,735|-| |Equipment costs|2,707|535| |Programme costs|53,832|55,000| |Event costs|6,362|2,385| |Support costs| |Bank charges|55|66| |Staff welfare|292|357| |Travel costs|5,236|3,754| |Subsistence costs|735|679| |Telephone costs|140|296| |Legal and professional fees|1,223|1,610| |Insurance|326|318| |Trainee costs|826|480| |Subscriptions|268|386| |Office costs|246|3| |Depreciation|1,041|1,042| |Governance costs (see note 5)|2,760|1,866| |150,977|159,104|

----- End of picture text -----

5 Net income/(expenditure) for the year

This is stated after charging:

----- Start of picture text -----
||||| |---|---|---|---| |2025|2024| |£|£| |Independent examiner's fee|- for independent examination services|1,260|1,034| |- for accounts preparation services|1,500|784| |- under/(over) accrual|-|48| |-|-| |Trustees' travel, meeting and training expenses| |Depreciation|1,041|1,042|

----- End of picture text -----

No Trustees have been reimbursed for their out of pocket travel expenses this year or in the prior year. No Trustee received any remuneration during the year.

Aggregate donations from Trustees, key management personnel, and other related parties was £48,050 (2024: £53,417).

13

SPEAR BRISTOL NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

6 Staff costs and numbers

The aggregate payroll costs were:
Wages & salaries
Social security costs
Pension contributions
The average headcount of employees during the year was:
General staff
No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000.
2025
£
65,290
6,030
1,873
73,193
2025
No.
3
2024
£
80,992
7,463
1,872
90,327
2024
No.
3

The total employment benefits received by key management personnel including employer national insurance and employer pension were £19,543 (2024: £34,567).

7 Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

8 Tangible fixed assets

Cost or valuation
At 1 September 2024
Additions
At 31 August 2025
Depreciation
At 1 September 2024
Charge for the year
At 31 August 2025
Net book value
At 31 August 2025
At 31 August 2024
Computer
Equipment
£
5,209
-
5,209
3,125
1,041
4,166
1,043
2,084
Total
£
5,209
-
5,209
3,125
1,041
4,166
1,043
2,084

14

SPEAR BRISTOL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

9 Debtors

Due in less than one year:
Gift aid
2025
£
3,000
3,000
2024
£
500
500

10 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Accruals
Other creditors
Resurgo
2025
£
2,760
149
9,527
12,436
2024
£
2,388
254
36,667
39,309

11 Movement in funds

For the year ended 31 August 2025

At 1 Sep
2024
£
Unrestricted funds
Fixed asset designated fund
2,084
Other current assets
(2,064)
20
Total funds
20
For the year ended 31 August 2024
At 1 Sep
2023
£
Unrestricted funds
Fixed asset designated fund
3,126
Other current assets
39,095
42,221
Total funds
42,221
Income
£
-
270,126
270,126
270,126
Income
£
-
116,903
116,903
116,903
Expenditure
£
(1,041)
(149,936)
(150,977)
(150,977)
Expenditure
£
(1,042)
(158,062)
(159,104)
(159,104)
Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
At 31 Aug
2025
£
1,043
118,126
119,169
119,169
At 31 Aug
2024
£
2,084
(2,064)
20
20

Designated funds

The fixed asset designated fund represents the net book value of the fixed assets held at the year end.

15

SPEAR BRISTOL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

12 Analysis of net assets between funds

As at 31 August 2025
Fixed assets
General funds
As at 31 August 2024
Fixed assets
General funds
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Designated
General
Total
Funds
Funds
2025
£
£
£
1,043
-
1,043
-
118,126
118,126
1,043
118,126
119,169
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Designated
General
Total
Funds
Funds
2024
£
£
£
2,084
-
2,084
-
(2,064)
(2,064)
2,084
(2,064)
20

13 Related party transactions

There are no transactions with trustees or other related parties other than those disclosed as required by the SORP elsewhere in the financial statements.

16

Audit Trail

Document Details

Title Spear Accounts for YE 31 August 2025 Spear Accounts for YE 31 August 2025
File Name Spear Accounts and TAR 2025 21.04.2026.pdf
Document ID 783780991c1d4908869302448bbb2984
Fingerprint 08dd9d56aaabef82add846bf44afbdd8
Status Completed
Document History
Document Created Document Created by Burton Sweet (accounts@burton-sweet.co.uk)
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