Rebuilding Lives UK Annual Report 2023-2024
Annual Report 2023-2024
1) Overview Of The Charity 2) A Word From The CEO 3) Who We’ve Helped 23/24 4) Tina - A Case Study 5) The Health Of The Charity 6) What Lies Ahead 7) Finance
Annual Report 2023-2024
An Overview
While many modern charities are created by business people or those already working in the charity sector, Rebuilding Lives happened accidentally and organically. Rebuilding Lives UK became a registered charity in 2021 and was formed uniquely from a single incident in the life of a domestic abuse survivor.
Naima ben-moussa
Naima ben-moussa, our now CEO, was working as a plasterer when she came upon a client's house that showed the telltale signs of domestic abuse. Often, when an abuser leaves a home, they'll throw things around, punch plasterboard walls and engage in other forms of property destruction. These were signs Naima recognised as a survivor of both rape and domestic abuse.
Naima took to social media to pay for the extensive repairs to the property and allow the mum and her young children to feel safe in their own home. While she was happy to carry out the considerable labour needed for free, she didn’t have the finances for the many materials and equipment required to secure the home.
The response was so overwhelming that she overachieved her financial goals and caught the media's attention. Naima found herself thrust suddenly and quite unexpectedly into the glare of public attention.
Annual Report 2023-2024
People made more donations with each media appearance, which ranged from Jeremy Vine on Radio 2 to Russel Howard on SKY1. What had started as a one-off project became an opportunity to speak out for the unheard survivors and finally became something entirely extraordinary.
The British public had donated tens of thousands of pounds, and Naima realised she could help multiple survivors. With only her knowledge of working as a solo trader running a one-person plastering business, Naima endeavoured to set up the charity.
With multiple media appearances, finding many who wanted to help was easy. Knowing the right sort of people the organisation needed was much more challenging. Many mistakes were made in the charity's early days because no one involved in Rebuilding Lives UK had experience running a charity.
The learning curve was steep, and we developed many systems and processes while helping survivors. Our attention was so focused on the many referrals we received that we neglected perhaps the most essential part of any charity: funding.
There was and is one employee, Naima ben-moussa, who is paid a modest wage comparable to her former job as a plasterer. Almost the entire infrastructure of the charity was built around ensuring that we supported survivors in the best way possible and in line with all appropriate legislation.
Annual Report 2023-2024
Naima has undergone extensive training in multiple disciplines to fully embrace the CEO role. She has carried out property repair work, dealt with day-to-day administration, spoken directly with survivors referred to the charity, and held multiple other roles in marketing, PR, accounting, project management, and more.
As indomitable and inspirational as Naima may be, she is only one person, and it’s impossible to successfully do the jobs of a team of ten or more. Add to this that Naima is a survivor of abuse in both her childhood and adult life and you start to understand the calibre of our CEO. With no one else to take her place, Naima will frequently support survivors as they tell their often horrific stories of abuse. Each of these occasions often triggering her own trauma from lived experiences.
While many volunteers have been involved, their onboarding customarily fell to Naima as she was the only person within the charity available to deliver their training.
This has resulted in the first two years of the charity becoming an exhausting, nonstop firefight.
In 2023, the charity started to develop a more stable structure, with some volunteers taking up fixed roles and a group of trustees from diverse backgrounds joining.
Throughout this period of churn, learning, development and growth, the charity has yet to pursue new substantial funding avenues. It has been reliant on occasional donations from the public and corporate partners.
Annual Report 2023-2024
In April of 2024, we announced to our partner agencies that we would temporarily be unable to continue supporting survivors of domestic abuse as our funding has reached a critical stage.
Our CEO is our only employee and while her wage is exceedingly modest, it is our most substantial cost. Naima has agreed to defer her wages for up to four months. Unfortunately, if our financial situation does not improve, the charity will have to close its doors.
The trustees and a few essential volunteers are working on several grants and commercial partnerships, which will secure the charity's future for many years, but timing will be everything.
Annual Report 2023-2024
A Word From The CEO
I don’t know if I’ll be able to convey just how deeply grateful I am to everyone who’s helped support the charity. In doing that, you have, of course, also helped the many survivors who have reached out to us.
This annual report lets me share with you what we’ve been doing and what we hope to achieve over the coming months.
It’s been a challenging time. However, our team have stepped up and dealt with every test sent our way. Their resilience is second only to that of the survivors of domestic abuse, who consistently surprise and inspire all of us.
This report also provides me with the opportunity to thank those who have given so generously in their time, money, or skills. You have made a difference and helped rebuild the lives of many women and young children.
I also wanted to reach out to you on a personal level. As a humble plaster to find myself in the position of being able to help people throughout the year is an honour and privilege that I will never not appreciate.
Although we are entering a financially troubling period I know we are doing it on a firm footing. We have secured a banking partnership, have a new board of wonderful trustees and have built on our relationship with the Charity Commission.
Thank you for all that you have done so far.
Annual Report 2023-2024
Who We’ve Helped
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Before
After
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We initially anticipated that the majority of our work would be refurbishment, as shown in the images on this page. This would remove the signs of violence, control and subjugation from the home and help survivors live in an environment that isn’t a constant reminder of the abuse that’s taken place there.
Unfortunately, many of our referrals required ongoing security measures to ensure the safety of both women and children.
We do not accept direct requests from the public, and all of our referrals have come via partner agencies. Women’s Aid in Manchester is one such partnership, and we have received and successfully supported over 50 referrals from them.
These referrals can range from a single video doorbell through to substantial repairs.
Annual Report 2023-2024
Who We’ve Helped
This year did not unfold as we had anticipated. It has been an extraordinary endurance challenge—for the survivors, our organisation, and our entire sector. The ongoing cost of living crisis and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic have compounded pressures for all involved. Economic constraints have tightened, increasingly making it more difficult for women to break free from abusive situations.
We are addressing the compounded effects of heightened demand, rising operational costs, and dwindling revenues.
Despite these many challenges, we have managed to deliver five major refurbishments and provided 49 security cameras and numerous personal security alarms. Our most common repairs have been kicked-in doors and damaged walls. We have also supported a family fleeing domestic violence, helping relocate them to a secure property and assisting them to start afresh. Arriving with only a few bags of clothes, we provided the family with beds, furniture, clothing, toys, and soft furnishings to rebuild their lives.
Annual Report 2023-2024
Who We’ve Helped – A Case Study
The following three pages contain a case study to provide more insight into who we help and what we do to support them. Some of the details may be harrowing to read.
Name: Tina
Tina lived with her partner and children in their family home. Tina’s partner was abusive towards her both mentally and physically. Tina would regularly be subjected to abuse and often with the children present. This triggered social services involvement with the family. Tina had been the victim of the most cruel and vile behaviour, and at this time, her partner was also abusing substances. At one point, the police had removed him from the property, but he had managed to convince the police that he was not the problem. It was her. This resulted in social services deeming him a good parent, and he returned to the family home.
Unfortunately, things did not improve. The substance misuse continued. He would spend all the family’s income on drink and drugs which escalated and heightened his abusive behaviours towards Tina. This got worse through lockdown, and unfortunately, Tina and the children were confined to the family home with him. The children witnessed violence and physical assaults towards their mother. He dismantled the children’s bedframes and made a bonfire, leaving the children with mattresses on the floor. He punched holes in doors and walls. When Tina bought an iron, he would throw the iron away so that she could not iron the children’s clothes, again presenting to people outside of the home that Tina was a bad Mother.
He insisted that the children wore cheap clothes and shoes while he wore expensive clothes and trainers.
Annual Report 2023-2024
Tina – A Case Study
Tina's children had a pet rabbit. Her partner fed the pet rabbit to the dog, and the children watched their beloved pet get torn apart. The abuse lasted six years, and both Tina and her children were living the most horrendous and miserable existence. Tina did everything she could to shield her children, but he had convinced the outside world that she was not fit to parent.
After Lockdown, Tina returned to work. Tina held down 3 jobs at this time so that she was able to support her family. The abuse continued.
One day, Tina came home from work but could not get into the house. Tina tried another entrance to access the property and saw that her partner had another woman in the family home. She could see that he was trying to hide her. When Tina eventually gained access to the property, a physical altercation occurred. The police were called, and Tina’s partner was removed. At this point, Tina disclosed everything that she and her children had been through, and measures were taken to ensure that he could not have any contact or visit the property.
He still tried to intimidate her by having people watch her property and threatening her that if she met anyone else, there would be serious consequences for her. Eventually, the intimidation stopped, and it was at this point Tina contacted Rebuilding Lives UK.
Tina could not afford to repair the damage her ex-partner had caused, as he had spent all her money. She desperately wanted to restore the family home to a decent standard and erase the damage and bad memories that the family had witnessed and endured.
Annual Report 2023-2024
Tina – A Case Study
Tina said , “Rebuilding lives was just amazing. I met Naima and the team, and straight away, I was put at ease. I was fully informed about how the charity could support my kids and me in trying to rebuild our home. They redecorated my home, getting rid of holes that had been caused by violent behaviour. They recarpeted rooms and decorated my kids’ rooms into calm and beautiful spaces. They even got my kids new beds and lovely bedding. This was a massive step in healing us as a family and getting on with our lives. The team were lovely, friendly, and helpful. They always respected my home and kept me fully informed of the work to be carried out. I was consulted about colour schemes and what needed to be done. They repaired doors and, more importantly, our front door, which makes us feel secure. This made us happy as a family and was the start of our new lives. Naima was wonderful, and my kids fondly refer to her as Ariel from The Little Mermaid”
Annual Report 2023-2024
The Health Of The Charity
Notwithstanding the financial challenges facing the charity it’s structure, foundations and ability to deliver services have never been stronger.
Our relationship and communication with The Charity Commission is better than in the last two years. Having been founded with support from the quite
exceptional team at Forever Manchester, Rebuilding Lives UK had never dealt directly with The Charity Commission until the end of 2023.
Forever Manchester also provided us with bank services. In January 2024, we established a dedicated account with The Cooperative Bank and have
our own accountant. 2023 was also the year the charity finally established a sustainable board of trustees. Our trustees straddle multiple business sectors and bring valuable and varied life experiences to the charity. In a sector where a high and regular turnover of volunteers is expected, we are proud and delighted to have many volunteers who have been with us for over two years. Their work in their dedicated roles of marketing, admin and fundraising is bearing fruit.
All of these factors have helped us support more survivors of domestic abuse than we had thought possible. Our planning, delivery and quality of service is fantastic. We just need to secure long-term funding for it.
Our Trustees
Annual Report 2023-2024
What Lies Ahead
Fundraising is the charity’s battle cry for 2024. At the time of writing (May 24), all trustees and volunteers are focused on sustaining the charity's future through grants, partnerships, and donations.
We are currently in the final stages of discussions with specialist fundraisers with substantial sector experience.
We have developed several package options allowing corporate partners to purchase security, repair or homemaking kits for families. For example, £2000 buys 10 families a package of security cameras, attack alarms and newly fitted door locks.
The charity was born from our CEO’s lived experience and compassion for a fellow survivor. This generated substantial interest in the media, and Naima continues to garner attention for the charity.
In May 2024, Lewis Capaldi released a video, backed by his music, that he commissioned about the charity’s work. Within two weeks, it had picked up ten thousand likes and had been viewed over two hundred thousand times.
Naima’s ability to connect with and inspire the public must be a driving force for the charity’s growth in 2024.
Annual Report 2023-2024 Finances REBUILDING LIVES UK STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIWTIES FOR THE YEAR ENOED 31 MARCH 2023 Restried Total 202J 2Q2J INCOMING RESOURCES In¢(wnina re8our¢e8 trom aenerate funds Voluntary Income TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES RESOURCES EXPENDED Co8t8 of generating funds Charitable actMtie8 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED NET IOUTGOINGlnNCOMING RESOURCES BEFORE TRANSFERS NeT MoveMeNT IN FUND$ Fund bal•n¢¢• 8t 1 Apnl 2022 NIL NIL FUND BALANCES AT 31 March 2023 2023 Noie CURReMT ASSETS Ca8h and bank in hgnd 48.167 CREDoR$. Amourrt¥ lallng due wilhn one year Net curront a8Bets TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 48,167 CREDITORS". ArThJurrt¥ fallng due akn one year NET ASSET5 CHARITY FUNDS Re¥iri¢ted funds The drector$ And tru8tees ¢on8ider that ¢ompany 1$ entstd lo exempts. Ihe requirement to haw an audit under the pro¥ic5 of S.480 of the Companies Act 20(. No rK>b'ce fTDrn the members under S.476 ofthe Ccffiparies Act 2006 requiriTrJ the company b) have an r4Jdrt has been deposrted wth the ¢ompany. The dYector5 and trustees ackTr)wledge Ihey responsiL¥lrty for eThsunng ¢hat the ccrfnpany keeps accounting recorrjs which Etsmpty wilh S.386 of the Companie¥ Act 2006. and for prepng accowts. which grye a true 8nd f&"r view of the 8tate of the affttirs of the ComnY at 31ALTrgu8t 2073 and of its net expenditure for the year then ended In accordance with the requirements of S.396. trtrt which othernoe ¢omF4y wth Ihe wurementy ofthe Act relating to the accwnts so far as applicabk lo the company. The fift¢ $latsments h8¥e been prepfjd in a¢¢ordan¢e th the $petial wvL8WJ)8 rel&ts"ng to ¢tynp8D*$ Jbiect lo the small companies. regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 216.
Rebuilding Lives UK
Trustees' Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2023
Registered number: CE026829 Charity number: 1196032
REBUILDING LIVES UK CONTENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
| CONTENTS | |
|---|---|
| Legal and administrative information | Page 1 |
| Trustees’ report | Page 2 |
| Independent Examiners’ report | Page 4 |
| Statement of financial activities | Page 6 |
| Balance sheet | Page 7 |
| Notes forming part of the financial statements | Page 9 |
REBUILDING LIVES UK LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
Trustees
Karina Lyon (Appointed 08/12/2021) Abdul Kader Mozzamdar (Appointed 16/02/2023) Nikita McKee (Appointed 20/03/2023) Lindsey Joanne Robinson (Appointed 22/03/2023) Steven McKenna (Appointed 29/03/2023) Lovina Raymond (Appointed 05/05/2023)
Company Registered Number – CE026829
Charity Registered Number - 1196032
Registered Office
Bartle House 9 Oxford Court Manchester M2 3WQ
Accountants
Kerr Accountancy Red Tree Magenta 270 Glasgow Road Glasgow G73 1UZ
1
REBUILDING LIVES UK TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
Reference and Administration Information
The Trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2023. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities’ issued in March 2005 and updated May 2008.
Rebuilding Lives UK is a company limited by guarantee and a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales under number 1196032. The Trustees of the charity and the principle advisers of the charity are listed on page 1.
Structure, Governance and Management
The report was prepared in accordance with the special provisions within part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
Objectives and Activities of the Charity
The main objectives of the charity are to empower survivors of domestic abuse on the road to recovery by helping them with emotional support, home maintenance, security and repair.
Results
A summary of the results of the year’s activities is incorporated in the Statement of Financial Activities.
All revenue from the charitable activities are restricted and applied for the charitable objectives of the company.
Directors and Trustees
The directors and trustees during the year were as follows:-
Lovina Raymond Nikita McKee Steve McKenna Abdul Kader Mozzamdar Lindsey Robinson Karina Lyon
Statement of Directors’ and Trustees’ Responsibilities
The directors and trustees are required by law to prepare the financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the financial activities of the charity and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing those financial statements the directors and trustees are required to:-
-
Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
2
REBUILDING LIVES UK TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.
The directors and trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Small Company Status
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the small companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
Signed by order of the Board of Trustees and the Directors
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Chair
31st July
Date______2024
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3
REBUILDING LIVES UK INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES OF REBUILDING LIVES
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purpose of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charites Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
The trustees have acknowledged, on the balance sheet, their responsibilities for ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with section 396 of the Companies Act 2006, and for preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of its surplus/(deficit) for the financial year.
In accordance with the instructions, we have prepared the financial statements on pages 7 – 12 from the accounting records of the company and on the basis of information and explanations we have been given.
It is my responsibility to:
-
Examine the accounts (under section 145 of the Charities Act)
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To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act), and
-
To state whether particular matters have come to my attention
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘’true and fair view’’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention
-
Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the trustees have not met the requirements:
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To keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act and S386 of the Companies Act 2006; and
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To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirement of Section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities.; or
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To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
4
REBUILDING LIVES UK INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES OF ReBuilding Lives UK
S. Kerr, MAAT
For and on behalf of Kerr Accountancy Red Tree Magenta 270 Glasgow Road Glasgow G76 1UZ
Date:………31 July 2024…...
5
REBUILDING LIVES UK STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
| Restricted funds 2023 £ Note INCOMING RESOURCES Incoming resources from generated funds Voluntary Income 2 113,065 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 113,065 RESOURCES EXPENDED Costs of generating funds Charitable activities 3 64,898 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 64,898 NET (OUTGOING)/INCOMING RESOURCES BEFORE TRANSFERS 48,167 NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS 48,167 Fund balances at 1 April 2022 NIL FUND BALANCES AT 31 March 2023 48,167 |
Total funds 2023 £ 113,065 |
Total funds 2023 £ 113,065 |
|---|---|---|
| 113,065 | ||
| 64,898 | ||
| 64,898 | ||
| 48,167 | ||
| 48,167 | ||
| NIL 48,167 |
6
REBUILDING LIVES UK BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
| Note CURRENT ASSETS Cash and bank in hand CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year 4 Net current assets 5 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES CREDITORS: Amounts falling due after one year 4 NET ASSETS CHARITY FUNDS Restricted funds |
2023 £ 48,167 48,167 - 48,167 - 48,167 |
£ 48,167 |
|---|---|---|
| 48,167 |
The directors and trustees consider that the company is entitled to exemption from the requirement to have an audit under the provisions of S.480 of the Companies Act 2006.
No notice from the members under S.476 of the Companies Act 2006 requiring the company to have an audit has been deposited with the company.
The directors and trustees acknowledge their responsibility for ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with S.386 of the Companies Act 2006, and for preparing accounts, which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the company at 31[st ] August 2023 and of its net expenditure for the year then ended in accordance with the requirements of S.396, but which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Act relating to the accounts so far as applicable to the company.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the small companies’ regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
7
REBUILDING LIVES UK BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
These financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 31 July 2024 and signed on their behalf, by:
Chair 31st July Date______2024
The notes on pages 9 to 10 form part of these financial statements.
Company number 1196032
8
REBUILDING LIVES UK NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
1.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements
These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities.
The accounts have been prepared in compliance with the Statement of Recommended Practice on Charity Accounts.
Income and Expenditure is recognised in the accounts on the accruals basis at the date on which an asset is recognised or a liability incurred.
The company has taken advantage of the exemption in Financial Reporting Standard No. 1 from the requirement to produce a cashflow statement on the grounds that it is a small company.
1.2 Income
All incoming resources are included on the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount be quantified with reasonable accuracy.
1.3 Taxation
The company is exempt from Taxation on income arising from activities in carrying out, and investment income applied only for, the company’s main charitable purpose.
2. INCOMING RESOURCES FROM GENERATED FUNDS
| Grants 2023 £ Voluntary Income - |
Other income 2023 £ 113,065 |
Total 2023 £ 113,065 |
|---|---|---|
3. COSTS OF GENERATING FUNDS
| Support costs 2023 £ Charitable activities Charitable expenditure 64,898 |
Total 2023 £ 64,898 |
|---|---|
4. CREDITORS:
| 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|
| £ | ||
| Amounts falling due within one year: | ||
| Social security and other taxes | - | |
| Deferred income | - | |
| Loans | - | |
| Other Creditors | - | |
| Amounts falling due over | - | |
| one year | ||
| Loans | - |
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REBUILDING LIVES UK NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
5. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
| Restricted Funds 2023 £ Net current assets/(liabilities) 48,167 Creditors: Due after one year --------- Total 48,167 |
Total Funds 2023 £ 48,167 --------- |
|---|---|
| 48,167 |
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