**Charity number: 1196813** ## **FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S TRUST** ## **UNAUDITED** **TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024** ## **FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S TRUST** ## **CONTENTS** ||Page| |---|---| |**Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and advisers**|1| |**Trustee report**|2-11| |**Independent examiner's report**|12 - 13| |**Statement of financial activities**|14| |**Balance sheet**|15| |**Notes to the financial statements**|16 - 26| ## **FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S TRUST** ## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024** |**Trustees**|Lee Yale-Helms, Chair| |---|---| ||Peter Rippon| ||Daniel Hickman| ||Jake Shaw| ||Abba Loughran| ||Claire Preston (deceased 06/11/2024)| ||Leigh Garbutt| ||Hamish Munro| ||Samantha Richards (resigned 20/03/2025)| ||Joshua Cronin| ||Claire Hackett| ||Colin Horwath (resigned 15/03/2024)| ||Ama Agbeze (appointed 30/10/2024)| **Charity registered number** 1196813 **Principal office** Birmingham Childrens Trust 1 Avenue Road Aston Birmingham B6 4DU **Accountants** Crowe U.K. LLP Chartered Accountants Black Country House Rounds Green Road Oldbury West Midlands B69 2DG Page 1 # **Trustee Annual Report** # **For the period from 29 January 2023 to 29 January 2024.** # **BFRIENDS (FRIENDS OF BIRINGHAM CHILDRENS TRUST) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1196813** The Trustees present their Annual Report together with the financial statements of the Friends of Birmingham Children’s Trust for the period of 29 January 2023 to 29 January 2024. ## **Who we are** Friends of Birmingham Children’s Trust charity was officially established through the Charity Commission on 29th November 2021 as an independent charity. It was developed by city partners and Birmingham Children’s Trust (“the Trust”) in collaboration with children in care and care leavers. The trading name of the charity is “Bfriends”. At its core, Bfriends strives to ensure that care supported children are given the same opportunities and experiences as their peers may have access to. The name Bfriends was chosen by young people and comes from the importance of everyone having the opportunity to have a positive friendship in their life. Bfriends works closely with the Trust to gain an understanding of the needs of children under the Trust’s care, which includes sporting and wellbeing programmes, employment opportunities, or support for independent living. 1 OFFICIAL Page 2 ## **Priorities and Objectives** ## **Charities Objectives** Advance in life and relieve the needs of children and young people who are looked after in care or are care leavers through the provisions or assistance in provisions of activities and support which develop their skills, capacities and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as mature and responsible individuals and in particular but not exclusively by providing grants, items, services facilities and support to individuals in need and/or charities or other organisations working with such children, young people and their families in the following: (A) relief or prevention of poverty or financial hardship: (B) advancement of education including training and career development and mentoring; (C) promotion and protection of good mental and physical health; (D) Advancement of the arts, culture and heritage; and (E) recreational and leisure time activities including sports and access to green spaces. ## **Public Benefit** The Trustees have complied with the duty in Section 17 of the charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s published general and relevant sub-sector guidance concerning the operation of the Public Benefit requirement under the Act. ## **1. Destinations** The Trustees pledged to provide our children and young adults with life opportunities across employment and digital inclusion. ## **Our Targets:** - Enable 20 new apprenticeships. - Create 100 job opportunities. - Introduce 5 new partners to provide accredited mentoring. - Enhance the education pathway for 50 young people. - Creating an interactive website. This year we have achieved: - Secured 125 30-hour accredited work placements with individual pathway plans for young people. - Introduced 5 new partners to provide mentoring and volunteering opportunities ArcusFM, Arcadus, Dream Chasers, Feed My Creative, HSBC. - Website has been started and is under development 2 OFFICIAL Page 3 ## **2. Community and Inclusion** The Trustees pledged to work in partnership with the community, partners, and providers to create programmes for young people in communities across the city. ## **Our Targets:** - Create 10,000 life opportunities for Children, Young People and Adults known to the Trust and its partnership network. - Support 2,000 families and children with donated items and gifts This year we have achieved: - Support 16,213 one-off immersive experiences for children and adults. - Successfully delivered 14 sport, education, and wellbeing programs. - Given 422 volunteering hours to projects, events, and community work. - Delivered over 17,000 gifts to children, adults, and families across the city. - Secured 125 30-hour education and wellbeing placements. - Funded 29 residential weekend placements. ## **3. Transitions** Trustees pledged to work with our network of partners, charities and businesses and actively seek support for young people and adults known to Birmingham Children’s Trust and its partnership network that are transitioning into independent living or need additional support as they continue their journey. ## **Our Targets:** - Support 500 care leavers and young people with independence - Deliver 10 life skill programmes to help 200 young people - Create 20 new corporate jobs In 2024 we have achieved: - We have delivered with our partners 240 places on life skills programs to young people. - We have incorporated independence sessions into all our programs throughout 2023 as a standard benchmark. This has reached 678 young people and adults. 3 OFFICIAL Page 4 ## **4. Fundraising Targets** Trustees pledged to achieve the following fundraising targets. |**Targets set by Board**|**Target Amount**
**23/24**|**Outcome 23/24**| |---|---|---| |Cit|£50000|£76222| |ommuny|,|,| |Ct|£50000|£46460| |orporae|,|,| |Grants|£100,000|£181,608| |||| |In kind donations|£150,000|£134,280| |||| |**Total:**|**£350,000**|**£438,570**| ## **Achievements and Performance** All activities supporting children and young adults known to Birmingham Childrens Trust Activities are in line with the priorities of Bfriends Friends of Birmingham Childrens Trust Charity. ## **1. Community and Inclusion – The Hub at St Andrews** The charity has been collaborating with the Trust, city partners, businesses, and community leaders to create a community hub for children in care, care leavers, young parents and young people and adults known to the Childrens Trust. 4 OFFICIAL Page 5 The Charity has begun running events and workshops for the community and next year will see this expand. Some of the highlights include: - **Parent Carer Workshops** Weekly daytime and evening workshops that are delivered in house by a range of partners and professionals. - **Young adult life skills hub** A place where care leavers and young adults known to the trust can come grab a hot drink, accesses services and signposting to essentials. Undertake washing and other key aspects. - **Youth Club** The youth club will run two evenings per week for young people that are referred by the Trust and partnership network as part of the offer a hot meal and refreshments will be provided. - **Parent Carer Toddler Groups** Will run two mornings a week. - **School Holiday provision and club** Holiday club for young people between the ages of 5 – 17 in different age groups and an offer for young adults aged 18 plus. - Parent carer workshops and coffee mornings. - Maths & English tutoring (SATS Prep for Year 6) provided to young people known to the Trust and based within the local community. - 121 tutoring academies with students aged 16-19. - 121 live skills coaching for older young people and adults. 5 OFFICIAL Page 6 ## **2. Fundraising highlights meeting the outcomes linked to our priorities:** |**Activity**|**Funding**
**amount**|**Funding Source**| |---|---|---| |Winter Funland 2024|£105,000|Winter Funland| |Holiday Activity Food Fund|£135,500|DFE Holiday and Activity Food| |Blue nose day fundraising|£76,222|Birmingham City Football Club
and Foundation| |Cash for kids’ donation of 1124
Christmas Presents|£11,240|Cash for Kids| |Tickets and experiences donated by
BCFC|£18,040|Birmingham City Football Club| |Bfriends HAF Summer Programme|£46,108|Street Games| |Staff Celebration|£4,800|Sponsorship| |GEN 22 Project|£20,000|United by Birmingham 2022
LegacyCharityvia BCFC| |Gen 22 Project – donation of staff
time byBCT|£20,000|Birmingham Children Trust| |General donations|£1,660|Various| |**Total:**|**£438,570**|| ## **3. Amendments of submitted accounts** The financial statements for the year ended 31 January 2024 have been restated to correct errors. The adjustments relate to the inclusion of previously omitted balances, clarification of income recognition timing, and recognition of certain reserves and funding allocations. These changes ensure compliance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) and provide a true and fair view of the charity’s financial position. The Trustees confirm that these adjustments do not affect the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern. Impact of Restatement: |**Description**|**Originally Reported**|**Adjustment**|**Restated**| |---|---|---|---| |Total Income|£491,613|£53,043|£438,570| |Total Expenditure|£491,613|£171,337|£320,276| 6 OFFICIAL Page 7 ## **4. Going Concern** After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies. The Trust has agreed to continue the secondment of a full-time Operations and Fundraising Manager with a contribution from the charity of £25,000 for the period up to 31 January 2024. ## **5. Reserve Policy** The charity’s reserves in the main are restricted where a grant or donation is received which is earmarked for a specific purpose. The charity has deemed it needs to maintain a minimum cash reserve to cover the committed costs relating to governance and audit which currently sits at £2,500. 7 OFFICIAL Page 8 ## **Structure, Governance and Management** ## **Board Structure** Members of the Board include a variety of skills and representation across the city. For 2023/24 members of the Board included: - Abba Loughran (Co-Chair and Young Ambassador) - Lee Yale-Helms (Co-Chair) Director of Finance and Resources, Birmingham Children’s Trust - Daniel Hickman, Director of Operations, Jacobs Engineering - Claire Preston, Head of Responsible Business, GMI - Guy Rippon, Head of Foundations and Community Partnerships, Aston Villa Foundation - Samantha Richards, Founding Director, Donate1Create1 - Hamish Munro, Commercial Consultant, 3PB - Joshua Cronin, Education Partnerships Director, Step into Teaching - Leigh Garbutt, National Social Value Manager - Colin Horwath (Non-Executive Director, Birmingham Children’s Trust) ## **Governance** This is overseen by the Governance Committee Chaired by the Cochair of Bfriends Friends of Birmingham Childrens Trust. ## **Management and Staffing** The Trust has seconded a full-time manager from the organisation to Bfriends to oversee the work of the charity the role of the Operations and Fundraising Manager to oversee the development of the objectives. ## **Constitution** Friends of Birmingham Children’s Trust is a registered charity, no. 1196813, and is constituted under a Trust deed. Bfriends is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. 8 OFFICIAL Page 9 ## **Methods of appointment or election of Trustees** The management of the Charity is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and coopted under the terms of the Trust deed. The recruitment of new trustees, the charity follows one of the two approaches as follows: - (1) We have two trustee positions which are for young people, who represent the voice of children and young people on the Board. The process for this is that we engage with a wider group of care experienced young people through our Rights and Participation Service who met regularly with young people. We promote the work of the charity to them and seek volunteers to come forward. We then interview those young people who have expressed in interest and make a selection. Those selected are then proposed to the Board for approval to be appointed. - (2) Other trustee positions are recruited through an open process where we advertise the vacancies, through social media, to attract candidates from across the city who are representative of the communities and businesses and to encourage diversity. This is supported by a skills audit to identify where there are gaps on the current Board. Again, successful candidates are then proposed to the Board for approval. 9 OFFICIAL Page 10 ## **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 (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial period which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to: - select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; - observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102); - make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; - prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in business. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Charity's transactions and 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 Trust deed. 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. 28/11/2025 Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees on __________ and signed on their behalf by: Lee Yale-Helms 10 OFFICIAL Page 11 ## **FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S TRUST** ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024** ## **Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Friends of Birmingham Children's Trust ('the Charity')** I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 January 2024. ## **Responsibilities and Basis of Report** As the Trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 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 the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 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 (enter body here), which is one of the listed bodies. Your attention is drawn to the fact that the Charity has prepared the accounts in accordance with 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) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has been withdrawn. I understand that this has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or 3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable 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. 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 reach Page 12 ## **FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S TRUST** ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024** This report is made solely to the Charity's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Charity's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Charity and the Charity's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report. Signed: Helen Blundell Dated: LLB FCA FCIE DChA **Crowe U.K. LLP** Chartered Accountants Black Country House Rounds Green Road Oldbury West Midlands B69 2DG Page 13 ## **FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S TRUST** ## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024** |**Note**
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
4
**Total income**
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
5
**Total expenditure**
**Net income**
Transfers between funds
12
**Net movement in funds**
**Reconciliation of funds:**
Total funds brought forward
Net movement in funds
**Total funds carried forward**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**Year ended**
**31 January**
**2024**
**£**
**396,910**
**396,910**
**294,907**
**294,907**
**102,003**
**10,140**
**112,143**
**31,940**
**112,143**
**144,083**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Year ended**
**31 January**
**2024**
**£**
**41,660**
**41,660**
**25,369**
**25,369**
**16,291**
**(10,140)**
**6,151**
**2,894**
**6,151**
**9,045**|**Total**
**funds**
**Year ended**
**31 January**
**2024**
**£**
**438,570**
**438,570**
**320,276**
**320,276**
**118,294**
**-**
**118,294**
**34,834**
**118,294**
**153,128**|_Total_
_funds_
_Period ended_
_31 January_
_2023_
_£_
_292,692_| |---|---|---|---|---| |||||_292,692_| |||||_257,858_| |||||_257,858_| |||||_34,834_
_-_| |||||_34,834_| |||||_-_
_34,834_| |||||_34,834_| The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. The notes on pages 16 to 26 form part of these financial statements. Page 14 ## **FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S TRUST** ## **BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 JANUARY 2024** |**Note**
**Current assets**
Debtors
10
Cash at bank and in hand
**Current liabilities**
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year
11
**Net current assets**
**Total net assets**
**Charity funds**
Restricted funds
12
Unrestricted funds
12
**Total funds**|**160,300**
**83,793**
**244,093**
**(90,965)**|**2024**
**£**
**153,128**
**153,128**
**144,083**
**9,045**
**153,128**|_1,000_
_36,034_
_37,034_
_(2,200)_|_2023_
_£_
_34,834_| |---|---|---|---|---| |||||| |||||_34,834_| |||||_31,940_
_2,894_| |||||| |||||_34,834_| The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by: ## **Lee Yale-Helms** ## Date: 28/11/2025 The notes on pages 16 to 26 form part of these financial statements. Page 15 ## **FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S TRUST** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024** ## **1. General information** Friends of Birmingham Children's Trust is a charity registered on the 29th November 2021 as a CIOAssociation. The registered office is the Birmingham Children's Trust, 1 Lancaster Circus Queensway, Birmingham, B4 7DJ. Its principal activities are to advance in life and relieve the needs of children and young people who are looked after, in care or are care leavers. ## **2. Accounting policies** ## **2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements** The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - 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) (effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011. The 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 the Charities SORP (FRS 102) published 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. Friends of Birmingham Children's Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy. ## **2.2 Income** All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably. The recognition of income from legacies is dependent on establishing entitlement, the probability of receipt and the ability to estimate with sufficient accuracy the amount receivable. Evidence of entitlement to a legacy exists when the Charity has sufficient evidence that a gift has been left to them (through knowledge of the existence of a valid will and the death of the benefactor) and the executor is satisfied that the property in question will not be required to satisfy claims in the estate. Receipt of a legacy must be recognised when it is probable that it will be received and the fair value of the amount receivable, which will generally be the expected cash amount to be distributed to the Charity, can be reliably measured. Gifts in kind donated for distribution are included at valuation and recognised as income when they are distributed. They are valued at market value. Page 16 **FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S TRUST** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024** ## **2. Accounting policies (continued)** ## **2.3 Expenditure** Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs. All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT. ## **2.4 Debtors** Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due. ## **2.5 Cash at bank and in hand** Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account. ## **2.6 Liabilities and provisions** Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide. Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of financial activities as a finance cost. ## **2.7 Financial instruments** The Charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value. Page 17 ## **FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S TRUST** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024** ## **2. Accounting policies (continued)** ## **2.8 Fund accounting** General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes. Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements. ## **2.9 Going concern** The trustees have assessed the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern and have reasonable expectations that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. In efforts to strengthen the charity’s financial sustainability, a Fundraising Manager has recently been appointed whose remit will focus on increasing income from voluntary sources, with a particular emphasis on unrestricted funding. This is vital for sustaining core operations and enabling flexibility in responding to emerging needs. The anticipated outcome is a measurable increase in unrestricted donations over the coming years, strengthening our financial resilience and capacity to deliver the charity’s aims and objectives. ## **3. Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgment** Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Critical accounting estimates and assumptions: The Charity makes estimates and assumptions concerning the value of donations in kind. This is based on the market value of the goods and services received which are passed on to children. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. Page 18 ## **FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S TRUST** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024** ## **4. Income from donations and legacies** ||**Restricted**|**Restricted**|**Unrestricted**|**Unrestricted**|**Total**| |---|---|---|---|---|---| ||**funds**||**funds**||**funds**| ||**Year ended**||**Year ended**||**Year ended**| ||**31 January**||**31 January**||**31 January**| ||**2024**||**2024**||**2024**| ||**£**||**£**||**£**| |**Donations**|||||| |Donations|166,408||21,660||**188,068**| |Donations in kind|230,502||20,000||**250,502**| ||396,910||41,660||**438,570**| ||||||| ||396,910||41,660||**438,570**| ||_Restricted_||_Unrestricted_||_Total_| ||_funds_||_funds_||_funds_| ||_Period ended_||_Period ended_||_Period ended_| ||_31 January_||_31 January_||_31 January_| ||_2023_||_2023_||_2023_| ||_£_||_£_||_£_| |Donations|_31,940_||_5,100_||_37,040_| |Donations in kinds|_255,652_||_-_||_255,652_| ||_287,592_||_5,100_||_292,692_| ||||||| ## **5. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities Summary by fund type** ||**Restricted**|**Unrestricted**|| |---|---|---|---| ||**funds**|**funds**|**Total**| ||**Year ended**|**Year ended**|**Year ended**| ||**31 January**|**31 January**|**31 January**| ||**2024**|**2024**|**2024**| ||**£**|**£**|**£**| |Charitable activities|294,907|25,369|**320,276**| Page 19 ## **FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S TRUST** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024** ## **6. Analysis of expenditure by activities** ||**Activities**||| |---|---|---|---| ||**undertaken**|**Support**|**Total**| ||**directly**|**costs**|**funds**| ||**Year ended**|**Year ended**|**Year ended**| ||**31 January**|**31 January**|**31 January**| ||**2024**|**2024**|**2024**| ||**£**|**£**|**£**| |Charitable activities|314,907|5,369|**320,276**| ||_Activities_||| ||_undertaken_|_Support_|_Total_| ||_directly_|_costs_|_funds_| ||_Period ended_|_Period ended_|_Period ended_| ||_31 January_|_31 January_|_31 January_| ||_2023_|_2023_|_2023_| ||_£_|_£_|_£_| |Charitable activities|_255,652_|_2,206_|_257,858_| |**Analysis of support costs**|||| |||**Total**|_Total_| |||**funds**|_funds_| |||**Year ended**|_Period ended_| |||**31 January**|_31 January_| |||**2024**|_2023_| |||**£**|_£_| |Bank charges||**9**|_6_| |Accountancy fees||**4,860**|_1,200_| |Legal fees||**500**|_1,000_| |||**5,369**|_2,206_| ## **7. Independent examiner's remuneration** The independent examiner's remuneration amounts to an independent examiner fee of £3,900 ( _2023_ - _£1,200_ ). Page 20 ## **FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S TRUST** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024** ## **8. Staff costs** |Wages and salaries (Recharged)|**Year ended**
**31 January**
_Period ended_
_31 January_
**2024**
_2023_
**£**
_£_
**45,567**
_-_
**45,567**
_-_|**Year ended**
**31 January**
_Period ended_
_31 January_
**2024**
_2023_
**£**
_£_
**45,567**
_-_
**45,567**
_-_| |---|---|---| |||| |||_-_| The average number of employees employed by the charity during the year was NIL (2023: NIL) 2 staff, per headcount, are recharged from Birmingham Children's Trust. No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year. ## **9. Trustees' remuneration and expenses** During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits _(2023 - £NIL)_ . During the year ended 31 January 2024, no Trustee expenses have been incurred _(2023 - £NIL)_ . ## **10. Debtors** |**Due within one year**
Trade debtors|**2024**
**£**
**160,300**
**160,300**|_2023_
_£_
_1,000_| |---|---|---| |||| |||_1,000_| ## **11. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year** ||**2024**|_2023_| |---|---|---| ||**£**|_£_| |Amounts owed to Birmingham Children's Trust|**84,905**|_-_| |Other creditors|**-**|_1,000_| Page 21 ## **FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S TRUST** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024** ## **11. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year (continued)** |Accruals and deferred income|**2024**
**£**
**6,060**
**90,965**|_2023_
_£_
_1,200_| |---|---|---| |||| |||_2,200_| Page 22 ## **FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S TRUST** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024** ## **12. Statement of funds** ## **Statement of funds - current year** |**Unrestricted funds**
General Funds - all funds
**Restricted funds**
Christmas day dinner
Holiday activity and food fund
Coats for young people
Winter fun land
Blue nose day
Cash for kids (Christmas
presents)
Tickets donated by BCFC
Staff celebration event
sponsorship
**Total of funds**|**Balance at 1**
**February**
**2023**
**£**
**2,894**
**2,608**
**28,832**
**500**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**31,940**
**34,834**|**Income**
**£**
**41,660**
**-**
**181,608**
**-**
**105,000**
**76,222**
**11,240**
**18,040**
**4,800**
**396,910**
**438,570**|**Expenditure**
**£**
**(25,369)**
**-**
**(69,465)**
**-**
**(105,000)**
**(76,222)**
**(11,240)**
**(18,040)**
**(14,940)**
**(294,907)**
**(320,276)**|**Transfers**
**in/out**
**£**
**(10,140)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**10,140**
**10,140**
**-**|**Balance at**
**31 January**
**2024**
**£**
**9,045**| |---|---|---|---|---|---| ||||||**2,608**
**140,975**
**500**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**| ||||||**144,083**| ||||||**153,128**| The transfer is the amount of expenditure over the amount specifically received for the Staff Celebration event sponsorship. The balance has been re-allocated to Unrestricted general funds. Page 23 ## **FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S TRUST** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024** ## **12. Statement of funds (continued)** **Statement of funds - prior year** |**Unrestricted funds**
General Funds
**Restricted funds**
Christmas day dinner
Holiday activity and food fund
Coats for young people
Website
Farms for City Children
Street games
Circus events
**Total of funds**|_Income_
_£_
_5,100_
_2,608_
_240,232_
_500_
_10,612_
_13,500_
_6,240_
_13,900_
_287,592_
_292,692_|_Expenditure_
_£_
_(2,206)_
_-_
_(211,400)_
_-_
_(10,612)_
_(13,500)_
_(6,240)_
_(13,900)_
_(255,652)_
_(257,858)_|_Balance at_
_31 January_
_2023_
_£_
_2,894_| |---|---|---|---| ||||_2,608_
_28,832_
_500_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_| ||||_31,940_| ||||_34,834_| Page 24 ## **FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S TRUST** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024** ## **12. Statement of funds (continued)** **Christmas day** A fund used to support Birmingham Community Chrismas Day Dinner **dinner** for Care leavers. **Young people** Christmas fundraising campaign for young people across Birmingham. **Holiday activity** A fund used to provide winter programmes and activities to young **and food fund** people in Birmingham. **Coats for young** A fund used to provide coats for young people. **people** **Website** A fund to build the website to support charitable activities. **Farms for City** A fund to provide a residential for young people. **Children** **Future you** A restricted fund for a film premier in the theatre at millennium point showcasing films created by care leavers across Birmingham to an audience of around 250 guests. **Staff celebration** A restricted fund for the purpose of staff celebration. This was gifted **event** venue hire from Millenium point towards the charity. ## **13. Summary of funds** ## **Summary of funds - current year** |General funds
Restricted funds|**Balance at 1**
**February**
**2023**
**£**
**2,894**
**31,940**
**34,834**|**Income**
**£**
**41,660**
**396,910**
**438,570**|**Expenditure**
**£**
**(25,369)**
**(294,907)**
**(320,276)**|**Transfers**
**in/out**
**£**
**(10,140)**
**10,140**
**-**|**Balance at**
**31 January**
**2024**
**£**
**9,045**
**144,083**| |---|---|---|---|---|---| ||||||**153,128**| Page 25 ## **FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S TRUST** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024** ## **13. Summary of funds (continued)** ## **Summary of funds - prior year** |General funds
Restricted funds|_Income_
_£_
_5,100_
_287,592_
_292,692_|_Expenditure_
_£_
_(2,206)_
_(255,652)_
_(257,858)_|_Balance at_
_31 January_
_2023_
_£_
_2,894_
_31,940_| |---|---|---|---| ||||_34,834_| ## **14. Analysis of net assets between funds** ## **Analysis of net assets between funds - current year** |Current assets
Creditors due within one year
**Total**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
186,581
57,512
(42,498)
(48,467)
144,083
9,045|**Total**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
**244,093**
**(90,965)**| |---|---|---| |||**153,128**| ## **15. Related party transactions** There is a balance due to Birmingham Children's Trust of £84,905 (2023: £1,000), relating to staff recharges and other charges. Page 26 Helen Blundell Crowe UK LLP Black Country House Rounds Green Road Oldbury B69 2DG ## Dear Madam We confirm that the following representations are made on the basis of sufficient enquiries of trustees, executive management and staff with relevant knowledge and experience and, where appropriate, of inspection of supporting documentation and that, to the best of our knowledge and belief, we can properly make each of these representations to you for the purpose of your independent examination of the financial statements of Friends of Birmingham Children’s Trust for the year ended 31 January 2024 under the Charities Act 2011. 1. We acknowledge that the work carried out by you is substantially less in scope than an audit performed in accordance with Auditing Standards and that you do not express an audit opinion. 2. We acknowledge our legal responsibility for the preparation of the financial statements to show a true and fair view as required by law and therefore confirm for your particular purposes that in our view these comply with the methods and principles set out in the Charities Act 2011, the regulations made under it and the Charities SORP: “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice”. 3. We acknowledge our management responsibility for the maintenance of adequate internal control systems and procedures designed to prevent and detect fraud and error. We have no knowledge of any fraud, suspected fraud or allegations of fraud which could affect the charity. 4. All the financial transactions of the charity for the year as recorded in the accounting records and any other related information has been made available to you for your inspection. 5. The financial statements are free of material misstatements, including omissions, to the best of our knowledge and belief. 6. There are no material liabilities or contingent liabilities known to us other than those disclosed in the financial statements, including any guarantees to third parties. 7. No claims in connection with litigation have been or are expected to be received to the best of our knowledge and belief. 8. There have been no events to our knowledge since the balance sheet date which require disclosure or which would materially affect the amounts in the financial statements other than those already disclosed or included in the financial statements. Should any material events occur which may necessitate revision of the figures in the financial statements, or inclusion in a note thereto, we will advise you accordingly. 9. We confirm that we are not aware of any possible or actual instance of non-compliance with those laws and regulations which provide a legal framework within which the charity conducts its activities. 10. We confirm the completeness of the information provided regarding the identification of related parties, and the adequacy of related party disclosures in the financial statements. 11. We confirm that, having considered our expectations and intentions for at least the next twelve months and the availability of working capital, the charity is a going concern. We are unaware of any events, conditions, or risks beyond the period of assessment that may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern. 12. All grants, donations and other voluntary incoming resources, the receipt of which is subject to specific terms and conditions, have been notified to you. There have been no breaches of terms or conditions in the application of such voluntary incoming resources. 13. We confirm that we are not aware of any breach of our charitable trusts and that we have advised you of the existence of any endowments and restricted income funds maintained by us. Yours faithfully, …………………. Trustee Signed on behalf of the Trustees 28/11/2025 On …………………. ## Bfriends Accounts 24 Final Audit Report 2025-11-28 Created: 2025-11-28 By: Jane Twine (jane.twine@crowe.co.uk) Status: Signed Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAAM0xtn_qVkjNU_YgAsfAaDIlbBbui8lxY ## "Bfriends Accounts 24" History Document created by Jane Twine (jane.twine@crowe.co.uk) 2025-11-28 - 08:56:47 GMT Document emailed to Lee Yale-Helms (lee.yale-helms@birminghamchildrenstrust.co.uk) for signature 2025-11-28 - 08:57:50 GMT Email viewed by Lee Yale-Helms (lee.yale-helms@birminghamchildrenstrust.co.uk) 2025-11-28 - 13:34:19 GMT Document e-signed by Lee Yale-Helms (lee.yale-helms@birminghamchildrenstrust.co.uk) Signature Date: 2025-11-28 - 13:35:03 GMT - Time Source: server ## Agreement completed. 2025-11-28 - 13:35:03 GMT