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2025-08-31-accounts

Love Squared Limited (A Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee) Annual Report and Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 August 2025

Company Number 08977922 Charity Registered in England and Wales Number: 1198464

Registered Office Address C/O Linden Accountants Limited Scrapstore House 21 Sevier Street St Werburghs Bristol BS2 9LB

CONTENTS ITEM
Reference and Administration Details 1
Trustees Report 2 - 8
• Chair’s Introduction 2 - 3
• Charity Information, Governance, and Objects 4 - 5
• Social Impact Report
• Our Partners
• Fundraising Activities 6
• Financial Review 7
• Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities 8
Independent Examiner’s Report 9
Statement of Financial Activities 10
Balance sheet 11
Statement of Cash Flows 12
Notes to the Financial Statements 13 - 24

Reference and Administration Details

Trustees and Directors (current)

Sarah Louise Hopkins - Interim Chair (from September 2024) Victoria Butcher (from September 2024)

Lucy Reynolds

Trustees and Directors (during year end 31/08/25)

Stephen W Armstrong (until 31/10/24) Matthew J James (until 27/01/25)

Senior Leadership Team (current)

Interim CEO - Sarah Louise Hopkins (from February 2026) Chief Executive - Andrew Dean (from April 2026)

Senior Leadership Team (during year end 31/08/25)

Interim Change Director - Matt Plen (until January 2026 - Freelance consultant) Children’s Services and Safeguarding Lead - Ben Sweet (until November 2025) Contracted Services and Finance Lead - George Howe (until August 2025)

Company Number - 08977922 Charity Number - 1198464

Registered Office

Love Squared Ltd c/o Linden Accountants Ltd Scrapstore House 21 Sevier Street St Werburghs Bristol BS2 9LB

Independent Examiner

David Baptiste ACPA Linden Accountants Ltd Scrapstore House 21 Sevier Street St Werburghs Bristol BS2 9LB

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Chair’s Report

In my first year as Interim Chair, we have undergone significant change at Love Squared. We welcomed another Trustee to the Board, who has given up huge amounts of time and expertise to support the charity, working with the wider team through renewed governance with subcommittees established across a range of areas. This has allowed us to systematically identify areas across the organisation for targeted operational improvement whilst also implementing a new process for tracking governance. An enhanced risk register was developed to support the Board to effectively manage their risks, minimising threats and maximising opportunities to ensure that we meet the needs of the children, young people and families we serve.

Taking over after some turbulence, I have worked closely with the Board to stabilise the charity and strengthen its long-term resilience. We are deeply grateful for the funding from the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) which helped enable this. As part of this work, we made the difficult decision towards the end of the period to undertake a restructure to bring sustainability to the charity and create long-term financial resilience and a more effective organisational structure. To support this process, we engaged an external HR consultancy, whose expertise allowed us to manage the transition thoughtfully and ensure that staff felt well supported throughout.

We recognise that change can feel unsettling and, at times, stressful. Throughout this year, we have made every effort to ensure that staff wellbeing remained at the heart of our decisionmaking. In 2025, we increased sick and holiday pay and improved access to counselling support so that every member of the team can access counselling and independent wellbeing support. This has been particularly important through a period of organisational change, which also meant the team felt more resilient.

We have continued to develop and sustain partnerships with an amazing group of community organisations who work with us on providing creative workshops for children: Co-Exist (cookery), Alive (intergenerational gardening), Windmill City Farm, Sail with Santa (ferry tour), Soul Train Wellbeing (wellbeing walks), The Kiln Workshop (pottery), and The Island (graffiti).

Whilst we’ve taken steps to build up the charity’s resilience, we know there is still work to do to implement our strategic plan, develop our Radical Kindness campaign, and work towards our ambitions of scaling our services and impact for our children and families. There are still challenges to be addressed in terms of our ongoing recruitment of practitioners in response to growing demand for referrals, but I am confident that the steps we have taken this year have laid strong foundations for future growth.

This year, as presented in our social impact report, we have continued the important work of protecting the children and families we serve, providing holistic, joined up, and specialist services that we know make the most difference. This can be seen with our Glow services, which offer advice and support and advocate and help families build support around them, as well as our specialist education and wellbeing packages for children and young people with education, health and care plans who are affected by social, emotional and mental health as well as other special educational needs and disabilities under our Outreach services.

Our work with our amazing families is a cornerstone of our holistic and long-term approach to supporting children with mental health needs. Through regular communication, where we offer the family support, try to empower parents and carers with the tools they need to support their children and a place to them to be heard, not just as parents or carers but as individual people with needs of their own. By giving them resources, practical strategies, and emotional support,

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we help alleviate the stress and isolation that families often feel when navigating complex mental health and special educational needs. We offer acceptance and understanding to allow them to feel that our support is also for the entire family as it is for the young person we are offering our direct support.

Our goal is to bring love to the children and families who might most need it, and our beneficiaries are fundamental to everything we do, and every decision we make. They are the reason why we are here. We have had to make some tough decisions as a Board in 2025, but we know we can only continue this important work as long as our organisation is resilient and has long-term financial sustainability.

As Interim Chair, I have worked closely with Trustees and our team to implement positive changes for Love Squared this year, but I know there is still a lot to learn and navigate as the charity grows and strategically evolves. I want to thank our wonderful team including:

Most of all - I want to thank our children, families, and all the people who support them - their parents, teachers, carers, workers and friends. Thank you for trusting us enough to let us help.

With love,

Sarah Louise (Interim Chair of Trustees)

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Compliance and Public Benefit

The trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of the Companies Act, present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity’s memorandum and articles of association, the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP FRS 102 2019), and are in accordance with the special provision relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees report that the charitable activities, described in the report are for the public benefit. The trustees also confirm that they have complied with section 17(5) of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.

Structure, governance and management

Love Squared Limited is an independent charity, registered number 1198464 and a company limited by guarantee, registered number 08977922.

The governing document is the memorandum and articles of association was dated 4 April 2014, where the company was originally incorporated as a Community Interest Company. The company gained charitable status on 31 March 2022 and the original governing document has been superseded with the articles of association as amended by special resolution dated 10 December 2021.

Charity Trustees

The following trustees who are also directors for the purposes of company law, served during the year and since year end:

S L Hopkins (Interim Chair) V Butcher L Reynolds S W Armstrong - until 31/10/24 M J James - until 27/01/25

The trustees were responsible for the recruitment of new trustees. The Board had experience in safeguarding, finance, marketing, HR and education.

The trustees gave their time freely and receive no remuneration or other financial benefits.

The remuneration of key management personnel is reviewed and set by the trustees by benchmarking against key management personnel in similar organisations.

Our trustees were responsible for our overall management and leadership and met at least five times over the year. There was a change in senior leadership management in September 2024 of the financial year when the CEO exited, and an Interim Change Director was appointed in April 2025. The senior leadership team reported directly to the trustees and carried out the day-to-day running of the charity and policy implementation, supported by our core team, including case managers. The board saw some change over the year with two trustees stepping down.

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Summary of Charity Objects

The objects of the charity are for the public benefit and specifically restricted to the following: To relieve the needs of children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs and/or special educational needs, and their families, by providing or assisting in the provision of education and wellbeing services designed to improve mental health, reduce social isolation and improve educational outcomes.

Summary of activities - How the charity spends its money

The Charity relieves the needs of children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs and/or special educational needs, and their families, by providing or assisting in the provision of support services designed to improve mental health, reduce social isolation and improve educational outcomes. A detailed summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to our charitable objects, additional detail on activities, and a summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year follows in our social impact report.

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OUR VISION Our vision is a society where are the everyday words that people associate with child and family services. It is a vision where young people can walk into their futures with joy. OUR MISSION We want to bring love to children and families, services if you want to transform outcomes. We want to change the national landscape of how children experience the mental health system, putting kindness at the forefront of every interaction. Building awareness, starting a movement, hearing the children's voices and those of their loved ones.. we want to transform the experience of those impacted by mental health. are on a mission to ensure that no child has to lose out on a world of potential because of mental health. We don't have magic wands, but we do believe that every child and family has the right to get services designed and delivered for their individual needs, and with love and imagination. Everyone has and treated with curiosity and sensitivity. We directly deliver imaginative, and carefully case managed services for children and young people with social, emotional, and mental health needs. We believe that you can't change outcomes without looking at issues holistically and thoughtfully. For us it's about long-term change.

Our four key core values are: Nuture Imagination Brave Love We use and embed these values in our practice with children and young people, and in our work with wider stakeholders and team. Working with children impacted by mental health and often by intersectional special educational needs and neurodivergence, and ore the key stones for transformational services. When our children say that we are 'kind', that sense of kindness and being nurtured is often the relational factor that leads to them being able to feel safer to express themselves, to leave the house for the first time, or tell us about something that feels fearful. It directly relates to outcomes. Many of our children have complex and intersectional needs, these can be because they have a number of needs in place (such as a mental health condition and neurodivergence), or because of multiple traumas or because they have a lot going on at home. is needed to develop individualised support and services and tailor them to each child's needs. Its also needed when we create sensory resources from wool, soil, and whatever we have in our bags that day, and to be able to probelm solve on the spot as we deliver complex and thoughful services. We recognise how our young people have to be to pursue and define their aspirations and to live within systems which haven't always been designed to meet their needs, and the bravery of the parentl carers who so often have to fight to advocate for the children they love so much.

WHOWE HELP We support children and young people, from primary age upwards impacted by mental health and special educational needsl neurodivergence. Some have diagnosed conditions, while others are still waiting for the help they need. Many have endured trauma, distress, or additional health conditions that make everyday life feel overwhelming. Some may carry their anxiety so heavy that it can change their behaviour, their ability to cope, whilst others are struggling with intrusive thoughts, self-harming, suicidal thoughts, feeling lonely or too unconfident to make friends or leave the house. Others might just be feeling a bit anxious, or find it hard to express their feelings. They consistently demonstrate strength, resilience, and creativity. They don't just need support," they need to be wrapped in love, to know that they are not alone, and to feel the warmth of a community that cares about them and their families.The challenges they face touch every part of their lives. Some are unable to attend school, often leading to increased isolation that can worsen their mental health. Others struggle with anxiety so severe that they cannot leave their homes, or even their rooms, for days or weeks at a time. Some face ongoing crises, self-harm, or thoughts of suicide. These children deserve joy, friendship, safety, and a future filled with possibility. They deserve to learn, to grow, and to step into a world where services can meet their needs with the love and imagination they deserve. We take referrals from Social Care, Schools, Local Authorities, Parentslcarers, children and young people referring themselves and their friends. With every referral we take we try to off er something to them and go above and beyond to make sure that even if we are not the right provision for them, they leave feeling helped and supported and more empowered, knowing that they can always call back to talk and hear a supportive voice or ask for more advice. Many of our children have experienced really difficult things domestic violence, abuse, bullying, identity struggles, and the responsibilities of being young carers.

WHATWE DO: GLOW Under Glow, we offer a range of services to children and young people impacted by mental health and those who need specialism in neurodivergence and special educational needs. Children and young people are referred to this service by schools, social care, NHS, family, peers or young people themselves. Around each service, we offer advice and support and advocate and help the family to build a team around them (if they need one). We always ask, is a telephone and texting emotional support service that provides long term weekly sessions for young people (ages10-18) experiencing issues surrounding mental health and emotional wellbeing. Sessions are via phonel text and provide a space to talk and be heard. Drop the Pressure is facilitated by a small team of experienced volunteer listeners who are supervised onsite by a BACP children and adolescent therapist. Drop the Pressure also off ers wrap around support and advice to children, young people and families who might need additional help. Unlike other telephone services for children, DTP offers continuity of support with the same person which might be particularly important for children and young people with neurodivergence who struggle with change and expectations, and for children who have been through a lot of trauma and don't want to have to tell their story again and again. Young people know they share each week ( or message) and build a relationship over the time they need. These are specialist small groups for children and young people who may be feeling anxious or isolated. The groups aim to build confidence, friendships, and improve wellbeing in a supportive environment with guidance from a lead mental health practitioner. We wrap these group projects around with I:1 follow ups and family support. The online groups we ran last year were: (year 4 and 5) Remix is a specialist online group for children and young people to connect with others and express themselves through games, play and creative activities. The group is aimed at children who might be feeling isolated and anxious and who enjoy creative activities.

(year 6 and 7) Transitions is an online social group built around the theme of transition and change through conversation, games and creative activities. The group is aimed at children who may be feeling anxious, isolated or anyone struggling to fit in with peers. It supports educational change as children adjust to the new environment of secondary school which some can f ind particularly diff icult (year 6, 7 and 8)Game On is a specialist online group for children and young people to play games and socialise with peers through a shared loved of gaming. The group is aimed at young people who might be feeling isolated, anxious or those struggling to fit in with peers who enjoy gaming and feel most comfortable in an online s ace. are held during the school holidays and are a chance for our children and young people to gain new skills, new experiences and meet a wider range of people. We have been able to provide opportunities from and to graffit art with spray and colour. We've built amazing partnerships with Co-Exist Kitchen who support delivery of amazing cooking workshops and Alive Activities who we have partnered with to provide gardening and sensory nature activities. We also ran wider trips and activities enabling children to ease into social transitions with peers, access green nature and art as a means for regulation. Our children's counsellor delivers a range of creative art techniques through in person sessions to groups of primary school children, where the school feel they really need therapeutic support to help embed wellbeing and preventative mental health support. The workshops navigate the mental health impacts of social media, friendships, resilience and transitions and incorporate group discussions, creative art and play therapy. We work in partnership with schools who can pick and choose the workshops most relevant to their cohort and then the support can be tailored to the individual needs of that school andlor year group from reception upwards.

This year, we've had two children's counsellors working in primary schools to off er individual counsellingland or therapeutic mentoring. The school refer children who they feel are particularly struggling with anxiety or trauma such as domestic violence, bereavement, separation and we prioritise schools where they do not have funding or budget for their own school counsellor and where there is particular high level of need for additional mental health support required. It can otherwise be impossible for schools to get the counselling they know these children so badly need. Partnering with Soul Trail, a specialist therapeutic nature organisation and thanks to funding from Sport England, we were able to deliver walks in nature to provide nurture and love for parentl carers of children with special educational and mental health needs. Being a parent is one thing, being a parent of a child with additional needs, is a whole other pathway and it can be exhausing battling for the rights and provision your child needs. These walks faciliated by two specially trained nature faciliators use the five nature pathways to enable parentsl carers to connect with nature in new imaginative and soothing ways, to share their stories with people who get them, and find some respite from their busy lives.

OUTREACH I CONTRACTED SERVICES Through our contracted services and a part time Alternative Learning Provision, we provide specialist education and wellbeing packages for children and young people with education, health and core plans who are affected by social, emotional and mental health as well as other special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We do this by taking referrals and working closely with a number of local authorities across the South West and in London, social services, the NHS and other statutory bodies.. We understand that progress is not always easy or linear, and that sometimes small changes can be huge. Just coming downstairs for some of our young people is a huge milestone. Whilst our goal is always to support each of our children back into mainstream education or community settings, we understand that for these transitions to be effective they need to be child- centred, nuanced and sensitive to their needs, and that we need to support the young person and the family through a journey that supports both learning and their wider mental health. Working with a team of around 30 amazing practitioners across the South West London, and supported by our dedicated case managers with their extensive knowledge of SEND, education and mental health in education and NHS settings, our intention is always that each child and family feels heard and receives care and education that is warm, imaginative, thoughtful and nurturing to their amazing unique9 selves. The children who benefit from these services are some of society's most at risk of isolation young people, as they often too unwell or too anxious to go to school, and they need particularly personalised and holistic solutions to meet their needs, and support to help them thrive. With our particular expertise in safeguarding and understanding intersectional needs, we are often able to help young people in ways that otherwise might be difficult to find, taking great care to match young people to the right practitioners who work with them l- I at home, in school, or in their wider communities, and working closely with multi-disciplinary social care and health teams. Each placement for a child is carefully case managed so that the child and the family feel held, listened to and nurtured.

JTr Our work with our is a cornerstone of our holistic and long term approach to supporting children with mental health needs. Through regular communication, where we off er the family support, try to empower parents and carers with the tools they need to support their children and a place to them to be heard, not just as parents or carers but as individual people with needs of their own. By giving them resources, practical strategies, and emotional support, we help alleviate the stress and isolation that families often feel when navigating complex mental health and special educational needs. We offer acceptance and understanding to allow them to feel that our support is also for the entire family as it is for the young person we are offering our direct support. To build awareness of our support over this particular year, some of the team visited a range of parentlcarer groups to talk about the services we provide, off er advice support and guidance and a listening presence to people who often feel overwhelmed by the hurdles they can face trying to arrange the support that they need for their children and young people. We frequently work with schools and again take time to think'what more could we do? offering strategies, advice, or recommendations for tactics and interventions and provision supporting SENDCO'S and designated safeguarding leads where needed but also helping grow a mental health culture based on partership work and best practice inter-agency and collaborative working. 10

We are passionate about good to ensure that all the professionals remain aligned in their efforts to support children and young people and information doesn't get missed. Through being proactive around multi-agency meetings and shared action plans, we help facilitate clear communication and coordinated responses that prioritise the child's voice. is a huge part of the charity's day to day work, and a lot of our impact is delivered through inter-agency working which helps keep our children safe. Attending child protection conferences, Child In Need Meetings, and Team Around the Family meetings as well as wider professionals meetings such as Education, Health and Care Plan Reviews to ensure the child's and family's voice are heard as well as sharing our professional recommendations are huge areas of impact for our children and families. A challenge for next year is how do we better measure this impact and demonstrate the outcomes of this safeguarding and multi- agency work which is so vital and often pain-staking, delicate, time critical and involves thoughtful, often then demanding long term follow up. ED VE LGVE ED Clthy SQUAISD In addition, this year was a busy one in terms of work promoting and engaging awareness with children's mental health needs especially where those intersect with neurodivergence and special educational needs. We were once again the off icial charity partners of the International Balloon Fiesta in Bristol, and volunteers and staff once again ran a range of activities to engage children and families in a range of creative arts and sensory activities to support with preventative mental health tactics and raise awareness of more significant mental health needs that many of our children have. Volunteers and staff engaged children, young people and families as well as the wider community in discussions, engagement activities and encouraged their voices. Similarly, the team attended Pride promoting and engaging around children's mental health and neurodivergence.

By empowering families, supporting educators, and strengthening professional networks, we, alongside other amazing organisations, contribute to the development of more loving, resilient communities. Each indirect beneficiary plays a crucial role in the ecosystem of love and care, and their enhanced capacity to support young people's mental health creates a sustainable foundation for long-term wellbeing. Our ongoing commitment to supporting indirect beneficiaries reflects our belief that collective effort leads to transformative change. By investing in the broader network of care, we ensure that every young person's journey toward improved mental health, reduced social isolation and increased ability to thrive in education is supported by a strong, informed, and compassionate community This is something which we are keen to develop further in future impact work as we work towards changing the national landscape of mental health with our radical kindness campaign. ill &* rty MUH ¥ li -V+t4 13 'ffjy(4 12

This picture shows one of our children's counsellors taking some of our children on a therapeutic holiday session to paint their own pottery, experiencing the feel of the clay and the use of colour and how art can be restful - a tranquil mental space - as well as fun. In the picture, you can see the backs of primary school aged children's heads as they paint quietly as our counsellor moves around the room interacting with them. Our children tell us how important it is for their mental health to get outside and socialise so we are incredibly grateful towards all the organisations including Alive, The Garden CIC, and Soultrail, who have worked in partnership with us to enable us to offer this to so many of our children and families. This picture shows the backs of children's heads in an outdoor community garden, scooping out pumpkins as the seasons turn. 13

Introducing our children and young people to talented individuals to lead some of our groups has been something they have told us they found transformative and inspirational This photograph shows children's work after meeting graffiti artists and where you can see multi-coloured spray paint on various paper on a table and the children's hands with spray cans. This hand drawn picture is from one of the wonderful children we see in our school based wellbeing workshops that we run in schools. The felt tip drawing shows our counsellor with the child artist, whilst they wear colourful dresses. They seem to be thinking all kinds of new thoughts in bubbles from their heads or talking together in the sunshine of a green garden. This year we have increased the number of children we have seen at workshops in schools .. This photo shows some of our brilliant volunteers in the sunshine promoting fundraising cycle ride outside a colourful yellow and orange decorated tent after we were chosen to be the official charity partner for the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. Huge thanks to all the volunteers and team who gave up their time to help, the people who visited the stall (and those who helped us reach our cycling challenge!). LGV SQUARE C%le Èo Soor rvY¥¥ng T*%fyÉi ' 2SO- 5Lfeeth gxj :,,300 14

This photo shows one of our brilliant and experienced children's therapeutic mentors supporting a cooking workshop in partnership with Co-exist Community Kitchen for one of our therapeutic holiday sessions for our children to socialise, cook food together, learn new skills, and have fun with the wonderful sensory world of food and taste. This pencil drawing was shared with our children's counsellor as part of work helping children with anxiety express their feelings and explore an emotional range. 15

1663 Hours of direct support provided to children and young people impacted by mental health and SEND 476 TOTAL children and young people directly supported over the year by our services 312 Children attended therapeutic primary school workshops 47 Children and young people in education and wellbeing placements through our contracted services 38 Children and young people receiving regular, consistent support through our telephone and messaging helpline 37 Children and young people attending in person holiday workshops 26 Children and young people attending online groups 16 Children and young people accessing one to one therapeutic mentoring and counselling 16

Breakdown of Hours of Provision with Children and Young People Glow 2269 Infographic showing the split in provision hours between Glow Services and Contractedl Outreach Services. Due to the high intensity nature of our contracted services where we spend 12 hours or more each week with every child, often being the professional nurturing service they spend most time with as the majority of these children are not in school. Contracted 14365 Therapeutic in- person groups 160 I:1 Therapeutic mentoring 576 l.'I phone support 1104 Holiday workshops 35 Therapeutic online groups 394 Infographic showing hours of support provided to children and young people across the multiple Glow services

This section lays out the key results from an anonymous impact survey with 42 of our young people measuring indicators of outcomes against the three key differences we want to achieve for our children and young people impacted by mental health needs. 93 % of children and young people reported a positive change in their mental health 86% felt able to cope with challenges and stress 95/. felt more supported with their mental health, and 93% felt happier since receiving Love Squared's support. Reducing social isolation 83% of children and young people reported feeling less isolated 93% felt they have more support to reach out to Thriving in education 79/0 of children and young people reported progress in being able to thrive in education. 93% felt more hopeful about their future. 18

"I feel like some of the darkness has turned to light.. 'When I was14 ...1 was hit by a car and got brain damage. I then started getting really angry and I was scared to go to school. I tried to go to college but it made me too anxious. I feel anxious a lot. I stopped going out and stopped talking to everyone. l just stayed at home." "I didn't want to meet M [my Love Squared practitioner] because a lot of people aren't nice when they come to see me or they look at me like I'm stupid. I like going out with M because it means people look at me less and I can actually do things that I haven't done before. We've been to so many new places. It's been a bit hard learning about money but now I have a bank account and I don't spend it all on Roblox [an online gamel. I don't like paying for things at the shop because I don't want to talk to people at the counter but M does help me with that." "I go out with M every day and I think going out is the best. I like going to places I've never been. My favourite place is going to play mini golf. I don't like talking to people when l am on my own but I feel a bit more comfortable with that." What, if anything, feels different for you now? (asked by the interviewer) .1 feel like some of the darkness has turned to light." All interviews and case studies have been anonymised and any identifying personal details removed. 19

.1 feel like there is a rainbow in my life every day ' When J was14, he was in a terrible car accident, where he got a brain injury.... He stopped being able to cry. He couldn't show emotion, and I could see his face just turning really red when he was unhappy. Because he couldn't show how he was feeling, he was feeling a lot of stress, which made him show behaviours that made me call the police. He used to attack us at home and throw things. He broke chairs and a window. He didn't show any sympathy or remorse, which is why I had to call the police.. "We've had a lot of [supportl workers come to our house but many of them J hasn't wanted to speak to.... I had to call the Samaritans for myself because I didn't know what to do and I needed help." "He tried to go to college but was so isolated and wouldn't eat.... He stopped going to school and just stayed at home all day and would talk to no one." "J never asks for help but I know he needs it. M has made it easier for him to go out with confidence and that helps me too. He is more motivated and it makes me more motivated." "He now sees M twice a week and they go out to new places, he doesn't wear a hat anymore to hide and has learnt about consequences. He seems happy." "Thank you for always calling me to talk and coming to help us. No one listened to us before I spoke to you.... You are the first people who have listened when I was desperate because I didn't know what to do." What, if anything, feels diff erent for you now? (asked by the interviewer) "Wow- the sun is shining so bright. I feel like there is o rainbow in my life every day.... It's like an egg has been opened up and all the good is coming out.... J has direction in life now, he is so much more motivated, he is able speak to family again.... Life feels like it is on the right track." All interviews and cose studies have been ononymised ond any identifying personal details removed. 20

' I feel like energy is released with activities "IBefore I started Love Squaredl everything was boring. I was stuck inside and only went out to go to the shops. It was just so boring with nothing fun to do. I couldn't even relax.... In the old house l used to be able to run around without worrying about cars and traffic, but I can't do that alone now." Tell me about a time you had to do something that was really hard or a bit scary for you, and what helped you feel less scared? "Something quite scary recently was going swimming with A [my Love Squared practitioner] because I hadn't been swimming for ages. I was brave and A taught me how to do the back stroke. Another scary thing was going to the water park with Y [my other practitioner]. There was a big scary slide, but I managed to go down it" "A and Y make me feel less scared because they are nice people.... [Theyl listen and let me stop and play when I need to.... A is really good at noticing if l am getting stressed and he helps me get less angry.... It's good to go out with Y and A. I feel much happier.- "I feel like energy is released with activities. Before I could never sleep because I had too much energy. Now I sleep much better. Because I sleep more, I can help more at home with mum." All interviews and cose studies have been ononymised ond any identifying personal details removed. 21

"I was just angry and I hated school and I didn't learn anything and hated myself. Now, It's so much better.- "Being in school and class was always hard. l just'powered down, and used to run away when I got overwhelmed. I got angry at school one time recently because I was sent to isolation for literally no reason. I wanted to run away, which I did and then everyone else got angry. I got in a lot of trouble." "It was scary to meet F and s Imy Love Squared practitionersl because I was worried that they would judge me like school did. F has given IOO/o support every time I get overwhelmed or start getting angry." "During the sessions I tell F and S that I need a break and they listen. It's nice that they can change topics and we can focus on something else, like playing games. F is IOO/. great at spotting signs of when l am struggling. Once we didn't speak for two hours of a session because she knew I needed space but that was ok and she didn't get angry. She is good at finding things to distract me with. She taught me how to play Cambio and we play that when we talk about 'bad things I never knew games could teach you maths. I've learnt so much about numbers, coordinates especially. With S, I've also managed to do three full maths tests, which I've never managed before. I never knew I could be so good at Maths and English." 'At home, I go on my bike or I do some gardening. I want to teach myself to be a landscaper. I'm actually getting really good at cooking too and I like food." "I was just angry and I hated school and I didn't learn anything and hated myself. Now, It's so much better. l only go to school on some days and because they know I'm doing things on the other days, they are less angry at me. I'm actually really proud of myself for all the things I've done with F and S. I didn't know I could do a whole exam. It's good when teachers listen and are helpful. They say I can have a break when I need to but they also push me. I've achieved lots and there is more routine in my days." 22 All interviews and case studies hove been ononymised and any identifying P8rsonal details removed.

Case study- D Hospitals can be scary places The noises, the smells, the worried looks on people's faces and the pain that you can see and hear that people are experiencing. A trip to the hospital can also mean someone is going through, or is about to go through, a traumatic event - changing their way of life forever as it overwhelms their capacity to cope with the emotional distress it causes. D had experienced traumatic events at hospital. This meant anything that reminded him of hospitals triggered her, making her relive the trauma. Being triggered would send her right back to that time in the hospital and the emotions would be as real and as raw as the first time. Her heart would race, she would feel hot, sweaty and sick, and be unable to breathe. Even though the doctors would tell D that it was a trauma response or a panic attacl and that she would get through them, to D it would feel like she was suffocating and dying every time. What was almost as bad as reliving the traumatic experiences was the anticipation of having another episode and not knowing what would trigger her. D would worry and stress about it happening again and this led to her withdrawing from life. She stopped socialising with friends, trying new things, and hid herself away from the world. D's parents spoke with her school about what they could do to help and the school nurse offered D a series of weekly sessions to help develop coping strategies and relaxation techniques. However, with limited resources, these sessions were coming to an end. That's when D was referred to Love Squared's creative therapeutic online groups. These groups are run by one of our highly skilled mental health practitioners and are designed for children who are feeling anxious or isolated and need a more supportive environment than traditional youth groups can provide. Initially, even this supportive environment felt too much for D, who stayed silent in the group for the first few weeks, only briefly responding to direct questions from the practitioner. D later said that she was silent because she was worried about being triggered by the high levels of background noise and chatting. She felt this group was making her withdraw further. One of the things that makes Love Squared unique is that we try to work long-term with our children and young people, and with D this was no different. We gave D the time and support she needed to build her confidence in this new environment. Over the weeks she was able to relax and became more confident in sharing her thoughts and feelings, opening up about the constant worry of being triggered. She was able to participate in the design of the sessions and gained confidence from everyone joining in on an activity that she had suggested. 23

Case study- D- Continued She learnt techniques to improve her social skills and was even able to teach this to her family. The small group felt increasingly safe and a place for her to be herself. D says that her time in the group has built her confidence up. She now looks forward to the sessions. It has even helped her realise what she likes about school and what things she finds challenging. For D, this is a huge step forward,this sense of psychological safety and nurture is so important for change to take place - sometimes in these small, but significant steps. Here D is no longer hiding away from the world, and it seems that bit less frightening. All interviews and case studies hove been ononymised and ony identifying personal details removed. 24

'The people that work at Love Squared - they are kind and they get it.. Do more of what you are doing. You're an amazing charity. "Just want to say a big thank you from my son for all the support you have given him. His confidence has grown so much in the short time you hava been supporting him." "Having lots of fun and meeting new people. I felt really alone and now I feel like I have loads of people I can see and talk to. "The best thing is probably the persistence to not be given up on. "Thank you for all your support. I haven't seen E this happy in a long timel. "After never having found a place in education, now after only two years I have done GCSES and am looking forward to the future. 25

"It has been great and having it weekly is so good as it's something to look forward to and a place where any worries can be chatted over." "My son hasn't been able to leave his room for nearly two years, but a year into his support with Love Squared he has started telling me that he would like to go out more. You have given me many ideas for how to help him, but most importantly you have given me hope and motivation when things have been hard for the family. "I found people who actually care about my feelings, allowed me to speak about what I wanted to speak about instead of forcing a subject, offered support and actually checked if they needed to follow anything up. "We have felt supported throughout the whole process, from the first phone call with the case manager to the weekly sessions and check-ins with our (practitioner). Thank you.. 26

11 The support Fairlawn has rec8iv8d this y8arfrom Love Squargd, and Lindy, has bgen wonderful beyond words. As Mental Health & Wellbeing lead, I have found the process of referrals to Love Squared, and the communication with Lindy, easy, quick and enjoyoble! It has begn like hoving a friend join us every week. I have been touched by Lindy's kindness, generosity and care for the children at our school. My class, Year 6, have also benefited so much for the support Love Squared, and Lindy, have been able to offer. The workshops were invaluable, as has been the one-to- one work. The children often ask whether they will be able to squeeze in any more sessions and their joy when they see Lindy around school is inescapable. Thank you so much for all of your hard work, in school and behind the scenes. It is very much appreciated. Fairlawn Primary School, Bristol ro 40&+4, CthYl& k) our CLk¢Jtsl on& kL4S AMAZINfy WCJFK3hop- ab¢• AMizIMtr r Ihap x h￿a Ehe ctFok41)'"Jt to Oh her, 27

THANK YOU! We want to take the opportunity to thank our incredible team for all their amazing hard work and achievements in supporting this impact for our children and young people. A huge thank you in particular to our brilliant practitioners and our volunteers who give up their time to support us- we would not be able to provide these children's services without you. The trauma-informed way that the team works and their commitment to our values of love, imagination, nurture and brave are traceable into the impact we see for our children and young people and their families. A sincere thank you also to our community partners who have worked with us on our creative workshops for children: Co-Exist (cookery), Alive (intergenerational gardening), Windmill City Farm, Sail with Santa (ferry tour), Soul Train Wellbeing (wellbeing walks), The Kiln Workshop (pottery), and The Island (graffiti). We especially want to take time to thank our sponsors, funders and investors who have believed in our work and supported our children: the Charities Aid Foundation Arley Youth Programme who have helped us so much, the Bristol Balloon Fiesta, Sport England, and our generous donors, large and small. And the biggest thank you of all to our children and young people and their families for trusting us to let us try and help and be part of your lives. For many of you, this has taken real courage to be willing to share. It is no small act, and we hope that as we go forward you will continue to let your imaginations, passion for social change, knowledge and ideas shape and continue to improve and grow our services with you. BRISTOL SPORT ENGLAND international balloon fiesta 28

Unrestricted Restricted TotalFunds TotalFunds Total Funds
Funds Funds 202s 2024
Note t e E
lncomefrom:
Donations and legacies J 21,321 32,625 53,946 28,398
Charitable activities 5 820,622 820,622 789,786
investment income ,t29 129
Other income (s,s33) (5,s33) 1,001
Total income 836,539 ____q99J_E_ _!t!!!!
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities 5 843,055 39,065 882,120 875,896
Total expenditure 843,055 39,065 882,120 875,896
Net income/(expenditure) (6,517)
(6,440)
(12,e56) (56,636)
Transfers between funds
Netmovement infunds 7 (6,517)
(6,440)
(12,956) (56,636)
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward 151,059 7,340 158,399 215,035
Totalfundscarriedforward 144,542 900 145,M2 158,399

Note e 2025
e
t 2024t
Fixed assets
Tangible assets I 20,694 25,963
lntangible assets q 894 2,682
21,588 28.645
Current assets
Stock 527 790
Debtors 10 55,6 58 65,783
Cash at bank and inhand 119,692 138,389
175,877 204,962
Liabilities
Creditors: falling due within one year 't1 (30,869) (44,982)
Netcurrentassets /(liabilities) 145,008 159,980
Total assets lesscurrent liabilities 166,596 188,625
Creditors. falling due after one year 12 (21,1s4), (30,226)
Netassets /(liabilities) 145,442 158,399
Funds
Unrestncted funds t3 144,542 151,059
Restricted funds 13 900 7,340
145,442 '158,399

2025 2024
Note E I
Cash used inoperating activities
Netmovement infunds (r2,956) (56,636)
Adjustmentsfor:
Depreciation charges 8/9 7,057 '11,03'1
ProfiuLoss on sale of asset 136
5,899) (45,469)
Workingcapitaladjustments
Decrease/(increase)instock 263 (371)
Decrease/(increase)indebtors 10 10,125 (16,406)
lncrease/(decrease)increditors<'1year 11 (14,r13) (3,674)
Netcashprovidedby /(used in)operating activities (9,624) (6s,e20)
Cashflow from investing activities
Purchase of fixed assets 8 (9,080)
Netcashprovidedby/ (used in)financing activities (9,08 0)
Cashflows from financing activities
Repayment of borrowing
(9,072) (24,431|
Netcashprovidedby /(used in)financing activities (9,072) (24,431)
lncrease / (decrease) in cash and cashequivalentsin the year (18,696) (9e,431)
Cash and cash equivalentsatthe beginning of the year 138,388 237,819
Cash and cash equivalentsatthe end of the year 119,692 138,388
Cash and Cashequivalenbts reconciliation:
Cash at bank & inhand 119,692 138,389

2Prior period comparatives:statement offinancial activities
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Fundst Funds
I
2024t
lncomefrom:
Donations and legacies 5,848 22,550 28,398
Charitable activities 789,786 789,786
lnvestment income 75 75
Other income 1,001 1,001
Total income 796,710 22,550 8'19,260
Expenditure on;
Charitable activities 854,659 21,237 875,896
Totalexpenditure 854,659 21,237 875,896
Netincome/(expenditure) (57,949) '1,3'13 875,896
Transfers between funds
Netmovement infunds (57,949) 1,313 (56,636)
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward 209.008 6,027 215,035
Totalfunds carried forward 151,059 7,340 158,399

3 lncomefrom donations(ancludinggrants)
Unrestricted Restricted TotalFunds
Fundst Funds
l
2025t
Grants 17,175 32,625 49,800
Donations 4,146 4,146
Total incomefrom donations 21,321 32,625 53,946
Priorperiodcomparative:
Restricted Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds
r
Fundst 2024
Grants 22,550 22,550
Donations 5,848 5,848
Total incomefrom donations 5,848 22,550 28,398
4 lncomefrom charitable activities
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds
l
Fundst 2025
Outreach-One to One 820622 820,622
Total incomefrom charitable activities 820.622 _8N-&
Prior periodcomparative:
Unrestricted Restricled Total Funds
Funds
e
Fundst 2024
E
Outreach - One toOne 783,736 783,736
Contracted Project
- Bristol Scholars 6,050 6,050
Total incomefrom charitable activities ___l!9J!9_ _i!91!9

Directcharitable expenditure
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2025
I I
Direct costs 453,238 6,448 459,686
Employment costs 269,436 32,428 301,864
Other costs '120,381 189 120,570
843,055
39.065

882,124
lncludedinother costs: Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2025
t s t
Premises expenses
Rent&rates 38,083 38,083
Light & heat 5,460 5,460
Repairs & maintenance 8,592 8,592
Cleaning 3,229 3,229
General administrative expenses
lT software 3,159 3,159
lnsurance 3,257 3,257
Printing, postage&stationery 11 11
Advertising & marketing 2,162 2,162
Telephone & internet 6,037 6,037
Travel and subsistence 189 7'.12
Accountancy fees ?20q 2,299
Legal fees 33,222 33,222
Consultancy fees 495 495
Board expenses
Subscriptions 1,041 1,041
Bank charges 385 385
Bad debts 1,620 't,620
Other office costs
Depreciation & amortisatjon 7,057 7,057
Other interest payable 2,950 2,950
Other interest costs 800 800
Sub{otal 120,38'1 189 _Jnil!-

Prior periodcomparative
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024
L L E
Direct costs 444,659 15,921 460,580
Employment costs 302,832 3,836 306,668
Other costs 107,168 1,480 108,648
_____q9,6!e _JL237-_!Z!,99q
lncludedinother costs Unrestricted Restricted TotalFunds
Funds Funds 2024
e I
Premisesexpenses
Rent&rates 23,488 23,488
Light & heat 2,661 1,240 3,901
Repairs & maintenance 8,003 8,003
Cleaning 2,493 2,493
General administrative expenses
lT software 2,856 2,856
lnsurance 4,135 4,135
Printing, postage&stationery 656 656
Advertising & marketing 3,937
Telephone & internet 7,534 240 7,774
Travel and subsistence 409 409
Accountancy fees 6,246 6,246
Legal fees 20,065 20,065
Consultancy fees 3,240 3,240
Board expenses 69 69
Subscriptions 1,093 1,093
Bank charges 385 385
Bad debts 2,475 2,47 5
Olheroffice costs 1,02',1 1,021
Depreciation & amortisation 11,031 11,031
Other interest payable 3,873 3,873
Other interest costs 1,498 1,498
Sub-total 107168
1,480
108,648

Staff costs wereasfollows
2025 2024
e
Wages and salaries 274,406 269,012
Social security costs 14,297 19,756
Pensions 5,480 6,087
Stafftraining and recruitment 7,681 11,813
301,864 306,668

Netincoming resourcesbeforetransfers
2025 2024
t
Thisisstated after charging:
Depreciation and amortisation 7,057 11,031
Other accountancy services 420 3,240
lndependent Examiners fees 1,800 1,260

Tangiblefixedassets
Computer Fixtures& Leasehold
Equipment
r
Fittingslmprovements
f€
Total
e
Cost
At'1September 2024 18,236 784 21,121 40,142
Additionsinyear
At31August 2025 18,236 784 21,121 40,142
Depreciation
At1September 2024 7,439 554 6,185 14,178
Charge for the year 3,420 't57 1,692 5,269
At31August 2025 10,859 711
7,877
19,447
Netbook value
At3'lAugust2025 7.376 ____J!_ _____134t_ 20,694
At31August 2024 _____19.1_s7 230
14.936
25.964
lntangible fixedassets
lntangibles Total
Cost
At1September 2024 21,924 21,524
Additionsinyear
At3'1August 2025 21p24 21,924
Amortisation
At1September 2024 19,242 19,242
Chargeforthe year 1,788 1,788
At31August 2025 21,030 21,030
Netbook value
At3'lAugust2025 894 894
At31August 2024 2,682 2,682

10 Debtors
2025 2024
e e
Trade debtors 48,195 57,778
Prepayments 2,463 3,005
Other debtors 5,000 5,000
_____l9f9g_ _q!J!!
11 Creditors:amountsfallingduewithinoneyear
2025 2024
e
Trade creditors 15,0't 3 6,484
Social security&other taxes 3,512 5,408
Accruals & deferred income 2,220 5,643
Other creditors 1,026 '1,380
Loannote 9,098 26,067
____39,9!9_ _!!982
12 Creditors:amountsfallingdue after one year
2025t 2024t
Loannote 9,098 35,139
Other creditors 21,154 21,154
30,252 56,293
Total amount due 30,252 56,293
Less due in<1year (9,098) (26,067)
21,154 30,226
Due'1-2years 13,244 22,316
Due2-5years 7,910 7.910
21,154 30,226

Statement oIfunds
At'lSeptember At3'l August
2024
lncomet Expenditure
I
Transferst 2025
s
Restrictedfunds
Bclear 300 300
Nisbet Trust 3,494 10,000 (13,494)
Charles Lewis Foundation 400 (400)
Quartet Express Grant 3,'146 (3.146)
Arley Youth Grant 17 175 (17,175|
Lottery Fund/Sport England 5.450 (4,850) 600
Restrictedfunds t3!9328?j_ ____139p9!r 900
Unrestricted funds
General funds '151059 836,539(843,055) 144,542
Totalfunds '158399 869.164(882,120) 145,442
StatementofFunds-prioryear
At'lSeptember At31August
?023
E
lncomet Expendituret TransfersI 2024
Restrictedfunds
Quarter Social Action Small Grants 240 (240)
GarfieldWestonFoundation 3,336 (3,336)
Quartet Express Grant 1.240 (1,24O)
Warburtons Community Fund 211 (211)
BristolWater 500 (500)
Bclear 500 (200) 300
Nisbet Trust 10,000 (6,506) 3,494
Lottery Fund 6,950 (6,950)
Chades Lewis Foundation 600 (200) 400
Quartet Express Grant 5.000 (1,854) 3,146
Restrictedfunds 6.027 22.550 (21,237) _L&!9
unrestricted funds
General funds 209,008 796,710(854,659) 151,059
Totalfunds __:ta.q3g_____q.19?90 ___lqiqpg9l 158 399

Analysis ofnetassets betweenfunds
Unrestricted Restricted TotalFunds
Funds Funds 2025
e t
Fixed assets 21,589 21,589
Net currenl assets 144,106 900 145,006
Credators -amounts failling due morethan1year (21,154| (2't,154)
144,542 _!!9 _:!9tE_
Analysis ofnet assets betweentunds-prioryear
Unrestricted Restricted TotalFunds
Fundst Funds
l
2024
e
Fixed assets 28,645 28,645
Net current assets 152,640 7,340 '159,980
Creditors-amounts failling due morethan1year (30,226| (30,226)

rotal2025 fo!€l2024
e
Operatinq leases
Premises:
Within one year 20,000 32,000
2-5 years 55,8 33 123,833
Over5years 54,000
75 833 ____2!!_€!L