CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1201213
ALWAYS AN ALTERNATIVE CIO TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
ALWAYS AN ALTERNATIVE CIO
## **CONTENTS**
||Page|
|---|---|
|Legal and administrative information|3|
|Trustees’ Report|4-6|
|Independent Examiners’ Report|7|
|Statement of financial activities|8|
|Balance Sheet|9|
|Notes to the Accounts|10-14|
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ALWAYS AN ALTERNATIVE CIO
## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
**TRUSTEES:** Jo Beeley Dave Hembrough Nancy Claire Bernard Sheldon David McDonald **CHAIRTY NUMBER:** 1201213 **REGISTERED OFFICE:** The Campus Pack Horse Lane High Green SHEFFIELD S35 3HY **BANKERS:** The Co-operative Bank **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER:** Samantha Nicholson BA (Hons) (Open)FMAAT Oakleigh Accounting Knowle House 4 Norfolk Park Road SHEFFIELD S2 3QE
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ALWAYS AN ALTERNATIVE CIO
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 March 2025**
Report of the trustees for the year ending 31 March 2025.
The Trustees of Always an Alternative CIO present their annual report for the year ended 31 March 2024 and confirm they comply with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011, the constitution and the Charities SORP (FRS 102).
The charity is governed by the constitution adopted on 02 December 2022.
## **Structure, governance and management**
The trustees, who served during the year were:
Jo Beeley Dave Hembrough Nancy Bernard Sheldon McDonald
The trustee is responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations, and the provisions of the Trust deed. The Trustee is also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
## **Aims & Objectives**
To promote the prevention of crime and the saving of lives, in particular but not exclusively by advancing the education and raising awareness of young people and others in the community concerning issues of serious violence (knife crime and assaults), gang culture, child criminal exploitation (CCE) and antisocial behaviour within but not restricted to the local district of South Yorkshire.
To support young people especially but not exclusively through alternative ways of engagement including leisure time activities, arts and crafts within the district of South Yorkshire, to develop their capabilities that they may grow to full maturity as individuals and members of society and to positively contribute within their community.
## **Review of Activities**
Summary of main activities:
- Education through talks and workshops
- Music projects
- Art projects
- Performing projects
- Youth Clubs
- American flag football training
Summary of the main achievements:
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ALWAYS AN ALTERNATIVE CIO
## **Mobile Youth club**
Provides youth services to young people in their communities. The session last for 2 hours and cover topics such as anti-social behaviour, serious violence, anxiety, confidence and positive choices.
Visits: 1,400+ Stops: 60+ Projects: 10+
## **Music projects**
**System Full Of Lies** is by Sheffield artists Kid Blu3, EsCae, both were involved in our last project as features on KDots, Boundaries remix. B Fes, a 17-year-old up and coming artist from Sheffield was the last to go on the song. The man behind the production is Sheffield heavy weight Palize. This late 90s hip-hop inspired instrumental has prominent kicks and striking snares, acting as a solid foundation for the quirky sample to lay on top of.
The idea came around after Always An Alternative couldn't secure funding for their youth clubs and they were on the brink of closure. We asked the young people that attended them how they felt about it. Same said sad, unhappy, others said lost, forgotten about. I asked one young attendees if you could ask the people that could keep this youth club going, one question what would it be? Her reply, "What about us?". We rounded up all the kids from both youth clubs and got them to say “what about us” at the same time. You can hear them all in the song. I think that this point of view is vital in reducing knife crime because it is coming straight from those at risk of being affected by it. I think people should really listen and take in what is being said here.
**Only In My Dreams** produced by cxmmxnd is a baseline song that looks at knife crime from a mother's point of view; losing her son. Becky Rhodes, a prominent figure in the Baseline scenes singing on songs like 'secrets' and the more recent summer hit 'All I need', worked with Always An Alternative to mentor Liv through the entire process: teaching her how to write songs and offer advice on delivery in the studio.
We recorded Only In My Dreams at Spring Tank Studios, a community driven space for music lovers. Reuben, the engineer, was excellent at guiding Liv through the recording process and breaking it down in a way from new singer to understand. Only in my dreams
## **What’s the point**
This project was created to help develop life skills (use of kitchen knives) and spread awareness of knife crime amongst looked after children (LAC). We chose to work with organisations that support LAC as the young people in their care often live in shared houses and many have, unfortunately have trauma and need support. Trauma increases the reactivity to conflict and having a sense of loss of control, thus leaving those that have suffered trauma at higher risk of being affected by knife crime.
The agreement is that we trade in standard kitchen knives (Knives with a point) or any confiscated knives with safety kitchen knives (Knives without a point) to promote positive uses of kitchen knives. The safety kitchen knives were donated to us by Viners.
In addition to the safety knives, Limitless Homes and Support (Whom we completed the pilot with) have purchased and donated 50 copies of One Knife Many Lives; a book that was written to highlight the devastating impact of knife crime, to help spread awareness and allow young people to read it instead of living it.
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ALWAYS AN ALTERNATIVE CIO
Since starting stage two of the project, we have visited 6 organisations; Rush House in Rotherham, two projects at Doncaster Housing for Young People (DHYP) in Doncaster, The Foyer in Sheffield and two project at Cherry Tree in Sheffield.
We spoke to around 50 young people on our visits across South Yorkshire and the initial feedback of the discussions was very positive. They were all intrigued by the shape of the safety knives and could see why people were less likely to use them as a weapon or carry them for any reason.
## **Weapons bins and weapons collections**
9 weapons bins across south Yorkshire, close to 500 weapons collected.
mind and allow them to see the worth within themselves; violence can change everything in a second and take all of their self-worth and opportunities away.
## **Reserves Policy**
Reserves are a charity’s ‘safety net’. They are set aside to cover any shortfalls in income, or to fund unforeseen expenditure.
Reserves are those unrestricted funds of the charity that are readily available to spend on any charitable purpose.
£20,000 worth of reserves held for this reason.
## **Trustees responsibilities for the financial statements**
Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial period which show the state of affairs of the charity and of net income or expenditure of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP FRS (102);
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation;
- state whether applicable accounting standards of recommended practice have been followed subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable the Trustees to prepare financial statements. The Trustees are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention of fraud and other irregularities.
27/01/2026
This report was approved by the Trustees on _____________ and is signed on their behalf by:
## _Jo beeley_
signed on 27/01/2026, 20:16:28 GMT Jo Beeley Chair
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ALWAYS AN ALTERNATIVE CIO
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Always an Alternative CIO for the year ended 31 March 2025, which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet and the related notes.
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
As the charity's trustee you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011('the Act'). The trustee considers that an audit is not required for this year under the Charities Act 2011, s.144(2) (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
I report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Basis of independent examiner’s report**
I have completed my examination. I can confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
- the accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
- the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
- the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of the financial statements set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the financial statements 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 financial statements to be reached.
signed on 27/01/2026, 20:30:13 GMT **S Nicholson BA (Open) (Hons) FMAAT Oakleigh Accounting**
**Date:** 27/01/2026
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ALWAYS AN ALTERNATIVE CIO
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 March 2025**
|N**otes**
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
£
£
**Incoming resources from generated**
**funds**
Grants
2
-
73,510
Donations
2
621
-
Gift Aid
-
-
Investment income
3
-
-
Incoming resource from charitable activities
15,388
-
Other income
-
-
**Total incoming resources**
16,009
73,510
**Resources expended**
Raising funds
-
-
Charitable activities
4
1,814
29,541
Other
3,200
0
**Total resources expended**
5.014
29,541
**Net income/(expenditure) for the year**
**Net movement in Funds**
10,995
43,969
Fund balances brought forward
46,746
6,501
**Fund balances to carry forward**
57,741
50,470|**Total**
**2025**
Total
2024
**£**
£
**73,510**
14,257
**621**
66,189
**-**
-
**-**
-
**15,387**
18,013
**0**
0
**89,519**
98,459
**-**
0
**31,355**
45,212
**3,200**
0
**34,555**
45,212
**54,964**
53,247
**53,247**
0
**108,211**
53,247|
|---|---|
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ALWAYS AN ALTERNATIVE CIO
## **BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 March 2025**
|Notes
**FIXED ASSETS**
Tangible assets
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
8
Cash at bank and in hand
**LIABILITIES**
Creditors: Amounts falling
due within one year
9
Amounts falling due over
one year
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS**
**CURRENT LIABILITIES**
**INCOME FUNDS**
Restricted funds
14
Designated funds
Unrestricted funds
14
**TOTAL CHARITY’ FUNDS**|2025
2024
**12,800**
**12,800**
**0**
0
**95,411**
37,247
**95,411**
37,247
(0)
(0)
0
0
**108,211**
**108,211**
**50,470**
**0**
**57,781**
**108,211**|16,000
16,000
53,247
53,247
6,501
0
46,746
53,247|
|---|---|---|
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Act and for preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financial year and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the financial year in accordance with the requirements of sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to accounts, so far as applicable to the company.
27/01/2026
The accounts were approved by the Board on __________________ and signed on its behalf by:
## _Jo beeley_
signed on 27/01/2026, 20:16:28 GMT Jo Beeley Chair
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ALWAYS AN ALTERNATIVE CIO
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 March 2025**
## 1. **ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
## **1.1 Charity Information**
The charities principal address is at Th Campus, Pack Horse Lane, High Green, SHEFFIELD, S35 3HY.
The principal business activity is to challenge the mindset of young people on serious violence (knife crime, gun crime & serious assault) gang culture (Criminal Child Exploitation (CCE), county lines) and anti-social behaviour. This is achieved with education and alternative ways of engagement.
## **1.2 Basis of preparation**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic if Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
The financial statements are presented in Sterling (£)
## **1.3 Going Concern**
After reviewing the companies’ forecasts and projections, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The company therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.
## **1.4 Incoming resources**
Donations and grants received are allocated between restricted and unrestricted funds and between the difference types of incoming resources according to their nature. Grants for revenue expenditure and capital expenditure are recognised in the statement of financial activities on a receivable basis.
Other incoming resources, including investment income, are recognised in the statement of financial activities on a receivable basis.
## **1.5 Resources expended**
Resources expended are recognised in the year in which they are incurred and include irrecoverable VAT. Resources expended are allocated to heading within the statement of finance activities based on the actual purpose of the expenditure.
Charitable activities represent the direct costs incurred in the provision of the company’s services, and include all support costs.
Governance costs represent the cost of managing and administrating the company as a statutory vehicle
## **1.6 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation**
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less its estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:
Motor Vehicle - 20% Reducing balance
Items of capital expenditure of less than £100 are not capitalised but are treated as revenue expenditure in the period in which the expenditure is incurred, however items costing less than £100 can be capitalised at the trustees’ discretion.
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ALWAYS AN ALTERNATIVE CIO
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 March 2025**
## **1.7 Leasing and hire purchase commitments**
Rentals payable under operating leases are charged against income over the period of the lease.
## **1.8 Investments**
Fixed asset investments are stated at market value.
## **1.9 Pensions**
The charity operates a defined contributions scheme. Contributions are charged in the accounts as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme.
## **1.8 Accumulated funds**
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purpose and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the accounts.
## 2. **GRANTS AND DONATIONS**
|Total
2025
**Unrestricted**
£
Donations
**621**
Fundraising
**-**
Grant:
**-**
**621**
**Restricted**
Police and Crime Commissioner
**-**
Asseal
**-**
HGDT
**-**
Sheffield City Council
**19,980**
Sarah Nulty
**2,000**
Tudor Trust
**35,000**
National Lottery
**15,7300**
John Lewis
**800**
**73,510**|Total
2024
£
66,189
-
-
66,189
9,893
2,500
1,864
-
-
-
-
-
14,257|
|---|---|
## 3. **INVESTMENT INCOME**
Interest receivable
**0** 0
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ALWAYS AN ALTERNATIVE CIO
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 March 2025**
## 4. **TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED**
|Staff
costs
Depreciation
Other
costs
£
£
£
**Charitable activities**
Charitable activities
Activities undertake directly
**12,974**
**-**
**18,381**
Grant funding of activities
**-**
**-**
Total
**12,974**
**-**
**18,381**
**Other costs**
**-**
**3,200**
**3,200**
**12,974**
**3,200**
**21,581**
Other costs includes Depreciation.
5.**ACTIVITES UNDERTAKEN DIRECTLY**
2025
£
Charitable activities
13,755
Van costs
177
Advertising
1,574
IT Costs
40
Travel costs
38
Insurance
419
Postage
2
Professional Fees
198
Software
-
Rent
1,660
Repair & Maintenance
518
18,381
6.**TRUSTEES**
No Trustees received out of pocket expenses during the year.
No Trustee received remuneration during the year.
7.**EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS**
2025
**Number of employees**
The average monthly number of employees during
the year was:
Charity employees
3
Trustees
4
Volunteers
4
11|Total
2025
Total
2024
£
£
**31,355**
41,212
-
-
**31,355**
28,592
**3,200**
-
**34,555**
45,212
2024
£
11,400
3,397
9,006
105
1,159
1,807
3
108
91
-
-
27,076
2024
3
4
2
9|
|---|---|
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ALWAYS AN ALTERNATIVE CIO
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
## **EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS (CONTINUED)**
|**Employment costs**
Wages and salaries
Social security costs(PAYE)
Pension costs
Other Staffing costs(including staff training)|2025
£
12,239
354
-
381
12,974|2024
£
11,249
2,492
-
395
14,136|
|---|---|---|
There were no employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more.
## 8. **TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**
|||Motor Vehicle|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||£|||
||**Cost**|20,000|||
||At start of year||||
||Additions||||
||At end of year|20,000|||
||**Depreciation**|4,000|||
||At start of year||||
||Additions|3,200|||
||At end of year|7,200|||
||**Net Book Value**|12,800|||
||At end of year||||
||At start of year|16,000|||
|9.|**DEBTORS**||||
||||2025|2024|
||||£|£|
||Trade debtors||-|-|
||Amounts owed by group undertakings||-|-|
||||0|0|
|10.|**CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**||||
||||2025|2024|
||||£|£|
||Trade creditors||-|-|
||Loans||-|-|
||Taxes and social security costs||-|-|
||Other creditors||-|-|
||Accruals||-|-|
||Deferred Income||-|-|
||||0|0|
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ALWAYS AN ALTERNATIVE CIO
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
## 11. **COMMITMENTS UNDER OPERATING LEASES**
At the year end the company has an annual commitment under a license to occupy for the premises they rent.
## 12. **RELATED PARTIES**
No other related parties.
## 13. **SUMMARY OF FUND MOVEMENT**
|Balance
brought
forward
Income
Expenditure
£
£
£
**Unrestricted funds**
46,746
16,009
5.014
**Restricted funds**
Police and Crime
Commissioner
2,137
-
2,137
Asseal
2,500
-
2,500
HGDT
1,864
-
1,864
Sheffield City Council
-
19,980
7,370
Sarah Nulty
-
2,000
1,600
Tudor Trust
-
35,000
10,000
National Lottery
-
15,730
4,070
John Lewis
-
800
-
**53,247**
**89,519**
**34,555**|Balance
carried
forward
£
57,741
-
-
**-**
12,610
400
25,000
11,660
800
**108,221**|
|---|---|
14
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Signatures' technical details
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## **`Signatures`**
## **`jobeeley@hotmail.com`**
## **`Fingerprint`**
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27/01/2026, 20:16:28 GMT02494b640b99590e241d19e400b50ae2bf880053
```
## **`info@oakleighaccounting.co.uk`**
```
27/01/2026, 20:30:13 GMT
```
## **`Fingerprint`**
```
b600c640f7b9b9ea06130f67ede99d65c5c815f1
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## **`Event log`**
|**`Event log`**||
|---|---|
|`10.50.10.223`|`27/01/2026, 20:05:18 GMT`|
||`Signing request created.`|
|`System`|`27/01/2026, 20:05:21 GMT`|
||`Notification sent to jobeeley@hotmail.com.`|
|`System`|`27/01/2026, 20:15:56 GMT`|
||`Signing page opened by signee jobeeley@hotmail.com.`|
|`System`|`27/01/2026, 20:16:28 GMT`|
||`Signee jobeeley@hotmail.com signed document.`|
|`System`|`27/01/2026, 20:16:31 GMT`|
||`Notification sent to info@oakleighaccounting.co.uk.`|
|`System`|`27/01/2026, 20:29:56 GMT`|
||`Signing page opened by signee info@oakleighaccounting.co.uk.`|
|`System`|`27/01/2026, 20:30:13 GMT`|
||`Signee info@oakleighaccounting.co.uk signed document.`|
|`System`|`27/01/2026, 20:30:13 GMT`|
||`Signing process completed.`|
|**`Summary`**||
|**`Envelope's ID:`**|`7a4edh0l`|
|**`Document's hash:`**|`3984652d0f51cec86c3414fa59c94f7d540b47202a602081b901fc9d236b720b`|
|**`Final stamp:`**|`27/01/2026, 20:30:15 GMT`|
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