2025-12-31-accounts

CHARITABLE INCORPORATED

ORGANISATION

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025

CHARITY COMMISSION NUMBER:

1201881

CREATING HOPE CIO

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025

CONTENTS

Page
Reference and Administrative Details	1
Annual Report	2-7
Independent Examiners Report	8
Statement of Financial Activities	9
Balance Sheet	10
Notes to the Accounts	11-14

CREATING HOPE CIO

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Trustees Timothy Croxson Katherine Parsons Anthony Thompson Shernaz Wadia Key Management Personnel Trustees (see above) Rona Forzani – Head of Service Andrew Blackburn - Treasurer Principal address 1c Manor Place, Sutton, SM1 4BB Bankers HSBC UK 139A North End Croydon Surrey CR0 1TN Independent Examiner JCS Accountants Ltd 5 Robin Hood Lane Sutton Surrey SM1 2SW Legal Status Creating Hope is a registered charity (no. 1201881) governed by a Trust Deed and a CIO.

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CREATING HOPE CIO

ANNUAL REPORT

The Trustees of the Creating Hope CIO present their third Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025. The accounts are prepared in accordance with the Accounting Regulations set out under the Charities Act 2011, and with the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice 2019 applicable to charities preparing accounts in accordance with FRS102.

Structure, governance and management

The name of the CIO is Creating Hope CIO. It is registered with the Charity Commission (number 1201881).

Constitution

The property of Creating Hope is vested in a trust, governed by a declaration of Trust dated 15 December 2022.

The Trustees set the overarching strategic approach and policy framework within which Creating Hope operates and are responsible for managing the affairs of the CIO. The Trustees met 5 times in 2025. Working closely with the Trustees, the Head of Service Rona Forzani is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the charity.

Appointment and training of Trustees

There were no changes to the board of Trustees in 2025.

Creating Hope has a standard induction and training program for all new Trustees. This includes meetings with members of the current and any outgoing members of the Board of Trustees. New Trustees will also meet key volunteers and take part in visits to learn about the work of the Charity. Trustees are encouraged to take up the opportunity to attend relevant external training courses and conferences.

Key management personnel

The key management personnel of the charity are the Trustees, the Treasurer, Andrew Blackburn, and the Head of Service, Rona Forzani. Since the formation of the charity in December 2022, the Trustees have worked closely with Rona to put in place an effective management structure that is fit for purpose for an organization of this scale. The Treasurer attends every Trustees Meeting and is a member of the Finance Sub committee.

The management of the charity comprises 3 main elements:

• (a) Regular Trustees meetings – we held 5 meetings in 2025. The Trustees meetings ensure the Trustees maintain strategic oversight of all aspects of the charity. All Trustees meetings are attended by all Trustees, the Head of Service and the Treasurer.

• (b) Two sub committees (that meet termly) with the following areas of responsibility: (i) Operations: the recruitment, training & safeguarding of our staff and volunteers and development and review of our policies;

• (ii) Finance: all financial operations of the charity and oversight of relevant policies and practices

All the sub committees are chaired by a Trustee and attended by the Head of Service. The Treasurer is a member of the Finance Sub Committee.

• (c) The Head of Service is responsible for all aspects of the day-to-day running of the Charity and has regular meetings with each of the Trustees.

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CREATING HOPE CIO

ANNUAL REPORT (continued)

Three Trustees received no renumeration for their work as Trustees or volunteers for Creating Hope, apart from the reimbursement of expenses incurred in the normal course of the charity’s operation. One Trustee is an employee of UnitedLife and is seconded part time to Creating Hope. The Head of Service, who works part time, is also seconded from UnitedLife. Creating Hope reimburses the cost of these two part time secondees to UnitedLife at a rate equivalent to the rate paid by UnitedLife directly.

Risk management

The Trustees believe they are aware of the major risks to which the charity is exposed and that controls are in place to mitigate them. At every Trustee meeting we specifically consider whether any safeguarding concerns or risks have emerged to the Trust. Our management of risk is further strengthened by the operation of 2 sub-committees which are outlined above. These sub committees report back at every Trustee meeting.

The Trustees consider the principal risks and uncertainties facing the charity, and the plans and strategies for managing these risks, to be that over 79% of funding for Creating Hope comes from one source. Our aim, over the coming years, is to increase the diversity and extent of other sources of income.

Financial review

Financial health: The income for the charity for the period up to 31 December 2025 totalled £74,150 (2024 £75,571) of which £6,600 (2024: £6,400) received was given for specific areas in which the charity operates. Total expenditure in the period totalled £76,200 (2024: £71,510) leaving a balance carried forward to reserves of £14,308 (2024: £16,358) of which £2,584 (2024: £3,747) is classified as restricted funds. The Trustees continue to be encouraged by the support of a number of churches, charities and individuals in the local area to achieve this position.

Financial controls : We have a comprehensive set of financial controls including: (a) an Expenses Form with an approvals protocol linked to the level of expenditure (b) a single Petty Cash system with a detailed record of all expenditure (c) expenditure controls on all other expenditure with an associated approvals protocol.

Statutory and legal compliance:

Alongside the annual review of key policies we completed work on some new policies including complaints, bullying and harassment and managing risk. Our main policy focus in 2025 was to improve and refine our approach to Data handling, storage and protection (GDPR). This initiative included holding a training for all staff and volunteers and the introduction of improved forms and processes for staff, volunteers and those people we serve.

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CREATING HOPE CIO

ANNUAL REPORT (continued)

Objects and activities

The object of the CIO is to provide support services to those facing debt and other life limiting situations. The principal services we offered in 2025 were:

• CAP Debt Help – free, 1:1 expert advice to support those in debt to become debt free;

• CAP Money Coaching – a free course (in person or online) to help people take control of their finances with advice on budgeting, saving and spending wisely;

• CAP Job Club – a short course which provides practical help and the tools needed to help find work;

• CAP Life Skills – a short course which provides practical tools to help people live well on a low budget;

• Drop In (renamed “3 in 1”) – a weekly meeting which offers those in need the opportunity to have a nutritious meal and some company;

• Kintsugi Hope – running a series of Kintsugi Hope courses which are designed to help participants accept themselves, understand their value and worth and grow towards a more resilient and hopeful future;

• Counselling: 1:1 sessions with a fully qualified counsellor to help clients with issues such as trauma, anxiety and loss;

• Emergency Assistance: using a variety of funding sources to provide for the urgent and/or unaffordable, but essential, needs of some of our clients.

All Creating Hope services and courses are open to anyone in need without restriction.

Public Benefit

Trustees have had regard to Charity Commission guidance on public benefit, set out in section 4 of the Charities Act 2006, and we consider that all our work complies in very tangible ways with the concept of public benefit. Trustees are convinced the work of its membership fulfils every criteria of public benefit and that significant impact is attained through our direct work and the work we support through others.

Achievements and performance

Our Debt Centre is ranked as one of the most effective debt centres in London. Since the CAP Debt Centre started in 2008 (now part of Creating Hope) we have seen a client or family go ‘debt free’ every 7 weeks. We have helped to clear just over £2 million of debt since 2008.

Key highlights of 2025 include:

• Helping 50+ clients (and often their families) through the award-winning CAP Debt Help service and seeing 12 become debt free during the year. Most of our clients were also supported with gifts and personal needs, in addition to over 30 existing families known to us.

• Successfully recruiting a much-needed additional Debt coach; allowing us to book-in more clients annually.

• Introducing Money coaching as an addition to our debt help, further supporting clients on their journey out of debt by building access to tools to help them stay out of debt! This is now offered to all clients following their budget visit.

• Successfully leading a ‘taster’ Life Skills course in Merton that has inspired the training of a Manager to run a new CAP Centre in Merton delivering Life Skills, with very positive feedback from participants.

• Building on the strong referral stream with Job Centre Plus in Wallington and Mitcham, we have increased attendee capacity at our Job clubs by 10%, running 5 Job Clubs over 2 venues, leading to 44

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ANNUAL REPORT (continued)

CREATING HOPE CIO

• members participation. All of these have made positive ‘Steps towards Employment’ particularly improving their confidence, motivation and employability. Some members have secured full-time or P/T work; others are volunteering or attending courses to increase their skill set and employability.

• Identifying a team member to train as a new job club coach to help deliver our Wallington/Carshalton courses throughout 2026; increasing the team to 4 coaches.

• 8 volunteers are now fully trained to deliver CAP Money coaching which is consistently offered termly at our Sutton Job club following a successful trial in Autumn 2024.

• Ensuring Money coaching is wholly incorporated within the 6 weeks Life Skills course and followed up with individual 1:1 sessions as required.

• 7 Money coaching courses either in groups or on an individual basis to help people to manage their day-to-day finances have run during the year; a 40% increase on 2024.

• Renaming our drop-In service, now known as 3 in1, to better reflect our provision highlighting food, fun and friendship! Providing almost 700 hot meals through our 3 in1 service and seeing our ‘friends’ enjoy themselves over games and learn new skills during art activities.

• Inviting 36 people to attend one of 3 Kintsugi Hope (KH) courses to improve their mental and emotional well-being; 25 (70%) completed the 11-session course. All those on the waiting list for 2025 were offered the opportunity to attend a course and attended as they were able.

• Offering our first KH course for Professionals allowing space and time for key professionals to stop and take stock for themselves; building resilience into their own mental health well-being.

• Securing emergency funding to provide essential and much needed grocery shopping, school uniform, shoes, fuel top-ups, appliances such as ovens/microwaves/toasters, mattresses, bedding, clothing, curtains and curtain poles as well as fund Debt Relief Orders, amongst other items, for a variety of people in desperate need of assistance.

• Providing Emergency Aid (for a wide range of purposes) to 13 beneficiaries from our dedicated Emergency Fund in 2025, totalling £2,163.

• Boosting the number of volunteers supporting the work of the charity to 38 now drawn from 11 churches across the borough.

• Adding and extending funding from organisation such as Community Action Sutton, Milk and Honey Trust and NHS Winter Fund.

• Securing funding for a 2-year Creating Hope Administrator/Fundraising position; registered with the fundraising regulator, making use of their logo extensively to add to the credibility of our fundraising practices.

• Creating & launching a new website for Creating Hope and all its services https://www.creatinghope.uk/

We will set out a more detailed analysis of our activities and achievements in our Annual Impact Report which will be published in time for the Annual General Meeting which is planned for June 2026.

Reserves policy

The main source of income for the charity is UnitedLife Church. This totaled some 79% of our total income during the year. The medium-term objective of the trustees is to maintain reserves equivalent to 25% of the charity’s annual expenditure.

Fundraising

We have been very fortunate to have the substantial and continuous financial support of UnitedLife throughout 2025. This support has allowed us an opportunity to focus on building a strong framework of governance and systems that will provide the foundation for future growth of the Charity.

Alongside this support we have undertaken a series of fundraising events principally at local churches which have resulted in donations totaling £4,435 (2024: £7,628). Individual and Charity donations totaled £3,659 (2024: £4,406), including £0 (2024: £200) for Job Club and £1,000 (2024: £700) for Drop-In. We have also secured £6,600 (2024-£6,400) in grants from local funding sources for specific purposes.

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ANNUAL REPORT (continued)

CREATING HOPE CIO

In line with the reporting requirements included in the Charities Act 2016 the Trustees are pleased to confirm that all fundraising is done in compliance with the Fundraising Regulator.

Plans for the future

• Our main priority for 2026 , as in earlier years, is to ensure that the full range of services we currently offer continues to be available to help deal with the ever-increasing number of individuals and families who are struggling with debt and poverty and who often face complex needs. This is a challenging target given that around 90% of our human resources are volunteers who often have a multiplicity of demands on their time.

• In the context of providing for our future growth and sustainability, and subject to securing sufficient medium term funding commitments, appoint a new Chief Executive Officer for Creating Hope to lead the charity into its next phase of development.

• To thoroughly investigate the potential opportunity of taking on responsibility for the building in which our offices are located. This opportunity has the potential to provide a highly visible and accessible ground floor space on Sutton High Street. If it is appropriate to take this forward we will seek to secure the necessary resources to take this forward in late 2026/2027.

• Having successfully recruited a male Debt coach to complement our existing 2 female coaches in 2025, we are keen to increase the number of skilled befrienders to support our 3 debt coaches and their clients.

• In addition, we will actively seek to boost the number of coaches to deliver our courses, particularly, Kintsugi Hope, Job Club and Life Skills

• Trialling provision of the Money Coaching Course at Job Centre Plus in Wallington for attendees of the Job Club.

• To continue to see 3in1 (Drop In) grow and bring in more guests to share their expertise and skills like money coaching.

• Seek to diversify funding streams to include gifts, regular donations, standing orders, sponsorships, legacy gifting, card payments

• Raise our profile and increase fundraising opportunities at events through the introduction of coverage of Creating Hope on various social media channels.

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CREATING HOPE CIO

ANNUAL REPORT (continued)

Trustees’ responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual 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 and Wales requires that the trustees must not approve the financial statements for each financial year unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the income and expenditure of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

• make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

• 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 proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the 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.

FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE TRUSTEES

Anthony Thompson Anthony Thompson OBE Chair of Trustees

Date 05 May 2026

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CREATING HOPE CIO Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Creating Hope For the year ended 31 December 2025 I report lo the charity Iruslees on my examination of the accounts of Creating Hope {the "Charity") for the year ended 31 December 2025 set out on pages 9 to 14. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {'the Act'l I report In respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts as Carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{51{b) of the Act. Independent examiner's stalement I have cornpleted my examination. I confirm that no mallers have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect.. 1. acGounling records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act,. or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records.. or 3. the accounts do not comply wilh the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Report) 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., or 4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable lo charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland IFRS 102). I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination lo which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Miriam Hiekson CTA FCA JCS Accountants Ltd Chartered Accountants 5 Robln Hood Lane Sutton. Surrey SM1 2SW 6 loZ6 Date.-.

CREATING HOPE CIO

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

Income from Donations and grants Gift Aid & Interest Total Income Expenditure on Salary Costs CAP Central Costs Room Hire Operating Expenses Governance Costs Net Income/(expenditure) Net movement in Funds Balances brought forward Balances carried forward	Note 2 2		Unrestricted £ 66,842 708		2025 Restricted Total £ £ 6,600 73,442 - 708	Unrestricted £ 69,171 -	2024 Restricted £ 6,400 -	Total £ 75,571 -
			67,550 44,243 5,160 4,510 12,404 2,120		6,600 74,150 - 44,243 - 5,160 - 4,510 7,763 20,167 - 2,120	69,171 40,727 5,160 2,058 12,393 2,436	6,400 - - 5,500 3,236 -	75,571 40,727 5,160 7,558 15,629 2,436
			68,437		7,763 76,200	62,774	8,736	71,510
			(887) (887) 12,611		(1,163) (2,050) (1,163) (2,050) 3,747 16,358	6,397 6,397 6,214	(2,336) (2,336) 6,083	4,061 4,061 12,297
			11,724		2,584 14,308	12,611	3,747	16,358

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CREATING HOPE CIO

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2025

Note Current Assets Debtors Bank balances Cash balance Creditors due within one year: Accruals Net Current Assets 8 NET ASSETS Represented by Unrestricted Funds8 Restricted Funds7	2025 £ 1,076 15,852 160	2025 £ 1,076 15,852 160	£ 17,088 2,780 14,308	2024 £ 26 18,784 93	2024 £ 26 18,784 93	£ 18,903 2,545 16,358
			14,308			16,358
			11,724 2,584			12,611 3,747
			14,308			16,358

Approved by the Trustees on date and signed on their behalf by:

Anthony Thompson

Anthony Thompson Chairman

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CREATING HOPE CIO

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

1.Accounting policies

The charity is a CIO, limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. The registered office is 1c Manor Place, Sutton, Surrey SM1 4BB

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation and uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

a) Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to these financial statements. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011, Charities Statement of Recommended Practice 2019 (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and Financial Reporting Standard 102 (FRS 102).

The Charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. The accounts are prepared in pounds sterling rounded to the nearest pound.

b) Going Concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

c) Fund Accounting

The funds held by the charity are either:

i. Restricted funds - defined as those used for specified purposes laid down by the donor, or where an appeal limits the use of the funds.

ii. Unrestricted funds - representing donations and other incomes received for any of the purposes of the charity and are available for use.

d) Income

Donations and other income (including legacies) are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be reliably measured. Donated services and facilities are recognized on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity, which is the amount the charity would be willing to pay for these on the open market. A corresponding amount is then recognized in expenditure.

e) Expenditure

All expenditure is accrued as soon as a liability is considered probable, discounted to present value for longer term liabilities and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category.

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Governance costs are those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include accountants’ fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity. These have been allocated directly to charitable expenditure.

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CREATING HOPE CIO

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 (continue

f) 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 the opening of the deposit.

g) Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation arising from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors are recognised at their settlement amount.

h) Financial instruments

The charity only has financial assets and 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.

2. Charges Invoiced by UnitedLife Church

Included within Donations and Expenditure are invoices from C3 UnitedLife Church as follows:

2025 2024 a) Share of salary costs £43,984 £40,727 b) Payments to CAP Central for services in the period £ 5,160 £5,160 c) Room hire rental costs for the period £ 4,510 £5,570 d) Other operating expenditure £ 5,095 £4,355 Total invoiced by UnitedLife Church £58,749 £55,812

See related party transactions note 5 below.

3. Gift Aid

Gift aid was claimed for the period up to 31 December 2025 totalling £705 (2024 £314) Provision was made in these accounts at 31 December 2025 for gift aid recoverable of £504 (2024 £0)

4. Remuneration and Expenses

None of the trustees or officers of the charity received any direct remuneration from the charity.

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CREATING HOPE CIO

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 (continued)

5. Related party transactions

Timothy Croxson acts as a trustee and senior leader of UnitedLife Church.

Katherine Parsons, one of the trustees, is also employed by UnitedLife Church.

£932 expenses were reimbursed to two trustees ( 2024: 3 trustees, £1,859).

Donations received from trustees in the year totalled £120 (2024: £120)

UnitedLife Church have waived their right to payment of the invoiced charges in note 2. Consequently an equal and opposite sum is included within unrestricted income as donations.

6 . Independent Examiners Fee

7. Restricted Funds

2025	Drop In Emergency Funding Operational Support NHS Winter Money Fund Week Total
Income received Expenditure in year Balance carried forward at 31 December 2024 Balance carried forward at 31 December 2025	£ £ £ £ £ £ 1,000 - 5,000 500 100 6,600 - (2,163) (5,000) (500) (100) (7,763)
	- 3,747 - - - 3,747
	1,000 1,584 - - - 2,584

2024	Drop In Emergency Funding Job Club Life Skills Grant Income Total
Income received Expenditure in year Balance carried forward at 31 December 2023 Balance carried forward at 31 December 2024	£ £ £ £ £ £ 700 - 200 - 5,500 6,400 (700) (1,602) (434) (500) (5,500) (8,736)
	- 5,349 234 500 - 6,083
	- 3,747 - - - 3,747

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CREATING HOPE CIO

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

(continued)

7. Restricted Funds (continued)

Donations for specified purposes include the following:

Drop In (3 in 1) – This is a weekly meeting which offers those in need the opportunity to have a nutritious meal and some company.

Emergency Funding – These are funds provided to clients of the charity facing severe and urgent financial challenges.

Job Club – This is a short course which provides practical help and the tools needed to help find work.

Life Skills – This is a short course which provides practical tools to help people live well on a low budget.

Grant Income – £5,000 was received from Sutton Community Fund towards the operational costs of the charity. Additionally £500 was received from the same source in respect of an NHS Winter Engagement Fund. Both grants were accounted for in the year.

Operation support – Providing administrative support to Head of Service, and facilitating fund raising

Money week – Grant towards cost of launching a joint event with Sutton Council

8. Analysis of net assets by fund

2025 Current Assets Current Liabilities Net assets 2024 Current Assets Current Liabilities Net assets	Unrestricted Restricted Total £ £ £ 14,504 2,584 17,088 (2,780) - (2,780)
	11,724 2,584 14,308
	Unrestricted Restricted Total £ £ £ 15,156 3,747 18,903 (2,545) - (2,545)
	12,611 3,747 16,358

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