Charity no. 1206286
Project Lighthouse Report and Unaudited Financial Statements 31 July 2024
Project Lighthouse
Reference and administrative details
For the period ended 31 July 2024
| Charity number | 1206286 | |
|---|---|---|
| Registered office and | 1 Coldbath Square | |
| operational address | London | |
| EC1R 5HL | ||
| Trustees | The trustees who served during the period and up to the date of this report | |
| were as follows: | ||
| Dr Lucy Allwright | appointed 5 December 2022 | |
| Dr Adrienne Barnett | appointed 5 December 2022 | |
| Lara Bundock | appointed 22 July 2023 | |
| resigned 31 July 2024 | ||
| Juan Carrizosa | appointed 5 December 2022 | |
| Kimberly Detjen | appointed 1 July 2023 | |
| Sarah Hughes | appointed 22 July 2023 | |
| resigned 31 July 2024 | ||
| Sophie Isachsen | appointed 24 June 2024 | |
| Dr Saira Khan | appointed 30 July 2024 | |
| Antonia Lee-Wilmot | appointed 5 December 2022 | |
| XX - Trustee with a dispensation | ||
| Chief executive officer | Dr Rachael Grey | appointed 5 December 2022 |
| Bankers | Co Operative Business Bank | |
| 5th Floor 1 Balloon Street | ||
| Manchester | ||
| M4 4BE | ||
| Solicitors | LawWorks | |
| Dx 115 | ||
| 50-52 Chancery Lane | ||
| London | ||
| WC2A 1HL | ||
| Independent examiners | Godfrey Wilson Limited | |
| Chartered accountants and statutory auditors | ||
| 5th Floor Mariner House | ||
| 62 Prince Street | ||
| Bristol | ||
| BS1 4QD |
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Project Lighthouse
Report of the trustees
For the period ended 31 July 2024
Reference and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the Constitution and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities (effective from January 2019).
Structure, governance and management
Project Lighthouse is constituted as Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) duly registered on 19 December 2023 with the Charity Commission under number 1206286.
Project Lighthouse’s Constitution is the CIO’s Governing Document, duly filed with the Charity Commission.
Trustee recruitment is done through referrals of qualified candidates by existing trustees as well as professional experts known to the CEO. Subsequent appointments occur after board discussion and confirmation during trustee board meetings. An induction programme has been in place since inception involving sessions with board governance and therapy experts.
Objectives and activities
Project Lighthouse’s Governing Document establishes our charitable objects as:
“To relieve the needs of women who have experienced, are impacted by, or are at risk of, domestic abuse and child removal in particular, but not exclusively, by providing charitable assistance including therapeutic support, advocacy and associated support services and through raising public awareness through educational materials and events”.
Under the leadership, hard work and guidance of Project Lighthouse’s Founder and now current Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Rachael Grey, an 18-month pioneering pilot programme was designed as the blueprint to first obtain the initial funding and subsequently, the first cohort of mothers accepted for therapy. This preliminary undertaking started in late 2022 and continued through early 2023 when upon receipt of the necessary funds and other donations the therapy sessions began. Project Lighthouse, in no small measure thanks to Rachael’s determination, was able to start providing the support to mothers impacted by child removal and domestic abuse, whilst concomitantly starting the registration process with the Charity Commission. Project Lighthouse was granted CIO status on 19 December 2023, thus commencing the formal operational stage for our charity.
With the Charity Commission’s accreditation, there were increased efforts to secure additional funding in order to expand coverage to new therapy cohorts. Funding has always been challenging but currently it has become even more competitive as donor pools have contracted, paired with a broadened field of funding applicants. Nonetheless Project Lighthouse has received funding from donors who recognise the valuable relief to women that otherwise would have no specific support, either from other private institutions or governmental agencies. This lack of, firstly, widespread awareness about the seriousness and prevalence of the trauma generated by child removal and domestic abuse, and, secondly, the institutional tools to support, heal and alleviate this trauma, both in mothers and in their children, represents the very unique, tangible and positive public benefit Project Lighthouse provides as a charity.
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Project Lighthouse
Report of the trustees
For the period ended 31 July 2024
Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, as Project Lighthouse accrues a more extensive track record as an operating entity, we expect that newer sources of funding will become available to us. That increased access to additional financial resources, in turn, will give us the wherewithal to expand our therapeutic support by onboarding more cohorts, encompassing larger numbers of affected mothers, eventually covering a wider geographic sphere within the United Kingdom. Greater financial resources will also allow Project Lighthouse to put in place a fully staffed and sustained research function, another integral part of the charity’s purpose. At the same time, additional funds will be earmarked for the development and enhancement of Project Lighthouse’s digital capabilities, a key differentiator in the provision of therapy. Equally, funding is being sought to finalise our website design, an important vector in educating the public and raising awareness about child removal related trauma, as well as a key channel in expanding and diversifying our funding sources, together with a refreshed corporate identity.
Trustee statement regarding charity commission guidance on public benefit
The Board of Trustees of Project Lighthouse, in accordance with the Charity Commission Guidance on Public Benefit and the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) Accounting and Reporting by Charities, state that they have carried out their duties in ensuring that Project Lighthouse has undertaken activities in accordance with its purpose, as determined by the charity’s Constitution, for the public benefit, providing much needed therapeutic support for mothers imperilled by domestic abuse and experiencing the trauma of child removal, where such specific support would otherwise be absent and unavailable to them.
Achievements and performance
Project Lighthouse’s vision has carefully been held by an incredible and diverse group of people who remain committed to achieving our mission and providing gold standard therapeutic online group support to mothers who have endured domestic abuse and child removal. Over the past 7 months, we have carefully nurtured our relationships with foundational funders and continued to identify potential new funding streams. Project Lighthouse has received enormous national support from a broad range of stakeholders, statutory agencies, academics and members of parliament. Consequently, we are working on strategies to raise the public awareness of the impact and issues surrounding domestic abuse and child removal, as well as identifying the gaps in research. Project Lighthouse is beginning to identify potential national stakeholder and research partnerships, as well as hold the first National Community of Practice on Child Removal.
Crucially, Project Lighthouse welcomed 14 mothers into two pilot Meet Up groups in September 2023 and another seven mothers into a new group in September 2024. All 21 mothers were offered weekly online group therapy and support for 18 months, which includes regular topic-based workshops. Further, throughout their time with project Lighthouse all mothers will receive regular care parcels that have been designed to promote connection, visibility and help to replicate some of the elements of inperson therapy. As we work towards an evaluation, we have received extremely positive and constructive feedback from all the mothers who have received our support so far, with mothers describing Project Lighthouse as ‘life-saving’ and ‘life-changing’.
As Project Lighthouse works towards our first strategic planning day in October 2024, the Board of Trustees and wider team, continue to show exemplary measures of dedication and commitment to carefully grow our resources which will enable us to expand our capacity to increase our support offer across the UK.
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Project Lighthouse
Report of the trustees
For the period ended 31 July 2024
Financial review
The total incoming resources for the period were £124,882. The total expenditure for the period was £42,664.
At 31 July 2024 the charity had £60,636 as unrestricted funds of which £45,000 were designated funds, which leaves £15,636 as free reserves. Our reserve level this year was 2.5 months of expenditure. Going forward the charity’s aim is to have 3 months of reserves.
Statement of responsibilities of the trustees
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and the incoming resources and application of resources, including the net income or expenditure, of the charity for the year. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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▪ observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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▪ state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which 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 constitution. The trustees 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.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charity's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
Members of the charity have no obligation to contribute to the assets of the charity in the event of winding up. The trustees are members of the charity but this entitles them only to voting rights. The trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.
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Project Lighthouse
Report of the trustees
For the period ended 31 July 2024
Independent examiners
Godfrey Wilson Limited were appointed as independent examiners to the charity during the period and have expressed their willingness to continue in that capacity.
Approved by the trustees on 24 October 2024 and signed on their behalf by
S C Isachsen
Sophie Isachsen - Chair of trustees
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Independent examiner's report
To the trustees of
Project Lighthouse
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Project Lighthouse (the CIO) for the period ended 31 July 2024, which are set out on pages 7 to 15.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the CIO you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the CIO’s accounts 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.
Independent examiner’s statement
Godfrey Wilson Limited also provides payroll services to the CIO. I confirm that as a member of the ICAEW I am subject to the FRC’s Revised Ethical Standard 2016, which I have applied with respect to this engagement.
I have completed my examination. I 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:
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(1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the CIO as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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(2) the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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(3) the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Dougal Howard
Date: 24 October 2024 Dougal Howard ACA Member of the ICAEW For and on behalf of: Godfrey Wilson Limited Chartered accountants and statutory auditors 5th Floor Mariner House 62 Prince Street Bristol BS1 4QD
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Project Lighthouse
Statement of financial activities
For the period ended 31 July 2024
| Note Income from: Donations 2 Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds Charitable activities Total expenditure 3 Net income and net movement in funds 4 Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Restricted Unrestricted £ £ 25,000 99,882 25,000 99,882 2,231 9,059 1,187 30,187 3,418 39,246 21,582 60,636 - - 21,582 60,636 |
2024 Total £ 124,882 |
|---|---|---|
| 124,882 | ||
| 11,290 31,374 |
||
| 42,664 | ||
| 82,218 - |
||
| 82,218 |
All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. Movements in funds are disclosed in note 10 to the accounts.
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Project Lighthouse
Balance sheet
As at 31 July 2024
| Note Current assets Debtors 7 Cash at bank and in hand Liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within 1 year 8 Net assets 9 Funds 10 Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Designated funds General funds Total charity funds |
£ 46,243 41,073 |
2024 £ 87,316 (5,098) |
|---|---|---|
| 82,218 | ||
| 21,582 45,000 15,636 |
||
| 82,218 |
Approved by the trustees on 24 October 2024 and signed on their behalf by
S C Isachsen
Sophie Isachsen - Chair of trustees
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Project Lighthouse
Notes to the financial statements
For the period ended 31 July 2024
1. Accounting policies
a) General information and basis of preparation
Project Lighthouse is an Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered in England and Wales. The registered office address is 1 Coldbath Square, London, EC1R 5HL.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities in preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
Project Lighthouse meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.
b) Going concern basis of accounting
The accounts have been prepared on the assumption that the charity is able to continue as a going concern, which the trustees consider appropriate having regard to the current level of unrestricted reserves. There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
c) Income
Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Income from the government and other grants, whether 'capital' grants or 'revenue' grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.
d) Donated services and facilities
Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item, is probable and the economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), general volunteer time is not recognised.
On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.
e) Funds accounting
Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.
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Project Lighthouse
Notes to the financial statements
For the period ended 31 July 2024
1. Accounting policies (continued)
f) Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.
g) Allocation of support and governance costs
Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Governance costs are the costs associated with the governance arrangements of the charity, including the costs of complying with constitutional and statutory requirements and any costs associated with the strategic management of the charity’s activities. These costs have been allocated between cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities based on cost of each activity as follows: 2024 Raising funds 26.4% Charitable activities 73.6%
h) Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
i) Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
j) Creditors
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting 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 and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
k) Financial instruments
The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
l) Pension costs
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for its employees. There are no further liabilities other than that already recognised in the SOFA.
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Project Lighthouse
Notes to the financial statements
For the period ended 31 July 2024
1. Accounting policies (continued)
m) Accounting estimates and key judgements
In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and underlying assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.
There are no key sources of estimation uncertainty.
2. Income from donations
| Grants Donations Total income from donations |
Restricted £ £ 25,000 60,000 - 39,882 25,000 99,882 Unrestricted |
2024 Total £ 85,000 39,882 |
|---|---|---|
| 124,882 |
Income from donations includes the value of net assets on the date Project Lighthouse was registered as a CIO, 19 December 2023, as agreed with the Charity Commission.
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Project Lighthouse
Notes to the financial statements
For the period ended 31 July 2024
3. Total expenditure
| Total expenditure | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staff costs (note 5) Other staff costs and training Direct therapy costs Administrative costs Logo and website design Fundraising Professional fees Audit and accountancy IT costs Telephone Printing postage and stationery Office costs Sub-total Allocation of support and governance costs Total expenditure Total governance costs were £1,680. |
Raising funds £ 2,050 - - 3,500 - 296 - - - - - - 5,846 5,444 11,290 |
Charitable activities £ 684 669 13,300 1,400 - - - - - 182 - - 16,235 15,139 31,374 |
Support and governance costs £ 684 2,149 - 7,769 3,500 - 918 1,680 1,983 295 599 1,006 20,583 (20,583) - |
2024 Total £ 3,418 2,818 13,300 12,669 3,500 296 918 1,680 1,983 477 599 1,006 |
| 42,664 - |
||||
| 42,664 | ||||
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Project Lighthouse
Notes to the financial statements
For the period ended 31 July 2024
4. Net movement in funds
This is stated after charging:
| Trustees' remuneration Trustees' reimbursed expenses Independent examiner's remuneration (excluding VAT): ▪Independent examination |
2024 £ Nil - 1,400 |
|---|---|
In common with other charities of our size and nature we use our independent examiners to assist with the preparation of the financial statements.
5. Staff costs and numbers
Staff costs were as follows:
| Salaries and wages Pension costs |
2024 £ 3,333 85 |
|---|---|
| 3,418 |
No employee earned more than £60,000 during the period.
The key management personnel of the charity comprise the Trustees and Chief Executive Officer. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel were £10,418.
| Average head count (excluding freelancers) | 2024 No. 0.1 |
|---|---|
6. Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.
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Project Lighthouse
Notes to the financial statements
For the period ended 31 July 2024
7. Debtors
| Debtors | |
|---|---|
| Prepayments Accrued income |
2024 £ 1,243 45,000 |
| 46,243 |
8. Creditors: amounts falling due within 1 year
| Creditors: amounts falling due within 1 year | |
|---|---|
| Accruals Other taxation and social security Other creditors |
2024 £ 1,680 676 2,742 |
| 5,098 |
9. Analysis of net assets between funds
| Analysis of net assets between funds | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Current assets Current liabilities Net assets at 31 July 2024 |
£ 25,000 (3,418) 21,582 Restricted funds |
£ 62,316 (1,680) 60,636 General funds |
Total funds £ 87,316 (5,098) |
| 82,218 |
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Project Lighthouse
Notes to the financial statements
For the period ended 31 July 2024
10. Movements in funds
| Restricted funds The Roddick Foundation Total restricted funds Designated funds: Sebba Total designated funds General funds Total unrestricted funds Total funds Unrestricted funds |
At 19 December 2023 £ - - - - - - |
Income £ 25,000 25,000 45,000 45,000 54,882 99,882 124,882 |
£ (3,418) (3,418) - - (39,246) (39,246) (42,664) Expenditure |
£ 21,582 At 31 July 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21,582 | ||||
| 45,000 | ||||
| 45,000 | ||||
| 15,636 | ||||
| 60,636 | ||||
| 82,218 |
Purposes of restricted funds The Roddick Foundation
Funding received to contribute towards the CEO's salary.
Purposes of designated funds Sebba
The £45,000 of designated funds will be spent on the CEO's salary, therapy costs and general running costs for the charity. All designated finds wil be spent by 31 July 2025.
11. Related party transactions
There were no related party transactions in the period.
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