## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT** ## **THE LIVING HOPE** ## **For the year ended 3 November 2025** **Charity name:** The Living Hope **Charity number:** 1206681 **Principal address:** 131 Edgar Street, Hereford, HR4 9JR ## **Trustees Serving During Reporting Year:** - **Sid Freeman** – Chair _(Appointed 23 January 2024 – resigned 3 February 2025)_ - • **Vikki Thomas** – Trustee / Chair ( _Appointed 23 January 2024; appointed Chair (8[th] October 2025)_ - **Paul Gill** – Trustee _(Appointed 23 January 2024 – resigned 4 February 2025)_ - **Peter Cole** – Trustee _(Appointed 23 January 2024 – resigned 20[th] March 2025)_ - **Alison Pritchard** – Trustee _(Appointed 29 May 2024 – resigned 4 February 2025)_ - • **Stephen Thomas** – Trustee _(Appointed 15 October 2024 and served as temporary Chair)_ - **Scott Wheatley** – Trustee _(Appointed 23 March 2025)_ - **Caroline Currie** – Trustee _(Appointed 17 April 2025)_ During the year, the charity underwent a significant change in its Board of Trustees. Following a review of the governance and future needs of The Living Hope, some trustees resigned, and the Board was refreshed to broaden the skills, knowledge and experience available as the charity moved into the operational delivery of supported accommodation. Stephen Thomas served as Chair during the transition before Vikki Thomas subsequently took on the role of Chair as co-founder. ## **1. Structure, Governance & Management** The Living Hope is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), registered in England and Wales and governed by its constitution. The charity is managed by its Board of Trustees, who meet regularly to oversee the charity and its work. Trustees are appointed in accordance with the charity's constitution, with consideration given to their skills, knowledge, experience, character and the different perspectives they bring. Together, the trustees provide a balance of strengths that support the charity's Christian ethos, governance and charitable work. ## **2. Objectives & Activities** The charitable purpose of The Living Hope is the prevention or relief of poverty in Herefordshire. During this reporting year, the charity's principal activity was the provision of **supported accommodation** through The Living Hope House at 131 Edgar Street, Hereford. The House provides a safe, stable, clean-and-dry home for men who have experienced homelessness and associated difficulties and who are ready to take positive steps towards rebuilding their lives. The Living Hope recognises that providing accommodation alone is not enough. Residents receive a significant level of individual and practical support within a family-style community, helping them to develop stability, trust, confidence, life skills and the foundations required for future independent living. Support is personally tailored to the individual and includes meaningful activities, practical life skills, accessing appropriate services, volunteering, employment, debt management, managing money, rebuilding healthy relationships and preparing for suitable move-on accommodation. The Living Hope is a Christian charity and its work is rooted in Christian values of compassion, hope, restoration and community. Residents are supported as individuals and are not required to share the Christian faith. Opportunities for Christian fellowship, prayer and spiritual support are available to those who wish to engage. ## **Public Benefit** The trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit when exercising their powers and making decisions relevant to the charity's activities. Through the provision of supported accommodation and associated support to people who have experienced homelessness and disadvantage, the trustees consider that the charity's activities directly further its charitable purpose for the public benefit. ## **3. Achievements & Performance** This reporting year marked an important transition for The Living Hope as the charity moved from establishing its first property into the active delivery of supported accommodation. Following the securing of 131 Edgar Street through the charity's partnership with Green Pastures in October 2024, the House was prepared, furnished and developed into a safe and welcoming home, enabling residents to begin moving in and receiving support. During the year, residents made positive progress in different areas of their lives. Outcomes included gaining employment, volunteering, developing practical and independent living skills, rebuilding relationships with children and family members and, where appropriate, returning home or progressing towards independent accommodation. Community has been an important part of this progress. Many people experiencing homelessness have also experienced isolation, loss of relationships and a breakdown in support networks. The House provides residents with stability, belonging, accountability and encouragement as they work towards greater independence. Referral relationships were initially slow to develop as a new service became established. During the year, the charity continued to build relationships with DWP, Turning Point, Probation, local churches, providing appropriate referral routes into The Living Hope. These referral routes were established during the period. As a new provider, the charity's first operational year also brought considerable learning. The charity invested in strengthening its approach to resident support, record keeping, governance and supported accommodation, including drawing on appropriate external expertise where required. This learning, together with the refresh of the Board of Trustees, helped strengthen the charity's foundations as its experience and understanding of supported accommodation developed. ## **4. Financial Review** For the year ended 3 November 2025, the charity recorded: **Total income:** £60,776 **Total expenditure:** £49,152 **Surplus for the year:** £11,625 **Accumulated funds at year end:** £25,659 Income during the year was principally derived from rental income connected with the charity's supported accommodation and charitable donations. Expenditure principally related to the operation and development of The Living Hope House, including lease and property costs, staffing, administration and the delivery of the charity's charitable activities. The trustees consider that the charity remained financially stable during its first full operational year. ## **Reserves Policy** The charity aims to maintain unrestricted reserves equivalent to approximately six months of operating expenditure in order to provide financial stability and help ensure continuity of its services. On 3 November 2025, the charity held accumulated funds of **£25,659** . The trustees continue to keep the level of reserves under review, taking account of the charity's operational commitments and future plans. ## **5. Plans for the Future** The trustees intend to build on the experience gained during The Living Hope's first operational year, continuing to strengthen the quality and sustainability of the supported accommodation provided at The Living Hope House. The charity will continue developing opportunities for meaningful activity, volunteering, employment, life skills and community, with the aim of helping residents make sustainable progress towards greater independence and appropriate move-on accommodation. The trustees will also continue developing partnerships and considering opportunities to increase the charity's capacity and impact in response to the needs of people experiencing homelessness in Herefordshire. ## **6. Custodian Trustee Status** The Living Hope does not act as custodian trustee for any other charities or funds. ## **7. Trustees' Responsibilities and Approval** The trustees are responsible for the governance and administration of the charity and for ensuring that appropriate accounting records are maintained and that the charity's financial statements are prepared in accordance with the applicable requirements. The trustees have reviewed this report together with the charity's accounts for the year ended 3 November 2025. The Trustees' Annual Report was approved by the Board of Trustees on: **Date:** 1[st] September 2026 and signed on behalf of the trustees by: **Signature: Vikki Thomas Chair of Trustees** IIVPIG HOPE ANCIAL ST.￿TE￿EN[ FOR TELE VEMBER 2 THE LIVING HOPE NfENTS ED 3RD NOVEMBER 2025 General Infonrthtion Trading and Profit & Loss AccouDt Balance She& Notes THE IJVING HOP C,ETr4TRAL INFOll￿£￿TION FOR YLAR 3RD NOVEMBF. 2025 Chuity: The Living Hope 1206681 Charity Address: 131 Edgar Street Hereford iaR4 9JR Solid Rock Ltd Clarence House 35 ClaTence Str¢ Martet Harborougb Le1￿te[ShIr¢ IE16 Th Pag¢ I HEL NGHO INCO E ANTI THE YE co TMB END 3RD R2W£5 2025 2W24 695 9.796 3(K) 5_ry1 Churth Donatio) Gift Aid ]Xillations 34312 776 17,083 TO 6QT76 17.083 PR Light•￿ Hcat Subscriptions SE 103 120 io 20.773 Fixrarn ￿dFIttllISB 199 Travel cxpaEes Hire f70 250 Software 1712 Ellthuse Fces Wasiter 51 420 552 CharitsbleETpeose PrItiti￿ Posw& Slat 133 195 716 Health and Safety VenueHirc 199 1.199 OTH Trnining anti ainf￿￿$ Profetyo￿al F AMiuntrJ¢y 462 150 12 624 {49,151} {3.0191 NET SiWLUSIDKFI IT FOR THE Yi4R 14.034 E LIVThG HOP 4LkNCE SHEET 25 Notrs 2024 ACC A￿Ul￿vIatcaFV0&$ SEf3 Casb atBank 25W9 14,034 259>9 14.034 s￿dry Crediior5 3fJO 300 25,659 14,034 v￿lU Thomas TTyske LIVDIG HOPE NOTES TO ACCOUNTS FORT YEAR 3RD_NO MBER 2025 2025 2024 Balallce brougbt forward 14.034 Net Surplus l Deficit for the year 11.626 14,034 25.659 14.034 CASH AT BATr4K Current Account DeEK)Sit ACco￿t 25959 14,034 25959 CREDrto 31x1 31)0 Page 4 THE LIVThG HOPE E￿MINERs REPORT THE YEAii EINDED 3RD NOVEMBER 2025 Basis of Indepelldellt Euminers Report My exatnI￿tt0n was carried out in accordallce witb tbe Gend DiTCCtiolls ￿Vell by the Charity Con]n)issioners. An examijmtion includcs a review of the accounting Te£ords kcpt by the cbhrity and a coKaparison of the 2ccounts presented with those records. It also inchNles considaatiou of any ullusual il¢llLs or disclosuras in the accoullts alld 5¢¢knDg &wlarLations fromyou as trustee5 concerri￿ atLy such lljatters. The pr￿ed￿re$ undatsken do not provide all the evidence tbat would be required in an 2udiL and consa4U￿Y I do not expT¢SS an audit Opini(￿Oll the vi￿* given by the accounts. Independent Examiners Stst¢meDt l). which gives me reasonable causc to bclicvc that ill aDyllJatfflial Tespect therequirelllellts to keep accounting recor& itL actor￿ with section 41 of the Act" and to prepare accounts whtch acc4)rd with the accoi]nting rwrds and to Con￿lY with have not been met" or 2). to whic]L in my Opinio￿ attuttion shouldbe drawn in order ￿ eDable a proper Under￿d￿)g of tbc accounts to be read￿(L MrMMYo Page 5 IIVPIG HOPE ANCIAL ST.￿TE￿EN[ FOR TELE VEMBER 2 THE LIVING HOPE NfENTS ED 3RD NOVEMBER 2025 General Infonrthtion Trading and Profit & Loss AccouDt Balance She& Notes THE IJVING HOP C,ETr4TRAL INFOll￿£￿TION FOR YLAR 3RD NOVEMBF. 2025 Chuity: The Living Hope 1206681 Charity Address: 131 Edgar Street Hereford iaR4 9JR Solid Rock Ltd Clarence House 35 ClaTence Str¢ Martet Harborougb Le1￿te[ShIr¢ IE16 Th Pag¢ I HEL NGHO INCO E ANTI THE YE co TMB END 3RD R2W£5 2025 2W24 695 9.796 3(K) 5_ry1 Churth Donatio) Gift Aid ]Xillations 34312 776 17,083 TO 6QT76 17.083 PR Light•￿ Hcat Subscriptions SE 103 120 io 20.773 Fixrarn ￿dFIttllISB 199 Travel cxpaEes Hire f70 250 Software 1712 Ellthuse Fces Wasiter 51 420 552 CharitsbleETpeose PrItiti￿ Posw& Slat 133 195 716 Health and Safety VenueHirc 199 1.199 OTH Trnining anti ainf￿￿$ Profetyo￿al F AMiuntrJ¢y 462 150 12 624 {49,151} {3.0191 NET SiWLUSIDKFI IT FOR THE Yi4R 14.034 E LIVThG HOP 4LkNCE SHEET 25 Notrs 2024 ACC A￿Ul￿vIatcaFV0&$ SEf3 Casb atBank 25W9 14,034 259>9 14.034 s￿dry Crediior5 3fJO 300 25,659 14,034 v￿lU Thomas TTyske LIVDIG HOPE NOTES TO ACCOUNTS FORT YEAR 3RD_NO MBER 2025 2025 2024 Balallce brougbt forward 14.034 Net Surplus l Deficit for the year 11.626 14,034 25.659 14.034 CASH AT BATr4K Current Account DeEK)Sit ACco￿t 25959 14,034 25959 CREDrto 31x1 31)0 Page 4 THE LIVThG HOPE E￿MINERs REPORT THE YEAii EINDED 3RD NOVEMBER 2025 Basis of Indepelldellt Euminers Report My exatnI￿tt0n was carried out in accordallce witb tbe Gend DiTCCtiolls ￿Vell by the Charity Con]n)issioners. An examijmtion includcs a review of the accounting Te£ords kcpt by the cbhrity and a coKaparison of the 2ccounts presented with those records. It also inchNles considaatiou of any ullusual il¢llLs or disclosuras in the accoullts alld 5¢¢knDg &wlarLations fromyou as trustee5 concerri￿ atLy such lljatters. The pr￿ed￿re$ undatsken do not provide all the evidence tbat would be required in an 2udiL and consa4U￿Y I do not expT¢SS an audit Opini(￿Oll the vi￿* given by the accounts. Independent Examiners Stst¢meDt l). which gives me reasonable causc to bclicvc that ill aDyllJatfflial Tespect therequirelllellts to keep accounting recor& itL actor￿ with section 41 of the Act" and to prepare accounts whtch acc4)rd with the accoi]nting rwrds and to Con￿lY with have not been met" or 2). to whic]L in my Opinio￿ attuttion shouldbe drawn in order ￿ eDable a proper Under￿d￿)g of tbc accounts to be read￿(L MrMMYo Page 5