Charity registration number: 1207800 ## Empowering Voices ## Unaudited financial statements Year ended 31 March 2026 Independent examination completed 14 July 2026 Empowering Voices - 1 - ## Contents |Administrative Details|3| |---|---| |Charity Commission Annual Report|4 - 8| |Statement of Financial Activities|9| |Balance Sheet|10| |Notes to the Financial Statements|11 – 16| |Independent Examiner’s Report|17 - 18| ## Empowering Voices - 2 - ## Administrative Details CHARITY DATA Registered in England and Wales Charity Number 1207800 ## REGISTERED OFFICE ADDRESS 54 West End Road, Frampton, Boston TRUSTEES DURING YEAR AND AT DATE OF APPROVAL OF REPORTS Ian Trevor (Chairperson) Fiona Cross David Parrish (resigned 11/04/26) Michael Wright Graham Parry Michael Grant Leanne Kemp Julian Marcus Brooks Rosie Tuohy (appointed 22/03/26) Adam Price (appointed 26/03/26) ## INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Linden Accountants, 21 Sevier Street, St Werburghs, Bristol, BS2 9LB ## BANKERS Lloyds Bank PLC, 25 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7HN - 3 - ## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period** **From 01/04/25 Period start date To 31/03/2026 Period end date** **Charity name: Empowering Voices** ## **Charity registration number: 1207800** ## **Objectives and Activities** |**Objectives and Activities**|**Objectives and Activities**| |---|---| ||| |Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document|The object of the CIO is to relieve the needs of people
in the UK who stammer by holding courses and
providing ongoing support not normally provided by
the statutory authorities, which allows a person who
stammers to talk in a calm and controlled manner.| |Summary of the main
activities in relation to those
purposes for the public
benefit, in particular, the
activities, projects or services
identified in the accounts.|Activities are held around the UK to help stammerers
control their speech. During the reporting period, we
have held two courses in Peterborough, with courses
planned for Bath and Sheffield.
We have an extensive support network for our
members, which includes online group sessions,
Facebook and WhatsApp support, a support directory
and in-person support groups.
We act as advocates for the stammering community
and are invited to speak at events both in person and
virtually.| |Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit|The trustees have considered guidance on public
benefit. The Charity’s operations are centred on
supporting the needs of stammerers in the UK.| ## **Achievements and Performance** |**Achievements and Performance**|**Achievements and Performance**| |---|---| ||| |Summary of the main
achievements of the charity,
identifying the difference the
charity’s work has made to
the circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any wider
benefits to society as a
whole.|The previous operating year was one of
establishment; this year has focused upon
development, expansion and strengthening the
operation for resilience.
During the year reported, we have:
Held courses for stammerers in Bath and Sheffield as
part of our program to offer courses within two hours
of most people in England and Wales.
Worked to establish additional course locations, such
as Carlisle, and began investigating locations in the
London area.
Started to plan a return visit to Peterborough.
Plans are in development for a 2027 course schedule.
The following trustees have been appointed – Adam
Price and Rosie Touhy.
Adam strengthens our team, bringing additional depth
to our financial resources whilst helping expand the
network of courses we offer and providing general
support to the team of trustees.
Rosie is a key member of the support team, running
an important support network, Little Wins. She also
helps with other trustee duties as and when possible.
Empowering Voices currently has 10 trustees during
this reporting period.
We have built upon our strong relationship with
STAMMA (British Stammering Association) by
regularly contributing to STAMMA events. These
include:
A panel member for a stammering awareness event at
John Innes Centre.
A contributor to an awareness meeting with an acting
company developing a play that included a
stammering character.
We were successful in our application to run a
workshop at the biennial STAMMAFEST, the British
Stammering Association conference.
We have been successful in promoting Empowering
Voices across The Nuclear Stammering Network, as
well as specifically at Sellafield Nuclear, Cumbria.
Other key milestones include an ensemble
performance of voices from people who stammer to
celebrate International Stammering Awareness Day,
which was promoted across our social media
channels.
We have developed a YouTube channel to showcase
our work. These are shared on an updated website
that highlights our work.
The number of people Empowering Voices has helped| since its establishment is 64, many of whom have attended multiple courses. Empowering Voices has identified a gap in NHS provision for Speech and Language Therapy, which has previously been filled exclusively by commercial organisations. As a charity, Empowering Voices can offer affordable, accessible support to stammerers unavailable elsewhere. ## **Financial Review** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Review of the charity’s Para 1.21 In the 2025/2026 year, £10,591 of
financial position at the end income was received by the charity
of the period including course fees and donations,
and £2,724 of expenditure was
incurred. The balance sheet shows
£8,182 to carry forward to 2026/2027.
Course fees are an important part of
the charity’s income. £750 of fees
received in advance for the charity’s
Carlisle course in April 2026 have
been deferred to the 2026/2027
financial year.
There is no trustee loan balance
remaining at the end of 2026/2027
year.
Income is currently unrestricted, but
future successful applications for
grant funding may lead to restricted
funds being established to satisfy
expenditure and reporting
requirements.
Statement explaining the Para 1.22 It is the charity’s policy to maintain a
policy for holding reserves designated fund of £3,000 to protect
stating why they are held against income fluctuations and to
support unexpected costs.
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 £3,000
Reasons for holding zero Para 1.22 N/A
reserves
Details of fund materially in Para 1.24 N/A
deficit
Explanation of any Para 1.23 N/A
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Structure, Governance and Management** Description of charity’s trusts: |Type of governing document|Constitution| |---|---| |How is the charity
constituted?|Charitable Incorporated Organisation| |Trustee selection methods
including details of any
constitutional provisions e.g.
election to post or name of
any person or body entitled
to appoint one or more
trustees|Every trustee is appointed for a term of three years by
a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of
the charity trustees.
When selecting individuals for appointment as charity
trustees, the trustees have regard to the skills,
knowledge, and experience required for the effective
administration of the CIO.| ## **Reference and Administrative details** |Charity name|Empowering Voices| |---|---| |Other name the charity uses|None| |Registered charity number|1207800| |Charity’s principal address|Linden Accountants Ltd
Scrapstore House
21 Sevier Street
BRISTOL
BS2 9LB| **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Name of person
Dates acted if not (or body) entitled
Trustee name Office (if any)
for whole year to appoint trustee
(if any)
Julian Marcus IT Officer N/A N/A
1
Brooks
Fiona Margaret N/A N/A
2
Orme Cross
3 Leanne Kemp Social Media Officer N/A N/A
4 Michael Grant Treasurer N/A N/A
5 David Neil Parrish Up to 11/04/26 N/A
6 Graham Parry N/A N/A
7 Ian Trevor Chairperson N/A N/A
Michael Ashley Website Officer N/A N/A
8
Wright
9 Adam Price From 26/03/26 N/A
10 Rosie Tuohy From 22/03/26 N/A
–
Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
None
**----- End of picture text -----**
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity **Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year** None **Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others** Description of the assets None held in this capacity ## **Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others** Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian Gharily's objects NIA Details DI arrangemènts for safe custody and segregation ol such assets from the charity's own assets NIA Exemptions from disclosure Reason for non.disclosure of ke ersonnel details NIA Other o .-￿tIonal Information None Declaratlons The trustees declarè that they have approved thè tru$t8e8' report above. Signèd on behalf of the charlty's trust08 Slgnaturelsl n Trevor Full namèls) Posltlon leg Secretary, Chair, et¢ Mike Grant Treasurer Chairperson D•t• 14107126 Charity number: 1207800 Empowering Voices ## STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Including Income and Expenditure Account) ## YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2026 **----- Start of picture text -----**
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds
Funds Funds 2026 2025
Note £ £ £ £
INCOME
Charitable activities 2 10,591 - 10,591 1,243
Other trading activities 3 0 - 0 -
TOTAL INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS 10,591 - 10,591 1,243
EXPENDITURE
Charitable activities 5 2,724 - 2,724 928
TOTAL EXPENDITURE 2,724 - 2,724 928
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) 7,867 - 7,867 315
Balances brought forward 315 - 315 -
Gross transfers between funds 14 - - - -
Balances carried forward 8,182 - 8,182 315
**----- End of picture text -----**
The charity has no recognised gains or losses other than the results for the year as set out above. All of the activities of the charity are classed as continuing. The notes on pages 11 to 16 form part of these financial statements - 9 - EmpowerSng Volces Charity number.. 12078(X) BALANCE SHEET YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2026 2026 2025 Note FIXED A5SET5.. 215 89 CURRENT ASSETS.. 40 9.277 9,317 46 1,080 Cash hi bank and In hand CURRENT LIABILITIES.. Net eurrent assets 7.967 226 NET ASSETS.. 8.182 FUNDS 8.182 315 8,182 31S The chAritdbletompaw Is eni1Eled lo exemptDD IrDm audil under Sèciiorn47701 the Companles Act 20L￿ lor theyear ended 31st M•reh 2026 The membeTS have ngl rvquiied the companyto Dbtain on audlt of It5 fln•n¢lJl siaiements lor thevear ended 315t March 2026 In Jccordance wlth *¢tion 47fy ol Comp&nieyAct 2W6 Ill EnsurillR Ilidt the company keep5 dttouniing records wiihcomply with SEclion$ 386 and 387 01 Ihe Compan￿SAct 2(KJ6'. bnd Thefinanclal 51¥rements have bÈÈn prepaied In accordan(E wiihthe speilal prov151￿501 Pait 15 01 Ihe CompaniesAcl 2(K)6 relatingto small companles. The financial stalemont5 wore approved and auihorised lor Issue by the Board ol Trustees on 14 lul¥ 2026 and were signed on ils behalf bv.. TfUStee- M1chael Grant Tru5tEe- lan Trevor The note5 on P3Be5 11 to 16 form pari of these fin3n¢ial statements io- Empowering Voices ## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ## YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2026 ## 1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES ## Accounting convention The financial statements have been prepared under the historic cost convention. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (FRS 102 SORP) effective from 1st January 2019, and applicable UK Accounting Standards, the Charities Act 2011 and the Companies Act 2006. ## Funds structure Unrestricted income funds comprise those funds which the trustees are free to use for any purpose in furtherance of the charitable objects. Unrestricted funds include designated funds where the trustees, at their discretion, have set aside resources for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by the donor or the terms of a specific appeal. ## Income All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the resources, it is certain that the resources will be received and the monetary value of income can be measured with sufficient reliability. ## Income from donations is included when these are receivable, except as follows: - When the donors specify that the donations given to the charity must be used in future accounting periods. - When donors impose conditions which have to be fulfilled before the charity becomes entitled to use such income, the income is deferred until the preconditions have been met. Income from grants, where there are performance or service deliverables required by the terms of the grant, are accounted for as the charity earns the right to payment through its performance. ## Expenditure Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to the expenditure. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that agree all costs related to the category. Support costs have been allocated 100% towards raising funds for and the charitable activities of the charity. ## Charitable activities Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both the direct pay and non-pay costs and support costs relating to those activities. ## Going concern After making appropriate enquiries, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue its operations for the foreseeable future and therefore they have continued to adopt the going concern basis when preparing the financial statements. ## Governance costs Governance cost include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity, and include its independent examination fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity including trustee expenses. ## Tangible fixed assets and depreciation Depreciation has been provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the cost, less estimated residual value of each asset, over its expected useful life. The rates used are: 33.3% straight line for IT and office equipment. ## 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 arrangement 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 on the following basis: |||2026||2025|| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |Raising funds|||0%||0%| |Charitable activities|||100%||100%| ||- 11 -||||| Empowering Voices ## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ## YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2026 - 2 INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |Donations
Course fee income
INCOME FROM OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
Other income
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
Course expenditure
Bank and admin charges
Insurance
Marketing
Office equipment depreciation charge
Training
Web hosting
Other expenditure
Allocation of support & governance costs|Unrestricted
Funds
£
7,341
3,250
10,591
Unrestricted
Funds
£
0
0
Raising
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
Charitable
activities
£
1,667
-
-
761
49
-
(12)
22
2,487
237
2,724|Total Funds
2026
£
7,341
3,250
10,591
Total Funds
2026
£
0
0
Support and
governance
costs
£
-
42
195
-
-
-
-
-
237
(237)
-|Total Funds
2025
£
1,243
-
1,243
Total Funds
2025
£
-
-
Total Funds
2026
£
1,667
42
195
761
49
-
(12)
22
2,724
-
2,724| |---|---|---|---|---| - 3 INCOME FROM OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES - 5 TOTAL EXPENDITURE - 12 - Empowering Voices ## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ## YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2026 ## PRIOR YEAR PERIOD |Course expenditure
Bank and admin charges
Insurance
Marketing
Office equipment depreciation charge
Training
Web hosting
Allocation of support & governance costs
6
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
This is stated following these charges:
Depreciation
Trustees' remuneration
Trustees' expense reimbursement
Fee for independent examination|Raising
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|Charitable
activities
£
568
-
-
46
18
20
105
757
171
928|Support and
governance
costs
£
-
44
127
-
-
-
-
171
(171)
-
2026
£
49
-
-
-|Total Funds
2025
£
568
44
127
46
18
20
105
928
-
928
2025
£
18
-
-
-| |---|---|---|---|---| In the current and prior year, no expenses were reimbursed to the trustees. Independent examination carried out for no charge by Linden Accountants Ltd ## 7 CORPORATION TAX - The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the charity. ## 8 STAFF NUMBERS AND COSTS Staff costs were as follows: |Salaries and wages
Social security costs
Pension contributions
Management
Administration|2026
£
-
-
-
-
2026
-
-
-|2025
£
-
-
-
-
2025
-
-
-| |---|---|---| - 13 - Empowering Voices ## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ## YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2026 **----- Start of picture text -----**
|||| |---|---|---| |2026|2025| |-|-| |Full time equivalent| |Number of employees with emoluments (excluding Employers' pension)|2026|2025| |-|-| |Between £30,000 and £40,000| |-|-| |Between £40,000 and £50,000| **----- End of picture text -----**
The key management personnel of the charitable company comprise the Trustees and the Chief Executive Officer. The total employment benefits of the key management personnel were £0. 9 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS **----- Start of picture text -----**
|||| |---|---|---| |Office| |Equipment|Totals| |£|£| |COST:| |At 1 April 2025|107|107| |Additions|175|175| |At 31 March 2026|282|282| |DEPRECIATION:| |At 1 April 2025|18|18| |Charge for the year|49|49| |At 31 March 2026|67|67| |NET BOOK VALUE:| |At 31 March 2026|215|215| |At 31 March 2025|89|89| **----- End of picture text -----**
- 14 - Empowering Voices ## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ## YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2026 **----- Start of picture text -----**
10 DEBTORS
2026 2025
£ £
Trade debtors - -
Other debtors and prepayments 40 46
40 46
11 CREDITORS: amounts falling due within one year
2026 2025
£ £
Trade creditors - -
Accruals and deferred income 1,350 750
- -
Tax and social security
- -
Pensions payable
Loans from trustees - 150
Other creditors - -
1,350 900
12 COMMITMENTS UNDER OPERATING LEASES
At 31 March 2026, the charity had total commitments under operating leases as set out below: 2026 2025
£ £
- -
Rent of registered office
13 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
Restricted Designated General Total Funds
Funds Funds Funds 2026
£ £ £ £
Fixed Assets - - 215 215
Current Assets - - 9,317 9,317
Current Liabilities - - (1,350) (1,350)
- -
8,182 8,182
PRIOR YEAR
Restricted Designated General Total Funds
Funds Funds Funds 2025
£ £ £ £
Fixed Assets - - 89 89
Current Assets - - 1,126 1,126
Current Liabilities - - (900) (900)
- - 315 315
**----- End of picture text -----**
- 15 - Empowering Voices ## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ## YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2026 14 For the year ended 31 March 2026 |Analysis of
Fund movements
Restricted funds
None
Total restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
General funds
Total unrestricted funds
Total funds
For the year ended 31 March 2025
Analysis of
Fund movements
Restricted funds
None
Total restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
General funds
Total unrestricted funds
Total funds|Balance
b/fwd
£
-
-
-
315
315
315
Balance
b/fwd
£
-
-
-
-
-|Income
£
-
-
-
10,591
10,591
10,591
Income
£
-
-
1,243
1,243
1,243|Expenditure
£
-
-
-
(2,724)
(2,724)
(2,724)
Expenditure
£
-
-
(928)
(928)
(928)|Transfers
£
-
-
3,000
(3,000)
-
-
Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-|Fund
c/fwd
£
-
-
3,000
5,182
8,182
8,182
Fund
c/fwd
£
-
-
315
315
315| |---|---|---|---|---|---| ## Designated fund description Designated reserve to protect against income fluctuations and to support unexpected costs. ## 15 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS During the previous year, several trustees loaned the charity money to assist with initial cash flow. These loans were all repaid in the 2025/2026 year Remaining loans balance £0.00 Trustees were reimbursed a total of £232.85 for paying supplier invoices as follows: EV Belts £32.00 Restaurant bills excess £25.85 Refurbished laptop £175.00 - 16 - ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF EMPOWERING VOICES** I report to the charity’s trustees on my examination of the accounts of Empowering Voices for the period ended 31 March 2026. ## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner** The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act), as amended by s.145 of the Charities Act 2011) and that an independent examination is needed. Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under the company law and is eligible for independent examination; it is my responsibility to: - Examine the accounts (under section 145 of the 2011 Act), - To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) Act), and - to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. ## **Basis of independent examiner’s report** My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required by audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the ac counts present a “true and fair view ” and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. ## **Independent examiner’s statement** In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention: - (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect: - the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or - the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or - the accounts did 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. - (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Steven Baptiste Linden Accountants, Scrapstore House, 21 Sevier Street, St Werburghs, Bristol, BS2 9LB Steven Baptiste Date ..........14 July 2026 …………………