Stronger Fogether ingwood & Fordingbridge STRONGER TOGETHER ACROSS RINGWOOD AND FORDINGBRIDGE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024 TRONGER TOGETHER ACROSS RINGWOOD AND FORDINGBRIDGE Index to Accounts FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEM8ER 2024 Page I Reference and Adminislralion Pages2-5 Trustees. Report Page 6 Indepgndenl Examinels Report Page 7 Statement of Assets and Liabilitie8 Page 8 Income and Expenditure Account Page 9 Accounting pol￿*$ Page 1 RONGER TOGETHER ACROSS RINGTIIOOO AND FORDINGBRIDGE R•fernnc• and Administration FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024 Ch•rity N•m• and Numb•r Stronger Togelher Across Ringwc*)d and Fordirffjbr Regislerod Charity Number 1208708 Corro•pond•nc• Addro•• Poulner 8apts.st Chapgl. Han9ersl8y. Hampshire 8H24 3HZ Tru•t•e• Mrs Amanda Underwood Mr Ryan Mcshea Mrs Julia Gaunl Mr Peter Vandervgkle Prot••olonal Advl•orn Bankers.. Lloyd8 Bank PLC Independent Examir*r. Y Salomi. Artema. la Kingsbury's Lane, Rinwod BH24 1EL Page 2 STRONGER TOGETHER ACROSS RINGWOOD AND FORDINGBRIDGE Trust•e8 Annual Ro FOR THEYEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024 Charity Structurn and Governance Stronger TogelherAcross Ringw¢Jod & Fordingbridge ISTARFI is a Charitable Ineorporaled Organisalion (CIO) governed by a constilulion. Initially operating under the umbrella of Poulner Baptist Chapel, STARF became an independent charity on 8 January 2024 and became a registered charity on 18 June 2024. Vl$ion and Obj¢ctives STARF'8 vision is lo support local families in crisis and its oty"eclive is to ensure that all families in Ringwood and Fordingbridge have access to the support they needed lo be safe and Ihrive. The charity operates under the belief that no child should face poverty or mental health struggles alone. Core Activities STARF focuses on four key areas to achieve its vision.. Reducing family poverty.. Employing a Hardship Worker to provide advice and financial support lo families In hardship. Healing young minds.. Offering a school counselling service to address mental health and other needs among students. Addressing family dobt.. Contracting a Debt Coach lo reduce the burden of debt on families. Providing practical and educational support.. Facilitating inlervenlions that enhance parenting skills and f051er long-lemi generational change. STARF also provides ad hoc SUPF)Ort and organise5 activities that are in line with ils vision and obiectives including for example the provision of Christmas Hampers lo identified families and providing meals in school holidays lo children in need. Strategic Dlrection Given ils recent establishment, STARF'S immediate focus is on slabilising its four key projects and securing sustainable funding. Long-lerm, the charity aspires lo expand its reach and scope of activities and lo shale its successful model with other communits"es. Page 3 STRONGER TOGETHER ACROSS RINGWOOD ANO FORDINGBRID Trustees Annual Re continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024 Finan¢lal Overviaw Ro$ult8 The Trustees are pteased to note a very successful first year as an independent charrty in which a surplus of £42,588 was recorded after funding the CAB Hardship Worker for the year lin conjunction with Ringwood Foodbankl and contracting with three counsellors to provide counselling for children and young people. Over 50 families have been supported by the Hardship Worker and 50 children have benefitted from a course of counselling. The Trustees are mindf4Jl that the iesutts for 2024 include lil a one-off donation of over £43,000 from one of our founders IPoulner Baptist Church) and lill over £40.000 through our corporate founder, Empower Energy Limited which is not expected lo be repealed al the same level in future years. Therefore, these significant donations in 2024 have provided base funding for STARF and STARF is now seeking lo become 5elf-suffi¢ienl through applying for relevant grants and through establishing a network of local businesses lo provide reeurring support- this network Is known as 'STARF20°. The Trustees are keen lo increase the scope of STARF'S activities but demand for existing services is already greater than the level ol support we are able lo supply and therefore fund-faising and increased supwrt is critical al this time. Ros•rvt8 Policy STARF aims lo hold suffictenl funds and reserves lo cover its contractual commitments and a5 al 31 December 2024 this 18 the case with unallocaled reserves of £12,082. Risk Managemont The Trustees have reviewed the major strategic, operational, and business risks facing the charity. Systems, controls, and policies are in place lo mrtigale and monitor these risks effedively. The key risks facing STARF are.. S•foguarding: The Trustees a￿ aware of risks around saleguaTding especialty in the Chiklren & Yourkg People counselling services offered. To this end STARF has two safeguarding policies, the first for general safeguarding issues pertaining to volunteers the second specific lo the counselling team. Our general safeguarding policy states that Nobody who is invofved in Qui work should ever experience abuse, hami, neglect or exploitation. We all have a responsibility lo promote the weware of all of our beneficiaries, staff and volunteers, to keep them safe and to work in a way that protects them. We all have a collective responsibility for creating a cutture in which our people not onty feel safe. bul also able to speak up, rf they have any cOn￿M$. The Chiklren & Young People Safeguafding Policy aims to ensure that children are effectively safeguarded whilst using the theTapeulic services provided by The STARF Project. 11 applies lo all therapists and holds as ils pnnciple that the welfare of the child is paramount. Continulty of Fundlng- The Trustees are cognisanl of the fact that STARF enters into ongoing financial commitments for a number of months at a lime and its funding Is not guaranteed. The TTLtstees have not entered into any financial commilmenls beyond the cash resources and reserves that STARF holds and the Trustees continue to monitor this. Page 4 STRONGER TOGETHER ACROSS RINGW OD AND FOROINGBRIDGE TrustoesAnnual Re ort continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024 Claim8 As with any organisalion the Trustees recognise thal STARF could be held liable ft)r claims for negligence. The Trustees manage this by using trained and qualified professionals and closely monitor the perfomiance of those professionals. STARF has a range of policies in p18ce lo manage such risks. Fraud I Cyber Fraud l GOPR The Trustees recognise the risk of fraud including cyber fraud and dats proleth'on risk5. Access lo STARF'S bank account 15 Strictly controlled and authoiity limits and procedures are in place. STARF does not hold any personal infomiation relating lo families and children it supports. STARF is working with an extemal consultant lo ensure that systems continue lo be compliant, controlled and safe. Partners and funders We are delighted lo have had the support of a number of partners and funders who. in addition lo our founding partnefs (Empowei Energy and Poulner Baptist Church), have made financial contributions and provided 5UPPOrt lo STARF through 2024. Our key partners are listed on our website, and we cannot list everyone here, but we mention in particular in the context of 2024". Peter and Ruth Ellis of Belinda's Bakery who generously provide holiday lunches at their own cost., DrAndrew Tumbull of South Coast Vlsion 8nd lanthe S5inger of Letchers Solicitr)rs for their signrficant regular monthly donations", Ringwood & Fordingbridge Business Community and supporting member5 such as Lonsdale Wealth Management". and Ringwood Musical and Dramatic SocEty, David Lloyd Club, Ringwood and Earlcoale Plant Hire who have invited us lo attend and fund-raise al their events. Conlra¢t$ STARF relies on key Contracts to deliver its service$'. 1. Cltizen8 Advico Now Forèst.. Provides the School Hardship Worker. 2. Independanl Coun8•llors." A team of three qualrfied counsellors offers schoolthsed mental health and other support. These contracts are monitored regularly lo ensure qtsality and effe¢liveness. Volunteers STARF 15 deeply gratefvl lo its volunteers, who generousty donate their tsme lo the charity's activities. While the monetary value of their contribution is not quantified, their efforts are invaluable lo the charity's operations. Review of A¢tivitie8 Hardship Worker Project The Hardshrp Worker, funded at a cost of £30,000 in 2024. achieved £150,000 in savings and income generation for beneficiaries. Schools provided excellent feedback. underscoring the success of this inibalive. Couns*lllng SeThfice The counselling proje¢l ￿8¢hed 30 children and youn9 people. offering 10 sessions per participant. Evaluations highlighted signrficant mental health improvernents, Includin9 increased school attendance, improved behaviour, and greater confidence and resilience. Page 5 STRONGER TOGETHER ACR SS RINGWOOD AND FORDINGBRIDGE Tru8tee8 Annual Re continu FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024 Revl•w of Actlvltle8 IcontSnuodl Und•r 1.8 Club STARF partnered with Ringwc4)d T¢)wn Council lo fund an under 1,5 club which has attendance of 20 families per week and growing. It is aimed al provhliw pargnling and socialisat￿n skills lo address thè decline in young children's ability lo integrate into school. HolSday lunche• In 2024 STARF enabled identified chiklren lo ￿ provided with lunches during school holidays. The rolail cost of these lunches was in oxcess of £3,000. Tru•t••• The following indivtduals seNed as Trustee$ for the period 8 January 2024 10 31 December 2024.. Mr8Amanda UndevI￿0d Mr Ryan Mcshea Mr8 Juli4 Gaunt Mr Pel8r Vanderveld6 lappointmenl 23 Seplembef 20241 Trustees do not receive payment for Iheir seNice$. Ind•p•nd•nt Ex•mln•tlon of Accounts The Tru8tee8 have apwinted Mr Y Salcmi as thg independent examiner for STARF'S accounts. Approval of th• R•port Thi8 report was approved by the Board ofTruslees on 7April 2025. Signed on behall ol the Board.. P Vandervelde Trust Page 6 TRONGER TOGETHER ACROSS RINGWOOD AND FORDINGBRIDGE ndgnt Examlnern R FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024 I report to the Trustees cfft my exam￿￿￿￿ of the aecounts of the atrxm charity for the year ended 31 st Dexemtrm 2024, whith are sel oui on pages 8 to 10. Re8Pgctive rospon8lbiliti08 of the Tru8t808 and oxamlner. The ChaTTty's Twstees are respN)nsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 I'lhe Acri. The Charity's Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under seth.on 144 of the Charitses Act 2011 I'lhe Charities ACY'I and that an independent examinab.on is needed. I report in respect of my examinats.on of the Trusfs accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examinatKJn. I have follcA¥ed all the applicable DirectKJns given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the Act. 8a8is of •ndep8ndent examineV8 statom•nt My examination was carried in accordance the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accountsng ￿e0rdS kept by the charity and comparison of the accounts presented bmth those records. It also includes consideraty.on of any unusual items or disclosures in the aceounls, and seeking explanations from the Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit. and consequently no opinion is given a$ to whether the accounls P￿sent a "tnje and fair view. and the report is limited to those matters set out in the slatemenl t*low. Indepgnd•nt examinerfs statement I have completed my eXaminat￿n. I confirm th* no material matters have come to my attenb.on in connection with the examInat￿n whth 9Nes me cause to beI￿ve Ihal in. any material respect" . the accounting records were not kept in accordan￿ with section 130 of the Charilies Act," or . the accounts did not accord with the accounting record5,' or . the accounts did not comply wrth the applicable requirements Con￿rning the fomi and ¢ontent of accounts set out in the Charrt￿S (Accounts and Reports) Regulaty"ons 2(X)8 other than any requirement that the ac￿Unts give a'true and fairf view whKh is not a matter consthr&J as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other malters in c￿nneCtion with the examination lo which attention should be drawn in this report in order lo enable a Pfoper understanding of the accounts lo be reached. *L /- Is- Page 8 STRONGER TOGETHER ACROSS RINGWOOD AND FORDINGBRIDGE Statemon of Incomo and Ex ndituro FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024 2024 Income 116,287 Payments Donations to schools Schools Hardship Workef Counsellois Other expenses Tolal costs 124.0251 123,7861 123,9401 11.9481 173,6991 Surplus lorlhe year 42,588 Page 7 STRONGER TOGETHER ACROSS RINGWOOD AND FORDING8RIDGE Statement of Assets and Liabilitles AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2024 Cash 52,942 Liabiif(ies 110.3541 42.588 Net assets Reserves Held tor contractual commrtments- SHW Held for contractual commitments- CounselloTS Commrtted to specrfic proiect ICAP Ferndownl Admin reserve 12,624 14.460 2,500 922 Uncommitted reseNes Reserves 42.588 Opening reseNes Surplus Closing reseThes 42,588 Page 9 STRONGER T HER ACROSS RINGWOOD AND FORDINGBRI Accou Policl FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024 1. Acwuntlng Pollcl 1.1. Ba•18 ol pr•paratlon offinanclal •tst•m•nts The finarri818tatemgnts have been prepared i)n an accruals basis. 1.2. IDc¢)me Income is recoived byway of (knations. grfts and fvndraising events and is recogni88d in the receipts and payments xcounl in the year of r￿elp1. 1.3. Exp•ndllurn Expenses are recc4Jnized in the pericxl to which they ￿￿te, and the actwity takes pl*e. Liabilities al the year-end are sh¢ywn on the Sktemenl ofAssèts arKI L￿blIrtIes. 1.4, T•xallon STARF 1$ a registered chanty, and the resulls of its nomial activrtie$ are not liab￿ to Cofporalion Tax. The soeièty is not registered for VAT. 1.5. Fund Accountlng The charity funds are unreslncled. and they are freety available for expenditure OT appropriation lo reserves for Internal￿ designated purF¥)ses. However. these aC￿UnIS show the re8eNes that are all¢xated lo contractual commitments in rgspecl of future servtss with the residual being referred lo a¥ unallocaled reserrfes. 2. Tru8t••8' Exp•nu• Purchases made on t*hall of the thanty were Mmbursed during the year to the I 3. Relat￿ Party Trnns•ctlon• None