Stronger fogether cross IFordingbridge 5WP¢RIMGÉO(11 FINlItS J10FmA05 STRONGER TOGETHER ACROSS RINGWOOD AND FORDINGBRIDGE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025
STRONGER TOGEfHER ACROSS RINGWOOD AND FORDINGBRIDGE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025 Page 1 Referen and AdThMnistra Pages2-5 Tnth. RepL¥i Page6 Indepdent E%NnerS Rewt Page 7 Slatementof Assets and Liajilitres Page8 Ire and ExpditsJreAcC(mll Page 9 nlirKJ
Page 1 ER ACROSS RINGWOOD AND FORDINGBRIDGE eference and Admlnlstratlon FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025 Charity Name and Number SlrongerTogether Across Rin9wood and Fordingbrbjge Registered Charity Number 1208708 Correspondence Address Poulner Baptist Chapel, Hangersley, Hampshire BH24 3HZ Trustees Mr Kevin Mccormac OBE (Cha) Mrs Amanda Underwood Mr Ryan Mcshea Mrs Julia Gaunt Mr Peter Vandervelde Mrs Joanna Russell Professlonal Advisots Bankers." Lloyds Bank PLC Independent Examiner Y Salomi, Artema, la Kingsbury's Lane. Ringwood BH24 1 EL
Page 2 STRONGER TOGETHER ACROSS RINGWOOD AND FORDINGBRIDGE Tru5te8s' Annual Re ort FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEPJlBER 2025 Charity Slructure and Governance stronger TogetherAcross Ringwood & Fordingbridge {STARFI Is a Charitable Incorporated Organisatwi (CIO) governed by a constitution. Initialty operating Un the umbrella of Poulner Baptist Chapel, STARF became an independent Charity on 8 January 2024 and became a registered charity on 18 June 2024. Vision and Obiactives STARF'S vision is to support local families , and ils objective is lo ensure that all families in Ringwood and Fordingbridge have a$$ to the support they need to be safe and thrive. The charity operates under the belief thal no child should lace povety or mental health struggles alone. CoreActivllies STARF focuses on the following key areas to achleve its vision: Reducing family poverty: Providing a Family SupportAdviser to provlde advice and financial support to families in hardship including sign-posting towards professionals to support with challenges such as debt managem8nt. Hearing young mlnds: Offering a counselling service to address mental health and other needs among students. Providing practical and gducational support: Facilltaung Interventions that enhance parenling skills and foster long-temi generaltonal change. STARF also provides ad hoc support and organises activities that are In Ilne with ils viston and objectives including for example a Christmas Paty for vulnerable children. providing meals in school holidays to chlldren in need. STARF liais8s with other charities and inslltullons to ensure Ih8t ServIS and funds are directed efficienuy and effectivety. Strategic Direction STARF'S key projects are now established. In the short and medium term STARF aims to enhance the services it deliver5 as we seek lo bring our funding on.to a more recuffing and sustainable basis. Long-term. the charity aspires to expand its reach and scope of actwities and to share its successful model with other communities.
Page 3 STRONGER TOGETrIER ACROSS RINGWOOD AND FORDINGBRIDGE Trustees, Annual Re ort continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025 Inancial Overview Results The Trustees are pleased to report on the second SUC$ful year of STARF a5 an independent charity in which surplus of £10,837 was recorded. In 2025 STARF has continued with the provision of the Schools Hardship Vvorker (now Family SupportAdviser) to delNer support and 8dvi¢e to families in need in Ringwood and Fordingbridge (In conjunction with Ringwocml Foodbankl and has expanded the provision af counselling for children and young people. 56 families have been supported by the Family SupportAdviser and 72 children and young people have benefftted from our counselling SeIces. The measurable impact of the Family SupportAdviser and the lestlmonlals from the chibjrenfyoung people. parents and schools in relation to the counsellirbg services is overwhelming. The Trustees note that the results for 2025 represent a shift In balance of donations from the founders towards individual and business donations and grants. The Trustees are grateful for the ongoing donallons of £15,000 in 2025 from our corporate founder. Empower Energy Limited (now I10d Energy) whilst recognising that moving to a broader base of fiJnding 15 key to securing the future. To this end the Trustees will continue in 2026 to build the base of donallons from individuals and the neOrk of local businesses known as-STARF20'. The Trustees are keen to increase the Scope of STARF'S activities but the demand for existing servic85 is greater than the level of SUPF#Ni we are able to supply and therefore fund-raising and increased support remains critical. Reserves Policy STARF aims to hold sufficlent funds lo cover tts contractual commitments. As at 31 December 2025. STARF held sufficient funds to cover the Family SupportAdviser (formerly Schools, Hardship Worker) through to 31 December 2026 and counselling setvices for the spring and summer temis of 2026. Unallocated reserves stood at £5.142 as at 31 December 2025. Rlsk Management The Trustees have reviewed the major strategi4 operational, and buslness risks facing the charity- Systems, controls, and policies are in place to mitigate and monitor these risks effectively. The key risks facing STARF are= Safeguarding: The Trustees are aware of risks around safeguarding especi8lIy in the children and young people counselling services offered. To this end STARF has a Designated Safeguarding Lead and Assistanl Safeguardlng Lead, has invested In a Safeguarding Database and has Safeguarding policies- the first for general safeguarding issues pertaining to volunteers and the second speclfic to the counselling team. Our general safeguardlng policy states that Nobody who is involved in ourwork should ever experien abuse, harm. neglect or exploitation. We all have a responsibility to promote the welfare of al of our beneficiaries, staff and volunteers. to keep them safe and to work in a way that protect5 them. We all have a collective responsibility for ¢reating a culture in which our people not only feel safe, but also able io speak up. if they have any concerns. The Safeguarding Children Policy aim5 to ensure that children are effectively safeguarded whilst using the therapeutic services provided by the STARF projecL It applies to all theraptsts and holds as its principle that Ihe welfare of the child is pararnounL
Page 4 STRONGER TOGETHER ACROSS RINGWOOD AND FORDINGBRIDGE Trustees, Annual Re continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECENBER 2025 Continuty of Funding: The Trustees are c(NJlli58nt that STARF enters into ongoing financial commitments for a number of months at a time and ils fvnding is rK)t guaranteed. The Trustees have not entered into any financial commitments beyond the cash funds and reserves Ihal STARF holds. The Trustees continue to monitor this. Claims As with any or9anisalion the Trustees recognise that STARF could be held liable for claims for negligence. The Trustees manage this by using trained and qualrfied professionals and closety moniloring the perfonnance of those professionals. STARF has a range of policies in place to manage such risks. Frdud I Cyber Fraud J GDPR The Trustees CognIse the rlsk of fraud including cyber fraud and data protection rtsks. Access to STARF'S bank account is strictly controlled and aulhority limits and procedures are in place. STARF hold counselling records in a secure database called MyRe¢ord. These counselling and safeguarding records are maintained a minimum of 7 years or 7 years post the CYP'S 18th birthday. whichever is longest Other than those records STARF does not hord any personal information relating lo families and children it supports. STARF woiks with an extemal Gonsultant to ensure that systems continue to be complianL controlled and secure. Partners and funders We are delighted to have had the support of a number of partners and funders who, in addition lo our founder (Empower Energy, now Good Energy), have made financial contributions and provided support lo STARF through 2026. Our key partners are listed on ourwebsite, and we cannot list everyone here, but we mentb)n in particular in the context of 2025" Peter and Ruth Ellis of Belinda's Bakery who gener(wsly conllnue to provide holiday lunches at their own cosL DrAndrew Tumbull of South Coast Wision for hL8 slgnificant regular monthly donations and Lonsdale Wealth Wlanagement for its continued financial support-, and Poulner Players, Davld Lloyd Club, Ringwood and Earlcoate Plant Hire who have invited us to attend and fvnd-raise at their events. Contracts STARF relles on key contracts to deliver tts services: 1. Citizens Advicg New Forest: Provides the Famlly SupportAdviser (fomierly School Hardship Worker). 2. Independent Coun8ellors- A team of qualified counseuors who provide schoDI-based mental health and emotional support to children and young people. These contracts are monitored regularly lo ensure quality and effectiveness. Volunteers STARF is deeply grateful to its volunteers, who generously donate their lime to the charsws aclivitses. While the monetary value of their contribution is not quantified. their efforts are invaluable to the charity's operations.
Page 5 STFtONGER TOGEfHER ACR OOD AND FORDINGBRIDGE ees'Annual Re ort contlnued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025 Revlew of AGtivities Family SupportAdvi5er Project The Family Support Adviser. fijnded al a cost of approximately £30,000 in 2025 (funded by STARF and RingWd Foodbank), achieved £153.000 in savings and income generation for Clients laclual and eXpted). Schools provided excellent feedback, underscoring the success of this initialive. Counselllng Servlce The counselling project reached 72 children and young peDple in 2025. The 1-2-1 counselling comprlses 10 sessions per participant. Evaluations highlighted significant mental health improvements. including increased school attendance, improved behaviour. and greater Confiden and resilience. STARF now offers group counselling which allows rr#)re chIldn and young people lo benefit from coun5elling servIs. Holiday lunches In 2025 STARF contniued lo provide identified children with lunches during school holidays. The relall c05t of these lunches was in excess of £3.000 whlch was funded by Belinda's Bakery. Trnst¢es The following individuals s8rved as Trustees in 2025: Mr Kevin mccorm OBE (appointed as Trustee and chairperson from 7 July 20251 MrsAmanda UndeThvood (retired as Chairperson from 7 July 2025) MrRyan Mcshea Mrs Julia Gaunt Mr Peter Vandervelde Mrs Joanna Russell (appointed 26 January 2025) Tnjstees do not receive payment for their services. Independent Examinatlon of Accounts The Trustees have appointed Mr Y Salomi as the independent 8xaminer for STARF'S accounts. Approval of the Report This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 9th FebTuary 2026. Slgned on behalf of the Board: P Vandervelde Trustee
Page 6 STRONGER TOGETHE ACROSS RINGWOOD AND FORDINGBRIDGE Inde endent Examlners Re ort FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025 I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity for Ihe year ended 31st December2025. which are set out on pages 8 to 10. Respectlve r8sponsibllltle8 of thgTrustee8 and examlner. The Charivs Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the account8 in accordance with th8 requirements of the Charitles Act 2011 I'lhe AcY)- The Charity's Trustees conslder that an audit Is not requlred for this year under section 144 of th8 Charities Act 2011 ("the Charities Act") and that an tndependent examination is needed. I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2D11 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applic4ble Directions glven by the Charity Commission under section 14515)(b) ot the Act. Basls of Indep•ndant examlneV8 Stat8mant My examinallon was carrled out In accordance wllh the general Directlons glven by the Charity Commission. An examinallon includes a review of the accountlng re¢ord$ kept by the charity and comparison of the accounts present8d with Ih05e records. It also includes consideration of any unusual Items or disclosures In the accounts, and seeklng explanatlons from the Trustees concernlng any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provlde all th8 evldence that would be requlred In an 8udll. and consequently no oplnion Is given as lo whether the accounts present a "true and lair vlew" and tho report Is limlted to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examlnee8 8tatemenL I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have Gome lo my attention in connection with the examination which gives me Gause lo b81ieve that In, any matedal respect.. . the accounting records were not kept In accordance wlth sèctlon 130 of the Charities Act; or the accounts dld not accord with the accounting records.- or the accounts dld not mplY with the applicable requirements conceming the form and Gontenl of aGcounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and falrf vlew which 15 not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection wilh the ex8mlnation to whlch attention should be drawn in this report In order lo enable a proper underslandlng of the accounts to ba reached. Signature Y Salomi FCCA Indopendent Examlngr
Page 7 STRONGER TO¢rHER ACROSS RINGWOOD AND FORDINGBRIDGE Statement of Assets an AS AT 31ST DECEER 2025 31-De¢-25 31-Dec-24 Cash 57.742 Z5tr2 6.8191 53A25 941 Asset5 Llabllltles 110.3541 42,588 Netassets Re$erye$ Held for contractual commltments-sthv Held for conlraclual commltments-counseliors Commthed to specillc wolect Admln reserve 624 33291 14,460 2.500 922 Uncommitted res&Thps 5.142 12.082 42.588 Reserves Openlng reseNes Surplus Clostngieserves 41588 10,837 53A25 41588 42,688
Page 8 STRONGER TOG ACROSS RINGWOOD AND FORDINGBRIDGE Statemont of Incom endlture FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025 2025 Income 88648 IM287 Payments Donatron5 to schools 1925) 126,3221 143,6851 13,8791 174811} 124.17251 123.7861 123.9401 11.9481 173,6991 Schools Hardship Worker Counsellors Other expenses Totsl costs Surplusforthe year 10,837 42,588
Pe9 srRONGER TOGEfHER ACROSS RINGWOOD AND FORDINGBRIDGE Accountin Policies FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025 1. Accourtting Pollcles 1.1. Basls of preparatlon of financial statem The finanGial statements have been prepared on an xcrual basis. 1.2. Income Income is received by way of donations, gifts and fundrasing events and is recognised in thè receipts and paYnts account in Ihe yearof receipL Gfft AKI receipts have been accrued for at the point Ihe dim is regarded as certain. la. Expenditurn Expenses are recognised in h)d to which they relate. and the acbvty takes place. Liabilities at the year-end are shown on the Stalen of Assets and Liabilities. 1.4. Taxat(on STARF is a registered Charity, and the results of 115 rK)nna] xtivities are not 1kge to cCPOratIon Tax. The charity is not registered for VAT. 1.5. Fund Accounting The charity fund5 are unrestrtcw, and they are freety avaiLgble for exFenditure or approprration to reserves for internalty designated purposes. However. these accounts show the reserves that are aNocated to contractual c(¥tments in respect of future seNices with the residual being referred to as unallocated reserves. Z Tntees' Expenses Purchases made on tehalf of the charty were reimbursgj durFng the year to the indivi(kJabJ Twstees aganstapwopr wwo Related Party Transa¢tlons None