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2025-04-30-accounts

CONNECTING PARENTS AND CHILDREN

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS

For the period 19 th September 2024 to 30 th April 2025

Helping babies and those who care for them to have supportive relationships and positive experiences

Close-Knit Families CIO, Charity registered in England (1210105) www.close-knit.org.uk

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INTRODUCTION, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION 3
TRUSTEES’ANNUAL REPORT 4
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES 4
OUR JOURNEY TO SEPTEMBER 2024 5
OUR IMPACT 7
FINANCIAL REVIEW 9
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT 10
FUTURE PLANS 11
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT 12
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS 13
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS 14
APPENDIX 1–UNAUDITED CLOSE-KNIT CIC ACCOUNTS 17

INTRODUCTION

The trustees are pleased to present their report, together with the unaudited receipts and payments accounts for the charity for the period 19th September 2024 to 30th April 2025.

Close-Knit Families Charitable Incorporated Organisation was established on 19th September 2024 on conversion from Close-Knit CIC (company number 13356454). All assets, liabilities, funds, employees and IP transferred on that date.

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Charity name Close-Knit Families
Charity registration number 1210105
Registered office St Aidan’s Centre, Clifton Street
Middlesbrough, TS1 4BZ
Website and contact email www.close-knit.org.uk
info@close-knit.org.uk
CEO Bethany Munby
Trustees at report date Daniel John Sutcliffe (Chair)
Charlotte Emily Stevens
Dr Susan Elizabeth Jones
Jonathan Robert Munby
Bankers National Westminster Bank Plc
250 Bishopsgate,
London,
EC2M 4AA
Independent examiner Susana Sargeant
13 Deacon Gardens
Seaton Carew
Hartlepool, TS25 1UU

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TRUSTEES

ANNUAL REPORT

Objectives and Activities

Our mission is to help babies and the people who care for them build strong, loving relationships from the very start, so children can feel safe, confident and able to do well now and as they grow — strengthening families and shaping healthier, more connected communities for the future.

We champion early relationships because they shape everything that follows. We create accessible resources, offer impactful sessions and run supportive programmes for families, that are grounded in relationships, neuroscience and lived experience. We also work closely with local partners to strengthen the support available to families and create positive long-term change.

Charitable Objects: For the public benefit, to advance the education and promote and protect the health of parents and children in England and Wales by promoting and developing resources and peer support during pregnancy, birth and being a parent.

The charity helps children, young people, parents and the general population.

The charity exists to support and strengthen family relationships, particularly for families facing challenges such as isolation, poverty, or social disadvantage. Its purposes include:

To achieve its purposes, the activities of Close-Knit Families include:

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OUR JOURNEY TO SEPTEMBER 2024

----- Start of picture text -----
Close-Knit Families was founded by Beth Munby as a CIC with the aim of benefitting
April 2021
babies and their parents and carers through accessible, relationship-centred resources.
May 2021 –
Research, project design, organisational development and fundraising.
Jan 2022
‑
January – Funding secured to co produce our ‘Baby Connections’ video animation about
April 2022 baby brain development.
Apr–Oct
Co ‑ production of the video animation with parents and practitioners.
2022
August Following parent feedback, funding secured for a second animation focused on
2022 perinatal parent wellbeing.
November Launch of ‘Baby Connections’, our first video animation, made available for
2022 organisations working with families and for us to share directly with parents.
2023 Launch of training offer for parents, practitioners, foster carers and schools.
January – Co ‑ production of our ‘Parent Wellbeing’ video animation with parents and
July 2023 practitioners.
Launch of our fully funded Parent Wellbeing video animation, supporting parent
July 2023
wellbeing in the baby years.
Sept 2023 – Baby Connections project: sharing resources and delivering sessions with
Sept 2024 families in the community.
Focus on community delivery alongside our resource and training offer, and
2024
organisational development, as we prepared to apply for CIO status.
March – Baby Connections video animation translated into Arabic, Czech and Romanian
July 2024 with support from community groups and schools.
September Conversion from CIC to CIO, reflecting our commitment to deepening our work
2024 with families in the community.
----- End of picture text -----

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CLOSE-KNIT CIC FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE (PRE CIO)

Close-Knit Community Interest Company started on a small scale in 2021 but secured a number of small grants and donations to enable the production of video resources and materials, delivery of training and developing awareness for our work.

This time served as a great foundation for our conversion to a CIO in September 2024


conversion to a CIO in September
SUMMARY C
FINANCI
PERFORMAN
conversion to a CIO in September
SUMMARY C
FINANCI
PERFORMAN
conversion to a CIO in September
SUMMARY C
FINANCI
PERFORMAN
conversion to a CIO in September
SUMMARY C
FINANCI
PERFORMAN
conversion to a CIO in September
SUMMARY C
FINANCI
PERFORMAN
Period Year to
30Apr2022 £		 Year to
30Apr2023 £		 Year to
30Apr2024 £		 Period 1May24-
18Sep24 £
Total Income 5,011 28,199 21,994 8,341
Total
Expenditure		 4,463 28,104 19,850 4,067
Corporation
Tax		 44 38 427 832
Surplus 504 57 1,717 3,442
Funds at end of
Period		 504 561 2,278 5,720

SUMMARY CIC FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

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Our Impact

Impact Summary: September 2024 – April 2025

Between September 2024 and April 2025, Close-Knit Families strengthened its foundations as an organisation, while continuing to support babies to have nurturing early experiences through the people who care for them and the professionals who work alongside them.

We worked directly with parents in the community through partnerships with South Tees Family Action, Grow Baby Bank in Thornaby, and North Tees Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership. Forty vulnerable families received our parent packs—visual, accessible resources shared through the South Tees Vulnerabilities Midwifery Team and local baby banks—helping parents understand baby development, their own wellbeing, and the importance of early relationships.

Our Baby Connections resource was licensed to two organisations supporting families in the first 1001 days—HomeStart Teesside and Little Minds in Mind— extending our reach by around 150 families per year . We also equipped the wider workforce through training and presentations delivered to practitioners and teams within Family Action, HomeStart Teesside, the North East and North Cumbria Child Health and Wellbeing Network and as part of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council’s practice week, strengthening the support available to families across the region.

We delivered interactive sessions in two South Tees pupil referral units —Archway Academy and River Tees Academy—helping young people understand how early experiences shape development and how they can relate to babies with care and confidence. Pupils left committed to showing babies “love and affection,” being “more interactive,” “talking more,” “smiling more,” and even “swearing less” around little ones.

Alongside delivery, we invested in our long-term vision: trustees and staff worked on our theory of change , we increased our online reach and impact, and we met with Gordon Brown to advocate for action on child poverty. Our online resources continued to reach families beyond our direct delivery, with over 650 views of our videos during this period, extending the reach of our messages about early relationships and parent wellbeing. We also began designing a new community programme for babies and their carers, planned for implementation in 2026.

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Our Impact

Our this period: REACH

292

beneficiaries , including parents, practitioners and pupils.

150

additional families reached per year through two new video licence agreements

650+

online video views, helping us share key messages with families we may never meet in person.

100%

of parents said our workshop helped them to understand how to support their baby’s brain development.

Feedback across our work was consistently positive :

“A perfect resource … accessible and delivered sensitively .” — Practitioner, Little Minds in Mind

“Their support has empowered our team to deliver even more effective, compassionate support to families.” — Partner organisation

Parents described sessions as “interactive,” “interesting,” “ fantastic ,” and shared that they would “spend more time with my children ” and “look after myself more.”

Together, these activities strengthened early relationships, built confidence across families and professionals, and contributed to long-term, positive change for babies across Teesside and beyond.

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Financial Review

Conversion from CIC

On conversion from Close-Knit CIC the new CIO Close-Knit Families received cash of £6,495, tangible assets of £0 (a fully depreciated laptop computer), debtors of £484 and creditors of £1,159 resulting in transferred available funds of £5,720. The CIO will report its accounts using the receipts and payments method.

Review of CIO financial performance

During the period 19th September 2024 to 30th April 2025 Close-Knit Families secured donations of £1,236, and trading income from charitable activities of £5,090 including sales of video licenses and provision of workshops. The charity has also secured ringfenced funding for the CEO salary from January 2025 to December 2026, totaling £18,000. This is paid in quarters. Total receipts were £15,810.

After payments of £11,713 this has resulted in Net receipts for the period of £4,097 , bringing total cash funds at 30 April 2025 to £10,592 of which £3,148 is restricted.

Reserves Policy

The charity will hold enough reserves to cover its legal commitments. These include:

At the end of the period the charity holds reserves of £10,592, which more than covers these commitments and is more than 3 months of running costs.

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Structure, Governance and Management

Close-Knit Families CIO (charity number 1210105) was established on 19th September 2024 after a conversion from Close-Knit CIC (company number 13356454). All assets, liabilities, funds, employees and IP transferred on that date.

Legal Structure

Close-Knit Families is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. It operates under a Foundation model constitution, last amended on 28 March 2024 and approved at the CIO registration date 19th September 2024. The charity’s only voting members are its trustees.

Governing Document

The charity is governed by its constitution, which sets out its charitable objects: to advance education and promote and protect the health of parents and children in England and Wales by providing resources and peer support during pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood. The constitution also details trustee powers, duties, and procedures for meetings and decisionmaking.

Trustee Appointment and Induction

Trustees are appointed by resolution at a properly convened meeting of the board, in line with the constitution. New trustees receive a copy of the constitution and the latest Trustees’ Annual Report and accounts as part of their induction. Trustees serve on a voluntary basis and bring skills and experience relevant to the charity’s governance.

Organisational Structure and Delegation

The board of trustees has overall responsibility for the governance and strategic direction of the charity. Day-to-day management is delegated to the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Bethany Munby, who is one of two part-time paid staff members. The CEO has authority to make operational decisions and incur expenditure within agreed budgets set by the trustees. The trustees meet regularly to review performance, approve budgets, and monitor risk, with the CEO regularly invited to help contribute to strategic decision making.

Decision-Making and Meetings

Trustees make decisions collectively at board meetings, which are held regularly throughout the year. A quorum of at least two trustees is required for decisions. The CEO is invited to contribute to strategic decision making. Where appropriate, decisions may also be taken by written resolution in accordance with the constitution.

Risk Management

The trustees maintain oversight of risks affecting the charity, including financial, operational, and reputational risks and mitigating actions are agreed as necessary.

Conflicts of Interest

Close-Knit Families operates a formal Conflict of Interest Policy, which requires trustees, staff, and volunteers to declare any interests and withdraw from discussions where a conflict arises. This policy is actively applied; for example, one trustee is the spouse of the CEO and does not participate in decisions relating to the CEO’s pay or performance. All such conflicts and actions taken are recorded in the minutes.

Policies and Compliance

The charity complies with the Charities Act 2011. Key policies include safeguarding, data protection, and conflict of interest. Any trustee benefits or related party transactions are disclosed in the annual accounts in accordance with legal requirements.

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Future Plans

Looking ahead, Close-KnitCloseKnit Families will continue to build on the strong foundations laid this year, with a renewed focus on prevention, community connection and long-term impact for babies and the people who care for them.

We will deepen our preventative work by shifting more of our activity into community settings, creating more opportunities for parents to access support early, easily and without judgement. A key priority is moving beyond increasing knowledge to helping families put what they learn into practice. Our new programme, currently in development, will offer practical, hands-on support during pregnancy, after birth and throughout the first year of parenthood, providing safe spaces where the parent–baby relationship can be supported from the very start. This shift will ensure our work has an even stronger and more lasting impact.

To sustain and develop our work, we will increase our income through grants and wider fundraising, while continuing to generate core funding through resource sales. Strengthening our financial resilience will allow us to invest in the programmes, partnerships and people that make our work possible.

We will continue to equip and strengthen those working with parents, supporting workforce awareness, learning and development. We will also continue our work in schools, helping teenagers understand how early relationships shape a baby’s development — supporting the babies in their lives today and shaping their understanding as the parents of the future. Our session delivery and resources will remain central to creating change at scale and helping babies have the best start in life.

Finally, we will complete and embed our theory of change, giving us a clear roadmap for the difference we want to make and how we will measure it. This will guide our decisions, sharpen our focus and help us communicate our impact with clarity and confidence.

These goals will help create a future where babies have the loving, responsive relationships they need to do well now and as they grow — creating positive ripple effects that strengthen families and contribute to a healthier society for generations to come.

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Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Report to the trustees
of		 Close-Knit Families
On accounts for the
period ended		 30th April 2025 Charity no 1210105
Respective
responsibilities of
trustees and examiner		 The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts.
The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year
under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an
independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
· examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
· to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the
Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
· to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent
examiner’s statement		 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 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 as to whether the accounts
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 connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention
1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material
respect, the requirements:
· to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the
Charities Act; and
· to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and
comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
have not been met; or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a
proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: Susana Sargeant Date: 28/01/2026
Name: Susana Sargeant
Relevant professional
qualification:		 Postgraduate Certificate in Charity Finance & Accountancy
Address: 13 Deacon Gardens, Seaton Carew, Hartlepool, TS25 1UU
Disclosure: Give here
brief details of any
items that the
examiner wishes to
disclose.		 None

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Receipts and Payments Accounts - Close Knit Families

The accounts were approved and authorised for issue by the trustees on 28th January 2026 and are signed on behalf of the trustees by

Daniel Sutcliffe (Chair)

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Notes to the Accounts

1. Accounting Policies

Accounting Basis: These accounts have been prepared on a Receipts & Payments (cash) basis in accordance with Charity Commission guidance CC16b. They record cash when received and payments when made, and are accompanied by a Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Going concern: The trustees consider that the charity is a going concern based on current reserves and committed funding.

Fund accounting: Unrestricted funds are for general purposes; restricted funds are for specified projects or purposes.

2. Conversion from CIC to CIO and Legal Status

On 19 September 2024, the organisation converted from a Community Interest Company (CIC) to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) under the Charitable Incorporated Organisations (Conversion) Regulations 2017. The conversion was approved by the members of the CIC via special resolution and subsequently registered by the Charity Commission.

The conversion represents a change of legal form only. Under the regulations, the CIC was converted into a CIO, meaning the legal entity continued without interruption. All activities, rights, obligations, assets and liabilities of the CIC automatically continued within the CIO structure, and no new legal entity was created.

As the CIO prepares accounts on a receipts and payments basis, no assets or liabilities are recognised in the accounting statements. Instead, the cash balance and other items required under the receipts ‑ and ‑ payments framework are listed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The closing cash balance and other relevant items of the CIC at the date of conversion became the opening position of the CIO.

All funds previously forming the CIC’s net assets became the unrestricted funds of the CIO. No remeasurement or reclassification was required.

A summary of the CIC’s position immediately before conversion, provided for information only, is included in Appendix 1.

The trustees confirm that the objectives and activities of the organisation remain aligned with its charitable purposes following conversion, and no material operational changes arose other than those required to comply with the CIO constitution and charity law.

Close-Knit Families is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), registered in England and Wales, operating under the Foundation model.

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Notes to the Accounts cont.

3. Critical Accounting Judgements

Income Recognition

Restricted Grants (Donations and Legacies) - Gift with conditions: Donor specifies funds must be used for a particular purpose or project.

Unrestricted Grants (Donations and Legacies) -The charity can use the funds for any of its general purposes

Charitable Activities- Exchange transaction (provide services for funder's benefit in exchange for payment). Part of primary charitable purpose e.g. sale of video licenses or provision of workshops.

Other Trading Activities - Not donations and not primary-purpose charitable activities, ancillary or fundraising E.g. Fundraising event ticket sales, merchandise sales, shop income, raffles, sponsorship etc. (None to report this period)

Restricted funds purpose: Grant for CEO salary only. £9,000 received

Cost allocation

Salary costs are allocated to Charitable Activities

4. Employees

Total staff costs for the period were £8,820. This included salaries, pension and NI costs. No employee earned over £30,000.

Total Employees: 2

5. Trustee Remuneration and Related Parties

Trustees received no remuneration or expenses during the period. No related-party transactions identified.

6. Analysis of Receipts and Payments

Restricted funds purpose: Grant for CEO salary only, received quarterly in advance. £9,000 received between Jan25-Apr25.

----- Start of picture text -----
Receipts Unrestricted £ Restricted £ Net Receipts £
----- End of picture text -----

Receipts Unrestricted £ Restricted £ Net Receipts £
Sales - Charitable Activities 5,090 5,090
Donations and Fundraising 236 236
Restricted Grants - 9,000 9,000
Unrestricted Grants 1,000 1,000
Refund of PAYE tax Received 483.6 483.6
Receipts Total 6,810 9,000 15,810

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Notes to the Accounts cont.

----- Start of picture text -----
Payments Unrestricted £ Restricted £ Net (Payments) £
----- End of picture text -----

Payments Unrestricted £ Restricted £ Net (Payments) £
Equipment for charitable work (131) (131)
Incentives for beneficiaries (7) (7)
Printing (60) (60)
Promotion to Beneficiaries (30) (30)
Salaries (2,811) (5,727) (8,538)
Staff Pensions (157) (125) (282)
Staff Training (10) (10)
Travel (70) (70)
Charitable Activities Total (3,277) (5,852) (9,129)
Insurance (842) (842)
Governance Costs Total (842) (842)
Corporation Tax (CIC) (427) (427)
Other Computer Costs (80) (80)
Subscriptions (630) (630)
Web Hosting (605) (605)
Support Costs Total (1,742) (1,742)
Payments Total (5,861) (5,852) (11,713)

7. Comparatives

This is the CIO’s first accounting period, so no prior year comparatives are presented.

8. CIO ‑ specific disclosures

(a) Guarantees — At the reporting date, the CIO had given no guarantees that could result in a liability

9. Events After Reporting Period

Adjusting event: Goshen Tees Valley Community grant (£2,000), received July 2024, reclassified from restricted to unrestricted without performance obligations, following confirmation by email. This increased the taxable income of the CIC, and therefore reduced the funds transferred at 19th September 2024

No other material events.

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Appendix 1 – Unaudited Close Knit CIC accounts

Balance sheet as at 18 Sep 2024
£
Capital Assets
Computer Equipment Brought Forward 418
Computer Equipment Depreciation Brought Forward (314)
Computer Equipment Depreciation in year (105)
Net Book Value 0
Current Assets
Bank Account: Business Current Account 6,495
PAYE/NI 484
6,979
less Current Liabilities
Corporation Tax (1,159)
Total Net Assets 5,720
Retained Profits 5,720
Total Funds 5,720
Profit and loss for the period 01 May 24 - 18 Sep 24
£
Turnover
Sales 2,202
Donations and Fundraising 1,583
Restricted Grants 2,555
Unrestricted Grants 2,000
8,341
less Administration Expenses (2,222)
less Staff Costs (1740)
less Depreciation (105)
(4,067)
Operating Profit 4,274
less Estimated Corporation Tax for period (832)
Retained Profit this period: 3,442
Retained Profit brought forward: 2,278
Retained Profit carried forward: 5,720

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CONNECTING PARENTS AND CHILDREN

@close.knit.families

@close.knit.families

Close-Knit Families CIO St Aidan’s Centre, Clifton Street Middlesbrough TS1 4BZ - info@close knit.org.uk Charity registered in England (1210105)

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