## **COMMUNITY CAPACITY BUILDERS CIO** ## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT** ## **For the Year Ended 31 August 2025** ## **1. Reference and Administrative Details** **Name of organisation:** Community Capacity Builders CIO **Charity number: 1211140** ## **Registered office:** Grand Entrance South Lodge, Birkenhead Park, Park Road North, Birkenhead CH41 4HD **Operating area:** Wirral **Legal status:** Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) **Accounting period:** 1 September 2024 – 31 August 2025 ## **Trustees** - Jayne Evans - Chair - Jayne Athy - Treasurer - Gill Marsden - Trustee - Adam Mullin - Trustee - Tony Berry - Trustee - Stephen Reid - Trustee ## **Independent Examiner / Accountant** Adding Value, Studio 21, Bluecoat Chambers, Liverpool L1 3BX ## **2. Structure, Governance and Management** Community Capacity Builders CIO is governed by its Constitution and managed by its Board of Trustees. The Board is responsible for: - Strategic direction and oversight - Ensuring compliance with Charity Commission requirements and the CIO Constitution - Financial governance and risk management - Approving major funding applications and contracts New Trustees are appointed based on skills, experience, and commitment to the organisation’s mission. Induction includes safeguarding, governance responsibilities, and an overview of programmes. Day-to-day operations are delegated to the management team and sessional staff. The Trustees regard safeguarding as a key priority. Appropriate safeguarding policies, procedures, training and reporting arrangements are maintained and reviewed regularly to protect children, young people and vulnerable adults who access the charity's services. ## **3. Objectives and Activities** The principal objectives of Community Capacity Builders CIO are to: - Improve mental health and wellbeing - Promote physical health and active lifestyles - Support education, employability, and skills development - Reduce inequality and improve life chances for vulnerable individuals - Strengthen community cohesion and resilience ## **Main Activities Delivered During the Year** During the reporting period, the organisation delivered a range of programmes including: - Mental health counselling and therapeutic support - Sports-based engagement programmes (including football and physical activity sessions) - Financial literacy and wellbeing education - Employability and skills development workshops - Targeted support for children and young people, including SEND participants - Community-based outreach activities across Wirral and Liverpool ## **4. Public Benefit Statement** The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. The Trustees will continue to review the reserves position regularly and seek opportunities to strengthen unrestricted reserves. During the year the charity provided counselling, wellbeing support, sports activities, employability programmes and financial capability sessions to children, young people and adults experiencing disadvantage. These activities improved wellbeing, increased participation in education and training, reduced social isolation and strengthened community engagement. The organisation delivers public benefit by: - Supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals - Improving mental and physical wellbeing outcomes - Increasing access to skills, training, and opportunity - Strengthening community resilience and inclusion ## **5. Achievements and Performance** During the year the charity supported over 400 beneficiaries through counselling, financial literacy, employability, sports and wellbeing programmes. ## **Mental Health Support** - 72 children and young people received counselling support. - 648 counselling sessions were delivered. ## **Financial Literacy and Employability** - 198 participants completed workshops. - 170 completed financial literacy programmes. - 28 completed employability programmes. - 91% reported increased confidence in managing future finances. ## **Sport and Physical Activity** - 157 children and young people participated in holiday camps, football and boxing activities. - 12 young people completed SEND and neurodiversity awareness training linked to sports coaching and officiating. ## **6. Financial Review** The charity finished the year with a surplus, strengthening its financial position and enabling investment in future service delivery and organisational development. The financial position of Community Capacity Builders CIO remains stable. For the year ended 31 August 2025: - Total income: £182,821 - Total expenditure: £122,099 - Net surplus/deficit: £70,775 Income was primarily generated through: - Grant funding - Commissioned services - Service level agreements - Project-based funding Expenditure was primarily allocated to: - Session delivery costs (staffing and freelancers) - Programme materials and delivery expenses - Venue and operational costs - Administration and governance ## **7. Reserves Policy** The organisation aims to maintain sufficient unrestricted reserves to: - Ensure continuity of services during funding gaps - Cover 3–6 months of core operating costs where possible - Manage unexpected financial risks or delays in grant income At the year end unrestricted reserves amounted to £6,482. The Trustees recognise that this is below the target level of three to six months operating expenditure and will continue to build reserves where possible through future surpluses. ## **8. Principal Risks and Uncertainties** The Trustees have identified the following key risks: - Reliance on short-term grant funding - Pressure on staffing capacity and sessional delivery costs - Demand exceeding available resources - Commissioning and funding environment changes - Failure to maintain effective safeguarding arrangements. ## Risk management strategies include: - Diversifying income streams - Strengthening partnerships and commissioned work - Maintaining strong financial monitoring systems - Regular Board review of risk register - Regular safeguarding training, DBS checking, policy review and reporting procedures. ## **9. Plans for Future Periods** For the forthcoming year, Community Capacity Builders CIO aims to: - Expand mental health and wellbeing provision. - Grow employability and skills development programmes. - Increase engagement with schools and SEND services. - Increase unrestricted and commissioned income. - Build unrestricted reserves. - Strengthen organisational capacity and infrastructure. - Develop improved impact measurement systems. - Explore new partnership opportunities across the Liverpool City Region. ## **10. Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities** The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. They are responsible for: - Maintaining proper accounting records - Safeguarding assets of the organisation - Ensuring financial controls are in place - Preparing accounts that give a true and fair view of the organisation’s financial position ## **Approved by the Board of Trustees on:** 01/04/26 Signed on behalf of the Board: **Name:** Jayne Evans ## **Position:** Chair