## **Sailors’ Children’s Society 2024-25** Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements
**Tel:** 01482 342331 | **Web:** sailorschildren.org.uk Registered Charity No. 224505. Company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673.
## We’ve helped over 50,000 disadvantaged children of seafarers throughout the UK since 1821.
Sailors’ Children’s Society is a national charity that provides support to children whose parent has made a living at sea or from the inland canals or rivers. We help mariners from fishing fleets, the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy, ferries, cruise ships, cargo ships and offshore industries. The families we support are experiencing financial and emotional hardship.
Registered Charity No. 224505. Company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673.
Quarry House, Hesslewood Office Park, Hessle, HU13 0LH.
sailorschildren.org.uk
## **Contents**
|**Contents**||
|---|---|
|CEO’s report|4|
|Trustees Annual Report (including Directors report)|5|
|Background|6|
|Our work in Relation to the Need|7-8|
|Structure of the Charity|9|
|Vice Presidents and Trustees|10-11|
|Constitution, Risk Management, Reserves Policy|12|
|Website and Rebranding|13|
|Support Provided to Families|14-15|
|Evaluating Impact|16-17|
|Foundation and Trust Funders and Fundraising Regulator|18-19|
|Fundraising Events and Special Thanks|20-21|
|The Way Forward|22-23|
|Strategy Conclusion|24|
|Statement of Trustees Responsibility|25|
|Auditors Report|26-29|
|Statement of Financial Activities|30|
|Balance Sheet|32|
|Cashfow|33|
|Notes|34-46|
Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673 3
## **CEO Report Sailors’ Children’s Society 2025**
## **CEO’s Introduction**
**I am incredibly proud to present this year’s Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements, which reflect a period of meaningful growth, development, and impact for Sailors’ Children’s Society. As the cost of living continues to rise and the long-term effects of the pandemic persist, the challenges faced by seafaring families in crisis are growing more complex. This year, we have responded with energy, innovation, and compassion, supporting more children than ever before and continuing to adapt to meet their evolving needs.**
Between April 2024 and March 2025, we supported 336 families, ending the year with 250 families and 486 children actively on our scheme. We distributed over £376,338 in direct financial support, helping with everything from school uniforms and winter coats to tutoring, internet access, and food and fuel. We also introduced a new Respite and Recovery Voucher Scheme, giving families the autonomy to choose the form of break or respite that best supports their recovery and wellbeing. We also provided caravans and holiday grants totalling £100,859.
with the Smile Foundation. These incredible achievements would not have been possible without the generosity of our supporters and the dedication of our team.
Strategically, we launched a new three-year plan to guide our future. We have strengthened our team, welcomed new leadership roles, and invested in expanding our reach through a dynamic events calendar and growing corporate partnerships. Our goal is clear: to ensure we can support more children in crisis, more effectively, and more sustainably.
Thank you to our Patron Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, our President Lord Halifax, funders, supporters, trustees, corporate partners, and staff team. Your commitment is helping us ensure that seafaring families across the UK are seen, supported, and given hope for a brighter future.
Alongside our service delivery, this year marked a step-change in our fundraising efforts. We raised a record-breaking £103,000 at our annual Sports Lunch, £20,000 from the Bridge to Bridge cycling challenge, and £27,300 at our second Ladies Lunch in partnership
Natasha Barley **CEO, Sailors’ Children’s Society**
4 Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673
**Trustees Annual Report** (including Directors’ report)
The Trustees (who are also directors of the Charity for the purpose of the Companies Act) present their Annual Report together with the audited financial statements of Sailors’ Children’s Society (the Charity) for the year ended 31 March 2025. The Trustees confirm that the Annual Report and financial statements of the Charity comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the Charity’s governing document and the provision of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP), applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the financial reporting standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effected 1 January 2015 as amended).
Since the Charity qualifies as small, under section 383, the strategic report required of medium and large companies under The Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors’ Report) Regulations 2013 is not required.
Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673 5
## **Background**
Sailors’ Children’s Society was established in 1821 in Kingston upon Hull and has remained dedicated to supporting the children of seafarers across the United Kingdom ever since. We step in during some of the most difficult moments a family can face—such as bereavement, family breakdown, or serious illness—offering vital financial, emotional, and practical support to help children adjust to their new reality. While we cannot restore what has been lost, our goal is to bring stability and hope to those navigating life after trauma.
This report outlines the work and achievements of Sailors’ Children’s Society during the 2024–2025 financial year, ending 31 March 2025. It highlights the scale and impact of our efforts to support some of the most disadvantaged families of seafarers across the UK.
## **Objectives**
To provide support, financial or otherwise, for the maintenance, education, health and physical, spiritual and moral welfare of all persons in need, whether they are young or old, including those suffering from physical or mental disability, with preference to those with a seafaring connection.
## **Vision and Mission**
## **Mission**
Our mission is to provide disadvantaged seafaring families with the financial, emotional, and practical support needed to increase their well-being and life chances, ensuring that when our support comes to an end, the family is self-sufficient.
## **Vision**
To be a robust, widely recognised and well-respected national charity providing ever-improving support to a growing number of disadvantaged children of seafarers.
## **Strategic Priorities**
Our strategic priorities reflect our unwavering commitment to supporting children of seafarers facing crisis. They guide our work as we strengthen services, expand our reach, and build lasting impact for the families who need us most.
## These are
1. To be visible and readily available to any seafaring family in need of our support.
2. To provide eligible seafaring families in need with emotional and resource support to improve their children’s well-being.
3. To assist the children, we support to reach their full potential.
4. To grow the Sailor’s Children’s Society’s enduring capacity to support children of seafaring families.
6 Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673
## **Understanding the Need**
At the heart of Sailors’ Children’s Society’s mission is a deep understanding of the challenges faced by seafaring families in times of crisis. Seafaring is a demanding and often isolating profession, with parents spending extended periods away from home and families frequently facing financial and emotional uncertainty. When life-changing events occur, such as the death of a parent, a diagnosis of a serious illness, or family breakdown, the impact on children can be profound and long-lasting. These challenges are often compounded by the unique lifestyle of seafaring families, who may lack access to local support networks due to the transient nature of maritime work.
Many of the families we support are already experiencing disadvantage, and when crisis strikes, their vulnerability deepens. That’s why it is crucial for our
services to be flexible, compassionate, and responsive. Our work is informed by the lived experiences of the families we serve, and we continually gather feedback to ensure our support remains relevant and effective. We also collaborate with partner agencies, schools, and community organisations to identify those most at risk and tailor interventions accordingly.
Understanding the need goes beyond identifying financial hardship—it means recognising the emotional toll, the isolation, and the long-term implications for a child’s wellbeing and development. By maintaining close connections with families and professionals on the front line, we ensure that our support reaches those who need it most, when they need it most. This insight underpins every aspect of our strategy and service delivery.
Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673 7
## **Our work in relation to the need**
Poverty continues to affect millions across the UK, with 4.3 million children living in poverty in 2022/23, accounting for nearly 3 in every 10 children. For families facing deep financial hardship, covering even the basics—such as heating, food, and clothing can be an overwhelming struggle. Destitution, the most severe form of poverty, where people cannot meet their most fundamental needs to stay warm, fed, clean, and dry, impacted around 3.8 million people in 2022, including one million children. These numbers have more than doubled since 2017, showing that the crisis is deepening.
Many of the families supported by Sailors’ Children’s Society are living in or on the edge of poverty, often as a result of traumatic life events such as bereavement, illness, or family breakdown. Our work aims to soften the impact of hardship and broaden opportunities for children who would otherwise miss out. We help to remove barriers to education and social development by funding school trips, music or swimming lessons, tutoring, and essential technology creating opportunities that children in more affluent communities might take for granted.
We also offer respite holidays —often the first holiday a family has ever had, giving children and parents time to rest, bond, and begin to heal. Grants for school uniforms and winter clothing ease day-to-day financial pressures. Alongside this, our dedicated Family Support Officers offer regular, long-term guidance, helping parents tackle debt, access resources like SAIL and StepChange, and work towards stability through education or employment, so that both parent and child can move towards a brighter future.
As of June 2025, Sailors’ Children’s Society has grown to include a team of dedicated professionals delivering vital support and driving the charity’s development. The team now comprises nine core posts: a full-time Chief Executive Officer, two Family Support Officers— one based in Plymouth (four days per week and also serving as the Designated Safeguarding Lead), and one in Portsmouth (three days per week), a Funding Coordinator (three days per week), a Finance and Admin Coordinator (four days per week), and a full-time Grants Officer and Triage Support Worker.
In addition, our Partnerships Manager continues to build and sustain corporate relationships, while our Events Manager is developing a national events programme to raise awareness and funds. They are
supported by the part-time Funding Coordinator (three days per week) who helps with the administration related to events and writing smaller funding applications.
This year, the team has been further strengthened by the addition of a Head of Marketing and Partnerships, who will lead efforts to increase fundraising and grow the charity’s profile. We are also looking forward to welcoming a new Head of Welfare and Empowering Families in September 2025, a role created to enhance and evolve the delivery of our frontline services.
Our accountant continues to work with us on a freelance basis, now providing support four days per month.
8 Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673
## **Structure of the Charity**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
NATASHA BARLEY
CEO
35 HOURS A WEEK
RIO BEESON HANNAH BROOKE
HEAD OF FUNDRAISING & MARKETING HEAD OF WELFARE & EMPOWERING FAMILIES
35 HOURS A WEEK 35 HOURS A WEEK
MICHELLE LINDUP
FRAN LANE LEE PEARSON FAMILY SUPPORT LOUISE HOPWOOD LIZ BENTLEY
PARTNERSHIPS WORKER & FAMILY SUPPORT FINANCIAL GRANTS
EVENT MANAGER
MANAGER DESIGNATED WORKER OFFICER
SAFEGUARDING LEAD
35 HOURS A WEEK 35 HOURS A WEEK 21 HOURS A WEEK 21 HOURS A WEEK 35 HOURS A WEEK
WENDY FISH SHELBY WEST
FUNDING WELFARE &
CO-ORDINATOR FINANCE ASSISTANT
21 HOURS A WEEK 28 HOURS A WEEK
OUTSOURCED
FINANCE
**----- End of picture text -----**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673 9
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Vice Presidents & Trustees**
The Trustees meet every three months to review the performance of the charity and review the charity’s financial position. The Sailors’ Children’s Society CEO and accountant provide reports for each meeting in conjunction with our finance subcommittee. Regarding the makeup of the board, regular discussions are held to consider its composition moving forward. Financial forecasting for the year ahead is completed annually and reviewed on a monthly basis.
## **Patron**
## **President**
HRH The Princess Royal, KG, KT, GCVO, CD, QSO
The Right Hon. The Earl of Halifax, KStJ, JP, DL
## **Vice Presidents**
## **Trustees**
Maureen Lipman CBE Freddie Drabble Gillian Atkinson Mary Rose Barker MBE, DL Deborah Rosenberg Lady Hotham Deanne Thomas Stephen Larard MBE, JP, DL Richard B Vernon John Warburton Scilla Smith DL William Waddington Greg Medici Commander Geoffrey Noble RN Mark Campey
Mark Thundercliffe - Chairman Captain Nicolas Dodd - Vice Chairman Captain Chris Towne Colonel David Fuller OBE MNM DL Amelia Steele – resigned 22 May 2025 Mark MacIntyre – resigned 1 September 2024 Lee Evans - resigned 13 May 2025 Helen Cooper – resigned 21 February 2025 Julie Abraham – resigned 8 August 2024 Janice Long – appointed 8 August 2024 Rhiannon Beeson – resigned 17 November 2024 Catherine Kioko-Gilligan Aleksander Jan Tomczyk – appointed 12 May 2025 Alison Lambert – appointed 11 March 2025
## **Company Secretary and registered office**
**Natasha Barley CEO** , Sailors’ Children’s Society, Quarry House, Hesslewood Country Office Park, Ferriby Road, Hessle HU13 0LH.
## **Principal Advisors:**
**Solicitors:** Rollits Solicitors, Citadel House, High Street, Hull, HU1 1QE
**Auditors:** Streets Audit LLP, Halifax House, 30 George Street, Hull, HU1 3AJ
**Outsourced Finance:** Phoenix Accountancy & Business Consultancy Limited, 4-6 Roberts Street, Scunthorpe, DN15 6NG
10 Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673
**Meet the team – Top row from left to right:** Wendy Fish, Michelle Lindup, Rhiannon Beeson, Elizabeth Bentley. **Bottom row from left to right:** Shelby West, Natasha Barley, Lee Pearson, Fran Lane, Louise Hopwood
## **Recruitment and appointment of new Trustees**
The Trustees keep the membership of the board under review and understand the need to have access to a good mix of skills. The Board of Trustees completes an annual skills audit showing that there are no gaps in the expertise of the board. There will be an ongoing focus of ensuring diversity on our board and in our team. In 2022 the society instituted a rule of each Trustee standing for terms of three years for a maximum of nine years. This resulted in several Trustees leaving the board and new Trustees being appointed.
## **Induction and training of new Trustees**
Each new Trustee is issued with a handbook which details their duties and obligations and are closely supported by their colleagues through induction. Additional optional training for Trustees is offered. All Trustees are DBS checked and attend safeguarding training.
Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673 11
## **Constitution**
Sailors’ Children’s Society is governed by an Articles and Memorandum of Association.
## **Risk management**
The Trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.
The Trustees have considered the major risks to which the charity is exposed and have reviewed those risks and established systems and procedures to manage them.
## **Reserves policy**
Adequate cash and deposit balances are maintained to be able to meet normal outgoings and grant obligations.
The financial position of the charity on 31st March 2025 is considered by the Trustees to be satisfactory, with sufficient reserves to meet current commitments. The charity holds reserves for the following reasons:
in order to ensure that the charity is able to meet unexpected and unbudgeted demands;
in order to ensure the charity’s short-long term sustainability in a context where it must generate its own income to cover costs;
in order to ensure continuity of service to beneficiaries in the event of an unexpected decline in charitable income;
in order to enable the board to fund any required transformation of operating model.
The charity has a reserves policy which is reviewed on an annual basis by the Trustees. The current reserves policy adopted by the Trustees is to maintain sufficient reserves to run the charity without risk for at least 12 months, equating to £1,020,940 of expenditure in 2025. The charity currently holds a total of £2,089,819 in reserves, £0 in restricted reserves, and £1,456,722 in designated reserves which are a minimum designated reserve against the potential financial impact of identified, tabled and mitigated risks which could impact on the charity’s ability to deliver its objectives and commitments together with a designated fund for a future office building. The unrestricted reserves available are £633,097. We are actively drawing down our free reserves to reposition the charity for future sustainability and growth.
12 Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673
## **Online Growth**
Over the past year, we’ve made significant progress in strengthening our digital presence to better connect with supporters, partners, and the families we serve. Social media has become a powerful tool for sharing our mission and growing awareness of our work.
Our Instagram channel was relaunched and is now updated regularly, with posts often reaching over 6,200 views each month. On LinkedIn, our audience grew from less than 100 followers to over 1,600 followers engaging with our news, events, and impact stories— an encouraging sign of growing interest from the professional and corporate community.
We’ve also restructured our Facebook presence to maximise its potential. A new family-focused page allows us to engage more directly with the families we support, while our main Facebook presence has been developed into a dedicated company page. This has enabled us to connect with wider audiences, strengthen relationships with our partners, and make the most of the momentum from our expanding events programme.
## **Brand Activation**
In line with the charity’s modernisation, we introduced a refreshed brand identity, including a cleaner, brighter, and more versatile logo that reflects the direction of travel for Sailors’ Children’s Society. Designed with digital use in mind, the new look has enhanced our presence across social media and other communications.
Following the brand launch, we’ve continued to roll it out in a measured and sensible way, bringing the brand to life while preserving the charity’s rich heritage. Our goal is to build a more recognisable and engaging identity that connects with both longstanding supporters and new audiences alike.
Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673 13
## **Support Provided to Families**
The Society had an active year, supporting **335 families** in total. On 31/03/2024, we were supporting **250 families** with **486 children** , and we finished the year 31/03/2025 supporting **234 families** with **452 children** . We have seen a steady number of referrals of families needing our support, which reflects the ongoing impact of the cost-of-living crisis.
The total amount of money used to support our families with grants was
## **£376,338**
Special grants were administered for items such as beds and wardrobes, after school lessons, club fees and school trips. This amounted to
## **£103,198**
All our families received grants to purchase winter clothing for their children and school uniforms totaling **£67,546.** The first in August (July in Scotland) to allow each child to return to school in a new school uniform, the same as their peers which increases self-esteem and confidence; and the second in winter to buy a coat and sturdy shoes. Winter clothing is extremely important especially in our varying weather climate, as the children walk or travel on public transport each day. Whilst we do not instruct our families where to shop, the grant levels remain sufficient to provide the clothing from a normal, everyday outlet – £65 winter clothing per child supported.
We increased our school uniform grants to be in line with cost of living increases our families are facing.
We gave out **241 Christmas grants** supporting **470 children** amounting to **£27,722 in support** . Every family received a **£75 grocery store voucher** to help with the cost of Christmas ensuring they had a nice Christmas meal.
Primary school age Secondary school children receive children receive **+**
**£150**
**£200**
University students receive
a month to help them pay for the essentials if they live away from home
**£100**
Families receive a monthly support grant to help with the cost of food for their children as well as gas and electricity. Over the last year
**worth of grants have been given to our families.**
**£233,400**
or a month if they live at **£56** home.
## **£100,859**
to provide holiday and caravan breaks to **111 families** .
14 Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673
## **Respite and Recovery Voucher Scheme**
In November 2024, Sailors’ Children’s Society made the strategic decision to retire our caravan respite offer and replace it with a more flexible Respite and Recovery Voucher Scheme. This shift was driven by a number of factors, including the rising costs and ongoing depreciation associated with maintaining our eight caravans, totalling £119,737 annually, with £91,499 in running costs and a further £28,238 in depreciation. While our caravans provided many families with valuable opportunities to reconnect, we recognised that a one-size-fits-all approach unintentionally excluded some families—particularly those affected by neurodiversity or post-traumatic stress—who may have found the caravan setting overwhelming or unsuitable.
After consulting with families, many expressed a desire for more personalised options, such as visiting relatives, spending time in nature, or simply choosing a location that best supports their child’s wellbeing and emotional recovery. Our new voucher scheme puts that choice directly into the hands of the families, allowing them to decide what kind of break or respite experience is most meaningful and appropriate for their circumstances.
By removing the limitations of fixed caravan locations, we are now better equipped to meet the diverse and changing needs of our families, ensuring that respite is not only accessible but also empowering and restorative.
## **Family Support Officers**
We have two Family Support Officers (FSOs). One in Portsmouth and one in Plymouth who work with our families to provide advice, support and guidance. When families first come onto our scheme they are in crisis. There has been a bereavement sometimes caused by suicide, diagnosis of a life limiting illness or family breakdown. These events leave the family in a terrible state and often without financial resources. When families join our scheme alongside the financial support they receive they have the option to choose to have FSO support. The FSO’s will visit the family regularly (the frequency depending on the needs of the family) and work alongside them for as long as necessary to get them back on their feet and to some sort of ‘normal’. Helping families to first deal with their debts and mental health if required is key, moving on to goal setting when possible. We signpost families to StepChange and SAIL for financial advice. The long-term goal is for a parent(s) to get back into education and then employment or straight into employment so they can look after their family without the need for our support anymore. FSO’s play a vital role in making this possible. It costs the charity £62,203 a year to provide this support which is in part funded by a generous contribution from RNRMC and Greenwich Hospital for which we are grateful.
Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673 15
## **Evaluating Impact**
## **C A S E S T U D Y**
## **Camilla**
I first started receiving support from Sailors’ Children’s Society in 2014. I’d just left the Royal Navy, my son was born prematurely, and while we were still in hospital, my ex-husband left us. Overnight, I went from having a career, a good income, and independence to being a single parent with no home and a very poorly baby. I had to move back in with my mum and rebuild everything from scratch.
The British Legion referred me to Sailors’ Children’s, and from that point on, they became my lifeline. They gave me a monthly grant for my son, helping me cover the basics—nappies, clothes, and his specialist allergy-friendly food. The relief of being able to provide for him was incredible, especially at a time when my mental health was at its lowest.
a computer during COVID so my children could keep up with school. We’ve had caravan holidays that gave us a chance to make happy memories— something I’d never have been able to afford alone.
At Christmas, they’ve sent us food vouchers and hampers, which have made such a difference. It’s one of the most stressful times of year as a parent, and knowing that there will be food on the table and gifts under the tree lifts a huge weight off my shoulders. My kids have never had to miss out, and that means everything.
Without Sailors’ Children’s, I truly don’t know where we’d be. They’ve helped me give my children a happy, stable childhood—and I’ll always be grateful.’
Over the years, they’ve helped us with school uniforms, seasonal clothing, tutoring, and even
**“SCS have given me opportunities to be able to have some well needed breaks away with my child, something I wouldn’t have been able to afford to do on my own especially when I was at my lowest.”**
**“I can honestly say that without my Family Support Officer, I am not sure where we would be now. With her ongoing support over the last eight years, she really has been a shining light.”**
Beneficiary
Beneficiary
16 Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673
## **C A S E S T U D Y**
## **Jodie and Family**
Jodie is the widow of Lewis, a fisherman who began his career at 17 and became a skipper by 21. On 15 December 2020, while crabbing aboard Galwad-Y-Mor, the vessel caught a WWII bomb on its line of pots. The resulting explosion launched the boat into the air, leaving Lewis with serious injuries including broken vertebrae, a fractured sternum, facial trauma, and a brain injury. Despite these life-altering injuries, Lewis received the prestigious Emile RobinAward for bravery after acting to protect his crew.
While Lewis was recovering and their boat was under repair, the family faced significant financial hardship. Although Lewis returned to sea, the
physical and psychological toll was immense. On 21 January 2023, in the early hours before he was due to return to work, Lewis tragically ended his life, leaving behind Jodie, their three young sons— Frankie, Lewie, and Reggie—and two stepchildren, including Will who was at home that morning to help his mum.
Jodie, who suffers from arthritis and receives PIP, was left anxious about the future. Since joining our support scheme 18 months ago, the family has received regular financial assistance, school uniforms, winter clothing, and a much-needed respite break.
**“This has been a very difficult time for me and my children, and having support from Sailors’ Children’s Society was a big help at a devastating time when it was difficult to get through each day. It is extremely helpful to me to have the ongoing support from Sailors’ Children’s Society that has enabled the children to have stability still and to do some of the things they enjoy.”**
Jodie
Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673 17
## **Foundation & Trust Funders**
## **Principal funders**
**Scobel Charitable Trust**
Our foundation and trust funders provide us with vital core funding that enables our charity to operate as well as restricted funding for specific projects. We are incredibly grateful to all the trusts and foundations that support us enabling us to carry out our work.
## Fundraising Regulator
Sailors’ Children’s Society is registered with the fundraising regulator. This quality assurance mark shows that we adhere to the fundraising regulators standards and are ethical and considerate in our fundraising practice. Being a member should increase our ability to raise funds as it shows our commitment and adherence to the fundraising code.
18 Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673
## **Additional funders providing grants of £1,000 to £6,000**
**Homelands The Jeffery The Hugh Fraser JS and EC Rymer Charitable Trust Charitable Trust Foundation Charitable Trust Miss D R Findlay The Meikle The Joseph & Annie The Ganzoni Charitable Trust Foundation Cattle Trust Charitable Trust The Eleanor The Charles and The Nathaniel McGregor J H Rathbone Elsie Sykes Trust Reyner Trust Fund Charitable Trust The Sir James Roll The Chrimes Family E L Rathbone Charitable Trust Charitable Trust Charitable Trust**
Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673 19
## **Fundraising Events**
## **This year we ran three major fundraising events, Sportsman’s Lunch, Ladies Lunch and Bridge to Bridge**
This year we continued to grow our events programme and were thrilled to host three successful fundraising events: our annual Sportsman’s Lunch, the Ladies Lunch, and our inaugural Bridge to Bridge cycling challenge. These events not only raise essential funds for our work with seafaring families in crisis but also help us reach new supporters and build strong community connections.
## **Income received from these events by 31st March 2025 was:**
## Sportsman’s Lunch **£103,395.38**
## Ladies Lunch **£13,308.68**
## Bridge to Bridge **£20,000**
## **Special thanks to the Sportsman’s Lunch sponsors:**
Hamers Solicitors, James Legal, Streets Accountants, AllVision, Summit Drive, Constantia Health Care, Agri Comms and Cati Infinity Club, Garness Jones, Williamsons Solicitors, MS3.net and Beerhouse Vehicle Rental.
## **Thank you also to the Ladies Lunch sponsors:**
Hugh Rice (for generously donating a diamond for raffle), The Golden Thread, Gosschalks, Hinks Insurance and Prestige Recruitment.
This was a joint event with SMILE who also received their own income from the event.
## **Our sincere thanks as well to our Bridge to Bridge sponsors:**
Ken Elleker Cycles, John Good Group, Spectrum, DFDS and Eastern Airways for sponsoring our first Bridge to Bridge ride, Spectrum and DFDS.
A heartfelt thank you to all individuals and organisations who made these events possible, through attending, donating, sponsoring, or volunteering. Your support directly helps us provide financial and emotional assistance to children of seafarers across the UK.
These events are vital to our future, raising both funds and awareness of the lifechanging work we do.
20 Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673
## **Special Thanks**
## Sailors’ Children’s Society has a number of key relationships with local and national organisations.
A special thanks to our Patron Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal for her unwavering support of the society and for the many events she has attended over the years. In particular coming to Trinity House in Hull in September and presenting awards to our supporters. It was a lovely occasion and way to recognise those people and companies that go above and beyond to support us.
To our President the Right Honorable Earl of Halifax for 40 years of service to the charity and for his ongoing support, advise and guidance thank you sir.
The John Good Group provides us with free office space and pays for our heating and electricity, significantly reducing our overheads giving us more funding to spend on our families. A big thank you to them for providing the charity with this generous support.
To the Fisherman’s Misson, SSAFA, the Royal British Legion and all their fantastic teams who we work closely with. We couldn’t deliver our services to families without your help.
Thanks go to the Merchant Navy Welfare Board for their advice, support, guidance and funding.
A special thanks to our major donors Greenwich Hospital, Royal Navy Royal Marines charity, Trinity House London and The Seafarers’ Charity.
To those people who have kindly remembered Sailors’ Children’s Society by leaving a legacy.
To all the regional trusts and individual supporters throughout the United Kingdom.
To everyone who supports our charity. All donations no matter how small help us to make a difference in the lives of seafarer’s children in times of crisis.
Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673 21
**----- Start of picture text -----**
The Way
Forward
In 2024, the Board of Trustees completed and
approved a new three-year strategic plan to
guide Sailors’ Children’s Society through the
2024/25 fiscal year and beyond. This roadmap
“Strategy on a Page” offering a clear overview
of our direction, a detailed implementation
plan outlining how we will achieve our
enabling objectives, and a comprehensive KPI
framework that sets out clear milestones and
timelines for success.
Our mission remains rooted in providing disadvantaged seafaring
families with the financial and emotional support they need to improve
their well-being and life chances—empowering them to become self-
sufficient. Our vision is to be a robust, widely recognised, and well-
respected national charity, continually improving the support we offer to
an increasing number of children from seafaring families.
As part of this strategic vision, we are placing renewed emphasis on
activity, with a focus on developing a dynamic calendar of events across
the UK. These events not only raise vital funds but also help us to connect
with new supporters and increase visibility for our cause.
We are also investing in the growth of corporate partnerships,
recognising the value of long-term collaboration with like-minded
organisations. Diversifying our income streams—through grants, events,
individual giving, and corporate sponsorship—will ensure we are well-
positioned to continue and expand our work, even in the face of ongoing
economic and social pressures.
This strategy marks a bold step forward for the charity, with clear,
measurable goals that reflect our ambition to make a greater impact on
the lives of seafaring families in crisis.
22 Sailors’ Children’s Society. Cha rity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673
**----- End of picture text -----**
In 2024, the Board of Trustees completed and approved a new three-year strategic plan to guide Sailors’ Children’s Society through the 2024/25 fiscal year and beyond. This roadmap for the future includes three key components: a “Strategy on a Page” offering a clear overview of our direction, a detailed implementation plan outlining how we will achieve our enabling objectives, and a comprehensive KPI framework that sets out clear milestones and timelines for success.
Our mission remains rooted in providing disadvantaged seafaring families with the financial and emotional support they need to improve their well-being and life chances—empowering them to become selfsufficient. Our vision is to be a robust, widely recognised, and wellrespected national charity, continually improving the support we offer to an increasing number of children from seafaring families.
As part of this strategic vision, we are placing renewed emphasis on sustainability and growth. We have significantly expanded our fundraising activity, with a focus on developing a dynamic calendar of events across the UK. These events not only raise vital funds but also help us to connect with new supporters and increase visibility for our cause.
We are also investing in the growth of corporate partnerships, recognising the value of long-term collaboration with like-minded organisations. Diversifying our income streams—through grants, events, individual giving, and corporate sponsorship—will ensure we are wellpositioned to continue and expand our work, even in the face of ongoing economic and social pressures.
This strategy marks a bold step forward for the charity, with clear, measurable goals that reflect our ambition to make a greater impact on the lives of seafaring families in crisis.
## **REACH**
## **STRATEGIC PRIORITIES**
To be visible and readily accessible to any seafaring family in need of our support.
## **ENABLING OBJECTIVES**
1. Understand centres of demand through demographic mapping.
2. Raise awareness of SCS through direct and online engagement.
3. Increased collaboration with appropriate charities and organisations to facilitate mutual signposting.
4. Grow our reach in order to increase the number of eligible families supported within available resource.
## **SUPPORT**
## **STRATEGIC PRIORITIES**
To provide eligible seafaring families in need with the emotional & resource support to improve their children’s wellbeing.
## **ENABLING OBJECTIVES**
1. Implement Empowering Families Programme
2. Provide families with appropriate respite opportunities.
3. Develop mental health resource signposting packs for KS1, KS2, KS3/4
4. Alongside Empowering Families and building upon FSO success, increase face to face support to beneficiaries.
5. To review and clarify eligibility criteria for families able to access support.
## **ACHIEVE**
## **STRATEGIC PRIORITIES**
To assist the children we support to reach their full potential.
## **ENABLING OBJECTIVES**
1. Provide access to educational institutions appropriate to our beneficiaries needs, partnering with fellow charities when appropriate.
2. Provide tutoring if required.
3. Improve literacy through use of “Dolly Parton Imagination Library” and “Letter Box Club.”
4. Fund associated school costs (e.g. uniform, trips, extra curricular activity) to meet a clearly defined need or goal.
## **GROW**
## **STRATEGIC PRIORITIES**
To grow the Sailors’ Children’s Society’s enduring capacity to support children of seafaring families.
## **ENABLING OBJECTIVES**
1. Increase income streams and diversify funding.
2. Partner with appropriate charities to maximise mutual support and synergies.
3. Improve the visibility and detail of management information available to Trustees and CEO
4. Modernise business processes to drive effectiveness and efficiency.
5. Conduct a detailed stakeholder analysis to inform ongoing strategy development.
Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673 23
Strategically we are moving away from an over reliance on legacy income and are establishing more diversified income streams. We liquidated our investment portfolio because of market volatility and the loss we incurred on the investments in the previous fiscal year.
We moved the funds into a high interest rate savings account where they generate income for the charity in this higher interest rate environment and no fees are incurred, this repositioning will help close the gap of costs to income. Legacy income still forms an important part of the charities income but will be used for special projects to support the families such as the £10 per child uplift during holidays to help with food costs. We are confident that this strategy is essential to both to modernise the charity, whilst increasing income and allow the charity to continue to support existing beneficiaries with a view to supporting more in the future.
As we have increased our staff level, we have outgrown our current office space and are in the process of purchasing a new office building for the charity. This will assist the Charity to grow inline with our strategic plan.
We recognise that this year—and the years ahead—will continue to present significant challenges for the families we support. The rising cost of living, driven by increasing prices for food, energy, and housing, is placing immense pressure on already stretched household budgets. The end of the £20 uplift to Universal Credit has further compounded financial insecurity for many families, particularly those with children, single parents, and those managing long-term illness or disability.
The lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be felt deeply. Many of the children we support have experienced disrupted education, social isolation, and delayed development during critical years of their growth. Mental health concerns among children and young people have risen sharply, and many parents are still navigating the emotional and economic aftermath of trauma, bereavement, or breakdown.
For the seafaring families we work with—often already isolated due to the nature of maritime life—these challenges are even more acute. The support we provide is not only a financial lifeline but a critical source of stability, connection, and hope.
As a charity, our mission has never been more relevant. We remain committed to adapting and expanding our support to meet the complex and evolving needs of our families, ensuring that no child is left behind due to circumstances beyond their control.
If you would like to learn more about our work or explore ways to support the charity, please contact Natasha Barley, CEO, at:
**natasha.barley@sailorschildren.org.uk**
24 Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673
## **Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities**
The Trustees (who are also the directors of the Charity for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law, the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of their incoming resources and application of resources, including their income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the
## **Trustees are required to:**
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any
material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
## Disclosure of information to auditors
## **Each of the persons who are Trustees at the time when this Trustees’ Report is approved has confirmed that:**
so far as that Trustee is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company’s auditors are unaware, and
that Trustee has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a Trustee in order to be aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charitable group’s auditors are aware of that information.
## Auditors
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Charity’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The auditors, Streets Audit LLP, have indicated their willingness to continue in office. The designated Trustees will propose a motion reappointing the auditors at a meeting of the Trustees.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees on 7th August 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
....................................................................................
## **Mark Thundercliffe - Chairman**
....................................................................................
Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673 25
**Independent Auditors Report to the members of Sailors’ Children’s Society**
## **Opinion**
We have audited the financial statements of Sailors’ Children’s Society (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Cash Flows and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
## **Basis For Opinion**
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors’ responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
**give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company’s affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure for the year then ended;**
**have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.**
26 Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673
## **Conclusion Relating to Going Concern**
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
## **Other Information**
The Trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our Auditors’ Report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
## **Opinion On Other Matters Prescribed By The Companies Act 2006**
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
the information given in the Trustees’ report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
the Trustees’ report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
## **Matters on Which We Are Required To Report By Exception**
In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees’ report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
certain disclosures of Trustees’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
the Trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies’ regime and take advantage of the small companies’ exemptions in preparing the Trustees’ report and from the requirement to prepare a Strategic report.
Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673 27
## **Responsibilities of Trustees**
As explained more fully in the Trustees’ Responsibilities Statement, the Trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
## **Auditors’ Responsibilities For The Audit Of The Financial Accounts**
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditors’ Report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:
the engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
we identified the laws and regulations applicable to the charitable company through discussions with Trustees and other management, and from our commercial knowledge and experience of the charitable company and sector in which it operates;
we focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the charitable company, including Charities legislation, the Companies Act 2006, taxation legislation, data protection, anti-bribery, and employment;
we assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of management and inspecting legal correspondence where appropriate; and
identified laws and regulations were communicated within the audit team regularly and the team remained alert to instances of non-compliance throughout the audit.
We assessed the susceptibility of the charitable company’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:
making enquiries of management as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud; and
considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations.
To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:
performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships;
tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions;
28 Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673
assessed whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates set out in the Accounting Policies were indicative of potential bias; and
investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions
Agreed a sample of income transactions to accurate recognition
Tested a sample of employees for existence and accuracy of pay
In response to the risk of irregularities and noncompliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:
## **Use Of Our Report**
This report is made solely to the charitable company’s Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable Company’s Trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditors ‘ Report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and its members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;
.................................................................................................
reading the minutes of meetings of those charged with governance;
enquiring of management as to actual and potential litigation and claims; and
reviewing correspondence with HMRC, relevant regulators and the charitable company’s legal advisors where appropriate.
There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.
**Robert Anderson FCA (Senior statutory auditor)** For and on behalf of:
## **Streets Audit LLP**
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors Halifax House 30 George Street Hull East Yorkshire HU1 3AJ Date: 28 January 2026
Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/ auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Auditors’ Report.
Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673 29
## **Statement of Financial Activities Year Ended 31st March 2025**
(incorporating Income and Expenditure Account)
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Note Unrestricted Restricted Designated Total Total
Funds £ Funds £ Funds £ 2025 £ 2024 £
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies 3 195,780 419,034 - 614,814 448,868
Charitable activities 4 194,699 - - 194,699 152,881
Investments 5 86,824 - - 86,824 40,295
Total 477,303 419,034 - 896,337 642,044
Expenditure on: 6
Raising funds
Fundraising and other costs 312,211 - - 312,211 170,579
Investment management costs - - - - 13,065
Charitable activities
Direct costs 201,993 438,707 14,584 655,284 663,396
Support costs 25,580 - - 25,580 23,238
Governance costs
Direct costs 5,940 - - 5,490 5,140
Support costs 21,925 - - 21,925 19,918
Total resources expended 567,649 438,707 14,584 1,020,940 895,336
Operating income/(expenditure) (90,346) (19,673) (14,584) (124,603) (253,292)
Transfers (665,570) (99,518) 765,088 - -
Gain/(loss) revaluation of investment 4,549 - - 4,549 11,143
Net income/(expenditure) (751,367) (119,191) 750,504 (120,054) (242,149)
Other recognised gains/losses
Gain/(loss) on disposal of fixed assets - (27,041) - (27,041) 11,451
Net movement in funds (751,367) (146,232) 750,504 (147,095) (230,698)
Reconciliation of funds
Funds balances b/fwd at 1st April 2024 1,384,464 146,232 706,218 2,236,914 2,467,612
Fund balances c/fwd at 31st March 2025 633,097 - 1,456,722 2,089,819 2,236,914
**----- End of picture text -----**
30 Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673
## **Statement of Financial Activities year ended 31st March 2024**
(incorporating Income and Expenditure account) – Previous year.
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Note Unrestricted Restricted Designated Total Total
Funds £ Funds £ Funds £ 2024 £ 2023 £
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies 3 94,472 354,396 - 448,868 479,512
Charitable activities 4 152,881 - - 152,881 107,214
Investments 5 40,295 - - 40,295 47,664
Total 287,648 354,396 - 642,044 634,390
Expenditure on: 6
Raising funds
Fundraising and other costs 170,579 - - 170,579 123,343
Investment management costs 13,065 - - 13,065 16,712
Charitable activities
Direct costs 241,549 379,462 42,385 663,396 612,280
Support costs 23,238 - - 23,238 22,367
Governance costs
Direct costs 5,140 - - 5,140 4,252
Support costs 19,918 - - 19,918 19,171
Total resources expended 473,489 379,462 42,385 895,336 798,125
Operating income/(expenditure) (185,841) (25,066) (42,385) (253,292) (163,735)
Transfers (484,510) (20,501) 505,011 - -
Gain/(loss) revaluation of investment 11,143 - - 11,143 (143,166)
Net income/(expenditure) (659,208) (45,567) 462,626 (242,149) (306,901)
Other recognised gains/losses
Gain on disposal of fixed assets - 11,451 - 11,451 22,487
Net movement in funds (659,208) (34,116) 462,626 (230,698) (284,414)
Reconciliation of funds
Funds balances b/fwd at 1st April 2023 2,043,672 180,348 243,592 2,467,612 2,752,026
Fund balances c/fwd at 31st March 2024 1,384,464 146,232 706,218 2,236,914 2,467,612
**----- End of picture text -----**
Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673 31
## **Balance Sheet Year Ended 31st March 2025**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
2025 2024
Note £ £ £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 11 - 8,310 - 158,943
Investments 12 - - 40,184
- 8,310 - 199,127
Current assets
Debtors 13 34,561 72,972 -
Current asset investments 1,753,394 1,626,116 -
Cash at bank and in hand 390,473 385,852 -
2,178,428 2,084,940 -
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year
Creditors 14 96,919 - 47,153 -
Net current assets 2,081,509 2,037,787
Net assets 2,089,819 2,236,914
Funds of the charity
Restricted funds 17 - 146,232
Unrestricted funds 18 633,097 1,384,464
Designated funds 18 1,456,722 706,218
2,089,819 2,236,914
**----- End of picture text -----**
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.
The financial statements have been prepared
in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on 7th August 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
............................................................................................ ............................................................................................
## **Mark Thundercliff - Chairman**
The annexed notes form part of the financial statements
32 Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673
## **Cash Flow Year Ended 31st March 2025**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
2025 2024 Note
£ £
**----- End of picture text -----**
|**Cash fows from operating activities:**|**(95,013)**|**(199,495)**|Table A|
|---|---|---|---|
|**Cashfows from investing activities:**||||
|Dividends from investments|86,824|40,295||
|Proceeds from the sale of property, plant & equipment|99,020|11,751||
|Proceeds from disposal of investments|44,728|2,177,742||
|Purchase of property, plant and equipment|(3,660)|(5,276)||
|**Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities**||||
|Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period|131,899|2,025,017||
|Cash and cash equivalents at the start of the reporting period|2,011,968|(13,049)|Table B|
|Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period|2,143,867|2,011,968||
## **Table A: Reconciliation of net income/(expenditure) to net cash flow from operating activities**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
2025 2024
£ £
**----- End of picture text -----**
|**Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period**|**(147,095)**|**(230,698)**|
|---|---|---|
|**(as per the statement of fnancial activities)**|||
|**Adjustments for :**|||
|Depreciation charges|28,238|41,151|
|Loss/(Proft) on sale of fxed assets|27,041|(11,451)|
|(Gains)/losses on investments|(4,549)|1,727|
|Dividends, interest and rents from investments|(86,824)|(40,295)|
|lncrease/(decrease) in debtors|38,410|15,938|
|lncrease/(decrease) in creditors|49,766|24,133|
|Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities|(95,013)|(199,495)|
## **Table B: Analysis of net debt, cash and cash equivalents**
||**2025**|**2024**|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|
|Cash in hand|390,473|385,852|
|Current asset investments|1,753,394|1,626,116|
|Total cash and cash equivalents|2,143,867|2,011,968|
Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673 33
## **Notes to the Financial Statements Year Ended 31st March 2025**
## **1. Accounting policies**
## **a) General information and basis of preparation**
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 (as updated), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain items at fair value. The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest £. The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below . These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.
## **b) Funds**
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements. Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The cost of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
## **c) Income**
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when the charity is legally entitled to the income after any performance conditions have been met, the amount can be measured reliably
and it is probable that the income will be received. Cash donations and gifts are included in full in the financial statements as they are received. Significant non-cash donations are included in the financial statements at the Trustee’s estimate of their market value when received. No amount is included in the financial statements for volunteer time in line with the SORP (FRS 102). For legacies, entitlement is the earlier of the charity being notified of an impending distribution or the legacy being received. At this point income is recognised. On occasion legacies will be notified to the charity however it is not possible to measure the amount expected to be distributed. On these occasions, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed. Investment income is earned through holding assets for investment purposes such as shares. It includes dividends and interest. Where it is not practicable to identify investment management costs incurred within a scheme with reasonable accuracy the investment income is reported net of these costs. It is included when the amount can be measured reliably. Interest income is recognised using the effective interest method and dividend income is recognised as the charity’s right to receive payment is established.
## **d) Expenditure**
This is accounted for on an accruals basis but when expenditure is incurred relating to more than one cost category, the expenditure is apportioned over all relevant headings fundraising, relief to seafarers families and governance. The basis of apportionment used reflects the time and resources expended under specific headings.
## **1) Relief to seafarers families**
Relief to seafarers’ families includes the total cost of financial support given to families on the support scheme register, clothing and special grants, the costs of eight static caravans, financial support to families to use the caravans as a holiday base and support costs for all the aforementioned facilities.
## **2) Administration**
Administration includes the cost of essential central administration principally concerning the overall management of the Society’s affairs, salary administration, insurance, money managements and office equipment depreciation.
34 Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673
## **e) Depreciation**
Depreciation is calculated on the straight line basis to write down the cost of all fixed assets (see note 11) over their expected useful lives at 20% less estimated residual value.
## **f) Operating leases**
Rentals payable under operating leases are charged to the statement of financial activities over the period of the lease on a straight line basis.
## **g) Grants and specific donations**
Grants in respect of capital expenditure are credited to the statement of financial activities upon receipt. If the grant is unrestricted a designated fund representing the assets written down value is created . This fund is then reduced over the useful economic life of the asset in line with its depreciation. Grants of a revenue nature which are made to give immediate financial support or to reimburse costs previously incurred are credited to the statement of financial activities in the period in which they become receivable. Grants of a revenue nature which are made to finance general activities over a specific period or to compensate for a loss of current or future income are credited to the statement of financial activities when receivable.
## **h) Investment**
The investment funds are included in the balance sheet at their mid-market value at the year end. The variances between market value and the original cost or annual revaluation of the investment funds are shown as unrealised investment gains or losses in other charitable funds. The differences between the original cost or annual valuation and the proceeds of investments disposed of are shown as a gain/(loss) in the statement of financial activities. Short term investments held by the charity as cash or other easily transferable assets are recognised as current asset investments.
## **j) Pension costs**
Contributions to provide pensions and related benefits are charged to the income and expenditure accounts as incurred. The Charity operates a defined contributions pension scheme.
## **k) Going concern**
After making reasonable enquiries, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the charitable company has adequate resources to continue in operations existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
## **l) Recognition basis of creditors**
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
## **m) Financial instruments**
The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
## **2. Taxation**
Sailors’ Children’s Society is a UK registered charity, number 224505. All the Society’s income is applied to its charitable objects and the Society is, therefore, exempt under current legislation from most forms of taxation. Value Added Tax is not recoverable by the Society and is therefore charged to the statement of financial activities or balance sheet as incurred.
## **i) Fixed assets**
Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciated and any accumulated impairment losses. A de minimis and costs are capitalised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably.
Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673 35
## **3. Donations and legacies**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Un-restricted Restricted 2025 Un-restricted Restricted 2024
£ £ £ £ £ £
Seafarers UK - 70,000 70,000 - 69,716 69,716
Trinity House - 71,700 71,700 - 78,200 78,200
Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity - 165,000 165,000 - 165,000 165,000
Merchant Navy Welfare Board - 1,662 1,662 - 3,930 3,930
Greenwich Hospital - 85,717 85,717 - - -
200 Business Club - 500 500 - 8,750 8,750
John Landsdown - - - - - -
Covenants, donations and trusts 195,104 24,455 219,559 68,023 18,800 86,823
Legacies 676 - 676 36,449 - 36,449
Total 195,780 419,034 614,814 104,472 344,396 448,868
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **4. Charitable activities**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Un-restricted Restricted 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Fundraising:
Special events 189,554 - 189,554 140,248
Continuous activities 5,145 - 5,145 12,633
Total 194,699 - 194,699 152,881
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **5. Investments**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Un-restricted Restricted 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Dividends received - - - 22,070
Interest received 86,824 - 86,824 18,225
Total 86,824 - 86,824 40,295
**----- End of picture text -----**
36 Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673
## **6a. Total resources expended costs directly allocated to activities**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Basis of Fundraising Relief to Governance 2025 2024
allocation Seafarers
Families
£ £ £ £ £
Monthly grants to families Direct - 233,400 - 233,400 226,808
Clothing grants Direct - 39,740 - 39,740 64,434
Christmas grants Direct - - - - -
Special grants Direct - 103,198 - 103,198 76,930
Home computers Direct - - - - 14,242
Family holiday scheme
Holiday grants Direct - 9,360 - 9,360 10,374
Caravan running costs Direct - 91,499 - 91,499 114,968
Salaries and redundancy Direct 178,459 149,511 - 327,970 198,990
Administration and event costs Direct 108,172 28,576 5,940 142,688 109,130
Sub total 286,631 655,284 5,940 947,855 815,876
Basis of allocation 35% 35% 30%
General office and finance Staff time 25,580 25,580 21,925 73,085 66,395
Total 312,211 680,864 27,865 1,020,940 66,395
Investment management fees - 13,065
1,020,940 895,336
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **6b. Staff costs**
The average number of persons employed by the Charity during the period was as follows:
||**2025**|**2024**|
|---|---|---|
||**Number**|**Number**|
|Fundraising|4|1|
|Relief for seafarers' families|3|4|
|Administration|2|2|
|Total|9|7|
|Actual average monthly number of staff|9|7|
Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673 37
## **6b. Staff costs continued**
The aggregate payroll costs in respect of these employees were as follows:
**----- Start of picture text -----**
2025 2024
£ £
Wages and Salaries 321,848 213,106
Social security 23,052 11,524
Pension costs 16,443 6,942
Total 361,343 231,572
**----- End of picture text -----**
The number of employees paid over £60,000 during the year (salary plus taxable benefits excluding the employer pensions contributions and redundancy payments) was:
||||**2025**|**2024**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Band|£60,000|- £70,000|1|1|
|Band|£80,000|- £90,000|-|-|
The aggregate for key management personnel salary and pension and employer NIC contributions was £81,550 (2024 £77,323).
The charity runs a defined contribution pension scheme for the benefit of its employees. Total pension costs for the year were £16,443 (2024: £6,942). Total contributions due to the scheme as at 31 March 2025 were £3,593 (2024: £4,074).
## **7. Trustees’ remuneration**
The Trustees were not entitled to receive any remuneration. Travel expenses reimbursed from the charity in 2024 amounted to £685 which was paid to 2 trustees.
Donations from Trustees during the year total £nil (2024: 3,800).
## **8. Operating lease rentals**
||**2025**|**2024**|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|
|Plant and equipment|2,726|2,165|
38 Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673
## **9. Net incoming resources for the year**
This is stated after charging:
||**2025**|**2024**|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|
|**Auditors’ remuneration:**|||
|Audit|5,400|4,800|
|Depreciation|28,238|41,147|
## **10. Interest payable and similar charges**
||**2025**|**2024**|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|
|Bank Overdraft|-|1,035|
## **11. Tangible assets**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Caravans Fixtures & Fittings Total
£ £ £
**----- End of picture text -----**
|**Cost**||||
|---|---|---|---|
|At 1st April 2024|359,114|58,934|418,048|
|Additions|-|3,660|3,660|
|Disposals|(359,114)|-|(359,114)|
|At 31st March 2025|-|62,594|62,594|
|**Depreciation**||||
|At 1st April 2024|212,880|46,222|259,102|
|Provided during the year|20,176|8,062|28,238|
|Disposals|(233,056)|-|(233,056)|
|At 31st March 2025|-|54,284|54,284|
|**Net book value**||||
|At 31st March 2024|146,234|12,712|158,946|
|**At 31st March 2025**|**-**|**8,310**|**8,310**|
Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673 39
## **11. Tangible assets continued**
The net book value at 31st March 2025 represents fixed assets used for:
||**Caravans**|**Fixtures & Fittings**|**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|
|**Direct Charitable Services**||||
|Family Holiday Scheme|-|-|-|
|**Other Purposes**||||
|Administration|-|8,310|8,310|
The Society owns the freehold of St Nicholas Primary School and Stratten Hall, currently under a 99 year peppercorn rent lease to Hull City Council signed 10th October 2006. No balance is recognised in these accounts due to the length of the lease remaining.
## **12. Investments**
|**12. Investments**||
|---|---|
||**2025**|
||**£**|
|Market value at 1st April 2024|40,184|
|Additions|-|
|Disposals|(44,733)|
|Increase/(decrease) in value for the year|4,549|
|**Market value at 31st March 2025**|**-**|
During the year the trustees continued to transfer the investments into lower risk cash deposits.
## **13. Debtors**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
2025 2024
£ £
Amounts falling due within one year
Trade Debtors 12,926 -
Other debtors 15,627 3,593
Prepayments and accrued income 6,008 69,379
- -
Legacies
Total debtors 34,561 72,972
**----- End of picture text -----**
40 Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673
## **14. Creditors**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
2025 2024
£ £
Bank overdraft - -
Trade creditors 8,648 24,539
Accruals and deferred income 76,248 13,317
Tax and social security 8,430 5,223
Other creditors 3,593 4,074
Total creditors 96,919 47,153
**----- End of picture text -----**
Included within other creditors is accruals and deferred income received in advance totaling £68,070. There was no deferred income at the previous year end.
## **15. Operating lease commitments**
The total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:
||**2025**|**2024**|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|
|Not later than 1 year|2,726|2,125|
|Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years|7,497|2,125|
## **16. Charitable commitments**
||**2025**|**2024**|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|
|Grants to families|376,338|382,414|
|Family holiday scheme|100,859|125,342|
Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673 41
## **17. Restricted funds**
The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held to be applied for specific purposes:
## **Seafarers UK**
## **Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity**
Restricted funding from Seafarers UK was received towards the cost of employing staff for fundraising activities within the charity.
## **Trinity House London**
Restricted funding from Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity was received as part of a 3 year grant to provide individual grants to Royal Navy and Royal Marines families and towards the cost of employing our Family Support Officers.
Restricted funding from Trinity House London was received during the year to provide individual grants and support for Fishing and Merchant Navy families.
42 Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Balance at Incoming Resources Disposal on Transfers Balance at
31st March resources expended Fixed Assets from 31st
2024 Designated March 2025
Funds
£ £ £ £ £ £
Seafarers UK - 70,000 (70,000) - - -
Trinity House London - 71,700 (71,700) - - -
Greenwich Hospital - 85,717 (85,717) - - -
Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity - 165,000 (165,000) - - -
Donations - 24,455 (24,455) - - -
Merchant Navy Welfare Board - 1,662 (1,662) - - -
Caravan Appeal & 200 Business 146,232 500 (20,173) (27,041) (99,518) -
Club
Total 146,232 419,034 (438,707) (27,041) (99,518) -
Balance at Incoming Resources Disposal on Transfers Balance at
31st March resources expended Fixed Assets from 31st
2023 Designated March 2024
Funds
£ £ £ £ £ £
Seafarers UK - 69,716 (69,716) - - -
Trinity House London - 78,200 (78,200) - - -
Greenwich Hospital - 10,000 (10,000)
Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity - 165,000 (165,000) - - -
Donations 18,800 (18,800)
Merchant Navy Welfare Board - 3,930 (3,930) - - -
Caravan Appeal & 200 Business 180,348 8,750 (33,816) 11,451 (20,501) 146,232
Club
Total 180,348 354,396 (379,462) 11,451 (20,501) 146,232
**----- End of picture text -----**
Restricted funds were previously held in the main against the purchase of caravans and released in line with depreciation charge. Operating restricted funds from donations and 190 PC Appeal are used against grants costs for the families in specific geographical areas and for home computers. The 200 Business
Club was launched in November 2017 to raise funds to replace part of the existing fleet of caravans from when the Society celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2021. These funds are then released in line with the depreciation charge. The full fleet of caravans were sold during the March 2025 financial year.
Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673 43
## **18. Unrestricted funds**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Balance at Income Expenditure Revaluation Transfer Balance at
31st March of investment 31st
2024 March 2025
£ £ £ £ £ £
Accumulated fund:
General 1,384,464 477,303 (563,100) - (665,570) 633,097
Designated 706,218 - (14,584) - 765,088 1,456,722
Total 2,090,682 477,303 (577,684) - 99,518 2,089,819
Balance at Income Expenditure Revaluation Transfer Balance at
31st March of investment 31st
2023 March 2024
£ £ £ £ £ £
Accumulated fund:
General 2,043,672 287,647 (473,489) 11,144 (484,510) 1,384,464
Designated 243,592 - (42,385) - 505,011 706,218
Total 2,287,264 287,647 (515,874) 11,144 20,501 2,090,682
**----- End of picture text -----**
The Trustees have reviewed the Designated Fund this year and provided 3 years support for respite breaks, £500,000 towards a new office as part of their strategic plan.
The Risk Based designated reserve has been updated and this fund has been calculated at £560,298. Support for food vouchers has a balance of £36,423 remaining.
44 Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673
## **19. Analysis of net assets between funds**
Funds balances at 31st March 2025 are represented by:
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Designated Funds Total Funds
£ £ £ £
Tangible fixed assets 8,310 - - 8,310
Investments - - - -
Current assets 653,636 68,070 1,456,722 2,178,428
Creditors due within one year (28,849) (68,070) - (96,919)
Total 633,097 - 1,456,722 2,089,819
**----- End of picture text -----**
Funds balances at 31st March 2024 are represented by:
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Designated Funds Total Funds
£ £ £ £
Tangible fixed assets 12,711 146,232 - 158,943
Investments - - 40,184 40,184
Current assets 1,418,906 - 666,034 2,084,940
Creditors due within one year (47,153) - - (47,153)
Total 1,384,464 146,232 706,218 2,236,914
**----- End of picture text -----**
Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673 45
## **20. Called up share capital**
There is no called up share capital as the Company is limited by Guarantee. In the event of the Company being wound up each Director has undertaken to contribute to the assets of the Society such amount as may be required to discharge its debts, the amount not to exceed £1 per member.
## **21. Related party transaction**
During the year there were the following related party transactions. In addition to the transactions with Trustees as disclosed in Note 7.
Lee Evans (a Director until 13 May 2025) is employed by IT @ Spectrum Ltd, during the year they provided printing of the annual report and raffle envelopes for free.
IT @ Spectrum Ltd £995 – Sportsman’s Lunch – Table IT @ Spectrum Ltd £600 – Bridge to Bridge Sponsorship IT @ Spectrum Ltd £150 – Ladies Lunch – 2 tickets
Printing charges through out the year of £1,856 were charged from IT @ Spectrum Ltd, these were at arms length business transaction.
## **2024 related party transactions**
Lee Evans (a Director) is employed by IT @ Spectrum Ltd, during the year they provided printing of the annual report and raffle envelopes for free.
IT @ Spectrum Ltd £695 – Sportsman’s Lunch – Table IT @ Spectrum Ltd £245 – Donation
Mark Campey (a director for part of the year) is a director of Minstergate Holdings Ltd & Minstergate Retail Ltd. During the year the companies made the following Donations:
Minstergate Holdings Ltd £6,000 – Sportsman Lunch – Sponsorship Minstergate Retail Ltd £6,600 – Sportsman Lunch – Auction Minstergate Retail Ltd £2,000 – Website Donation
As the year end there were no outstanding balances due from related parties (2024 £nil).
46 Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673
Sailors’ Children’s Society. Charity Number: 224505 A company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673 47
Registered Charity No. 224505. Company limited by guarantee registered no. 159673.
Quarry House, Hesslewood Office Park, Hessle, HU13 0LH.
## **sailorschildren.org.uk**
sailorschildren
sailors_childrens_society