OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2025-10-31-accounts

WHITECHAPEL MISSION Annual Report 2025

CONTENTS

Annual Report 2025 1

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

for the year ended 31st October 2025

The Trustees present their report along with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st October 2025.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the Mission's Trust Deed, the Charities Act 2011 and “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 (FRS102) issued in October 2019.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE and MANAGEMENT

The Whitechapel Mission is a Local Church under the Model Trusts established under the Methodist Church Act 1976 (the Trusts) and constitutes an unincorporated charity.

Trustee vacancies are advertised to the members, supporters and friends of the Mission, and more widely. In accordance with the Trusts, the Trustees are appointed by the members of the Mission from the membership at the Annual General Meeting. The Trustees endeavour to ensure that there are sufficient Members with the range of skills and experience necessary so that Trustees can be elected to meet the governance requirements of the Mission.

New Trustees who are not familiar with the responsibilities of a charity trustee are provided with Charity Commission guidance and any other training required. If new Trustees have not experienced working as a volunteer in one of the day to day services of the Mission the opportunity is provided for them to do so.

The Trustees normally meet every three months and have appointed sub committees for particular areas of business. Matters for decision are normally brought forward by a sub-committee, an individual Trustee or the Director, considered and, if necessary, voted on. Details of the Trustees who have served

Annual Report 2025 2

during the year and since the year end together with other legal information required to be disclosed are set out on page 11

The charity is managed day to day by the Director in accordance with the objectives and policies decided by the Trustees.

The Mission is a Church in the Tower Hamlets Circuit of the Methodist Church and is represented on the Circuit Meeting. Presbyters appointed to the Circuit are entitled to be Trustees of the Mission. Rev Jenny Impey is a Trustee. The Circuit is entitled to appoint an additional Trustee to the Mission, though the post is currently vacant.

Remuneration of the staff of the Mission is set with regard to market rates for similar employment and the policy of the Methodist Church and the policy of the Methodist Church to pay all employees no less than the Living Wage as published by the Living Wage Foundation.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The accounts have been prepared under the accounting standard, FRS 102.

The charity made an operating deficit of £163,710 (2024: £51,956) in the year.

Total voluntary income (donations and legacies) has fallen by over £200,000 this year. After a peak in individual donations both gift aided and non gift aided have dropped back, to a total of £350, 329 (2024 £500,949). On the other hand donations from companies and trusts increased from £358,957 last year to £462,298 this year . We have had few legacies this year amounting to £2,057 as against £160, 249 last. These are always a variable source of income and while we are most grateful to the supporters who remember us in their will we continue to recognise that this is an unpredictable source of income which cannot be relied on to cover routine expenses. Fundraising income was down, from £65,685 to £30,709

We are grateful for all our supporters, who have allowed the Mission to cope with continued high demand for our services.

Annual Report 2025 3

Other income, mainly from rental of shops and key worker housing, is almost unchanged at £236,641

Total recurrent costs at £1,535,006 (2024: £ £1,623,279) are down this year as a result of reducing opening to five days a week from seven, and stringent economies in the face of rising food costs.

Most of the reduction (£68,500) came by reducing the cost of providing our services to homeless people.

The value of the restricted property fund is unchanged from last year at £6,863,122 in accordance with the accounting policy established in 2017 for FRS 102 and explained in note 1 to the accounts. Total funds at the year end were

£7,286,037 of which most were in the restricted property fund (£6,863,122) and a small amount in the endowment fund (£12,202).

Capital expenditure was more modest than last year at just under £24,000

The Mission again recovered a significant amount of money owed so that debtors were reduced by £35,000

PUBLIC BENEFIT

The Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in setting its objectives and planning its activities. The sections of this report headed ‘Activities’ and ‘Achievements and performance’ report on the Mission’s activities and successes. The work of the Mission benefits homeless people and key workers who access its services, and members of the public who are informed about homelessness, through our website, publications and talks.

Annual Report 2025 4

OBJECTS OF THE WHITECHAPEL MISSION

The constitution of the Mission permits a wide range of objects. The main objects of the Mission are:

Provision of housing for key workers

ACTIVITIES

In order to support homeless people, the Mission has provided:

In order to provide housing for key workers the Mission during the year let 11 flats to a local hospital trust which used them to accommodate staff from local hospitals at an affordable rent. The Mission would not be able to achieve its aims and objectives without the generous gifts of time and effort given freely by volunteers. Our volunteers help in a variety of roles including the kitchen, sorting and distributing donations and giving general support to the people who use our services. The number of volunteers hours given in the year is estimated at 36,800.

Annual Report 2025 5

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

The purpose of the Mission is to support any homeless person coming through the doors of the day centre, and to provide help and advice to assist them so that they are no longer homeless and in need of support. Ultimate success would therefore be indicated by a reduction in the number of people seeking our services. Unfortunately, pressures in society outside the Mission mean that

demand has not reduced. 30% of people using our services have been in care at some time and 25% have been in prison.

Between November and May the Mission was open every day, and since then has been open every weekday, Up to 450 people attend the day centre every day. 11,018 different people used the day centre during the year, of whom 3,981 used our advice services. This shows that many people find the help they need and move on, to be replaced by others newly in need.

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE PERIODS

The Trustees consider that the Mission is effective in its current activities, and that it should first ensure that those services can continue in the face of increasing demand and emerging strains on the physical capacity of the building. Accordingly, plans to improve the use of the existing space are in hand.

Efforts will continue to find new and varied sources of funding to ensure that the Mission remains financially resilient and can raise additional funds to meet demand.

FUNDRAISING

The charity does not employ a professional fundraiser, nor does the charity contract with any commercial fundraising agencies. The charity is registered with the Fundraising Regulator and has signed up to The code of Fundraising Practice,

Annual Report 2025 6

and the charity does have regulatory procedures in place covering fundraising. No complaints have been received by the charity from its fundraising.

The charity only sends fundraising material and updates on the charity’s work to individuals who have actively opted in to receive contact of this nature from the charity in order to protect the public from intrusion. We aim to protect vulnerable members of the public from persistent contact by ensuring that updates on the charity’s activities are not too frequent, and are controlled at chief executive level.

Face to face fundraising activity is largely confined to instances where the charity is approached by an organisation to arrange a discussion on the work of the charity, where donations may be collected.

RESERVE POLICY AND GOING

CONCERN STATEMENT

The Mission aims to maintain a level of reserves sufficient for it to maintain stability through a period of variable income such as that it experienced in 2016. The Trustees would like to maintain a free reserve equivalent to three months expenditure (net of depreciation and gifts in kind) for these purposes. At the year end the free reserve stood at £4,102. The Trustees have taken action to reduce expenditure so that a higher level of reserve is maintained. As well as the free reserves the Mission has promises of support if needed from the Methodist Church in Tower Hamlets Circuit amounting to £100,000 in total.

The accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis.

The Trustees consider that the charity's funds should have little exposure to risk. Accordingly the charity has minimal investments not held on bank deposit to allow ready access to monies as and when required. The charity’s investments are held and managed by the Methodist Church and are invested in accordance with the social, environmental and ethical principles of the Methodist Church.

In common with all Methodist charities, the Charity's property is held by the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes.

Annual Report 2025 7

RISK MANAGEMENT

The strategic and operational risks involved in running the charity are kept under review by the Trustees and action is taken whenever necessary to ensure that, as far as is reasonably practical, these risks negated. Where it is considered appropriate suitable insurance cover is in place.

The Mission has rigorous operational procedures to ensure that Health and Safety risks arising from its provision of services to homeless people are minimised. Special risk assessments were undertaken and precautions were put in place after the Covid-19 outbreak and continually reviewed as the outbreak progressed. Regular and rigorous checks are made on the security of the Mission’s web-site.

TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES IN RELATIONS TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

Annual Report 2025 8

any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

The Trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient accounting records that 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 Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. 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.

Approved by the Trustees on 26th August 2026 and signed on their behalf by:

Michael Spurr Chair

Keith Aldred Treasurer

Annual Report 2025 9

MISSION STATEMENT

Founded in 1876, Whitechapel Mission has been caring for the poor and homeless of London regardless of race or religion, in their struggle against hunger, poverty, disease, prejudice and exclusion.

Our work is inspired by our Christian concern.

General Office: Telephone: 03000 111 400 The Whitechapel Mission 020 7247 8280 212, Whitechapel Road 020 7247 8281 London E1 1BJ

Registered Charity No: 227905 email: mission@whitechapel.org.uk website: www.whitechapel.org.uk Director: Tony Miller

Whitechapel Mission Managing Trustees:

Continuous Mr Michael Spurr (Chair) Mr Paul Hornsby (Secretary) Dr Keith Aldred (Treasurer) Mr Peter Butt Mr Stephen Perry (Resigned 18th May 2025) Mr Peter Barlow (Resigned 18th May 2025) Ms Joanna Fozzard (Resigned 18th May 2025) Ms Cheryl Gurnham Revd Jennifer Smith Revd Jennifer Impey

Bankers: Independent Auditors: Barclays Bank PLC Clay Ratnage Strevens & Hills Mile End and Bow Branch Suite D, The Business Centre 240, Whitechapel Road Faringdon Avenue London Romford E1 1BJ Essex, RM3 8EN Solicitors: Investment Advisers: Lovell Son & Pitfield Central Finance Board Investment Unit 9 Gray’s Inn Square 9 Bonhill Street Gray’s Inn London London. WC1R 5JT EC2A 4PE Annual Report 2025 10

DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS

The Whitechapel Mission has served homeless and hungry Londoners since 1876 and in November of 2026 we will mark 150 years of support with an Anniversary Service of Thanksgiving on 1st November 2026.

We may be a financial capital of the world, but our homeless and working poor neighbours experience extreme suffering.

The numbers of people sleeping on our streets continues to rise and is at the highest levels since the Great Depression.

Official figures released in February by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government show that the number of people sleeping rough on a single night in England in November 2025 rose to a record high of 4,793, compared to 4,667 for the same period last year. This is 42 more people than the record high in 2017 and represents a rise of 3% on last year.

At the Mission we have always thought that official figures are too low, and the impact in our area is exacerbated by the closure of many services in recent years. There is now no statutory service for rough sleepers in Tower Hamlets

We see the result in the number of guests approaching us for help. We also see that guests are taking longer to get help and feeling more depressed about their circumstances. This in turn has led to more substance abuse and disruptive behaviour,

and we have had to deploy more staff to the dining hall and exclude more guests for longer period

Ideally we would have engaged more staff, but this was unaffordable so in May 2025 the Trustees reluctantly decided to reduce opening hours to five days a week to ensure the safety of both staff and guests. We are now serving as many breakfasts in five days as we used to do in seven. We hope as soon as possible to return to seven day working.

Showers and advice services continue five days a week. Each breakfast and every service is an invitation to advice, counselling and community programmes that help guests make progress.

Our work is funded by the generous donations and in-kind gifts of caring individuals, and supported by the efforts of 4356 volunteers this year, an increase of 15% on last year.

Thanks to your generosity, thousands of men and women experiencing hunger and homelessness found renewed hope and new life. As we bring together more caring partners like you, I look forward to seeing us transform more lives in 2026!

Thank you again for sharing your heart with the people at The Whitechapel Mission.

Please consider joining us for our 150th Anniversary Service on 1st November 2026.

Thank you, for standing with us.

Tony Miller MBE

Annual Report 2025 11

VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers remain an important and integral part of our work, and we are pleased to see the return of some old friends and many new ones.

We welcomed 3,256 volunteers, joining us to serve those guests coming to our door. Over 2,200 volunteers arrived before 6am to prepare, cook and serve breakfast at 8am to over 129,000 people throughout the year. Another 1,000 different volunteers agreed to sort, measure, and prepare clothing to be made available through the shower service.

Our goal is to encourage volunteering as a concept, as we all want to make a difference when we see people sleeping in a doorway or struggling with homelessness. And we shouldn't have to pay for the opportunity to volunteer.

We want volunteering at Whitechapel to be fun, rewarding, challenging, free and safe. The skills, opinions and experiences of each volunteer are valued and we want them to be an integral part of our organisation.

Our guests and our staff enjoy meeting the new volunteers each morning and having the interaction across the counter as they specify how they wish to have their tea or coffee made, or what they would like for breakfast. An important element of humanity is the interaction between us.

We are grateful to all of the volunteers who get up so early in the morning to join us as we attempt to make a difference for an ever increasing number of people looking for help.

Annual Report 2025 12

Over 3,200 volunteers, offering over 19,500 hours of their time.

Annual Report 2025 13

SERVICES

In 1876, our first year of serving people in need, we prepared, cooked and served 11,000 breakfasts. Every year since then we report the number of meals served, and very rarely have we seen a lower number (althought it has happened).

Our goal is not to simply serve more people each year, but rather just serve the those in need.. We would be delighted to see the number of people using our services begin to lower.

It may reach a point where we simply cannot continue to deliver more and more each year, but while we can, we will serve all that come to our door, without judgement and without prejedice.

We now serve an average of over 400 breakfasts each morning and those numbers continue to rise. We recently invested in new counter tops, to keep the food hot, but also allow us to serve more people and at a faster rate.

Some people just need a listening ear and somebody to share their fears with.

9,391 different people used our daycentre services during the year

129,765 breakfasts served this year

Annual Report 2025 14

TEAM MEMBERS

We welcome Monique to our daycentre team, and say farewell to Michelle, and Suzy, who have moved on to new challenges. This brings the daycentre team to 9.

And we also say goodbye to Cathy in the office and wish her well in her retirement.

We remain open to all and provide our essential services everyday!

Annual Report 2025 15

Softcat Morrison Foerster

THANK

FundApps

YOU

This must start with a huge thank you to the members of staff who deliver the services every day of the year. Everything that we have managed to achieve would not have been possible without the staff being here each day.

And then, to all of you who have supported us over the past year in so many different ways we say a sincere “Thank you”. Our continued service could not happen without the support you have given us.

We hope that you are proud to be a member of the ‘Whitechapel family’ and that we will be able to count on your continued support for a long time to come. To mention any groups or individuals by name when so many have played a part in our story during the past year is difficult, but we really do need to thank our 5000club partners and supporters for their commitment to our work. The 5000club are those partners and supporters who have backed their giving of gifts and volunteering with a donation of £5,000 or more and their commitment is so important for the continuing work here.

Northriver Limited

Worshipful Company of Glovers Worshipful Company of Coopers Worshipful Company of Pewterers

Our aim is to serve the homeless and marginalised men and women who have become caught in the cycle of poverty, hopelessness and dependencies of many kinds, and our goal is to see their lives transformed to hope, joy and lasting productivity.

Over the past twelve months your help and support has enabled us to reach out and made a difference to those who have nowhere else to turn. Together we are The Whitechapel Mission and together, with your continued help and support, we will keep going towards our goal.

As we enter another year of service together, please will you continue to pray for everyone connected to the Whitechapel Mission– the staff, trustees, volunteers, supporters and guests alike.

And thank you all once again.

During the past year our 5000club partners were:

Dentons LLP

United Trust Bank

Credit Agricole

Mills & Reeve LLP

Irwin Mitchell LLP

ICG

Brookfield

Annual Report 2025 16

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025

TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE WHITECHAPEL MISSION

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of The Whitechapel Mission (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 October 2025 which comprise Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet and notes to the financial statements, 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 of 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 Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’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.

Conclusions 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 charity'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.

17

TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE WHITECHAPEL MISSION

THE WHITECHAPEL MISSION

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the trustees’ annual report , other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, 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.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 require us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 8, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of financial statements which 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 charity’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 charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

18

THE WHITECHAPEL MISSION

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)

TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE WHITECHAPEL MISSION

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

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 auditor’s 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 irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.

To identify risks of material misstatement due to fraud (“fraud risks”) we assessed events or conditions that could indicate an incentive or pressure to commit fraud or provide an opportunity to commit fraud. Our risk assessment procedures included:

Potential fraud risks that had been identified throughout the planning and commencement of the audit were communicated to the audit team.

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or noncompliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

19

THE WHITECHAPEL MISSION

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)

TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE WHITECHAPEL MISSION

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/library/standards-codespolicy/audit-assurance-and-ethics/auditors-responsibilities-for-the-audit/. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s 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 charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Clay Ratnage Strevens & Hills Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditor Suite D, The Business Centre Faringdon Avenue Romford, Essex, RM3 8EN

Date:

Clay Ratnage Strevens & Hills is eligible to act as auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.

20

The Whitechapel Mission

Statement of financial activities

For the year ended 31 October 2025

Unrestricted
operating
fund
Note
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
2
1,106,686
Charitable activities
Key Worker accommodation
148,665
Other income
Rental Income - Commercial
81,786
Investments
6,220
Total income
1,343,357
Expenditure on:
Raising funds:
3
99,287
Services to homeless people
3
1,248,751
Key Worker accommodation
3
186,968
Total expenditure
1,535,006
27,939
4
(163,710)
Transfer between funds
-
Net movement in funds
(163,710)
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
574,423
Total funds carried forward
11
410,713
Net gains/(losses) on investment assets
Net Income/(expenditure)
Charitable activities
Raising funds
Unrestricted
operating
fund
Note
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
2
1,106,686
Charitable activities
Key Worker accommodation
148,665
Other income
Rental Income - Commercial
81,786
Investments
6,220
Total income
1,343,357
Expenditure on:
Raising funds:
3
99,287
Services to homeless people
3
1,248,751
Key Worker accommodation
3
186,968
Total expenditure
1,535,006
27,939
4
(163,710)
Transfer between funds
-
Net movement in funds
(163,710)
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
574,423
Total funds carried forward
11
410,713
Net gains/(losses) on investment assets
Net Income/(expenditure)
Charitable activities
Raising funds
Restricted
property fund
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Endowment
fund
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2025
Total
£
1,106,686
148,665
81,786
6,220
1,343,357
99,287
1,248,751
186,968
1,535,006
27,939
(163,710)
-
(163,710)
7,449,747
7,286,037
2024
Total
£
1,337,470
148,896
76,750
7,480
1,570,596
110,576
1,317,247
195,456
1,623,279
727
(163,710)
-
(163,710)
574,423
410,713
-
-
6,863,122
6,863,122
-
-
12,202
12,202
(51,956)
(51,956)
7,501,703
7,449,747

All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. Movements in funds are disclosed in Note 11 to the financial statements.

21

The Whitechapel Mission

Balance sheet

31 October 2025

31 October 2025
Note
Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets
6
Investments
7
Current assets
Debtors
8
Cash at bank and in hand
Liabilities
9
within one year
Net current assets/(liabilities)
Net assets
Funds
10
Restricted funds
Revaluation reserve
Unrestricted funds
Endowment funds
Total charity funds
11
Creditors: amounts falling due
Unrestricted
operating
fund
£
282,475
136,338
418,813
70,024
56,954
126,978
(135,078)
(8,100)
410,713
-
-
410,713
-
410,713
Restricted
property
fund
£
6,863,122
-
6,863,122
-
-
-
-
-
6,863,122
5,740,954
1,122,168
-
-
6,863,122
Endowment
fund
£
-
-
-
-
12,202
12,202
-
12,202
12,202
-
-
-
12,202
12,202
2025
£
7,145,597
136,338
7,281,935
70,024
69,156
139,180
(135,078)
4,102
7,286,037
5,740,954
1,122,168
410,713
12,202
7,286,037
2024
£
7,204,505
108,399
7,312,904
105,417
175,343
280,760
(143,917)
136,843
7,449,747
5,740,954
1,122,168
574,423
12,202
7,449,747

Approved by the trustees on and signed on their behalf by

Michael Spurr, Chair

Keith Aldred, Treasurer

22

The Whitechapel Mission

Statement of financial activities

For the year ended 31 October 2025

Statement of cash flows

Statement of cash flows
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activates
Cash flow from investing activities:
Dividends, interest and rent from investments
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from the sale of investments
Purchase of investments
Net cash provided by investing activities
Cash flow from financing activities:
Repayments of borrowing
Cash inflows from new borrowing
Receipt of endowment
Net cash provided by financing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period
Reconciliation of net income/(expenditure) to net cash flow from
operating activities
Net income/(expenditure) for the year as per the statement of
financial activities
Adjustments for:
Depreciation
(Gains)/losses on investments
Dividends, interest and rent from investments
Donated Investments
(Profit)/loss on disposal of fixed assets
(Increase)/decrease in stock
(Increase)/decrease in debtors
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
Net cash provided by operating activities
2025
£
(170,366)
87,937
81
(23,839)
-
-
64,179
-
-
-
-
(106,187)
175,343
69,156
(163,710)
82,735
(27,939)
(87,937)
-
(69)
-
35,393
(8,839)
(170,366)
2024
£
(68,463)
84,230
370
(51,898)
-
-
32,702
-
-
-
-
(35,761)
211,104
175,343
(51,956)
84,605
(727)
(84,230)
(64,788)
(368)
-
23,581
25,420
(68,463)

The charity has no net debt

23

The Whitechapel Mission

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 October 2025

  1. Accounting policies

a) Statutory information

The Whitechapel Mission is an unincorporated charity registered with the Charity Commission in England & Wales as established by the Model Trust deed of the Methodist Church of 1932, dated 15th December 1932 as amended 30th August 1967 and 2nd November 1994.

b) Basis of preparation

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the charity's trust deed, the Charities Act 2011 and “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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2019). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

The accounts are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

c) Going concern

At the time of approving the accounts, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the charity continues to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts. The Mission also has promises of support if needed from The Methodist Church in Tower Hamlets amounting to £100,000 in total. Therefore the trustees consider the going concern basis to be appropriate.

d) Incoming resources

Income is brought into account when it is more likely than not that the economic benefit of the income will accrue to the charity.

Voluntary income including donations, gifts and grants that provide core funding or are of general nature are recognised where there is entitlement, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability. Such income is only deferred when the donor specifies that the grant or donation must only be used in future accounting periods: or the donor has imposed conditions which must be met before the charity has unconditional entitlement. Gift Aid due on donations is included in the year in which the donation is received.

Income from charitable activities are sums received from carrying out the charity's objects. Income is comprised of rent from key worker accommodation accounted for on a receivable basis and contributions by beneficiaries for food and other items accounted for on receipt.

Income from commercial rentals is funds received from letting part of the main church building which is in commercial use.

Income from investments is comprised of bank interest. Interest is recognised on a receivable basis.

e) Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised when a liability is incurred, or a constructive obligation arises, that results in the payment being unavoidable. Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.

Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Where support costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Support costs are general administrative overheads which are not allocable to specific charitable activities. Governance costs are included as an element of general support costs. Governance costs include the cost of the preparation and audit of the statutory accounts, the cost of trustees' meetings and any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters. Both support and general governance costs have been allocated 75% to services to homeless people, 20% to the provision of key worker accommodation and 5% to fundraising activities.

The charity is not VAT registered and all expenses include applicable VAT.

f) Volunteers and donated services In accordance with the SORP the value of services provided by general volunteers is not incorporated into these financial statements. Further details of the contribution made by volunteers can be found in the trustees' annual report.

24

The Whitechapel Mission

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 October 2025

  1. Accounting policies (continued)

  2. g) Employment cost, pension costs and other post-retirement benefits The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charity's pension scheme are charged to the statement of financial activities in the period to which they relate.

Other employment costs, such as the cost of unused holiday, is included in the year in which the charity receives the employment services. Any redundancy costs are recorded at the time the decision to make redundancies is communicated to the employees.

h) Donated goods

The Whitechapel Mission receives donations of food, toiletries bedding and clothing.

The SORP requires the valuation of donated good at fair value. Distributing and using donated goods in its service provision is an important part of the Mission's work, but it is difficult to place an accurate value on the donations.

The charity includes donated food and toiletries used in the delivery of services at the cost the charity estimates that it would pay for such goods if they were not donated. This assessment of value includes the bulk and trade discounts available for the large quantities of supplies used which may not be available to the original donor.

The charity includes donated clothing, bedding and other good distributed to beneficiaries at an estimate of value based on the estimated secondhand value of a full change of clothes multiplied by the number of showers provided in the year, the point at which the clothes would be provided. The charity receives both new and secondhand items and there is no practical way in which the charity can more accurately assess the value of these donations, less the costs of collecting them from the donor where applicable, without using disproportionate resources in the calculation of a different estimate.

Some donated items may be held in stock where multiple similar items are donated at the same time. No valuation is given to stock held at the year end which is not thought to be material to the user of the accounts.

A small proportion of the clothing received is not suitable for distribution. Where this is the case, funds received from the recycling sales were recognised as donations at the time of sale.

i) Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are included at their historical cost, except for the property occupied by the charity which is at an FRS102 transitional cost based on the value for insurance purposes as at 1st November 2015. Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life:

Motor vehicles 20% straight line
Equipment and furniture 10% straight line
Computer equipment: laptops 25% straight line
Computer equipment: desktops 33.33% straight line

No depreciation is provided on the property as the residual value is considered to be above the carrying value shown in the accounts. The property is reviewed annually for impairment.

j) Listed investments

Investments are a form of basic financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their fair value as at the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market price. Any change in fair value will be recognised in the statement of financial activities. Investment gains and losses, whether realised or unrealised, are combined and shown in the heading “Net gains/(losses) on investments” in the statement of financial activities. The charity does not acquire put options, derivatives or other complex financial instruments.

k) Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

l) Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. The unrestricted funds in the financial statements all relate to operating activity.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for a particular restricted purpose, or from the donation of assets which have restrictions placed on their use. The restricted funds in the financial statements relate to the charity's property, donated for use in delivering the charity's main activities.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Endowment funds are received from donors where the terms specify that the capital of the fund should be held in perpetuity, but income earned may be applied to the charity's objects.

25

The Whitechapel Mission

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 October 2025

The Charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the Charity’s balance sheet when the Charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the accounts, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include other debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including other payables are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

  1. Donations and legacies
Donations and legacies
Donations from individuals
Gift Aid donations
Legacies
Fundraising activities
Total
including food, clothing and toiletries
Donated clothing recycled
Donations from companies and charitable trusts
Estimate of the value of gifted provisions
2025
Total
£
135,406
214,923
2,057
462,298
260,673
620
30,709
1,106,686
2024
Total
£
237,067
263,882
160,249
358,957
250,000
1,630
65,685
1,337,470

26

The Whitechapel Mission

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 October 2025

3 Analysis of expenditure

Analysis of expenditure
Staff costs (Note 5)
Motor and travel
Purchased provisions including food,
medical and supplies
Estimate of the value of gifted
provisions including food, clothing
and toiletries
Subscriptions
Depreciation of fixed assets
Premises maintenance
Administration
Communications
Audit and professional fees
Support costs
Governance costs
Total expenditure 2025
Total expenditure 2024
Raisingfunds Charitable activities Governance
costs
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
14,954
Support costs
£
83,478
-
-
-
-
-
-
88,091
-
-
2025
Total
£
688,104
14,671
177,073
260,673
2,478
82,735
155,415
88,091
41,715
24,051
1,535,006
-
-
1,535,006
1,623,280
2024
Total
£
757,557
9,592
212,429
250,000
2,676
84,605
163,003
76,879
39,201
27,338
Raising
funds
£
62,607
4,401
11,411
-
743
-
7,771
-
2,086
-
Commercial
rentals
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
942
Services to
homeless
people
£
479,412
10,270
165,662
260,673
1,735
66,188
85,478
-
31,286
8,155
Key worker
accommodation
£
62,607
-
-
-
16,547
62,166
-
8,343
-
89,019
8,578
748
942
-
-
1,108,859
128,677
11,215
149,663
34,314
2,991
14,954
-
(14,954)
171,569
(171,569)
-
1,623,280
-
-
98,345 942 1,248,751 186,968 - - 1,623,280
107,876 2,700 1,317,247 195,456 - -

All expenditure was unrestricted across both years

27

The Whitechapel Mission

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 October 2025

Staff costs (Note 5)
Motor and travel
Purchased provisions including food,
medical and supplies
Estimate of the value of gifted
provisions including food, clothing
and toiletries
Subscriptions
Depreciation of fixed assets
Premises maintenance
Administration
Communications
Audit and professional fees
Support costs
Governance costs
Total expenditure 2024
Raisingfunds Raisingfunds Charitable activities Charitable activities Governance
costs
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
14,056
Support costs
£
91,903
-
-
-
-
-
-
76,879
-
-
2024
Total
£
757,557
9,592
212,429
250,000
2,676
84,605
163,003
76,879
39,201
27,338
Raising funds
£
68,927
2,878
16,016
-
803
-
8,150
-
1,960
-
Commercial
rentals
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,700
Services to
homeless
people
£
527,800
6,714
196,413
250,000
1,873
67,684
89,652
-
29,401
10,582
Key worker
accommodation
£
68,927
-
-
-
16,921
65,201
-
7,840
-
98,734
8,439
703
2,700
-
-
1,180,119
126,586
10,542
158,889
33,756
2,811
14,056
-
(14,056)
168,782
(168,782)
-
1,623,280
-
-
107,876 2,700 1,317,247 195,456 - - 1,623,280

All expenditure was unrestricted across both years

28

The Whitechapel Mission

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 October 2025

  1. Net expenditure for the year

This is stated after charging / crediting:

Depreciation
Auditors' remuneration:
▪Audit (excl. VAT)
2025
£
82,735
10,000
2024
£
84,605
10,000
  1. Staff costs and numbers
Staff costs were as follows:
Salaries and wages
Social security costs
Pension contributions
Total emoluments paid to staff were:
2025
£
604,196
60,969
22,939
688,104
627,135
2024
£
656,401
66,887
34,269
757,557
690,670

Emoluments were paid to the wife of the CEO, under a contract of employment with the charity agreed by the Trustees and at a salary set by the Trustees. Further details can be found in note 13.

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charity's pension scheme are charged to the statement of financial activities in the period to which they relate.

One employee earned between £60,000 and £70,000 during the year (2024: 1, £60,000-£70,000). £10,431 (2024: £9,205) was made in employer's pension contributions during the year on behalf of this employee.

The average weekly number of employees (full-time equivalent) during the year was as follows:

Employees 2025
No.
17
Head
2024
No.
18
count

29

The Whitechapel Mission

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 October 2025

  1. Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets
Cost
At the start of the year
Additions in year
Disposals
At the end of the year
Depreciation
At the start of the year
Charge for the year
Disposals
At the end of the year
Net book value
At the end of the year
At the start of the year
Land and
buildings
£
6,863,122
-
6,863,122
-
-
-
6,863,122
6,863,122
Fixtures and
fittings
£
429,398
13,180
-
442,578
170,783
42,167
-
212,950
229,628
258,615
Motor
vehicles
£
115,193
-
(15,762)
99,431
65,189
20,809
(15,758)
70,240
29,191
50,004
Equipment
£
205,302
10,659
(47,269)
168,692
172,538
19,759
(47,261)
145,036
23,656
32,764
Totals
£
7,613,015
23,839
(63,031)
7,573,823
408,510
82,735
(63,019)
428,226
7,145,597
7,204,505

The building occupied by the charity is held by the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes (TMCP) as custodian trustees.

  1. Investments
Investments
Market value at the year start
Withdrawal from investment
Unrealised gain / (loss)
Market value at the year end
Cash
Pooled investments
2025
£
108,399
-
27,939
136,338
42,039
94,299
136,338
2024
£
42,884
64,788
727
108,399
42,039
66,360
108,399

There were no investment assets held outside the UK

Part of the investments are held in the Trustees Interest Fund by the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes (TMCP) as custodian trustees. The valuations, at market value, are those provided by TMCP. The unrealised gains arising on investments at the end of the year are shown in the SOFA and in Note 11 below.

8. Debtors and prepayments

Debtors and prepayments
Trade debtors
Other debtors
2025
£
56,828
13,196
70,024
2024
£
25,556
79,861
105,417

30

The Whitechapel Mission

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 October 2025

9.
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Taxation and social security
Accruals and deferred income
Other creditors
2025
£
41,488
28,698
52,684
12,208
135,078
2024
£
13,125
48,426
52,106
30,260
143,917

Deferred income of £34,233 (2024 £32,754) represents rent received in advance.

Net assets at 31 October 2025
Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Net current assets/(liabilities)
General
unrestricted
£
282,475
136,338
(8,100)
410,713
Restricted
£
6,863,122
-
-
6,863,122
Endowment
£
-
-
12,202
12,202
Total funds
£
7,145,597
136,338
4,102
7,286,037
Net current assets
Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Net assets at 31 October 2024
General
unrestricted
£
341,383
108,399
124,641
574,423
Restricted
£
6,863,122
-
-
6,863,122
Endowment
£
-
-
12,202
12,202
Total funds
£
7,204,505
108,399
136,843
7,449,747
Movements in funds (current year)
At the start
of the year
£
Restricted & endowment funds
Endowment funds
12,202
Revaluation reserve
1,122,168
5,740,954
Total restricted funds
6,875,324
Unrestricted funds
Operating fund
574,423
Total funds
7,449,747
Land and buildings
Incoming
resources
£
-
-
-
-
1,343,357
1,343,357
Outgoing
resources
and transfers
£
-
-
-
-
(1,535,006)
(1,535,006)
Gains on
Investments
£
-
-
-
27,939
27,939
At the end of
the year
£
12,202
1,122,168
5,740,954
6,875,324
410,713
7,286,037

31

The Whitechapel Mission

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 October 2025

e year ended 31 October 2025
Movements in funds (prior year)
At the start
of the year
£
Restricted & endowment funds
Endowment funds
12,202
Revaluation reserve
1,122,168
5,740,954
Total restricted funds
6,875,324
Unrestricted funds
Operating fund
626,379
Total funds
7,501,703
Land and buildings
Incoming
resources
£
-
-
-
-
1,570,596
1,570,596
Outgoing
resources
and transfers
£
-
-
-
-
(1,623,279)
(1,623,279)
Gains on
Investments
£
-
-
-
-
727
727
At the end of
the year
£
12,202
1,122,168
5,740,954
6,875,324
574,423
7,449,747

11. Movements in funds (current year)\continued

Purposes of restricted funds

Included in fixed assets are land and buildings from which Whitechapel Mission operate, for which the title is held by the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes (TMCP).

These assets have been included in the accounts of Whitechapel Mission as a restricted fund. Although the Whitechapel Mission have full use of the asset, for the current purposes the property does have to be returned to the control of TMCP if it is no longer used for those purposes. This obligation is in the nature of a restriction on the use of the asset and therefore this has been reflected in the accounts by treating the gift of the property as a restricted fund. The balance on the restricted fund therefore reflects the carrying value.

Purposes of endowment funds

The endowment funds represent funds provided by the C.T. Catlin Bequest. The money is invested to generate income which may be used without restriction, but the endowment is permanent and the capital may not be spent.

32

The Whitechapel Mission

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 October 2025

  1. Comparative information

The SOFA for the previous year, is as follows:

e year ended 31 October 2025
Comparative information
The SOFA for the previous year, is as follows:
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Key Worker accommodation
Other income
Rental Income - Commercial
Investments
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds:
Services to homeless people
Key Worker accommodation
Total expenditure
Transfer between funds
Net movement in funds
Net Income/(expenditure)
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Net gains/(losses) on investment assets
Unrestricted
operating
fund
£
1,337,470
148,896
76,750
7,480
1,570,596
110,576
1,317,247
195,456
1,623,279
727
Endowment
fund
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2024
Total
£
1,337,470
148,896
76,750
7,480
1,570,596
110,576
1,317,247
195,456
1,623,279
727
(51,956)
-
(51,956)
-
-
-
(51,956)
-
(51,956)

The balance sheet for the previous year is as follows

Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Current assets
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Net current assets/(liabilities)
Net assets
Funds
Restricted funds
Revaluation reserve
Unrestricted funds
Endowment funds
Total charity funds
Unrestricted
operating
fund
£
341,383
108,399
449,782
105,417
163,141
268,558

(143,917)
124,641
574,423
-
-
574,423
-
574,423
Restricted
property
fund
£
6,863,122
-
6,863,122
-
-
-
-
-
6,863,122
5,740,954
1,122,168
-
-
6,863,122
Endowment
fund
£
-
-
-
-
12,202
12,202
-
12,202
12,202
-
-
-
12,202
12,202
2024
£
7,204,505
108,399
7,312,904
105,417
175,343
280,760
(143,917)
136,843
7,449,747
5,740,954
1,122,168
574,423
12,202
7,449,747

33

The Whitechapel Mission

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 October 2025

13. Related party transactions

No trustee received a salary, benefits, travel expenses or other emoluments during the year. No trustees donated restricted funding in the current or prior year. Unrestricted donations totalled £7,744 (2024: £7,645).

The charity has close links to the Methodist Church who also retain legal ownership of the Mission's freehold building. The Mission received £125,000 Grant from London District during the year, of which £100,000 was from proceeds of sale of the former East End Mission (2024 No Methodists grants were received ).

Key management comprises the two most senior employees: the chief executive and the manager of the centre. Salaries, employer's national insurance and employer's pension for key management totalled £154,781 (2024: £143,539). Key management are required to live in the Mission building in accommodation provided by the charity. The daughter of the key management also worked in the charity during the year in the communications team and earned £44,173 including employer's pension and National Insurance contributions (2024 £41,465).

Staff loans to key management at the year end stood at £688 (2024: £688 ).

No separate trustee insurance was purchased during the year.

14. Contingent Asset

As at 31 October 2025, Tower Hamlets Circuit had agreed to provide any required support and financial assistance to The Whitechapel Mission to enable it to meet its annual obligations up to £100,000.

15. Lease Commitment

Operating leases – lessor

As at 31 October 2025 the charity had agreed commitments as a lessor under non-cancellable operating leases to receive the following minimum receipts:

2025 2024
£ £
Less than 1 year 58,600 58,600
2 to 5 years 220,767 234,400
Greater than 5 years 70,144 115,111

The above lease is for the shops at 208, 208A and 210 Whitechapel where the freehold is held by the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes as custodian Trustees.

34

p