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2025-03-31-accounts

AMENDED

Gingerbread Trustees’ Annual Report

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Gingerbread, the charity for single-parent families Company number 402748 Charity number 230750

Contents

Reference and administrative information 3
Trustees 3
Key management personal 4
Introduction from our Chair 5
Executive summary 6
Trustees’ report 7 - 9
Introduction
Objects
Our vision, mission and values
Our impact: the numbers
Public benefit
Structure, governance and management
Renumeration
Risk management
Fundraising activities 10
Funders for 2024-25 11
Financial review 12
Introduction
Reserves policy
Going concern
Investment policy
Statement of responsibility for the trustees 13
Independent auditor’s report 14 - 17
Charity accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 18 - 34
Statement of financial activities
Balance sheet
Statement of cash flows
Notes to the financial statements

2

Reference and administrative information

Charity name: Gingerbread, the Charity for Single-Parent Families Company number: 402748 Country of incorporation: United Kingdom Charity number: 230750 Country of registration: England and Wales Registered office and operational address: 82 Tanner Street, London SE1 3GN Email: info@gingerbread.org.uk Website: www.gingerbread.org.uk

Trustees

Trustees, who are also directors under company law, who served during the year and up to the date of this report were as follows:

As of 17 December 2025

Chair

Sarah Pinch, appointed 25 November 2024 Vice-chair Professor Phil Deans, appointed 30 October 2024 Treasurer Daniel Moore, appointed 11 September 2025 Trustees Benjamin Auty, appointed 17 April 2025 Harriette Douglas, appointed 6 December 2024 Ed Tait, appointed 6 December 2024

For the period of April 2024 to March 2025

Interim Chair from 13 December 2023 to 25 November 2024

Tom Madders, appointed 21 July 2021 to 4 March 2025 Interim Vice Chair from 13 December 2023 to 30 October 2024 Dr Jo Caseborne, appointed 21 July 2021 to 20 December 2024

Trustees

Diane Gault, appointed 29 April 2020 to 9 June 2025 Henry Gregg, appointed 21 July 2021 to 4 June 2025 Ema Howling, co-opted 27 October 2021 to 27 October 2024 Mariam Kemple-Hardy, appointed 21 July 2021 to 19 February 2025 Lucy Morgan, appointed 27 October 2021 to 13 June 2024 Sanaz Nowroozi, co-opted 27 October 2021 to 21 July 2025 Tayyaba Siddiqui, co-opted 27 October 2021 to 27 October 2024

3

Key management personnel

As of 17 December 2025

CEO

Abigail Wood, from 4 November 2025

Company Secretary

Ella Whalley, from December 2024 Vaila McClure, from September 2025

Head of Communications and External Affairs

For the period of April 2024 to March 2025

CEO and Company Secretary

Victoria Benson, from February 2019 to December 2024 CEO (Interim role)

Lisa Pearce, from February 2025 to September 2025

Head of Services (Role no longer exists)

Jo Hardy, from July 2019 to April 2025

Head of Income Generation (Role no longer exists)

Teresa Forgione, from January 2023 to November 2024 Annabel Arkless, from January 2025 to March 2025 (interim role)

Head of Policy and Campaigns (Role no longer exists)

Sarah Lambert, from October 2023 to September 2025

Head of Finance and Resources (Role no longer exists)

Cheryl Chan, from March 2024 to December 2024 Theresa Dokpesi, from December 2024 to May 2025 (interim role)

Head of Marketing and Communications (Role no longer exists)

Mark Gorman, from May 2022 to May 2024 (sabbatical leave September 2023 to May 2024) Vaila McClure, from September 2023 to May 2024 (acting up role)

Head of Communications and Engagement (Role no longer exists)

Vaila McClure, from June 2024 to September 2025

Bankers

Coutts & Co, St Martin’s Office, 440 Strand, London WC2R 0QS Lloyds Bank Burnley Branch, PO Box 1000, Andover BX1 1LT

Auditor

Albert Goodman, Goodwood House, Blackbrook Park Avenue, Taunton, Somerset TA1 2PX

4

Introduction from our Chair

In 1974, my divorced mum met a widowed man at a Gingerbread meeting. They married a year later and 50 years on I was honoured and humbled to be appointed Chair of this amazing charity. One that has given me an extraordinary dad, and in the last three years as I navigated my own painful divorce, a lot of amazing support and guidance.

Gingerbread is unique in England and Wales, and together with Phil Deans, our Vice-Chair, and Lisa Pearce, our interim CEO, we were determined to take the organisation through a transformation to ensure its survival, for every single-parent family who needs us now, or may need our help in the future.

It has not been easy, but we have made big and bold decisions, and I am extremely grateful for the support of our amazing staff team and my fellow board members. We now have a board with a diversity of skills and experience, thanks to a governance review supported by the Lloyds Banking Foundation, and we are now strong, agile and fit for the future.

I want to pay tribute to every trustee who has gone before us, thank you for the energy, time and dedication you gave to the organisation.

And finally, a huge thank you to our funders. New ones have come on board and seen the energy and drive of our plans and wanted to be part of it. And existing funders have stood by us and strengthened their commitment to us – and importantly to our single-parent families.

Sarah Pinch Gingerbread Chair December 2025

5

Executive summary

2024/25 has been a pivotal year of challenge, transition and purposeful change for Gingerbread. As the national charity for single-parent families, we’ve taken bold steps to reset our foundations, respond to growing need and prepare for a future that empowers single parents at scale.

Navigating a tough environment

The wider charity sector has experienced immense pressures this year with soaring costs, rising demand and increased competition for funding. Gingerbread felt these challenges directly, facing financial instability, limited capacity in our core services and urgent need for organisational renewal.

Leadership and strategic reset

In November 2024, we welcomed a new Chair and Vice Chair of Trustees, bringing governance experience and renewed energy to the organisation. This was followed by the arrival of a new Interim CEO in February 2025, who led a rapid programme of review, engagement and planning.

Together, they oversaw the development and launch of a refreshed strategy at the end of February 2025, designed to stabilise the organisation and redefine how we support single parents.

Our renewed strategic direction focuses on:

Helpline closure and service transformation

As part of this transition, we made the difficult but necessary decision to close the Gingerbread Helpline in March 2025. The service, while impactful historically, was no longer financially sustainable or fit for the scale of need. In its place, we are investing in:

Our strengthening foundations

Since February 2025 we have also taken vital steps to future-proof the organisation:

With gratitude to our funders

We are profoundly grateful to the funders, partners, and supporters who stood by us during this critical year. Your trust and flexibility enabled us to make bold decisions and invest in a more resilient, future-facing model. You have helped lay the foundations for impact that lasts.

6

Trustees’ report

Introduction

The Trustees present their report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025. Reference and administrative information set out on page 2 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the memorandum and articles of association, the requirements of a directors’ report as required under company law, and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: SORP applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102.

Gingerbread is the national charity working with single-parent families. We provide expert information and advice, facilitate peer-to-peer support and campaign for fair and equal treatment and opportunity for single-parent families.

Objects

The objects of the charity as stated in the Articles of Association are:

Our vision, mission and values

Vision

Our vision is of a world where all single parents and their children can thrive

Mission

We stand with and support single parents to overcome disadvantage, inequality and injustice

Values

We are brave, trustworthy, supportive and ambitious

7

Our impact: the numbers a) Improving the financial situation of single parents

Advice and information

Website

b) Improving the mental health and wellbeing of single parents

Gingerbread community

Wellbeing programme

Policy and campaigning

8

Public benefit

The Trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives and in planning its activities. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives that have been set.

Structure, governance and management

Gingerbread, The Charity For Single Parent Families is a company limited by guarantee (registered number 00402748) and a registered charity (number 230750).

Gingerbread’s governing document, the Articles of Association, was revised in 2013. The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall strategy and direction of the charity.

The Trustees delegate the day-to-day management of the organisation to a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), who was Victoria Benson followed by Lisa Pearce for the reporting period.

Board members give their time voluntarily and receive no remuneration. There are a maximum of 15 Trustees, including up to three co-opted trustees, recruited through an open process, informed by a skills and diversity audit. Trustees are appointed for a maximum of two threeyear terms. Trustees take part in an induction day to familiarise themselves with the activities and operations of the charity. They are also provided with a role description and guidance on their duties as trustees. The Trustees also appoint a safeguarding lead from among their number. The scheme of delegation details which powers the Board of Trustees retains and which powers are delegated to the CEO.

The charity is grateful for the contribution of the 60 volunteers who coordinated local friendship groups either singly or jointly through the year across England and Wales and support the charity in a number of other ways.

The charity benefits from the support of its President.

Renumeration

Gingerbread is committed to salaries that are fair, transparent, based on market rates within the sector and enable us to recruit and retain expert staff. Gingerbread salaries are benchmarked against charity sector salaries. Gingerbread is accredited by the Living Wage Foundation.

Risk management

The trustees have reviewed the principal risks faced by the charity as well as the controls, procedures and actions established to mitigate and manage those risks. Risks are reviewed regularly with input from managers across the organisation and are documented in a risk register which is reviewed by the Board of Trustees quarterly.

9

Fundraising activities

As required by the Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Act 2016, the trustees of Gingerbread provide the following statement regarding fundraising activities carried out during the financial year ending 31 March 2025.

Fundraising methods used

Gingerbread does not engage professional fundraisers or commercial participators. All fundraising activities were carried out directly by our staff and volunteers. Fundraising methods during the year ending 31 March 2025 included:

Our fundraising mix continues to lean heavily towards statutory and charitable trusts and foundations and we are pleased to continue to be supported by a number of significant charitable trusts and foundations (see page 12). We remain very grateful to Foundation CHANEL, The Linbury Trust and the Volant Charitable Trust for their continued funding and City Bridge Foundation, The Dulverton Trust and Garfield Weston Foundation for supporting us in 2024-25. We are also grateful to the people who undertake personal challenges to raise funds to support single-parent families and their children. We deeply appreciate all our individual donors who contributed so generously to the total amount raised.

Compliance with fundraising standards

Gingerbread is registered with the Fundraising Regulator and we continue to follow the Code of Fundraising Practice. All fundraising activities are conducted with integrity and in line with our internal fundraising policies, which reflect best practice guidance.

Monitoring of fundraising activities

As our fundraising activity is carried out directly by our staff, our board of trustees oversee and monitor all fundraising activities, ensuring we comply with relevant rules and regulations. Trustees receive regular reports on fundraising performance, and any concerns are reviewed and acted upon promptly.

Complaints about fundraising

We did not receive any complaints regarding our fundraising activities during the year.

Protecting the public from undue pressure

We do this by treating people fairly, respectfully and responsively. We explain our cause in a way that doesn’t mislead people. We make clear in all our communications that donations are voluntary so that donors do not feel pressured to give and always provide the choice to opt out of future fundraising contact.

10

Our grateful thanks to the following principal funders for 2024-25

Charitable trusts and foundations

Statutory, lottery funders and other grants

The National Lottery Community Fund - RC England Wide programme

We are immensely grateful to the many individuals who have supported our work throughout the year with donations of all sizes, fundraising activities and taking part in our challenge events.

11

Financial review

Introduction

During 2024/25, work has continued on the reengineering and diversifying of Gingerbread’s funding streams. The financial statements, including the notes to the accounts, have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard 102. As a charity, the accounts are also prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice.

The total income for the charity was £2,117,002 (2024: £2,508,058). The largest components of this came from funding for research and policy activities of £684,643 (2024: £959,098), for information and advice services of £667,677 (2024: £910,847) and donations and legacies of £610,457 (2024: £622,622). Total expenditure was £2,483,625 (2024: £2,165,929) which consisted of £2,109,807 on charitable activities and £373,818 on raising funds (2024: £299,674). Taking into account net gains on investments, this resulted in a total deficit of £345,888 (2024: surplus of £359,917).

Reserves policy

The reserves policy aims to ensure that the charity’s reserves are sufficient to provide continuity of service to our beneficiaries, investment capital and ongoing financial security. The trustees have adopted a policy that aims to have sufficient general funds set aside to cover three months’ close-down operating costs if needed.

At 31 March 2025, three months operating costs, following reductions to our cost base in 2024/25, was £290K. Of the total funds of £696,358 at the year end (2024: £1,042,246), general unrestricted funds amounted to £74,685 (2024: £271,441), leaving them £215,315 short of the requirement. Trustees note this shortfall and have prioritised action in the following financial year to address it through continued cost control and income diversification. Designated funds stood at £33,814 at the end of the year (2024: £39,358) and restricted funds accounted for £587,859 (2024: £731,447) of the balance at year end.

Going concern

The trustees have considered the charity’s financial position, with particular focus on the £197,756 reduction in general funds to £74,685 to 31st March 2025. Despite this decrease, the trustees are confident that Gingerbread remains a going concern as cash at bank of £648,226 means we retain healthy liquidity whilst reserves recover and, following a review of Gingerbread's cost reductions and financial plans, we expect this recovery to occur in the next financial year.

In this review the trustees assessed the reductions in the cost base made throughout and following the year ending 31st March 2025, and the reasonableness therefore of the projected surplus in future financial years. Further, we reviewed the cash flows underpinning this projected surplus to determine the level of risk to Gingerbread if income failed to deliver at projected levels. Our conclusion is that reductions to our workforce and the generous support of our donors have returned us to a position of financial stability and that our financial plans are sufficiently conservative that we will continue as a going concern, even in the eventuality that revenue isn't recognised at the level forecast.

Investment policy

The charity’s policy is to seek to maximise its investment income whilst not incurring a level of risk that is inconsistent with its charitable status. Given the decline in reserves in 24/25 we have divested of all holdings, with a minimal cash balance now deposited with our investment managers.

12

Statement of responsibilities of the trustees The trustees (who are also directors of Gingerbread for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees’ annual 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 which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company 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 charitable company hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

In so far as the trustees are aware:

The trustees annual report has been approved by the trustees on 17 December 2025.

Sarah Pinch Chair

Professor Phil Deans Vice-Chair

13

Independent auditor’s report

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Gingerbread, the Charity for Single Parent Families (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31 March 2025, which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, Balance Sheet, Statement of Cash Flows, 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 Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, 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:

have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

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 Auditor’s 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 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

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the ISAs (UK) require us to report to you where:

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Trustees’ 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.

14

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinion on other matter prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

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 Directors' Report included within the Trustees’ Report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities set out in the Trustees’ Report, 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.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

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 material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud are set out below.

15

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We assessed the susceptibility of the charitable company’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:

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.

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 auditor's report.

16

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, 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 members and 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 charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body and the charitable company’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Michelle Ferris BSc (Hons), FCA, DChA (Senior Statutory Auditor)

For and on behalf of Albert Goodman LLP, Statutory Auditor Goodwood House Blackbrook Park Avenue Taunton Somerset TA1 2PX

Date:

17

Charity accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

18

Gingerbread, the Charity for Single Parent Families

Statement of financial activities (incorporating an income and expenditure account)

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Unrestricted
Note
£
Income from:
2
610,457
3
1,066.07
4
7,625.00
5
1,500.00
Core Grant
6
140,000.00
7
6,599.87
-
767,247.76
7a
373,818.00
7a
613,495
-
2,970
-
990,283
20,735
-
(202,300)
Reconciliation of funds:
310,799
108,499
Total funds carried forward
Net income / (expenditure) for the year and
Net income / (expenditure) before net gains
/ (losses) on investments and transfers
(223,035)
Net gains / (losses) on investments
Transfers between Funds
Total funds brought forward
Total expenditure
Charitable activities
Research and policy activities
Information and advice services
Training, consultancy and projects
Research and policy activities
Information and advice services
Training, consultancy and projects
Raising funds
Other
Investments
Other
Total income
Expenditure on:
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities		 Unrestricted
Note
£
Income from:
2
610,457
3
1,066.07
4
7,625.00
5
1,500.00
Core Grant
6
140,000.00
7
6,599.87
-
767,247.76
7a
373,818.00
7a
613,495
-
2,970
-
990,283
20,735
-
(202,300)
Reconciliation of funds:
310,799
108,499
Total funds carried forward
Net income / (expenditure) for the year and
Net income / (expenditure) before net gains
/ (losses) on investments and transfers
(223,035)
Net gains / (losses) on investments
Transfers between Funds
Total funds brought forward
Total expenditure
Charitable activities
Research and policy activities
Information and advice services
Training, consultancy and projects
Research and policy activities
Information and advice services
Training, consultancy and projects
Raising funds
Other
Investments
Other
Total income
Expenditure on:
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities		 Restricted
£
-
666,611.30
-
683,143.10
-
-
-		 2025
Total
£
610,457
667,677
7,625
684,643
140,000
6,600
-
2,117,002
373,818
1,357,565
-
752,242
-
2,483,625
20,735
-
(345,888)
1,042,246
696,358
(366,623)		 Unrestricted
£
622,622
40
12,160
750
-
3,331
-		 Restricted
£
-
910,806
-
958,348
-
-
-		 2024
Total
£
622,622
910,847
12,160
959,098
-
3,331
-
767,247.76 1,349,754.00 638,904 1,869,155 2,508,058
373,818.00
613,495
-
2,970
-		 -
744,070
-
749,272
-		 299,674
489,355
17,027
152,392
-		 -
893,916
-
313,565
-		 299,674
1,383,271
17,027
465,957
-
990,283 1,493,342 958,448 1,207,481 2,165,929
20,735
-
(223,035)		 -
-
(143,588)		 17,789
12,168
(319,545)		 -
(12,168)
661,674		 17,789
-
342,129
(202,300)
310,799		 (143,588)
731,447		 (289,588)
600,387		 649,506
81,942		 359,917
682,329
108,499 587,859 310,799 731,447 1,042,246

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 20a to the financial statements.

Gingerbread, the Charity for Single Parent Families

Company no. 00402748

Balance sheet

As at 31 March 2025

Note
Fixed assets:
13
13
14
Current assets:
15
Liabilities:
16
18
20a
Total unrestricted funds
General funds
Total charity funds
Restricted income funds
Unrestricted income funds:
Designated funds
The funds of the charity:
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
Total net assets/ (liabilities)
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Net current assets
Investments
Cash at bank and in hand
Tangible assets
Debtors
Intangible assets		 £
215,315.98
648,226.49		 2025
£
10,341
33,814
2,805		 £
89,908
713,039		 2024
£
18,026
39,358
321,798
46,960
649,398		 379,182
663,064
863,542.47
(214,144.17)		 802,947
(139,883)
33,814
74,685		 39,358
271,441
- -
696,358 1,042,246
587,859
108,499		 731,447
310,799
696,358 1,042,246

Approved by the trustees on 12/12/2025 and signed on their behalf by

Sarah Pinch Phil Deans Chair Vice-Chair

Gingerbread, the Charity for Single Parent Families

Statement of cash flows

For the year ended 31 March 2025 For the year ended 31 March 2025 For the year ended 31 March 2025
Note
£
£
(345,888)
28,204.88
-
(20,735.97)
(6,599.87)
(125,408.46)
74,261.25
(396,165.94)
6,600
(947)
(14,029)
338,894
835
-
331,353
-
-
-
(64,813)
713,039
648,226
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash provided by / (used in) investing activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investment income
Purchase of fixed assets
Proceeds from sale of investments
Purchase of investments
Change in cash held in investment
Purchase of intangible assets
2025
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Net income / (expenditure)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges
Loss on dispoal of fixed assets
Net losses/ (gains) on investments
Investment income
(Increase) / decrease in debtors
Increase / (decrease) in creditors
Net cash provided (used in)/provided by operating activities
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash inflows from new borrowing
Net cash provided (used in) financing activities
Repayments of borrowings		 £
£
359,917
21,199
-
(17,789)
(3,331)
21,530
(27,463)
354,064
3,331
(13,274)
(12,168)
-
(1,433)
-
(23,544)
-
(117,763)
(117,763)
212,757
500,282
713,039
2024
(396,165.94) 354,064
331,353 (23,544)
(117,763)
-
-		 -
(117,763)
-
(64,813)
713,039		 212,757
500,282
648,226 713,039

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

1. Accounting policies

a) Statutory information

Gingerbread is a charitable company limited by guarantee and is incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office address is 82 Tanner Street, London, SE1 3GN

b) Basis of preparation

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) - (Charities SORP FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy or note. These accounts are amended, they replace the original accounts as filed with Companies House, they are the statutory accounts for the charitable company and are prepared as they were at the date of the original accounts.

c) Going concern

The trustees have considered the charity’s financial position, including the reduction in unrestricted reserves to £108,499 as at 31 March 2025. Despite this, the trustees are satisfied that the charity remains a going concern due to strengthened financial controls, secured funding, and positive cash flow forecasts through to December 2026. Accordingly, the financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.

d) Donations

Donations are recognised in the accounting period in which they are receivable.

e) Legacies

Entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: Gingerbread is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor(s) to the charity that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the charity has been notified of the executor’s intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the charity, or the charity is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is a treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.

f) Fundraising income

Fundraising income is shown gross of related expenditure.

g) Investment income

Investment income is included gross or at the amounts receivable plus the attributable tax credit.

h) Fees and sales

Fees for the supply of services and publications are recognised when earned. Income received in advance for services to be delivered in the following year is treated as deferred income and included in creditors. Deferred income in these financial statements is shown in Note 17.

i) Donated Services

On receipt, donated gifts, professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

j) Fund accounting

Restricted funds are subject to restrictions imposed by the donor or by the specific terms of the charity appeal. These are accounted for separately from unrestricted funds. Details of restricted funds are shown at Note 20. 'Unrestricted funds are those which are not subject to restrictions. Any surpluses are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the objectives of the charity. Designated funds form part of the unrestricted funds and represent amounts earmarked by the Trustees for particular purposes.

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

1. Accounting policies (continued)

k) Expenditure

Costs apportioned to activities include costs of staff time spent on each area of activity, costs directly incurred in order to deliver the activity, and support costs apportioned according to the ratio of staff time on the area of activity to total staff time.

l) Pension costs

The charity operates a group personal pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in independently administered funds. Payments in respect of current service contributions are charged in the accounts as they fall due.

m) Operating leases

Rentals payable under operating leases are charged to the income and expenditure account as incurred.

n) VAT

Expenditure is recorded net of VAT and any VAT not recovered from HM Revenue and Customs is recorded as irrecoverable VAT.

o) Fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets costing more than £500 are capitalised and depreciated over their useful lives and shown in the balance sheet at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided at the following rate: Computers and other equipment - 25% per annum, Furniture & Fittings - 25% per annum.

Intangible Fixed assets include development costs of the website. Amortisation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life. The amortisation rates are as follows:

Website - Straight line over 3 years

At the end of each reporting period, the residual values and useful lives of assets are reviewed and adjusted if necessary. In addition, if events or change in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable then the carrying values of tangible fixed assets are reviewed for impairment.

p) Liabilities

The accruals concept is applied. Liabilities are recognised as soon as a legal or constructive obligation arises. 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.

q) Tax status

The company is a registered charity and is not liable to Corporation Tax on its current activities.

r) Financial instruments

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 financial statements, 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.

With the exceptions of prepayments and deferred income all other debtor and creditor balances are considered to be basic financial instruments under FRS 102. See notes 15 and 16 for the debtor and creditor notes.

s) Cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar accounts.

t) Employee benefits

The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense.

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

u) Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement

In preparing financial statements it is necessary to make certain judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts recognised in the financial statements.

In the view of the Trustees in applying the accounting policies adopted, no judgements were required that have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements nor do any estimates made.

2 Income from donations and legacies

Income from donations and legacies
Communications
Donations
Information and advice services
Single parent helpline and advice line
The Volant Charitable Trust		 Unrestricted
£
400,000
210,457		 £
-
-
Restricted		 2025
Total
£
400,000
210,457		 2024
Total
£
300,000
322,622
610,457 - 610,457 622,622
Fees
£
1,066
-		 £
666,611
-
Grants		 2025
Total
£
667,677
-		 2024
Total
£
910,847
-
1,066 666,611 667,677 910,847

3 Information and advice services

Information and advice services income includes restricted grants of £666,611 (2024: £910,806)

4 Training, consultancy and projects

Single parent Employability Training
Single parent Community Learning		 Fees
£
7,625
-		 £
-
-
Grants		 2025
Total
£
7,625
-		 2024
Total
£
12,160
-
7,625 - 7,625 12,160

Training consultancy and projects income includes restricted grants of £Nil (2024: £Nil)

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

5 Research and policy activities

the year ended 31 March 2025
Research and policy activities
Research and policy Fees
£
1,500		 £
683,143
Grants		 2025
Total
£
684,643		 2024
Total
£
959,098
1,500 683,143 684,643 959,098

Research and policy income includes restricted grants of £683,143 (2024: £958,348)

6 Core Grant

Core Grant
Core Grant - The Linbury Trust Unrestricted
£
140,000		 £
-
Restricted		 2025
Total
£
140,000		 2024
Total
£
-
140,000 - 140,000 -

Core Grant includes restricted grants of £Nil (2024: £Nil)

7 Income from investments

Income from investments
Bank deposit and other interest
Dividend income		 Unrestricted
£
1,759
4,841		 £
-
-
Restricted		 2025
Total
£
1,759
4,841		 2024
Total
£
-
3,331
6,600 - 6,600 3,331

Total income from Government in the year was £228,012 (2024: £400,012)

Gingerbread, the Charity for Single Parent Families

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

7a Analysis of expenditure (Current year)

Staff costs (Note 9)
Direct costs
Management
Finance
Premises
IT
Trustee meetings
Legal Expeneses
Accountancy
Audit
Office administration costs
Depreciation
Irrecoverable VAT
Support costs
Governance costs
Total expenditure 2025
Total expenditure 2024		 Raising funds
£
241,785
37,500
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Charitable activities Charitable activities Charitable activities Governance
costs
£
90,519
-
32,227
-
-
-
-
11,312
3,000
17,228
-
-
-		 Support costs
£
190,241
-
2,822
2,869
94,981
86,176
-
-
-
-
60,612
28,205
-		 2025 Total
£
1,877,306
266,887
35,048
2,869
94,981
86,176
-
11,312
3,000
17,228
60,612
28,205
-		 2024 Total
£
1,609,522
221,200
24,060
6,305
86,090
105,892
92
-
-
17,315
74,254
21,199
-
Information
and advice
services
£
887,276
68,178
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Training
Consultancy
& Projects
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Research and
policy
£
467,485.42
161,209.64
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
279,285
74,484
20,049		 955,454
294,076
108,035		 -
-
-		 628,695
97,345
26,202		 154,286
-
(154,286)		 465,905
(465,905)
-		 2,483,625
-
-		 2,165,929
-
-
373,818 1,357,565 - 752,242 - - 2,483,625 2,165,929
299,674 1,383,272 17,027 465,957 - -

Gingerbread, the Charity for Single Parent Families

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

7b Analysis of expenditure (Prior year)

Staff costs (Note 9)
Direct costs
Management
Finance
Premises
IT
Trustee meetings
Audit
Office administration costs
Depreciation
Irrecoverable VAT
Support costs
Governance costs
Total expenditure 2024		 Raising funds
£
188,082
19,548
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Charitable activities Charitable activities Charitable activities Governance
costs
£
126,051
-
21,233
-
-
-
92
17,315
-
-
-		 Support costs
£
173,503
-
2,827
6,305
86,090
105,892
-
-
74,254
21,199
-		 2024 Total
£
1,609,522
221,200
24,060
6,305
86,090
105,892
92
17,315
74,254
21,199
-
2,165,929
-
-
-
-
2,165,929
Information
and advice
services
£
853,771
89,855
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Training
Consultancy
& Projects
£
9,489
2,638
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Research and
policy
£
258,627
109,160
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
207,630
68,163
23,881		 943,626
325,578
114,068		 12,126
3,629
1,272		 367,787
72,699
25,471		 164,691
-
(164,691)		 470,069
(470,069)
-
299,674 1,383,272 17,027 465,957 - -

Gingerbread, the Charity for Single Parent Families

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

8 Net income / (expenditure) for the year

This is stated after charging / (crediting):

Audit
Loss or profit on disposal of fixed assets
Interest payable
Operating lease rentals:
Property
Other
Auditor's remuneration (excluding VAT):
Under accrual from previous year
Other services
Salaries and wages
Analysis of staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses, and the cost of key management personnel
Staff costs were as follows:
Pension costs
Temporary staff
Staff recruitment
Redundancy and termination costs
National insurance contributions
Depreciation		 2025
£
28,205
-
-
67,458
-
14,840
-
-		 2024
£
21,199
-
-
58,281
-
14,700
-
-
110,503 94,180
2025
£
1,508,136
113,983
162,369
81,008
-
29,097		 2024
£
1,369,733
-
144,846
72,258
-
22,686
1,894,593 1,609,522

9 Analysis of staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses, and the cost of key management personnel Staff costs were as follows:

The following number of employees received employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs and employer's national insurance) during the year between:

during the year between:
2025 2024
No. No.
£60,000 - £69,999 3 5
£70,000 - £79,999 - -
£80,000 - £89,999 - -
£90,000 - £99,999 - -
£100,000 - £109,999 - -
£110,000 - £119,999 1 1

The total employee benefits (including pension contributions and employer's national insurance) of the key management personnel were £523,687 (2024: £431,834)

The charity trustees were neither paid nor received any other benefits from employment with the charity in the year (2024: £nil). No charity trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity (2024: £nil).

Trustees' expenses represents the payment or reimbursement of travel and subsistence costs totalling £nil (2024: £92.00) incurred by members relating to attendance at meetings of the trustees).

Gingerbread, the Charity for Single Parent Families

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

10 Staff numbers

The average number of employees (head count based on number of staff employed) during the year was 41.7 FTE (2024: 36.1 FTE).

Staff are split across the activities of the charitable company as follows (full time equivalent basis):
Raising funds
Information and advice services
Training, consultancy and projects
Support
Research and policy activities		 2025
No.
7.0
16.1
5.0
6.8
6.8		 2024
No.
5.1
21.5
2.0
2.7
4.8
41.7 36.1

11 Related party transactions

As at 31 March 2025, the charity was the sole Trustee of the John Bruce's Will Trust, a charity registered in the UK whose sole purpose is to hold and distribute monies to Gingerbread in 2014. All funds were transferred to Gingerbread from the Trust. Therefore it is now dormant. There are no donations from related parties which are outside the normal course of business and no restricted donations from related parties.

12 Taxation

The charitable company is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.

13 Tangible and intangible fixed assets

Tangible and intangible fixed assets
At the end of the year
At the end of the year
At the start of the year
At the start of the year
Charge for the year
At the end of the year
Net book value
Depreciation
Cost
At the start of the year
Additions in year		 Fixtures and
fittings
£
44,896
-		 Computer
equipment
£
145,661
947		 Total Fixed assets
£
190,557
947		 Website
development
£
51,126
14,029		 Total
intangible
£
51,126
14,029
44,896 146,609 191,504 65,155 65,155
44,896
-		 127,635
8,632		 172,531
8,632		 11,768
19,573		 11,768
19,573
44,896 136,267 181,163 31,340 31,340
- 10,341 10,341 33,814 33,814
- 18,026 18,026 39,358 39,358

All of the above assets are used for charitable purposes.

Gingerbread, the Charity for Single Parent Families

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

14 Listed investments

Listed investments
The listed investments were last valued on 31 March 2025 by Seven Investment Management (7IM).
Debtors
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
Cash
Investments comprise:
UK Common investment funds
Shares listed on the London Stock Exchange
Net gain / (loss) on change in fair value
Cash held by investment broker pending reinvestment
Fair value at the end of the year
Fair value at the start of the year
Additions at cost
Disposal proceeds
Dividends and fees		 2025
£
318,158
-
(338,893)
-
20,735		 2024
£
300,369
-
-
-
17,789
-
2,805		 318,158
3,640
2,805 321,798
2025
£
-
-
2,805		 2024
£
261,928
56,230
3,640
2,805 321,798
2025
£
-
6,120
209,196		 2024
£
19,001
274
70,633
215,316 89,908

15 Debtors

With the exception of listed investments, all of the charity’s financial instruments, both assets and liabilities, are measured at amortised cost.

16 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Taxation and social security
Accruals
Other creditors		 2025
£
37,666
42,433
124,399
9,646		 2024
£
52,539
44,417
32,554
10,374
214,144 139,883

Included within other creditors is £9,646 in respect of pension contributions outstanding at 31 March 2025 (2024: £10,327).

Gingerbread, the Charity for Single Parent Families

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

17 Deferred income

Deferred income comprises income received in the year ending 31st March 2025 that relates to the next financial year. There was no deferred income as at 31st March 2025.

18 Pension scheme

The charity operates a group personal pension scheme (Aegon). The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in independently administered funds. Payments in respect of current service contributions are charged in the accounts as they fall due. The amount owed to the pension scheme at 31 March 2025 was £9,646 and 32 employees were in the scheme.

19a Analysis of net assets between funds (current year)

Long term liabilities
Defined benefit pension asset / (liability)
Net assets at 31 March 2024
Tangible fixed assets
Analysis of net assets between funds (prior year)
Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Net assets
Long term liabilities
Defined benefit pension asset / (liability)
Net assets at 31 March 2025
Investments
Current Assets
Intangible fixed assets
Current liabilities
Intangible fixed assets		 General unrestricted
£
10,341
-
2,805
275,683
(214,144)
-
-		 Designated
£
-
33,814
-
-
-
-
-		 Restricted
£
-
-
-
587,859
-
-		 Total funds
£
10,341
33,814
2,805
863,542
(214,144)
-
-
74,685 33,814 587,859 696,358
General unrestricted
£
18,026
-
321,798
71,499
(139,883)
-		 Designated
£
-
39,358
-
-
-
-		 Restricted
£
-
-
-
731,447
-
-		 Total funds
£
18,026
39,358
321,798
802,947
(139,883)
-
271,441 39,358 731,447 1,042,246

19b Analysis of net assets between funds (prior year)

Gingerbread, the Charity for Single Parent Families

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

20a Movements in funds (current year)

Information and advice services
Big Lottery & Trusts Advice and Support
National Lottery Community Fund
City Bridge Trust
DfE Family Support Services
Dulverton Trust
Garfield Weston
Linbury
Research and policy activities
Fondation Chanel
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Joseph Rowntree Foundation Reform Trust
Lloyds Bank Foundation
Total restricted funds
Designated Funds
Website Development
General funds
Restricted funds:
Unrestricted funds:
Total funds
Total unrestricted funds		 At 1 April
2024
£
22,500
-
15,164
-
-
49,000
-
589,555
4,028
-
51,200		 Income & gains
£
241,099.00
-
77,500.00
228,012.00
50,000.00
-
70,000.00
600,000.00
49,676.10
5,080.00
28,387.00		 Expenditure &
losses
£
(254,394.55)
-
(92,663.51)
(228,012.00)
(50,000.00)
(49,000.00)
(70,000.00)
(651,818.38)
(47,164.66)
(5,080.00)
(45,209.30)		 Gains/losses
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Transfers
between
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 At 31 March 2025
£
9,204
-
-
-
-
-
537,737
6,540
-
34,378
731,447 1,349,754 (1,493,342) - - 587,859
39,358 - (19,573) - 14,029 33,814
271,441 767,248 (970,710) 20,735 (14,029) 74,685
310,799 767,248 (990,283) 20,735 - 108,499
1,042,246 2,117,002 (2,483,625) 20,735 - 696,358

The narrative to explain the purpose of each fund is given at the foot of the note below.

20b Movements in funds (prior year)

Movements in funds (prior year)
At 1 April Expenditure &
2023 Income & gains losses Gains/losses Transfers At 31 March 2024
£ £ £ £ £ £
Restricted funds:
Information and advice services
Big Lottery & Trusts Advice and Support 2,420 221,627 (201,547) - - 22,500
National Lottery Community Fund - 75,000 (75,000) - - -
City Bridge Trust 11,152 75,500 (71,489) - - 15,164
DfE Family Support Services - 228,012 (223,332) - (4,680) -
Garfield Weston 50,029 75,000 (76,029) - - 49,000
HMRC Advice and support - 172,000 (164,512) - (7,488) -
Linbury - 50,000 (50,000) - - -
Turn2Us 18,340 13,668 (32,008) - - -

Gingerbread, the Charity for Single Parent Families

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Research and policy activities
Fondation Chanel
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Lloyds Bank Foundation
Pears Foundation
Total restricted funds
Designated Funds
Website Development
General funds
Total funds
Total unrestricted funds
Unrestricted funds:		 -
-
-
-		 860,000
8,279
72,244
17,825		 (270,445)
(4,251)
(21,044)
(17,825)		 -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 589,555
4,028
51,200
-
81,942 1,869,155 (1,207,481) -
(12,168)		 731,447
38,958 - (11,768) -
12,168		 39,358
561,429 638,904 (946,681) 17,789
-		 271,441
600,387 638,904 (958,448) 17,789
12,168		 310,799
682,329 2,508,058 (2,165,929) 17,789
-		 1,042,246

20c. Purposes of restricted funds

Restricted funds are funds that have restrictions imposed by donors and can only be used for the particular purposes specified by the donors.

1) Information and Advice services

[B] DfE: Providing information and advice to single parents as part of the DfE's Family Support Services

2) Research and Policy activities

[M] Trust for London: Research into increased work conditionality for single parents with pre-school aged children in London

Gingerbread, the Charity for Single Parent Families

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

[P] Joseph Rowntree Foundation: Research into tackling single parent poverty after the Covid-19 crisis

[R] Joseph Rowntree Foundation: Policy transformation for child maintenance support system

3) Core Grant

[U] The Linbury Trust: To support ongoing work.

21 Operating lease commitments

The charity's total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases is as follows for each of the following periods.

Less than one year
One to five years		 2025
2024
£
£
-
63,753
-
127,506
-
191,259
Property		 2025
2024
£
£
-
63,753
-
127,506
-
191,259
Property		 Equipment
2025
2024
£
£
-
2,578
-
5,800
- 191,259 -
8,377

22 Capital commitments

There were no capital commitments at 31 March 2025.

23 Contingent assets or liabilities

There were no contingent assets or liabilities at 31 March 2025.

24 Legal status of the charity

The charity is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The liability of each member in the event of winding up is limited to £1.