# 2024-2025 Annual Report 

Supporting people with disabilities to develop and live the lives they choose. 




Aldingbourne Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 

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## **Contents** 

- 3 Reflections on 2024-25 

- 5 Trustees’ Report (Including Directors’ Report and Strategic Report) for the year ended 31 March 2025 

- 6 What the Aldingbourne Trust does 

- 7 Why & How 

- 9 Living by our values – some achievements 

- 10 Some Stats 

- 12 Community Enterprise 

- 22 Thank you 

- 24 Areas which didn’t go to plan 

- 24 Friends of Aldingbourne 

- 24 Friends of the Aldingbourne Trust: Supporting Our Community 

- 26 Trustees’ Report (Including Directors’ Report and Strategic Report) for the year ended 31 March 2025 

- 31 Independent Auditors’ Report to the members of the Aldingbourne Trust 

- 35 Statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2025 

- 37 Balance sheet as at 31 March 2025 

- 38 Statement of cash flows for the year ended 31 March 2025 

- 39 Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 



Aldingbourne Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 

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## **Reflections on 2022/23 – our Chair & Chief Exec** 

The Aldingbourne Trust was formed in 1978 to support people to have good lives, based on the experience of individuals and families and their determination to offer & support more opportunities and choice. At Aldingbourne our commitment to people living good lives is action focused, linked to what people tell us they value - involvement, connection and belonging. In this year’s report we outline our approach throughout 2024/25 and our thoughts on the future. 

The context we operate in remained volatile - more reports were published on the ongoing challenging environment for our economy and public services. 

## **Key Social Care Sector Reports (2024-2025)** 


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ADASS Reports (2024-2025)<br>• Councils facing record budget gaps: £564m (2024), £932m (2025)<br>• Prevention spending lowest in 4 years<br>• 94% say social care absorbing NHS pressures<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>



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VODG Report (Dec 2024)<br>• £266m shortfall due to inflation and NI hikes<br>• 1 in 3 providers may return contracts<br>• Calls for funding exemptions for disability charities<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>



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Hft & Care England: Sector Pulse Check 2024<br>• 3 in 10 providers closed services or returned contracts<br>• Agency spend up 48%, low pay harms retention<br>• Seeks pay parity with NHS and multi-year settlement<br>Parliamentary Reports<br>• Select Committee (May 2025): warns reform<br>is ‘doomed’ without cost data<br>• Focus: £32bn hidden cost of broken system<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


Adam Lent of the King’s Fund has written of the ‘crisis vice’. He describes this as a situation where ongoing socio- economic disruption pushes demand up, while the funding and workforce shrinks due to reductions in funding, building on Barnet Council’s ‘jaws of doom’ metaphor from 2011. We confirm demand is growing, and we are needing to find new ways to provide support to prevent long waiting lists. 

The need for social care reform is irrefutable. An author of previous proposals for reform, Sir Andrew Dilnot, urged members of Parliament’s Health and Social Care Select Committee in January 2025: 

_“I think it’s so blindingly – excuse my language – bleedin’ obvious that something should be done here that, in the end, in an intelligent, affluent, civilised society, we get this done.”_ 

## **CHALLENGES IN SOCIAL CARE** 



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RISING  PUBLIC SECTOR INFLATION<br>DEMAND FUNDING PRESSURES<br>INCREASED  MISALIGNMENT WITH  ANOTHER<br>COSTS OF  NHS STRATEGY COMMISSION<br>EMPLOYING  OVER 3 YEARS<br>STAFF<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


We saw ‘funding attrition’ continue, with some contracts not being uplifted at all in 2024 and not meeting increased employer & general cost of living inflation. The 1.2% rise in national employer contributions & reduction of the threshold to £5,000, alongside the 6.7% increase in the national living wage (which particularly impacts on differentials for more experienced/qualified colleagues) significantly increases workforce costs from April 2025. While our support workers in our support for living services are on the Real Living Wage or above, we were only able to provide a modest increase in salaries to colleagues. We have committed to review this as 2025 progresses. 



Aldingbourne Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 

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During the year some of the contracts we held with local authorities also ended and most were retendered. While we were pleased to be awarded the new contracts some of these were significantly reduced. Supported employment funding and outcomes were diminished – limiting the number of people who can benefit from this essential service. Our Low Intensity Management of Autism service is no longer funded from statutory sources, but we have had the benefit of a grant making trust seeing the value of this support and it is continuing. 

Our enterprises had a mixed year. MAKE continued to have good local support, with regular donations driving increased sales while developing the new cafe at the John Pounds Centre. 

The Country Centre welcomed over 80,000 visitors, but we did not achieve the growth we had anticipated. We noticed spending habits were subdued – something experienced across visitor attractions generally (down 6% across the industry). This was attributed to more people travelling overseas – driven by our unpredictable weather, reduced leisure spend and people staying at home to enjoy the Euros and the Olympics[1] . 

We therefore ended the year with a deficit. We are working hard to consolidate and build a more robust operating model – more of which later. 

Key achievements - with a sector under strain, we are proud that our key staff indicators have been maintained below national benchmarks for vacancy rates, turnover and sickness. We know our workforce is under pressure and we thank them for their continued creativity, commitment and dedication. 

We successfully completed our supported employment, prevention support and day opportunities contracts – exceeding targets and making a difference to more people. We very much enjoyed our consortium working with organisations across West Sussex and are valuing working with our new partners in Arun and Chichester. 

WorkAid excelled in increasing job opportunities for people. We are determined to continue to match as many people as possible to an employer that is right 

for them and we continue to develop and maintain strong connections with local businesses. The national picture on the disability employment rate remains stubbornly low (5.1%)[2] , despite so many people wanting to work. We are pleased to support a secondment to the DWP, for Rachel Benson (WorkAid Manager), and hope her expertise will feed into national policy to drive the employment rate up. 

We completed a final (11th) year as a lead provider managing the Government’s Workforce Development Fund. We have enjoyed supporting 213 small and large organisations across the country to access support for training 2,687 staff to complete vocational qualifications. The scheme has now moved over to an online portal. 

Reflecting on the year, we see evidence of the value of connecting. The range of activities we’ve undertaken across Aldingbourne emphasizes the importance of belonging, identity, reciprocity, resilience, shared meaning, purpose, growth, learning, health and happiness. 

Our thanks to trustees who have given us immeasurable support, acted as critical friends and always advocated for people we support. Emma Lochhead became our Chair from September, succeeding Frances Russell, extends her term as Vice Chair and became chair of our Finance and Risk Sub Committee. We would like to acknowledge the significant contribution of Dick Bunker and John Shippam, longstanding, active supporters of Aldingbourne. Thank you also to David Godsmark for leading the Finance Committee so ably. 

In January we celebrated our General Manager, Peter Stanley’s 25 years at Aldingbourne and wished him well in his retirement. Peter played a key role in overseeing essential areas of the Trust, developing the Country Centre and making the Quarry Building a reality. We have welcomed Alicia Gooderson, as our first Chief Operating Officer. Alicia’s experience with logistics and retail is reshaping our strategy. With a focus on networking, value, data informed planning and decision making, we will be making more use of our IT and ensuring people friendly systems are in place to support the work of our 

1 VAC2025 National Conference for Visitor Attractions 

> 2 NHS Digital’s Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework (data from May 2025), just **5.1%** of adults aged 18–64 with a learning disability known to social care in England are in paid employment 



Trustee’s Report (including Directors’ Report and Strategic Report) for the year ended 31 March 2025 

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teams across Aldingbourne. We would like to thank Vanesssa Baker for her unstinting support as our Executive Administrator, and for taking on the role of supporting the Board of Trustees. 

We have continued to work closely with West Sussex County Council, Portsmouth City Council, peer and national providers, to lobby and advocate for social care, some of this was loud – on the steps of County Hall and outside Parliament. 

Looking ahead, our board recognises that turbulence is the reality and we need to adapt in order to meet our mission and aims. We will continue to work within and across systems to understand and be part of opportunities which will arise through local government reorganization and the reshaping of the health and care system across Sussex and Portsmouth. Adam Lent of the King’s Fund suggests organisations approach this in the spirit of ‘with-ism’ rather than ‘to-ism’, which requires deep understanding, versatility and collaboration to meet people’s needs. This plays to the strengths of organisations like Aldingbourne – using our special assets (our creativity, connections, social enterprise approach, volunteers and corporate support). 

We will be part of an Individual Service Fund initiative later in 2025 – a great example of ‘withism’, which is based on sound principles, a strong national network and powerful mechanism to produce positive outcomes. 

We remain focused on solutions, opportunities and potential. We believe our approach of mixing enterprise with support continues the pioneering spirit of our founders and we will continue to walk in their footsteps to improve the lives of the people we support. 

**Emma Lochhead Sue Livett** Chair Chief Executive 

## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT AND STRATEGIC REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 

The trustees are pleased to present their annual directors’ report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ending 31st March 2025 which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a directors’ report and accounts for Companies Act purposes. 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with 

the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, 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). 



Trustee’s Report (including Directors’ Report and Strategic Report) for the year ended 31 March 2025 

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## **What the Aldingbourne Trust does** 

## **The Trust’s mission** 

To support people with disabilities to develop and live the lives they choose. 

## **Public Benefit** 

The trustees confirm that when reviewing the charitable company’s activities and devising future programmes, they have referred to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and complied with their duties under Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011. 

All our charitable activities are planned to ensure we deliver public benefit and we continue to place great emphasis on our charitable objects. In particular, 

the trustees consider that the Aldingbourne Trust makes a significant contribution to support services in West Sussex and the surrounding area and that our services are of public benefit to people living with disabilities and the wider local community. 

The activities undertaken in 2024-25 which contribute to our charitable aims are outlined in more detail within the ‘Activities and Impact’ section of this report. 


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**Activities & impact - our values and how we live them** 

‘Our Plan’ sets out why, what and how we work. Our aim is to support autistic people and people who have a learning disability to live the lives they choose, continuing the ambition of our founding families. 

We provide support which includes housing, employment, leisure, learning, training, getting out and about and living good lives. We work in West Sussex and Portsmouth. 



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## **Why & How** 

We believe in continual change & challenge. We know people, society, technology & attitudes change - sometimes this is out of our control, sometimes change is not as fast as we would like. Our approach is to keep pushing expectations, boundaries & beliefs. 

People who have a learning disability & autistic people regularly experience difficulties in having ordinary lives - being part of their community, friendships, health, housing, jobs, education is often restricted. We must learn from the lessons of segregating & excluding people from their communities & networks of support. 

## **Life Experiences** 

- **Delayed or poor access to healthcare** 

- **Lack of reasonable adjustments** 

- **Communication barriers** 

- **Inadequate care coordination** 

There have been many exposés & scandals which highlight the challenges experienced by people when they are isolated & ‘care/assessment/support just fail to deliver. The stats on life experiences are staggering. 

- **Social determinants of health** 

- **Discrimination and stigma** 

- **Higher prevalence of health conditions** 

## **Belonging** 

These metrics continue to show opportunities for good health & happiness need to be improved. The importance of local, ordinary connections cannot be underestimated. People who do not rely on paid support & have opportunities for ordinary lives are more likely to have **good lives** . 

Research shows the value of inclusive support & confirms the link between risk factors & isolation. 

## **Employment rate** 


for people with learning disabilities remains low. 

**5.1%** 

## **Sussex LeDeR Report** 

People with autism/a **60% 82%** learning disability in Sussex die, on average, **up to 27 years earlier than the general** General **population** . 

## **People’s Stories – the difference support makes** 

_“Clare lives in her own home with her partner Stephen. At the weekend Clare tripped and hurt her ankle, however she carried on with her regular routine and activities. When Clare came to the Country Centre on the Monday, we noted she seemed in discomfort and so checked her injury. We advised her family that we_ 

_felt she ought to go to hospital to be fully checked. We then supported her to do this, taking her along. At the hospital they discovered she had fractured a bone and needed to wear a fracture boot for 6 weeks. This may have gone unnoticed for some time, causing greater damage and discomfort.”_ 



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Work together, All aboard! – encourage, value, inclusion at every Make a positive Work sustainably, share info & support opportunity recognise we are difference at every each other opportunity interdependent 

Offer & create real life opportunities – be We will drive change Listen, then do curious, adventurous in social care, we will and enterprising, not break the law but discover individual Have fun will challenge it when needed creativity & flair 

The Aldingbourne Trust is a charity and is mindful of the requirement to operate for public benefit. We do this because people with learning disabilities/ autism are over-represented in studies which highlight health, education, housing, financial and social inequalities. Studies (ONS, Learning Disability Mortality Review) continued to show that the pandemic added to the challenges the people we work with encounter. To challenge and counteract inequality we focus our resources to build social value by discovering what is possible, available and good. We have 6 guiding themes – collaborating, efficiency, influencing, enterprising, innovating and proving. We encourage people to try new things, to make choices and to step out of their (and our) comfort zone when it feels right. 

Our support for living services are committed to enabling people to live ordinary lives. By this we mean having a job, living in ordinary homes, on ordinary streets, doing things that matter. 

We expect our staff to understand people’s individual needs and take the most appropriate approach for people to live good lives and do what is important to them. Living an ordinary life isn’t boring, it is up and down, it is rich with friends, family, neighbours, colleagues and things to do, community possibilities, with all the challenges and achievements which we all should have a chance to experience. 

We provide a range of support, ranging from dropin’s to intensive, 24 hour support. 



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## **Living by our values – some achievements** 

This is a year where we’ve seen so many people enjoying life and being up for trying new things. We’re so pleased to support talent, curiosity and get out of the way when we are not needed! 



Connected with **381 people** with their journey into work. 

We connected with **2,221 people** across our support services. 

## **People’s Stories – the difference support makes** 

_people who worked in different industries and working on confidence building by meeting at different venues. They applied for several factory type jobs and then for a Lab Technician role. Katie,his EC, helped with interview skills and practice and prepared him for his interview. Stewart was successful in getting the job and has been employed there for now for over two years._ 

_Stewart* started working with his WorkAid employment consultant, meeting regularly over the course of twelve weeks. He was anxious to begin with and was unsure how he could improve his life. First_ 


_His EC helped settle Stewart into his new job and built a good working partnership with his employer. Stewart also wanted to explore housing, and his EC explained about different ways of getting your own home. Stewart is now a homeowner and has a job he loves. He is enjoying life. He is financially independent and is pursuing a promotion at work, building on his confidence and work history._ 

_actions were getting to know each other, working on a CV and making an action plan. Stewart was working 12 hours per week in a cleaning job but was unfulfilled and highly anxious. He thought he wanted to work in retail and desperately wanted to move out of the family home. Once Katie had got to know him, they discussed his match for retail and time was invested in exploring options. This included meeting_ 

*name changed 



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## **Some Stats** 

## **People’s Stories – the difference support makes** 

_“We’re always looking at ways to attract and develop the best talent in our restaurants. The Nandocas [team members] we have welcomed via the Aldingbourne Trust have been fantastic additions to our team. They bring_ 

_enthusiasm, dedication, and energy, and that’s exactly what we need to continue delivering the great food and service we’re known for.”_ 

Dan Massey, General Manager at Nando’s **Bognor Regis** 




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We employ **285 staff** and supported **5 apprenticeships** . 

**Volunteer power** . Volunteers make an important and significant contribution to our activities. Their skills, enthusiasm and generosity bring priceless value and benefit to the people we support. 

Many volunteers have moved into permanent employment – we are proud to support this progression. 

Gig Buddies held **40** group social events, across 

**65** matched pairs of people who share an interest. 



Trustee’s Report (including Directors’ Report and Strategic Report) for the year ended 31 March 2025 

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Following a tendering exercise, we entered into a new collaboration with the Apuldram Centre and Ferring Country Centre to provide some continuity of prevention support in Arun and Chichester. 

## **We consistently exceeded the targets asked of us.** 

Our Workforce Development Fund partnership supported a total of 655 workplaces via the Aldingbourne Trust National Partnership, representing 213 employers across England. 

We successfully claimed & disbursed £1.5m of funding to support social care qualifications and learning programmes. 

**CBRE helping us on our new attraction, Cherry Tree Village.** 



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## **Community Enterprise** 


## Our wood recycling social enterprise collected the equivalent of **46 African forest elephants** of wood 

This recycled wood is used to make and sell items – ranging from memorial plaques, raised growing beds for gardeners, lamps, ornaments, furniture, props and items around the Country Centre site. 


- **Regular, local pop up shops** selling plants and our wood items. People we support run the shops and really enjoy all aspects of planning, organizing, meeting customers and raising funds. 

- Our café at the **John Pounds Centre** continued to extend our warmest welcome, the range of freshly prepared meals, cakes and snacks, with a great cup of coffee. We’ve increased our customers, and provide more training for people we support. We thank our regulars and everyone who is discovering this gem in the heart of Portsmouth. 

- Meanwhile, from their base in Fratton, **MAKE** , has served up a year where we supported wider Aldingbourne events, including the popular Bridge Day and Tapas evening in Chichester. Our MAKE enterprise connects to the heart of our community: with regular groups meeting at our venue – including the Mind Mens group, Sixty Million Trebles, Portsmouth Breastfeeding, the Hive hold network meetings, Positive Birth Movement and the Stitchers. 

- Our **Community** 

**Blooms** project included our ongoing work with Govia Thameslink, maintaining the plant displays at 20 stations, brightening the journey for thousands of commuters every day. 

- We also host a horse rug washing enterprise at the **Country Centre** , attracting more visitors and support. 

- Aldingbourne 


- manages the **longest bench in Britain in Littlehampton** . The 1,000 foot long bench delights thousands of visitors to the promenade every year. Made of wood and 

stainless steel, the bench flows, curving around lamp posts and obstacles, twisting up into the seafront shelters, and dropping down to paths and crossings. 

- We also maintain the memorial tree seat scheme in **Hotham Park** . 



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Trustee’s Report (including Directors’ Report and Strategic Report) for the year ended 31 March 2025 

## **Seasons Nursery** 

We are pleased to be able to continue to host **Season’s Nursery** , a forest school nursery for little minds who love the outdoors. 



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## **Spotlight on our Dynamite Team – powering Portsmouth people, policies and places** 

Our Dynamite team collaborate across the City, advocate for change, improve accessibility, and ensure young people’s voices design, develop and improve information and local services. This has been our busiest year so far, here are some highlights: 

**Completing our Young Inspections** – providing feedback on accessibility and services including local transport, the Hive, the Aspex Gallery, the Portsmouth library, Enable Ability’s Youth Project, B.H. Live in Southsea, hosted engaging meetings, and expanded our co-production initiatives. We held monthly meetings, organized social events, and helped to launch a brand-new Co-production Group tailored for young people over 25. It has been inspiring to witness this group grow, gain confidence, and contribute to meaningful change in Portsmouth. 

## **Co-producing** 

- Putting our easy read experience into use with the redesign of the CAMHS leaflet, Citizens Advice Scam Awareness materials, the Portsmouth SEND survey – these are now clearer, more inclusive, and accessible for all. Meeting with HealthWatch on additional information standards. 

- Workshopping with the Department for Education to shape future policies & initiatives. 

**Collaborating** directly with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Commissioning Service to address concerns about autism/ADHD assessment delays, ensuring that young people’s voices are heard, and their concerns are acted upon. Visiting schools and colleges to inspire people by sharing our experiences and sharing what is available to support people. 

**Portsmouth and proud** - joining with Motiv8 and the Mary Rose Museum for beach clean ups. 

**Increasing our awareness and understanding** of a range of topics, eg, how to vote, supporting neurodiversity, mental health, vocational profiles 


for job hunting, travel training, community advocacy, moving into housing and what support is available. 

**Speaking up** – at the Local Offer Live event. 

**Celebrating** our work with the Mary Rose Museum for the POP Goes the Mary Rose project and the Anchored in the Community event. 

We are looking forward to another year of progress and positive change! 




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## **Spotlight on Access all Areas** 

Our Access All Areas Committee have also been busy getting messages into local and national spaces, including across Aldingbourne. 

**Across Aldingbourne:** we’re working on how we continue to connect with Trustees, learning from other organisations and thinking through what will work for us. 

As a result of the Comms and Accessibility Policy we developed, all policies are subject to review through these principles. 

2024 saw the introduction of our newly established **Quality Checkers** - people with lived experience who are connected with us - go into our different projects to talk with the people we support within that area, as well as staff, and identify ways to improve not only what they are doing but also making sure that the people we support are at the heart of everything that takes place. The visits result in recommendations for development/improvement. 

• **Training and education** - Officer Katie continues to deliver onboarding to our new staff providing an insight into her journey with us, and introducing people to the principles and value of listening and empowering people. 

• As part of our commitment to co/delivering training, we launched a Communication workshop for all staff, focusing on enhancing interactions for better support and collaboration. 

**West Sussex:** Powerful Trainers are people with lived experience who are paid to deliver training and education workshops to external businesses and organisations on how to support their customers and fellow staff who may have learning disabilities/autism. This year they have continued their partnerships with three universities. 

Access all Areas officers are regular contributors at the West Sussex Learning Disability Partnership Board. 

the country. Good Lives focuses on 6 key areas: championing the **rights of people, reforming social** care so it meets their rights and provides **fair pay, effective health service provision, employment** opportunities and **housing** access. We’ve introduced the Good Lives manifesto to our local MP and asked her to support the movement. 

Building on this we have been working hard to express our frustration at the current funding and political landscape for social care. 

In January our Officers joined others from across the Aldingbourne Trust outside West Sussex County Council’s County Hall, standing alongside other providers to champion social care and highlight concerns for our future if extra funding is not realised. People we support were interviewed by the BBC/ITV - sharing their stories about why their social care is so important. 

The following month Access all Areas officers Katie Green and Andrew Pickthall joined the national Providers Unite rally in London, calling for urgent reform in social care. Alongside our CEO, Sue Livett, we stood in Westminster to make our voices heard – and the country took notice! 

The rally made headlines across the UK. Social care cannot wait. But this is just the beginning. The movement continues, and we will keep pushing for a system that values care and those who provide it. 

Katie ‘green carded’ her local MP, Jess BrownFuller, about all the great things social care has brought to her life and to so many others. 

2024 was a general election in England. We organised hustings with candidates, threw voting registration parties and sessions as part of the My Vote My Voice campaign, making sure people knew how to vote and what we were being promised. 

**Nationally:** we are proud to actively support the Good Lives movement, working with Learning Disability England and meeting people across 



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## **Katie Green Reflections on the year** 

_**“**[I have been involved in several areas ] of the Aldingbourne Trust. As a person who is supported by Outreach to live on my own, I have over time, become involved in various parts of the Trust, in different roles._ 

_Some of the roles, like being a student in Creative Arts at Creative spaces, and being supported by Outreach, are designed to build my skills and abilities, and provide me with an optimal quality of life. Other roles, such as a Creative Arts volunteer, Access All Areas representative, Powerful Trainer, and Recruitment Ambassador, are all great ways to share my skills, and nurture_ 


_others’ abilities, passing on a positive mindset and encouraging a willingness to make positive changes which can enrich their lives._ 

_Last year, as part of my Recruitment Ambassador Role, I attended many Onboarding sessions, meeting new staff from across the Trust. This gave me opportunities to inform and update new staff about co-productive approaches that we are using within and beyond the Trust, Inspiring the idea that everyone within the Trust can make a difference, whoever they are. Although sometimes I can be nervous, I love to greet the new staff members, hear a bit of their background, and their roles at the Trust. I enjoy sharing my journey from support through to giving back through the different roles that I have. Giving back enhances the spirit of community within the Trust and is a very rewarding experience._ 

_Access All Areas is the core that connects all parts of the Trust. Our belief in coproduction is a meaningful and practical approach to helping the Trust to reach as many people as we can. This approach empowers the people who are supported to help themselves, and to extend that help to others as well. This sustains the Trust and enables it to uphold the vision and continue to reach more people._ 

_In conclusion, I am very grateful for both the support that I have received and equally for the opportunities to give back. This has contributed to much of my personal growth and to the desire to commit my efforts to helping the Trust and its community._ _**„**_ 



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## **Story of the year** 

- Prevention support: **My Network** & **My Network Plus** services came to the end of the contract in June. This was the culmination of a successful collaboration, with Aldingbourne as a lead partner in our consortium with **Dimensions** , **Signposts** and **Worthing Mencap** . We are proud of our achievements in providing 145% of the target set by **West Sussex County Council** and the high satisfaction feedback from people we supported with all life issues, including health, housing, jobs, relationships, travel, finances. 

- We increased our own disability employment rate to **14.4%.** 

- **Community Garden** 

- • Making a difference in the at the **Bognor Regis Library** : 

_**“**[I don’t think it can be overstated ] the difference that you and your team of volunteers have made to the outside space at Bognor Library. I’ve had some amazing feedback from my team and customers alike, particularly this week with the new Hedgehog Hotel, and my personal favourite – the new information board about all the different kinds of bees in the UK. The difference has been night and day!_ _**„**_ 

**(Library Manager Albert Rogers)** 

- Our supported living projects have retained their **‘Good’** rating. 

- Our **Quality Checkers** talked to people we support and picked up on a range of things they would like to improve their lives, but had not mentioned to staff or supporters. As a result of the Quality Checkers, someone started swimming at a local pool, more info and updates were given on the **Jasmine Lodge** development, a tv aerial was fixed, extra time was arranged in our enterprises, a support plan was changed to take into account 

a fear of falling, one of our teams is working on their rota to accommodate preferences and has made some immediate changes. 

- As we approach the two-year anniversary of adopting our digital recording system, we’re seeing the significant and positive impact it has had across our supported living services. It is made it easier for staff to access and record vital information, leading to more efficient and consistent ways of working. It has streamlined processes such as auditing, making it quicker and simpler to track patterns in incidents, actual support provided, and where people change and flex their support. 

- A particularly valuable benefit has been the ability to provide accurate, real-time evidence to commissioning bodies, eg demonstrating an indvidual’s needs changing & their support plan being changed. 

- We also use our platform to track progress. The system has already collected rich data on progression across services, which managers & their teams can easily access. This enables them to identify **achievements** and **focus support** on the next appropriate steps. 

- Staff have received **Active Support** training, which ties into the use of our progression tracking tools. This encourages staff to work collaboratively with individuals to identify meaningful life aspirations and areas for skill development. We’ve already seen a shift in goal setting, moving from short-term, passive activities like holidays or day trips, to more practical, long-term goals that promote independence and personal ownership. 

- Our **Low Intensity Management of Autism (LIMA)** project continued through the generous support of a grant making Trust. The LIMA team supported **45 people** and has a waiting list. 

- We developed an educational programme and opened a children’s role play area – **Cherry Tree Village** , opening young minds to nature and rural activities. 



18 Trustee’s Report (including Directors’ Report and Strategic Report) for the year ended 31 March 2025 

- We have started a two year project with **MAKE** and **This New Ground** to capture the life stories of over 50 people with learning disabilities at the **Portsmouth Museum** . People are learning interview techniques, digital skills, peer to peer teaching and will be part of a cultural festival. 

- Our popular **Living Out Loud** club nights, hosted by people we support, continued, led by DJ’s and organisers who have lived experience of disabilities. 

- We were inspired by Channel 4’s **‘Kitchen Impossible’** series featuring **Michel Roux Jnr** taking a group of disabled people through to a 5 star experience. The director kindly allowed us to screen the series across Aldingbourne and it sparked a lot of interest. This resulted in **‘Food for Thought’** , a fine dining experience at the 

- Country Centre, supported by some of the stars of the series. 

_**“**[I woke yesterday still buzzing from ] the success! We both felt proud to have witnessed such joy and positivity - this is what social care should be._ _**„**_ 

## **Jackie Williscroft** 

- Our teams introduced some new activities this year, highlights from our Creative Spaces team include: 

- **Fortnightly signing space get togethers** 

- **A Book Club – winning Book Club of the Year from Beyond Words** 

- **A Create and Communicate group** 

- **Workshops promoting wellbeing and creative expression featuring music, mindfulness, therapy dogs and illustration.** 





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• There aren’t many people who would get up in front of **150,000 festival goers** but some of the people we support performed live on stage at the **2024 Victorious Festival** . 

_**“**[I know more people and have a good friend ]_ ~~_**[„]**_~~ 

## _It has given me a new outlook on life_ _**„ “**_ 

**(Gig Buddies)** 

• **50 people** we support got involved in the **Bognor Regis Carnival** , designing a float, costumes, and being part of the procession. We were thrilled to win the **‘most colourful’** category. In August we entered the Illuminate **Bognor Regis Parade** , dazzling people with our unique ideas and creativity – it was exciting 

to be awarded **1st place** in this parade too. More creativity flowed, and was exhibited in a ocean themed project featuring an octopus and fish, which formed part of a stunning experience at **Chichester Cathedral** . 



## **Carnival Day** 

**Creaive Spaces won the most colourful float at the Bognor Regis Carnival, bringing home the Eric Jack Memorial Cup.** 



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Connecting isn’t one of our explicit values, but is one of the stars of our show. The opportunities which open when we connect, when we have an open, inclusive approach, have shone through again this year. 


- **St Wilfrid’s Priory Rest Home, Arundel** – regular visits from people we support from the Aldingbourne Country Centre have provided gardening, craft activities and pop up shops. 

_**“**[the Home comes alive with life and ] laughter when we are there._ _**„**_ 

- **Walk Portsmouth** – Gig Buddies walked in each postcode from Jan to June to prepare for a fundraising walk of 15 miles of the Portsmouth coastline. The money raised paid for a Gig Buddy volunteer to teach music, which has led to forming a band – **‘Gig Baddies’** – who are preparing for their inaugural performance at the Apulstock Music Festival in July 2025. 

   - Our beautiful murals at the Bognor Regis library garden inspired the Shore Community Church to ask us to create a mural for their garden project, designed and painted by people we support. 

   - **Self-Directed Support network membership** – we meet up with colleagues from across the country and the globe to share good practice, promote personalized support and lobby for more. 

- **Over 1,500 people attended the 3rd ‘Let’s Get Talking about Suicide’ event** we led in Portsmouth, breaking down stigma, encouraging people to get support as early as possible. 64 local services supported the event, including creative, physical and addiction teams. 

   - **MAKE** renovated a nursery garden, alongside the Portsea’s Men’s Shed, and Top Tots Day Nursery, with a film crew capturing the progress. 

   - We have some great central venues and are pleased to support other charities and community groups. We have been running a donation station for **Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital** and a **Harvest Festival** collection for our local foodbank. 

- People we support have enjoyed a whole range of activities, many of which were new to them, due to connections. These include lawn tennis, swimming, Yin Tai Chi, dancing, cricket, football, yoga and miles of walking and hours of gardening. 

   - We’ve had guest speakers on so many topics people are interested in and wanted to meet – some are practical, like the energy advice session (how to save money!), some are life saving, (like the **Fire and Rescue service** ) and some build confidence and understanding of what support is available (police and community support officers) when we may need it. 

- **Health benefits were also in abundance at MAKE** - connecting with the Solent Stormers Running/Walking Club 3 people we supported completed the **10k Great South Run** , we cheered medal winners at the Winchester Paralympics, as well as learning and thriving in a revitalized allotment providing farm to table produce. 






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## **Thank you** 


Thank you to Jo Boxall and Robert Afford, for all your time with us. We miss you. 

People across the Aldingbourne Trust went beyond their usual tasks and roles to continue to provide direct and indirect support throughout the year. **We must thank all staff, volunteers, trustees and families for coming together to keep everything running and stepping in to other roles as needed.** We have continued to see acts of determination, passion, generosity, kindness and creativity and wish to thank you for always doing what was needed. 

**Congratulations** to our colleagues who were recognized for their contribution to our work and for some outstanding support during the year. Thank you to our first aiders, mental health first aiders, internal trainers and coaches. 

Thank you to our work experience students, including **Duke of Edinburgh students and student social workers** . 

A big thank you to our corporate volunteers and community connections during the year. Thank you to everyone who arranged/led events and supported us, some of whom have asked for no publicity. We would like to thank the _**Albert van den Bergh Charitable Trust, APB Charitable**_ 

_**Trust, Arun District Council, Aviva Foundation, Barratt Foundation Homes, Biffa, The Body Shop, Bognor Regis Town Council, British Science Week, BUPA, Capgemini, CBRE, Close Brothers, Green Chiltern Charitable Trust, DWP, The Eisner Foundation, Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust, ESurv, Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL), Fontwell Racecourse, The Goodwood Estate, Govia Thameslink Railway, Grundon Landfill, GTR Composites, Handelbanken Bank Chichester, Hobhouse Charitable Trust, HSBC, JCC Lighting, John Lewis, Lloyds Bank, Mercers, National Lottery, NFU Mutual, Patricia Routledge Charitable Trust, Persimmon Homes, Portsmouth City Council, Portsmouth Lottery, R;pple, Rolls Royce Motor Cars, Seaford College, Southern Water, Stannah Management Services, Stride & Sons, Tesco Stronger Starts, Thales Group, Trade Goods, Waitrose, Waterhaven Care Home, Wates Foundation, Wileys, Windruff Charitable Trust, Yapton Primary School, and to many individuals who have kindly donated, fundraised and taken part in events throughout the year including: Aaron Bell, Pat Wright and Stuart Floyd.**_ 

The generous inkind support we have received from our corporate supporters has included: painting our **Performing Arts Studio** , sand/water play area revamp, site tidying, including clearing/tidying up the yard in wood recycling, moving our events team cabins, clearing the maze, hedge clearing, making up the **Memorial Garden** for people we support, clearing our goat field/clearing animal shelters, painting fencing on the farm, painting **Cherry Tree Village** lodges, garden maintenance at **Jasmine Lodge** , outdoor benches painted, painting the fences at **Bognor Library Community Garden** , ground works at **Cherry Tree Village** , horticulure / making up new allotments, farm maintenance, orchard clearance, clearing out polytunnel for wood storage, clearing pond area, paddocks, Halloween, helping preparation in the **Woodland Walk** , helping in the café during the autumn and winter, wood support workshops, Craft-tastic/Wood workshops, clearing the brambles next to the pig styes, painted the **Shippham Building** . 

Thank you to **Peter Stanley** , for his significant contribution to the Aldingbourne Trust over 25 years – we wish him well in his retirement. 



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- Our **peer support groups** covering mental health first aid, menopause support, equality, diversity, and inclusion, and neurodiversity met throughout the year. These provide a safe and inclusive space for discussion/debate, peer support and signposting, and shapes our approach in these areas. 

- We have invested in supporting our **Sussex Integrated Care System** , with Sue networking as the VCSE workforce rep. Areas of focus during the year included the development of a new commissioning framework to encourage more thoughtful, effective commissioning across health and social care; working with NHS colleagues on wellbeing, employee support, student placements; widening training and development opportunities across Sussex. 

- We saw the **improvements in our L&D approach** being recognized in the 2024 staff survey, with 99% of respondents feeling they have the skills and knowledge to do their role. 

- Our **Recruitment Lead** managed to appoint new colleagues, resulting in a low vacancy rate throughout the year. 

- We have joined forces with other charities in Sussex, at a **strategic and operational level** , to 

share information and resources. We are enjoying our journey with AI and improving systems, learning together across our networks. 

## **Jasmine Lodge – We’re in!** 

Our collaboration with private landlords continued and we were thrilled to move to Jasmine Lodge, our new housing with support for 11 people. 




24 Trustee’s Report (including Directors’ Report and Strategic Report) for the year ended 31 March 2025 

## **Areas which didn’t go to plan** 

- The weather! At the Country Centre we saw the wettest spring in 38 years (32% above average), a “cool and unsettled” summer and a wet autumn. Our barn plans for more indoor facilities are still being developed.All outdoor visitor attractions saw a dip in numbers and this hit our bottom line. 

- We’re still holding out for the introduction of Individual service funds. Although 2024-25 went quiet on this front we’re picking this up again now and look forward to a pilot with West Sussex County Council getting started during the later part of 2025. We’ve remained connected with national colleagues to make sure we are ready to go, based on what works already. 

- We need to replace the kitchen at MAKE. Thanks to the generosity of donors, we are now able to get this done and have the best area for people to train and work in. 

- We had a break in at MAKE, where the whole safe was cut out and taken. The perpetrators were identified and have been dealt with by the courts. Our local community rallied around, helped fix the damage and our faith in human nature was more than restored when we had some generous donations to improve security. Our thanks to our team who attended when we became aware of the break in, our local police and community. 

- We also had a theft at the Country Centre, when a number of donated power tools were stolen. Our experience was highlighted on national and local media, as part of a wider piece on power tool theft. We were so grateful for all the offers of support and donations to help us restore our equipment. 

## **Friends of the Aldingbourne Trust: Supporting Our Community** 

The **Friends of the Aldingbourne Trust** are dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals supported by the Aldingbourne Trust through vital funding and community initiatives. Their support has helped us to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for people with learning disabilities and autism. 

Their support throughout the year included: 


- **Festive Celebrations:** for over 200 attendees, fostering joy and community spirit during the holiday season. 


- **Community Gardening:** garden equipment for the Bognor Regis Library Community Garden, which serves as a vibrant space enjoyed by over 30 volunteers who are supported by us, reaching 12,000 registered Library users. 

- **Our big picnic in Hotham Park:** people from across the Aldingbourne Trust enjoyed a summer party, with activities and refreshments funded by the Friends. 



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- **Staff Training:** Makaton sign language training to staff, enabling them to run workshops for 100 people throughout the year, enhancing communication and engagement. 


- **Bowling Trip:** Following the bowling outing, Christian, supported by the Aldingbourne Trust wrote: 

## _“Dear Friends of the Aldingbourne Trust,_ 

_I am writing this letter to thank you for paying for the bowling trip and the lunch out too._ 

_Due to a rough year on the farm this outing was something we looked forward to as it was good fun for the team.  Some of the highlights of the trip was I got 4 strikes and won both games in my team.  We enjoyed it as it was easy access meaning we could all join as a team even if some of us cheated and used the bumpers!_ 

_Working on the farm is a busy job so getting the chance to sit down and have lunch and enjoy each others company and banter was great fun._ 

_We just want to say a big thank you from the farm team and animals too!_ 

_From Christian and the Farm team”_ 

- **Autism Support:** Supporting access to specialized training courses that assist individuals with autism in gaining independence, building relationships, and securing employment. 

- Christa Jones, an autistic therapist and senior practice tutor delivered a deeply insightful talk on the journey to an autism diagnosis, the challenges faced along the way, and the importance of embracing autistic identity. With nearly 30 attendees, the session created a vibrant space for exploration, reflection, and connection. Participants shared their personal experiences, shedding light on the nuances of autism identity and its different aspects. Crista’s approach highlighted not just the hurdles but also the unique perspectives that come with being autistic. 

The discussion inspired attendees to rethink traditional narratives and embrace the diverse, empowering realities of autistic identity. 

_“A big thanks to the Friends of the Trust, whose generous support made this opportunity possible.”_ 


- Learning Disability England Conference: people we support and a member of staff were able to attend the conference in Manchester. Katie reported that: _“the co-production based presentations were a great message of progress. It is important for us to keep using our voices so that everyone can hear us and never forget us! We would like to say a big thank you to the Friends of Aldingbourne who made this opportunity possible.”_ 

The Friends of the Aldingbourne Trust remain committed to empowering individuals, fostering community engagement, and creating meaningful opportunities for those they serve. 



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## **Trustees’ Report (Including Directors’ Report and Strategic Report) for the year ended 31 March 2025** 

## **Safeguarding** 

Governance: The Charity Commission requires the Board of Trustees to take an active role in ensuring safeguarding policies and procedures are proportionate to the level of vulnerability of the main client group that the organisation works with. This means that Trustees of the Aldingboune Trust: 

- Are advised of serious safeguarding concerns. 

- Receive a written update of all safeguarding concerns that relate to the organisation as part of quarterly reports to the Board. 

- Receive an annual review of safeguarding issues that relate to the organisation. The review highlights main areas of concern, detailing the learning and actions taken to prevent further issues arising. 

- Take part in training appropriate to the responsibilities of a Trustee. 

- Approve changes to our safeguarding policy. 

For the Trust as a whole, staff are trained in best practice regarding prevention, recognition and reporting safeguarding concerns. This includes recruitment practices, understanding relevant law and policies. 

Quality audits continued throughout the year, observing working practices, checking support plans, risk assessments, safeguarding alerts, accidents and incidents and fire safety checks. 

public and our aim is to ensure that we do this in both a respectful and compelling way. 

- In all our fundraising, we work diligently to comply with the Fundraising Code of Practice and to champion the standards it promotes. 

- All fundraising is carried out with the oversight of the Board of Trustees and the Senior Management. 

- To date, we have not received any complaints about any of our fundraising. We do not contact people from cold lists, nor do we give or sell supporters’ details to anyone else. 

- Details of our fundraising campaigns are on our website and we actively encourage supporters to contact us with any feedback. It is vital that we communicate with our supporters in the manner they prefer and we are very keen to respect their privacy and preferences. We therefore maintain a detailed CRM system. To that end, we continuously check we never intrude on privacy and the vulnerable. We support measures that will improve public trust and support for the sector. 

- Where we use the services of professional fundraisers, we maintain written agreements for clarity of our operations. We only engage with professional fundraisers that subscribe to the Institute of Fundraising. We currently retain on a contract basis one fundraiser that works for the Charity two days per week to assist on grant applications. 

- We ensure that fundraising is done in compliance with the code of fundraising practice. 

## **Fundraising Standards** 

We abide by the guidelines of the Fundraising Regulator. In line with published guidelines, the Charity reports as follows: 

- Aldingbourne Trust always seeks to ensure that everyone supporting the charity understands how their money will be used to improve the life of people with learning disabilities and autism. 

- We raise a significant amount of money from the 

## **Equality, diversity and inclusion** 

The Aldingbourne Trust recognises it is essential to provide equality of opportunity to everyone, without discrimination. The Trust is committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity amongst our workforce and in providing goods and services. The Trust has a policy to promote equality of opportunity, ensure our workforce is representative 



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## **Trustees’ Report (Including Directors’ Report and contd. Strategic Report) for the year ended 31 March 2025** 

of all sections of society and promote good working practices with the people we support, other agencies and one another. 

Our recruitment and employment policies and practices adhere to the Equality Act 2010 and ACAS Codes of Practice, ensuring fairness, consistency, and transparency. At the Trust we believe a diverse workforce brings innovation, strength, and choice to the people we support. Our commitment to implementing reasonable adjustments and creating dedicated opportunities for those with a disability, has resulted in an increase in the number of staff we employ who have a disability (over 14% of our workforce) and nationally recognised by an increase in our Disability Confident accreditation. Selection for employment or promotion is purely based on aptitude and ability to fulfil the essential duties, responsibilities, and skills required for the role. 

All staff receive full equality and diversity training including on the nine protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010 and the prohibited conduct around discrimination, victimisation, and harassment. The Trust facilitates peer support groups on areas such as neurodiversity and mental health and wellbeing. Our Trust policies are drafted specifically to be gender neutral and inclusive of all personal characteristics. 

In relation to inclusion, the Trust disseminates information and seeks feedback through regular team and project meetings, site visits, bi-monthly staff association meetings, through our ‘All Staff’ channels on Microsoft Teams, and via the annual staff, volunteer, and people we support surveys. This feedback shapes the direction of the Trust. 

## **Risk management** 

The Trustees have reviewed the Trust’s Risk Register, identifying major risks to which the Trust and its stakeholders need to be aware of. Systems have been established to mitigate these risks. 

are undertaken by the Chief Operating Officer and Quality Manager. 

Internal risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation of all transactions and projects and specific procedures to the Trust’s activities, including ongoing appropriate training for staff throughout the Trust. These procedures are reviewed periodically to ensure they continue to meet the needs of the Trust. 

## **Reserves Policy** 

The principal sources of funding for the Trust’s activities are ultimately sourced from the government (either via the County Council for training and care services or the District Council for the provision of residential accommodation). However, the Trustees note ongoing changes to central and local government strategy, priorities and funding which will affect future contract tenders. While they consider it unlikely that funding would cease without adequate notice to allow the Trust to cut costs and dispose of assets in the areas affected, it has been decided that reserves should be increased, over the medium term, to three months of running costs (currently approximately £1.7M). This is in addition to the working capital requirements of the Trust. Free reserves (net current assets and investments) stand at £2,423,657. 

## **Plans for the future** 

In order to make the Trust more financially secure the Trustees are continuing to develop the visitor attraction at the Aldingbourne Country Centre so that as well as providing work and training for the people we support it will make a surplus that will be used to further the Trust’s aims. 

External experts are used to advise on health and safety across the Trust, due to the scope of our activities. This supplemented ongoing audits which 



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## **Trustees’ Report (Including Directors’ Report and contd. Strategic Report) for the year ended 31 March 2025** 

## **Trust details** 

## **Trustees** 

Registered Charity Number: 276484 Company Number: 01385053 

Registered & Principal Office: Aldingbourne Trust, Blackmill Lane, Norton, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0JP Website: www.aldingbournetrust.org Telephone: 01243 544607 

## **Structure, governance and management** 

Charitable Company Limited by guarantee. The governing document of the Trust is the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the charitable company. 

## **Patron** 

The Duke of Richmond. 

The Trustees during the year ended 31 March 2025, who were also directors of the Aldingbourne Trust, were as follows: 

Mr A M Bath Mr R D C Bunker Resigned 7th July 2024 Mr J Dixon Mr D J Godsmark Mr J D Hilditch Mrs P C James Ms E Lochhead Chair Mr J Pitts Mr N D Rowe Ms F Russell Vice Chair Resigned as Chairperson 2nd September 2024 Mr J H S Shippam, JP DL Resigned 20th June 2024 Mrs R D Tout Mrs J Williscroft 

Trustees are appointed following informal visits and as observers on the Board, subject to a vote by the Board. The Trustees meet four times a year to consider the activities of the Trust and its objectives and ensure the Trust works within the aims and objectives of its Articles of Association. Trustees also participate in training and subgroups of the Board. 

The Chief Executive of the Aldingbourne Trust, Sue Livett, works closely with the Board of Trustees and has responsibility for ensuring the Trust’s objectives are implemented. During the year trustees and managers spend time working alongside and visiting the Trust’s projects. Two trustees meet with people supported by the Trust throughout the year to discuss areas of interest and to obtain feedback. These meetings are well attended and discussions are reported directly to the Board. 

In accordance with the Articles of Association, Mr J Dixon, Mr D Hilditch, Mr N Rowe and Ms P James, retire by rotation and have offered themselves for re-election. 



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## **Trustees’ Report (Including Directors’ Report and contd. Strategic Report) for the year ended 31 March 2025** 

## **Professional Advisors** 

Investment advisors: TrinityBridge (Previously Close Brothers Asset Management) 2 Chapel Street Chichester West Sussex PO19 1BU 

Principal bankers: 

Lloyds plc 10 East Street Chichester West Sussex PO19 1HJ 

Solicitors: 

Irwin Mitchell Thomas Eggar House Friary Lane Chichester West Sussex PO19 1UF 

## **Statement of trustees’ responsibilities** 

The trustees, who are also the directors of The Aldingbourne Trust for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted 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 financial year. 

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to: 

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; 

Auditors: Sumer Audit Piper House 4 Dukes Court Bognor Road Chichester West Sussex PO19 8FX 

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements, and 

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation. 

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 and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 



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## **Trustees’ Report (Including Directors’ Report and contd. Strategic Report) for the year ended 31 March 2025** 

## **Disclosure of information to auditor** 

Each of the trustees has confirmed that there is no information of which they are aware which is relevant to the audit, but of which the auditor is unaware. They have further confirmed that they have taken appropriate steps to identify such relevant information and to establish that the auditor is aware of such information. 

## **Auditors** 

The auditors Sumer Audit offer themselves for re-election at the Annual General Meeting. 

The trustees’ report, including the strategic report, was approved by the Board of Trustees. 

Signed on behalf of the Trustees 

## **Review of transactions and financial position** 

The deficit for the year was £192,732 (2024- surplus of £72,949). Total reserves stood at £8,872,022 (2024- £9,137,703), with free reserves of £2,423,657 (2024- £2,600,074). 

____________________________________________ 

Date_________________ 

## **Ms E. Lochhead (Chair)** 

The charitable company continued to successfully operate the Trust’s various activities, and to raise sufficient funds to enable it to carry forward its work at the level of activity anticipated by the Trustees. All investments held by the Trust were acquired in accordance with the powers available to the Trustees and are managed by qualified external advisers who follow an agreed investment policy and risk profile. Financial performance and liquidity is monitored by comparing actual results with the phased annual budget and cashflow forecast. Credit risk on amounts owed in respect of incoming resources is low. 

Registered office: 

Aldingbourne Trust Blackmill Lane Norton, Chichester West Sussex PO18 0JP 

At 31 March 2025, and at the time of writing, the charitable company’s financial position was satisfactory. 

## **Assets on hand at 31 March 2025** 

The charitable company’s assets are held by each fund to enable it to continue with its established activities and to respond to any need which might be identified in the future and are considered to be adequate to meet all foreseen obligations. 



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## **Independent Auditors’ Report to the members of the Aldingbourne Trust** 

## **Opinion** 

We have audited the financial statements of The Aldingbourne Trust (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and the 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: 

- give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company’s affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, for the year then ended; 

- have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and 

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

## **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 accounts 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 preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. 

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from the date when the financial statements are authorised for issue. 

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report. 

## **Other information** 

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. 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. 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. 



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## **Independent Auditors’ Report to the members contd. of the Aldingbourne Trust** 

## **Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006** 

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

- the information given in the Trustees’ Report, which includes the directors’ report and the strategic report prepared for the purposes of company law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and 

- the directors’ report and the strategic report included within the trustees’ report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements. 

## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception** 

In the light of the 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 or the strategic report included within the trustees’ report. 

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

- adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or 

- the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or 

- certain disclosures of trustees’ remuneration specified by law are not made: or 

- we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit 

## **Responsibilities of trustees** 

As explained more fully in the statements of trustees’ responsibilities, the trustees, who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purpose 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 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 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 of 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 aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: http:// www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report. 



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## **Independent Auditors’ Report to the members contd. of the Aldingbourne Trust** 

## **Identification and assessment of irregularities including fraud** 

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below. 

In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and noncompliance with laws and regulations, our procedures included the following: 

- Obtaining an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that the charity operates in, focusing on those laws and regulations that had a direct effect on the financial statements and operations; 

- Obtaining an understanding of the charity’s policies and procedures on fraud risks, including knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud; 

- Discussing among the engagement team how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud through our knowledge and understanding of the company and our sector-specific experience. 

In addition to the above, our procedures to respond to risks identified included the following: 

- Making enquiries of management about any known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations and fraud; 

- Reviewing minutes of meetings of the board and senior management. 

- Reading correspondence with regulators 

- Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in their significant accounting estimates; and 

- Auditing the risk of management override of controls, including through testing journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness. 

Due to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that some material misstatements in the financial statements may not be detected, even though the audit is properly planned and performed in accordance with the ISAs (UK). For instance, the further removed noncompliance is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely the auditor is to become aware of it or to recognise the non-compliance. 

As a result of these procedures, we considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the association for fraud. We are also required to perform specific procedures to respond to the risk of management override. As a result of performing the above, we identified the following areas as those most likely to have an impact on the financial statements: health & safety and employment law, as well as compliance with the UK Companies and Charities Acts. 



Aldingbourne Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 

34 

## **Independent Auditors’ Report to the members contd. of the Aldingbourne Trust** 

## **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 those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors’ report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. 

## **Mr. Jordan Abbott BSc ACA (Senior Statutory Auditor)** 

## **For and on behalf of Sumer Audit** 

Piper House 4 Dukes Court Bognor Road Chichester West Sussex PO19 8FX 

## **Chartered Accountants** 

## **Statutory Auditor** 

Date 01/12/2025 

**Sumer Audit is the trading name of Sumer Auditco Limited** 

## **Note** 

_The maintenance and integrity of the Aldingbourne Trust website is the responsibility of the trustees; the work carried out by the auditors does not involve consideration of these matters and, accordingly, the auditors accept no responsibility for any changes that may have occurred to the financial statements since they were initially presented on the website._ 

_Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions._ 



Aldingbourne Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 

35 

## **Statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2025** 

|**Note**<br>**INCOME**<br>_Donations and legacies_<br>Donations and grants<br>2<br>_Charitable Activities:_<br>Government and other funding for training<br>services<br>3<br>Rents for residential accommodation<br>Government funding for residential care<br>4<br>Workforce Development funding<br>22<br>Sale of produce and services<br>_Investments_<br>Investment income<br>5<br>**TOTAL**<br>**EXPENDITURE ON:**<br>_Raising funds_<br>Negotiation of government funding<br>6<br>Fundraising trading: other costs<br>6<br>Investment management fees<br>6<br>_Charitable activities_<br>Training services<br>7a<br>Residential accommodation<br>7b<br>Care services in residential accommodation<br>7c<br>Workforce Development costs<br>7d<br>Direct costs of produce and services<br>7d<br>_Other_<br>Management and administration<br>7e<br>**TOTAL**|**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds 2025**<br>**£**<br>251,041<br>1,575,595<br>2,072,505<br>3,156,266<br>-<br>1,348,804|**Restricted**<br>**Funds 2025**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>813,715<br>-|**Total Funds**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>251,041<br>1,575,595<br>2,072,505<br>3,156,266<br>813,715<br>1,348,804|**Total Funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>243,502<br>1,840,648<br>1,844,287<br>3,194,551<br>708,900<br>1,257,550|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||154,390|-|154,390|106,779|
||**8,558,601**|**813,715**|**9,372,316**|**9,196,217**|
||||||
||60,000<br>40,271<br>4,634<br>2,804,194<br>1,391,513<br>3,773,741<br>-<br>347,021|-<br>-<br>-<br>14,400<br>-<br>-<br>813,715<br>-|60,000<br>40,271<br>4,634<br>2,818,594<br>1,391,513<br>3,773,741<br>813,715<br>347,021|58,000<br>25,641<br>1,534<br>2,639,361<br>1,282,815<br>3,777,360<br>708,900<br>368,051|
||302,340|-|302,340|280,270|
||**8,723,714**|**828,115**|**9,551,829**|**9,141,932**|
||||||





Aldingbourne Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 

36 

## **Statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2025 contd.** 

|**Note**<br>**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**<br>Transfers between funds<br>10<br>_Other recognised gains/(losses)_<br>Realised gains/(losses) on investments<br>Gains/(Losses) on revaluation of investments<br>**NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**<br>**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS:**<br>Total funds brought forward<br>**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**<br>22|**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds 2025**<br>**£**<br>**(165,112)**<br>74|**Restricted**<br>**Funds 2025**<br>**£**<br>**(14,400)**<br>(74)|**Total Funds**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>**(179,512)**<br>-|**Total Funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**54,285**<br>-|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**(165,038)**<br>10,335<br>(23,554)|**(14,474)**<br>-<br>-|**(179,512)**<br>10,335<br>(23,554)|**54,285**<br>(903)<br>19,567|
||**(178,258)**<br>8,967,448|**(14,474)**<br>170,255|**(192,732)**<br>9,137,703|**72,949**<br>9,064,754|
||**8,789,190**|**155,781**|**8,944,971**|**9,137,703**|
||||||



The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. 

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities. 

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006. 



Aldingbourne Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 

37 

## **BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2025** 

|**Note**<br>**FIXED ASSETS**<br>Tangible assets<br>13<br>Investments<br>14<br>**CURRENT ASSETS**<br>Stocks<br>16<br>Debtors<br>17<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>**CREDITORS**-  amounts falling due<br>within one year<br>18<br>**NET CURRENT ASSETS**<br>**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES**<br>**CREDITORS**-  amounts falling after<br>more than one year<br>19<br>**NET ASSETS**<br>22<br>**UNRESTRICTED FUNDS**<br>General funds<br>Designated funds<br>**RESTRICTED FUNDS**<br>TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS<br>22|**£**<br>44,068<br>776,907<br>1,587,400|**2025**<br>**£**<br>6,560,906<br>545,905|<br>**£**<br>42,175<br>843,125<br>1,930,031|**2024**<br>**£**<br>6,583,478<br>527,098|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**7,106,812**<br>**1,877,752**||**7,110,576**<br>**2,087,376**|
||2,408,375<br>(530,623)||2,815,331<br>(727,955)||
||8,714,190<br>75,000||8,892,448<br>75,000||
|||**8,984,563**<br>(39,592)||**9,197,952**<br>(60,249)|
|||8,944,971||9,137,703|
|||**8,789,190**<br>**155,781**||**8,967,448**<br>**170,255**|
||||||
|||8,944,971||9,137,703|



The financial statements were approved by the trustees on …………………….. 

………………………………… 

…………………………………. 

Ms E Lochhead **Trustee** 

Ms F Russell **Trustee** 

Company Registration No. 01385053 



Aldingbourne Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 

38 

## **STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 

|**Note**<br>**CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITES**<br>**26**<br>**INVESTING ACTIVITIES**<br>Dividends<br>Interest income<br>Rents received<br>Purchase of fxed asset investments<br>Proceeds on disposal of fxed asset investments<br>Purchase of tangible fxed assets<br>**NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES**<br>**FINANCING ACTIVITES**<br>Payment of obligations under fnance leases<br>Net increase (decrease) in cash<br>and cash equivalents in the year<br>Cash and cash equivalents<br>at the beginning of the year<br>**Total cash and cash equivalents**<br>**at the end of the year**|**2025**<br>**£**<br>**(288,853)**|**2024**<br>**£**<br>**(21,489)**|
|---|---|---|
||7,977<br>79,857<br>66,556<br>(173,892)<br>168,305|3,372<br>43,967<br>59,440<br>(504,713)<br>256,968|
||(181,924)|(53,715)|
||**(33,121)**|**(194,681**|
||||
||||
||(20,657)|(22,648)|
||**(20,657)**|**(22,648)**|
||**(342,631)**|**(238,818)**|
||1,930,031|2,168,849|
||**1,587,400**|**1,930,031**|
||||





Aldingbourne Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 

39 

## **NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 

## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES** 

## **Charity information** 

The Aldingbourne Trust is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Aldingbourne Trust, Blackmill Lane, Norton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0JP. 

- The charity has entitlement to the funds; 

- Any performance conditions attached to the income have been met or are fully within the control of the charity; 

- There is sufficient certainty that receipt of the income is considered probable; and 

- The amount can be measured reliably. 

## **(a) Accounting convention** 

For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of: 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity’s governing document, the Companies Act 2006 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 financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £. 

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of fixed asset investments at fair value. The principal accounting policies are set out below. 

## **(b) Going concern** 

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. 

## **(c) Charitable funds** 

- Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. 

- Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the Management Committee for particular purposes. 

- Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal. 

## **(d) Income** 

Items of income are recognised and included in the accounts when all of the following criteria are met: 

- The date on which the charity is aware that probate has been granted; 

- The estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor(s) to the Trust that a distribution will be made; or 

- When 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 treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material. 

Income received in advance of any service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met. 

Investment income is included when receivable. 

## **(e) Expenditure** 

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates: 

- Cost of generating funds comprises the costs associated with attracting voluntary income and the costs of trading. 

- Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them, including a share of the governance costs which include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and includes the audit fees. 



Aldingbourne Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 

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## **NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 contd.** 

## **(e) Expenditure (continued)** 

- Management and administration costs include those costs linked to the strategic management of the charity. 

- All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the SoFA on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resources. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly, others are apportioned on an appropriate basis set out in note 7. 

## **(j) Debtors** 

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount. 

## **(k) Cash and cash equivalents** 

Cash and cash equivalents are basis financial assets and include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities. 

## **(f) Fixed assets – Tangible Assets** 

Fixed assets (excluding investments) are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Minor additions costing below £1000 are not capitalised. Depreciation is provided at annual rates calculated to write off the cost of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows: 

Buildings 1% to 2.5% straight line or estimated useful life, if shorter Glasshouses 15% reducing balance Furniture, fixtures and equipment 15% reducing balance Plant and equipment 17.5% reducing balance or straight line for assets with a fixed life Motor vehicles 25% reducing balance or 8 years straight line 

## **(g) Impairment of fixed assets** 

At each reporting end date, the charitable company reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). 

## **(h) Fixed asset investments** 

Investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding costs and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred. 

## **(i) Stocks** 

Raw materials, consumables and growing crops are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. 

## **(l) Creditors and provisions** 

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. 

## **(m) Financial instruments** 

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments. 

Financial instruments are recognised in the charitable company’s balance sheet when the charitable company becomes party to the contractual provision 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. 

## _**Basic financial assets**_ 

Basic financial assets, which include 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 creditors 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. 



Aldingbourne Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 

41 

## **NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 contd.** 

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method. 

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. 

## _**Derecognition of financial liabilities**_ 

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled. 

## **(n) Leases** 

Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessees. All other leases are classified as operating leases. 

pension. Employee and Trust contributions for the year under review are 4% and 3% respectively. 

## **(q) Critical accounting estimates and judgements** 

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates. 

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods. 

Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets at the lower of the assets fair value at the date of inception and the present value of the minimum lease payments. The related liability is included in the balance sheet as a finance lease obligation. Lease payments are treated as consisting of capital and interest elements. The interest is charged to net income/(expenditure) for the year so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability. 

Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged as an expense on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease. 

## **(o) Employee benefits** 

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received. Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits. 

## **(p) Retirement benefits** 

The Aldingbourne Trust stakeholder defined contribution pension scheme was closed to new entrants on 31 December 2013. Employees in this scheme make a net contribution of at least 3% and the Trust makes a contribution of 7% gross. A workplace defined contribution pension scheme was started on 1st April 2014 and all staff not in the stakeholder scheme who earn over the threshold are auto enrolled in a workplace 



Aldingbourne Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 

42 

## **NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 contd.** 

## **2. INCOME FROM DONATIONS AND GRANTS** 

Donations and grants received during the year were as follows: 

|**2025**<br>**£**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>The Henry Smith Charity<br>-<br>10,000<br>Aviva Foundation<br>-<br>33,000<br>Hive Dynamite<br>24,000<br>28,367<br>Selsey Golf Club<br>-<br>12,134<br>LDA Employment Support Service<br>-<br>81,667<br>Rolls Royce<br>6,485<br>-<br>Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust<br>21,675<br>-<br>National Lottery Community Fund<br>17,500<br>-<br>John Coates Charitable Trust<br>10,000<br>-<br>South Downs National Park Authority<br>22,751<br>-<br>Educational Skills Funding Agency<br>29,829<br>Individual grants not exceeding £5,000<br>9,889<br>7,783<br>Individual donations not exceeding £75,000<br>108,912<br>70,551<br>**251,041**<br>**243,502**<br>**INCOME FROM ACTIVITIES TO FURTHER THE CHARITY’S OBJECTIVES - TRAINING SERVICES**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>From Local Authorities for training services<br>1,575,595<br>-<br>1,575,595<br>1826248<br>Other funding for training services<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>14400<br>**Total raising funds**<br>**1,575,595**<br>**-**<br>**1,575,595**<br>**1,840,648**|**2025**<br>**£**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>The Henry Smith Charity<br>-<br>10,000<br>Aviva Foundation<br>-<br>33,000<br>Hive Dynamite<br>24,000<br>28,367<br>Selsey Golf Club<br>-<br>12,134<br>LDA Employment Support Service<br>-<br>81,667<br>Rolls Royce<br>6,485<br>-<br>Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust<br>21,675<br>-<br>National Lottery Community Fund<br>17,500<br>-<br>John Coates Charitable Trust<br>10,000<br>-<br>South Downs National Park Authority<br>22,751<br>-<br>Educational Skills Funding Agency<br>29,829<br>Individual grants not exceeding £5,000<br>9,889<br>7,783<br>Individual donations not exceeding £75,000<br>108,912<br>70,551<br>**251,041**<br>**243,502**<br>**INCOME FROM ACTIVITIES TO FURTHER THE CHARITY’S OBJECTIVES - TRAINING SERVICES**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>From Local Authorities for training services<br>1,575,595<br>-<br>1,575,595<br>1826248<br>Other funding for training services<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>14400<br>**Total raising funds**<br>**1,575,595**<br>**-**<br>**1,575,595**<br>**1,840,648**|**2025**<br>**£**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>The Henry Smith Charity<br>-<br>10,000<br>Aviva Foundation<br>-<br>33,000<br>Hive Dynamite<br>24,000<br>28,367<br>Selsey Golf Club<br>-<br>12,134<br>LDA Employment Support Service<br>-<br>81,667<br>Rolls Royce<br>6,485<br>-<br>Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust<br>21,675<br>-<br>National Lottery Community Fund<br>17,500<br>-<br>John Coates Charitable Trust<br>10,000<br>-<br>South Downs National Park Authority<br>22,751<br>-<br>Educational Skills Funding Agency<br>29,829<br>Individual grants not exceeding £5,000<br>9,889<br>7,783<br>Individual donations not exceeding £75,000<br>108,912<br>70,551<br>**251,041**<br>**243,502**<br>**INCOME FROM ACTIVITIES TO FURTHER THE CHARITY’S OBJECTIVES - TRAINING SERVICES**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>From Local Authorities for training services<br>1,575,595<br>-<br>1,575,595<br>1826248<br>Other funding for training services<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>14400<br>**Total raising funds**<br>**1,575,595**<br>**-**<br>**1,575,595**<br>**1,840,648**|**2025**<br>**£**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>The Henry Smith Charity<br>-<br>10,000<br>Aviva Foundation<br>-<br>33,000<br>Hive Dynamite<br>24,000<br>28,367<br>Selsey Golf Club<br>-<br>12,134<br>LDA Employment Support Service<br>-<br>81,667<br>Rolls Royce<br>6,485<br>-<br>Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust<br>21,675<br>-<br>National Lottery Community Fund<br>17,500<br>-<br>John Coates Charitable Trust<br>10,000<br>-<br>South Downs National Park Authority<br>22,751<br>-<br>Educational Skills Funding Agency<br>29,829<br>Individual grants not exceeding £5,000<br>9,889<br>7,783<br>Individual donations not exceeding £75,000<br>108,912<br>70,551<br>**251,041**<br>**243,502**<br>**INCOME FROM ACTIVITIES TO FURTHER THE CHARITY’S OBJECTIVES - TRAINING SERVICES**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>From Local Authorities for training services<br>1,575,595<br>-<br>1,575,595<br>1826248<br>Other funding for training services<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>14400<br>**Total raising funds**<br>**1,575,595**<br>**-**<br>**1,575,595**<br>**1,840,648**|**2025**<br>**£**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>The Henry Smith Charity<br>-<br>10,000<br>Aviva Foundation<br>-<br>33,000<br>Hive Dynamite<br>24,000<br>28,367<br>Selsey Golf Club<br>-<br>12,134<br>LDA Employment Support Service<br>-<br>81,667<br>Rolls Royce<br>6,485<br>-<br>Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust<br>21,675<br>-<br>National Lottery Community Fund<br>17,500<br>-<br>John Coates Charitable Trust<br>10,000<br>-<br>South Downs National Park Authority<br>22,751<br>-<br>Educational Skills Funding Agency<br>29,829<br>Individual grants not exceeding £5,000<br>9,889<br>7,783<br>Individual donations not exceeding £75,000<br>108,912<br>70,551<br>**251,041**<br>**243,502**<br>**INCOME FROM ACTIVITIES TO FURTHER THE CHARITY’S OBJECTIVES - TRAINING SERVICES**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>From Local Authorities for training services<br>1,575,595<br>-<br>1,575,595<br>1826248<br>Other funding for training services<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>14400<br>**Total raising funds**<br>**1,575,595**<br>**-**<br>**1,575,595**<br>**1,840,648**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||-|-|-|14400|
||**1,575,595**|**-**|**1,575,595**|**1,840,648**|
||||||
||||||



## **3. INCOME FROM ACTIVITIES TO FURTHER THE CHARITY’S OBJECTIVES - TRAINING SERVICES** 



Aldingbourne Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 

43 

## **NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 contd.** 

## **4. INCOME FROM ACTIVITIES TO FURTHER THE CHARITY’S OBJECTIVES – RESIDENTIAL CARE** 

|From Local Authorities for residential care|**2025**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**£**<br>**2024**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**£**<br>**3,156,266**<br>**3,194,551**|**2025**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**£**<br>**2024**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**£**<br>**3,156,266**<br>**3,194,551**|
|---|---|---|
||||



The costs of providing these care services are part of the overall costs of running the Trust’s residential units, and it is not considered cost-beneficial to prepare detailed cost analyses as between the residential and the care elements. Trust management believes that the cost of these care services is broadly equivalent to the Government funding received. 

## **5. INVESTMENT INCOME** 

|Dividends<br>Interest<br>Rent receivable|**2025**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**£**|**2024**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**£**|
|---|---|---|
||7,977<br>79,857<br>66,556|3,372<br>43,967<br>59,440|
||**154,390**|**106,779**|
||||





Aldingbourne Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 

44 

## **NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 contd.** 

## **6. RAISING FUNDS** 

|**ntd.**<br>**RAISING FUNDS**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Negotiation of funding<br>Cost of fundraiser and fundraising events<br>Investment management fees<br>**Total raising funds**<br>For the year ended 31 March 2024<br>Unrestricted funds<br>Restricted funds|**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>60,000<br>40,271<br>4,634<br>**104,905**|<br> <br>**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-|**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>60,000<br>40,271|<br> <br>**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>58,000<br>25,641|
|||-<br>**-**|4,634<br>**104,905**|1,534<br>**85,175**<br>85,175<br>-<br>85,175|



Negotiation of Government and other funding and of partnership arrangements is an important aspect of the work done by the senior management team, and an estimated portion of their salaries and related costs has accordingly been allocated to Costs of Generating Funds. 

## **7a. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES EXPENDITURE** 

|**TRAINING**<br>Staf costs<br>Depreciation<br>Repairs and renewals<br>Other direct costs<br>Share of support costs (see Note 7f)<br>Share of governance costs (see Note 7f)<br>**Total**|**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>2,097,578<br>115,027<br>179,768<br>63,020<br>2,455,393<br>342,741<br>6,060<br>**2,804,194**|**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>14,400<br>14,400<br>-<br>-<br>14,400|**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>2,097,578<br>115,027<br>179,768<br>77,420<br>2,469,793<br>342,741<br>6,060<br>**2,818,594**|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>1,839,090<br>115,577<br>137,606<br>243,918<br>2,336,191<br>298,026<br>5,144<br>**2,639,361**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||



**For the year ended 31 March 2024** 

|||
|---|---|
|<br>Unrestricted funds<br>Restricted funds|2,639,361<br>-|
||2,639,361|
|||
|||





Aldingbourne Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 

45 

## **NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 contd.** 

## **7b. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES EXPENDITURE** 

|**td.**<br>**CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES EXPENDITURE**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|**RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION**<br>Rent payable to landlords<br>Share of support costs (see Note 7f)<br>Share of governance costs (see Note 7f)<br>**Total**<br>**For the year ended 31 March 2024**<br>Unrestricted funds<br>Restricted funds|**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>1,121,313|**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>-|**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>1,121,313|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>1,121,997<br>1,121,997<br>158,089<br>2,729<br>**1,282,815**|
||169,208<br>2,992|-<br>-|1,121,313<br>169,208<br>2,993||
||**1,391,513**|-|**1,391,513**||
|||||1,282,815<br>-|
|||||1,282,815|
||||||



## **7c. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES EXPENDITURE (continued)** 

|**CARE IN RESIDENTIAL**<br>**ACCOMMODATION**<br>Staf costs<br>Depreciation<br>Other direct costs<br>Share of support costs (see Note 7f)<br>Share of governance costs (see Note 7f)<br>**Total**<br>**For the year ended 31 March 2024**<br>Unrestricted funds<br>Restricted funds|**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>2,495,611<br>26,482|**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-|**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>2,495,611<br>26,482|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>2,530,290<br>15,300|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||784,648|-|784,648|752,283|
||3,306,741<br>458,887<br>8,113|-<br>-<br>-|3,306,741<br>458,887<br>8,113|3,297,873<br>471,352<br>8,135|
||**3,773,741**|**-**|**3,773,741**|**3,777,360**|
|||||3,777,360<br>-|
|||||3,777,360|
||||||
||||||





Aldingbourne Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 

46 

## **NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 contd.** 

## **7d. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES EXPENDITURE** 

|**PRODUCE AND SERVICES**<br>Workforce Development costs<br>Other direct costs<br>**Total**<br>For the year ended 31 March 2024<br>Unrestricted funds<br>Restricted funds<br>**CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES EXPENDITURE**<br>**MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION**<br>Staf costs<br>**Total**<br>For the year ended 31 March 2024<br>Unrestricted funds<br>Restricted funds|**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>-|**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>813,715|**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>813,715|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>708,900|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||347,021|-|347,021|368,051|
||**347,021**|**813,715**|**1,160,736**|**1,076,951**|
|||||368,051<br>708,900|
|||||1,076,951|
||||||
||**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**|**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**|**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**|
||302,340|-|302,340|280,270|
||302,340|**-**|302,340|**280,270**|
|||||280,270<br>-|
|||||280,270|
||||||
||||||



## **7e. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES EXPENDITURE** 



Aldingbourne Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 

47 

## **NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 contd.** 

## **7f. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES EXPENDITURE** 

|**SUPPORT COSTS**<br>**(INCLUDING GOVERNANCE COSTS)**<br>Staf costs<br>Depreciation<br>Other direct costs<br>**Governance costs**<br>Auditors remuneration<br>Legal and professional fees<br>**Total**<br>**Analysed between:**<br>Training<br>Residential accommodation<br>Care in residential accommodation<br>**Total**|**Support**<br>**Costs**<br>**£**<br>561,373<br>60,021<br>349,442|**Governance**<br>**Costs**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>-|**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>561,373<br>60,021<br>349,442|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>548,619<br>47,631<br>331,217|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||-<br>-|11,757<br>5,407|11,757<br>5,407|12,000<br>4,008|
||**970,836**|**17,164**|**988,000**|**943,475**|
||||||
||**Support**<br>**Costs**<br>**£**<br>342,741<br>169,208<br>458,887|**Governance**<br>**Costs**<br>**£**<br>6,060<br>2,992<br>8,113|**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>348,801<br>172,200<br>467,000|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>303,170<br>160,818<br>479,487|
||||||
||**970,836**|**17,164**|**988,000**|**943,475**|
||||||
||||||





Aldingbourne Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 

48 

## **NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 contd.** 

## **8. TRUSTEES REMUNERATION** 

The Trustees neither received nor waived any remuneration or expenses during the year (2024 - £nil). 

## **9. STAFF COSTS** 

|Salaries<br>Social security costs<br>Pension costs<br>Life Assurance<br>Employees earning more than £60,000 during the year:|**2025**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**£**<br>4,953,671<br>389,426<br>150,844<br>22,961|**2024**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**£**<br>4,724,343<br>367,690<br>141,900<br>22,335<br>**5,256,268**|
|---|---|---|
||**5,516,902**||
||||
||||
|£60,001 - £70,000<br>£70,001 - £80,000|**2025**<br>**Number**<br>2<br>1|**2024**<br>**Number**<br>2<br>1|



||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**2025**||**2024**|
|||**Number**||**Number**|
||||||
||||||
||||||
|£60,001|- £70,000|2||2|
||||||
|£70,001|- £80,000|1||1|



The key management personnel of the charitable company comprise the trustees, the Chief Executive Officer, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, the Head of Finance, the Head of People and Development and the Chief Operating Officer. The total employee costs of the key management personnel of the charitable company were £362,340 (2024- £338,270) of which, pension contributions were £15,904 (2024- £15,520). 

The average number of employees, calculated on a head count basis was: 

|Residential projects<br>Training projects<br>Management and administration of the Charity|**2025**<br>**Number**<br>135<br>122<br>29|**2024**<br>**Number**<br>131<br>121<br>28<br>**280**|
|---|---|---|
||**285**||
||||



There were a total of 154 (2024- 153) full time equivalent employees in the year. There were redundancy costs during the year of £11,200 (2024- £0). There were termination payments of £9,557 (2024- £11,000). 



Aldingbourne Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 

49 

## **NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 contd.** 

## **10. TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS** 

The transfer between funds relates to the depreciation charge for the year on restricted fund tangible assets which are shown in unrestricted fund expenditure. The transfer between restricted and unrestricted funds brings the fund balances into line with the year-end balance sheet position (See note 22). 

## **11. CORPORATION TAX** 

The charitable company is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. 

## **12.  VOLUNTEERS** 

The charity was supported by 267 volunteers (2024- 279), who provided 1,595 hours per week of assistance in various areas of the charity’s activities. 



Aldingbourne Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 

50 

## **NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 contd.** 

## **13. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS** 

|**Cost or valuation:**<br>1 April 2024<br>Additions<br>Disposals<br>31 March 2025<br>**Depreciation:**<br>1 April 2024<br>Charge for the year<br>Disposals<br>31 March 2025<br>**Net book value:**<br>31 March 2025<br>**Net book value:**<br>31 March 2024|**Land and**<br>**Buildings**<br>**Freehold**<br>**£**<br>7,513,074<br>27,284<br>-<br>7,540,358<br>1,276,107<br>97,564<br>-<br>1,373,671<br>**6,166,687**<br>**6,236,967**|**Land and**<br>**Buildings**<br>**Short**<br>**Leasehold**<br>**£**<br>188,279<br>-<br>-<br>188,279<br>160,705<br>13,148<br>-<br>173,853<br>**14,426**<br>**27,574**|**Furniture**<br>**Fixtures &**<br>**Equipment**<br>**(inc Glass**<br>**Houses)**<br>**£**<br>62,338<br>-<br>-<br>62,338<br>62,029<br>46<br>-<br>62,075<br>**263**<br>**309**|**Plant &**<br>**Equipment**<br>**£**<br>499,665<br>134,341<br>-<br>634,006<br>215,851<br>79,529<br>-<br>295,380<br>**338,626**<br>**283,814**|**Motor**<br>**Vehicles**<br>**£**<br>155,030<br>20,299<br>24,670<br>150,659<br>120216<br>11,243<br>(21,704)<br>109,755<br>**40,904**<br>**34,814**|**Total**<br>**£**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||8,418,386<br>181,924<br>24,670|
|||||||8,575,640|
|||||||1834908<br>201,530<br>(21,704)|
|||||||2,014,734|
|||||||**6,560,906**|
|||||||**6,583,478**|



The net book value of tangible fixed assets includes the following in respect of assets held under finance leases or hire purchase contracts. The depreciation charge in respect of such assets amounted to £14,929 (2024- £18,096) for the year. 

|Plant and equipment|**2025**<br>**£**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>70,379<br>85,308|
|---|---|



The charity took advantage of the transition exemptions available upon transition to FRS 102 in the 2017 accounting period to elect to use previous revaluation as deemed cost. 



Aldingbourne Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 

51 

## **NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 contd.** 

## **14. INVESTMENTS** 

|**Cost or valuation:**<br>At 1 April 2024<br>Additions<br>Valuation changes<br>Disposals<br>At 31st March 2025<br>**Carrying amount**<br>At 31st March 2025<br>At 31st March 2024|**Listed**<br>**Investments**<br>**£**<br>527,098<br>173,892<br>23,554<br>(178,639)<br>545,905<br>**545,905**<br>**527,098**|
|---|---|



The listed investments are recorded at fair value which is their market value. 

Included within Cash at bank and in hand within the balance sheet are funds held in the brokers income and trading accounts of £14,902 (2024 - £14,195). 

## **15. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS** 

|**FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS**|||
|---|---|---|
|Carrying amount of fnancial assets<br>Instruments measured at fair value through proft or loss|||
||**2025**<br>**£**<br>545,905|**2024**<br>**£**<br>527,098|
||||
||||



Price and credit risk is managed by employing professional investment managers who work within an agreed investment policy and risk profile. 

## **16. STOCKS** 

|**STOCKS**|||
|---|---|---|
|Raw materials, consumables and growing crops|||
||**2024**<br>**£**<br>44,068|**2024**<br>**£**<br>42,175|
||||
||||





Aldingbourne Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 

52 

## **NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 contd.** 

## **17. DEBTORS** 

|**td.**<br>**DEBTORS**|||
|---|---|---|
|**Amounts falling due within one year**<br>Trade debtors<br>Other debtors and prepayments<br>**Amounts falling due after one year**<br>Other debtors and prepayments<br>**Total Debtors**|||
||**2025**<br>**£**<br>441,980<br>324,426|**2024**<br>**£**<br>597,795<br>234,830|
||766,406|832,625|
||10,500|10,500|
||**776,907**|**843,125**|
||||



**18. CREDITORS - Amounts falling due within one year** 

|Trade creditors<br>Obligations under fnance leases (note 20)<br>Other creditors<br>Other taxes and social security|**2025**<br>**£**<br>67,257<br>20,657<br>271,072<br>171,637|**2024**<br>**£**<br>143,964<br>20,657<br>399,399<br>163,935|
|---|---|---|
||**530,623**|**727,955**|
||||
||||



Included in other creditors is £49,745 (2024- £36,950) relating to pension commitments. 

**19. CREDITORS - Amounts falling due after one year** 

|Obligations under fnance leases (note 20)|**2025**<br>**£**<br>39,592|**2024**<br>**£**<br>60,249|
|---|---|---|
||||
||||





Aldingbourne Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 

53 

## **NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 contd.** 

## **20. FINANCE LEASE COMMITMENTS** 

|Within one year<br>Within two and fve years|**2025**<br>**£**<br>20,657<br>39,592<br>60,249|**2024**<br>**£**<br>20,657<br>60,249<br>80,906|
|---|---|---|



The finance lease commitments of £60,249 (2024- £80,906) are secured on the assets held under finance leases or hire purchase contracts. The finance charges for the year are £1,997 (2024- £2,163). 

## **21. OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS** 

At the reporting end date, the charitable company had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, as follows: 

|Within one year<br>Within two and fve years|**2025**<br>**£**<br>203,179<br>649,541<br>852,720|**2024**<br>**£**<br>131,257<br>60,000<br>191,257|
|---|---|---|



The lease payments recognised as an expense in the year are £203,179 (2024- £203,179). 



Aldingbourne Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 

54 

## **NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 contd.** 

## **22. FUNDS AND ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS** 

|**At 31 March 2025**<br>Tangible assets<br>Investments<br>Current assets<br>Current liabilities<br>Long term liabilities<br>**Total**<br>**At 31 March 2024**<br>Tangible assets<br>Investments<br>Current assets<br>Current liabilities<br>Long term liabilities<br>**Total**|**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>155,781<br>-|**Designated**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>75,000<br>-|**General**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>6,330,125<br>545,905|**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>6,560,906<br>545,905|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||-<br>-<br>-|-<br>-<br>-|2,408,375<br>(530,623)<br>(39,592)|2,408,375<br>(530,623)<br>(39,592)|
||**155,781**|**75,000**|**8,714,190**|**8,944,971**|
||||||
||**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>155,855<br>-|**Designated**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>75,000<br>-|**General**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>6,352,623<br>527,098|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>6,583,478<br>527,098|
||14,400<br>-<br>-|-<br>-<br>-|2,800,931<br>(727,955)<br>(60,249)|2,815,331<br>(727,955)<br>(60,249)|
||**170,255**|**75,000**|**8,892,448**|**9,137,703**|
||||||
||||||



Restricted Funds: Construction of the principal properties at the Aldingbourne Country Centre have been funded by specific development fund appeals, and accordingly use of the assets acquired are restricted by the terms of the appeals. Certain other fixed assets have been purchased with WSCC funding and are restricted for the provision of training services. 

Designated Funds: These funds have been designated for specific purchases relating to various projects. The designated tangible asset fund is released over the useful life of the assets purchased in accordance with the grant received from Social Enterprise Investment Fund (SEIF). 

General Funds: 

These represent the free funds of the Trust which are not designated for particular purposes and are constituted by the balance of Net assets not classified as restricted or designated. 



Aldingbourne Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 

55 

## **NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 contd.** 

## **22. FUNDS AND ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS (CONTINUED)** 

|**RESTRICTED FUNDS**<br>Tangible assets<br>Training services<br>Workforce<br>Development<br>Tangible assets<br>Training services<br>Workforce<br>Development||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**1 April 2024**<br>**£**<br>155,855<br>14,400<br>-|**Income**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>813,715|**Expenditure**<br>**£**<br>-<br>(14,400)<br>(813,715)|**Transfer**<br>**£**<br>(74)<br>-<br>-|**31 March 2025**<br>**£**<br>155,781<br>-<br>-|
||**170,255**|**813,715**|**(828,115)**|**(74)**|**155,781**|
||**1 April 2023**<br>**£**<br>170,329<br>-<br>-|**Income**<br>**£**<br>-<br>14,400<br>708,900|**Expenditure**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>(708,900)|**Transfer**<br>**£**<br>(14,474)<br>-<br>-|**31 March 2024**<br>**£**<br>155,855<br>14,400<br>-|
||**170,329**|**723,300**|**(708,900)**|**(14,474)**|**170,255**|
|||||||



Workforce development funds are received from the Government and paid to organisations for staff training expenses incurred. 

## **23. RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN RESERVES** 

|Surplus for the fnancial year<br>Opening reserves|**2025**<br>**£**<br>(192,732)<br>9,137,703|**2024**<br>**£**<br>72,949<br>9,064,754|
|---|---|---|
||**8,944,971**|**9,137,703**|
||||
||||





Aldingbourne Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 

56 

## **NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 contd.** 

## **24. COMPANY** 

The Aldingbourne Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee. Every member of the Board of Trustees of the Trust undertakes to contribute to the assets of the Trust, in the event of the same being wound up while they are a member or within one year after they cease to be a member for payment of the debts and liabilities of the Trust contracted before they cease to be a member and the costs, charges and expenses of winding up and for the adjustment of the rights of the contributories among themselves such amount as may be required not exceeding £5. 

## **25. RELATED PARTY RELATIONSHIPS AND TRANSACTIONS** 

Services totalling £20,793 were purchased during the year from Mrs A Rowe, fund-raising consultant for the Trust, who is the wife of trustee, Mr N Rowe. Goods totalling £2,124 were purchased from the Woodhorn Group which is owned by trustee, Mr J Pitts. 

## **26. RECONCILIATION OF NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES** 

|**2025**<br>**£**<br>Net movement in funds<br>(192,732)<br>Depreciation charges<br>201,530<br>Fair value (gains) losses on investments<br>(13,219)<br>Investment income recognised in statement of fnancial<br>activities<br>(154,390)<br>(Proft) / loss on sales of fxed assets<br>2,966<br>Decrease (increase) in stocks<br>(1,893)<br>Decrease (increase) in debtors<br>66,218<br>Increase (decrease) in creditors<br>(197,332)<br>**(288,853)**<br>**ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET (DEBT)/FUNDS**<br>**1st April 2024**<br>**£**<br>**Cashfow**<br>**£**<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>1,930,031<br>(342,631)<br>Loans falling due within one year<br>-<br>-<br>Loans falling due after more than one year<br>-<br>-<br>Obligations under fnance leases<br>(80,906)<br>20,657<br>**Total**<br>**1,849,125**<br>**(321,974)**|**2025**<br>**£**<br>Net movement in funds<br>(192,732)<br>Depreciation charges<br>201,530<br>Fair value (gains) losses on investments<br>(13,219)<br>Investment income recognised in statement of fnancial<br>activities<br>(154,390)<br>(Proft) / loss on sales of fxed assets<br>2,966<br>Decrease (increase) in stocks<br>(1,893)<br>Decrease (increase) in debtors<br>66,218<br>Increase (decrease) in creditors<br>(197,332)<br>**(288,853)**<br>**ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET (DEBT)/FUNDS**<br>**1st April 2024**<br>**£**<br>**Cashfow**<br>**£**<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>1,930,031<br>(342,631)<br>Loans falling due within one year<br>-<br>-<br>Loans falling due after more than one year<br>-<br>-<br>Obligations under fnance leases<br>(80,906)<br>20,657<br>**Total**<br>**1,849,125**<br>**(321,974)**||||**2024**<br>**£**<br>72,949<br>178,508<br>(18,664)<br>(106,779)<br>-<br>(2,964)<br>(73,848)<br>(70,691)<br>**(21,489)**<br>**New fnance**<br>**leases**<br>**£**<br>**31st March**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>-<br>1,587,400<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>(60,249)|**2024**<br>**£**<br>72,949<br>178,508<br>(18,664)<br>(106,779)<br>-<br>(2,964)<br>(73,848)<br>(70,691)<br>**(21,489)**<br>**New fnance**<br>**leases**<br>**£**<br>**31st March**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>-<br>1,587,400<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>(60,249)|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**2025**<br>**£**<br>(192,732)<br>201,530<br>(13,219)<br>(154,390)<br>2,966<br>(1,893)<br>66,218<br>(197,332)|||**2024**<br>**£**<br>72,949<br>178,508<br>(18,664)<br>(106,779)<br>-<br>(2,964)<br>(73,848)<br>(70,691)||
|||**(288,853)**|||**(21,489)**||
||||||||
||||**Cashfow**<br>**£**<br>(342,631)<br>-<br>-<br>20,657||||
||**1,849,125**||**(321,974)**||**-**|**1,527,151**|
||||||||
||||||||



## **27.  ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET (DEBT)/FUNDS** 



Aldingbourne Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 57 

## **NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 contd.** 

## **28. STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES COMPARATIVE FUNDS – YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

|**INCOME**<br>_Donations and legacies_<br>Donations and grants<br>Government grants and furlough<br>_Charitable Activities:_<br>Government funding for training services<br>Rents for residential accommodation<br>Government funding for residential care<br>Workforce Development Funding<br>Sale of produce and services<br>_Investments_<br>Investment income<br>**Total**<br>**EXPENDITURE ON:**<br>_Raising funds_<br>Negotiation of government funding<br>Fundraising trading: other costs<br>Investment management fees<br>_Charitable Activities:_<br>Training services<br>Residential accommodation<br>Care services in residential accommodation<br>Workforce Development Costs<br>Direct costs of produce and services<br>_Other_<br>Management and administration<br>**Total**|**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds 2024**<br>**£**<br>243,502<br>-<br>1,826,248<br>1,844,287<br>3,194,551<br>1,257,550<br>106,779|**Restricted**<br>**Funds 2024**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>14,400<br>-<br>-<br>708,900<br>-<br>-|**Total Funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>243,502<br>-<br>1,840,648<br>1,844,287<br>3,194,551<br>708,900<br>1,257,550<br>106,779|
|---|---|---|---|
|||||
||**8,472,917**|**723,300**|**9,196,217**|
|||||
||58,000<br>25,641<br>1,534<br>2,639,361<br>1,282,815<br>3,777,360<br>368,051<br>280,270|-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>708,900<br>-<br>-|58,000<br>25,641<br>1,534<br>2,639,361<br>1,282,815<br>3,777,360<br>708,900<br>368,051<br>280,270|
|||||
||**8,433,032**|**708,900**|**9,141,932**|
|||||





Aldingbourne Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 

58 

## **NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 contd.** 

## **28. STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES COMPARATIVE FUNDS – YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 (CONTINUED)** 

|**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**<br>Transfers between funds<br>_Other recognised gains/(losses)_<br>Realised gains/(losses) on investments<br>Gains/(Losses) on revaluation of<br>investments<br>**NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**<br>**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS:**<br>Total funds brought forward<br>**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**|**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds 2024**<br>**£**<br>**39,885**<br>14,474|**Restricted**<br>**Funds 2024**<br>**£**<br>**14,400**<br>(14,474)|**Total Funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**54,285**<br>-|
|---|---|---|---|
||**54,359**<br>(903)<br>19,567|**(74)**<br>-<br>-|**54,285**<br>(903)<br>19,567|
||**73,023**<br>8,894,425|**(74)**<br>170,329|**72,949**<br>9,064754|
||**8,967,448**|**170,255**|**9,137,703**|
|||||
|||||



## **29. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS** 

Amounts contracted for but not provided in the financial statements: 

|Acquisition of property, plant and equipment|**2025**<br>**£**<br>**2024**<br>**£**|**2025**<br>**£**<br>**2024**<br>**£**|
|---|---|---|
||-|21,533|
||||






The Aldingbourne Trust Blackmill Lane Norton Chichester West Sussex  PO18 0JP 

T: 01243 544607 Twitter twitter.com/aldingbourne_t E: info@aldingbournetrust.org Facebook facebook.com/aldingbournetrust W: aldingbournetrust.org Instagram instagram.com/aldingbournetrust Charity Number 276484. 

Supporting people with disabilities to develop and live the lives they choose.