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2023-03-31-accounts

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Company Registration No. 01673720 (England & Wales) Charity No. SC038932 (Scotland)/285891 (England & Wales)

The Venture Trust

(a company limited by guarantee not having a share capital)

Annual report & financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

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ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

CONTENTS Chair and CEO Report .......................................................................................................... 1 Trustees’ Report .................................................................................................................. 2 Independent auditors’ report to the trustees of the Venture Trust for the year ended 31 March 2023 ........................................................................................................ 111 Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure) ................ 15 Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2023 ................................................................................ 16 Statement of Cashflows as at 31 March 2023 ............................................................... 17 Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023…………………18

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CHAIR AND CEO REPORT

Venture Trust has faced many challenges in the last 12 months; many of those driven by the external environment. The continued cost of living crisis, changes in the political environment; have continued to exacerbate the inequalities in our society.

At Venture Trust, we are committed to continuing to develop and deliver for those who are furthest from opportunity. The Trustees and VT team are also committed to ensuring that our participants are at the heart of our thinking and decision-making; and plan to further develop the Participant Panel in the coming year.

We are extremely proud of our team and how they continue to deliver under demanding circumstances, allowing our participants find a way forward in their life’s journey.

We would like to thank our funders and referral partners and the way they work with us in helping us and our participants achieve our and their objectives.

During the year, Angela McCusker was appointed as Chair and Jenny Paterson as CEO. We are both very excited to have joined the Venture Trust community and look forward to taking our charity forward into this next stage of development.

To meet some of the challenges as a result of the cost-of-living crisis and in the context of a competitive funding environment, we have embarked on a significant programme of restructuring and organisational change to enable Venture Trust to meet those aims in the coming years. This will provide the stable foundations for our future.

Angela McCusker Chair of the Board

Jenny Paterson CEO

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TRUSTEES’ REPORT

INTRODUCTION

Venture Trust believes no one should be left behind. We work with people who struggle with complicated life circumstances such as difficulties with mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing, involvement in the criminal justice system, long term unemployment, recovery from addiction, homelessness or risk of homelessness, isolation, or a history of trauma or harm. We support people to gain the life skills, stability and confidence they need to reach their potential.

Venture Trust has been building its approach to personal development in the outdoors for over 40 years. We have had to weather many storms along the way and our lengthy experience, alongside the commitment of our staff, senior team and engaged Board of Trustees has been essential in responding to the challenge of the last few years.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Our Trustees are responsible for agreeing the aims, objectives and activities of Venture Trust. These are monitored and reviewed, alongside the management of our strategic risks throughout the year to ensure that the planned activities are achieving our agreed outcome measures. This report presents the key activities undertaken and an assessment of the personal and societal benefit for the people we support.

Venture Trust’s objective is to support people who may be surviving outside mainstream support or are in contact with the criminal justice system, or who have never worked or are experiencing longterm unemployment in order to gain the life skills, stability and confidence to succeed. Each person’s individual circumstances sit at the core of our approach which supports people both in their local community and in Scotland’s outdoors with learning and personal development.

The outdoors present individuals with challenging environments in which to reflect on beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours. With time and space away from influences at home, individuals can unlock skills and learn new, more positive, ways of approaching situations.

OUR VALUES

Underpin everything we do

Courage – we remain brave when things get tough Curiosity – we are thoughtful Care – we will attend to people and place Collaboration – we work together for greater impact

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW

2022-23 has seen our first full year of ‘business as usual’ outdoor delivery since the start of the Covid pandemic. Our wilderness journeys are fully back up and running (each lasting between 5 and 10 days) delivered in Scotland’s wilder places, we have seen the growth and development of our Outdoor Therapy service and we have continued with delivery of our Change Cycle employability programme.

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Over the last 12 months, we have provided support to 688 individuals across our programmes and services, delivering 26 wilderness journeys, 5 Change Cycle courses and an increased level of support in our Outdoor Therapy service. Across the year, 172 people participated on a wilderness journey.

Across all of programmes, 92% of participants reported a mental health issue and just under half of all participants (47%) were involved in the justice system.

Personal development programmes

L iving Wild - For men and women across Scotland on Community Payback and other criminal justice orders who want to move away from offending. We support individuals to address behaviour leading to offending and help with their rehabilitation.

Next Steps - A programme for women across Scotland involved in, or at risk of involvement in, the criminal justice system. Most are experiencing homelessness, drug or alcohol misuse and/or social isolation which may impact on their mental health, employment and relationships.

Inspiring Young Futures - For young people aged 16-25 in Scotland struggling with youth unemployment, involvement in offending, anti-social behaviour, history of substance misuse and homelessness.

Positive Futures - For ex-servicemen and women across Scotland who are finding it difficult to transition fully into civilian life. The programme supports veterans involved in the criminal justice system, experiencing homelessness, drug or alcohol misuse and social isolation.

Employability – Change Cycle

Change Cycle is a hands-on employability programme (focused at Stage 2 of the Employability Pipeline) offering recognised qualifications in bicycle mechanics, SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority) awards and workplace training such as manual handling and fire awareness. It is a 15-day course, run over either 3-weeks or 5-weeks, which combines workshop elements during which the participants build their own bike (which they get to keep), and tailored employability support to help move them towards their next steps in life.

This year saw us run 5 Change Cycle courses which were delivered in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Livingston in partnership with Bike Station (Edinburgh), Bike for Good (Glasgow) and Bike Library (Livingston). Over the five courses, 41 participants started the course with 38 completing – a completion rate of 93%

Outdoor Therapy

The service continues to go from strength to strength and aims to support people by combining the full range of benefits gained from time spent in nature and the outdoors with professional therapy to improve mental health and wellbeing. This is a free, confidential service for 16–25-year-olds and exservice personnel. Over the year, we worked with 85 clients (also seeing an additional 13 clients who only had an initial assessment), delivering 832 one-to-one therapy sessions in urban outdoor spaces in client’s local communities. These spaces included local parks, community gardens, waterways, woodlands, beaches, and local hills.

Levels of engagement with our clients have been strong over the year with 80% of our clients having at least 4 sessions with one of our therapists. Of those who completed their time in the service in 2022/23, each client had received an average of 12.7 one-to-one sessions with their Outdoor

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Therapist, and of those who completed and had at least 4 sessions, their average was 17.3 during their time working with Venture Trust.

Overview of Impact

Over 2022-23, we saw 91 participants from our personal development programmes achieve at least one positive outcome. These included entering employment (33), education (17), training (5), volunteering (16), taking on work experience (2), a positive onward referral to other organisations (18) and referral into another Venture Trust service (15), such as our Outdoor Therapy or Employability programmes. Others also achieved something more personal to them such as joining a local football team, gaining access to their children, attending a weekly art group, spending more time in nature (further boosting their self-esteem and their mental and physical wellbeing).

For the majority of our participants, a positive result of working with Venture Trust is the development of their core life skills and positive behavioural change. We have seen fantastic levels of personal development and growth over the year, captured through our bespoke monitoring system and our wilderness journey course reports. Some of the highlights from the year include: 85% reported an increase in their confidence, 79% saw their skills in dealing with challenge improve, 78% showed improved mental wellbeing and 78% also reported an increase in their ability to maintain positive relationships.

These all make a massive difference to our participants' prospects moving forward in life and can have a profound impact on them and the wider community.

Other highlights this year include:

Continuing our successful partnership with Arc’teryx , a group of our participants were invited to the latest Arc’teryx Academy weekend in the Lake District. There, along with some of our staff, they spent the weekend hiking, scrambling, climbing and attending various film screenings and workshops.

Since 2019, we have partnered with FourSquare , an Edinburgh charity who have been working for more than 40 years to prevent homelessness and promote inclusion, to deliver the ‘Springboard’ programme – an 8-week Employability & Personal Development course for anyone over the ages of 25, living in Edinburgh or the Lothians.

As part of the UK Government’s Kickstarter Scheme , aimed to create work placements for young people, we at Venture Trust offered several positions in different areas of the charity, providing opportunities to gain experience and develop working skills.

October 2022 marked an important milestone for Venture Trust – our 40th birthday ! Over the years, we’ve helped thousands of people to make positive changes in their lives and to celebrate, we held a special Staff Gathering at our Stirling National Participant Centre in May 2022, bringing our full staff team together for the first time since the Covid Pandemic.

Our Participant Panel has continued to develop and contribute valuable insight into Venture Trust activities, notably the continued contribution towards our Strategic direction.

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Strategic Planning

Whilst we continue to work towards our Strategic Plan 22-25, we recognise the need in the next financial year to review and refresh this in line with the challenging funding environment and the costof-living crisis combined with an upturn in referrals and evidence of need.

Fundraising and Partnerships

Our work would not be possible without the continued support and encouragement from our partners and funders who value the impact of our approach to supporting some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people. We continue to work with a range of statutory, trusts and foundations, lottery, and corporate partners to fund our work.

Multi-year funding from multiple Scottish Government departments, the National Lottery, Cashback for Communities, and various Trusts and Foundations are invaluable to sustaining our work.

We were successful in securing funds from the following sources:

The Scottish Government, European Social Fund, UK Community Renewal Fund, Armed Forces Covenant, Inspiring Scotland, City of Edinburgh Council, Fife Council, Glasgow City Council, North Lanarkshire Council, West Lothian Council, Souter Charitable Trust, National Lottery, Scottish Children’s Lottery, Arc'teryx, Benzies Foundation, Crerar Hotels Trust, Cycling Scotland, Dunlossit and Islay Community Trust, Gannochy Trust, Garfield Weston, Goldsmiths' Company, Hugh Fraser Foundation, Mathew Trust, The MacRobert Trust, The Pilgrim Trust, The Pixel Fund, Scottish Mountaineering Trust, Swire Charitable Trust, The Veterans Foundation, Whirlwind Charitable Trust, Youthlink Scotland, and some community fundraising activities and individual donations.

The Future

Competition and Funds available from Trusts and Foundations is becoming a challenge for the charity sector in Scotland and the UK, and late budget announcements from Local Authorities means planning for the future is becoming increasingly difficult. Relying almost exclusively on year-to-year funding from local authority contracts and Trust and Grants, will remain an area of concern if we don’t begin to diversify our income streams.

Developing a Venture Trust fundraising strategy for the next three years will help diversify our income and allow us to become more self-sufficient. This will be done through a series of consultations with the team, with operations colleagues, with SLT, and with the board. We will explore all potential opportunities for income generation, both in the short and long term.

We are particularly interested in exploring the potential for self-generated income using our skills, knowledge, and expertise within Venture Trust, could also potentially lead to corporate and high net worth donations.

A fundraising strategy with appropriate feasibility studies and business plans will inform our direction of travel, with the ambition of generating 30% of our income from self-generated fundraising, thus reducing our reliance on applications and bids.

We will however, continue to improve and develop relationships with statutory funders in order to sustain and grow our income from service delivery, looking for opportunities to attract core funding as a priority before developing new projects.

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Essentially, we want to build a fundraising strategy which provides financial security for the long term, whilst sustaining our current financial obligations.

2023/24 will be see a focus on applications and bids, whilst developing plans and laying the foundations for self-generated income.

We will apply an annual target to self-generated income, increasing steadily over the next 6 years.

By 2030, we should be generating 30% of our income from other sources and be less reliant on funding bids and applications.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial Position

Grants form most of the charitable company’s income for 2022-23, 37.2% (2022: 31.1%) of total income being grants from Scottish Government, 31.8% (2022: 28.5%) grants from other central and local government, 21.7% (2022: 40.3%) grants from trusts, foundations, and other bodies, and 9.3% (2022: 0.1%) grants from the National Lottery.

Net expenditure for this year amounted to £312,567 (2022 net income: £121,007). However, this includes expenditure of £18,715 (2022: £18,781) relating to depreciation on capital purchases in previous years, which were funded by grants recognised in full in the year of receipt.

Excluding this capital fund, net expenditure on revenue funds for the year amounted to £293,852 (2022: net income £139,788).

Reserves Policy

Venture Trust considers that an appropriate level of reserves for the organisation to hold is an amount sufficient to cover potential winding up costs as well as certain events that may occur during the year that have not been budgeted for. It also provides for replacing equipment, business continuity and working capital requirements taking into account any restrictions on funding. The estimated amount of this is £532k (2022: £659k).

Total funds held by the charitable company as of 31 March 2023 were £128,425 (2022: £440,992), however £41,488 (2022: £60,203) are restricted funds relating solely to the purchase of fixed assets as described above. The actual free reserves held as of 31 March 2023 were £86,937 (2022: £380,787), with no amounts (2022: none) having been designated or otherwise committed.

Eighty-two per cent (82%) of our revenue expenditure is activity on restricted funds and these programmes are fully funded, a position closely monitored by the Board on an ongoing basis. The Board considers the growth of reserves to meet the target value as a strategic priority in order to give us flexibility to innovate in service delivery. Plans to achieve this include the following:

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Going Concern Basis

In the last couple of years, the third sector has seen a change in the funding landscape with a number of previously centrally distributed statutory funds, such as the No-One Left Behind fund, transitioning from central grants to funds distributed by local authorities, requiring engagement with not one central body but 32 local commissioning frameworks. In addition we have seen the end of European Social Funds with the UK Government replacement still not yet in place; a reduction in overall philanthropic giving, and; increased competition for reduced funds from trusts and foundations.

The senior team actively monitor the income pipeline on a regular basis and, along with available reserves, use this as a basis to make decisions about the charity and its operations, escalating strategic decisions to the Finance and HR Committee and Board as necessary.

In the current financial year, the Board have taken a decision to restructure the business. This is driven by a wish to deliver our services in a more participant-focused way, however is also influenced by the need to reduce our costs in order to remain viable.

The forecasted income pipeline for the current financial year and beyond is sufficient to support the charity to meet its principal aims and objectives and the senior team and Board have agreed a number of cost savings that can be made if and when required to allow this. As a result of this, the trustees consider the charity to be a going concern and have prepared the financial statements on that basis.

Structure, Governance and Management

The Board of trustees presents the report and financial statements of Venture Trust for the year ended 31 March 2023. The statements appear in the format required by the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with FRS 102. The report and statements also comply with the Companies Act 2006, as Venture Trust was incorporated by guarantee on 25 October 1982 and registered as a charity on 16 March 1983. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.

Board of trustees

The trustees of the charity are also directors for the purposes of company law and under the company’s Articles are known as members of the Board. Ten non-executive directors meet on a quarterly basis and have delegated the day-to-day management of the organisation to the CEO.

The Board is supported in assessing that the organisation has safe and effective systems of control in place by a Finance and HR Governance Committee. Membership of this Committee comprises representatives from the Board, the CEO, and members of the Senior Leadership Team. The Committee reports directly to the Board of trustees.

Members of the Board, who are directors for the purpose of company law and trustees for the purpose of charity law, who served during the year and up to the date of this report are set out on page 10.

Induction and training for new trustees is led by the Chair and CEO. This includes:

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Upon appointment, all members complete a register of interests, which is reviewed and updated annually.

All trustees give of their time freely and no trustee remuneration was paid in the year. Trustees are required to disclose all relevant interests and register them with the CEO, and in accordance with our policy, to withdraw from decisions where a conflict of interest arises. Trustees are appointed for a maximum of two terms of four years each on a rolling basis. This period may be extended for a further one term of two years. Directors shall not be reappointed within one year.

Venture Trust has been inspected, monitored, or evaluated by the following organisations, all of whom are able to provide information on the quality and appropriateness of the organisation: The Adventure Activities Licensing Authority, the Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres, the Scottish Government, and Impetus.

Senior Leadership Team

The CEO has responsibility for the day-to-day management of the organisation within the context of the strategic direction, financial plan and delegations set by the Board. They are supported by the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) who are responsible for strategic development, engagement with partners and stakeholders and delivering community and wilderness-based personal development and therapeutic support for people aged over 16 years old.

The SLT meets frequently and is comprised of CEO, Director of Operations, Director of External Affairs, and Director of Corporate Services.

The Board approves the delegation of financial authority through the CEO, with a specific scheme of financial delegation in place that sets responsibilities and levels of authority to commit expenditure, to submit funding applications and /or to accept funds on behalf of the organisation.

Related parties

Venture Trust is the parent company of Venture Mòr Ltd which is a wholly owned subsidiary company. The Board of trustees maintain oversight of the management and performance of the Charity and its subsidiary. Venture Mòr Ltd is dormant and has not delivered any trading activities in 2022-23. On 15 September 2023 the Directors of Venture Mòr Ltd made an application for the company to be struck off.

Risk management

Venture Trust has a robust approach in place to assess, manage and mitigate risk at an operational and strategic level The strategic risk register is regularly reviewed by the senior team and board providing constructive challenge and a balanced view of risks facing the organisation and appropriate mitigations.

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This approach ensures that we have appropriate policies, procedures, and systems in place to address risk across all areas of our operations. These policies and procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure they continue to comply with statutory requirements and the needs of the organisation.

Currently the most significant risks and uncertainties faced by the organisation relate to securing funding for delivery and adapting our work to meet funders’ evolving requirements and participants’ needs in the current context of covid recovery and cost of living challenges. Strain on staff through the pandemic and the evolving cost of living crisis have also increased the risk of delivering our targets and outcomes.

Our workplan and budgeting is adapted to mitigate risks as they evolve.

Trustees’ responsibilities statement

The trustees (who are also directors of the Venture Trust for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

•select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;

•observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

•make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

•state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

•prepare the accounts on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.

The trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Companies Act and the Charities Act 2011. 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.

This report was approved by the Directors on 23rd October 2023 and signed on their behalf by:

Angela McCusker

Chair of the Board

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TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS

Board of trustees

Susan Davies (Chair – resigned 14 December 2022) Angela McCusker (Chair – appointed 14 December 2022) Paul Brown (resigned 28 March 2023) Adam Burley Alastair Clarkson Katy Hetherington Pete Higgins (resigned 14 March 2023) Catherine Lindsay Hugh McGregor Jill Roulston Nicola Thomson Bill Stephen (co-opted 13 June 2023)

Senior leadership team

Alastair Pringle, CEO (resigned 27 January 2023) Jenny Paterson, CEO (appointed 23 January 2023) Tejesh Mistry, Director of External Affairs (resigned 7 August 2023) Jenny McIvor, Director of Corporate Services (resigned 20 October 2023) Lynn Simmers, Interim Director of Corporate Services (appointed 23 October 2023) Gemma Jones, Director of Operations (appointed 16 May 2022)

Auditors Solicitors Bankers
Chiene + Tait LLP (trading as CT) Morton Fraser The Royal Bank of Scotland
Chartered
Accountants		 & Quartermile Two Bank Street
Statutory Auditor 2 Lister Square Portree
61 Dublin Street Edinburgh Isle of Skye
Edinburgh EH3 9GL IV51 9BX
EH3 6NL
Charity number SCO38932 (Scotland)
285891 (England)
Company number 01673720
Registered office 10 Orange Street, Haymarket, London, WC2H 7DQ
Operational address Unit 6 Block 1, Manor Farm Business Park, Stirling, FK9 5QD
Web www.venturetrust.org.uk

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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE VENTURE TRUST FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Opinion

We have audited the Financial Statements of Venture Trust for the year ended 31 March 2023 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Cash Flows and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

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

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

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Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the Trustees’ Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements, or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

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

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of 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 trustees’ report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of the Trustees

As explained more fully in the Statement of Responsibilities of the Trustees, the trustees’ are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true

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and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed auditor under the Companies Act 2006 and section 151 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with those Acts.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

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

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

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/Our-Work/Audit/Audit-and-assurance/Standards-andguidance/Standards-and-guidance-for-auditors/Auditors-responsibilities-for-audit/Description-ofauditors-responsibilities-for-audit.aspx. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

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Use of our report

This report is made solely to the Board of Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006, and to the charitable company’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members and its trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body and the charitable company’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Jeremy Chittleburgh (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of CT

Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditor 61 Dublin Street Edinburgh EH3 6NL

Date – 31 October 2023

Chiene + Tait LLP is eligible to act as an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.

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STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

(INCLUDING INCOME & EXPENDITURE)

for the year ended 31 March 2023

Notes
Income from:
4
Charitable activities
Donations
Interest
Other
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities
5
Total expenditure
Net income/ (expenditure)
6
Balance at 1 April 2022
Balance at 31 March 2023		 Unrestricted
funds
£
39,730
104,602
1,402
44,767
190,501
14,616
469,737
484,353
(293,852)
380,789
86,937		 Restricted
funds
(revenue)
£
1,813,787
412,204
-
2,245
2,228,236
2,228,236
2,228,236
-
-
-		 Restricted
funds
(capital)
£
-
-
-
-
-
18,715
18,715
(18,715)
60,203
41,488		 Total
2023
£
1,853,517
516,806
1,402
47,012
2,418,737
14,616
2,716,688
2,731,304
(312,567)
440,992
128,425		 Total
2022
£
1,838,040
906,822
68
87,056
2,831,986
13,753
2,697,226
2,710,979
121,007
319,985
440,992

All recognised gains and losses are included in the statement of financial activities.

The notes on pages 18 to 31 form part of these financial statements.

15

DocuSign Envelope ID: 255C3086-E6E4-49F7-B699-16A9970C205F

Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2023

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
9
Investments
10
Current assets
Debtors
11
Cash at bank and in hand
Current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year
12
Net current assets
Provision for Dilapidations
19
Net assets
14
Funds
Unrestricted
Restricted – revenue
15
Restricted – capital
15
Total funds		 2023
£
117,317
2
117,319
87,947
222,711
310,658
(258,126)
52,532
41,426
128,425
86,937
-
41,488
128,425		 2022
£
109,647
2
109,649
190,434
436,780
627,214
(295,871)
331,343
-
440,992
380,789
-
60,203
440,992

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

Approved by the Board on 23 October 2023 and signed its behalf by:

Angela McCusker (Chair)

The notes on pages 18 to 31 form part of these financial statements. Company number : 01673720

16

DocuSign Envelope ID: 255C3086-E6E4-49F7-B699-16A9970C205F

Statement of Cashflows as at 31 March 2023

Cash provided by operating activities
16
Cash flows from investing activities:
Interest income
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant
& equipment
Purchase of property, plant & equipment
Cash provided by investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of borrowing
Increase in cash and cash equivalents for
the year
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March
2022
Total cash and cash equivalents at 31
March 2023		 2023
£
(174,010)
1,402
-
(41,461)
(40,059)
-
(214,069)
436,780
222,711		 2022
£
(162,238)
68
1,500
(7,416)
(5,848)
(363)
(168,449)
605,229
436,780

The notes on pages 18 to 31 form part of these financial statements.

17

DocuSign Envelope ID: 255C3086-E6E4-49F7-B699-16A9970C205F

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1. Status of the company

Every member of Venture Trust undertakes to contribute to the assets of Venture Trust in the event of a winding-up while a member, or within one year after ceasing to be a member. This is for payment of the liabilities of Venture Trust contracted before they cease to be a member, such amounts as may be required will not exceed £1.

2. Accounting policies

2.1 Basis of accounting

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102), the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) and the Companies Act 2006. Venture Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102.

2.2 Going concern basis

The Trustees consider the charitable company to be a going concern.

The future operations of the charitable company are dependent on continued financial support from funders, the generation of future operating surpluses and sufficient ongoing operating cashflows. When looking ahead for the next 12 months the availability of this type of income is likely to become more constrained. At the date of approval of the financial statements, the Trustees have undertaken a detailed review of the known and likely funding position and using their knowledge of the charity sector in general, their specific knowledge of funding sources and experience and knowledge of the staff team, consider it reasonable to expect sustainable funding will be sourced to enable the charity to meet its principal aims and objectives.

The Trustees have approved up to date management accounts, budgets and cash flow projections which include key income and cost assumptions including ongoing support from funders and, where necessary, the curtailment or change of activities to match funding opportunities. Having considered these matters, the Trustees are of the view that, at the date of approval of the financial statements, the company will have sufficient resources to continue to operate and meet debts as they fall due for the foreseeable future, therefore the financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis.

18

DocuSign Envelope ID: 255C3086-E6E4-49F7-B699-16A9970C205F

2.3 Income recognition

Income is included when the charitable company is entitled to receipt, the amount can be determined reliably, and the receipt is reasonably certain. Specific conditions apply as follows:

2.4 Expenditure

Expenditure is included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charitable company has a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefits to a third party. Venture Trust operates a full cost recovery model for allocation of expenditure among programmes and costs are allocated based on planned activity in each programme. Costs have been attributed to one of the functional categories of expenditure as follows:

2.5 Fund accounting

The majority of income receivable is restricted to be used on specific programmes, activities or costs. Funding received for a specific capital purchase is treated as restricted capital funds and written off in accordance with the asset’s depreciation policy.

Any funding received without terms and conditions attached is treated as unrestricted.

A programme will normally be funded by a combination of restricted and unrestricted funding. Programme costs are allocated to restricted funds first then the balance is allocated to unrestricted funds.

2.6 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset evenly over its expected useful life, as follows:

Leasehold property over the term of the lease
Fixtures, fittings & equipment 4 years
Computer equipment 3 – 5 years
Motor vehicles 5 years

All expenditure on items of a capital nature exceeding £2,000 is capitalised.

19

DocuSign Envelope ID: 255C3086-E6E4-49F7-B699-16A9970C205F

2.7 Financial instruments

Financial instruments are contracts that give rise to financial assets or liabilities. All of the charitable company’s financial instruments qualify as “basic” in accordance with FRS102 section 11 “Basic financial instruments” and accordingly the requirements of that section are applied here. Financial instruments are measured initially at transaction price including transaction costs.

Basic financial assets comprise:

Basic financial liabilities comprise creditors and are all payable within one year. Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers.

2.8 Operating leases

Rentals payable under operating leases are charged on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

2.9 Pensions

The charity operates a defined contribution scheme for employees. Contributions payable are charged to expenditure as the obligation arises.

2.10 Events after the reporting period

On 22[th] May 2023, Venture Trust reached the end of the lease term for its Edinburgh office and vacated the premises.

The subsequent dilapidations claim from the landlord has been provided for within these financial statements, but this remains to be settled.

20

DocuSign Envelope ID: 255C3086-E6E4-49F7-B699-16A9970C205F

3 . Statement of Financial Activities prior year

Income from:
Charitable activities
Donations
Interest
Other
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
Net income/
(expenditure)
Balance at 1 April 2021
Balance at 31 March 2022		 Unrestricted
funds
£
500

521,234
68
87,056
608,858

13,753
455,317

469,070

139,788
241,001
380,789		 Restricted
funds
(revenue)
£
1,837,540
385,588
-
-
2,223,128

-
2,223,128
2,223,128

-
-
-		 Restricted
funds
(capital)
£
-

-
-
-

-
18,781

18,781

(18,781)
78,984
60,203		 Total
2022
£
1,838,040

906,822
68
87,056
2,831,986

13,753

2,697,226

2,710,979

121,007
319,985
440,992		 Total
2021
£
1,737,160
928,185
153
43,653
2,709,151
16,897
2,599,490
2,616,387
92,764
227,221
319,985

21

DocuSign Envelope ID: 255C3086-E6E4-49F7-B699-16A9970C205F

4. Analysis of income by activity

2023
Scottish Government
Other central and local government
Trusts and foundations
Other
Total 2023
2022
Scottish Government
Other central and local government
Trusts and foundations
Other
Total 2022		 3-phase
journeys
£
824,149
605,380
321,751
70,267
1,821,547
3-phase
journeys
£
863,027
618,407
506,460
102,500
2,090,394		 Employability
Outdoor
therapy
£
£
-
75,000
113,029
22,703
38,206
74,800
38,000
32,450
189,235
204,953
Employability
Outdoor
therapy
£
£
3,276
13,931
101,481
40,992
11,586
133,357
39,103
48,829
155,446
237,109		 Central
£
-
27,717
91,029
84,256
203,002
Central
£
-
76,003
175,791
97,243
349,037		 Total
2023
£
899,149
768,829
525,786
224,173
2,418,737
Total
2022
£
880,234
836,883
827,194
287,675
2,831,986

Of Other Income included in the Statement of Financial Activity, £9,637 (2022: £38,164) relates to income received for secondment of an employee to Angus Council.

22

DocuSign Envelope ID: 255C3086-E6E4-49F7-B699-16A9970C205F

5. Charitable expenditure by activity

2023
Staff
Programme
Premises
Communications
Other
Total 2023
2022
Staff
Programme
Premises
Communications
Other
Total 2022
Governance costs included above comprise:
External audit costs
Staff costs
Meeting costs
Total governance		 3-phase
journeys
£
1,667,208
132,272
230,083
117,118
70,624
2,217,305
3-phase
journeys
£
1,755,098
132,918
172,906
153,199
64,337
2,278,458		 Employability
£
141,807
50,342
12,224
10,071
5,145
219,589
Employability
£
91,099
52,271
8,384
7,456
5,597
164,807		 Outdoor
therapy
£
229,026
3,506
22,608
15,060
9,594
279,794
Outdoor
therapy
£
221,557
761
15,266
12,670
3,707
253,961
2023
£
11,590
8,239
147
19,976		 Total
2023
£
2,038,041
186,120
264,915
142,249
85,363
2,716,688
Total
2022
£
2,067,754
185,950
196,556
173,325
73,641
2,697,226
2022
£
12,190
8,239
-
20,429

23

DocuSign Envelope ID: 255C3086-E6E4-49F7-B699-16A9970C205F

6. Net income/(expenditure)

6. Net income/(expenditure)
2023 2022
Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging: £ £
Depreciation 33,791 30,057
Auditors’ remuneration:
For the provision of statutory audit services 11,590 12,190

7. Employment costs

Salaries and wages
Social security
Pensions
Total		 2023

£

1,581,869
151,151
44,717
1,777,737
 2022
£
1,661,338
151,049
47,029
1,859,416

One employee earned between £60,000 and £70,000 during the year (2022: one). No employees earned over £70,000 (2022: none).

The key management personnel of the charitable company comprise the trustees and the senior leadership team, as set out on page 10. Remuneration of the key management personnel is set according to pay scales which are approved by the Board at the point of any changes being made. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £219,616 (2022: £283,861).

The average number of full-time equivalent employees during the year was 58 (2022: 58). Staff numbers based on full-time equivalents were made up as follows:

3-phase journeys
Employability
Outdoor therapy
Management and support
Total		 2023

Number

30

3

3

22

58
 2022
Number
29
3
4
22
58

No trustees received remuneration or expenses (2022: nil).

24

DocuSign Envelope ID: 255C3086-E6E4-49F7-B699-16A9970C205F

8. Pension

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund. The pension scheme complies with automatic enrolment requirements. The pension contributions payable by the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023 amounted to £44,717 (2022: £47,029). £8,567 (2022: £ 8,581) was outstanding at 31 March 2023.

9. Fixed assets

Cost
At 1 April 2022
Additions
Disposals
At 31 March 2023
Depreciation
At 1 April 2022
Charge for the year
On disposals
At 31 March 2023
Net book value
At 31 March 2023
At 31 March 2022		 Motor
vehicles
£
17,891
41,461
-
59,352
12,619
9,568
-
22,187
37,165
5,272		 Leasehold
property
£
159,911
-
-
159,911
99,972
14,691
-
114,663
45,248
59,939		 Other
£
154,886
-
(301)
154,585
110,450
9,532
(301)
119,681
34,904
44,436		 Total
£
332,688
41,461
(301)
373,848
223,041
33,791
(301)
256,531
117,317
109,647

10. Investments

The charitable company holds 100% of the share capital of Venture Mòr Ltd, a company incorporated in Scotland. The aggregate amount of capital and reserves of this undertaking for the last relevant financial year to 31 March 2023 was £2 (2022 £2). The company is now dormant.

In the opinion of the trustees, the aggregate value of the charitable company’s fixed asset investments is not less than the amount included in the balance sheet.

On 15 September 2023, the directors of Venture Mòr Ltd made an application for the company to be struck off.

25

DocuSign Envelope ID: 255C3086-E6E4-49F7-B699-16A9970C205F

11. Debtors

Prepayments
Other debtors
Accrued income
Total		 2023

£

30,361
6,769
50,817
87,947
 2022
£
38,960
8,524
142,950
190,434

12. Creditors payable within one year

Trade creditors
Taxation and social security
Other creditors
Deferred income
Total		 2023
2022
£
£
24,457
57,878
45,221
34,452
22,261
34,288
166,187
169,253
258,126
295,871

13. Deferred income

Brought forward at 1 April 2022
Released to incoming resources in year
Received in year and deferred
Carried forward at 31 March 2023		 2023
£
169,253
(169,253)
166,187
166,187

26

DocuSign Envelope ID: 255C3086-E6E4-49F7-B699-16A9970C205F

14. Analysis of net assets among funds

2023
Non-current assets
Net current assets
Net assets at 31 March 2023
2022
Non-current assets
Net current assets
Net assets at 31 March 2022		 Unrestricted
funds
£
2

86,935

86,937

2

380,787

380,789
 Restricted
funds
(revenue)
£
75,829
(75,829)
-

49,444
(49,444)
-
 Restricted
funds
(capital)
£
41,488

-

41,488

60,203

-

60,203
 Total
funds
£
117,319
11,106
128,425
109,649
331,343
440,992

15. Analysis of movements in restricted funds by programme

2023
Restricted funds – revenue
3-phase programmes:
Inspiring Young Futures
Living Wild: Chance for Change
Next Steps
Positive Futures
Employability
Outdoor therapy
Total restricted funds - revenue
Restricted funds – capital
Total restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Total funds		 Opening
£
-

-

-

-

-

-

-
60,203
60,203
380,789
440,992		 Income
£
490,012

711,715

436,180

183,642

189,235

217,452

2,228,236
-
2,228,236
190,501
2,418,737		 Expenditure
£
490,012

711,715

436,180

183,642

189,235
217,452
2,228,236
18,715
2,246,951
484,353
2,731,304		 Closing
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
41,488
41,488
86,937
128,425

27

DocuSign Envelope ID: 255C3086-E6E4-49F7-B699-16A9970C205F

Restricted funds

The charitable company relies on a mix of restricted and unrestricted funding to fulfil our charitable objectives. None of our programmes are fully funded by one type of funding only and there are many different types of restrictions. The restrictions attached to each funding source are recorded specifically so it can be used and reported correctly to the funder. For the purposes of statutory reporting, we have grouped the funding according to our programme themes and set out the restrictions applying to each below.

Three phase programmes

Inspiring Young Futures

This programme helps young people furthest from opportunity, primarily aged 16-25 across Scotland, especially those with experience of local authority care, who have had social work involvement and/or caring responsibilities, to reach positive destinations in employment, education, training, volunteering and a sustainable lifestyle.

Living Wild: Chance for Change

This programme is designed for men and women aged 16-40 who are involved in the community justice system anywhere in Scotland, and primarily aims to help them reduce their risk of reoffending.

Next Steps

Next Steps supports women of aged 16+ whose chaotic and disadvantaged backgrounds have led to their involvement in, or created a high risk of, offending. It helps them stabilise their lives and reduces their risks of future offending.

Positive Futures

Positive Futures provides specialist support to those who have left military service and are struggling with the transition to civilian life, offering a programme of personal development that helps participants to develop the life skills to make positive life changes and move towards employment, education, training or voluntary roles.

Employability

Change Cycle programme is an employability programme,), for young people aged 16-24, who have experienced challenging life circumstances and have recently completed a Venture Trust programme or equivalent.

Outdoor therapy

The service aims to support people by combining the full range of benefits from time in nature and the outdoors with professional therapy to improve mental health and wellbeing. This is a free, confidential service for 16-25 year olds and ex-service personnel.

Any programme

These are funds provided to support a number of participants. The funding may specify a specific cohort or criteria such as homelessness or young people but may not specify a specific programme or workstream. This funding allows us to take a needs lead approach and allocate participants to the programme must suited to their needs.

Capital grants

These funds represent grants received towards the purchase or development of fixed assets. Expenditure comprises depreciation on those assets.

28

DocuSign Envelope ID: 255C3086-E6E4-49F7-B699-16A9970C205F

Included in restricted fund programmes are income and expenditure specific to the following funders:

2023
Income
Expenditure
£
£
National
Lottery
Community Fund: Awards
for All
-
-
2022
Opening
£
Restricted funds – revenue
3-phase programmes:
Inspiring Young Futures
-
Living Wild: Chance for Change
-
Next Steps
-
Positive Futures
-
Employability
-
Outdoor therapy
-
Any programme
-
Total restricted funds - revenue
-
Restricted funds – capital
78,984
Total restricted funds
78,984
Unrestricted funds
241,001
Total funds
319,985		 2022
Income
£
3,575
Income
£
403,388
946,072
282,902
153,646
148,860
139,450
148,810
2,223,128
-
2,223,128
608,858
2,831,986		 Expenditure
£
3,575
Expenditure
Closing
£
£
403,388
-
946,072
-
282,902
-
153,646
-
148,860
-
139,450
-
148,810
-
2,223,128
-
18,781
60,203
2,241,909
60,203
469,070
380,789
2,710,979
440,992		 Expenditure
£
3,575
Expenditure
Closing
£
£
403,388
-
946,072
-
282,902
-
153,646
-
148,860
-
139,450
-
148,810
-
2,223,128
-
18,781
60,203
2,241,909
60,203
469,070
380,789
2,710,979
440,992
-
60,203
60,203
380,789
440,992

29

DocuSign Envelope ID: 255C3086-E6E4-49F7-B699-16A9970C205F

16. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities

Net income for the year
Adjusted for:
Depreciation charges
Interest income
Loss / (profit) on the sale of fixed assets
Decrease in debtors
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
Net cash provided by operating activities		 2023

£

(312,567)
33,791
(1,402)
-
102,487
3,681
(174,010)
 2022
£
121,007
30,057
(68)
(3,478)
(11,517)
(298,239)
(162,238)

17. Analysis of net debt

7. Analysis of net debt
2023
Cash
Loans falling due within one year
Total
2022
Cash
Loans falling due within one year
Total		 Opening
£
436,780
-
436,780
605,229
(363)
604,866		 Cash
flows
£
(214,069)
-
(214,069)
(168,449)
363
(168,086)		 Closing
£
222,711
-
222,711
436,780
-
436,780

18. Operating lease commitments

The charity has commitments for the total of future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases in respect of property, IT equipment and vehicles as follows:

Leases expiring in:
Less than 1 year
1 – 5 years		 2023
£
79,812
22,690
102,502		 2022
£
134,414
103,605
238,018

30

DocuSign Envelope ID: 255C3086-E6E4-49F7-B699-16A9970C205F

Total lease payments recognised as expenditure in the year were as follows:

Property
IT equipment
Vehicles		 2023
£
118,371
-
15,314
133,505		 2022
£
97,260
12,977
16,918
127,155

19. Provisions

On 22 May 2023 Venture Trust vacated its Edinburgh office. The landlord submitted a claim for dilapidations to a value of £41,426. Venture Trust are in the process of negotiating the terms of the claim, however have recognised the amount in full in this financial year.

31