Company No. 01913555 Chairty No. 291890 Voluntary Action Islington Limited {A company limited by guaranteel Annual Report & Financial Statements 31 March 2025 Voluntary Action Islington Limit•d Truste￿, Annual Report For the year end•d 31 March 2025 REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Rgglstgrod Gharlty name VcAuntary Action Islington Limited Charlty registration numbgr 291890 Company r•glstration numl)•r 01913555 R•glstored Office 200a Pentonville Road London N19JP Board of TfUSto9s The trustees who served the Charity during the period and up to Ihe dale ofthis report were as follows.. Ali Jab¢en Craig Burgess Emma Victoria Hutchins (Chairl Hussain Ahmed- (resigned 21 May 20241 Irene Victoria Winter- (resigned 24 September 2024} Jorge LIO￿n$ (Treasurer) Ken Hettiarachi (VI￿ Chairl Kewn Tumer Madeleine Gascoigne Sants Gascoigne Chiof Exacutivé Officer and Company Secretory Navinder Kaur Indopondent Examinorn Goldwins Chartered Accountants 75 Maygrove Road Wesl Hampslead London NW6 2EG Bankers Unrty Trust Bank pl 9 Brindley Place Birmingham B12H8 Voluntsry Action Islington Limited Tru$tggs' Annual Roport For tho y•ar end•d 31 March 2025 The trustees. who are also the directors for the purpose of Ggmpany law. have t4easure in presenting their report and the financial slalements for th8 charityfor the year ended 31 st Marth 2025. Tho trustees confimi that th8 financial stslemenls comply wlth current slalutory reqLirements, Ihe memorandum and articles of association and the Statement of Rewmmended Pra¢ti¢ Accounting an(1 Reporiing by Charith"es: SORP applicable lo charities preparing their accounts n accordance FRS 102. PURPOSE AND AIMS Our charity's purpose as sel out in the objects contained in the Memrandum ofAssocialion is.. a) To promote any charitsble purpose primarily but not exclusively for the benefit of the community in the London Borough of Islinglon, hereinafter called'lhe area of benefrt. and in particular the advancemeni of education. the fijrtheranco of haalth and the reliaf of povety. distress and sickness b) To promote and organise cooperation in achievement of the above purposes and to that end to bring together representslives of not-for-profit organisations 8nd stslulory authorftles engaged In the lurtherance of the above purposes wthin the 8re8 of benefit In the past year the 8taff and trustees ￿vieWed VAI'S mission. vision, values and aims and this annual report reflects these strategic changes. OURVISION A thriving Voluntary. Community. Faith and Social Enterprise {VCFSE) sector in I￿ingtOn- enriching people's lives and building stronger communities. OUR MISSION To slrengthen Islinglon's VCFSE seclor lo deliver services effectively and sustsinably to promote social justice. OURVALUES Collaborative.. building partnerships and Goéewgning solutions Effoctlve." ￿eatiVe, energetic and responsive In¢luslv•.' w(NnOting the importanc8 of equity, equ81ity, drversity and inclusion Positive." tackling Ghallenges by building on strengths With Intogrity.. honest, prof8ssional and re*ycMul OUR NEIV STRATEGIC AIMS 1. To support the development, effectiveness and sustainability of 181ington'8 Vduntary, Community. Faith and Social Enterprise Sector 2. To enable and strengthen volunteering, soci818clion and community resilience 3. To facilitste stronger partnership working across181ington's Voluntary. C¢)mmunily, Faith and Social Enterprise sector lo influence policy, decision-making and system growth 4. To njn VAI r85pon5ibly, effectively and efficienlty as a model of good practice We are an accredited Living Wage Employer and aim to b8 an oqual opportunibes employer. PUBLIC BENEFIT During the year the Iruslees have consldered s8cllon 17 of the Charities Act 2011 and Charity Commission guidance on public benefft. We have sought lo ensure that the charity is fulfilling its charitable purpose to benefit the public by focu55ing on some of the most pressiThJ social issues in the boiough. including Inequality. Poverty. Community Safety and Health. Voluntary Artlon Isllngton Limwtgd Truste•s' Annual R•port For tho year ended 31 March 2025 VOLUNTARY ACTJON ISLINGTON Voluntary Action Islington IVAII has b80n al the heart of Islinyton's sector for over 50 years. We support local charities. community groups, faith organisalions & social enterprises, while also worknng closely wlth residents and slalulory partners. Over this lime, we've built strong relationships, extensive local knowledge & a Glear understsnding of the challenges many people in our borough face. Today, we have over SOO regislered members and regularty share information with more than 900 thmugh our newsgroup. The VCFSE sector continues to demonslrale resilien￿. creativity and del8rmin8tion in the face of unprecedented challenges, and this is what drives us to remain so committed to our local VCFSE sector and ￿sidents. OUR NEW 3 YEAR STRATEGY 2024-2027 In September'24. we launched our new 51ralegy. capturing what Islington's VCFSE sector havg been telling us about what they need from us during these unpredictable and challenging lim&s. As NCVO have articulated very well in their recenl'The Road Ahead. report, the se¢lor is faclng ongoing economic uncertainty. difficult funding landscapes and evolmng political priorities requiring us lo rethink how we operate, collaborate and advocate for change. The sector is operating in a perfect storm, wlh funding harder lo secure, at a time when the s￿l9r is lryiThJ lo keep up with the L¢nprecedenled rise in the demand for servI￿s. We have been Working more closely with th8 VCFSE sector and partners putting in plac8 ways lo collaborate and advocale for change strengthening our relationships and partnerships to Strengthen VAI and the wder VCFSE sector in Islinglon. We bring our strategic aims lo life through services that are practic81 and people-focused: C8pacity building 8nd organisational development sUpp￿t= we provide advice. training and mentoring to small community groups. charities and social enterprises. We h8lp them build skills and sustsinability so they can serve local people who need their support. Volunteering.. we run Islinglon's NAVCA accredf(ed Volunteer Cenlre, helping residents find meaningfijl roles and supporting organisalions to create inclusive opportunities. Volunteering builds confidence & belonging while giving local charities the vital support they need. Collaboration.. We connect and advocate for the VCFSE sector. representing the sector on 151inglon council-led boards and partnerships Bnd sub boards of the N(*th Central London Inlegr8ted Care Board. We cc)nvene annual conferences and networks Ihal strengthen partnership working and Collaboration. Community space- through our Resource Centre, we provide affordable co-working and meeting spac8, cr8ating a supportive environmentwhere groups can collaborate and deliver their seTvKes. KEY PRIORITIES FOR THE YEAR Our priorities have been lo strengthen our inlemal infrastructure.. capturing and demonstrating VAI'S value and the value of the lo￿1 VCFSE ￿tOr- and reaching rwtore local organisations and residents through our Local Wellbeing Ne￿orkS and deli￿ring a wder range of holistic, early intervention and prevention servi￿$ to better meet the needs of re$￿ents and organisations by forming new co112boralions with local pathars lo achieve this and extend our reath. OUR CORE ACTIVITIES: Cap8cIty building and organisational d•v•lopmfjnt support We continued lo provide capacity building an(J organisalional development support lo local residents and organisalions. We provided practical 1..1 and group support to rnsidents establishing or running local VCFSE sector organis8tions and community groups. Voluntary Action Islington Llmltod Trustees. Annual Report For th• y•ar •nd•d 31 March 2025 We continued to provide an email news group service through vthith we bring to the attenllon of members relevant pollcy and funding initiatives. Members use this service to promote their local activf(ies. Islington counGil colloagues also disseminate information through this news group. Our website continues to b8 an important source of information for news re￿vant lo the sector including good practice resources for organisations. During the year we started work on developing a new website, having consutted the sector around accessibility, navigation and resources needed. Wè conthnue to have an arrangement with NCVO. providing our members with access to NCVO membership and services at a di￿OUnted rate. We continue lo have an arrangement th Russell Cooke who offer free 20-minute legal advice to the sector. VOLUTEERING, SOCIAL ACTION AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE We dellvered the Core elements of an NAVCA acerediled Volunteer Centre - matching local residents intsresled in volunteering with local opportunities in the VCFSE sector. We have 8 small team of volunleets who provide a drop-in service tsvice a week and through outreach we promots volunteering al local community events We provided a volunteering platform that enables organisalions to F)OSt their volunleer opportunrties, whilst al the same time allowing potential volunteers lo create their profi￿$ arKI search for suitsble placements. Thls year we improved a￿eSSIbIlity by upgrading our volunteering platrorm. We promoted community organisations and volunleerirg lo the wider public 0￿1 we achieve local press coverage for the Volunteer of the Year Awards. which is ￿ld together th our Annual General Meeting in the first week of November. We fa¢ililaled the Local Wellbeing Networks- Norlh, Central, South Islington - bringing together residents, VCFSE sector organisations. community groups and slalukny P8rtners, focuslng on priorities detemined by frontline organisations and residents. PARNERSHIP WORKING ACROSS THE VCFSE TO INFLUENCE POUCY, DECISION MAKING AND SYSTEM GRo￿￿H We organised an annual conference in March '2S and smaller events throughout the year for the local VCFSE sector on themes of relevance. Our ham day conference in March foGused on defining the Impact and soclal v81ue of the VCFSE sector. supported by Sheffield Hallam and Nottingham Trent Universities. and how the sector w benefit from Evidence Islington, funded by the Health Detarminants Res8arch Co118bor8tion IHDRCI. We facilitated VAI'S Advisory Group {made up of 20 local organisat￿)nS and local fundersl and the Islington VCFSE Leaders Collaborative lo support the VCFSE sector lo collaborate more effectively. We represented the VCFSE sector on a range of Islington council led partn8rships and boards and supported wider VCFSE reprèsentation. Vve represented the VCFSE on the North Central London VCSE Alliance and NCL Integrated Care Boarij partnerships and boards. OUR RESOURCE cETr￿RE We are delighted to announce that wth the support of Islington Council. we secured a new 1&year lease promding us wth the stability that we need going fonNard. Having secured a new lease. we have started to make more improv8m8nts to thè Resource Centre to ensure that the space is welcoming and 8 nice environment lo work Voluntsry A¢tlon l$llngton Llmlted Trustees, Annual Report For tho ygar ended 31 March 2025 2024-26- THE YEAR IN NUMBERS Voluntary Action IBlington Llmlt•d Trusto•8' Annual R•port For the year end￿ 31 Ma￿h 2025 STRATEGIC AIM 1: TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT, EFFECTr4ENESS AND SUSTAINABILITY OF ISLINGTON'S VCFSE One to ono ¥gs$lons-tallorgd advko and guldance to bulld confidence and skllls We received requ8Sts for support from 172 organisalions and residents hvho We￿ supported mainly through 1.1 in person and online sessions11191 and via email and telephone (S31- We worked wlh some groups on a short-tem) basis, whilst othèrs benefited from longer lemi tsrgeted support lo help them build robust foundation5. In this reporting period we supported 20 of the 51 organisalTons receiving core grant funding from Islington Council,. and w8 T8ach8d 28 organisalionslresidenls that had not received support from VAI previously. The main 8re8s of support promded via one-to-one sessions: Funding, fundraising Including rewews of fundin9 applications Legal 51ructure5= charity structures and registering as 8 charity or company limttsd by guarantee or changing their existing Structtjres. 21 Vo of all requests came from residents (some of whom already delivering community s8rw¢esl who w8nted 8dwce about how lo set up as a charity, community group, CIO and Community Interest Company {Soeial Enterprise) Financial manogemenL accounts & budge￿ng Govemance and planning Monitoring, evaluakn.on and measurirvJ impad including using dats I case studies lo demonstrate outcomes and impact. Safeguarding policies and procedures Requests for volunteers HOW RESIDENTS AND ORGANISATIONS ACCESS OUR SERVICES > Our pattrers.. the Big Alliance, Crippleg8te Foundation. Local Initiatives Funding ILIFI team, local councillors. Islinglon Council's Partnership Team, and other Council dep8rtments Through events, and ne￿orks.. our newsgroup, ￿nferenCes, training 8nd workshops Community signposting: referrals from olhorVCS organisalions, VAI Volunteercentre, work of mouth and local forum$ PRACTICAL SKILLS TRAINING Alongside one-to-one support, we delivered pr￿lea1, skills fowsed training in partnership wilh other organisations, enabling the sector to leam together, share ideas and strengthen connections. We delivered the training in partnership with others. joining up the offer lo meet th& demand from organisalions. and lo maximise our reach and imp8¢1. Across the year. a lot81 of 214 people participated in our training sessions. and 900A reported kncreased knowledge or onfidence in their ability to apply what thay l@am8d. D•live ngr I Cripplegale {May'24} Finance, budgeting and fundraising................... Charitable Incorporated Organisalions=1s this the perfect structure for Lour orsanisalion? Introduction to Project Managgment [' Introducbon to Social Enter 27 attended, 45 received follow temRlate$ 30 attended Russell Co¢ke (Ocl '24) VAI'S Vi?iunteer Associate {Oct'241 x 2 sessions 20 attended both ses5¥)ris Bett8r S Nov'24 15 8ttended Voluntary Adion Islington Llmltod Trustees, Annual Report For th• y•ar •nd•d 31 March 2025 Them• Partnership and Netsvorkin D•llv•ry_p_artnor , Numbgr of o￿OnI80t10ns Voice 4 Change 33 small, black led Feb '25}....... ooqanisalions attended London Met University 15 micro sized March 25 x 3 sessions i o.r£anisalions attended The toolkit promder IDOX 57 attended prowded 8 workshop on how lo navigate the loolkil I Maich 25 Project PlannirvJ and Development Funding Toolkit Workshop Ilunded by Islinglgn Council} MAKING ACCESS TO FUNDRAISING EASIER We know that funding is a lifeline for the sector. and we worked to make il 8asi@r for org8nisalions lo identify opportunities and success in applications. During the year we: produced 2 updated fvnding booklets disseminated in October'24 & March '25- bringing togelhgr a range of funding opportunities in one place. The booklet makes il easier for local organisations to ac￿55 re￿vant Dpporlunilies quickly. saving them lime and helping them focus on strengthening their funding applications. collated and disseminated over 35 funding updates throughout the year. wth at least 2 per month. We weived posibve feedback on how helpful these regular updates are lo groups who are sourcing funding opportunib'es. promoted the Islington Funding Toolkit 15 time8 through VAI'S Newsgroup and Local Wellbeing Networks, increasing registrations to 380 organisations. The TOol￿t is a searchable datsbase of local, regional, national, and int6mational fvnding opportunitie$, helping groups find funders by type. area of work, or beneficiaries. reviewed funding applicabons, prowding consbvclive feedback, and advised grcHJps on how to strengthen their applicatk)ns or prepare for future funding opwtunilies. OUR REACH: WHO WE ARE SUPPORTING Organisational Size by Income Lwge £1 m5111￿￿5 2% Medum £250,D)14lmUllfth ￿ 4% Small £10,001.£2￿ 29% 10 70 •Numberof Orgarisations Voluntary Actlon Isllngton Llmltod Trusttt8' Annual Report For the year ended 31 March 2025 Organisational Structure Communlty It)te￿s1 Cth￿panY 22% ChathablB Inc•Eporate Chganlsauon Communliy Grthjp ￿ 9% SDGial Enterprise • 2% Tr4J51 * 1% Tenants & Resldenfs As8oc1atiL￿ ll 1% 10 20 Number¢f Organ￿￿on5 25 40 Main services offered by those we support Care & Supwrt SeTrfce8 Cultur6. Arts SHerb298 11% unkr￿ ￿ 6% Leaming, Skills & Empkjyrneni ￿ 6% Chik1 & Youth Actwities ￿ 5% L*, InfoFm8bon & GuidaTrc8 ￿ 5% En￿rOnMent, Rights & Justsce ￿ 4% Fai￿ & Spirituality • 1% Infvasuuctsxe & Lelsiirts M 1% 10 20 30 mber of OrganisatiMs 70 The feedback from the advtce sessi￿$ h89 been very positive. Groups reported they received praclical adv6ce and infoimalion 8nd g8ined knowledge and skills that Would help them to start. develop 8nd run their organisalions. Evaluation feedback from sessions shows 8 high level of salisfaclion with the advice provided. Voluntary Action Islington Limitod Trustees. Annual R•port For thg year onded 31 MaKh 2025 MEMBERSHIP AND COMMUNICATIONS OUR MEMBERSHIP 550 forn)al memb8rs 380 organisations now using the Islinglon Funding Toolkit, the free-to-a￿e$S knding database, ftjnded by Islingts)n Council. 953 users of VAI news. our email news group 34,086 visit5 to our w8bsit8 SOCIAL MEDIA 3567 Twitter followers IVAI a¢￿unt) 2612 Twitter followers (Volunteer Centre account) 1,081 Inslagram followers {Volunteer Cenlwl MEMBERSHIP SERVICES Our membership wnsisls of 550 local VCFSE sector organlsations. Going forward we will t¢ reviewing our m8mbership offer and will work on improving our offgr lo members. GOOGLE NEWSGROUP VAI'S Google Newsgroup membership increased from the prevws year to over 953 local groupslorgani58tions. This plarfomi is used by org8nis8tions lo share local news about their services. Upon request, we also dis$gminaled news and infotm8lion from our COLtncil and public health colleagues. In 2024-25. 980 n8ws &mails were sha￿d using this platform. We circulated funding updates. job alerts and local community events and seNices as well as news from Islinglon Council via 811 ¢Jur messaging platfomi5'. WEBSITE Our websbte had over 33k visits from VCFSE sector groupslorganisations accessing e range of capactty building and organisational development infom1ationl￿sourCes 8nd events t¢ support the VCFSE In the delivery of their serwces. We have started lo plan the developmgnl of a new revamped website {fUr￿ed by the National Lottery) lo improve access. navigation and resources and toolkits available to the local VCFSE sector. The website will be completed In Feblmarch 2026. STRATEGIC AIM 2: TO ENABLE AND STRENGTHEN VOLUNTEERING. SOCIAL ACTION AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE COST OF LIVING PILOT PROGRAMME- LOCAL WELLBEING NETWORKS The LWNS continued to be a major focus of our work delivered in partn8rship wth Octopus Community Ne￿Ik. Help on Your Doorstep and Manor Gardens Welfare Trust and other LWN partners. We focused on delivering an earty intervention approach by providing a holislic and joined up response lo residents accessing fogd aid. We bulll upon the work with existing members of the LWNS and started working more closely with the Islinglon food aid providers netsvork. Our aim was to raise awareness of statutory 8nd VCFSE sermces in the borough, to support collaboration. sharing of resources, ¢o-delivering events and provithng workforte development training to staff and volunteers working within food aid hubs. Over the year. the Food Aid providers network told us about the complexity of issues residents accessing food aid provision f8ce, and what additional support services residents need anrj these include.. debt I benefit advice, education l training. employment SUPPDrt, housing advic8 Voluntary Action Islington Limitsd Trustees, Annual R•port For the year ended 31 March 2025 I support, language support, legal advlce, social wellbèing activities I support to reduce sociol isolation, support with mental and physical health, supp¢)rt lo address substance use I gambling hamis. LOCAL WELLBEING NETWORK MEETINGS AND EVENTS We engaged 185 residents. VCFSE organisalions including 28 food aid provKlers, raising awaioness of mental health, employment, debt, income maximisation. (Jruglalcohollgambling support and the support offered by the Access Hubs. This was in response to what food aid providers told us that their residents needed. We delivered 17 Local Wellbeing Ne￿orkS meetings a¢ross the 3 to¢altbes in settings accessible to residents and practitioners, wth approx. 2M5 members attending each LWN meeting- 5 North Locality meeting5 ￿th 94 attendees 6 Central Locality meetings with 79 8ttendees 6 South Locality meetings wth 93 attende&s YOUNG PEOPLE'S EMPLOYABILITY WITH A FOCUS ON NETWORKING IN THE CREATIVE AND TEC SECTOR 38 young people attended a co-designed employability event in July 2024. The North LWN members prioritised work with young people and as a resum of the conversation, Copenhagen Youth Projed, Fish Tank, Mary's Youth Club, Whitlinglon Park Corrwnunity Centre c(wroduced an èvent with young people around employability wth a focus on nelworking in the creative arKS tech sector. A hugely successtul ev&nt which look place 81 Havas, lQ"ngs Square. ONLINE WEBINARS AND IN PERSON TRAINING FOR STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS WORKING WITHIN THE FOOD AID NEfwoRK l Delivery partn•r and Dates September'24 and Januay'25 January'25 Numb•r of oryanlsatlons Making Every Contact Count 32 Food Aid Providers -L21 volunteers). 21 Food Ad Providers 10 volunteers 32 MotiV8tional Interwewng imax and Islington Access Hubs In partnership wilh H&lp lonlinel on Your D¢xJrslep {HOYD} LOCAL WELLBEING NETWORKS WORKING COLLABORATIVELY WITH ISUNGTON COUNCIL During the year, we worked in partnershlp with council wlleagues in Ihe followiThJ areas- CIVEL CONnNGENCIES TEAM In March 25, we delivered a tsbletop exercisewilh l$lington Coun¢il's Civil ConlingencEs Tean with 24 p8rtieipanls included Food Aid Providers, emergency serV￿e$, healthcare, charities and the council. We tssled the response lo an event that threatened food securSty and suppty. The aim of th8 8x8rcis8 was to promote joint working, and planning between all partners, exploring the likely responses of each organis81ion, develop knowledge of other services and identify vulnerabilities and inter dependencies. 10 Voluntary Action Islington Limit•d Trustees, Annual Report For tho year •ndod 31 March 2025 PUBLIC HEALTH AND REHABIT A mentsl health subgroup of the LWN worked on dgV8loping a mental health and wellbeing gulde 8 wackn.eal loolkil to help staff and volunle8rs in Islinglon feel confident hawng conversalh?ns about mental heaFth and signposting resldenls to further support. ThL8 VAII be launched in the Autumn of'25_ HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE In March .25, we ran 8 focus group on eady intervention and prevention mental health support in151ington. Food 8id providers were invited lo ￿ntrIbute lo: What the earty intervenlion and prevention offer for mental health in Islington looks lik6 What works well and I￿al could be improved What we want it lo look like in the future SUBGROUP 1: MENTAL HEALTH Members include VAI {LWNI, Islington Council. Public Health, REHABIT A rnental health subgroup of the LWN Y40rf(ed on developing a mental health and wellbelng guide a practical toolkit to help staff and volunteers in Islington feel cOnf￿nI hawng conversations about mental health and signposting residents lo further support. SUBGROUP 2: FINANCIAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING Members include VAI ILWNI, Residents Wilhoul Borders, Go Aftlca, Maya Cenlre, B8tknowmore, Islington Council. E￿den￿ Islington, Hanley Crouch Community Centre, Eritrean Famity Support Group. Islington Chinese Association and Age UK Islington. Key challenges identified was the link betsveen povety and pDor health, particularly affeclirvJ disabled people, housing 8ffor(Jability issues, high utility costs and lack of financial literaw and limited awareness of available resources. Members started Wofking on a communty event planned for the Autumn on Cc4nmunty Voices.. Managing Your Money Workshop managing your money. _ led by Residents Without Bord8rs. with Islington Law Centre. Citizens Advice, SHINE (fuel povety and energy support) and 88lknowmore- providers of gamtling sUpp￿t. SUBGROLIP3: ENVIRONMENT Mernbers indude VAI {LWNI. Kings Head Theatre, Residents Without Border5. Let's Lir*. Sl Mary's Youth Group, Islinglon Council, LO￿On Metropolitan Univeisity. Islinglon Clean Alr Parents. Hanley Crouch, and residents. Key themes and discussions cenlred aroun¢J.' air quality and green infrastructure; community owned air quality monitoring, wilh support from London Met, street greening, pocket parks and the use of planters in high IraffK areas- waste and recycling.. community gardens and green spaces. One of the projects that is in deveh)pment is with King's Head Theatre Communty Garden, creating an ￿cluSive space C0-des￿ned with young peop￿ 8nd community groups. The aim is to revilalise an ouldoor space al the Kings Head Theatre lo encourage creativity, connection wi(h nature and reduce longliness. A collaboration with Sl Mary's Girls, Group land later, an LGBTQ+ group). A l¢xal artist facilitsled workshops, and the garden was de$igngd with sustainable f88tur8s: uttyded theatre equipment. trellises and repurposes materials. SUBGROUP 4: EMPLOYMENT Member5 include VAI ILWN) Brickwork5 Community Centre. Islinglon Council Adult Communrty L8aming, NHS, Go Africa, Help on Your Doorstep, Evidence Islington, Islinglon Somali Cc4nmunity. Roj Women's Assoeialion, and engaged residents. Voluntary Actlon l$llngton Llmltgd Trustg•s' Annual Report For th• year ended 31 March 2025 Areas of concern for members include mismatch belween resident's skills and available job roles, lack of work experien￿ and volunteering OPFK)rtuni118s, barriers such as mentsl h881th. low confidence, pgor social Skills. sligrn8 and discrimin8tK)n based on age, disability or language ability. inll8xible job conditions, especially around clmldcare and care giving. and limit8d 8CCèSS to relevant 8pprenticeships and training. To start wth, as a re5uk of this work 8rickworks Community Centre 8nd Islinglon Council Adult Community Learning have partnered lo deliver a pilot &week Employability Programme Ipilotl course covering Cvs, interview skills, job applications and confidence building. with an Autumn stsrL LOCAL WELLBEING NETWORKS ADVISORY GROUP In addition lo the LWN subgroups, we set up in Dec '24 an Advisory Group comprised of 11 members representing food aid providers, LWN core members. local residents and communlty organisers and they meet every 6-8 week$ to help provi(le strategic leadership. VOLUNTEER CENTRE SERVICES Through our n8tionally accrediled Volunleer Cenlre, we ensure that Islington residents have o¢¢ess to a wde range of opportunities lo make 8 difference in the area where Ihey live. study or Work through volunteering andlor social action. REACCREDITATION OF OUR VOLUNTEER CENTRE We are pleased to announ¢e that we achieved Ieaccreditat￿n in April '24 after a 10-m(¥)th proGpss through NAVCA'S Volunteer Centre Quality Accreditation IVCQAI fc¢using on 5 functions of Volunteer Centres.. strategic development of volunteering., go¢)d pract￿ development., broker8ge- connecting people, developing volunteering opportunities and vo of volunteering. EXPANDING OUR VOLUNTEERING SERVICES VOLUNTEER PLUS NETVIORK AND VOLUNTEERING FOR HEALTH Funded by the City 8ridg8 Foundation (Volunteer Plus Net￿Ork, until August 251 and the NHS (from July '24 for 3 years), bringing together Volunteer Centres in Bamet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington and supported by London Plus. Our colloctlvo priorities: Equality of access.. building diversity of our volunteering population. focusing on current gaps-. young people, young carers and working wlh inclusion health communities including asylum seekers. Support vglunleering through our Core20PLUS population groups that are part of NHS England's strategy lo reduce h8atth in8qualilies across the UK. Core20 Ptus communities refers to the most depTwed 20% of the notK)nal population based on th8 Index of Multiple Deprivation IIMD} and additional population groups who experience worse-than- average health a¢c¢ss. outcomes or experlences and may not captured by deprivation alono. They include olhnic minority communities, indu5ion health groups such as vuln8rab18 migrants, people wlh leaming disabilities and autistic people. young carers. looked after Children and Care leavers. Improving voluntser experience.. incre4sing aecess to volunleeriro and helping people find the right volunteering opportunity through a single place to search for NHS roks,. Creating flexible volunteering roles- creatinglsupporbng best practice volunteer re(¥uilment and management. Voluntary Action151ington Limitod Trustees, Annual R•port For the year ended 31 Ma￿h 2025 volunte￿7￿9 into work - devdoping pathways from volunteering into work- supportlng current work in this space. including Ihe Workwell Partnership and Volunteer to Careers. Our co15e¢tive oUt￿Me$ include developing a system-wde Integration of volunl8er services across North Central London including providfrrs of primary, secondary and tertiary health services to.. In¢rease volunteering level and diversity Improve the volunteer exp8ri8nc8 through volunteer management good practice Embed volunt88ring in priority health and social care workstreams {e.g. how volunteering can support prevention) Meet need of NHS Chaxtias l Trusts Volunteer Programmes Sharing of innovative volunteering approaches via our established Netsvork Increasing involvement of volunt88rs in decision-making Developing pathways from volunteering into work COST OF LIVING PILOT PROGRAMME- VOLUNTEERING We developed a very successful partnership with Help on Your Doorstep {HOYDI. Octopus Ccfnmunty Nefv40fk and Manor Gardens Weware Trust, with funding frorn Islir¥Jton Coun¢il's Cosl of Liwng Crisis Fund. Funding was secured to address the social, economic and wellbeing issues amongst residents accessing food aid. supporting th8m lo transition from reliance food aid by recemng holistic I wrap around support. Our ro￿ was to sUpp(￿t residents experiencing financial crisis and social isolation to engage wth local actNitigs through volunteering lo increase their skills. knowledge, and work experience to incr8ase their ¢onfidence and setf-esteem and improve Iheir wellbeing and reduce their sociol isolation by creating connections with their community. We delivered outreach to 12 food aid providers: Andover Community C6ntre, Cook for Good, Copenhagen Street Food Hub. Elizabeth House. Families in Harmony, Holtoway Neighbourhood Group. Islington Bla¢k Advice Allianc& Jean Stokes Café. Laamiga, Light 1ntemath.onal Project, Sl Lukes, The Peel. What we found was that resirjenls ￿ceSsIng food aid are not only experiencing financial crisis. bul also have Complex mentsl health issues including depression, high levels of anxiety. psythosis, and some have ¢omplex physical health issues such as Igng wvid. fibromyalgia. cancer. dia￿t&S and high blood pressure. Some experience drug and alcohol issues, and some are neurodiverse with ADHD, and Autism. Some are caring for young and disaNed f8mi members. and some have lang¥Jage barriers. We are very proud of what we athieved over the year. > 107 residents relying on fo¢xl aid promsion registered lo volunteer from a totsl of 261 residents engaged overall > 67 residents had volunteer placement interviews. with 33 placed as volunteers wthin Food Aid settings1291 and the ￿$1 within other community organisatw)ns 59 residents accessed other sgrwces including HOYD for benefit and PIP assessment. and other services supported them with their debt and r8nl srrears, legal advice, and Islinglon Adult Communty Leaming to improve their literacy and dyital skills. as well as takn'ng w short courses around mental health and wellbeing offered by the Recovery Colkge and Manor Gardèns to gel help with tfanslation. > 6 food aid facilitators were iecnjiled13 students from London Metropolitan University) of which 1 left after finding work > 7 volunteers were supported into work 13 Voluntary Action Islington Limitsd Truste•s' Annual Report For thè year 8nd•d 31 March 2025 COMMUNITY OUTREACH WITH DROP-IN SESSIONS Our tearn of Communty Voluntgering Advisors (volunteers) continued to support resldents to apply for volunteering roles across Ihe VCFSE sector. This was achieved through community outreach with drop-in sessions. During the year, we delivered OLrtreach al 21 events at community s&ttings as well as UnI￿r$Ities, job centres and librarEs. VOLUNTEERING FAIRS We continued lo delivervolunleering fairs in the community in partne15hip with Volunleercentre Camden IVCCI and Islington Council ¢olleagues. 4 Volunteer fairs were held across the year wth VCC: April .24, in person ￿th 21 Volunteer Invol￿ng Organis8tions IVIOSI, 75 peopl8 att8nd8d June '24. in person wlh 21 VIOS. 6D p8opl8 attended S8Ptèmb8r '24, online wlh 10 VIOS, 97 people ￿gistered. wth 40 attending January'25, 144 people registered with 50 attending VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT BEST PRACTICE RESOURCES we pioviéed access lo best practice resour￿5 to Volunteer Managers working within Volunteer Invo￿1ng Organisation$ IVIOSI via their Volunt¢er Managers and duri￿ the year dellvered- 42 x 1..1 sessions and Ihrough our website monthly newsletters to 400 VIOS Updated resources in Feb '25 and additional resources uploaded in March 25 Regular communicat￿nS lo organisalions and r8sid8nts registered at the Volunteer Centre A NEW VOLUNTEERING PLATFORM AND OUR REACH Alongside otjr exciting new progr8mmÈs, we have 81so improved ourvolunteering platform. with a move from Simply Connect lo Team Kinetic, which we achieved by the erKJ of MarGh'25. VAI staff and volunteers have been Irained, and a guid& cr88led for Volunteer Involving Organisations IVIOsl- During the year we had.. 5317 volunteers wistered on Simply Connect, Including 1016 new volunteèrs 297 volunteering opportunities 8V8ilable Monthly newsletter sent to over 2000 residents registèrèd on our pL*form 59 new Volunteer Involving Organisations {VIOsl r8gistered 164 new volunteering roles promoted. and 571 n8w volunteers registered OUR ANNUAL VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARDS AND AGM- 6 NOVEMBER 2024 We hosted our 8nnual Islington Volunteer of the Year Awards ￿lebration al the Great Hall. London Melropolilan University. It was a wonderful event celebrating Islinglon volunteers. We had 135 nominations pul foNard, wth 200 attendees on the day. Our 9U•St sp•ak•rs: Julie Hall, Vice Chancellor, London Metropolitan University, J&r8my Corbyn MP, V￿loria Lawson, CEO, Islington Council, and Mayor of Islinglon, Cllr Anjna Khurana Our Volunteerof th8 Ye8rAwards were again sponsored by Doubletree by Hilton Islington. who provided the prizes, and we h8d IoGal media coverage. raising the profile of volunteering localty. The awards werè announcèd by the Mayor of Islinglon. Cllr Anjna Khurana. The winners were.. Older Volunteer of the Year 60+ Carolyn Baker Islinglon Centre for Refugees and rants Museum of lh8 Order of St John Young Volunteer of the Year 16- 25 Yusuf Uddin 14 Voluntary Action Islington Llmltod Trust•￿. Annual Report For the yèar ended 31 March 2025 Volunteer of the Year 26-60 Volunteerin Team of the Year Pal Haynes Memori81 Trustee of the Year To Quinn HC C les Worksho Latin American Women's Aid's Volunteerin Team Stephen Mullin Culpepper Community Garden VOLUNTEER CENTRE WORKING COLLABORATIVELY Ov•rthe yearwa: Contributed to the Islinglon volunteering partnership meetings-wth representstives frcffj LBI. Alliance, and Cripplegalo Promote(J London Mel Universty CharFlies & Social Ent8rprisg Clin￿9 Strengthened links wth th8 local Employability Praclilioners Network Str8ngth8n links with the Isliroton Council's iwork Refugee Support Team R8presented VAI at the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Forum {GLAI and the London Plus Volunteer Centre Network OUR VOLUNTEERS AND STUDENT PLACEMENTS In addition lo our Iruslees, VAI had teams of volunteers ossisting us in delivertng some of ￿r core aclimties. In total we had 21 Iocol residents volunteering with us. Volunteers supp(￿ed the Nnning of our Resource Centr8, assist8d with our Volunteer Centre resident broker8ge I matching se￿￿e, delivered wtal capacity building l organisation81 development support, L¢xal Wellbeing Netsvork meelings and events and the Cost-of-Living Programme and key elements of QLbr inlemal govern8nc8'. Volunteer Centre Community Volunteering Advisors.. Nisreen Abou H￿d8. Marlene L811. Gabisa Abelli. Yosef Mesfin. Richard Manson. Tyn8n Parker, Larysa Koltsova. These volunteers arrar¥Jed fa￿40•face meetings with potential volunlegrs, supported the Volunteer Fairs and through outreach promotèd volunteering opportunities across Islington. By volunteering forVAI. thevolunteers gained valuable experience and skills, developed more confidence and self*steem. Resource Centre- Johnston Walker, Maria Georgiou Cost of Living Pilot Programme.. Volunteering: Essenam Diegah, Nana Nhyira, Mojisola Agarawu (London Mel Students) Cost of Living Pilot Programme.. Local Wellbeing Netwoths- J8me5 Wooldridge, Clara Nolan. Katarzyna LeC￿ka. Nadia Gordon. Josephine Belle-Ja, Yeabsera Gedion, Larysa Koltsova Capacity building and org8ni5ational development.. Richard Singleton {Volunteer Associate: Project M8n8gementl F8cilitstion of VAI'$ Staff l Tfuslee Away Day= Volunteer Associate.. Tony Rose Hugo thanks to 811 our volunteers. STRATEGIC AIM 3: TO FACILITATE STRONGER PARTNERSHIP WORKING ACROSS THE VCFSE TO INFLUCENCE LOCAL POLICY. DECISI0￿MAKING AND SYSTEM GRowfH VAI'S ADVISORY GROUP We continued to work closely wSth our Advisory Group made up of the following organisatior and networks in the borough and facilitated meeting5 and workshops.. Ag9 UK. Brickworks Community C8ntre, Cripplegate, He8llhwalch Islington, Help on Your Doorstep. Islington Citizens Athice Bureaij, Islington Faiths Forum, Islinglon Mind, Islington Refugee and Migrant Forum, Manor Gardens Welfare TTLisI, Octopus Community ￿e￿Ork. St Lukes Communty Centre, Stuart Low Trust. DisabilityAction Islington, Cloudesley, The Peel Cenlre. We exlende¢J the invitslion to NatsiyaL arKI Hillside Clubhouse. 15 Voluntary Action lsllngton Llmlted Trustee8' Annual Report For tho yoar gndod 31 March 2025 Our CEO facilitated 8 Adwsory Group meetings, focusing on: Refreshing the Islington Compact. led by Islinglon Council Partnership Team wilh planning meetings in Dec '24 & Jan '25. followed by themed workshops Developing the case for a borough wide Islinglon Council I VCFSE strategy and implementation plan helping lo 'reset the relationship, behveen the sectors and have secured funding from the Council lo partner with them and London Melropolltsn University, the lead p8rtner, with work stsrling in April 2025. Establishing and setting the direcl¢on of travel of Isllngton VCFSE Leadèrs Collaborative with working groups Widening representation across Islington Cgun¢il le(1 strategic boards 8nd partnerships Demonstrating the VCFSE'S impacl and social value more effectively. OUR ANNUAL CONFERENCE- 13 MARCH 2025. LONDON MET UNIVERSI Delegates were wamily welcomed by Professor Julie Hall. Vice Chancellor, London Met University and Sophie Cloutterbuck, Directorof London Engagement. ond the London Mel Lob: Empowering London, London Metropoiitsn University Our agenda and speakets included.. Launch of the Islington VCFSE L88ders Collaborative bringing together the wider VCFSE sector to work togeU)er MO￿ collaboratively on key priorities as defined by the sector Keynote Speech from ￿￿Oria Lawson. CEO. Islinglon Council who talked about the contribution that the sector has made over the past year Starting the pr￿sS of defining the impact and soc481 value of the VCFSE presentation from Professor Chris Dayson. and roundtable discussions facilitated by Dr Ellen Bennett, Sheffield H811am University and Dr Beth Patmorfr. Nottingham Trent Unfverslty An introduction to Evidence Islinglon and how the VCFSE can benefit and work in partnership with Islinglon Council to build communSty research cap8cIty. We were joined by Jonathan O'sullivan, Dir8Ctor of Public Hea￿h Islinglon Council. Laura Saksena. CEO, Healthwatch Islington and Satsna Janluah, Engagement and Pathipalion Officer, Evidence Islington. We ￿aY a key role in many torough-wide and nèighbtsurhood initiatives that are focused on brfnglng aboLrt FN)Sitive change for local people ond communities VOLUNTARY SECTOR AND VOLUNTEERING RESEARCH CONFERENCE- 11112 SEPTEMBER 2024 Volca of the paople7 Domocracy, representation. and involvement In and through the voluntary s•¢tor and volunteering- hosted by Bayo$ Buslness School We were invited lo be 8 partner 81 this annual coTrferen￿ which invit8s participants to 8xplore issues, whilst also hearing about the latest research covering a wide range of topics relating to the voluntary sector and volunteering. The Voluntary Sector and Volunteerin9 Research conferen￿ 2024 was organised by the Voluntary Sector Studies Network IVSSNI, in partnership with VAI, and the National Council for Voluntary Organisalion5 INCVOI. 11 was hosted by the Centre for Charity Effectiveness at Bayes Business School, City. University of London. 11 provided a unique opportunity for academics, policy makers and practifioners from the UK and futher afield to come together lo share findings and discuss the implications of research for civil society. Voluntary Action lslington Limit Trustees. Annval Report For tho yoar endgd 31 March 2026 FUTURE WORK Further WO￿ on Impact and social value of the Islinglon VCFSE with our partnership wth Sheffield Hallarn and Nottingham Trent Universities Future work the Islington Councll I VCFSE sector strategy. and implementstion plan including the CompacE LBI Evidence Islington- developing community researth skills wilhin the VCFSE and residents and improving collection of data and insight Engaging the sector wa the Islington VCFSE Leaders Collaborative and working with the stttor on working together more collaboratwely and effectively in the fvture. LOCAL REPRESENTATION Our CEO represented the VCFSE 81 the followlng LBI board and partnerships.. Bright LSves Alliance Partnershlp Community Partnership Board Cost of LiviThJ Board (now the Tackling Poverty Steering Group) Eviden￿ Islinglon Strategic Delivery Board Islinglon Borough Partnership- Integrdlion of Health & Social Core and the development of the neIgh￿U￿00￿ wnodel of working Islinglon 8orough Resilience Forum NORTH CENTRAL LONDON REPRESENTATION Our CEO represented lslinglon's VCFSE al the folk)wing North Central Lonthn {NCLI boards and partnerships.. NCL VCSE Alliance- which indudes CVSS and service providers frrm Bamel. Comden. Enfield, Haringey, Islinglon NCL VCSE InvestFnenl Group NCL Inle9rated Care Board People's Board Subgroup NCL Research Nelwork VAI's Business Doveh)pment Manager has been representin9 VAI al London Plus's Council for Voluntsry Sgrvtces ICVSI Directorfs Neiwork monthly meetings. STRATEGIC AIM 4: TO RUN VAI RESPONSIBLY, EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY AS A MODEL OF GOOD PRACTICE STAFF AND VOLUNTEER TEAM Our most important 8s5ets are our people, and we ensure th21 we invesl in them and their prOfess￿n81 development. We have pul in placo OPPOrtunilies to access comprehensive Irainlng opportunrf(ies, with regular reviews of their leaming and training needs. OUR GOVERNANCE We have a solid govemance slructsjre with trustees with diverse experience and skills. During the y6ar we.. Cofflpleted a trustee sknlls and dwersity audit Recruited 3 new tntslees lo bring skills and experiences to the board where we had gaps Created and launched our new 3 year stmtegy and operational plan Created a new finanee and risk sub c¢)mmittee 17 Volunlary Actlon Islington LimM•d Trustees, Annual Report For the year ended 31 March 2025 IMPROVING OUR INTERNAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO IMPROVE THE WAY VVE WORK WITH AND SUPPORT ISLINGTON'S VCFSE SECTOR With thanks lo the Nation81 Lottery f(Yfunding lo develop our infrastruGfvre. we emborked on 3 large projects which will in turn help our VCFSE sector membgrship.. First phase SalesfO￿ CRM implemontalion- St￿amIlne processes, cenlrali5e infomation and improve communication New Website: a￿SIt and user personas completed. and RFP currently being written and shorllist of suppli8rs to b8 approached re8dy forwork to stsrt in the coming months New Volunteering Platfom: completed ORGANISATIONAL POUCIES AND PROCEDURES We carried out an audit of all VAI policies carried out including identifying gaps We are working on cre8b.ng a p18ll to update and address gaps identified IMPROVING OUR SUSTAINABILITY BY OIVERSIFYING OUR INCOP41E STREAMS We are increasing the number of 8ppllcations to charitable trusts and foundations OPERATING A THRIVING RESOURCE CENTRE Our Resource Centre continues lo generate fvnds lo support the development of the local VCFSE and provides a model of Co4￿atiOn and 8fficient use of resources. During the year, we continued to provide desk and room hire facilities to ch8rilies and community groups. Activity stabilised after challenging years during Covid and the start of the cost￿-11Vln9 crisis. Huge thanks lo Islmiglon Counal for their support in negotiating an extension of our lease for period of 15 years, taking us up to 2039. Huge thanks lo Russell Cooke for their legal support. Given the stability that the new lease offers, we made improvements to our Resour￿ Centre facilities including office redesign and plans for additional meeting rooms and upgrade lo key areas. Huge tharbks to Allford, Hall. Monaghan and Morris for their pro bono architectural 5UPPOrt. In total 141 organi$ations hired meoling rooms and desk space - mo$￿Y Charities and social enterprises. OUR ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE The trustees review, on a quartedy basis. progress made in delivering services Ihet we aro implementing to achieve outcomes in our strategic plan. This rgview is undertaken al Ihg same lime as our quarterly financial review. In addition, regular repDrts arè produced for e8¢h of our funders and evaluations are undertaken as projects come to an end. The main beneficiaries of our seNces are VCFSE organisations providing services and actiwties in the London Borough of Islington and individuals interested in volunteering in the borough. KEY PROJECTS AND HOW THESE WERE FUNDED Our main sources of income are gran15 from statutory bodies and charitable trusts and fwndations. together wlh rental income generated from our Resource Centre. The breakdown of our funding from statutory bodies and charitable trusts and foundations during this year.. Funder l income stream Charles S French Ch8ri1abte Trust of rant and for what Services Promob'ng and enabling volunteering for as lum seekers in Islin ton How muth £5,000 18 Voluntary Action Islington Limited Trustee$, Annual Report For the year ended 31 March 2025 Funder l income stream Islinglon Council rant and for what servicas Core Grant- capacty building I or nisalional develo ment Core Grant- Vthunleer Centra services Cost of Living Programme.. Local Wellbeing Ne￿￿rkS & volunteering and support services for residents usin food aid NCL VCS Alliance How muth £40.000 Islinglon Councll £35,OC(I Islinglon Council £47,089 North Central London Inle raleé Care 8oard National Lottery Communi Fund £6.450 Stffjnglhening Islington's Voluntary and Communi Sector £30.CM)O FINANCIAL REVIEW 2025 The Statement of Finarrial Activities shows annual nel expenditure lan annual net lossl before gains on investments of £56,676 {2024.' £2,162 surplus). That comprised losses of £16.814 on r8Stricled funds 12024. £24,502 lossl and £39,862 on unrestricted fvnds 12024.. £26,664 surplus). The loss on unresliicted funds was the effective operating loss for the year. Although a loss, il was a managed loss. had been onticipaled and was a marginally better result than had been budgeted. After irwrporaling the annual £5.509 gain in investment values {2024.. £4.862 loss). total net expenditure (the annual loss) reduced to £51,16712024.' £2,700>. Annual incom8 increased from £495,263 to £502,780 in 2fY24-25. Voluntsry Act￿ ISI￿ngton,$ Resource Centre generated the largest source of income, as it has done in recent years. The London Borciugh of Islinglon ILBI) continued to 5UPPOrt VAI'S wre activf(ies under the Strateg Borough￿ide Partners and Strategic Volunteering Partners grants. The 0thersignlf￿antlunder was the National Lottery Community fund. At the year end all funds lolalled £305.209 {2024.. £356,376) of which £273.099 {2024'. £307,452) wem unre5thcted. General funds. whiGh are considere¢J to bo the free reseNes of the charity, tcA8lletl £189,473 {2024.. £203,145). Further lo Ihe decision made by trustees in September 2015, Voluntary Aclicffi Semces. the subsidiary trading company established by Voluntsry Action Islington in 2013 remains dormant cornpany. RESERVES On 31 March 2025 Voluntary Action Islinglon held unrestricted funds totalling £273.099 {2024: £307,452}. The tr88 reserves Ilh05e unrestricted lunds that have nol been designated for specSffic purposes) tolalled £189,47312024.' £203.1451. The reserves policy requires a balance of free reserves equivalent lo no less than 3 months125%1 of annual èxp&nditure. The current balance of £189,473 is equlva￿nt lo 32Vo12024.. 34¥.1 of annual budgeted expenditure an(1 is therefo compliant wlh th& policy. Funds have been designated from reserves for specffic purposes vthere costs are not incurred on an annual basis. At year and those funds totalled £83,62612024.' £104,307}, designakn'ons 19 Voluntary A¢tlon l$llngton Llmlt¢d Trustees. Annual Report For th• ygar •nd8d 31 March 2025 having bgen made to invest In building Improvements and lo support future rebcation from th8 Resource Cenlre, including managing the cost of dilapidalions. In addition to it8 unrestrkted fijnds the charity hekl £32,110 of restricted funds12024.- £48,924}, the use of which is restricted by funders to specific activities to suprA)rt VAI'S members and develop the voluntary ￿tor in Islington. INVESTMENT POUCY AND PERFORMANCE This year, Voluntary Action Islinglon implemented the investsn8nt polw as agreed in October 2022. The objectives of the policy.. To use free reserves to produce the best financial relum within an acceptable level of risk When there are opportunities lo do so lo invest a proporti[￿ of our reserves in the development of new products and services where we assess that it is realistic that these will generate tunds lo sustain themselves or when. by invesbng in woducts and setvices delivered by our subsidiary trading company. we assess that this investment ¢(￿ld produce a long-tem) ineome stream for Voluntsry Action Islington When there are opportunities to do so we will seek investment opportunities Ihat fijrther our charitable objectives, whilst al the same time producirg 8 finaneyal return VAI'S listed investments continued to generate valuable income throughout the year in lim the investment polioy. Investment values fell from £158,603 to £153,744 during the year resulting in annual unrealised losses of £4,86212023." £14,976}. The investments continue to be held with the expectation that values wll rlse In the luture, as they have done for the current year to date. GOING CONCERN The trustees consider that there aTe no materi81 uncertainties abcth Voluntary Aclion Islinglon Lirniled's abilty to continue as a going concem. RISK MANAGEMENT The Trustees adopt a structured approach to risk appraisal and mitigation as part of the charity's ongoing development and govemance responsibilities. The VAI Risk Register is reviewed on 8 quarterly basis lo ensure that documented risks ore monitored, emerg1￿ risks are idenbfied promptly, and appropriate mitigating aclions are in place. The Trustees rewnise that effective risk management is essentl81 to saleguard the charlty's assets, reputatlDn. and ability lo deliver its objectives. Risks are assessed according to their likelihood and potential impact, wth priority given to those rated highest. Mitigating actions are regularfy monitore(l and updated lo reflect changes in the extemal environment and the charity's op8ralions. VAI'S malor risks at present are.. Fundraising returns - The fundraising envirotbmenl remains challenging. wh￿h may impact inwmg generation. We are artively pursuing diversrfied funding streams and increasing th8 numbgr of fvnding 8ppli¢8lions. Capacity 8nd use of resources. including tsngible fixed assets Stsffing levels, resource allocallon, and the effeth.ve management of ta￿1b1? fixed assets 8r8 closely monitored lo ensure the charity can meet its objectives. Staff and trustees review headcount, resource deployment, and asset ulilisalion lo maximise efficiency an(1 long- term sustainability. 20 Voluntary A¢tlon l$llngton Limit•d Trustees. Annual Report For th• ygar end9d 31 March 2025 IT and disaster recovery- Robust systems and procedures are in place lo minimise the risk of IT failures or data breaches. We have cyber insurance, and a disaster recovery plan Is being developed. The Trustees are satisfied that appropriat8 Systems and processes are in place to man898 these risks and to support the long-lerm sustainakn'lity of the charity. The main factors likely to affect the financial perfornian￿ of the Charity are a reduction in demand forour desk and room hire provision lo VCFSE sector (wganisations, and a loss of funding. We miligale these risks by improving the facS1itles at the Resource Cenlre. We plan to maintain our fin8nci81 resources by careful finan¢i81 management and by continuing lo provide excellent public benefit In conjunction with our partners and seeking funding lor our projects and ch8ritsble serwes lo the local VCFSE sector. We have ensured cofttinuity in our Resource Centre provisitsn by negotiating a new 15-year lease from O¢tobor 2024. PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS We are committed lo continuing as an independent organisation bringing together civil ￿lety in Islinglon and representlng the interests of local VCFSE organisations lo the main stslutory agencies. We wll continue lo participate in Islington-led boards that influence how lslington Council plan and make (lecisions that impact on ¢ommuniles, particularty at a local level, as well as North Central London. We will continue to work wlh VCFSE sector organisations to help dwersify fijnding and other support. We will encourage collaboration and joint funding bids, which include smaller local organisattons in service delivery. As p8rt of this approach. we will continue lo work wlh the VCFSE sector by providing netsvorking and partneTship opporLunities. We will continue to w with other Ioc81, regional and national organisations that provide capacity building and org8nis8tional support to their membership and continue to work wth anL% oxplore how our collective efforts can be made more strateg￿. We plan lo conthue to support the effectiv8 management of volunteers and to support organisalions through a mix of one4owona support and training workshops. We will continue to make akwl1t￿tIonS for grants and lo submit tenders for Gonlracls. vknich are rglated lo our core functions. Our Resource C8ntre is an import8nt community asset for local VCFSE sector organisations and will continue lo be an Important Sour￿ of income supporting our corè offer lo 10¢81 organisalions. We reinvest all the income generated into the community through our services. We will contlnue to lake acccmjnt of our environmental impact in our mana98mentof thi8 faalty. Our website and soci81 media are well used resources. and we are comwnitted lo continuing to develop the use of these faeililies over the coming p&riod. STRUCTUR& GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT The charity is consliluled as a ￿MpanY limited by guarantee and is Iher8fore governed by a memorandum and articles of associalion. This wa5 last amended in November 2013. The provIs￿nS of the goveming d￿￿ment have been complie(I with during the year under revw. The trustees serve on a Board of Trustses. They consist of at least three and not more than 12 individuals. all of whom must be aulhoriseé representatives of organis8tior6 or an indi￿dual member. Each Trustee shall retire from office at the end of three years commenctng from the 21 Voluntary Action Islington Limitod Trustees, Annual R8port For tho year onded 31 March 2025 dale of hls or her appoinlmenl. A retiring Trusteè may be reappointed but a Trustee who has served lor nine years in lolal must take a bre0k from offico and may not be reappointed unlll the anniversary of the comm8ncem8nt of his or her break from office. Al the end of the year. there were 8 trustees with plans to recruit 4 furthertrustees. The trustees keep under review gaps in experience and expertise represented on the board. and during the past year a skills audit of current Iruslees was carried out. I￿￿Ct￿)n meetings are organised for Iruslees to brief them al)out the work ol the Gharity and Irijstees attend occaslonal ¢C￿ferenceS 8nd courses to keep up lo date about ral8vant d8velopments. The charity is organised through the Board of Trustees to whom the Chief Executive answerable. through the Chair. The Chair. Vice Chair and Treasurer are appL¥nled from omongsl the trustees al the first meellng after the AGM. Those officers serve for a of one year. The Chief Executive is responsible for the management of staff in 3 core funclKJns: Volunteer Cenlre. Resource Centre ond ¢apaaty building and organisalional development. The CEO and staff have responsibility foT specific areas ofwork and reporting to funders. The Chief Execulive 15 not legally a director for the purposes of Company or charitsble law. The Charity is a member of lh8 National Association for Voluntsry and Community Ad￿n INAVCA}. and NCVO. These memberships provide infomialion and resources that help us to assist voluntsry and communty or9anisations serving the community in Islington. The Charity has a subsiéiary trading company. Voluntary Action Servlces Limited {VASI. Th18 is a private company limited by share capitsl and wholly ¢)wned by Voluntsry Action Islington. To dale VAS has only traded in onlin8 lèaming courses. At ils meeting on 9th September 2016 the trustees decided that this company should ce8se trading on 30th September 2016 and should be relained as a domi8nt company, for potential future trading. Emma Hutchins remains dire¢lor gf both companies. As VAS is currently dormant. there are no plans as yet to appoint new Directors. Several of the trustees of Voluntary Action ￿[ir￿ton are employed by or trust8es of local voluntary organisalions that are members of Voluntsry Action Islinglon. These voluntary organisations benefit from the services of Voluntary Action Islington. A register of Iruslee interes15 is maintained and was updat¢d during the year. Any potential conflict of interest is declared at the beginning of each trustee's meeting. The charty's staff, including management personnel. are paKI on the national NJC pay scale. Th8 p8y of the Chief Executive is sel by the trustees. who take account of the perfornian￿ of the Chief Executive,. the complexity. scale of responsibilities and expect￿ level of extemal influence of the Chief Executtve role.. an assessment of ¢urrgnt Chief Executive pay levels wthin the charity sector.. compaT150ns with the pay levels of other CVS Chief Executives in Lonéon,. the salary range of an equivalent offI￿r within th& I￿1 authority,. 8nd the overall financial position of the organisation. STATEMENT OF THE TRUSTEES, REPONSIBILITIES The trustees (who are also the directors of Voluntary Action Islington Ltd for Ihe purpose5 of company law} are rasponsible for preparing the Trustees Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law 8nd United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generydlly Accepted Accounting Praclicel. Company law requiTesthe Iruslees lo prepare financial statements for each fin￿¢181 yearwhich give a true and fair view of the sL*e of affairs of the charitsble company and of the incoming Voluntary A¢tion151irvJton Lirnitod Trusteés, Annual Roport For the ygar ondod 31 March 2025 resou￿$ and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charilab company for that period. In preparing these financial slatements, the trustees are required to.. select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistentty observe the mothods and principles in the Charities SORP make judgements and estimates that ara reasonable and prudent stale whether applicablo UK Accounting Slandards and slalements of recommen¢Jed practice have been followed, subject lo any material departu￿5 disclosed and explained in the financial statement prepare the finanryal ststemenls on the going conGem basis unless il is inappropriate to presume that the charilable cofflpany wll continue in operation The trustees are responsible for keeping propgr acwunting rewrds thal dlsclose with reasonable accuracy 81 any lime the financial position of th8 chari18ble company and enable them to ensure thatthe financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the ass6ts of the charitable company and hence fortakin9 re8sonable steps for the pr8venlion and detection of fraud and other iiregularities. Th8 trustèès are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of tho ￿rpOrate and financial information included on the charitable company's websrte. Legislation in the United lfjngdom governing the prepar8tlon and dissemination offinancial statements may differfrom legislation in other jurisdictions. Members of the charity guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £10 to the a5se15 of the charity in the event of winding up. Th8 total number of such guarantees on 31$1 March 2023 was 568. The trustees are members of the ch8rity. but thls entitles them only to voting rights. The trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity. STATEMENT AS TO THE DISCLOSURE TO OUR INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS In so f8r as the trustèes are aware.. there is no relevant audit infornialion of vthich the charitable company's independent assessor is unaware" aTh the tmstees have tak8n 811 steps that they t)ughl to have tsken to make theMse￿eS aware of any relevant audit information 8nd to establish that the independent assèssor is aware of that infomiation INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS Goldwns Ltd were ￿-appoInted as the Independent Examiners of ihe charitable company during the year and have expressed theirwillingness lo continue in Ihal capacSty. The trustees, annual report has been approved by the trustees on 7 Octc*er 2025 and slgned on their behalf by.. Navind ur Company Secretsry Registered office.. 200a Penlonville Road London N1 9JP 23 Independent oxamin•r's report To th• mfjmbers of Volunlary Action l$lington Limited For the year ended 31 March 2025 I report lo the charity trustees on my 8x8mination of the accounts of the Company for Ihe year ended 31 March 2025. Responsibilities and basis of r•port As the charity's trustees of the C¢Jnpany land also its directors for the purposes cl ¢ompany law} you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in a¢Gordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 Ilhe 2006 Act'i. Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are rKJI requlred lo be audited under Part 16 of Ihe 2006 Act and are eli9ible for inéependent examinati￿, I ret)ort in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 Ilhe 2011 Act,). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under seclSon 145(5) Ibl of the 2011 Act. Ind8p8ndent 8xaminer'$ ststemont sin￿ the Company's gross income exceeded £250,000. I confim that l am qualified to undertake Ihe examination because l am a member of the ICAEW, thich ts one of the listed bodies. I have completed rny 8xaminalion. I confirm that no matters have come lo my attention in connection with the examination gmng me cause to believe.. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as réquired by s8Ction 386 of the 2006 Act.. or 2. the accounts do not accord wlth those fecords,. or 3. the accounls do not comply wth the accounting requirements of section 396 01 the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accoun1$ give a 'lrue and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination., or 4. the accounts have not been p￿pared in acetsrdance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable lo ¢haritie$ preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021. I have no concerns and have come across no Other matters in conn8Ction wth Ihe examination to which att&nlion shoul(i be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the unts lo be reached. Anthony Epton BA Goldwins Chartered accountants 75 Maygrove Road Wesl Hampst8ad London Nwe 2EG CA CTA FCIE 28 October 2025 24 Voluntary Act5on Isllngton Limitgd statoment of finan¢o1 activitigs (incorporating an income arnl expendlturo account) For the ar end￿ 31 March 2025 2025 Total Restrtcled Unr8slrided 2024 T(*al Rèstricted Urt￿91￿¢ted Income from: Donations and legacies Charitable aclivtb.es Comnwnty Development Member Servi￿$ and Supi Sector Development and Volunteering Investments 99.891 99.691 77.670 77,670 47,089 47.089 40,000 40,OCIJ 290.721 10,715 344.785 10.715 66.409 301,816 9,368 368,225 Total income 101,653 401,127 $02.780 106,409 388,854 495,263 Expon(lI￿re on.. Charitable activities Communty Devdopment Member Swices and Support Sector Development Volunteering Total expenditure 42,419 1,000 5,821 85,248 4B,240 66,248 67,216 5,167 67.216 52.999 47,832 75,048 369,920 444.968 58,628 314,358 372,886 118,467 440,989 559,456 130.911 362.190 493.101 Not l•xpgndltur•l In¢ome b•for• net galns110ssos} on Invostments 116,8141 139,8621 156.676) (24.502) 26,664 2.182 Net gain8 Ilosses) on investments Net (expenditure} incomo forth• year 5,509 5,509 14,8621 14,8621 7 (16,8141 134,3531 151,167) 124,5021 21,802 12,7001 Trarrtfèrs be￿en ftjnds 3,542 Not movèm•nt In fund8 (16.8141 134.3531 151,1671 120,9601 16,260 {2,7001 Recon¢lllatton of fund8.' Total fijnls brought foThvard Total funds carried forward 48.924 307,452 3S6,37S 305.209 69,884 48,924 289,192 307.452 359,076 14 32,110 273.099 356.376 All of the above result8 are derived from continuing activities. There ￿re no other rets)gniseiJ galns or losses otlw than those slated at￿Ve. Movements in funds are disdosed in note 14 to the financial stslements. The notes on pages 28 10 42 fom part ofthese financial 8tatements. Voluntsry A¢tlon Islington Limitod ILimitod by guarantèg} Balance shèèt Compary No. 01913555 As at 31 March 2025 2025 2024 Note Fixed assets Tangible assets Investments 11.626 159,253 170,879 3,307 153,744 157,051 Current assets Debtors Cash al bank and in hand 10 32,615 147.543 180,158 30.152 223,797 253,949 Llabllltles Creditors.. amounts falh'ng due within one year 11 45.828 54.624 N•t ¢urrent assets 199.325 13 356,376 Funds Restricted funds UnrestrFcled funds= DeS￿nated fund$ General funds 14 31110 48,924 83.626 189.473 104,307 203,145 Totsl fvnds 305.209 356,376 These accounts have been prepared in a￿OrdanCe with thg special prov¢sK)ns of Part 15 of the Companw Act 20C6 relating to sm811 companies. For the year ended 31 March 2025 the company was enlilled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. No members have required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The directors &knDwledge their responsibilty for complying wilh the requiraments of the Act with respect to accounting records and for the preparation of accounts. Approved by the tNstees on 07 Odober 2025 and signed on their behalf by." Jorg& Llorens Treasurer Emma Hutchins Chair The notes on pages 28 to 42 fom part ofthege finan¢i¥l stalfjm8nts. 26 Voluntary Artion Isllngton Llmltod Statsmont of cash flows For the ar ended 31 March 202S 2025 2025 2024 2024 Net cash providod by (used inl operating adivities 15 173,7591 136,7341 Cash flows from invgsting actlvltleg.. Dividends from investments Sale (purchase) of fixed assets Sale (purchase} of investments 10,715 113,2101 9.368 13,4391 Cash provided by (used in) investlng actlvltles 12.495) 5,929 Change in cash and cash equlvalents in th• yèar {76.254) 130,805) Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 224.555 255,360 Cash and cash èquiv•lonts at the end of the year 16 224,555 Z7 Voluntsry Action Isllngton Limlted Notos to Ihe flnanclal statemènts For the arend¢d 31 March 2025 A¢¢ounting pollcles la Basls of preparatlon The financial statements have be8n prepared in accordance wlh Accounting and Rewrting by Charityas.. Statement of Recommended praCt￿e appluble lo charrties preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 102} - (Charities SORP FRS 102), the Financkql Reporting Standard applicabk in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 and the CompanEes Act 20C6. Voluntary Action Islinglon meets the definf(ion of a public benefit enlily under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initialty recognis8d at historical cost or IransactKJn value un￿$ otheMise staled in the relevant accounting policy or note. 1b Golng Concem The trustees consider that there are ￿ mat8rral uncertaintie$ regardiThJ the Charivs abilty to cortinue as a going con¢em. No key judgements have b8gn m•Je by th8 Charitab￿ company Nthich have a Signif￿nI effect on the accounts. The trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a m*erial adjustment lo the carying amounts of assets arn1 liabiifties wf(hin the next reporting perh)d. 1c Income Income. including income from government and other grants, whether 'capital' grants or 'r8v8nue' grants, is recognised when the Charity has enlitlemenl lo the fund$, any perfomianee eondrtions attached to the inwme hav8 been met, it is pr(thble that the income wll be received and that the amount can be measured reliabty. Grants are credited to incoming resources when they are receivable as the charills own money, unless they are for adivf(ies that relate lo a specrfic future period. in which Case they *e deferred to that period. Inwmg reGeived under contracts for seryices which cross over the year end are recognised In Ihe financial ststemenls in line wlth the perceftta￿ of eomplelion of the contract at the year end. Income received in advance of the provision of a specified service is deferred until the CfileTia for income recognition are met. Distrth)ulions from listed investments are included when receivabl8 and lh8 arrK)unl can b8 measured reliabty by the charity,. this is normally th& date on which the holding is first quoted ex dNidend or the date of the peric*J for which rt i8 aeerued a$ nolrfied by the fund manager. 1d Fund ac¢ountlng Unrestr￿ed funds are available lo spend on acliMlie$ that further any of the purposes of the charty. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their di￿retIOn lo sel aside lo use for a specthc purpose. Reslricled funds are donat￿n$ which the donor has specIf￿d are to be solety used for particular areas of the charitys th or for specffic projects being undertaken bythe ¢harty. 28 Voluntary Action Islinglon Limited Nots8 to the financial statements For the ar ended 31 March 2025 Accounting polt¢ies {contlnuedl 10 Expendlture and irrecoverable VAT Expenditure is re¢ognised once there 15 a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third paty, it is probable that setuemenl will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliabty. Expenditure 1$ Glossifbed under the following activity headings.. Costs of raising fund5 comprise of trading cg$1s and the costs incurred by the charitable company in inducing third parties lo make voluntary contributions lo it, as well as the cosl of any aGtwrties with a fundraising purpose. Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs of se1vi￿S and support to member5 and developing volunteering and the local voluntary sector undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs. Irrecoverab￿ VAT Is charged a$ a cost against the xtiwty for which the expenditure was incurred. 1f Allocatlon of support costs Resources expended are allocated to the particular activity where the cost relates directly lo that activty. H¢)wever. where costs cannot be direct￿ attributed. they have b￿n allocated lo activities on a basis consistent with their use of resour￿$. Premises are all(￿￿ed propcxtionate lo floor spxe occupied by each adwlty as follows: Community Development 1.4Y Member Services and Support 2.1Qh Sedor Development and Volunteering 9S.7% Support costs 0.80 Governance costs Other costs of administration arg all￿ted per capita VAI staff and ¢)th¢r 0￿Upants of the Resource Centre as follows.. Communrty Dgvelopmenl Member Services and Supp¢Yt Sector Development and Volunteering Support costs Governance costs 3.2Q 4.8Q 90.1% 1.80 0.1% Support and governance costs are re-allc*ated lo each of the activities on the followrKJ basis %thich is an estimate, based on staff lime, of the amount allributable to each actNty'. Commun(ty Development 10.50 Member SeNices and Support 15.9% Sector Devek)pment and Volunteering 73.60 Governance costs are the wsts a￿0¢￿ted wr¢h the govemance arrangements of the charity. These costs are associated with conslitulional and slalutory requirem8nts arKJ includ8 any costs associated with the strategic management of the charitys actwities. lg Operatlng leases RenlaL8 payable under operatlng leases, where sub818nlialty all the risks and rewards of ownetship remain wrth the lessor, are charged lo the 8tslement of fin8nck?18clivi(ies on a straight line basis over the length ol the lease. 29 Voluntary Actlon Islington Limited Noles to the financial ststements For the ar ended 31 March 2025 Accounting policles (contlnued 1h Tangiblo fixed assets Items of equipm@nt are capitalised where the purchase p￿Ce exeeeds £2.000. Deprecialic costs are allocated to activities on the basis of the use of th$ related assets in those aclivilies. Assets are rev￿Wed for impaimient rf circumstsnces indrale their carrying value may exce Iheii net re￿iSable value and value in use. Depreciation is prO￿d￿j on a ¥lravJht-lI￿ basis at ratgs cakulaled to write down the cost of each asset lo its estimated residual value over its expected useful lrfe. The deprecralion rates in use are as folky5' FumitUfE. Fixtures and Equipment Leasehold property 11 Listed investments Investments a￿ a form of basic financral instrument and are Initial￿ feccgnised at their Iran$actv)n value and subswuenlty measured al their fair value as al the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market price Any change in fair value will be recognised in the stslement of financial activities. 4 years The lesser of 15 years or the remaining lease18rm 1J Debtors Trade and other debtors are recognis8d at thè settlement amount due after any trade discount offered_ Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaKI nel of any trade discounts due. 1k Cash at bank and in hand Cash al bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liqyid investrnents with a short maturity of three months or less frcyn the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account. 11 Creditors and provlslons Creditors and provisions are recognised wh8r8 th8 charity has a present obligalion resulting from a past event that will probabty result in the transfer of funds lo a third paty and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measur8d or estimated reliably. Credi(ors and provisions are normally recognised al their settlement *nount after allowing for any trade dI￿ounts due. Income from donations and legacies Restricted Unrestrict8d 2025 Total 2024 Total London Borough of18lington l$lington Mayor Other grants and similar income, under £5,CK]O ea 75,000 22,578 75.IXIO 22.578 75,000 2,113 2.113 2,670 99,691 99,691 77,670 Voluntary Action Islington benefit from a Section 106 Agreement that provides accommodation al a peppercom rent. As it is not wssible to pul an accurate value lo thi8. it has not been recogni5ed in the Statement of Financial ktiwt￿$. Voluntary Action Islington Limited Not•s to the finan¢ial $tstements For the ear gnded 31 March 2025 3 Income from charltable actlvltl68 ReStr￿ted Unrestricted 2025 Totsl 2024 Total London Borough of Islingltyi L￿al Wellbeing Ne￿rkS Greater London Authority. Community Resilience Fund Slrenglhening Community Resilience in Islington Donations and similar income, under £10.000 each 47.089 47,089 30.0)0 5.000 5.OCIJ Sub-t¢)tal for Community Dev8k)pmenl 47.089 47,089 40.000 ReStr￿tea Unrestricled 2025 Totsl 2024 Total Donations and similar income, under £10,000 each Sub-total for Member Services and Support 500 500 500 600 Restricted Unfeslricted 2025 Total 2024 Tots Communty resource and other service income Peabody Iwa The London Communty Foundation) South Islingkni volur)teering opportunities GrealeT Lonck)n Authority. Communty Resilience Fund Strengthening C¢ynmunty Resiliencg in Isling The NatK)nal Lottery Communty Fund strengthening Islinglon's Voluntary and Community Sector NHS England via London Plus and Volunteer Centre Camden Volunteering for Heath Core Partneiship Donat*)ns and sinilar income, under £10,000 exh Sub-total for Sector Development and Volunteering 272,242 272,242 287,114 15.000 5.000 30,OC() 30.(X)O 45,OC() 19.031 19,031 5,033 18,479 23,512 16,111 2￿,721 344.785 368,225 T¢)tsl income from charitable aclNf(ies 101,653 2￿,721 392.374 408,225 31 0￿00 v) rcq 4YJWffj (ry1S1 ¢0 rino) U)Vr ￿C90> uj ¢Ov 171r* Voluntsry A¢tlon Isllngton Limited Notes to the Ilnanclal statements For the ear ended 31 March 2025 Analysis of staff costs. trustee remuneration and expenses and koy managomenl Staff co818 were as follows.. 2025 2024 Salaries and wage$ Social security costs Employels contribution to defined contribution pension schemes 307,832 25,693 16,668 350,193 20.371 275,438 23,386 14,S68 313,792 21,796 Agency costs 370,564 335,588 No employee received employee benefits (excluding employer pension) exceeding £60,01)0 during the year12024.. No employee). The total employee benefts including p$n$ion contributions and employerfs nat￿)rtaI insurance of the key management personnel were £59.89212024.. £62.863}. The charity tfuslees were not paKI or recewed any othèr benefits from employTnent Vhth the charity in the year {2024 £nill. No charity trustee recewed payment for PTofessional or other 5ervi¢es supplied to the charity in the year12024.. £nill and no trus188s were reThburs8d expenses (2024.. none). Staff numbers.. The average number of empbyees (head count based on number of $laff employed) during the year wa5 9 {2024.. 81. The average number of empltsyees (full time equivalenll during the year and by &tiwty was as follows.. 2025 No. 2024 No. Community Development Member Services and Support Sector Development and Volunteering Support and govemance Taxatlon The charitable company is exempt from corporalion tax as all its income is charital￿e and 1$ applied for charitable purposes. Voluntary Action Islington Limitgd Notes to the financial statemgnts Forthè r ended 31 March 2025 Nal income {expendlturel for the year This is staled after charging.. 2025 2024 Depreciation Board of Trusteès- indemnity insurance Operaling18as8 charges Independent Examineff$ remuneration.. 4.891 889 22,395 13.600 13.457 3,150 Tangible fixod assets Fumiture, Fixtures and Leasehok Equipment propety 2025 Totsl Cost Al 1 April 2024 Additions in year D15posals In year 98,867 13.210 11,874 133,179 232.046 13.210 15,893 4,019 At 31 March 2025 100,203 129.160 Depreciation At 1 April 2024 Charg& for the wr Eliminated on disposal 95,560 4,891 11,874 133.179 228.739 4,891 15.893 4,019 At 31 March 2025 129 160 217 737 Net book value At 31 March 2025 11.626 11,626 At 31 March 2024 3,307 All of the above assets are used for chanlable pU￿0$e$. Fixod asset investments 2025 2024 Listsd investments Inole 10a Investment in subsidiary company (note 10b 159.252 153,743 159.253 153,744 Voluntary Action Islington Limited Notes to the financial statoments For the ear ended 31 March 2025 9a Listed investments 2025 2024 Analysis of movemwt of Investmonts Market value al start of year Disposals al mathel value Realis8d gains l (losses) Unrealised gains I Ilossesl Market value at year 8nd 162,985 157,847 5.509 158.494 4,862 152.985 Cash instruments and cash held for re￿VeStMent 758 Fair value at year end 159,252 153.743 Historical cost 158.5 158.595 The investments comprise fv40 UK unil Irusls. 9b In¥estm•nt In 8ub$ldlary Gompany VAI beneficially ¢)wns the entir8 share Capital of Voluntary Action Servitss Limited la wmpany limited by share capital, eomp£ny no. 8612449 (England and Wales)), Ihiough which VAI'S commercial trading previously look p18ce. In September 2016 the decision was tskon lo suspend trading through the ccvnpany. The Company remained domant at 31 March 2025. The Share capital and reserves of the Subsidiary are not m*rial aTrJ theref￿e M consolKlated accounts have been prepared. Disclosure is confined to this nol• to the accounts. 2025 2024 Investrnent in Voluntary Artion S8ryices Ltd al cost At 31 March 2025 VAI held one share of £1. teing the èntire share caprtal of the trading company. 9b Investment in subsldlary company Icontinuedl Rel8vant ffinanci81 informath)n regarding Voluntsry Action Serwces Ltd is as folkw￿." 2025 2024 Assets Liabilrties Total funds Voluntary Actlon Isllngton Llmlted Notes to the financial statements For the ear ended 31 March 2025 10 Debtors 2025 2024 Trade debtors Other debtors Prepayments 18,941 22,409 3,247 4.4 11.397 32.615 30,152 11 Credltorn.. amounts falling du• within one year 2025 2024 Tax and social se¢urity w5ts Trade credilors Other creditors Accruals Deferred income {nole 11) 7.242 28,929 732 8.075 850 11.285 2.090 33.445 760 45.828 54.624 Deferred income 2025 2024 BalarLe at the beginning of the ￿r Amount released to ineeme in the year Amount deferred in the year 170 11701 760 1760) 850 Bala￿e at the end of the year 760 Deferred income comprises Resource Centre income r8c8ived in advance 12024.. Resource Centre income recaiv8d in advance}. 12 R•lat0d party transactlons Craig Burgess was both 8 Iruslee of VAI and ChEf Operating Off￿er of City Year from December 2023 until May 2024 . Cty Year paid VAI £10,966 in rental and other charges during that period. There are no donations from related parties which are oulside the normal course of business and no restrKted donations from related partie5. Voluntsry Action1s1ington Limi¢od Notes to the Ilnancoal statèm•nts For the ear ended 31 March 2025 13 Analysis of group net assets between lunds 13a Current y￿r R8slricted funds Designated funds Goneral fund3 Total funds Tangible fixed assets Investment assets Net cutrenl asS8ts 11,626 36,000 36.000 11.626 159,253 134,330 123,253 e6,220 32.110 Net assets at 31 Mareh 2025 32,110 83.626 189,473 305,209 13b Prlor y•ar Re5trKteé Designated Genoral Total Tangible fixed assgts Inveslmenl assets Net current assets 3,307 72,000 29,000 3,307 153,744 199,325 81,744 121.401 48,924 Net assets at 31 Ma￿h 2024 48 924 104.307 203.145 356,376 37 Voluntary Action Isllngton Umlted Notes to the financi•l $tstemonts For th8 ar onded 31 March 2023 14 Movements in fund$ 14a Current year At the start of the year Incoming Outgoing and and gains losses At the end Transfers of tha year Restrlcted funds: Children and Young Peopl8's Voluntary Sector Forum Conferences and events Enabling Volunteering for MlJrants and Refvgees Local Wellbeing Nefv￿rk Strengthening Communty Resilience in Islingion slrengthening181iryton'8 VCFSE sector Volunteering for Health Totsl rgstrlcted funds 2.009 {5001 {5331 533 15,CQO) 142,419) 6.197 47,089 10.867 40.718 30,000 19,031 150,984> 19,031 19.734 48.924 101,653 118,4671 32,110 Unrestrfcted lunds: DeS￿nated funds.. Building improvements ICT infrastructure development Relocation Fixed assets 25,000 4,000 72,000 3,307 {12,541 > 23,541 {4,0001 136,000} 13,210 36,000 36.000 11.626 4.891 Tolal deswnatedfiJr General fund5 104,307 203,145 117,4321 423,557 13,2491 3,249 83,626 189A73 406,636 Total unrestrfcted funds 307,452 4[￿,636 356,376 508,289 440,989 559,456 273,099 305.209 Total funds Voluntary Action Islington Llmltgd Notss to the financial statom•nts For the aronded 31 March 2025 14 Movements In funds Icontlnued) 14b Prlor yoar At the start of the year Incoming Outgoing and and gains kjsses At the end Transfers of the year Restricted funds: Chihgren and Young People's Voluntary Sector Forum Conferences and events Local Wellbeing Netsvork Public Health and Community South Islington volunteering oFportunities Slrenglhening Community Resilience in Islinglon Strengthening Islington's VCFSE sector Ukraine Refugee Infrastructure Fixed assets 7,176 15,167) 11,4091 151.721) 123.864) 2,009 1,409 30,000 27.918 23,864 197 15,(￿0 116.968) 1.968 10,WO 110,000) 45,(KJO 14.282} {10,4951 7,005 40.718 3,921 7,005 1,574 Total restrlcted funds 69,884 106,409 130,911 3,542 48,924 unrestrict￿ fund$: Deswnaled funds.. Building improvement8 ICT infrastructure development Relocation Fixed 8ssel$ 25.000 25,000 4,000 97,000 6,463 107,463 125,OC(JI 3.439 3,439 72,000 3,307 104,307 6,595 (6,5951 181,729 388,854 203,145 360.457 6.981 Total d8signaled funds General funds Total unrestrlcted funds 289,192 388,854 359,076 495,263 367,OS2 497,963 3.542 307.452 356.376 Total funds 39 Voluntsry Action Isllnglon Llmlted Notes to thg financial statements For th• ar onded 31 March 2025 14c Movements in funds {continuedl Purpose of restriGted funds Children and Young Funds provided by the London Borough of Islington to support People'$ Voluntary sect￿ activf(ies by the Children's Voluntary Sector Forum. Forum Conferences and events Contribullons from supporters towards the costs of the VCFSE Conferen￿ held in partnership with London Mel Unlversty and LBI aThJ other 8maller thematic evenl$. Enablingvolunteersngfor To promote and enable volunteerfng for asylum seekers i) Migr8nt5 arKI Refugee5 l¥lington. Local Wellbeing Netsvork As part of Islinglon Council's Cost of Living Programme. VAI have n funded to continu8 lo deliver Local Wellbeing Nety￿rks, to nprove resident access lo holi$li¢ sgrvices by inuea$ing collaboration betsveen Food Aid providers and I￿1 serv￿eS. Public Health 8Th Funding to devdop effectwe partnerships with Public H8alth and th8 Communty Engagement k)cal VCFS to promote Covid vaccination and other health and wellbeing offers. SoLrth Islington To provide outreach semces to Peabody residents especial￿ those vokjnteemg Opp￿Unit￿S focated in the south of the borough. Strengthening Community To increase ctsmmunty preparedness for emergencies, funded by Resilience in Islington GL4 and London Communities Emergencies Partnership. Funds distributed via London Plus. Strengthening Isliwn's VCFSE sector To unprove VAI'S internal infrastructure in ordèr to collab¢)rate wfth our l¢xal VCFSE sector mor8 effectively. Funded by the National Lottery Communities Fund. Ukraine Refugee Infrastructure Fund To partner with Heallhprom. and develop 8 network of organisatitsn$ to provkle more effectNe support to Ukrainian families hosted through the sponsorship programme. Volunteerlng for Health Core Partnership To delwer a 5yslom-vride volunteer infrastructure, build diversty of cwr volunt￿Ing populat￿n. increase a￿$$ to volunteering and support volunteering into work. Fixed assets To w the fLrtur& depreciation of Voluntary Acth)n Islington's fixed Volunlary Aclion tslington Limitsd Notes to the flnancial sL*•m•nts For the ear •nd•d 31 MarGh 2025 14c Movgments in fvnds (contlnuedl Purpose of deslgnatsd funds Building inprovemenls A fund lo be used lo improve VAI'S Resource Centre so that remains an Lrp to date facilty that is attractbve and welcoming venue lo thal charities and communty organisath)ns. ICT infrastructure development A fund lo invest in 8ss8ntial irnprov8ments to the ICT infraslructur8 of the Resource Cenlre. Discontinued in 2025. Relocation A fund lo be built Lrp over the 15 years of the Current premises lease so Ihal VAI is in a posrtion to manage ils Irabilf(ies, and lo seek altemative premise5 rf required, at the end of the lease in Octotrer 2039. Fixed assets To cover the future dePr￿latIon of Voluntary Action Islington's fi'x&J assets originally paid foi from unrestricted funds. 15 Reconciliation of net incom8 I lexpondilurel to net cash flow from operatlng actmlles 2025 2024 Net movement in funds for the reportlng perty)d las per the statement of financial actlvltlg51 Depreciation Interest, rent and dividends from investments (Gains) I losses on investments (Increasel I decrease in debtor5 Increase I Idecreasel in creditors Net cash provlded by l (used In) opernting activit•es 12,700} 4.891 110,7151 15.5091 12.4631 18,7961 3,759 13.600 19,368} 4,862 12,925} 140,203 36.734 18 Analysls of cash and ca8h equivalents A131 March 2025 At 1 April 2024 Other thanges Cash flNs Cash at bank and in hand Cash held by investment managors 223.797 758 176,254} 147,$43 Total and cash equival•nts 224.555 148 301 41 Voluntary Action Islington Limited Notes to the financial statamonts For tho r ended 31 Ma￿h 2025 17 Operatlng lease commltments The charW8 total fuluTe minimum knse payments under non-cancellable operating leases is as fc41ows for each of the foNowing periods Equipment 2025 2024 Less than one par One to fNe years Over five ygars 19.622 40.999 18,616 55,591 60.621 74,207 18 Contlngont Ilablllty Under the tem5 of the lease for its current premises Voluntary Actbn Isllngton Is liable for costs of restoring the property lo ils original condition, including removal of all f￿tureS and frttings, rf so required by the landk)rd when yielding up the propety at the end of the lease lemi. The current lease expires in October 2039. The exlent of the works that will be required and the consequent Cost cannot reasonabty be estimated at this b'me and so no provision has been made for this in the accounts. 19 Company Ilmlt¢d by guarantse Voluntsry Action Islinglon is a company limited by guaran188 and accordingly does Th)t have a share capital. Every member of the company undertakes to contribute such amount as may te required not exceeding £10 to the assets of the ch8ri1able company in the event of ils being wound up while he or she is a member, or wthin one year after h8 or she ceas8S to be a member. 42