OpenCharities

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

2025-03-31-accounts

Company Registration No.2178605 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity No. 297952

PEPPER POT CENTRE

REPORT OF TRUSTEES AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2 0 2 5

1

PEPPER POT CENTRE

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Page
Management Committee's report and statement of
responsibilities
 3-8
Independent examiner's report 9
Statement of financial activities 10
Balance sheet 11
Notes to the accounts 12 -17

2

PEPPER POT CENTRE

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

Reference and Administrative information

Charity Name: Pepper Pot Centre Charity Registration No: 297952

Company Registration No: 2178605 Registered office and operational address: 1A Thorpe Close, London W10 5XL

Board of Trustees

Howard Jeffrey – Chair Julie Mills – Co-opted Ferdinand Maxwell – User representative Carmen Rose Harold Roach – User representative Kevin Metzger Bruce Malcom Nobrega Melvin Archer Martin Davis (Appointed on 01/04/2024)

Company Secretary Julie Mills

Operations Manager

Michael Ochwa

Independent Examiner

Zar Ni Soe - FCCA BSc Hons Soe Accountancy 100 Croydon Road Beddington CR0 4PE

Bankers

HSBC Plc 25 Notting Hill Gate, London, W113JJ

3

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing Document

The Organisation is a charitable Company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 14 October 1987 and registered with the Charity Commission on 16 December 1987. The Company was established under a Memorandum of Association, which established the objects and powers of the Charitable Company and is governed by its Articles of Association. In the event of the Company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.00.

Appointment and Recruitment of the Board of Trustees

A third of the Board of Trustees retires at each Annual General Meeting but retiring members are available for re-election, though they cannot serve more than 6 consecutive years without a break. The members of the Board of Trustees may co-opt up to two additional members. The Board also includes up to three user representatives elected by the Centre Users. Members are recruited as skills gaps are identified and this is undertaken by advertising and networking.

Risk Management

The Board of Trustees has continued to undertake review of the major risks to which the charity is exposed. Where appropriate, systems have been established to mitigate the risks the charity faces. The Board has developed a robust business plan, which contains funding strategies for the various activities and projects. Internal control risks are minimized by the implementation of procedures for authorization of all transactions. Procedures are in place to ensure compliance with health and safety of staff, volunteers and clients to the Centre. The Centre also has policies to safeguard vulnerable adults.

Organisational Structure

The Board of Trustees for the purposes of company law operated during the year with eleven members. Meetings have been held regularly to direct, oversee and assess the administration of the company and to consider opportunities for fundraising.

The staff team includes a full time Manager, part time Head Chef, 4 part time Care Assistants, one part-time receptionist, a part time cook, one cleaner, one casual Driver, one caretaker, 3 agency staff , and assisted by a team of several volunteers across the financial year.

Related Parties

There are no related parties to the Charity other than the trustees and key management personnel.

Public Benefit

The trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in Section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit, 'charities and public benefit’. The charity's objectives and achievements are set out below.

Objectives

The Pepper Pot Centre was founded in 1981 by Windrush activist Pansy Jeffrey to combat isolation, discrimination, and loneliness among Caribbean elders in London. Since then, it has grown into a respected community hub for African, Caribbean, and wider minority ethnic elders from communities such as the Eritreans, Moroccans, Somalis, Sudanese groups. The Pepper Pot Centre is open to all. While it has deep roots in serving Caribbean and African elders, it warmly welcomes people from every background, fostering community, dignity, and belonging.

The Center’s primary objectives are:

4

in their community

Whilst the delivery of people-centered and culturally- specific day opportunities for older people remains a key vision for the Centre, the Trustees are looking forward to making the Centre more accessible to a wider range of groups regardless of their age, disability, gender, race, religion or cultural heritage. In addition, the vision of the Centre is to promote healthy ageing, lifelong learning and empower all over 50's to enjoy dignity, and to actively take charge of their own development in all areas of their lives.

Our main activities

The Pepper Pot Centre offers a wide range of culturally sensitive services and activities designed to support wellbeing, independence, and community connection:

Highlights of the year 2024-2025

This report highlights the key activities and achievements of the Pepper Pot Centre over the past year, with a focus on community engagement, member recruitment, volunteer involvement, and the development of collaborative partnerships.

Day Care and Drop-in Services

Our day care and Drop-in Services have made significant progress. We received an increase in new referrals and 70 new members joined the Centre. The Centre maintained weekly attendance, averaging of 100-125 members. We have supported 13 Day Care members with moderate to complex needs. Home visits were also made to support housebound members ensuring on going engagement and care. Our Centre continues to be a vital hub for diverse BME communities from the boroughs the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham and others Care repetition

Programmes and Activities

Our programmes and activities, focusing on nutrition, health, education, and social events, have greatly enhanced our members’ well-being:

5

partnership with the NHS and 8 specialist health sessions on diabetes, cancer, oral health, prostate and heart and lung disease.

Volunteer and Student Engagement

Volunteers are essential to the work off the Pepper Pot Centre. In 2024/25, 10 active volunteers dedicated their time and skills across kitchen support, care services, administration, IT and digital inclusion, student placements, events, and facilities management. Together, they provided consistent coverage ensuring the Centre’s smooth operation and welcoming environment.

Community & Cultural Engagement

A range of activities successfully raised awareness and attracted new members including -

Health and Well-being Activities

In demonstrating our commitment to health and well-being we -:

Seasonal Celebrations and Social Events

These included -

Performance Highlights Care repetition

6

Challenges faced:

2024/2025 in retrospect

In 2024/25, the Pepper Pot Centre demonstrated resilience, innovation, and inclusivity. It thrived as a vital hub for older people by securing strengthened funding, modernizing systems, expanding services, and delivering meaningful cultural and health programmes. These achievements not only enhanced wellbeing and social inclusion but also reinforced the Centre’s role as a trusted community anchor, ensuring that older people continue to age well with dignity, connection, and joy.

The Trustees are pleased to report that the last year has been one of remarkable progress, with new programmes launched, stronger community engagement, and meaningful partnerships established. Together, the Centre have created opportunities that enriched the lives of our members and strengthened the Pepper Pot Centre’s role in the community.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated staff and volunteers, supportive families, and valued partners. Their commitment and collaboration have been invaluable part of our success over the last year.

Looking Ahead

The Pepper Pot Centre is committed to building on its achievements and addressing emerging needs in the community. And plans to -

Financial Review

The accounts for the year show a net deficit of £2,999 on unrestricted fund and total unrestricted funds carried forward at 31st March 2025 of £151,355. Restricted funds carried forward at the year-end totaled £20,293.

The Board of Trustees strives to maintain a prudent level of reserves, adequate to ensure the continued operation of the organization.

Principal Funding Sources

The Pepper Pot has continued to operate within the terms of a funding and service level agreement with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, who provide some 72% of PPC funding for our core services We are grateful for their continuing support in funding our core activities. We also acknowledge with thanks continued funding from the National Lottery Community Fund for the position of Operational Manager. This has continued to make a tremendous contribution to our service, enhancing our ability to provide care and support to those in need The two-year funding from the Global Radio has enabled us to fund the Events Coordinator role who has organized several trips and excursions Thanks to funding through Community Public Health Programme 2024-2027, the Pepper Pot and Open Age are working together to provide a heart and lung health intervention, targeting people from Black Caribbean and African ethnic backgrounds who are 50+ and residents within RBKC. The Pepper Pot has also been awarded two years funding from the Westminster Council to run Harrow Road Health Programme for African and Caribbean adults 50+ (dementia friendly).

7

Board of Trustees Responsibilities

Company law requires the Board of Trustees of Pepper Pot to prepare accounts for the financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of the financial year and of the surplus or deficit for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Board of Trustees should follow best practice and:

The Board of Trustees is also responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and to ensure that these accounts comply with the Companies Act 2006.They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Members of the Board of Trustees

Members of the Board of Trustees 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 at the beginning of this report.

Independent Examiner

The Board of Trustees have decided to take advantage of the audit exemption provisions of the Companies Act 2006. However, under the provisions of section 145 of the Charities Act 2011, Mr Zar Ni Soe FCCA BSc Hons of Soe Accountancy has been appointed as independent examiner for the year, and he has indicated his willingness to continue in that capacity.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (FRS 102) and in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

Approved and signed by the Board of Trustees on..................................and signed on its behalf by:

Howard Jeffrey, MBE

Chair of the Board of Trustees

8

PEPPER POT CENTRE

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT

TO THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF PEPPER POT CENTRE

I report to the Charity Management Committee on my examination of the accounts of the Pepper Pot Centre for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of Report

As the Management Committee of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act).

Having been satisfied that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charitable company’s accounts as carried under S. 145 of the Charities Act 2011(the 2011 Act).In carrying out of my examination, I have followed all the Directions given by the Charity Commission under S. 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Zar Ni Soe - FCCA BSc Hons Soe Accountancy 100 Croydon Road Beddington CR0 4PE

Dated:

9

PEPPER POT CENTRE

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Incoming Resources
Voluntary Income & core grants
Investment – Interest
receivable
Incoming resources from
charitable activities
Total Incoming resources
Resources Expended
Cost of raising funds
Charitable activities
Total Resources expended
Net (outgoing) / income
(expenditure) for the year.
Funds balances as at 1st April
2024
Funds balances as at 31st
March 2025		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
Funds
Funds
2025
2024
177,463
81,946
259,409
251,278
3,976
0
3,976
3,338
28,171
0
28,171
27,938
209,610
81,946
291,556
282,544
4,840
1,875
6,715
2,075
207,769
90,097
297,866
277.478
212,609
91,972
304,581
279,553
(2,999)
(10,026)
(13,025)
3,001
164,560
30,319
194,879
191,878
£161,561
£20,293
£181,854
£194,879

10

PEPPER POT CENTRE BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2025

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
7
Current assets
Debtors & prepayments8
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within
Oneyear 9
Net current assets

Total assets less current liabilities
Income funds
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds		 2025
£
12,672
210,230		 2025
£
12,672
210,230		 2025
£
12,672
210,230

222,902
(42,141)

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2025. No member of the company has deposited a Notice, pursuant to section 476, requiring an audit of these accounts.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Act and for preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financial year and of its incoming resources and its application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the financial year in accordance with the requirements of sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to accounts, so far as applicable to the company.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

The accounts were approved by the Board on………………………………..

…………………………… ………………………………

Howard Jeffery, Trustee Mervin Archer, Trustee

Company Registration No: 2178605

11

PEPPER POT CENTRE NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 Accounting policies

Charity Information: The Pepper Pot Centre is a private company Limited by Guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered address is 1A, Thorpe Road, London W10 5XL.

1.1 Accounting convention

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Company’s constitution and applicable accounting standards, the” Accounting and Reporting by Charities Statement of Recommended Practice, applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and the requirements of the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” and the Companies Act 2006.The Company is a Public benefit entity as defined by FRS102.

The company had taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for Charities applying FRS 102 update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

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

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set below.

1.1 Going Concern

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

1.2 Incoming resources

Donated services and gifts in kind were not considered to be material and have therefore not been included in these accounts.

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.

1.3 Resources expended

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been included under expense categories that aggregate all costs for allocation to activities. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to activities, they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of these sources.

The amount charged to cost of raising funds in the accounts is based on the amount of staff time attributable to this activity.

Governance costs are those incurred in connection with administration of the charity and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.

12

PEPPER POT CENTRE NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1.4 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Fixed assets are capitalized only if they have

a value of £1,000 or above. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:

Leasehold property Fixtures, fittings & equipment Motor vehicles

25 years over the term of the lease from 27[th] September 1999 25%straight line 25% straight line

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognized in net income/ (expenditure) for the year.

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

1.5 Pensions

The charity makes a 5% contribution towards the pensions of employees. Some members of staff contribute to a stakeholder pension. This amount is deducted from their salaries and paid over to the pension provider by the Centre.

1.6 Accumulated funds

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Restricted funds are subject to specific restrictions by donors, which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The cost of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

1.7 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.9 Financial Instruments

The charity has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognized at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

1.10 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognized in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognized immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits

13

PEPPER POT CENTRE NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

2. Critical accounting estimates and judgments

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

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

3. Support & Governance costs


Support
costs
£		 Governance
Costs
£		 2025
£		 2024
£
Staff costs
73,375
Premises
45,086
Office and administration
19,404
Depreciation
364
Trustees expenses
Independent Examination fees		 186
3,750		 73,375
45,086
19,404
364
186
3.750		 59,976
43,881
12,348
485
1,052
5,500
TOTAL COSTS
£138,229		 £3.936 £142,165 £123,242

4. Management Committee

A member of Management Committee was reimbursed £186 for travel expenses incurred on the Charity’s business (£1,052 in 2024)

5. Number of employees

The average monthly number of full-time equivalent employees during the year was:

Administration
Care and Kitchen Staff		 2025
2024
2
2
5
5
7
7

14

PEPPER POT CENTRE

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Employment costs

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Agency Staffing costs
Pension costs		 2025
2024

151,158
136,469
3,520
6,520
6.924
1,145
5,414
5,124
£168,122
£148,152

There are no employees whose annual emoluments were £60,000 or more

6. Taxation

The Company is registered charity and exempt from taxation under Sections 466 to 493 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010.

7. Tangible fixed assets


Cost
At 1 April 2024
Additions
Disposals
At 31 March 2025
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2025
Net Book Value
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024		 Land &
buildings
Plant &
Machinery
Fixtures,
Fittings &
Equipment
Motor
Vehicles
Total
£
£
£
£
£
654,172
0
36,660
0
116,320
0
8,000
0
815,152
0
0
0
0
0
0
654,172
36,660
116,320
8,000
815,152
641,060
36,660
114,863
8,000
800,583
13,112
0
364
0
13,476
654,172
36,660
115,227
8,000
814,059
0
0
1,093
0
1,093

13,112
0
1,457
0
14,569

15

PEPPER POT CENTRE NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

8. Debtors

2025 2024 £ £ Debtors & Prepayments 12,672 839 __ ______

9. Creditors: amounts falling due within one-year 2025 2024 £ £ Bank overdraft 4,406 626 Taxes and social security 1,979 3,072 Accruals 12,161 24,965 Grant received in advance 23,595 22,477 42,141 51,140

10. Restricted funds: Movements in Funds

The funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes:

2024/2025 Balance at
1 April 2024
Incoming
resources
Resources
Expended
Transfers		 Balance at
31 March 2025
£ £ £ £ £
Building fund 10,576 0 (10,576) 0
National Lottery
outreach Project		 19,355 44,955 (49,927) 0 14,383
Global ‘s Make Some
Noise		 388 25,000 (24,510) 878
Harrow Road Well-being
Project(Westminster )		 0 7,500 (4.544 ) 0 2,956
Open Age ( Heart &
Lung Program)		 0 4,491 (2,415) 0 2,076
30,319 81,946 (91.972) 0 20,293

16

PEPPER POT CENTRE NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

2023/2024 Balance at
1 April 2023		 Incoming
resources		 Resources
Expended		 Transfers Balance at
31 March 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Building fund 36,828 0 (26,252) 0 10.576
Grenfell support project 3,695 0 (3,695) 0 0
National Lottery over 60
Connected Care project		 0 45,550 (26.195) 0 19,355
Global ‘s ,Make some
Noise the Pepper Pot
Project to combat
Isolation		 0 25,000 (24,612) 0 388
40,523 70,550 (80,754) 0 30,319

The building fund comprises the finance received for the building which is reduced annually by the related depreciation.

[11. ] Analysis of net assets between funds

Fund balances at 31 March 2025 are represented
by Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Total
£
£
£
0
1,093
1,093
222,902
0
22,902
(18,271)
(23,870)
(41.141)
204,631
(22,777)
181,854

12. Pensions

The Centre makes a 5% contribution towards the pensions of employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Centre in an independently administered fund.

The charge to income and expenditure in respect of defined contribution schemes was £6,924 (2024: £5,124).

13. Related party transactions

The remuneration of key management personnel is as follows:

2025 2024
£ £
Aggregate compensation 45,000 24,140

17