2025-03-31-accounts

Company number: 02119687

PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

(A company limited by guarantee)

CHARITY COMMISSION REGISTERED NO. 299823

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2025

PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Contents
Company information	1
Report of the Board of Trustees	2 - 20
Independent Auditors Report	21 - 24
Statement of Financial Activities	25
Statement of Financial Position	26
Statement of Cash Flows	27
Notes to the Financial Statements	28 - 42

PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Charity information

Company number: 02119687 Charity number: 299823

Board of Trustees / Company Directors

J Jelley

M Thompson - resigned 14 November 2024

R Joshi - resigned 14 November 2024

S Walsh S Keogh - resigned 14 November 2024 A Blake K Sheraton E Woods R Nicholls

Chief Executive

K McVeigh - appointed 7 August 2024 J Jelley - acting interim - appointed 28 January 2024 to 7 August 2024

Company Secretary

K McVeigh - appointed 1 August 2024

Registered office

Allia Future Business Centre London Road Peterborough PE2 8AN

Auditors

Moore Thompson Bank House Broad Street Spalding Lincolnshire PE11 1TB

Bankers

RBS Cathedral Square Peterborough Cambridgeshire PE1 1XH COIF Charities Deposit Fund 80 Cheapside London EC2V 6DZ

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PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Report of the Board of Trustees

for the year ended 31 March 2025

About Peterborough CVS

Peterborough Council for Voluntary Service (PCVS) is the Local Infrastructure Organisation (LIO) for Peterborough. It was registered as a charity and company limited by guarantee in June 1980, its governing document being the Memorandum and Articles of Association. (Charity Number 299823; Company Number 02119687).

PCVS as an LIO aims to deliver against four key pillars of infrastructure as identified by NAVCA, one of our national bodies, as follows:

1. Leadership and advocacy

2. Partnerships and collaboration

3. Capacity building

4. Volunteering

We have recently updated our strategy with the aim of a renewed focus on our objectives as an infrastructure organisation. We aim to:

1. Provide specialist expertise, information and support, develop the skills local people need to run successful organisations and help groups find and make effective use of resources

2. Strengthen our relationships, building knowledge and understanding within the VCSE and beyond (statutory sector and businesses) through jointly developing a new partnership model to enhance focus on delivering collectively to meet need

3. Tackle health inequalities by brokering financial support and empowering VCSE organisations to deliver on the health agenda

4. Raise the profile and presence of volunteering in Peterborough providing information, training and guidance to organisations with volunteers and raise awareness of the benefits of volunteering and opportunities to the wider public

5. Be a voice for the VCSE/CVS in Peterborough elevating status as an equal partner through publicising more widely how it is meeting identified needs and collate and measure more broadly across the sector to demonstrate impact

6. Provide direct services (brokerage) to meet identified needs where there is no local VCSE organisation to do so

Public Benefit

The Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector plays an important role within Peterborough, fulfilling a wide range of needs and wants for its diverse communities. The benefits that emerge from a vibrant sector lifts Peterborough into a better place to live and work, generating positives for the city by providing services and assistance to those in need, developing a strong volunteering culture, a way for people to become involved in their communities or simply leisure opportunities.

PCVS has a pivotal role to play in the development and sustainability of the sector and the shaping of opportunities as the public service delivery landscape goes through the seismic change now underway coupled with the challenges of the cost of living crisis and recovery from the Covid pandemic.

In carrying out their duties the Trustees have regard to the public benefit guidance by the Charity Commission. The Trustees note that the charitable activities focus on the development of community groups and organisations and volunteering. The work that the charity undertakes plays an important role in creating more sustainable, resilient communities. Reviews are carried out during the financial year and how our activities deliver public benefit can be seen on pages 5 to 19.

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PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Report of the Board of Trustees

for the year ended 31 March 2025

PCVS believes that active change can only occur through a combination of raising awareness, enhancing knowledge and encouraging people to take action with a particular emphasis on involving those who are seldom heard and excluded from positive participation in their communities. This commitment is demonstrated through the delivery of our projects and services, which all work for the benefit of Peterborough’s communities.

Structure, Governance and Management

The PCVS Trustee Board oversees the activities, policies and legal requirements of the organisation but devolves operational management to the Chief Executive Officer. In addition, the charity has a number of key personnel responsible for project management and specific skills such as finance, equal opportunities and child and vulnerable adult protection.

Appointment of Trustees

As set out in the Articles of Association the majority of the Trustees shall always be members or representatives of PCVS.

Nominations for Trustees from the membership of PCVS are made in writing and should be in the hands of the Company Secretary (role currently held by CEO) at least fourteen days before the Annual General Meeting. Should nominations exceed vacancies, election will be by ballot. Trustees will be appointed from a diverse section of the affiliated membership of PCVS and the wider community.

The Trustee Board includes a Chairperson and one or two Vice Chairpersons. There will be a minimum of three with no maximum number of Trustee Board members at any one time. Trustee Board members will be nominated and accepted onto the Board at the Annual General Meeting.

Trustees' Induction and Training

All Trustees receive induction training which covers the legal obligations of the charity and its Trustees, alongside an overview of the work of the organisation and its projects. In addition, the induction period will address Board and committee structures, financial performance and strategic planning. Regular updates of the project work and developments of the charity are available at every meeting through the Chief Executive Officer or invited project staff.

Organisation

The Trustees meet quarterly either in person at the registered office address or online in accordance with Board members availability. The Chief Executive Officer is appointed by the Trustees to manage the day to day operations of the charity. To facilitate effective operations, the Chief Executive Officer has delegated authority, within terms of delegation approved by the Trustees, for operational matters including finance, employment and project development.

Related parties

The charity works closely with many member organisations to provide and receive specialist advice and guidance by providing a comprehensive infrastructure support package. Other partnership working includes many statutory organisations including Peterborough City Council, Peterborough & Cambridgeshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), local colleges and universities as well as a wide range of other civic, corporate and charitable stakeholders.

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PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Report of the Board of Trustees

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Members

The power of admitting member groups to the PCVS network shall be vested in the Trustees. The powers shall be exercised by the Trustees in accordance with any regulations or directions issued and subject to any restrictions or conditions imposed as regards any particular class or section of a class of members or otherwise by PCVS in the General Meeting.

Once a group has been accepted by the Trustees as a member of PCVS they will be adopted as an official member at the next Annual General Meeting. Any challenge to a group being adopted as a member will be noted and investigated as appropriate, with the Trustees’ decision being final.

Groups or persons eligible for membership of PCVS are voluntary and community organisations with options for affiliated memberships for statutory and corporate bodies operating in the area of public benefit, pursuing any of the said purposes and/or committed to supporting Peterborough communities.

Financial Review

The charity's reserves consist of accumulated funds, the purpose of which is to support the objectives of the charity.

Details of the charity's financial activities for the year are set out on page 25.

The charity has implemented the following policies in respect of Risk Management and the level of reserves maintained.

Risk Management

The Trustees regularly review risks by:

• Completion of a risk register

• An annual review of the risks the charity may face

• The establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified

• The implementations of procedures designed to minimise any potential impact on the charity should those risks

• • materialise

This work has identified the key risks to the organisation and it has resulted in improved strategies and contingency plans to reduce the risks and has given the impetus for better planning. A key element in the management of financial risks is the setting of a reserves policy and its regular review by Trustees – see below.

Reserves Policy

Reserves are that part of PCVS’s unrestricted funds that is freely available to spend on any of the charity’s purposes. This excludes restricted income funds and endowment funds. Reserves will also normally exclude tangible fixed assets such as land, buildings and other assets held for the charity’s use. It also excludes amounts designated for essential future spending.

Reserves also exclude funds which have particular restrictions on how they can be used. PCVS’s Trustees will consider for what purpose restricted funds are held and how they are being used in order to identify those resources that are freely available to spend. The Trustees understand that the funds a charity keeps in reserve can strengthen the charity’s resilience against short term drops in income or the demands of a new project.

At 31 March 2025 (including current assets, less liabilities and fixed assets more easily liquidated) the charity has £438,189 (2024: £403,960) of potentially free reserves.

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PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Report of the Board of Trustees

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Closure costs which are calculated on a quarterly basis; these are the minimum reserves to be retained to ensure the sustainability of the organisation. At 31 March 2025 income and expenditure levels, this equates to a value of £135,000. If reserves were to fall below this value, then an emergency Board meeting would be called.

PCVS define the following items within closure costs:

Redundancy - Rent - Services - Utilities - Telephone - Equipment - Staff & Volunteers Expenses - Accounting Fees

Any unrestricted funds identified over and above the minimum reserves threshold would need a business case and proposal to be released for investment. The Chief Executive Officer has the authorisation of the trustees to use a maximum of £10,000 for on the ground development, all other requests need to be approved via a business case at a Trustee Board Meeting and be in line with the organisation’s objectives as detailed in the Articles of Association.

Health and Safety

Health and Safety is assessed by an external specialist to ensure PCVS is compliant with all legislation and is operating in a safe manner on a day to day basis. Health and Safety is covered during staff induction with further training as appropriate. In accordance with our Safeguarding Policy, all staff working directly with vulnerable adults and/or children and young people have an Enhanced DBS check and are recruited through safer recruitment practices.

Objective and Activities

The objectives of the charity as set out in the Articles of Association are:

• To promote any charitable purposes for the benefit of the community in the unitary authority district of Peterborough and in particular the advancement of education, protection of health and the relief of poverty, distress and sickness

• Establish and support or aid the establishment and support of any charitable organisation. Raise funds, invite and receive contributions from any person/s by way or subscription, donation etc. No trading activities may take place in raising runds

• Collect and disseminate information on all matters affecting PCVS and establish, print, publish and circulate such information

• Provide or assist with exhibitions, meeting and events

PCVS has six strategic aims as identified above.

PCVS carries these out by:

• Providing support such as information, advice and training

• Identifying new needs and developing initiatives for meeting them

• Promoting partnership between statutory and voluntary sectors in the delivery of welfare and other services

• Supporting innovation, accountability and good practice in local services

• Encouraging local organisations and groups to put forward their views on local and national policies and

• Creating and promoting forums and channels used by government and other bodies to consult the community

• Providing this support in a special way and with particular values, working with people, groups and communities in a flexible, open way and challenging inequalities.

• Providing practical support with office services and administration, payroll and training

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PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Report of the Board of Trustees

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Activites and Achievements

Introduction

The past year has marked a period of significant transformation and progress for PCVS. As we reflect on 2024–2025, we are proud to share how our organisation has strengthened its support for the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector across Peterborough. Acting as a bridge between the System and our communities, we continue to work both strategically and operationally, championing the incredible work of local organisations and the people behind them, influencing the decision makers with the changes needed and creating the environment that their authentic voice can be heard.

With our current working environment marked by change and significant challenges, our commitment remains steady and has never been stronger to helping local groups thrive, amplifying their community voices, and ensuring that everyone in our city has access to the opportunities and support they deserve.

The arrival of our new Chief Executive, Kirsteen McVeigh, has meant a real period of consolidation, reflection and renewed focus. With this new leadership we have strengthened partnerships, continuing to build on successes. Notably we have significantly increased our engagement via Go-ViP, our new online volunteering portal for delivery, continued to achieve against high level KPIs delivered within our Direct Payments programme, and maintained our community focused work, all against a challenging financial backdrop with several projects entering their final period of funding.

Volunteering has flourished , with the rapid growth of our Go-ViP online portal, which saw registered opportunities increase from 44 to 149 and user registrations surge from 274 to 657. Individual applications for volunteering roles more than quadrupled, and our Volunteer Support Service provided tailored guidance to over 160 potential volunteers. The relaunch of the Volunteer Co-Ordinator Forum and new partnerships with local organisations have further strengthened the city’s volunteering network, making it easier for people to get involved and make a difference.

Our Health research work has also seen remarkable progress . Our Research Engagement Network (REN) worked closely with local communities and health partners to break down barriers to participation, particularly for underrepresented groups. Targeted engagement projects, supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research grants, reached hundreds of people from the Nepalese, Bengali, Russian, and homeless communities. These efforts have increased awareness, trust and participation in health research ensuring our champions’ work better reflect our population, and that those with lived experience are heard.

Knowledge of, and trust within our local Communities has deepened through our forums project work. Enabling collaboration among local organisations, driving progress on key issues such as disability, domestic abuse, and health and wellbeing. Through regular meetings and targeted projects, the forums have influenced city planning, improved service accessibility, and strengthened community networks - ensuring authentic local voices inform decisions that shape our city.

Our Membership engagement activity has helped to reestablish and grow our positive relationships across the sector with numerous new or existing organisations joining the PCVS family. Participation in our training, support and networking events has increased as our promotion has become better targeted with more members seeking additional advice and support from our teams.

Funding and fundraising have been a focus of our VCSE Infrastructure support as we recognise the challenges that our members face with increased demands for their services whilst resource and funding is more difficult to achieve that ever before. Working in partnership with local and national funders, we have been able to provide dedicated funding information and support ensuring that available opportunities are widely shared and organisations are able to achieve greater success with their applications.

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PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Report of the Board of Trustees

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Opportunities to network and share learning with VCSE colleagues has increased with a combination of our Third Thursday Events, the expansion of the Voluntary Sector Network (VCSE Alliance supported by the Integrated Care Board), our Forums and Learning and Skills Project based Peer support sessions. Members report that through building relationships with others in the sector, they are better equipped to navigate difficult situations and sustain themselves, their teams and the work of their organisations.

Our achievements this year are a testament to the dedication of our staff, volunteers, partners, and the communities we serve. From expanding direct payment support and managed services, to championing lived experience through the Poverty Truth Commission, PCVS continues to play a pivotal role in building a stronger, fairer, and more connected Peterborough.

We invite you to explore the highlights and stories from the past year in more detail. Together they demonstrate the real impact of our collaborative efforts and the positive change we are making together. We now stand ready to continue to build the support we provide to our VCSE sector in these very challenging times.

As we look ahead our mission remains clear: to help local groups thrive, amplify community voices, and make sure people across our city get the opportunities and support they deserve, shaping a stronger, fairer, more connected Peterborough.

PCVS Membership Support

This year saw us begin work in earnest to reengage with our Member organisations and ensure that our Membership Offer is able to meet the most pressing needs of our struggling sector who provide such invaluable support to communities across the city. With the soft launch of our comprehensive new website in late 2024, we initiated a programme of Member Engagement events and activities, showing how the website’s members portal will offer self served information, advice and guidance as well as opportunities to promote their work.

We listened to members views about their current challenges and discussed what support PCVS could offer as their local infrastructure organisation (IFO).

Over the upcoming spring and summer period, we will work to develop our Membership Offer and continue to engage with organisations to enable a new and revitalised package of support to be developed.

We look forward to launching the new Membership Support Offer at our 2025 AGM where members will have the opportunity to vote on this and move forward together, strengthening our relationships and building a community of support that can help our incredible sector survive and thrive.

Communications

After taking time to review our communications during the previous period, this year saw further positive development of both PCVS’s external communications, and the support offer we provide for members.

Our monthly newsletter was relaunched in January 2025 with a greater focus on sharing and celebrating the work of PCVS, our community partners and wider stakeholders. Members were given the opportunity to have a spotlight on their services and/or their asks for support alongside promotion of their events and fundraising activities.

We were also very excited to launch our new PCVS website in November 2024 which has been developed to meet our members and communities changing needs in a digital world. Work to further populate and build the site will be an ongoing task which we hope will provide accessible and valuable information, guidance and resources for all.

A particularly popular aspect of the site has been our Training and Events Directory which promotes opportunities provided by our members and partners as well as those offer by PCVS. Bringing many of these local events together in one place has proved a highly useful resource for those wishing to build their knowledge, skills and professional development.

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PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Report of the Board of Trustees

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Our social media presence was slower to develop this year as we carried a vacancy for a communications lead, yet we maintained a connection with our followers as we moved away from X (formally known as Twitter) and began focussing our posts on Instagram, Facebook and Linked In to ensure we were engaging across our networks.

We look forward to launching a dedicated Members area in the upcoming period which will further expand and enhance our support offer for organisations and groups that are delivering frontline services in our communities.

Managed Services and Delivery

Our Managed Services and Delivery Team, made up of 13 dedicated members of staff, continues to play a vital role in supporting people across the city of Peterborough and Cambridgeshire through a range of personalised care and financial management services. The team ensures that individuals have real choice and control over the support they receive, while maintaining accuracy, transparency, and compassion in every interaction.

Direct Payment Support Service (Personalised Care Support Service)

Currently supporting 723 clients across Greater Peterborough and Cambridgeshire.

The Direct Payments scheme covers all age groups and all disabilities, those with physical disabilities or complex health needs – all united by a desire to live independently and with dignity. The support service covers Peterborough City Council Direct Payments, NHS Personal Health Budgets and individuals who are funding their own care.

Managed Service and Direct Payment Payroll

Our Managed Service team oversees the financial administration of care packages, ensuring timely and accurate processing for hundreds of individuals each month. This includes:

• 475 adults funded by Peterborough City Council

• 81 parents of disabled children funded by Peterborough Children's Services

• 45 adults with complex needs funded by the NHS through Personal Health Budget

On average, the team processes over 1,065 payments per month on behalf of service users and in addition, they manage over 955 individual income transactions monthly providing vital, practical support to those who need it most.

Our Direct Payment Payroll Service currently supports 204 clients with the processing of monthly wages for their Carer Personal Assistants, ensuring peace of mind for both employers and employees.

Personal Health Budgets

Building on our success managing Direct Payments for the City Council, PCVS has seen a significant increase in clients supported through NHS-funded Personal Health Budgets. The growing demand for this service has led to the creation of a dedicated project within PCVS, recognising its distinct role in enabling individuals to tailor their own healthcare. The success of this work has attracted interest from other areas, and there are clear indications that it could be expanded geographically in the future, supporting a greater number of vulnerable clients through this valuable service.

Carer Personal Assistance Register

PCVS manages the Personal Assistant Register on behalf of Peterborough City Council, providing clients with access to a trusted list of qualified carers. Each Personal Assistant (PA) on the register is carefully vetted: references are checked, safeguarding training completed, and each individual signs a code of conduct. The register is maintained on the Peterborough City Council website by the PCVS team and acts as a vital link between clients seeking care and PAs offering support. We also act as a reference point for lone working and investigate any detail of issues raised.

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PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Report of the Board of Trustees

for the year ended 31 March 2025

• We also provide support to PA's, this includes:

• Support to register with HMRC for Self-Assessment

• Setting up invoices and processes

• Supporting with any issues arising from work with clients

• Matching clients to PA's

There are currently 102 active Personal Assistants on the register, with additional referrals from those visiting the Job Centre and our website.

Feedback from Direct Payment Service Users

“My brother and I would wish to extend our gratitude to Chris, Karen and Linda and all the staff in Direct Payments for all their support, help, care and guidance over the past eight years.

During the past eight years, Direct Payment Support team have become pivotal in our learning how to deal and care for our mother.

Our mother, who is 92 years young has vascular dementia, liver disease, is diabetic and has other life-threatening conditions. Direct Payments have given us support by caring and understanding and we look upon them with a friendship we have developed as a team. Our mother is now safe and stable, receiving care in her own home with 24/7 package, attended by support workers.

Without the support and desire to help us through this very emotional, stressful, exhausting and difficult time for myself and my family, they have always found time to explain how best to deal with all situations.

Direct Payments Support team have been the glue which holds this package together for which we are eternally grateful, and we doubt that we would have achieved this without their care and understanding. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all.”

Communities Team

Our Communities Team continues to be at the heart of our mission to connect resident facing community groups, amplify community voices, and ensure that lived experience drives meaningful change across Peterborough. This year, we have built on the strong foundations laid in 2023, with the Peterborough Poverty Truth Commission (PTC) taking centre stage as a powerful example of collaboration, trust, and transformation.

Peterborough Poverty Trust Commission

Following the launch of the PTC in November 2023, the commission began its core work in early 2024. The Commission brings together people with lived experience of poverty and civic leaders from local organisations to explore how poverty affects lives in Peterborough — and how systems and services can respond more effectively.

Our first full Commission meeting, including all community and civic partners, was held in February 2024, followed by three further meetings in March, April, and May. These sessions focused on building shared understanding and trust among stakeholders and commissioners, while setting the stage for the working groups that would shape the rest of the year.

From May to November, three dedicated working groups explored key themes identified by the Commission — Health, Housing, and Education . Each group brought together civic commissioners and community leaders to have indepth discussions and co-develop practical solutions.

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PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Report of the Board of Trustees

for the year ended 31 March 2025

The working groups has three main outcomes:

• Jobsmart allocated a dedicated worker to support people to fill in digital forms, to understand who accessed this service, and what their needs were.

• Improvements to the housing application process , to include a dedicated contact number so people are more empowered through the process. Work has also been started on a training video to assist people with the form, alongside provision of the form in other relevant languages.

• Connecting investment and strategy on Digital Inclusion with the organisations that are aligned to deliver this work with people who are excluded. PCVS plays a facilitative role, connecting community hubs in the city to become digital hubs through funding from Connecting Cambridgeshire .

As the year progressed, we worked again with the filmmakers who created the Commission’s launch video to produce a new 20-minute film telling the story of the PTC’s journey. This film became the centrepiece of our celebration event at KingsGate , alongside speeches by both community groups and leaders and civic commissioners. The event was well attended, with guests including the Deputy Mayors of both Peterborough and the Combined Authority, the Mayor of the Combined Authority, and both the CEO and Council Leader from Peterborough City Council. The event was recorded, with a highlights video and a printed leaflet summarising the Commission’s achievements that will be shared widely to ensure learning and impacts can continue to be embedded.

PCVS has also received funding from the Poverty Truth Network to ensure that the Poverty Truth community in Peterborough continues to receive support and facilitation, and to enable PCVS to solidify itself as an expert in understanding, and by promoting the inclusion of lived experience to other local organisations.

Over the course of the year, PCVS has:

• Facilitated over 24.5 hours of meetings and discussions

• Involved around 30 participants representing both community and civic sectors

• Directly supports two individuals into employment because of their involvement

• Welcomed over 80 attendees to the final celebration event

Our Poverty Truth Commission has been independently evaluated, and a public report will be released at our 2025 AGM. Our evaluator noted that:

• “Two-thirds of Civic Commissioners reported a greater understanding of the people affected by their decisions.”

• “Half of Civic Commissioners reported having more trust in the people affected by their decisions.”

These outcomes demonstrate not just organisational success, but genuine cultural change, with PCVS at the heart of that advocacy, coordination and shift.

Personal Reflections on involvement with the Poverty Trust Commission

“I had this preconception about who was in poverty... I had unconscious bias about poverty. And it’s been blown away through this process"

“It was an in-road with a group of people I wouldn’t have been able to hear from otherwise. We don’t have capacity and money to set up consultation with everyone. Providing the platform through PTC was a fantastic opportunity to go out and hear hidden voices”

“I hadn’t really thought about how poverty affected people before, and how it stops them accessing services. But I do now, and I talk about it to others in my organisation.”

“I built friendships, and it made my life better. We will keep in touch”

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PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Report of the Board of Trustees

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Poverty Trust Case Studies

Case Study 1

X was just out walking with a friend who suggested they pop along to a new group they’d heard about, without any expectations at all; X has experienced struggles with their mental health as well as social isolation, and their choosing to start attending our Poverty Truth meetings was a significant step for them.

"I've come a long way, I've done well out of it."

After a few sessions, X started contributing regularly, becoming more comfortable and developing a willingness to share their own experiences as part of the Poverty Truth process, sharing things they’d carried with themselves for a long time and had begun to find heavy.

“I talked about things my nearest neighbours and friends didn’t know about, people who’d known me for years. It was a relief; a weight is off. I am proud of myself for being able to speak in front of everyone, I told my doctor, and he is proud too. I do thank PCVS for that.”

X’s confidence and connectedness with their community have grown through the work they have done with PCVS; they are now part of various groups across the city, all of which are looking to involve communities and improve the lives of Peterborough’s citizens, as well as their continued involvement with us. PCVS has been a catalyst for their social engagement.

"I came out of my shell! I am now invovled in loads of things."

Case Study 2

“Before COVID I never wanted to leave the house; as soon as I wasn’t allowed to it was the only thing I wanted to do!”

Y was struggling with social isolation and the cost of living, having experienced difficulties with their mental health and the loss of a job. They started attending a local community support hub as a way to get some of the help they needed and found themselves volunteering in that same hub, which is how they met PCVS.

We were in the early stages of recruiting community members for the Poverty Truth Commission, and Y was pointed out to us as a good person to talk to. They seemed shy but also interested enough to start coming to our meetings. They quickly made friends with some of our other Community leaders and started speaking up more. After a few months we realised they had taken on a leadership role among the group, were quick to volunteer for things, and always made the time to support their peers during the difficult conversations that Poverty Truth often starts.

After being involved with us for a few months, Y also began taking part in our network of research champions, making relationships with researchers and other community members who were committed to promoting research and improving representation in studies. Y had been started on a course where almost everything they did was with a view to improving lives in their communities and for other people who had had similar life experiences.

“I’ve made so many connections and had access to so many opportunities that I wouldn’t have had if it wasn’t for PCVS. My confidence has improved massively, to the point where I was able to speak in public for the first time ever! And I’ve even done it a second time since then.”

Y continues to develop, also taking on roles with the wider Poverty Truth Network. It is not an exaggeration to say that PCVS has played a part in helping Y discover their life’s purpose.

“It’s made me realise I have a real passion for social action. There’s no stopping me now!”

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PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

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The Poverty Truth Commission stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when people with lived experience and decision-makers work together as equals. It demonstrates the power of listening, understanding, and co-producing solutions that reflect the real lives of those at the heart of our communities.

VCSE Forums

Our VCSE (Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise) Forums continue to be a cornerstone of PCVS’s work — bringing together charities, community groups, and partners to collaborate, share insight, and shape the local agenda. Each forum provides a trusted space for open conversation, where local voices can influence decisions that directly affect their communities.

2024-2025 was the final year of our National Lottery funded Recovery Project. The final years plan enabled an effective transition to ensure that the learning, relationships, and capacity created through the forums work to date is firmly embedded in local systems. The conditions have been created to further build on this work to the future.

Together, these forums have provided a platform for more than 250 organisations to connect, collaborate, and take collective action on issues such as service accessibility, partnership working, funding challenges, and emerging community priorities.

Over this year some of our forums have been able to become dormant, either having achieved initial outcomes, or being superseded by new priorities. One example of this is our Food Poverty Forum , which increasingly discussed wider poverty issues and was strongly linked to Peterborough’s community hubs. Over the summer we conducted a workshop to help organisations become more sustainable beyond Household Support Funding and as a result we successfully applied for funding from NAVCA and Cadent, to roll out Centres for Warmth with a group of forum members.

This forum was attended by 26 representatives from 18 organisations.

This is a great example of collaborative working directly because of the trust built up through the forum. With this new phase of work, it was decided to stop the Food Poverty Forum from regular meetings but retain a network with those not directly working on the Centres for Warmth project.

Current Active Forums

The forums currently active cover three important themes – Disability, Domestic Abuse and Health and Wellbeing. Each follow a framework, where themes presented via a pertinent speaker and ideas are ignited. The outcomes of each of the initial collective forum, create the agenda of where more detailed work or focus is needed.

A recent example – following a green paper on review of the disability benefits, our working groups members were able to input views, collective thoughts and needs in the safe and trusted environment that our forum delivers. PCVS on behalf of the members inputted into a consolidation document that was delivered to the influencer partner and the relevant MP.

The key achievements of these forums are outlined below.

Disability Forum

Meeting bi-monthly, with 33 current members representing 30 different organisations. This group has had several success stories, most notably being front and centre in discussions around the proposed £65m regeneration of Peterborough Station Quarter. Accessibility has always been problematic in this part of the city, and the group were able to demonstrate to the relevant working parties the challenges present. Most importantly they were also able to offer solutions to problems in face-to-face meetings with planners, designers and architects and site visits. This is a great example of genuine collaborative working between the local authority, LNER and the local community.

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PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Report of the Board of Trustees

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Successes also include the forum chairperson now having a seat at the Peterborough City Council Equality, Diversity, Disability & Inclusion Board. Via this work they have been able to continue to successfully advocate for an increased presence of Changing Places toilets, working with the local authority to resolve parking issues and from a national perspective work through the implications of Budget changes i.e. changes to disability benefits.

We also facilitated face to face activity such as Station Quarter site visits and demonstration of accessibility aids in proposed new routing from the station including tactile wayfaring and street furniture.

Domestic Abuse Forum

With 27 members representing 24 different organisations, this group tackles this hugely challenging subject, sensitively, in confidence and most importantly staying in control of the views, concerns and challenge that need to be addressed.

We were pleased to be able to support members events, including the creation of an awareness raising film showing to coincide with Karma Nirvana’s the Day of Memory, and an International Women’s Day event in the city’s shopping centre.

A mapping exercise was undertaken to improve the groups' awareness of the services offered across the city and to support signposting and referral activity.

The year ended with a session looking at the role and purpose of the forum, particularly in the context of the decoupling of the combined authority. The uniqueness of Peterborough, what services are provided, where the gaps and challenges are and how the group can work more effectively.

Health & Wellbeing Forum

This forum has 36 members representing 33 different organisations. The group meets quarterly, ensuring members are abreast and involved in key issues in an ever-changing Health Agenda environment. PCVS lead the drive on what is on the forum’s agenda, bringing subject matter expertise to the people who are community facing.

Beginning with such things as a ‘Health Day’, to help organisations and individuals learn about the different parts of the emerging Integrated Care System in our area. We additionally arrange Self-Harm Awareness training featuring a film made by local young people who self-harm with key messages that they wanted those in the sector to understand. The year ended with a session focused on wellbeing, weight loss and getting active, where a local GP led a session on “Medications to Support Weight Loss” creating the conditions for robust discussions around both the benefits and potential downside impact of the medication. We continually try to upskill our members with presentations from sector colleagues, collaborating with System partners such as Living Sport, Healthy You and Vivacity to decode the array of services on offer and how clients could access them.

During the reporting period PCVS organised and ran 18 forums, engaging with 275 attendees.

Feedback from one of our Forum Chairs:

“The Disability Forum has given disabled people in Peterborough a real voice in how our city is shaped. Work such as that on the Station Quarter means accessibility isn’t an afterthought — it’s built in from the start.” Michelle King – CEO Little Miracles

Volunteer Support Service

Volunteering remains one of the most powerful ways to bring people together, strengthen communities, and create positive local change. This year, PCVS has continued to play a leading role in growing and celebrating volunteering across Peterborough through the development of Go-ViP — our dedicated volunteering platform.

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PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Report of the Board of Trustees

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Launched in October 2023, Go-ViP was designed to make it easier for residents to find volunteering opportunities that match their interests, skills, and availability, while also helping organisations connect with passionate and reliable volunteers.

The platform has quickly become a key part of Peterborough’s volunteering infrastructure, linking people to meaningful opportunities across a wide range of causes — from community wellbeing and environmental projects to youth work, foodbanks, and social care support.

We continue to support sector Volunteers in a bespoke way, offering weekly live sessions for Volunteers to access support via our Volunteering Centre, meeting with Denise our Volunteering Manager and Jackie who volunteers with PCVS. Volunteering comes in many shapes and forms ranging from long term relationships to micro or one-off voluntary activities. For those individuals involved, it can be an expression of a personal passion for a cause, a desire to fill a gap in services that people are experiencing and/or as a way of living the change you want to see in the world. We signpost potential volunteers to organisations that are aligned. In addition, volunteering can be a route to job readiness providing a taster of possible careers, as well as building skills and experience to enhance CV's, gaining references and establishing new support networks. This is underlined by our work with the WorkWell programme and supports those looking to continue or return to work after health difficulties. We continue to build upon our corporate and civic relationships, ensuring employee days are utilised and the impact maximised both for individuals and the wider community.

Funding for this platform was secured by close partnership working with colleagues at neighbouring infrastructure organisations in Cambridge and Huntingdon and was underpinned by our principles of equalising opportunities for all to volunteer in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Additional funding was secured through the National Gas Community Grant Fund in 2024.

Go-Vip has a dedicated section that supports training of volunteers, safeguarding, health and wellbeing section, Healthy You, and HowAreYou Peterborough. Continued development work has taken place on our website and Facebook page to ensure that there are easy routes to apply for volunteering opportunities.

Our Volunteer Manager works closely with staff delivering the local WorkWell programme, referring potential volunteers directly or via the Joy App. A dedicated area for WorkWell is included on the Health & Wellbeing page of the Go-ViP

Key Achievements

In its first full year of operation, Go-ViP has demonstrated significant growth and engagement:

• Opportunities listed increased from 44 to 149 - a growth of 239%.

• Registered users rose from 274 to 657 - an increase of 140%

• Applications for volunteering roles grew from 66 to 301 , a rise of 356%

• The Volunteer Support Service provided one-to-one guidance to over 160 individuals interested in

These results show the strong appetite for volunteering in Peterborough and the effectiveness of the Go-ViP platform in connecting people to opportunities that truly matter to them.

Other activities have included:

• Volunteer Co-Ordinator Forum re-launched in early 2024. Re-engaging with local partner organisations and strengthening our position while raising the profile of volunteering across the city.

• Engagement sessions with corporate and civic organisations to build support of charitable organisations and providing information on opportunities for staff volunteering.

Feedback from both organisations and individuals was very positive with comments including:

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PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Report of the Board of Trustees

for the year ended 31 March 2025

“I have been coordinating a statutory volunteering service, and we were in need of increasing our volunteers due to a service shortage. I contacted Denise who took me step by step through the process of creating an advert for Go-ViP. I am not good with tech and Denise patiently took me through the process and ensured my advert was of good quality.

In the space of a couple of weeks, I have had more applications and interest than I had in the previous 3 months through previous recruitment processes. Using the Go-ViP platform has proved easy to manage and I am excited at the prospect of volunteers through this process being a volunteer with our independent visiting service.”

“The PCVS site helped me track down the role I am pleased to have found – I’m not sure how else I would have discovered it! Volunteering at St John’s has been a rewarding experience, and it’s given me the opportunity to make a difference and meeting some amazing people"

Looking Ahead

Building on the platform’s early success, PCVS is now working to further develop Go-ViP and our Volunteer Support Service in 2025 by:

• Expanding opportunities across rural areas surrounding Peterborough

• Introducing enhanced search and matching tools to better connect volunteers and organisations

• Providing additional training and resources for volunteers coordinators

• Continuing to promote inclusive volunteering and flexible opportunities that support the health and wellbeing of those involved.

By combining technology, partnership working, and a people-centred approach, Go-ViP has helped redefine how volunteering operates in our city — making it simpler, more visible, and more rewarding for everyone involved.

Social Prescribing

PCVS support, manage and resource 2 community social prescribers. Following the success of the High Intensity User (HIU) Tier 2 programme last year, Thistlemoor Medical Practice decided to extend clinics and begin new cohorts under the PHM (population health management) Clinics. New GP trainees with our social prescribers have kindly agreed to work with patients to identify what matters most to them and to signpost them to the most appropriate services to support their everyday life, health, and wellbeing. Several notable achievements were:

• Fit note project /Workwell project maintained successful outcomes . Through WorkWell each person receives personalised support from a coach, helping them overcome challenges like anxiety and gain confidence for new employment. Over 1,600 people have accessed this free service, which supports those struggling to work due to mental or physical health conditions.

• One of our social prescribers, Gina, has been covering events and giving presentations at ARU Peterborough to increase the awareness of social prescribing service among students studying health and social care.

• We had interest from ARU students wishing to shadow our social prescribers and asked to gain work experience. We arranged 2 weeks work experience program that covered social prescribing service and other services offered at Thistlemoor.

• Referrals have doubled over the summer (Jun-Jul-Aug) showing a great need for social prescribing service and rising issues in the city like housing issues/financial and mental health.

Patient Feedback included:

‘’ I’d like to thank the social prescriber and praise this service. One of the good things (about the service) was being heard, understood and giving me the time to talk. I was at rock bottom with my life, and everything seemed to be falling apart but the team helped me put things back in order. Thank you ‘’

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PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Report of the Board of Trustees

for the year ended 31 March 2025

‘’ Thank you for helping me, my English is not very good, and it is hard to understand benefits, but social prescriber helped me understand and helped me to speak to advisor and get forms correctly. ‘’

Building Inclusion in Health Research Across Peterborough

Research Engagement Network (REN)

PCVS continues to champion community involvement in research through the ongoing development of the Research Engagement Network (REN) . This initiative aims to bridge the gap between researchers and local communities by fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and co-production of research that directly addresses community needs and priorities. Working in partnership with Thistlemoor Medical Centre, North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, and a wide range of local community leaders, our Community Research Champions have helped to break down barriers and bring more voices into health research.

Since its inception, REN has served as a vital platform for engagement, ensuring that research is inclusive, accessible, and relevant to the diverse population of Peterborough. It provides residents with opportunities to contribute their lived experiences and expertise, enabling research projects to be shaped by the voices of those most affected.

Key Highlights

Over the past year, REN has expanded its reach and impact through a variety of activites:

• Facilitated 15 community consultations with local groups, gathering input on health, social care, and environmental issues

• Supported 10 research projects by connecting academic teams with community advisors and participants

• Delivered 6 workshops and training sessions aimed at enhancing research literacy and engagement skills among community members

• Grew the network to include over 120 active participants from diverse backgrounds across Peterborough

• A focus group at Thistlemoor Medical Centre brought together patients from the Lithuanian and Polish communities who had been invited to a research study but declined. With interpretation support from practice staff, participants shared that they were keen to take part — but language was a major barrier, as the study invitation had not been provided in their first language.

This simple but powerful insight underscored the importance of clear, accessible communication in research participation. As one participant said, “We want to be part of research — but we need to understand what we are being asked.”

These achievements demonstrate REN’s role in strengthening the relationship between research and the community, ensuring that research outcomes contribute to meaningful improvements in local services and wellbeing.

Empowering Communities Through Research

REN’s approach is centred on empowerment and co-creation. By involving community members at every stage of the research process—from design and data collection to dissemination—REN fosters a sense of ownership and trust. In the first half of the year, focus was placed on understanding why some groups within our diverse city were hesitant to take part in health research. This not only enhances the quality and relevance of research but also builds capacity within the community to engage critically with research findings and advocate for change.

The network’s activities have also promoted inclusivity by actively reaching out to underrepresented groups, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs addressed in research agendas.

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PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Report of the Board of Trustees

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Partnerships and Collaboration

Collaboration remains at the heart of REN’s success. PCVS has worked closely with local universities, health organisations, and voluntary sector partners to facilitate joint initiatives that benefit both researchers and communities. These partnerships have enabled access to funding, resources, and expertise, further strengthening the network’s sustainability and reach.

Regular REN meetings provide a forum for sharing experiences, identifying emerging research priorities, and planning future collaborative projects, fostering a dynamic and responsive research community.

The second half of the year saw remarkable growth in both funding and community activity. Community Research Champion Barsha Belbase worked with North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust to secure an NIHR grant to deliver research awareness sessions for the Nepalese community . These sessions were a major success, with 130 people attending workshops and interactive sessions led by healthcare professionals and researchers. An impressive 100% of attendees reported increased awareness of the impact of health research, and 85% said they had a better understanding of health issues affecting their community. Many expressed a desire for more such events, underscoring the growing trust between the Nepalese community and local health professionals.

Additional funding success followed, with Sara Moor a Volunteer from St Mark’s Church and Anna Ghossh from the Bengali Sanskrit Club each receiving NIHR grants to deliver targeted engagement projects. Anna’s two events with the Bengali community attracted around 60 participants , combining health awareness with tai chi and arts sessions to promote wellbeing and understanding of health research. Sara’s event concentrated on identifying barriers in accessing services when experiencing being homeless at a drop-in centre and raising awareness among some of Peterborough’s most vulnerable populations.

Faustina Yang was also awarded NIHR funding to run four well-being events with the Peterborough Mums Network , integrating mindfulness, crafting, and health research information to reach underrepresented groups. Meanwhile, Elena Belorus from the Russian community helped to promote the Digital Assets Study , supporting several participants to engage directly with national research opportunities.

Future Directions

Looking ahead to 2025, REN plans to:

• Expand engagement with young people and schools to nurture early interest in research participation

• Develop digital tools and platforms to facilitate wider and more flexible involvement in research activities

• Increase support for community-led research initiatives that address local challenges

• Strengthen evaluation frameworks to measure the impact of community engagement on research outcomes

By continuing to promote inclusive, community-centred research, REN aims to contribute to a more informed, engaged, and resilient Peterborough.

As one Champion reflected, “When people see themselves represented in research, it builds trust — and trust leads to better health for everyone.”

VCSE Infrastructure Support and Training

PCVS acts as a key partner in infrastructure support for the VCSE sector and takes the lead on the development and delivery of this work across Peterborough. Funded through a combination of income streams this support is even more vital in the current climate for both member organisations and those seeking to join the PCVS Membership, helping them to grow and become sustainable – to thrive and not simply survive.

Individual one-to-one training, coaching and support has been provided across themes including:

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PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Report of the Board of Trustees

for the year ended 31 March 2025

• Governance, compliance and legalities

• Safer recruitment practices

• Risk recording and analysis

• Volunteer recruitment, management and support

• Essential skills for VCSE Organisations

• Fundraising and bid writing skills

• Project Planning models and usage

• Marketing and promotions tips and techniques

• Equality. Diversity and Inclusion

• Wellbeing and Stress Management

• Theory of Change Training

Guest speakers from partnership organisations have provided bite sized training sessions on diversification of income, finance management and making successful funding applications.

Twice monthly networking and training events have increased in attendances with much positive feedback from participants. Evaluation activity with those who’ve received this support from PCVS evidences that the combination of 1-2-1 and group sessions works well and it is intended to continue this complementary approach. We have responded to requests to have a combination of face to face and online training and networking events to ensure that these remain as accessible as possible recognising the overstretched capacity of organisations and consequential difficulties attending support sessions.

Wider project work has involved working with those wishing to start or further develop social enterprises across Peterborough with an aim to promote entrepreneurship and build business skills that will ultimately benefit local communities.

• 108 organisation were provided with information, advice and guidance

• 84 organisations received direct support

Thanks to ever closer partnership working with our neighbouring infrastructure organisations, we were pleased to secure additional investment to support infrastructure training and development for the sector, including work with the Cambridgeshire-wide Voluntary Sector Network (formerly called the Health Alliance), the Learning and Skills Directorate at Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) and Community Wealth Building via projects overseen by South East England Enterprise (SEEE).

This additional capacity is welcomed within PCVS and our partners and will support further growth in our infrastructure support throughout 2025-26.

Feedback comments have included:

“We’re so grateful for sessions like this which help to bring local organisations together and helps us to share our learning and experiences.”

“We want to express our gratitude for your support in providing us with additional guidance on best practice along with useful templates and samples”

“Your expertise in these areas is invaluable as we work to strengthen our governance and operational procedures. Thank you once again for your assistance. We look forward to your continued support.”

“These training sessions are highly valuable to small organisations like ourselves – thank you!”

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PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Report of the Board of Trustees

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Centres for Warmth

In September 2024, PCVS received funding from NAVCA on behalf of Cadent Gas to establish a project to enable the creation of 5 " Centres for Warmth " in Peterborough, building on their existing national network of centres, this initiative focuses on awareness around three key issues: Priority Service Register, Energy Efficiency and Carbon Monoxide risk. This funding has enabled us to expand on our infrastructure support for those frontline organisations who are providing invaluable assistance to those who are most vulnerable in our communities.

The five Centres for Warmth in Peterborough are located at Barnardos, Kingsgate Church, Iqbal Centre, Family Action, and St John Church. These centres serve as vital local hubs, providing support and information to those most at risk of suffering from the negative impacts of energy poverty and related risks.

Since the project's launch six months ago, there has been a positive and meaningful impact. Addressing both immediate needs by offering energy efficiency advice, raising awareness of the Priority Service Register and Carbon Monoxide risk and helping facilitate discussions with the local Citizen Advice Bureau. By 31st March 2025, the centres had held more than 4,500 conversations with clients around loneliness and isolation, which demonstrates the project’s wider social reach.

A practical achievement has been the centres distribution of slow cookers to families without cooking facilities, with many expressing they were life changing especially those without cooking facilities.

“One lady with a young baby had come for furniture but was also without cooking facilities. She was in tears just to receive a slow cooker!" Another gentleman called the slow cooker a “blessing,” helping them through a difficult time.”

“I honestly had a great time and managed to get some referrals done, so hopefully we can help those residents save some money and stay warmer”

“The slow cooker is great, we’re [a family of] 6 and it fed us all with leftovers”

“I didn’t know about carbon monoxide, scary how it happens”

There has been a high demand for Carbon Monoxide Alarms, with clients voicing strong concerns about safety, especially in homes without heating or proper ventilation. Towards the end of the reporting period, the centres began distributing carbon monoxide alarms to help mitigate this risk and protect vulnerable households.

We look forward to continuing to work alongside our funding and VCSE partners to develop and deliver this much needed support through our Community Centre’s for Warmth project.

Reflections on 2024/2025

Our work across the reporting period has been varied and impactful despite the many challenges our sector faces, but our knowledge of, and relationships with our community is deepened. We remain staunchly committed to helping local groups thrive, shaping a fairer, stronger, more connected Peterborough.

The Trustees would like to thank the tireless work of our staff and volunteer team in their continuation of our significant work year on year as well as our many funders and stakeholders who provide the vital resource which enables PCVS to support the city’s diverse communities.

Statement of Trustees Responsibilities

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

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PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Report of the Board of Trustees

for the year ended 31 March 2025

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

• Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently

• Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2019 (FRS 102);

• Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

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

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

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of the financial statements and other information included in annual reports may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Disclosue of information to the auditors

We, the trustees of the company who held office at the date of approval of these Financial Statements as set out above each confirm, so far as we are aware, that:

• There is no relevant audit information of which the company's auditors are unaware; and

• We have taken all steps that we ought to have taken as directors in order to make ourselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the company's auditors are aware of that information.

On behald of the Board

Mr J Jelley (Chair)

Date: 6/11/2025

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Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of

PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Peterborough Council for Voluntary Service (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise of the Statement of Financial Activities, the Statement of Financial Position, the Statement of Cash Flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

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

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

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

Basis for opinion

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

Conclusions relating to going concern

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

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

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

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the Report of the Board of Trustees, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the Report of the Board of Trustees. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

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Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of

PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

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

• the information given in the Report of the Board of Trustees for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

• the Report of the Board of Trustees has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Report of the Board of Trustees.

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

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

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

• certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or

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

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Trustees' Responsibilities Statement set out on page 18, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

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

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

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

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

Our approach and systems to detect and assess the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations include the following steps and procedures:

• completing an assessment of the susceptibility of the charitable company's financial statements to misstatement, including how fraud might occur;

• identifying the laws and regulations that are of significance to the charitable company through discussions with informed management and those charged with governance, and from our knowledge and experience of the charitable sector that the charitable company operates in;

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Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of

PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

for the year ended 31 March 2025

• obtaining an understanding of the charitable company's policies and procedures on fraud risk and on compliance with identified laws and regulations, through discussions with informed management and those charged with governance and reviewing the written policies and procedures that the charitable company has in place;

• ensuring that the audit engagement team have the appropriate competence and capabilities to identify or recognise irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations.

We have assessed the susceptibility of the charitable company's financial statements to material misstatement from irregularities, including fraud, by:

• assessing the internal controls that are in place to mitigate the risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations and considering how this is communicated to the employees of the charitable company;

• making enquiries of management as to where they consider there may be susceptibility to fraud and their knowledge of actual, suspected or alleged fraud.

We have addressed the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, by:

• performing analytical procedures on all areas of the financial statements to identify any unusual or unexpected transactions;

• investigating the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions;

• reviewing and testing journal entries.

We have addressed the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with the relevant laws and regulations by performing the following procedures, but not limited to:

• reading the minutes of meetings of those charged with governance;

• reviewing legal and professional fees throughout the year and correspondence with the charitable company's legal advisors;

• enquiring with management as to actual and potential litigation and claims;

• agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation.

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

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK), we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

• Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control;

• Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the charitable company’s internal control;

• Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the trustees;

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Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of

PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

for the year ended 31 March 2025

• Conclude on the appropriateness of the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the charitable company to cease to continue as a going concern;

• Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation (i.e. gives a true and fair view).

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

Use of our report

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

Heather Bright (FCA) Senior Statutory Audit For and on behalf of Moore Thompson Bank House Broad Street Spalding Lincolnshire PE11 1TB

Date: 17/11/2025

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PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Statement of Financial Activities (Including Income and Expenditure Account)

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Notes Income from: Charitable activities: Grants receivable 2 Donations Management fees Other trading activities 3 Investments - interest receivable Other income 4 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 5 Total expenditure Net income / (expenditure) Transfers between funds 18 Reconciliation of funds: Fund balances brought forward Fund balances carried forward 18	Unrestricted funds £ 46,916 6,276 201,258 174,681 10,938 5,725	Restricted funds £ 209,146 - - - - - 2025	Total £ 256,062 6,276 201,258 174,681 10,938 5,725 654,940 698,883 698,883 (43,943) - 559,168 515,225 -	2024 Total £ 501,239 4,180 183,787 139,535 11,465 3,023
	445,794	209,146		843,229
	425,325	273,558		983,062
	425,325	273,558		983,062
	20,469 11,590	(64,412) (11,590)		(139,833) -
	406,721	152,447		699,001
	438,780	76,445		559,168

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

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

Page: 25

PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Statement of Financial Position

as at 31 March 2025
Notes £ £ Fixed assets Tangible fixed assets 14 591 Current assets Debtors 15 35,195 Cash at bank and in hand 487,723 522,918 Creditors Amounts falling due within one year 16 8,284 Net current assets 514,634 Total assets less current liabilities 515,225 Income funds Unrestricted funds 18 438,780 Restricted funds 18 76,445 515,225 - 2025	£ £ 2,762 31,887 538,146 570,033 13,626 556,407 559,168 406,721 152,447 559,168 - 2024
		559,168
		406,721 152,447
		559,168
		-

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board on 6/11/2025.

Signed on behalf of the Board of Trustees:

J Jelley Director/Trustee

E Woods Director/Trustee

Company registration number 02119687

The notes on pages 28 to 42 form part of these financial statements.

Page: 26

PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Statement of Cash Flows

for the year ended 31 March 2025

£ £ Cash flows from operating activities (Deficit)/Surplus for the year (43,943) Adjustments for: Investment income recognised in SoFA (10,938) Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 2,171 Movements in working capital: Decrease/(Increase) in debtors (3,308) (Decrease)/Increase in creditors (5,342) Net cash flows from operating activities (61,360) Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of tangible fixed assets - Interest received 10,938 Net cash flows from investing activities 10,938 Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents (50,422) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 538,146 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 487,724 2025	£ £ (139,833) (11,465) 5,338 24,007 2,636 (119,316) (1,776) 11,465 9,689 (109,627) 647,773 538,146 2024	£ £ (139,833) (11,465) 5,338 24,007 2,636 (119,316) (1,776) 11,465 9,689 (109,627) 647,773 538,146 2024
		9,689
		(109,627) 647,773
		538,146

Page: 27

PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2025

1. Accounting policies

Company information

Peterborough Council for Voluntary Service is a registered charity and private limited company limited by guarantee and is incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is disclosed within the charity information on page 1 of the financial statements. The nature of the charity's operations and principal activities is to act as a membership organisation for the voluntary and community sector in Peterborough. It offers members services to include support, information, advice and networking, alongside practical help such as payroll, year end independent accounts examinations, photocopying and meeting room hire. The charity's centre also hosts projects which support carers, volunteering, disability, advocacy and Direct Payments.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain items at fair value. The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest £1.

The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.

Going Concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the Trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The Trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for a minimum of 12 months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient with the level of reserves for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern.

Taxation

The charity is an exempt charity within the meaning of schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011 and is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes.

Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

The following judgements and estimates have been made in the process of applying the above accounting policies that have had the most significant effect on amounts recognised in the financial statements:

Page: 28

PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2025

1. Accounting policies (continued)

Estimation of useful life

The useful economic life used to depreciate tangible fixed assets relates to the expected future performance of the assets acquired and management's estimate of the period over which economic benefit will be derived from the asset.

Cut off only

The only estimation applied by the Trustees was in the consideration of cut-off where an estimation of the costs relating to the relevant period were applied when relating to a different period.

Details for both these items are included within the accounting policies below.

Income recognition

All income, including grant income, is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that the income will be received.

Grants are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when the legal entitlement after any performance conditions have been met.

Investment income is accounted for in the period in which the charity is entitled to receipt.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount.

Income from trading activities includes income earned from fundraising events and trading activities to raise funds for the charity. Income is received in exchange for supplying goods and services in order to raise funds and is recognised when entitlement has occurred.

No amount is included in the financial statements for volunteer time in line with the SORP. Further detail is given in the Report of the Board of Trustees.

Gifts in kind

Where practicable, gifts in kind donated for distribution to the beneficiaries of the charity are included in stock and donations in the financial statements upon receipt. If it is impracticable to assess the fair value at receipt or if the costs to undertake such a valuation outweigh any benefits, then the fair value is recognised as a component of donations when it is distributed and an equivalent amount recognised as charitable expenditure.

Expenditure recognition

Expenditure is included in the statement of financial activities on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Expenditure is recognised where there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payments to third parties, it is probable that the settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. It is categorised under the following headings:

Charitable activities include the costs of the activities defined by the charity's aims for the benefit of the persons cited in the charity objects. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Page: 29

PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2025

1. Accounting policies (continued)

Support costs are costs incurred to facilitate an activity. Unlike direct costs, which result directly from undertaking the activity, support costs do not change directly as a result of the activity undertaken. Support costs include the central office functions, such as governance, general management, payroll administration, budgeting and accounting, information technology, human resources and finance.

Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity.

Costs directly attributable to a project have been allocated to that project.

Operating Leases

Rental costs under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.

Depreciation

Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets, at rates calculated to write off the cost, less estimated residual value, of each asset on a systematic basis over its expected useful life as follows:

Fixtures and fittings - over 3 years on a straight line basis

The carrying values of tangible fixed assets are reviewed for impairment annually by the Trustees without revaluing the assets. Where the aggregate value of those assets is less than the aggregate that they are stated in the charity's accounts, a provision will be made for any material impairment.

Fixed assets

Fixed assets are included at cost, less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Cost includes costs directly attributable to making the asset capable of operating as intended.

Debtors and creditors receivable / payable within one year

Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure.

Funds

Restricted funds

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or 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 restricted fund is set out in note 18 of the financial statements.

Unrestricted funds

Unrestricted funds 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.

Pension costs

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity. Contributions are expensed as they become payable.

Page: 30

PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Employee Benefits

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

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

2. Grants receivable

Local Authority Institutional / Charitable grants Other trading activities Sales of services Direct Payments fees Other income Other income	Unrestricted Funds £ 46,916 -	Restricted Funds £ 25,950 183,196 2025	Total £ 72,866 183,196 256,062 - Total £ 3,829 170,852 174,681 Total £ 5,725 5,725	2024 Total £ 227,318 273,921
	46,916	209,146		501,239
	Unrestricted Funds £ 3,829 170,852	Restricted Funds £ - - 2025		- 2024 Total £ 3,432 136,103
	174,681	-		139,535
	Unrestricted Funds £ 5,725	Restricted Funds £ - 2025		- 2024 Total £ 3,023
	5,725	-		3,023
				-

3. Other trading activities

4. Other income

Page: 31

PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2025

5. Charitable activities expenditure

Notes Staff costs 11 Allia Social Enterprise Barrow Connect expenditure BBO expenditure - Peterborough Plus CG Benevity National Gas Volunteering Community development Direct Payments expenditure Evelyn Trust Health Network - Public Sector Fund Learning and Skills for CPCA NAVCA Cadent Funding NHS Cambridgeshire & Petrborough ICB NHS REND Health Research O&H Properties grant expenditure PCC Infrastructure Health Inequalities Thistlemoor Social Prescribing UK Youth Vaccination - Enhanced Community Support The National Lottery Community Fund - Reaching Communities VCSE: Healthier Futures Fund Other costs Share of support costs 6 Share of governance costs 6 Allocation of overheads Conference and training expenses	Unrestricted funds £ 365,483 2,290 - - - - 965 10,038 - - 5,347 - - - - - - - - - - 757	Restricted funds £ 179,425 - 1,894 - - 273 - - - - - 8,783 1,140 4,035 - 298 2,972 - - 25,303 293 - 2025	Total £ 544,908 2,290 1,894 - - 273 965 10,038 - - 5,347 8,783 1,140 4,035 - 298 2,972 - - 25,303 293 757 609,296 58,836 30,751 - 698,883	2024 Total £ 653,400 905 2,346 1,715 1,543 - 20,424 4,617 23,987 128,230 - - 199 12,572 1,755 1,126 240 13,300 75 21,599 - 960
	384,880 58,836 30,751 (49,142)	224,416 - - 49,142		888,995 75,971 18,096 -
	425,325	273,558		983,062
				-

Page: 32

PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2025

6. Support and governance costs

Support and governance costs
Support costs Telephone Printing, postage, stationery and subscriptions Travelling expenses Repairs and renewals Equipment hire Bank charges Sundry and cleaning expenses Irrecoverable input VAT Governance costs Audit, accountancy and tax services Legal and professional fees Allocation of overheads Depreciation Rent, rates and service charges Premises costs	Unrestricted funds £ 2,171 23,695 896 498 17,326 251 - 2,760 4,506 5,154 1,579	Restricted funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - 2025	Total £ 2,171 23,695 896 498 17,326 251 - 2,760 4,506 5,154 1,579 58,836 6,500 24,251 30,751 89,587 - 89,587	2024 Total £ 5,338 22,952 4,835 719 26,078 188 1,823 3,115 4,051 3,727 3,146
	58,836 6,500 24,251	- - -		75,971 - 2,790 15,306
	30,751	-		18,096 -
	89,587	-		94,067
	(49,142)	49,142		-
	40,445	49,142		94,067

7. Analysis of restricted expenditure between activities

Allia Social Enterprise CG Benevity National Gas Volunteering Health Network - Public Sector Fund NAVCA Cadent Funding NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough ICB NHS REND Health Research PCC Infrastructure Health Inequalities Thistlemoor Social Prescribing The National Lottery Community Fund - Reaching Communities VCSE: Healthier Futures Fund	Staff costs & programme expenditure £ 7,704 15,332 5,319 11,187 1,140 20,368 14,721 36,496 108,206 3,943	Support & governance costs £ 7,825 2,727 939 1,346 - 6,015 3,865 7,687 18,738 - 49,142	Total £ 15,529 18,059 6,258 12,533 1,140 26,383 18,586 44,183 126,944 3,943
	224,416		273,558
			-

Page: 33

PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2025

8. Board of Trustees remuneration

The trustees neither received nor waived any remuneration during the year (2024: £nil)

9. Board of Trustees expenses

The trustees did not have any expenses reimbursed during the year (2024: £nil).

10. Board of Trustees donations

The trustees did not make any donations during the year (2024: £nil).

11. Employee emoluments

Wages and salaries Social security costs Pension costs Average number of monthly employees	2025 Total £ 501,880 34,223 8,805 544,908 24	2024 Total £ 603,696 39,752 9,952
		653,400
		28

There were no employees who received total employee benefits of £60,000 or more during the year, or the comparative year.

12. Auditors remuneration

Fees payable to the charity’s auditor for the audit of the charity’s annual financial statements	2025 Total £ 6,500 6,500	2024 Total £ 2,750
		2,750

13. Pensions - Defined Contribution Scheme

The charitable company operated a defined contribution pension scheme for the benefit of the employees. The assets of the scheme are administered in a fund independent from those of the charitable company.

A total of £8,805 (2024 - £9,952) was contributed to the scheme during the year.

Page: 34

PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2025

14. Tangible fixed assets

Cost At 1 April 2024 Additions Disposals At 31 March 2025 Depreciation At 1 April 2024 Charge for the year Disposals At 31 March 2025 Net book value At 31 March 2025 At 31 March 2024 15. Debtors Trade debtors Prepayments and accrued income Other debtors 16. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Trade creditors Other creditors Accruals and deferred income 17. Deferred income At 1 April 2024 Additions during the year Amounts released to income At 31 March 2025	2025 Total £ 21,299 10,236 3,660 35,195 2025 Total £ 1,784 - 6,500 8,284 2025 Total £ - - - -	Fixtures and fittings £ 25,732 - (7,851)
		17,881
		22,970 2,171 (7,851)
		17,290
		591
		2,762
		2024 Total £ 19,323 6,565 5,999
		31,887
		- 2024 Total £ 9,168 1,708 2,750
		13,626
		2024 Total £ - - -
		-

These funds relate to projects where finance was received prior to the year end to cover a period after the year end.

Page: 35

PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2025

18. Funds Unrestricted Unrestricted funds Restricted Allia Social Enterprise CG Benevity National Gas Volunteeringy CVSV245 Grant Food Power Health Network - Public Sector Fund NAVCA Cadent Funding NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough ICB NHS REND Health Research PCC Infrastructure Health Inequalities Thistlemoor Social Prescribing The National Lottery Community Fund - Reaching Communities VCSE: Healthier Futures Fund The funds are constituted as follows: Fixed assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year	At 1 April 2024 £ 406,721	Incoming resources £ 445,794	Outgoing resources £ (425,325)	Net transfers £ 11,590 Net transfers £ 42 - (9,170) (2,498) 1 33 3 - - (1) - - (11,590) Total £ 591 35,195 487,723 (8,284) 515,225	At 31 March 2025 £ 438,780
	- At 1 April 2024 £ 4,915 - 9,170 2,498 6,257 - 1,137 39,568 5,746 3,272 71,223 8,660	Incoming resources £ 10,572 20,000 - - - 12,500 - 10,200 15,750 40,912 99,212 -	Outgoing resources £ (15,529) (18,059) - - (6,258) (12,533) (1,140) (26,383) (18,586) (44,183) (126,944) (3,943)		- At 31 March 2025 £ - 1,941 - - - - - 23,385 2,910 - 43,491 4,717
	152,447	209,146	(273,558)		76,445
	-	Unrestricted funds £ 591 25,442 419,656 (6,909)	Restricted funds £ - 9,753 68,067 (1,375) 2025		- 2024 Total £ 2,762 31,887 538,146 (13,626)
		438,780	76,445		559,168

The transfers between funds relate to the allocation of overheads which form part of the original grant application.

Page: 36

PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2025

18. Funds (continued)

Fund descriptions and details are as follows:

CVSV245 Grant

Wellbeing caseworker, disability, benefits and older people.

The National Lottery Community Fund - Reaching Communities

Provision of mental health, domestic abuse, food network and disability forums.

Food Power

Partnership with local groups to complete food research.

Thistlemoor Social Prescribing

Social prescribing role in Peterborough, having input and impact.

NHS REND Health Research

Helping to develop materials and approaches to enagage VCSE and deprived communities on research priorities, on other research ideas and to understand how to better engage with deprived communities, mapping and tracking research initiatives in the deprived communities in the Peterborough and Fenland region on an ongoing basis.

NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough ICB

This invested in community based initiatives to support preventative health and wellbeing measures, targeted at Peterborough’s more deprived communities, both geographically and interest based.

VCSE: Healthier Futures Fund

Initiatives that focus on children’s & young people’s mental health, frailty, people who use health services very frequently – also referred to as high intensity users of services, advanced illness – which means an irreversible progressive disease or medical condition that can significantly impact on quality of life, cardiovascular disease (including but not limited to smoking cessation) and discharge funding.

Supporting innovation in the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector to help deliver health and wellbeing improvements that really work for our local people and communities.

Health Network - Public Sector Fund

To establish funding, enabling community groups to bid for small self-identified projects that aim to address local health outcomes. This would support grass root community development, through establishment and co-ordination of a 'local panel' to seed fund development of community assets/enterprise/mutual aid.

Allia Social Enterprise

The development of Social Enterprise Strategy and delivery of Social Impact Business Growth Pilot Programme.

PCC Infrastructure Health Inequalities

Access to signposting tools and agencies to control their visibility within the local system and the development of skills and improved practice

CG Benevity National Gas Volunteering

Promote volunteeting as a means of increasing an individual's skills and experience alongside the vital social outcomes of improving confidence and self-esteem and helping someone be a part of expanding, driving and supporting community and corporate volunteering across Peterborough. A particular focus is to ensure we reach those people who are disadvantaged and need support to realise their potential. One of PCV's core values throughout its over 40-year history has been to be inclusive and to represent our diverse communities and this project will be no exception.

NAVCA Cadent Funding

Developing a network of Centres for Warmth - distributing grant funding, training volunteers and staff, facilitating learning.

Page: 37

PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2025

19. Related party transactions

There are no related party transactions during the year (2024: £ nil).

20. Controlling party

The charity is controlled by the Board of Trustees and no individuals can or do exert control.

21. Operating Leases and Commitments

At 31 March 2025 the charity had total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as set out below:

Under 1 year Between 2 and 5 years	2025 Total £ 18,760 4,140	2024 Total £ 26,760 22,901
	22,900	49,661

22. Donations of goods, services and assets

The charity received no donations in the year of goods, services or assets.

Page: 38

PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2025

23. Fund comparatives

Statement of Financial Activities Income from: Charitable Activities: Grants receivable Donations Management fees Other trading activities Investments - interest receivable Other income Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) Grants receivable Local Authority Institutional / Charitable grants	Unrestricted funds £ 75,210 4,180 183,787 139,535 11,465 3,023	Restricted funds £ 426,029 - - - - - 2024	Total £ 501,239 4,180 183,787 139,535 11,465 3,023
	417,200	426,029	843,229
	539,194	443,868	983,062
	539,194	443,868	983,062
	(121,994)	(17,839)	(139,833)
	Unrestricted funds £ 40,000 35,210	Restricted funds £ 187,318 238,711 2024	Total £ 227,318 273,921
	75,210	426,029	501,239

Page: 39

PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2025

23. Fund comparatives continued

Other trading activities Sales of services Direct Payment Fees Other income Other income Charitable activities expenditure Staff costs Conference and training expenses Community development BBO expenditure - Peterborough Plus Direct Payments expenditure Barrow Connect expenditure YIF - Community Engagement expenditure O&H Properties grant expenditure Food Budget expenditure Communities East lottery expenditure Thriving Communities Wonder Woman Vaccination - Enhanced Community Support The National Lottery Community Fund - Reaching Communities Thistlemoor Social Prescribing NHS REND Health Research Peterborough Vaccine Confidence Evelyn Trust Young Peoples Foundation Health Network - Public Sector Fund UK Youth PCC Infrastructure Health Inequalities NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough ICB Allia Social Enterpris Other costs Share of support costs Share of governance costs	Unrestricted funds £ 3,432 136,103	Restricted funds £ - - 2024	Total £ 3,432 136,103
	139,535	-	139,535
	Unrestricted funds £ 3,023	Restricted funds £ - 2024	Total £ 3,023
	3,023	-	3,023
	Unrestricted funds £ 416,677 905 20,424 1,543 4,617 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 960	Restricted funds £ 236,723 - - - - 1,715 - 1,755 - - - 75 21,599 240 12,572 - 23,987 - 128,230 13,300 1,126 199 2,346 - 2024	Total £ 653,400 905 20,424 1,543 4,617 1,715 - 1,755 - - - 75 21,599 240 12,572 - 23,987 - 128,230 13,300 1,126 199 2,346 960
	445,127 75,971 18,096	443,868 - -	888,995 75,971 18,096
	539,194	443,868	983,062

Page: 40

PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2025

23. Fund comparatives continued

Fund comparatives continued
Support and governance costs Support costs Telephone Printing, postage, stationery and subscriptions Travelling expenses and parking permits Repairs and renewals Equipment hire Bank charges Sundry and cleaning expenses Irrecoverable input VAT Governance costs Audit fees Legal and professional fees Analysis of expenditure between activities Barrow Connect expenditure O&H Properties grant Peterborough Vaccine Confidence Vaccination - Enhanced Community Support The National Lottery Community Fund - Reaching Communities Thistlemoor Social Prescribing Young Peoples Foundation NHS REND Health Research Evelyn Trust Health Network - Public Sector Fund UK Youth PCC Infrastructure Health Inequalities NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough ICB VCSE Healthier Futures Fund Allia Social Enterprise Depreciation Rent, rates and service charges Premises costs	Unrestricted funds £ 5,338 22,952 4,835 719 26,078 188 1,823 3,115 4,051 3,727 3,146 2,790 15,306	Restricted funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2024	Total £ 5,338 22,952 4,835 719 26,078 188 1,823 3,115 4,051 3,727 3,146 2,790 15,306
	94,067	-	94,067
	Staff costs & programme expenditure £ 1,715 1,755 2,497 8,127 104,479 34,705 11,267 42,654 36,184 151,039 13,300 9,019 14,333 8,340 4,453	Support & governance costs £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2024	Total £ 1,715 1,755 2,497 8,127 104,479 34,705 11,267 42,654 36,184 151,039 13,300 9,019 14,333 8,340 4,453
	443,868	-	443,868

Page: 41

PETERBOROUGH COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2025

23. Fund comparatives continued

Funds Unrestricted At 1 April 2023 £ Unrestricted funds 434,772 Restricted At 1 April 2023 £ Barrow Cadbury 715 Food Budget 2,437 O&H Properties 1,735 CVSC245 Grant 9,170 Vaccination-Enhanced Community Support 9,146 The National Lottery Community Fund - 72,422 Reaching Communities Food Power 2,498 Thistlemoor Social Prescribing 3,393 Evelyn Trust - NHS REND Health Research 36,888 Young Peoples Foundation 9,593 NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough ICB 18,200 VCSE: Healthier Futures Fund 20,000 Vaccine Confidence & Health 2,498 UK Youth - Health Network - Public Sector Fund 75,534 Allia Social Enterprise - PCC Infrastructure Health Inequalities - 264,229	At 1 April 2023 £ 434,772	Incoming resources £ 417,200	Outgoing resources £ (539,194)	Net transfers £ 93,943 Net transfers £ - (2,437) 20 - (1,019) (25,628) - (5,738) (6,753) (20,666) 1,674 (2,730) (3,000) - - (23,806) (2,875) (985) (93,943)	At 31 March 2024 £ 406,721
		Incoming resources £ 1,000 - - - - 128,909 - 40,322 42,937 66,000 - - - - 13,300 105,568 12,243 15,750	Outgoing resources £ (1,715) - (1,755) - (8,127) (104,480) - (34,705) (36,184) (42,654) (11,267) (14,333) (8,340) (2,498) (13,300) (151,038) (4,453) (9,019)		At 31 March 2024 £ - - - 9,170 - 71,223 2,498 3,272 - 39,568 - 1,137 8,660 - - 6,257 4,915 5,746
	264,229	426,029	(443,868)		152,447

The funds are constituted as follows:

Fixed assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year	Unrestricted funds £ 2,762 23,142 389,198 (8,380)	Restricted funds £ - 8,745 148,948 (5,246) 2024	Total £ 2,762 31,887 538,146 (13,626)
	406,721	152,447	559,168

Page: 42