VCAS
E N G A G E I N S P I R E E M P O W E R
Voluntary and Community Action Sunderland
ANNUAL REPORT
2024 - 2025
Company No. 01759477 Charity No. 702930
Welcome Chairman's Comments
“This year has been one of both challenge and achievement for Sunderland’s Voluntary and Community Sector. Against a backdrop of rising demand and challenging resources. However our trustees, staff member organisations continue to demonstrate resilience, creativity, and commitment to the voluntary sector and people of Sunderland.
I am proud that VCAS has grown to 388 members, reflecting the strength and diversity of our sector. Together, we have secured vital funding, created new volunteering opportunities, and built partnerships that will help to develop and shape the future of our communities.
Our officers have worked tirelessly to support organisations of all sizes, from grassroots groups to established charities, ensuring they have the tools, training, and advocacy they need. The Taking the Temperature survey has given us a clear picture of the sector’s health, and we will use this evidence to campaign for fairer investment and stronger infrastructure.
Looking ahead, our mission remains clear:
To champion, connect, and strengthen Sunderland’s VCSE sector so that it continues to thrive. Thank you to our members, funders, trustees, staff, volunteers, and partners for making this possible.”
Stephen Armstrong - Chair
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Mission and Vision
To strengthen, support, and champion Sunderland’s Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector by enabling organisations and volunteers to create positive change and lasting social value.
We achieve this by:
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Engaging the whole sector in opportunities to develop, collaborate, and improve services.
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Inspiring good practice and bottom- up approaches that build stronger, more resilient communities.
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Empowering organisations and communities through representation, equity, and advocacy that can influence real change
To a c h i e v e p o s i t i v e c o m m u n i ty d e v e l o p m e n t by s u p p o r t i ng s t r o ng e r c o m m u n i t i es a n d t r a n s fo r m i ng l i v es t h r o u g h c o m m u n i ty - l e d a c t i o n .
Vision
A thriving, inclusive, and resilient VCSE sector that:
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Empowers communities to take the lead in shaping their future.
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Celebrates diversity and ensures every voice is heard.
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Sustains itself through collaboration, innovation, and shared learning.
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Transforms lives through community-led action, building stronger communities and a fairer city for all.
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Highlights 2024-2025
In 2024–25, VCAS continued to deliver impact at scale. Membership grew to 388 organisations, each contributing to Sunderland’s vibrant community life. Our officers supported 205 organisations with tailored advice, governance support, and funding guidance, helping to secure £200,000+ in new investment for smaller VCSE Sector organisations.
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Training remained a cornerstone of our work, with 150 organisations building skills in safeguarding, fundraising, business planning and governance, leadership. We brokered 30 volunteering opportunities , connecting people with causes that matter. Developed and piloted a bespoke training package.
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Partnerships flourished, from collaborations with regional universities to joint initiatives with funders. Together, we celebrated the sector’s achievements through the Open Arms Awards, where 116 VCSE organisations engaged. VCAS enabled 65 organisations face-to-face meetings with funders at our regular summer, winter Funderland events.
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During the year, VCAS have engaged with 388 member organisations . Achieved through our dedicated small team, whose skills and ambition for the sector is reflected into providing the best services for those organisations.
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Conference Summary and Recommendations
March 2025 - Issues Identified
Funding Inequity & Competition
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Larger organisations dominate funding streams grassroots groups struggle to access resources. Short-term funding creates instability, staff turnover, and weakens trust with communities.
Capacity & Time Pressures
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Smaller, volunteer-led groups lack time and skills for governance, bid writing, and strategic engagement. Partnership working often feels like a “luxury” rather than a supported function.
Exclusion & Representation Gaps
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Disabled people, neurodiverse individuals, young people, BME communities, and smaller groups risk being “left behind.”
Sector culture can feel “cliquey,” with quieter or newer organisations excluded from networks.
Weak Infrastructure & Voice
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Local infrastructure is under‑resourced, limiting coordination and advocacy.
VCSE voices often feel unheard in policy and strategy development.
Trust & Collaboration Barriers
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Competition for scarce funds fosters mistrust. Power imbalances in partnerships leave smaller groups feeling tokenistic.
Conference Highlights
Strong Engagement: 100% of delegates said they would attend again; 72% rated the event “excellent.”
Regional Advocacy: VONNE emphasised the importance of storytelling + data ( “no numbers without stories, no stories without numbers” ) to influence funders and policymakers.
Community‑Led Voices: Presentations from grassroots organisations (e.g. ELCAP, ICOS, All Together Consortium) showcased the power of lived experience and peer‑led models.
Youth Voice Amplified: The All Together Consortium demonstrated how young people can influence change when given space and support.
Academic Partnerships : UCL and University of Sunderland highlighted opportunities for co‑produced research and knowledge exchange.
Networking & Collaboration:
The event created a rare, valued space for cross‑sector dialogue, with delegates calling for it to become a regular fixture.
Reflections 2024-2025
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VCAS sustained and developed core services throughout a challenging year thanks to a focused staff team and strengthened partnerships. Our five dedicated and skilled parttime officers kept vital support running for Sunderland’s VCSE sector while we built new strategic relationships with the University of Sunderland, University College London, and Insights North East.
VCAS continue to operate in line with NAVCA’s core principles for local infrastructure organisations and remain committed to advocating for the whole sector, with particular attention to groups who are often feel under pressure and lack capacity. Despite progress, the sector faces significant headwinds. Since 2019 the CEO has been tasked with delivering a stronger, more comprehensive infrastructure for the city, but service duplication and restricted access to funding have constrained impact. These structural challenges require urgent attention if we are to sustain and scale support for grassroots organisations and offer a brighter future for all the sector.
Most importantly, our Taking the Temperature survey provides vital
evidence, highlighting both the resilience of our sector and the urgent need for sustained investment. This insight will guide our advocacy in the year ahead.
VCAS E N G A G E I N S P I R E E M P O W E R Taking TEMPERATURE the 2025
Research & Insight Taking The Temperature:
Sector Snapshot
Organisations
- 58% are registered charities
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10% charitable companies
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8% were CIOs (foundation model) and CICs
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6% were unregistered charities or “other” types. Reflects a broad spectrum of governance models, with a strong presence of formal charities and growing interest in social enterprise structures.
Geographic spread
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50% deliver services city-wide
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26% operate in a single city area
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17% work regionally, and 7% nationally
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This shows that most groups are deeply embedded in Sunderland’s communities, with a significant number scaling their impact across multiple areas.
Who VCSE Groups Support
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Top beneficiary groups:
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Young people and children (67%)
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Older people (64%)
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Mental health (52%)
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Women (52%)
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Disabled people and men (50% each)
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BME communities (38%) and refugees/asylum seekers (36%)
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This confirms the sector’s role in supporting both universal and marginalised groups, with strong representation across age, gender, and inclusion priorities.
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Research & Insight Taking The Temperature: Sector Snapshot
Main service themes
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Advice and support (50%)
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Health (42%)
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Social isolation and inclusion (42%)
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Children & young people (37%)
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Community hubs (34%)
These priorities align with the cost-of-living response and wider wellbeing agendas.
Sector Pressures and Growth
Staffing:
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76% have full-time staff, 82% part-time, 84% volunteers,
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and 89% trustees
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24% saw a reduction in full-time staff; only 13% saw increases 63% reported stable volunteer numbers, but 18% saw declines
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This suggests resilience but also pressure on paid roles and volunteer recruitment.
Demand and income :
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72% saw increased demand for services
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38% reported income growth, but 31% saw reductions
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26% of groups operate on under £50k annually; only 7.7% exceed £500k
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These figures highlight the strain of rising demand against static or shrinking resources.
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Research & Insight Taking The Temperature: Sector Snapshot
Funding Landscape
Top funders applied to:
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Community Fund (55%)
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Tyne and Wear Community Foundation (48%)
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Sir James Knott Trust (39%)
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Other local/niche funders (52%)
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Heritage Lottery Fund had low engagement (13%) and fewer reported success
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Success rates were highest with Community Fund (41%) and Community Foundation (37%)
This points to a reliance on a small pool of funders and limited success with national programmes
Funding sources:
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74% received charitable grants
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62% used fundraising
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53% accessed public sector grants
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38% earned income through goods/services
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32% drew on reserves
The mix shows creativity in income generation but also dependence on grant funding
Research & Insight Taking The Temperature: Sector Snapshot
Sector Needs and Priorities
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Top learning needs:
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Funding and “how to” (77%)
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Social media and marketing (60%)
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Business planning (50%)
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Safeguarding, compliance (43%)
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Trustee development and risk management (37%)
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These reflect a desire for practical, strategic skills to build resilience and visibility.
Top challenges for 2025:
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Funding insecurity
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Volunteer recruitment
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Rising demand and cost pressures
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Risk of closure or merger for some groups
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These underline the urgency of infrastructure support and funding reform
Key Themes & Concerns
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Funding Inequity: A small number of organisations secure the majority of grants; grassroots groups struggle.
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Short‑Termism: Reliance on short‑term funding undermines
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stability, staff retention, and long term planning.
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Capacity Gaps: Smaller groups lack governance confidence, ‑
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bid writing skills, and business planning capacity.
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Flat Volunteering: Volunteer numbers are not growing despite rising demand.
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Cost of Living Impact: Rising costs affect organisations, staff, volunteers, and service users.
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Representation: Under represented groups (youth, BME, disabled, grassroots) risk being “left behind.
Research & Insight Taking The Temperature: Sector Snapshot
Sector Needs and Priorities
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Calls to Action for Funders & Policymakers
1. Invest fairly:
Ensure equitable distribution of resources across Sunderland’s 500 VCSE groups.
2. Back grassroots:
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Recognise and resource smaller, community led organisations.
3. Fund for the long term:
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‑
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Move away from “stop start” cycles to multi year, flexible funding.
4. Strengthen infrastructure:
- Resource VCAS to provide a coordination approach to wider sector support including, training, advocacy and corss sector respresentation.
5. Champion inclusion:
‑ ‑ Embed under represented voices in decision making and strategy. Stop playing ‘lip-serves’ to theses issues.
VCAS Priorities for 2025-26: Summary Strengthening Sector Provision & Infrastructure Expand training, governance, business planning, and bid-writing support Facilitate cross-sector collaboration, consortia formation, and academic-policy partnerships Use community mapping and impact evaluation to reduce duplication and identify unmet needs •) Amplifying Marginalised Voices Ensure underrepresented groups are engaged in planning and decision-making Campaign for fairer funding distribution, highlighting Sunderland's specific challenges Supbort community-led organisations to inform policy and co-produce solutions Promoting Funding Equity & Resource Mobilisation Advocate for multr-year, core, and unrestricted funding to replace short-term grants Provide funding alerts, tailorred support, and lobby for accessible micro-grants Use funding data to argue. for Sunderland's fair share and monitor sector capacity Empower lived experience to shape responsive, equitable solutions VCAS Commitment Sector Challenges Ahead Restricted f unding and complex commissioning Rising demand for services Need for resiilence, adaptability, and strategic leadership Champion a fair, inclusive infrastructure with grasstroosts voices at the centre Uphold NAVCA principles: leadership, collaboration, capacity-building, and volunering
VCAS Priorities 2025-2026
1 . Strengthening Sector Infrastructure
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Expand support for training, governance, business planning, and bid development
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Enable cross-sector collaboration, consortium building, and academicpolicy partnerships
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Use community mapping and impact evaluation to reduce duplication and surface unmet needs
2. Amplifying Marginalised Voices
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Ensure underrepresented groups are involved in planning and decisionmaking
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Advocate for fairer funding, highlighting Sunderland’s unique challenges Support community-led organisations to influence policy and co-create solutions
3. Promoting Funding Equity & Resource Mobilisation
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Campaign for multi-year, core, and unrestricted funding to replace short-term grants
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Share funding alerts, offer tailored support, and push for accessible micro-grants
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Use funding data to evidence Sunderland’s needs and monitor sector capacity
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Centre lived experience in shaping responsive, equitable approaches
4. VCAS Commitment
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Champion inclusive infrastructure with grassroots voices at the heart
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Uphold NAVCA principles: leadership, collaboration, capacity-building, and volunteering
5. Sector Challenges Ahead
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Limited funding and complex commissioning processes
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Rising demand for services
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Urgent need for resilience, adaptability, and strategic leadership
Summary Statement of Accounts
£80,213 Expenditure Income £49,250 Closing 69,914 Reserves
Alan Cummings: Treasurer
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Acknowledgement and Thanks
As we reflect on the past year and look ahead to 2025–26, VCAS extends its deepest gratitude to the people and organisations who make Sunderland’s VCSE sector thrive.
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To our Trustees: Thank you for your unwavering guidance, strategic insight, and commitment to good governance. Your stewardship ensures VCAS remains accountable, ambitious, and rooted in community values.
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To our Volunteers : You are the heartbeat of our sector. Your time, energy, and compassion continue to transform lives and
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strengthen communities. We honour your dedication and the difference you make every day.
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To our Funders and Supporters: Your belief in our mission and investment in our work have enabled innovation, resilience, and growth across the sector. We thank you for your trust and partnership in building a fairer Sunderland.
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To our Members and Sector Partners: Your collaboration, creativity, and shared purpose have shaped every milestone. Together, we’ve built networks, delivered impact, and championed inclusion. We are proud to stand alongside you.
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VCAS remains committed to amplifying your voices, advocating for your needs, and supporting your journey.
Thank you to all our partners and funders who have supported and worked with us to meet the needs of our VCSE Sector organisations in Sunderland
VOLUNTARY AND COMMUNITY ACTION SUNDERLAND
(A Company limited by Guarantee)
Directors Report and Financial Statements For the period 1[st] April 2024 – 31[st] March 2025 Company No. 01759477
Charity No. 702930
Prepared By:
Julie Maxwell MICB JM Bookkeeping 11 Edith Street Jarrow NE32 5HS
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Legal and Administrative
Registered office address
15 Norfolk Street Sunderland Tyne and Wear SR1 1EA
Company Number: 01759477
Charity Number: 702930
Officers
J Hilton Company Secretary S Armstrong Chair R Bikaya Trustee K Lowe Trustee K Ramanathas Vice Chair P Brigham Trustee A Cummings Treasurer A Lowery Trustee
Bankers
Unity Trust
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The directors for the purposes of company law have pleasure in presenting their report and the unaudited financial statements of Voluntary and Community Action Sunderland (The Company) for the period ended 31[st] March 2025
Principle Activity
To support voluntary and community sector organisations which reside or operate in the City of Sunderland and its immediate surrounding area (hereinafter called "the area of benefit") so that they can function more effectively.
To promote any charitable purposes for the benefit of the community, in the area of benefit and in particular the advancement of education, sport and leisure, the protection of health and the relief of poverty, distress and sickness.
To promote and organise co-operation in the achievement of the above purposes and to that end bring together representatives of the voluntary organisations and statutory authorities with the area of benefit.
Statement of trustee’s responsibilities
The charity trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees’ annual report and financial
statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable group for that period. In preparing the 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 (Statement of Recommended
-
Practice);
-
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 charity will continue in business.
-
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with
-
reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and the group and hence 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 financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
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Approved On behalf of the board
Director Signature …
…………………………
Name ……Stephen Armstrong …………………………………………
Date ……12[th] December 2025………………………………………….
Independent Examiners Report
I report on the financial statements of The Company for the period ended 31[st ] March 2025.
Independent Examiners Statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
-
(1) Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:
-
i. To keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and
-
ii. To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (the FRSSE) (effective January 2015);
-
(2) To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable to proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed Date 30/10/2025
Julie Maxwell – MICB - Independent Examiner
JM Book keeping 11 Edith Street Jarrow Tyne and Wear NE32 5HS
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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Income and Expenditure Account
Period ending 31/03/2025
| Income | Unrestricted | Restricted | 2025 | Total 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Grant Income | |||||
| Community Foundation | 23,675 | 23,675 | 10000 | ||
| UKRI | 17,957 | 17,957 | 1724 | ||
| Ballinger | 0 | 0 | 7000 | ||
| James Knott Trust | 7,000 | 7,000 | 12500 | ||
| NAVCA | 0 | 0 | 8822 | ||
| Other Grants | 618 | 618 | 15166 | ||
| Other Trading Activity | 0 | 0 | |||
| Bank Interest | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total Income | 49,250 | 0 | 49,250 | 55,212 | |
| Expenditure | |||||
| Staff Salaries | 64,109 | 0 | 64,109 | 43,121 | |
| Repayments | 618 | 0 | 618 | 2,100 | |
| Project Costs | 5,632 | 0 | 5,632 | 9,580 | |
| Insurance | 302 | 0 | 302 | 292 | |
| Utilities | 2,519 | 0 | 2,519 | 1,332 | |
| Consultancy | 0 | 0 | 15,520 | ||
| Office Costs | 1,834 | 0 | 1,834 | 10,496 | |
| Alarms / Maintenance | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Subs | 150 | 150 | 84 | ||
| Travelling | 462 | 0 | 462 | 170 | |
| Rent and Room Hire | 3,903 | 3,903 | 0 | ||
| Accounts | 612 | 0 | 612 | 651 | |
| Depreciation | 0 | 0 | |||
| Bank Charges | 71 | 0 | 71 | 1,334 | |
| Total Expenditure | 80,213 | 0 | 80,213 | 84,680 | |
| Surplus/(deficit) for year | -30,963 | 0 | -30,963 | -29,468 | |
| Opening Reserves | 100,877 | 0 | 100,877 | 130,344 | |
| Closing Reserves | 69,914 | 0 | 69,914 | 100,876 |
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Statement of Financial Position – Voluntary and Community Action Sunderland – period ended 31/03/2025
| 2024 2025 | 2024 2025 | 2023 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Fixed Assets | |||
| Tangible Assets | |||
| Depreciation | 0 | ||
| Current Assets | |||
| Unity Current | |||
| Account | 70,264 | 102,208 | |
| 70,264 | 102,208 | ||
| Debtors | |||
| Total Assets | 70,264 | 102,208 | |
| Current Liabilities | |||
| Accruals | 360 | 1,341 | |
| 360 | 1,341 | ||
| Current Assets less | 69,904 | 100,867 | |
| Current Liabilities | |||
| Net Assets | 69,904 | 100,867 | |
| Represented by: | |||
| Profit and Loss Account 31/03/2025 | -30,963 | -29,467 | |
| Funds C/fwd. | 100,867 | 130,334 | |
| Balance as at 01/04/2025 | 69,904 | 100,867 |
The company was entitled to an exemption from audit under s477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act with the respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to small companies subject to the small companies regime and in accordance with FRS102 SORP.
Approved by the Board for issue on …12[th] December 2025…………………..
Director Name - …… Mr Stephen Armstrong ……… Director Signature - …… ………………
Company No. 01759477
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Notes
1. Accounting Policies
1.1 Accounting Convention
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 and the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008)
1.2 Income
Income from fees is recognised in the accounts when invoiced unless it relates to future accounting periods, in which case it is deferred and included in creditors
Grants / Income receivable are credited to incoming resources on the earlier date of when they are received or when they are receivable, unless they relate specifically to a future accounting period, in which case, they are deferred.
Where a grant is received relating to a future accounting period, the profit and loss account shows the gross amount together with the changes in the amount deferred to future accounting periods. Deferred grant income at the year-end is included in creditors.
1.3 Expenditure
Expenditure is brought in to the financial statements on the accruals basis
1.4 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Fixed Assets are initially recorded at cost
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost of the assets, less its estimated residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:
20% straight line
2 Operating Loss
| Operating Profit is stated after charging: Depreciation of owned fixed assets |
2025 £ (30,963) 0 |
|---|---|
| (30.963) |
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3 Taxation on ordinary activities
| Current Tax Tax based on period 31st March 2022 Amount written back from previous period Tax Charge to Income and Expenditure Tangible Fixed Assets Net Book Value on transfer Additions in period Cost at 31stMarch 2024 Depreciation Sale of Fixed Asset Total as at 31stMarch 2025 Net Book Value At 1stApril 2025 |
2025 £ 0 0 |
|---|---|
| 0 | |
| £ 0 0 0 0 0 0 |
4 Tangible Fixed Assets
5 Debtors: 2025 £ 0 £ 0 6 Creditors: falling due in one year 2025 £ Trade Creditors Accruals - Accounts 360 Accruals - other
360
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| 7. Funds Opening Balance Decrease in Assets Balance carried forward |
2024 £ 100,867 (30,963) |
|---|---|
| 69,904 |
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VOLUNTARY AND COMMUNITY ACTION SUNDERLAND
(A Company limited by Guarantee)
Directors Report and Financial Statements For the period 1[st] April 2024 – 31[st] March 2025 Company No. 01759477
Charity No. 702930
Prepared By:
Julie Maxwell MICB JM Bookkeeping 11 Edith Street Jarrow NE32 5HS
1 | P a g e
Legal and Administrative
Registered office address
15 Norfolk Street Sunderland Tyne and Wear SR1 1EA
Company Number: 01759477
Charity Number: 702930
Officers
J Hilton Company Secretary S Armstrong Chair R Bikaya Trustee K Lowe Trustee K Ramanathas Vice Chair P Brigham Trustee A Cummings Treasurer A Lowery Trustee
Bankers
Unity Trust
2 | P a g e
The directors for the purposes of company law have pleasure in presenting their report and the unaudited financial statements of Voluntary and Community Action Sunderland (The Company) for the period ended 31[st] March 2025
Principle Activity
To support voluntary and community sector organisations which reside or operate in the City of Sunderland and its immediate surrounding area (hereinafter called "the area of benefit") so that they can function more effectively.
To promote any charitable purposes for the benefit of the community, in the area of benefit and in particular the advancement of education, sport and leisure, the protection of health and the relief of poverty, distress and sickness.
To promote and organise co-operation in the achievement of the above purposes and to that end bring together representatives of the voluntary organisations and statutory authorities with the area of benefit.
Statement of trustee’s responsibilities
The charity trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees’ annual report and financial
statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable group for that period. In preparing the 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 (Statement of Recommended
-
Practice);
-
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 charity will continue in business.
-
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with
-
reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and the group and hence 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 financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
3 | P a g e
Approved On behalf of the board
Director Signature …
…………………………
Name ……Stephen Armstrong …………………………………………
Date ……12[th] December 2025………………………………………….
Independent Examiners Report
I report on the financial statements of The Company for the period ended 31[st ] March 2025.
Independent Examiners Statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
-
(1) Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:
-
i. To keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and
-
ii. To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (the FRSSE) (effective January 2015);
-
(2) To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable to proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed Date 30/10/2025
Julie Maxwell – MICB - Independent Examiner
JM Book keeping 11 Edith Street Jarrow Tyne and Wear NE32 5HS
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
4 | P a g e
Income and Expenditure Account
Period ending 31/03/2025
| Income | Unrestricted | Restricted | 2025 | Total 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Grant Income | |||||
| Community Foundation | 23,675 | 23,675 | 10000 | ||
| UKRI | 17,957 | 17,957 | 1724 | ||
| Ballinger | 0 | 0 | 7000 | ||
| James Knott Trust | 7,000 | 7,000 | 12500 | ||
| NAVCA | 0 | 0 | 8822 | ||
| Other Grants | 618 | 618 | 15166 | ||
| Other Trading Activity | 0 | 0 | |||
| Bank Interest | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total Income | 49,250 | 0 | 49,250 | 55,212 | |
| Expenditure | |||||
| Staff Salaries | 64,109 | 0 | 64,109 | 43,121 | |
| Repayments | 618 | 0 | 618 | 2,100 | |
| Project Costs | 5,632 | 0 | 5,632 | 9,580 | |
| Insurance | 302 | 0 | 302 | 292 | |
| Utilities | 2,519 | 0 | 2,519 | 1,332 | |
| Consultancy | 0 | 0 | 15,520 | ||
| Office Costs | 1,834 | 0 | 1,834 | 10,496 | |
| Alarms / Maintenance | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Subs | 150 | 150 | 84 | ||
| Travelling | 462 | 0 | 462 | 170 | |
| Rent and Room Hire | 3,903 | 3,903 | 0 | ||
| Accounts | 612 | 0 | 612 | 651 | |
| Depreciation | 0 | 0 | |||
| Bank Charges | 71 | 0 | 71 | 1,334 | |
| Total Expenditure | 80,213 | 0 | 80,213 | 84,680 | |
| Surplus/(deficit) for year | -30,963 | 0 | -30,963 | -29,468 | |
| Opening Reserves | 100,877 | 0 | 100,877 | 130,344 | |
| Closing Reserves | 69,914 | 0 | 69,914 | 100,876 |
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Statement of Financial Position – Voluntary and Community Action Sunderland – period ended 31/03/2025
| 2024 2025 | 2024 2025 | 2023 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Fixed Assets | |||
| Tangible Assets | |||
| Depreciation | 0 | ||
| Current Assets | |||
| Unity Current | |||
| Account | 70,264 | 102,208 | |
| 70,264 | 102,208 | ||
| Debtors | |||
| Total Assets | 70,264 | 102,208 | |
| Current Liabilities | |||
| Accruals | 360 | 1,341 | |
| 360 | 1,341 | ||
| Current Assets less | 69,904 | 100,867 | |
| Current Liabilities | |||
| Net Assets | 69,904 | 100,867 | |
| Represented by: | |||
| Profit and Loss Account 31/03/2025 | -30,963 | -29,467 | |
| Funds C/fwd. | 100,867 | 130,334 | |
| Balance as at 01/04/2025 | 69,904 | 100,867 |
The company was entitled to an exemption from audit under s477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act with the respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to small companies subject to the small companies regime and in accordance with FRS102 SORP.
Approved by the Board for issue on …12[th] December 2025…………………..
Director Name - …… Mr Stephen Armstrong ……… Director Signature - …… ………………
Company No. 01759477
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Notes
1. Accounting Policies
1.1 Accounting Convention
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 and the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008)
1.2 Income
Income from fees is recognised in the accounts when invoiced unless it relates to future accounting periods, in which case it is deferred and included in creditors
Grants / Income receivable are credited to incoming resources on the earlier date of when they are received or when they are receivable, unless they relate specifically to a future accounting period, in which case, they are deferred.
Where a grant is received relating to a future accounting period, the profit and loss account shows the gross amount together with the changes in the amount deferred to future accounting periods. Deferred grant income at the year-end is included in creditors.
1.3 Expenditure
Expenditure is brought in to the financial statements on the accruals basis
1.4 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Fixed Assets are initially recorded at cost
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost of the assets, less its estimated residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:
20% straight line
2 Operating Loss
| Operating Profit is stated after charging: Depreciation of owned fixed assets |
2025 £ (30,963) 0 |
|---|---|
| (30.963) |
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3 Taxation on ordinary activities
| Current Tax Tax based on period 31st March 2022 Amount written back from previous period Tax Charge to Income and Expenditure Tangible Fixed Assets Net Book Value on transfer Additions in period Cost at 31stMarch 2024 Depreciation Sale of Fixed Asset Total as at 31stMarch 2025 Net Book Value At 1stApril 2025 |
2025 £ 0 0 |
|---|---|
| 0 | |
| £ 0 0 0 0 0 0 |
4 Tangible Fixed Assets
5 Debtors: 2025 £ 0 £ 0 6 Creditors: falling due in one year 2025 £ Trade Creditors Accruals - Accounts 360 Accruals - other
360
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| 7. Funds Opening Balance Decrease in Assets Balance carried forward |
2024 £ 100,867 (30,963) |
|---|---|
| 69,904 |
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