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← Lighthouse Family Trust

2024-09-30-accounts

Charity Registration No: 803069

LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY TRUST

ANNUAL ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

30th SEPTEMBER 2024

LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY TRUST

Accounts for the Year ended 30th September 2024

CONTENTS

Page
Legal and administrative information 1
Report of the Trustees 2 - 4
Independent examiners report 5
Statement of financial activities 6
Statement of cash funds 7
Notes to the financial statements 8 - 11

LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY TRUST

Accounts for the Year ended 30th September 2024

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

CHARITY NAME Lighthouse Family Trust
WORKING NAME Assure
REGISTERED NUMBER 803069
TRUSTEES Lorna Chesney (Chair)
Timothy Platts
Fiona Thomas (resigned 28 February 2024)
Paul Withams
Kathleen Playle
TREASURER Yvette Frost
REGISTERED ADDRESS 32 Wharf Road
Chelmsford
Essex
CM2 6LU
BANKERS Barclays Bank PLC
High Street
Chelmsford
Essex
CM1 1DS
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Andrew Chuter CIPFA
1 Lichfield Close
Chelmsford
Essex
CM1 2XW

1

LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY TRUST

Accounts for the Year ended 30th September 2024

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

The trustees have pleasure in submitting their annual report and the accounts of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2024.

In planning our activities for the year, the trustees have given due consideration to the general guidance published by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in Note 1 and comply with the Charity’s Trust Deed dated 31 October 1989.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Policies and objectives

The Trust's main activities are that of support and counselling.

In planning our activities for the year, the trustees have given due consideration to the general guidance published by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

Activities undertaken to achieve objectives

The Trust provides free, confidential support for pregnancy loss, post-termination distress and unplanned pregnancy.

Activities and support services are based at the Assure Centre, where clients receive counselling, most participating in a 12 week programme. The Centre serves us well, and has capacity for anticipated growth.

Contributions by volunteers

During the financial year 2023-2024, an average of 10% per month of our support services was provided on a voluntary basis.

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

Most referrals continue to come from the NHS including the mental health service. Many prospective clients self-refer via the contact form on the Assure website. The support the Trust provides remains unique in our area as the NHS provides no such support during this financial year. Our services have been over-subscribed for years. With careful management, the waiting period has been greatly reduced.

Feedback from clients and referring agencies continued to show how greatly valued our service is, enabling those who are grieving to find a way forward and cope with life again.

2

Accounts for the Year ended 30th September 2024

LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY TRUST

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Principle funding

The principal funding source is that of grants and donations.

Reserves policy

The Trust’s reserves policy is to be able to sustain the charity for at least 3 months in the event of a financial crisis.

Currently this is equivalent to a minimum reserves level in the order of £11,500.

During the last quarter of the year the use of reserves was required in order to temporarily aid in ordinary operational cash flow. This was for a period of no longer than one month and reserves were fully restored by the end of the financial year.

Going concern

After making appropriate enquiries and considerations, the Trustees are confident that the Trust has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The use of reserves has continued to be necessary in the current year in managing operational cash flow, often due to the somewhat erratic timing of receipts. However, the Trustees are actively pursuing both historic and new funders and are optimistic that the current reserves policy will continue to prove adequate. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Constitution

The charity was established under a Trust Deed dated 31 October 1989. The charity is registered with The Charity Commission as a Registered Charitable Trust under the number 803069.

Methods of appointment or election of Trustees

Applications from potential trustees are sought from the local church community. There is an interview process and references are obtained including from their church leader.

Any appointment is subject to approval by the Trustees and is recorded in the minutes at a Trustees' Meeting.

Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)

In 2023 the charity trustees resolved to change the legal formation of the charity and successfully registered a CIO with The Charity Commission on 18 April 2024 (no.1207909). All assets of the existing Trust were transferred to the CIO on 1 January 2025.

3

LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY TRUST

Accounts for the Year ended 30th September 2024

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITY

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the charity's assets and hence for taking reasonable steps to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.

Signed:

LORNA CHESNEY Chair

Date:

4

LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY TRUST

Accounts for the Year ended 30th September 2024

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY TRUST

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 30 September 2024.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND BASIS OF REPORT

As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required under section 144 of the Act and that an independent examination is needed. An independent examination does not involve gathering all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently does not cover all the matters that an auditor considers in giving their opinion on the financial statements. Therefore I express no opinion as to whether the financial statements present a ‘true and fair’ view and my report is limited to those specific matters set out in the independent examiner’s statement.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS STATEMENT

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

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

Signed:

ANDREW CHUTER CIPFA

Date:

5

LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY TRUST

Accounts for the Year ended 30th September 2024

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Receipts
Grants
Donations
Gift aid
Other
Total receipts
Payments
Premises costs
Rent
Service charge
Utilities
Office insurance
Parking
Furniture & equipment
Repairs & maintenance
Team costs
Salaries
Supervision
Team Development
Training
Administration
Professional insurance
Telephone & computer
Subscriptions
Publicity & advertising
Donations
Printing & stationery
Postage
Food & beverages
Charges
Miscellaneous
Total payments
Surplus/(deficit)
Opening Balance at 1st October
Transfer of funds
Closing balance		 General
Restricted
Designated
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
-
31,700
3,000
34,700
9,060
-
-
9,060
764
-
-
764
249
-
-
249
10,073
31,700
3,000
44,773
600
13,800
-
14,400
-
1,732
-
1,732
844
749
-
1,593
326
-
-
326
438
-
-
438
465
-
-
465
-
-
-
-
7,415
12,531
373
20,319
535
-
-
535
-
-
-
-
352
412
606
1,370
395
-
-
395
680
-
-
680
284
-
-
284
-
-
-
-
600
-
-
600
66
-
-
66
158
-
-
158
46
-
-
46
26
-
-
26
935
-
-
935
14,165
29,224
979
44,368
(4,092)
2,476
2,021
405
15,912
5,367
373
21,652
-
11,820
7,843
2,394
22,057
2023/24		 22/23
Total
Funds
17,760
7,287
765
144
25,956
14,400
1,437
1,130
368
475
-
312
15,189
530
-
888
321
541
180
-
600
116
56
15
16
393
36,967
(11,011)
32,663
-
21,652

6

LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY TRUST

Accounts for the Year ended 30th September 2024

STATEMENT OF CASH FUNDS

2023/24 2023/24 22/23
General Restricted Designated Total Total
Funds Funds Funds Funds Funds
Cash funds
Bank current accounts 8,807 - - 8,807 2,652
Bank deposit accounts 3,013 7,843 2,394 13,250 19,000
Cash in hand - - - - -
TOTAL CASH FUNDS 11,820 7,843 2,394 22,057 21,652

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 21 July 2025.

Approved by:

LORNA CHESNEY Chair

7

LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY TRUST

Accounts for the Year ended 30th September 2024

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1.1 Basis of preparation

The accounts are prepared on a receipts and payments basis in accordance with section 133 of the Charities Act 2011, taking into account only transactions falling within the year, and as such contain no accruals or prepayments.

1.2 Changes to accounting policies

The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year as in the previous year and no changes have occurred in the reporting period. No material prior year errors have been identified in the reporting period.

1.3 Receipts

Voluntary receipts are received by way of grants, donations and gifts, and are included in the statement of financial activities when received.

Investment receipts are included when received.

1.4 Payments

All costs are allocated between the payment categories on the statement of financial activities on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource.

There were no employees who received pay over £60,000.

1.5 Fund accounting

Funds are held as either general, designated or restricted.

General funds are unrestricted and available for general use at the Trustees' discretion.

Designated funds are unrestricted but set aside for a particular use as decided by the Trustees. These funds can be reallocated to general funds at the Trustees' discretion.

Restricted funds are used wholly for the purpose of which they were received.

2 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REMUNERATION

The independent examiner's remuneration amounts to a fee of NIL (2023: NIL).

3 TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES

None of the Trustees received any remuneration or expenses reimbursements during the year or prior year.

8

LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY TRUST

Accounts for the Year ended 30th September 2024

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

4 STATEMENT OF FUNDS

Balance at 1st October
Receipts
Payments
Balance at 30th September		 2024
21,652
44,773
(44,368)
22,057		 2023
32,663
25,956
(36,967)
21,652
5
INVESTMENT RETURN
Barclays Current Account
6
GRANTS RECEIVED
RESTRICTED
Core funds*
Rent
Salaries
Training
Total Grants received		 2024
249
2024
28,700
3,000
-
-
31,700		 2023
144
2023
9,100
4,500
-
1,300
14,900

9

LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY TRUST

Accounts for the Year ended 30th September 2024

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

7 RESTRICTED FUNDS

RICTED FUNDS
Balance brought forward
Grant Income
Other
Core funds
Rent
Salaries
Operations
Furniture
Development
Rebranding
Training
Balance carried forward
Split as follows : -
Core funds
Salaries
Development
Rebranding
Training		 2024
5,367
31,700
-
37,067
(25,812)
(3,000)
-
-
-
-
-
(412)
7,843
2,888
-
4,855
100
-
7,843		 2023
5,409
14,900
-
20,309
(9,100)
(4,500)
(454)
-
-
-
-
(888)
5,367
-
-
4,855
100
412
5,367

*Core funds are unspecified running costs which could include, but are not limited to, rent, utitilies and salaries.

10

LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY TRUST

Accounts for the Year ended 30th September 2024

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

8 DEBTORS

Due to preparation on a receipts and payments basis, the following debtors were not reflected in the accounts but outstanding at year end:

Gift Aid claimable
Lease payments in advance
Service charge in advance		 2024
457
3,517
778
4,752		 2023
273
3,517
511
4,301

On the service charge paid in advance, a credit of £337 is expected in line with the end of the property lease in December 2024 (see note 10).

9 CREDITORS

Due to preparation on a receipts and payments basis, the following creditors were not reflected in the accounts but outstanding at year end:

PAYE
Pension payable
Music licence
Service charge		 2024
336
-
-
-
336		 2023
186
-
99
-
285

10 PROPERTY LEASE

Although not reflected in the accounts, the Trust currently holds a long term property lease at its premises in Wharf Road.

The lease is for a total of 5 years, ending in December 2024.

The total amount still to be paid on the lease is £276 (2023: £14,676).

11