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:
- the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
- the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
- the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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