Iii VOLUNTEER NOW (COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Contonts Pago Reference and Administrative Details Trustees, Report (Including the Strategic Report) 2-14 Independent Audit Report 15-18 Statement of Financial Activities 19-20 Balance Sheet 21-22 Statement of Cash Flows 23 Notes to the Financial Statements 24 -38 VOLUNTEER NOW (A COMPANY UMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 REFERENCE AND ADMINISTrATIVE DETAILS Trustees Elaine Black Philip Nathan Campbell Helen Connolly Jenny Ferguson Jenny Marshall Jeannie Mccann Martin Mccarthy Samantha Gillespie Philip McDonagh Marc Scott (Chairperson) William Evans Olga McGettigan (appointed 14 November 2024) (appointed 14 November 2024) Company secretsry and general manag•r Denise Hayward Reglsterod office Skainos Centre 239 Newtownards Road Belfast BT4 1AF Solicltors Edwards and Co 3rd Floor, Sessia House 6147 Donegall Street Belfast 8T12QH Bank Ulster Bank Limited 91-93 University Road Belfast BT7 7FW Reglstered audltors HM Chartered Accountsnts 61h Floor, East Tower Lanyon Plaza 8 Lanyon Place Belfast BT13LP Company numbor NI 602399 Charlty registration number NIC 101309 Endowment The VSB Foundation Endowment Fund NIC 110772 VOLUNTEER NOW (A COMPANY UMrrED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMETrThS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026 TRUSTEES, REPORT (includlng the Directors Report) Structure, governanco and management The trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees, who are also directors of Volunteer Now for the purposes of company law and who served during the year and up to the date of this report are set out on page 1. Prlnclpal Actlvltles and Rosults for the year The principal activity of Volunteer Now is regional infrastructure support concerned with the promotion, support and development of volunteering. Net incoming resources for the charity amounted to £2,056,195 (2024: £240,308 outgoing) and for the group £2,029,425 (2024.. £144,334 outgoing). Reference and admlnlstrative detalls of the Charfty, Its Trustees and advlsors The organisation has a Board of TrusteeslDirectors of 12 with a maximum of 14 m6mbers allowed, 6 elected from the membership and 6 appointed and 2 co-options. The Board members are all Charity Trust*s and Directors of the company. The following individuals were members of Board of TrusteeslDirectors of the organisation during 202415: Nick Acheson Elaine Black Philip Nathan Campbell Helen Connolly Jenny Ferguson Jenny Marshall Jeannie Mccann Martin Mccarthy Samantha Gillespie Julie Meredith Philip McDonagh Marc Scott {Chairperson) Willie Evans Olga McGettigan (Resigned 14 November 2024) (Resigned 14 November 2024) (Appointed 14 November 2024) (Appointed 14 November 2024) There were 39 staff employed by the organisation at the end of March 2025. The Chief Executive Officer is Denise Hayward and the Leadership Team is comprised of the Manager fundraising and Co-ordinator VNE Alice O'Boyle (from January 2025), the Manager Safeguarding Ruth Mulholland, the Manager Outreach & Engagement Jane Gribbin, the Corporate Services Manager Kelli Cleland and the Manager community Projects Lindsay Armstrong. The organisation provides a role description for the members of the Board, with additional role descriptions for office bearers. Once members are elected or appointed to the Board. they are given an induction into the roles and responsibilities of board members- background about the organisation including mission, objectives, operational and financial management. They are provided with an infomation pack including copies of current strategic and operational plans, relevant policies and procedures, financial arrangements, staff structures and current key issues. A number of sub committees are in pla￿ within the Board. These include Finance, Audit and Risk, Income Generation and Communications and Executive Committee. These committees all have clear tenns of reference and report regularly to the Board. The sub-committee structure affords Trustees an opportunty to engage actively in managing and monitoring the work of the organisation. The Board of Trustees meets regularly and the members are fully engaged in strategic oversight of the organisation's work. VOLUNTEER NOW {A COMPANY UMITED BY GUARANTEE) FSNANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 TRUSTEES, REPORT {including tha Dlrectors Report) Cont'd Related partles Volunteer Now has one wholly owned subsidiary company, Volunteer Now Enterprises Ltd. Following the year end the Volunteer Now Board has become the custodian, by way of Corporate Trusteeship, of the VSB Foundation Endowment Fund. This fund represents a permanent endowment and comprises investment properties and a substsntial investment portfolio totalling £2,025,000 in value. ￿Tr11St these funds have a very notable impact on the totsl funds represented in the consolidated accounts it is critical to note that the endowment remains separate from core Volunteer Nowfunds. Most importantly income from the endowment can only be utilised in supporting specific volunteering purposes and capital is to be preserved on a long-term basis. It should be noted that post-balance sheet date the VSB Foundation Endowment Fund has been separately registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, and subject to ongoing legal title transfers, the future treatment of these investments will exclude them from the Volunteer Now charity balance sheet, but include same within consolidated figures. None of our trustees receives remuneration or other benefits from their work with the charity. Rlsk management The Board of Trustees has consldered the major risks to which Volunteer Now is exposed and systems and procedures have been established to mitigate those risks. A risk register is produced and Trustees work with the Leadership Team to consider and score the risks identified. The risk registers and mitigations in place are reviewed on a 6-monthly basis, Trustees review the infomation in detail in the Audit and Risk Committee and this is then reported to the full board. The Trustees have continued to actively manage key risks with the regular review of systems and processes, for example this year we have continued to manage risks around recruitment and retention of paid staff by working for Investors in People and we have been assessed at the gold level. We continue to improve our IT systems with the re-accreditation for Cyber Essentials. A new risk management framework has been put in place for the VSB Endowment in particular in relatlon to the buildings and investments. The Trustees continue to be mindful of the potentlal risk for Volunteer Now associated wlth its membership of the TPT Nl Charities Pension Scheme. a final salary scheme that was closed to new members in 2009. Further risks associated with the pensions scheme have also come to light including to the processes used by TPT in the closure of the final salary scheme in 2009. The case was heard in February 2025 with an initial outcome expected in late 2025. Any associated contingent liabilities are a key and ongoing focus of the Volunteer Now trustees. The results of the valuation in September 2019, for the Scheme as a whole, showed that betrAeen 2016 and 2019 the deficit reduced from £6.1 M to £2.4M. However in the latest 2024 valuation the deficit has increased to £4.8 million. The scheme has accrued a deficit which to date has been managed through agreed monthly payments. Volunteer Now's total payments (deficit plus expenses) are currently £63,369 per annum. Trustees are mindful of the upcoming triennial valuation of the NICPS commencing in September 2025 and are working with other members of the Nl Charities Pension Scheme to prepare for this valuation process. Objectlves and Actlvities Volunteer Now's vision, mission and objectives are set out in the Strategic Plan 2025-2030. This Strategic Plan was launched in November 2024 and implementats'on began in April 2025. The Strategic Plan informs the annual Operational Plan that sets out key objectives, activities and targets. The Operational Plan is monitored and reviewed on a six-monthly basis. VOLUNTEER NOW (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 TRUSTEES, REPORT (Including the Directors Report) Cont'd Our Wision (our final outcome - what we want to achieve) A vibrant, fair and safe society where volunteering and volunteers flourish. Our Mission (Our role in working towards the vision) To be a powerful catalyst for volunteering to enrich lives and energise communities. Values {the culture of the organisation - how we will work) Incluslon Everyone is of equal worth and entitled to be treated with dignity and respect and included as a valued memberof the community. We particularly value the potential of volunteers and their ideas, experiences and talents. Integrlty Everyone should expect that Volunteer Now will do what it says it will and be open, honest and trus￿Orthy. Excellence People participating in Volunteer Now's programmes are entitled to services that are of the highest standard and continuously improve through learning and innovation. Collaboratlon Much more is achieved when individuals and organlsations work together collaboratively for mutual benefit. Sustalnability It is important to always consider the long-term sustsinability of the organisation's work, as well as of the environment. CORE OUTCOMES (to achiove the mls8ion) Aprll 2025- March 2030 Promoting Volunteoring Outcome 1: Everyone is aware of the opportunities and benefits of volunteering. Bulldlng volunteerlng capaclty Outcome 2: Volunteer-involving organisations In Northem Ireland have 811 the skills, knowledge and support they need to ensure excellence in safeguarding, recruiting, training and engaging volunteers. Advocating for volunteerlng Outcome 3: Public policy and practice promotes and protects volunteering, through hearing the voice of volunteers and building the evidence-base about volunteering. ENABLING outcomes Ito onsure tho organlsatlon has the capaclty to dellvèr the coro outcomes) April 2025- March 2030 Communlcatlons Outcome 4: The organisation communlcates effectively with volunteer- involving organisations, its stakeholders and the public. Our people Outcome 5: The organisation has the staff and volunteers it needs to achieve its aims and objectives and they are effectively supported and managed and given the opportunity to learn and develop. Evldence based Outcome 6: The organisation has the evidence-base to drive forward the mission and influence change. Financial and physlcal resources Outcome 7: The organisation generates sufficient net income to enable it to achieve its aims and objectives and resource planning, management and reporting to support effective decision-making. VOLUNTEER NOW {A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMEfrirs FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 TRUSTEES, REPORT (including the Dlrectors Report) Cont'd Soclal Enterprise Outcome 8: Volunteer Now optimises net income from its social enterprise work in support of its mission and values. Governance Outcome 9: The govemance of the organisation complies with the law and all relevant requirements and role- models governance best practi￿. Public Benef5t The purpose of Volunteer Now is to advance cltizenship and community development by promoting and supporting volunteering. Set out in this document is a statement of our achievement and performance in delivering this purpose and the benefit to our beneficiaries. Trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission Guidance in relation to the Public Benefit In producing this report. Achlevements and Performance (Agalnst Outcomes In Prevlous Strateglc Plan Outcome 1: Improved communlty well-being and personal development through volunteering Pri 1.. Promote volunteerin in ord r to increase the n mber and diversi of volunteers. During 202415, we actively promoted volunteering opportunities using the media, our website, social media, opportunity sheets and in person events including in schools. We continue to use the volunteer recruitment and management platform Be Collective as the main vehicle for individuals to find local opportunities online. 2,044 new volunteers registered on Be Collective during the year. 729 queries from individuals were answered in relation to volunteering support. Total opportunities available at the end of March were 3.222 with 1,014 organisations overall registered on Be Collective. These organisations all receive regular information and access to direct local support. 35 schools were engaged reaching over 2,758 young people. During the year we delivered 92 information stands. We had 8 pieces of radio coverage on BBC Radio Ulster, Q Radio and Cool FM, and over 34 pieces of printed media including Down Recorder, Mourne Observer, Belfast Telegraph and Spectator reaching over 312,000 people. We have a daily social media presence with an increase in our presence on Instagram this year. At the end of the year on Facebook, the main Volunteer Now page had 11.7k followers (lifetime), link clicks of 3.6k, content interactions of 10.6k and a reach of 152.7k, We have 5,765 followers on X and 606 followers on Linkedln. 4,700 opportunity sheets were distributedldownloaded We directly reached over 2000 individuals through 91 talks and workshops. Volunteers Week 2024 - 40th Annlv6rs8ry: Before and during the week we organised 14 events that involved over 480 individuals with over 12,800 pieces of merchandise distributed. The Volunteers, Week pages on our website received over 3,600 visits with over 10,000 views. We also participated as part of the UK Volunteering Forum in the UK Volunteers, Week website. We gained 22 print and online press coverage articles, reaching a readershipfviewing of over 208,200. We hired 13 billboards throughout our areas and commissioned a Volunteers, Week mural in Belfast City Centre. 30 Instagram posts over the week reached 6,600 with 2,883 impressions and our 6 videos had over6,500 plays. 48 Fa￿book posts reached over 44,120 accounts with over 46,000 impressions and a reach of 35,800. As part of the UK Campaign, Volunteers, Week t￿nded on X on 3 June 2024 and remained in the top 10 for the Week. VOLUNTEER NOW {A COMPANY UMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THEYEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 TRUSTEES, REPORT (Includlng the Directors Report) Cont'd Priori 2: Increase the understandin of and reco nition for volunteerin Volunteer Now advocated for volunteering as part of the Department for Communities Infrastructure Reference Group, community planning partnerships and we jointly chaired the government and voluntary and community sector Joint Forum till Sept 2024. We are active members of a range of nelworks such as.. Neighbourh¢)od Renewal partnerships" Age Friendly Alliance. Trusts, Caring Communities and Safe and Well ne￿Orks,. Positive Age Ne￿OrkS. Loneliness Ne￿orkS, Community Clusters and Panels and Community Planning Partnerships and sub groups. Volunteer Now worked with Ulster University and the Northern Health & Social Care Trust to deliver a pilot study called the MATILDA project. This project matched older adults with learning disabilities to local community groups. Volunteer 'mentors' acted as the point of contact for the older adult with learning difficulties and the research team. ensuring that the participant engaged with the group regularly and enjoyed their experience. This project concluded in early 2025. The Volunteer ImpactAvRrds continue to grow, 675 young people registered this year to receive Impact Awards., 581 certificates were presentedldelivered; over 79,680 hours recognised from Challenge to 1000 Hour Awards. Volunteer Now also supports the #iwill movement in N Ireland building awareness and involvement in youth social action. During this year we supported a ne￿Ork of 15 #iwill ambassadors and worked with UK Youth and Volunteering Matters to deliver the UK movement. During this year, 50 recognition events were supported by the team at a local level throughout the year among them, Newry Moume and Down Sports Awards and Lisburn and Castlereagh's Mayors Awards. We also supported The Executive Office and Community Relations Council with their Good Relations Awards, including promotion of the Volunteering Award. Priori 3: Offer hl ual volunteerin ortunlties. Our befriending programme for older adults in Belfast has continued to provide essential support to those experiencing social isolation. The driving service facilitated access to health appointments and other wellbeing activities, while the shopping support role-initiated during the pandemic-has been retained to respond to ongoing client needs. Key actlvities this year included.. 33 older individuals received a total of 2,666 hours of befriending support from volunteers. 43 clients benefited from driving or shopping assistance. Volunteers contributed 2,560 hours and assisted with 1,694 client journeys. Volunteer Now staff made over 1,525 supportive contact5 With volunteers. Five training sessions and nine social events were organised for volunteers. Our driving scheme for looked after children for South-Eastern Trust continues to provide regular school runs as well as travel to summer schemes and contact visits, transport is also provided to older people. This year: 93 service users supported by 17 volunteers, completing 35,264 miles and contributing 2,075 volunteer hours. Our work to support older people's groups through the Shankill and West Belfast Forums, the G6 and a range of older men's groups continued with highlights this year including the continuation of a drop in hub for older people at 2 Royal Avenue, Belfast. 29 meetings of the Forums and the G6 took pla￿ during this year 840 hours of support were delivered to older people's groups. VOLUNTEER NOW IA COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 TRUSTEES, REPORT (including the Directors Report) Cont'd 13 outings and social gatherings were organised involving 485 older people 72 older people took part in regular line dancing classes. Four older people's, volunteering challenges involving 86 people were organised. 2 training sessions for older men were delivered with 38 participants. £49,300 was secured for older people's groups. 4 older people's newsletters and a variety of other publications to support older people. 2 Health days delivered with 285 older people attending. 5 volunteer challenges took place involving 124 older men. We have continued to deliver high quality support to events across Northem Ireland. This year volunteers were involved in Balmoral Show, School Summit Nl, Lap the Lough. and Antrim Coast Half Marathon. Over 250 volunteers were involved in these events. Worktook place on the supportfor the 153rd Open golf in July 2025 and has begun on Fleadh Cheoil na hÈireann in 2026. Outcome 2: Improved volunteerlng practlce In organlsatlons Priori 1.. Develo and romote best ractice in volunteer mana ement to all volunteer involvin or anisations. We have continued to deliver Volunteer Organisers Linking Together (VOLT) sessions to provide support to organisers of volunteers. 12 VOLT sessions were delivered, with a total of 250 attendees. The website continues to be reviewed and updated with a full overhaul coming in 2025. There were 340,349 page views and 15,777 downloads of materials. We continue to provide a range of high quality volunteer management training. Volunteer Now Enterprises delivered 32 courses with 368 participants. Volunteer Now continues to manage the Investing in Volunteers Standard assessment process in England and Wales. 14 organisations in total achieved the IIV standard in N Ireland and Republic of Ireland this year. 91 volunteer management health checks were completed with organisations. Downtown Centre, Lisburn was awarded Volunteer Friendly accreditation during Volunteers Week. Fermanagh Fun Farm, The Kindness Post-box and Connect Fermanagh received accreditation later in the year. Volunteer Now is an active member of a range of networks to raise and discuss volunteering issues including, Developing Governance Group, UK Volunteering Forum, #iwill Partnership, Strengthening Communities for Health Steering Group, Community Development Transformation Group (PHA), NICVA, Volunteer Ireland and Libraries Nl. At a local level Volunteer Now is also involved in community nelworks, wral support ne￿OrkS, HASP, HAP, APB, Active Belfast Partnership, Age Friendly Belfast, Befriending Network, Working Together to Redu￿ Social Isolation, Councils, Trusts and other voluntary and community organisations. Priori 2.. Develo and romote best ractice in overnance. Volunteer Now continues to support the Developing Governan￿ Group as joint secretariat with N5CVA. We have continued to manage and update the DIY Committee Guide. During this year there were 112,781 ww.diycommitteeguide.org users 546 Codes and 874 health checks were downloaded Governance sessions have been provided as part of the training calendar as well as individual tailored sessions. VOLUNTEER NOW (A COMPANY LI￿￿ED 8Y GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 202S TRUSTEES, REPORT (Including the Directors Report) Cont'd Priori 3.. Develo and romote best ractice in safe uardin Volunteer Now facilitates a netsvork for organisations operating befriending projects and the network met 4 times during the year, 22 organisations are part of this ne￿ork. An updated directory of befriending Se￿iceS was launched in March 2025. Volunteer Now co-ordinated the Befriending Week Campaign in November on behalf of the Befriending Ne￿ork, highlighting the vital role volunteers play in delivering this service through a social media campaign. We had an article featured in Belfast Live and the Irish News this included an article about one of ourvolunteers who is 90 and has been befriending with us for over 25 years. Volunteer Now organised a Befriending week celebration event on 6th November which was hosted by the Lord Mayor of Belfast in Belfast City Hall. This involved 70 attendees from 11 different organisations. 2 training sessions were delivered to the Befriending Nehvork, one session delivered by Women's Aid on their services and another session on Basic First Aid with Red Cross. Promotion of courses for Keepin9 Children and Adults Safe, Adult Safeguarding Champion and Designated Officer continued, with most courses being delivered live online and some in person. Over 200 safeguarding courses were delivered with 3030 people attending. Feedback about the training is consistently positive with the majority of participants saying that the training would have a high impact on their worklwork of thelr organisation. Volunteer Now standards and guidance continue to be promoted via training, enqulrfes, other publications and on social media. The team continue to respond to safeguarding queries. In this period a substantial review of the training materials was undertaken and training resources were updated. There were 2,807 downloads of safeguarding publications during this period. Keeping Children Safe.. Our Duty to C8Tr, Keeping Adults Safe: A Shared Responsibility, Keeping Safe training leaflets and Keeping Children and Adults Safe.. Policy Standards were among the most popular downloads. Volunteer Now's umbrella body setvlce continues to process Access Nl checks. 661 Access Nl checks were completed during the year. Volunteer Now is active In a range of safeguarding ne￿orkS including all Local Adult Safeguarding Partnerships and relevant subgroups. We are active members of the Access Nl Stakeholders Forum and the Safeguarding Children in Sport Strategic Group. We are also active members of the recently formed Interim Adult Protection Board Training and Development Subgroup VOLUNTEER NOW IA COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 TRUSTEES, REPORT lincludlng the Directors Report) Cont'd Benefit to Beneficiarles Volunteer Nows purpose relates to promoting and supporting volunteering. Our beneficiaries are members of the public, volunteers, volunteer involving organisations, service users e.g., within the driving and befriending schemes we run and employers. Any small private benefit which may accrue from our work is incidentsl such as a sense of wellbeing to those who volunteer. Impact The outputs from our work are listed above, however we have sought to collect feedback from sen11￿ users about the difference our work is making to the people involved. Outcom8 1: Improved communlty well-bolng and personal development through voluntserlng "Volunteering Workshop Delivered and further information provided was excellent. Excellent facllltators today" Belfast Recovery College "You delivered a great session- I could see the engagementamongstthe students." Greatto have a recognition programme we can use within the Schools that works with us and our students." Local school '970/0 of service users in a re￿nt feedback survey said the support they receive has a high impact in their lives. Comments included 'lt's great to have someone pop in and have a coffee, I really look forward to it. Victoria did great job matching me with my befriender. The scheme started for me at just the right time in my life when I wasn't able to get out, Sorvlce User '100 % of service users said they are extremely likely to recommend the service to other. Comments included: 'Drivers are very personable, chatty and punctual. I found it easier than expected to order drivers and it gives me great company,. Sérvico User '87 % of volunteers strongly agreed or agreed that volunteering has improved their own health and wellbeing. Comments included: '1 had to pick up a lady and was told she was very quiet and not to worry if she didn't talk, well she got in the car and the whole way back home she never stoppedl I realised than that people we help are lonely and we are the only people they might see all week, Volunteer Driver Outcome 2: Improved volunteerlng practlce In organisatlons "Thanks for your email and all the helpl Festival went off amazingly, we were really happy with the turnout and our volunteers were all great" Climate Craic Festlval "Hearth Nl Volunteer Pollcy Support & Advlce - Thanks so much, this is really useful once againl I will incorporate your suggestions and get a look at the Volunteer Policy Framework to tighten this up a bit before referring it to the board at Hearth" "Absolutely delighted to be able to receive the Award and have recognition. Good PrO￿$S to go through our policies and procedures once again." Voluntser Friendly Recipient "Trainer was very good, and resources were also of a high standard.. "everyone really enjoyed the training, and it gives confidence to understand the role" I feltthat itwent really well and that you read the room perfectly, getting the message across." Governance training participants 'Trainer was very well informed and experIen￿d. Delivery was pitched at a perfect pace." Training attendee "It provides reassuran￿ to our trustees and extemal partners that we value our volunteers and a￿ aSways working to improve on our processes." IIV Achiover VOLUNTEER NOW IA COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THEYEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 TRUSTEES, REPORT (Including the Directors Report) Cont'd Having a certified standard helps senior decision makers to take the volunteer programme seriously as a business benefit and not just a "nice to have IIV Achiever Outcome 3: Improved safeguarding practlce In organisations °Excellent course. Very well delivered. I came to gain understanding, and this was met and my questions answered.," "Absolutely fantastic training. ITrainer] was extremely engaging, enthusiastic, easy to listen to and communicated very well "Very beneficial training session- Would definitely recommend this training;. "Trainer very knowledgeable about the subject and kept it interests"ng." Safeguardlng training partlcipants Volunteors Our volunteers are vital, and we could not deliver our servi￿$ without them. Trustees want to thank the volunteers for their continued support and for the difference they make to so many people. Over 200 volunteers are directly involved in the organisation providing community services such as befriending, shopping support for older people and transport services, as well as Advisory Committee members for a range of projects. The contribution of such individuals is invaluable to the delivery of front-line support to older people, people who are isolated and young people, particularly those in care. It also provides an opportunity for older volunteers to support their peer group and to act as ambassadors encouraging other older people to get involved in volunteering. Volunteer Now also has a very active team of event volunteers of approximately 1,000 people, a number of whom have been actively volunteering throughout this year by supporting. Antrim Coast Half Marathon, Lap the Lough and Balmoral Show. Challenges Faced The Board and Leadership Team have continued to take a prudent approach to build resilience in the organisation. This is in order to help manage the pension deficit which provides an ongoing challenge for us. In part this challenge comes from the uncertainty around the remaining deficit due to fluctuations of the stock market and in part through contingent liabilities. The Pensions Trust have identified a number of anomalies in their administration of the now closed final salary scheme, and this has led to a case before the high court which has the potential to increase Volunteer Now's liability in the scheme. The case was heard in February 2025 with an initial outcome expected in late 2025. Trustees have been monitoring this issue closely. There has been an increased focus again this year on recruiting new volunteers and maintalning existing volunteer numbers. In common with others in our sector, we have continued to experience issues in recruiting and retaining the right staff this year despite achieving Investors in People Gold Accreditation. Future income security is always challenging in the context of short-term project funding and a relian￿ on diminishing public sector funding. The Board have continued to work to generate new sources of income during this year. To that end we have worked with VSB Foundation to support the closure of the Foundation and the creation of an endowment to support the work of Volunteer Now. This has been a challenging process to ensure the right govemance framework is in place but trustees are hugely grateful to the trustees and staff of the Foundation for the their generous support. We have continued to work in partnership with a wide range of organisations including Libraries Nl. many Councils and Health and Social Care Trusts, British Red Cross and Ulster GAA. We have 1162 members and we continue to engage with them through the provision of infomiation and training in line with feedback and trends within volunteering, safeguarding and governance. 10 VOLUNTEER NOW IA COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 TRUSTEES, REPORT (including the Directors Report) Cont'd Financial Revlew At the end of the year Volunteer Now (the parent charity) indicated an unrestricted fund surplus of £60,054 (before recognition of pension adjustments and transfers), an endowment fund surplus of £1,991,023 and a restricted funds surplus of £2,040. A £3,078 surplus on revaluation of the charity's defined benefit scheme was recognised resulting in an overall reported surplus of £2,056,195. Fund balan￿S brought forward were £159,613 in surplus therefore fund balances at 31 March 2025 were £2,215,808 in surplus. The overall consolidated surplus (for the charity and the trading subsidiary) at 31 March 2025 was £2,029,425 (2024: £144,334 deficit).. A key reason for the increase in reported surplus is the inclusion of assets contained in the VSB Foundation Endowment Fund. An explanation of the nature of this transaction is included in the notes to these accounts. The Trustees believe the charity is a going concern The consolidated accounts at 31 March 2025 show an unrestricted fund of £375,719, with £198,614 of this figure sitting in the parent charity and £177,105 in subsidiary company, Volunteer Now Enterprises. This total presents an increase over previous yearend figure of£36,322 which is considered a good outcome especially given sector conditions and ongoing commitment to fund pension deficit and associated fees. Prlnclpal Fundlng Sourcos Aside from the income generated by Volunteer Now Enterprises through their services, the prlncipal funding sources for Volunteer Now is currently by the way of grant and contract Income, Ro8orves Policy Volunteer Now is a member of the Nl Charities Pension Fund. This fund is in a deficit position and a repayment plan is in place until 2031. Volunteer Now continues to show this deficit position regarding the pension fund in our accounts, we will continue to monitor this closely over the coming year as it may well be affected by future market fluctuations both positive and negative. The reserves policy for the organisation needs to be seen in the context of this deficit. Our policy is to maintain a level of unrestricted reserves that is at least equivalent to slx months, salary costs plus three months, running costs for the charity. Based on the budgeted expenditure for 2025126 the target figure is £554,192. At 31 March 2025, our unrestricted reservas, excluding the deficit on our pension scheme, was £375,719. Reseples are managed and are kept under review by the board. These reserves will allow the organisation to protect Its sustainabilty and the services it provides to its beneficiaries and will provide a contingency fund for: Supporting cash flow Redundancy payments for projects coming to an end. Short term pension deficit repayments Meeting unexpected events e.g. sudden withdrawal of fvnding, emergency etc. 11 VOLUNTEER NOW IA COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 TRUSTEES, REPORT (including the Dlrectors Report) Cont'd Plans for future periods We continue with the implementation of our strategic plan. delivering on the following outcomes: Promotlng Volunteering Outcome 1: Everyone is aware of the opportunities and benefits of volunteering. Building voluntserlng capacity Outcome 2: Volunteer-involving organisations in Northern Ireland have all the skills, knowledge and support they need to ensure excellence in safeguarding. recruiting, training and engaging volunteers. Advocatlng for volunteering Outcome 3: Public policy and practice promotes and protects volunteering, through hearing the voice of volunteers and building the evidence-base about volunteering. ENABLING outcomes (to en8uro the oryanisatlon has the capacity to deliver th6 core outcomes) April 2025- March 2030 Communicatlons Outcome 4: The organisation communlcates effectively with volunteer- involving organisations, its stakeholders and the public. Our peoplo Outcome 5: The organisation has the stsff and volunteers it needs to achieve its aims and objectives and they are effectively supported and managed and given the opportunity to learn and develop. Evldence based Outcome 6: The organisation has the evidence-base to drive forward the mission and influence change. Financlal and physlcal resourc88 Outcome 7: The organisation generates sufficient net income to enable it to achieve its aims and objectives and resource planning, management and reporting to support effective decision-making. Social Enterprise Outcome 8: Volunteer Now optimises net Income from its social enterprise work in support of its mission and values. Governance Outcome 9: The governance of the organisation complies with the law and all relevant requirements and role- models governance best practice. We will continue to support organisations to develop their volunteering, in particularto help to build more flexible, opportunities which will be attractive to a wide range of people. We will continue to advocate for volunteering at a public policy level and will seek opportunities for future research to build our understsnding of volunteering. INe continue to strive to make Volunteer Now a resilient, partnership driven organisation which can deliver for beneficiaries and members in the future. 12 VOLUNTEER NOW {A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 TRUSTEES, REPORT (Including the Dirèctors Report) Cont'd Trustees, responslbilities statement The trustees (who are also the directors for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the group and 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., obseNe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; 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. and 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 keeplng proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the group and charitable company 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 group and charitable company and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularits'es. Disclosures of Information to audltors In so far as the trustees are aware at the time of approving our Trustees, Report: there Is no relevant information, being information needed by the auditor in connection with preparing their report, of which the group's auditor is unaware, and the trustees, having made enquiries of fellow directors and the group's auditor that they ought to have individually taken, have each taken all steps that helshe is obliged to take as a director in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor is aware of that information. The Trustees, Annual Report was approved by the trustees on . By order of the trustees Marc Scott Chairperson 13 VOLUNTEER NOW {A COMPANY LIMITED 8Y GUARANTEEI FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF VOLUNTEER NOW Opinion We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Volunteer Now for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities {including Income and Expenditure Account). the parent charitable company Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account), the Consolidated Balance Sheet, the parent charitable company Balance Sheet, the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and the related notes. These financial statements have been p￿Pared under the accounting policies set out therein. In our opinion the financial statements- • give a true and fair view of the state of the group and the parent charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its surplus 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. Basls for oplnlon We conducted our audit in accordance with Intemational Standards on Auditing (UK) {ISAs {UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditorfs 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. Concluslons rolatlng to golng concem In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees, use ofthe going concem 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 uncertaintles relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least bNelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue. Our responsibilities and the responslbilities of the trustees wlth respect to going concem are described In the relevant sections of this report. Other Informatlon The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor's ￿port thereon. 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. In connection with our audit of the financial statements, 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 audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencie5 or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. 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. 14 VOLUNTEER NOW IA COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026 INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORTTO THE MEMBERS OF VOLUNTEER NOW (CONT'D) Oplnions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit.. the information given in the trustees, report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements., and . the trustees, report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements. Matters on whlch we are requlred to report by exception In the light ofthe knowledge and understanding of the group and its environment obtained in the course of the audit. we have not identified any material misstatements in the trustees. report. We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where 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 trustees, remuneration specffied by law are not made., or we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit- or the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies, regime and take advantage of the small companies, exemptions in preparing the directors, report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report. Responslbllities of tru8teo6 As explained more fully in the trustees, responsibilities statement, the trustees (who are also the directors 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 detemiine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to traud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the group's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concem and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the group or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. Audftorfs rosponslbilities for tho audlt of the financlal statements Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assuran￿ 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 assuran￿ 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 tsken on the basis of these financial statements. Irregularities, including fraud, are InStan￿S of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misststements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting [r￿gUlarIties, including fraud, is detailed below. 15 VOLUNTEER NOW (A COMPANY UMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026 INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF VOLUNTEER NOW (CONTD) Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misst*ment in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows.. the engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectiveFy had the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulats"ons,' we identified the laws and regulations applicable to the group through discussions with trustees andlor senior management, and from our commercial knowledge and experience of the sector, we focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the group, including Companies Act 2006, Charities Act, data protection, anti-bribery, employment, environmental and health and safety legislation we assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identffied above through making enquiries of management and inspects.ng legal correspondence" and identified laws and regulations were communicated within the audit team regularly and the team remained alert to instances of non-compliance throughout the audit. We assessed the susceptibilty of the group's financial ststements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by.. making enquiries of management as to where they considered there was susceptibilty to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud., and considering the intemal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non. The principal accounting policies, judgments and key sources of estimation uncertainty are set out below. The trustees consider that these accounting policies are suitable, have been consistently applied and are supported by reasonable and prudentjudgment and estimates. Volunteer Now meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. The financial statements are prepared in accordance with the historical cost convention. The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £. Group flnanclal Statsments These financial statements consolidate the results of the Charity, the VSB Endowment and its wholly owned subsidiary Volunteer Now Enterprises Limited on a line-by-line basis. A separate Statement of Financial Activits'es and Income and Expenditure Accounts for the Charity alone has been presented on page 19. All financial statements are made up to 31 March 2025. Where ne￿Ssary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies used into line wrth those used by other members of the group. All intra-group transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions bebNeen group companies are eliminated on consolidats-on. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides eviden￿ of an impairment of the asset transferred. Preparatlon of the accounts on a going concorn basls The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which assumes that the charity will continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The group had net assets of £2,426,890 23 VOLUNTEER NOW {A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {CONT'D) as at 31 March 2025 this has changed from a net assets of £363,488 in 2024. Further consideration of the accounts being prepared on a going concern basis is included in note 28 on page 37 of the accounts. Accountlng pollcles, (Cont'd) Incomlng resources All incoming resources are inc5uded in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed to the charity., it is probable that economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income: Income from donations or grants is recognised when there is evidence of entitlement to the gift, receipt is probable, and its amount can be measured reliably. Legacy income is recognised when receipt is probable, and entitlement is established. Income from donated goods is measured at the fair value of the goods unless this is impractical to measure reliably, in which case the value is derived from the cost to the donor or the estimates resale value. Donated facilities and Se￿iceS are recognised in the accounts when received if the value can be reliably measured. No amounts are included for the contribution of general volunteers, Income from contracts for the supply of services is recognised with the delivery of the contracted service. This is classified as unrestricted funds unless there is a contractual requirement for it to be spent on a particular purpose and returned if unspent, in which case it may be regarded as restricted. Resources expended Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is classified under headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates: Expenditure on raising funds includes the costs of all fundraising activltles, events, non-charitable trading activities, and the sale of donated goods. Expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs incurred by the charity in undertaking activities that further its charitable aims for the benefit of its beneficiaries, including those support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitsble activities. Other expenditure includes all expenditure that is neither related to raising funds for the charity nor part of its expenditure on charitable activities. All costs are allocated to expenditure categories reflecting the use of the resource. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity- Shared costs are apportioned between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis. Tanglble flxed assets Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. The cost of fixed assets is their purchase cost, together with any incidental costs of acquisition, net of any VAT recoverable. Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost of tangible fixed assets, less their estimated residual values, over the expected useful economic lives of the assets concerned. The principal annual rates used for this purpose are.. Equipment Fixtures, fittings 33 % per annum straight line 25 % per annum straight line 24 VOLUNTEER NOW IA COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEPJIENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONT'D) Accounting policies, {Cont'd) Impaimient of fixed assets At each reporting end date, the group and the parent charitable company review the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an Individual asset, the group and the parent charitable company estimate the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives and intangible assets not yet available for use are tested for impairment annually, and whenever there is an indication that the asset may be impaired. Recognised impairment losses are reversed if, and only if, the reasons for the impairment loss have ceased to apply. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset (or cash-generating unit) prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried in at a revalued amount, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase. Cash and ca8h oqulvalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less and bank overdrafts. Deflned contribution plans Contributions to defined contributs.ons plans are recognised as an expense in the period in which the related service is provided. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that the prepayment will lead to a reduction in future payments or a cash refund. When contributions are not expected to be settled wholly within 12 months of the end of the reporting date in which employees render the related service, the liability is measured on a discounted present value basis. The unwinding of the discount is recognised as an expense in the period in which it arises. Flnancial as88ts The group and the parent charitable company have elected to apply the provislons of Section 11 'Basic Financial Instruments, and Section 12 '0ther Financial Instruments Issues, of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments. Financial assets are recognised in the group's and the parent charitable company's statement of financial position when the group and the parent charitable company become paty to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial assets are classified into specified categories. The classification depends on the nature and purpose of the financial assets and is determined at the time of recognition. Basic financial assets, which include trade and other receivables and cash and bank balan￿s, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest rnethod, unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Other financial assets classified as fair value through profit or loss are measured at fair value. 25 VOLUNTEER NOW IA COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONT'D) Accounting policias (Cont'd Loans and receivables Trade debtors, loans and other receivables that have fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market are classified as 'loans and receivables,. Loans and receivables are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment. Inte￿$t is recognised by applying the effective interest rate, except for short-term receivables when the recognition of interest would be immaterial. The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a debt instrument and of allocating the interest income over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the debt instrument to the net carrying amount on initial recognition. Impairment of financial assets Financial asset5, Qther than those held at fair value through profit and loss, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reportin9 end date. Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evldence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows have been affected. The impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss. Der8cognition of financlal assets Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire, or when it transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity. Financial liabllltles Basic financial liabilities a￿ initially measured at transacts'on pri￿, unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Other financial liabilities classified as fair value through profit or loss are measured at fair value. Other financi81 liabilities Other financial liabilities, are initially measured at fair value, net of transaction costs. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, with interest expense recognised on an effective yield basis. The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial liability and of allocating interest expense over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments through the expected life of the financial liability to the net carrying amount on initial recognition. Derecognition of financial liabilitl8S Financial liabilities are derecognised when, and only when, the group's and parent charitable comp8ny's obligations are discharged, cancelled, or they expire. Employee beneflts The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets. 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 group and parent charitable company are demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits. 26 VOLUNTEER NOW IA COMPANY Um￿ED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 202S NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONT'D) Accounting policies (Cont'd) Taxation As a registered charity, Volunteer Now is not liable to either Income Tax or Corporation Tax. Fund accountlng The Charity has two types of funds for which it is responsible, and which require separate disclosure. Definitions of the funds are as follows: (a) Restricted funds Grants, donations and other income received which are earmarked by the funder or donor for specffic purposes. Such purposes are within the overall aims of the Charity. (b) Unrestricted funds Funds which are expendable at the discretion of the trustees, for the general purposes ofthe Charity. In addition, funds may be held in order to fi'nance capital investments and working capital. Crltlcal accountlng estimates and judgements In the application of the group's and parent charitable company's accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised, if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods Kay sources of estimation uncertainty Going concern The trustees have prepared budgets and cash flows for a period of at least tAelve months from the date of the approval of the financial statements. As explained more fully in Note 25 there is a material uncertainty regarding the group's and parent charitable company's ability to meet its liabilities as they fall due, and to continue as a going concern. The charity maintains a good level of liquidity and is meeting its longer-term pension obligations on agreed terms. Having considered the circumstances, the trustees consider it appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis. Accordingly, these financial statements do not include any adjustments to the carrying amounts and classification of assets and liabilities that may arise if the group and parent charitable company are unable to continue as a going concern. Tangible fixed assets Tangible assets are depreciated over their useful lives tsking into account residual values where appropriate. The actual lives of the assets are assessed annually and may vary depending on a number of factors. In reassessing asset lives factors such as maintenance programmes are taken into account. Residual value assessments consider issues such as the remaining live of the asset and the estimated value in use. 27 VOLUNTEER NOW IA COMPANY UMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONT'D) Flnanclal performance of the Charity The consolidated statement of financial activities includes the results of the Charity's wholly owned subsidiary which operates the training. The financial performance of the Charity alone is shown on page 19. Income and endowments 2025 2024 Unrestrithd Restricted Funds Funds End¢)wment Funds UnTeslricted Re¥lricted Funds Funds Total Total Donatlons and legacle8 Donations 94 680 774 326 5,090 5,416 Charltable AGtlvltlè$ Rank Foundatlon DfC- Volunteerlng Infra. Sup. project DoH-Our Duty ofcare 30.263 399.906 50,313 20.916 200.495 85,706 60,642 47.746 838 30,263 399.906 27,284 396.191 50,332 13,204 188,757 92.335 57,988 19,795 9,900 17,741 48,441 21,284 3,000 27.284 396,191 50,332 13,204 188.757 92,335 57,988 19,795 9,900 17,741 48,441 21,284 3,000 50.313 20.916 200.495 85,706 60,642 47,746 838 Belfast Trust SEHSCT- Transport Schem& A￿8 HSCB- S4f8guardlng Publlc Health Aulhorlty Community Foundation Ireland 1 Clear Project8 BCC- C8P8city Buildlng Matllda Moars Foundation Mèncap Hèroès N&M Befriending VSB SafeguArding Revlew Dom)anl Accounts Other income from charitable activities 48,820 39,260 48.820 39,260 69,469 69,469 4,970 19,621 4,970 19,621 68,894 15,800 68,894 15,8 4,200 4,200 16,428 9,210 8,194 17,404 16,428 Charitable activities total 9,210 1.147.261 1,156,471 975 043 991.471 Invegtments Interest recelvable 23,530 23,530 7,531 7,531 Other tradlng aGtlvltles Seminars Room Hlre Income Tailood Tralning Income Service Income Resource ServiGe Income Access Nl Project support charge Trading Income from trading sub 105 105 500 80 13,094 6,687 9,127 20,321 18,712 500 60 13,094 6,687 9.127 20.321 18.712 10.583 5.662 9,600 15,083 41,135 10,583 5,662 9,600 1 5,083 41.135 403.539 403.539 533.2 othei Iradin activities total 485.707 485.707 601.791 601.791 Other income 2,025.OW 2.025,000 Grand total 518.541 1.147,941 2.025 000 3 691.482 626,076 980.133 1.606.209 28 VOLV￿rEER NOW {A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONT'D) Expendlture on charltable actlvltles Activities undertaken Directl Support Costs 2025 2024 Promotion, support & development of volunteering Govemance costs 375,538 790,957 1,166,495 39,855 1,083,129 Total resources expended 415 393 1206 350 Analysis of support costs 2025 2024 Premises Communications and IT Printing postage and stationary Human resources aka travellcatering Governance costs Legal and professional Project support 48,661 42,843 7,224 58,113 39,855 168,630 49,067 415,393 52,081 40,722 7,510 58,447 23,833 127,721 40,635 350,949 Actuarial gainsl(108888) on definod benefit penslon Scheme Unrestricted Total Funds Funds 2025 Unrestricted Total Funds Funds 2024 Actuarial gainl{loss) Net Incomlng resources 2025 2024 Net incoming resources are stated after charging: Depreciation - owned assets Auditor's remuneration.. Audit of financial statements of the group and parent charitable company Audit of the parent charitable company's subsidiary 425 330 6,000 6,000 There are no other material costs not already disclosed in notes 6 to 10. 29 VOLUNTEER NOW {A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONT'D) Income from trading activities The wholly owned trading subsidiary Volunteer Now Enterprises Limited is incorporated in Northern Ireland (company number N1620375) and pays an agreed level of its profits to the Charity under the gift aid scheme. The summary financial performance of the subsidiary alone is: 2025 2024 Tumover Other income Administration costs 403,539 533,290 434 810 408,089 Net profit Interest receivable Gift aided to the Charity 31,271 4,501 125,501 (Loss)Iprofit before taxation Tax (26,770) 125,287 29,313 Retsined in subsidiary 95,974 The assets and liabilities of the subsidiary alone were., Total assets Total liabilities 424,209 247,103 571,815 367,939 Total net assets 177,106 203,876 Aggregate share capital and reserves 177,106 203,876 . All funds relating to UKVFIEngland and UKVFMl8les are held on behalf of the UK Volunteering Forum, which owns and manages the Investing in Volunteering Standard. Losses relating to these contracts for the year ended 31 March 2025 were £12,794 and £19,579 respectively. 10 Employee information 2025 2024 Staff costs Wages and salaries Social security costs Pension costs 807,906 66,929 742,410 54,060 Average number of employees including trustees Employees eaming in excess of £60,000 The total amount of employee benefits received by key management personnel in the period was £289,750 (2024: £265,378). The Charity considers its key management personnel comprises of the Chief Executive, Corporate Services Manager, Manager Communty Projects, Manager Outreach & Engagement, Manager Safeguarding, Manager Fundraising and Co-ordinator VNE. 30 VOLUNTEER NOW {A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {CONT'D) 11 Trustees. remuneration The trustees received no emoluments during the year. No trustee received reimbursement of expenses during the year. 12 Tangible fixed assets Group Fixtures & Fittin Equipment Total Cost At 1 April 2024 Additlons 11,026 769 47,800 58,826 769 At 31 March 2025 11,795 47,800 59,595 Doprociatlon At 1 April 2024 Charge for year 10,833 425 47,800 58,633 425 At 31 March 2025 11,258 47,800 59,058 Net book value At 31 March 2025 537 537 At 31 March 2024 193 193 Tangible flxed assets - charity Fixtures & Fittin Equipment Total Cost At 1 April 2024 Additions 10,381 769 47,800 58,181 769 At 31 March 2025 11,150 58,950 At 1 April 2024 Charge for year 10,188 425 47,800 57,988 425 At 31 March 2025 10,613 47,800 58,413 Net book value At 31 March 2025 537 537 At 31 March 2024 193 193 31 VOLUNTEER NOW IA COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ICONT'D) 13 Inve8tment property Group and charlty Total Fair value At 1 April 2024 Additions (VSB Foundation Endowment Fund) Depreciation charged in the year 825,000 At 31 March 2025 825,000 14 Investments 2025 2024 Volunteer Now Enterprise Ltd Rathbones IVSB Foundation Endowment Fund) Nl Charities Fund 1,166,023 Movemont In flxed asset investments Cost As at 1 April 2024 Additions Change in valuation As at 31 March 2025 Carrying amount At 1 April 2024 At 31 March 2025 50,000 1,200,000 1216.023 1216 023 Investments are held as part of the Northem Ireland Central Investment fund for Charites. The Endowment Investment additions are managed by Rathbones Investment Management Limited. The investments are held at Market Value. 15 Debtors Amounts falling due wlthln one year: Group Charitable Company 2025 2025 2024 2024 Trade debtors Amounts owed by group undertakings Other debtors 52,900 82,891 7,482 19,889 60,455 109 060 60 160 109 060 32 VOLUNTEER NOW (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 202S NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONT'D) 16 Credltors: amounts falling due within one year Group Charitable Company 2025 2025 2024 2024 Trade creditors Pension liability other tax and social security Other creditors Amounts owed by group undertakings 55,282 49,518 34,702 290,353 74,661 49,518 64,039 349,753 34,860 49,518 45,866 49,518 98,374 135,104 17 Credltor8: amounts falllng due greaterthan one year Group Charitable Company 2025 2025 2024 2024 Pension liability 210 737 250 463 210 737 250 463 Further information is proved in note 25. 18 Deferred Incom• Group Charitable Company 2025 2025 2024 2024 Deferred income 246,955 309,917 60,269 103,847 33 VOLuKfEER NOW IA COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {CONT'D) 19 Restricted funds of the Charity Balance Movement in Movement in Transfer 1 April resources resources be￿een 2024 incoming outgoing funds Balance 31 March 2025 20,916 48,820 200,495 399,906 50,313 (20,916) (48,820) (200,495) (399,906) (50,313) BCC - Capacity Building Belfast Trust Dfc - Volunteering Infra. DOH- Our Duty of Care Dormant Accounts Community Foundation - Befriending Community Foundation Ireland Community Foundation Ireland 1 Clear Project Grant- Health & Social Care Board Matilda Mears Foundation Mencap Heroes Miscellaneous N&M Befriending Public Health Authority Rank Foundation Rural Community Network Safeguarding Review SEHSCT VSB Foundation 1,576 3,336 2,532 (1,576) (3,336) (3,370) 838 40 40 60,642 39,260 (60,642) (39,260) (2,484) (69,469) (8,874) (1,915) (41,374) (30,263) (900) (15,800) (85,706) 60,483 2,484 69,469 8,874 7,187 1,915 7,187 47,746 30,263 6,372 {900) 15,800 85,706 68,894 5,061 24,091 1,147,941 1,145901 40 26,171 20 Unrestrictod funds of the Charlty Balance at 1 April 2024 Income Expenditure Transfers between funds Gainsl(losses) Balance at 31 March 2025 General funds 135,522 203,875 110,501 408,040 (50,447) (434,810) (40) 3,078 198,614 177,105 Trading subsidiary funds Total 339,397 518,541 (485,257) (40) 3,078 375,719 34 VOLUNTEER NOW IA COMPANY UMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONfD) 21 Analysis of net assats between funds Total Charlty: Restricted funds Unrestricted funds 26,171 375,719 Endowment funds 1,991,023 Total 2,392,913 22 Related party tran3a¢tlons Volunteer Now Enterprises Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Charity, was recharged expenses of £19,718 {2024.' £14,568) and the subsidiary transferred to the charity under Gift Aid a donation of £35,000 {2024." £34,000). At 31 March 2025 a balance of £66,814 (2024.. £60,456 owed to the Charity) was owed by the Charity to the subsidiary. There were no other transactions or outstanding balances with related parties. 23 Contlngencles Pension scheme- Northern Ireland Charities Pension Scheme Volunteer Now participates in the Northern Ireland Charities Pension Scheme. The Scheme has reported total deficit of £4.894m as at the last valuation date of 30 September 2024. These financial stalements recognise a liability in respect of agreed deficit reduction payments, not the charity's share of the overall scheme deficit. An additional liability may crystallise in the event of the charity's withdrawal from the scheme or a winding up of the scheme however it is not possible to quantify this liability. The charity has no intention of withdrawing from the scheme and there are no plans we are aware of to wind the scheme Penslons and other post-retlr6ment benefits The charity participates in the scheme, a multiomployer scheme whlch provides benefits to some 14 non-associated employers. The scheme is a defined benefit scheme in the UK. It is not possible for the charity to obtain sufficient information to enable It to account for the scheme as a defined benefit scheme. Therefore, it accounts for the scheme as a defined contribution scheme. The ￿herne is subject to the funding legislation outlined in the Pensions Act 2004 which came into force on 30 December 2005. This, together with documents issued by the Pensions Regulator and Technical Actuarial Standards issued by the Financial Reporting Council, set out the framework for funding defined benefit (xcupational pension schemes in the UK. The scheme is classified as a 'last-man standing arrangemenv. Therefore, the charity is potentially liable for other participating employers, obligations if those employers are unable to meet their share of the scheme deficit following withdrawal from the scheme. Participating employers are legally required to meet their share of the scheme deficit on an annuity purchase basis on withdrawal from the scheme. 35 VOLuMfEER NOW IA COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ICONT'D) 25 Pensions and other post-retirement beneflts (cont'd) A updated actuarial valuation for the scheme was carried out at 30 September 2024. This actuarial valuation showed assets of £19.596m, liabilities of £24.490m and a deficit of £4.894m. To eliminate this funding shortfall, the Trustee asked the participating employers to pay additional contributions to the scheme as follows.. Deflcit contributions From August 2020 to 30 April 2031.. £1,191,000 in total able monthl The recovery plan contributions are allocated to each participating employer in line with their estimated share of the scheme liabilities. Where the scheme is In deficlt and where the charity has agreed to a deficit funding arrangement the company recognises a liability for this obligation. The amount recognised is the net present value of the defi'cit reduction contrlbutlons payable under the agreement that relates to the deficit. The present value is calculated using the discount rate detailed in these disclosures. The unwinding of the discount rate is recognised as a finance cost. The present value of future deficit contributions recognised included within Creditors within these financial statements is as follows: 2025 2024 Creditors.. amounts falling due within one year Creditors.. amounts falling due after more than one year 49,518 210,737 49,518 250,463 R￿On¢ll1atjon of openlng and closlng provision 2025 2024 Provision at start of period Deficit contribution paid Unwinding of discount- interest expense Revision deficit valuation Provision at end of period 299,981 (49,5181 12,870 3,078 260,255 98,265 (22,508) 4,488 219,736 299,981 Assumptlons 31 March 2025 5.13% pla 31 March 2024 Rate of discount The procedure for the next Triennial valuation for September 2025 has begun. A process of information gathering and consultation with members is underway which will culminate in an updated valuation by the end of December 2026. New payments plans will be in Pla￿ for April 2027. 36 VOLupifEER NOW IA COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {CONT'D) 26 Contlngent Ilabilities In July 2021, the charity received correspondence from their pension fund administrators to advise that changes had made in the past to the benefits provided to members of the Scheme, which may not have been executed as required by the scheme's documentation. In addition, there may be an issue as to whether for certain periods members benefits should have been paid using the Retail Price Index measure of inflation as opposed to the Consumer Price Index which has been used, if the court ruling is not in line with this administrative practice then this may result in members benefits being increased for certain periods. The pension fund Trustees are seeking court direction, likely to be no earlier than late 2025, on how to interpret the rules on the issues raised. If the court directs that some changes were made in a way not permitted by the rules then consequently members, benefits would need to be increased, which would give rise to potential additional liabilities. The most recent estimate, received in September 2021, of this potential liability is £281,000. There have been no further updates to date. 27 Corporation taxatlon The Charity is exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received. Its subsidiary is subject to corporation taxation on its income and capital gains. 28 Golng concern The financial statements have been prepared on a going concem basis which assumes that the charity will continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The group has net assets of £401,890 as at 31 March 2025 compared to net assets of £363,488 as at 31 March 2024. The group's operating surplus for the year ended 31 March 2025 was £35,324. A pension gain of £3,078 has been recognised resulting in an overall surplus of £38,402. The pension scheme deficit is not a short- term liability and should be met in the long term by a combination of contributions and the underlying investment performance of the scheme's assets. The Trustees have no intention of taking any action that would trigger immediate crystallisation of the pension scheme liability. The Trustees have a reasonable expectstion that the group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the annual financial statements, 29 Subsldlarle8 These financial statements are separate company financial statements for Volunteer Now Enterprises Limited. Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 March 2025 and 31 March 2024 are as follows.. Name of und•rtaking Registered Office Nature of Buslne8S Class of share6 % Held held Volunteer Now Enterprises U.K. Limited Volunteering Ordinary sha￿S 100 37 VOLUNTEER NOW IA COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONT'D) 30 Reconciliation of nat movoment In funds to net cash flow from operatlng activities 2025 2024 Net movement in funds for the year 2,029,425 (144,334) Depreciation & amortisation 425 330 Net gainsllosses on pension liability {3,078) 219,736 Net gainsllosses on investments 33,977 (Decreasellincrease in creditors (137,4041 93,903 Decreasel{increase) in debtors 29,991 (26,454) Accrued income (26,853) (839) Interest payable and slmllar charges Interest received Net cash inflowl loutFlowl from operating activities 31 Endowment fund During the year the Volunteer Now Board has b8come the custodian, by way of Corporate Trusteeshlp, of the VS8 Foundation Endowment Fund. This fund represents a permanent endowment and comprises o investment properties and a substantial investment portfolio totalling £2,025,000 in value. IM)ilst these funds have a very notable impact on the total funds represented in the consolidated accounts it is critical to note that the endowment remains separate from core Volunteer Now funds. Most importantly income from the endowment can only be utilised in supporting specific volunteering purposes and capital is to be preserved on a long-term basis. It should be noted that post-balance sheet date the VSB Foundation Endowment Fund has been separately registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, and subject to ongoing legal title transfers, the future treatment of these investments will exclude them trom the Volunteer Now ch8rity balance sheet, but include same within consolidated figures. ID636276 38