Scottish Charity No. SC019826
Linlithgow Young People’s Project (known as Youthspace)
Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 5 April 2025
Linlithgow Young People’s Project
Contents of the Financial Statements for the year ended 5 April 2025
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 |
| Report of the Independent Examiner | 4 |
| Receipts and Payments Account | 5 |
| Statement of Balances | 6 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 7 |
Linlithgow Young People’s Project
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 5 April 2025
The Trustees are pleased to present their report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 5 April 2025.
Principal office
29 The Vennel High Street Linlithgow EH49 7EX
Status of Charity and Governing Document
Linlithgow Young People’s Project (known as Youthspace) was registered as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 4 December 2018. It has been a registered charity since 4 February 1992, previously being incorporated as a charitable company. The charity registration number is SC019826.
Trustees and Office Bearers
Management of the charity remains with the Trustees. The constitution requires a minimum of 3 trustees and a maximum of 7 to serve at any time. The day-to-day management of the operational work of the charity is delegated to the Project Manager.
The Trustees who served during the year and to the date of this report are:
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The Trustees may appoint additional trustees at any time on the basis of a majority vote. At the conclusion of each AGM, any charity trustees appointed during the period since the preceding AGM retires from office. Out of the remaining charity trustees, one shall retire from office. A charity trustee who retires from office at the conclusion of an AGM shall be eligible for re-election at the next board meeting.
Objectives
The Charity’s objects as laid out in its governing document are:
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To promote activities for the social, recreational and spiritual benefit of the young people of Linlithgow and surrounding villages.
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To promote the education of those who through their social and economic circumstances and by reason of their youth are in need living in Linlithgow and surrounding villages.
LYPP adopts a holistic approach to its objects and carries them out in partnership with local churches and the local authority by serving the needs of the local community and outlying areas.
The mission is underpinned by the following values which help to focus the activities: Empower – we aim to encourage a sense of hope and potential in young people and inspire them in all areas of their lives, helping them to gain positive perspectives about their immediate circumstances and their life in the future. We also aim to engender a sense of equality and justice.
Engage – we aim to encourage young people to foster a sense of respect for themselves and for others. We recognise the individuality and diversity of each young person and aim to work creatively to best meet their needs. We also want to create opportunities for young people to explore questions of faith and spirituality.
Enable – we aim to facilitate ways for young people to learn and build new skills and confidence through formal and informal education settings, enabling young people to reach their full potential. To facilitate this, we work in partnership with local organisations, West Lothian Council and the community of West Lothian.
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Linlithgow Young People’s Project
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 5 April 2025
Activities and achievements
We base our work around the following measurable outcomes as laid out in YouthLink Scotland’s Outcomes for Youth Work document. These are as follows:
Outcome 1: Young people build their health and wellbeing. Outcome 2: Young people develop and manage relationships effectively. Outcome 3: Young people create and apply their learning and describe their skills and achievements. Outcome 4: Young people participate safely and effectively in groups and teams. Outcome 5: Young people consider risk, make reasoned decisions, and take control. Outcome 6: Young people grow as active citizens, expressing their voice and enabling change. Outcome 7: Young people broaden their perspectives through new experiences and thinking.
The above values are realised through:
Lounge
The Lounge is a drop-in youth centre that operates on one evening and one afternoon per week (2 sessions a week, 5.5 hours total) with an average attendance of 33 young people per session. These sessions include recreational activities, relational youth work, special projects and opportunities to equip young people with life skills as well as recognise their achievements by accrediting their learning with awards.
Youth Volunteering Project
This year through the funding of Young Start we were able to formalise and develop the number of volunteering opportunities we could provide through the Youth Volunteering Project. Through this project we have seen 77 young people volunteer 519 hours, achieving Saltire, Hi-5 and Dynamic Youth Awards for their efforts. Those involved could take part in one off, minor (up to 4 weeks) and major projects (up to 12 weeks). This included staffing tuck shops, delivering newsletters, planning the Christmas party, preparing a festive meal, developing a community treasure hunt, inputting to the drop-in programme, leading games and challenges, and sitting on the newly formed Youth Steering Group.
Schools work
Youthspace has established itself as an integral link between school and the wider community for some of the most disengaged young people in Linlithgow Academy. Youthspace is involved in delivering personal and social education sessions with some year groups, exploring issues such as anti-social behaviour, online safety and exam stress. We also co-deliver Princes Trust awards, wellbeing awards and personal development awards (accredited learning) and participate in large scale events such as Linlithgow Academy’s Volunteer Roadshow. In addition to this, we run an Early Intervention Mentoring Programme in Linlithgow Primary, Lowport Primary, Bridgend Primary, Peel Primary, Springfield Primary and Linlithgow Academy. We also assist with young people’s transition from primary to secondary school, lunch time events and clubs, run focussed group work and deliver Skills Development Scotland’s MetaSkills classes.
Bridgend
Bridgend is a small rural village 3 miles outside of Linlithgow where we run weekly football and drop in clubs which attract 78 young people to our older sessions, and 68 young people to the younger sessions across the year. In addition to these drop-ins, we also run termly primary aged trips, a weekly games club involving 29 young people, produce and distribute a quarterly Community Newsletter, and are the key operating partner for the community larder. We have worked closely with local businesses, youth agencies and the primary school to encourage both young people’s and the community’s acceptance and involvement. This year our Bridgend team was complemented by secondary aged volunteers who assisted us in running drop-ins and event for those of primary age.
Events and Holiday Programmes
Youthspace has a programme of events and activities that take place over evenings, weekends and school holidays. These are planned in consultation with young people and are of a diversionary nature. In Summer 2024, we ran a 6-week holiday programme with 153 young people, with 70% of events offered free of charge with the remainder capped at a maximum of £10. In addition to this we also ran February, Easter and October holiday programmes.
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Linlithgow Young People’s Project
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 5 April 2025
Activities and achievements (continued)
Youthspace Counselling Service
Youthspace launched our Youth Counselling Service in Linlithgow in 2020 to meet counselling needs in the town. From our new Health and Wellbeing base located close to the youth centre we have worked with 16 clients.
Rebranding project
In May 2024, we rebranded our operational name to ‘Youthspace’ which was well received by young people and the community as a whole. Removing the location-based element of our name has allowed us to work more freely across the area and offer new and exciting programmes beyond the immediate Linlithgow area including Livingston, Bo’ness and Winchburgh.
Plans
This year we continue to be committed to providing space for young people to find hope and grow as individuals. To help us do this, we plan to widen the scope of the Youth Volunteering Project to offer more young people the opportunity to get involved, develop our small group and mentoring programmes and build our capacity to address the increasing need for youth workers in schools.
To ensure we are able to adequately meet the need of the young people in all our areas, we will look to build the capacity of our current team and take on new workers to explore emerging opportunities.
Financial review
The Trustees are grateful for the financial support of individual donors, churches and the funders who provided us with grants during the year for our projects. The Trustees would also like to thank all volunteers for the donation of their time.
Results for the year
The financial statements for the year are set out on pages 5 to 10. The Receipts and Payments Account on page 5 reflects a surplus for the year of £21,874 (2024: deficit of £33,233). Total reserves, including restricted funds, amounted to £44,965 (2024: £23,091).
Reserves policy
It is the policy of the charity to maintain unrestricted funds at a level which equates to approximately three months unrestricted expenditure. This allows sufficient funds to enable the ongoing work of the charity to be maintained. The Unrestricted Funds on page 6 at 5 April 2025 amounted to £9,227 (2024: deficit of £880).
The trustees continue to monitor closely the position on unrestricted funds during the current financial year to ensure this target is met in the near future.
The accounts were approved by the Trustees on 15 September 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
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Linlithgow Young People’s Project
Report of the Independent Examiner to the Trustees for the year ended 5 April 2025
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 5 April 2025 which are set out on pages 5 to 10.
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1)(d) of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44(1)(c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner’s statement
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1)(a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations (as amended), and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations (as amended)
have not been met, or
- to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Cornerstone Accounting
11 Erngath Road Bo’ness EH51 9DP
Date: 18 September 2025
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Linlithgow Young People's Project
Receipts and Payments Account
For the year ended 5 April 2025
| Notes Receipts Donations 2 Grants 3 Fundraising income 4 Trading income 5 Bank interest Other income 6 Total receipts Payments Fundraising costs Trading costs 7 Charitable activities 8 Total payments Surplus/(deficit) before transfers Transfer between funds Surplus/(deficit) after transfers Total funds brought forward |
Unrestricted Restricted 2025 fund funds Total £ £ £ 43,536 307 43,843 98,231 49,268 147,499 609 - 609 2,728 202 2,930 181 - 181 - 1,455 1,455 145,285 51,232 196,517 - 32 32 1,993 - 1,993 133,185 39,433 172,618 135,178 39,465 174,643 10,107 11,767 21,874 - - - 10,107 11,767 21,874 (880) 23,971 23,091 9,227 35,738 44,965 |
Unrestricted Restricted 2024 fund funds Total £ £ £ 25,364 2,434 27,798 70,189 24,749 94,938 511 - 511 1,678 203 1,881 84 - 84 - 2,319 2,319 97,826 29,705 127,531 28 168 196 856 - 856 133,836 25,876 159,712 134,720 26,044 160,764 (36,894) 3,661 (33,233) - - - (36,894) 3,661 (33,233) 36,014 20,310 56,324 (880) 23,971 23,091 |
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The notes on pages 7 to 10 form part of these financial statements.
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Linlithgow Young People's Project
Statement of Balances
As at 5 April 2025
| Notes Cash at bank and in hand Current account Total cash at bank and in hand Represented by: Unrestricted fund 9 General fund Restricted funds 10 WLC sessional staff fund Bridgend fund Bridgend sessional staff fund Bridgend Primary School fund Crochet group fund Stewart Investors fund Holiday programme fund Lounge fund School fund Small groups fund Youth volunteering fund Rebrand fund Total funds Statement of assets Gift aid due Statement of liabilities HMRC payments due Pensions due Independent examination fee |
Opening Surplus Closing balance for year balance £ £ £ 23,091 21,874 44,965 23,091 21,874 44,965 9,227 9,227 8,519 1,670 2,354 2,000 2,530 7,842 2,764 2,713 58 2,700 1,468 1,120 35,738 44,965 2025 £ 268 268 2025 £ 2,941 1,482 600 5,023 2025 |
Opening Deficit Closing balance for year balance £ £ £ 56,324 (33,233) 23,091 56,324 (33,233) 23,091 (880) 880 - 8,036 728 1,767 - - 8,142 1,723 517 187 - 371 2,500 23,971 23,091 2024 £ 733 733 2024 £ 1,933 - 600 2,533 2024 |
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The financial statements on pages 5 to 10 were approved by the Trustees on 15 September 2025 and signed on their behalf by the undernoted:
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The notes on pages 7 to 10 form part of these financial statements.
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Linlithgow Young People's Project
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 5 April 2025
1. Accounting policies
Accounting convention
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, on a receipts and payments basis and in accordance with the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).
Receipts and Payments Account
For the purpose of the Receipts and Payments account as shown on page 6, funds are defined as follows:
Unrestricted funds comprise donations, grants and other income received for the objects of the charity without further specified purpose and are available as general funds.
Restricted funds comprise income which has been received for the objects of the charity and specified for a restricted purpose within these objects by the donor.
2. Donations
| Unrestricted funds £ Donations - individuals 2,764 Donations - churches 23,475 Donations - church members 5,015 Donations - local organisations 1,198 Donations - youth counselling service 210 Donations - other - Gift aid recovered 2,159 Legacy income 8,715 43,536 |
Restricted funds £ 100 - - 207 - - - - 307 |
2025 Total £ 2,864 23,475 5,015 1,405 210 - 2,159 8,715 43,843 |
Unrestricted funds £ 3,898 13,124 5,190 1,000 330 712 1,110 - 25,364 |
Restricted funds £ - - - 2,332 70 32 - - 2,434 |
2024 Total £ 3,898 13,124 5,190 3,332 400 744 1,110 - 27,798 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3. Grants
| Unrestricted funds £ West Lothian Council 42,291 National Lottery - Young Start Fund 22,708 Stewart Investors 11,616 Robertson Trust 14,000 The Four Barrows 3,000 Cash4Kids 2,016 Hugh Fraser Foundation 1,000 Youth Scotland - Grangemouth Rotary Club 1,100 Layc - Arnold Clark 500 Warburton's Trust - Souter Trust - Foundation Scotland - Gannochy Trust - Paristamen - Dr Guthrie's Association - 98,231 |
Restricted funds £ 20,579 3,320 11,989 - 2,000 5,440 3,000 2,000 - 740 - 200 - - - - - 49,268 |
2025 Total £ 62,870 26,028 23,605 14,000 5,000 7,456 4,000 2,000 1,100 740 500 200 - - - - - 147,499 |
Unrestricted funds £ 32,750 - 11,639 14,000 1,800 - - - - - - - 6,000 2,000 1,000 1,000 - 70,189 |
Restricted funds £ 15,529 - 7,420 - 900 - - - - - - 400 - - - - 500 24,749 |
2024 Total £ 48,279 - 19,059 14,000 2,700 - - - - - - 400 6,000 2,000 1,000 1,000 500 94,938 |
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Linlithgow Young People's Project
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 5 April 2025
4. Fundraising income
| Unrestricted funds £ Fundraising events and appeals 521 Jolomo prints 88 609 Trading income Unrestricted funds £ Training fees - Tuck shop 2,376 Pool table 52 Sale/rental of equipment and premises 300 2,728 Other income Unrestricted funds £ Holiday programme income - - Trading costs Unrestricted funds £ Tuck shop costs 1,993 1,993 |
Restricted funds £ - - - Restricted funds £ - 119 - 83 202 Restricted funds £ 1,455 1,455 Restricted funds £ - - |
2025 Total £ 521 88 609 2025 Total £ - 2,495 52 383 2,930 2025 Total £ 1,455 1,455 2025 Total £ 1,993 1,993 |
Unrestricted funds £ 189 322 511 Unrestricted funds £ 210 1,458 10 - 1,678 Unrestricted funds £ - - Unrestricted funds £ 856 856 |
Restricted funds £ - - - Restricted funds £ - 203 - - 203 Restricted funds £ 2,319 2,319 Restricted funds £ - - |
2024 Total £ 189 322 511 2024 Total £ 210 1,661 10 - 1,881 2024 Total £ 2,319 2,319 2024 Total £ 856 856 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5. Trading income
6. Other income
7. Trading costs
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Linlithgow Young People's Project
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 5 April 2025
8. Charitable activities
| Unrestricted funds £ Programme activity costs 121 Transport for activities - Refreshments and food 375 Outreach costs 141 Gross salaries 109,916 Employer NI 5,129 Employer pensions 5,425 Staff training 514 Staff supervision 1,003 Staff travel 24 Other staff costs 879 Equipment costs 94 Maintenance costs 183 Utility costs 53 Insurance 1,260 Rent 516 Cleaning and hygiene supplies 1,592 Resources and consumables - Stationery, print and postage 176 IT costs (including phone costs) 1,366 Licences and subscriptions 826 Rebranding costs - Cornerstone Accounting costs: Management accounting and advice 756 Payroll 1,272 Independent examination 600 Bank charges 964 Miscellaneous - 133,185 |
Restricted funds £ 13,035 4,500 361 894 11,493 - - 238 996 1,212 - 1,392 363 1,326 - 1,248 84 323 101 182 - 1,630 - - - 55 - 39,433 |
2025 Total £ 13,156 4,500 736 1,035 121,409 5,129 5,425 752 1,999 1,236 879 1,486 546 1,379 1,260 1,764 1,676 323 277 1,548 826 1,630 756 1,272 600 1,019 - 172,618 |
Unrestricted funds £ 109 38 1,044 50 119,329 - - 601 1,579 74 - 304 120 - 1,084 - 1,561 20 378 1,418 364 2,952 734 1,148 500 227 202 133,836 |
Restricted funds £ 7,081 3,168 177 1,182 9,467 - - 24 625 1,137 - 372 844 - - 425 143 502 157 129 421 - - - - 4 18 25,876 |
2024 Total £ 7,190 3,206 1,221 1,232 128,796 - - 625 2,204 1,211 - 676 964 - 1,084 425 1,704 522 535 1,547 785 2,952 734 1,148 500 231 220 159,712 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
9. Unrestricted funds
| General fund Total unrestricted funds |
Balance at 06.04.24 £ (880) (880) |
Receipts £ 145,285 145,285 |
Payments £ (135,178) (135,178) |
Transfers £ - - |
Balance at 05.04.25 £ 9,227 9,227 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Explanation of funds
The General fund represents all income and expenditure relating to the primary focus activities of the charity, other than those for which funding is restricted.
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Linlithgow Young People's Project
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 5 April 2025
10 Restricted funds
| WLC sessional staff fund Bridgend fund Bridgend sessional staff fund Bridgend Primary School fund Crochet group fund Stewart Investors fund Holiday programme fund Lounge fund School fund Small groups fund Youth volunteering fund Rebrand fund Total restricted funds |
Balance at 06.04.24 £ 8,036 728 1,767 - - 8,142 1,723 517 187 - 371 2,500 23,971 |
Receipts £ 6,529 3,707 4,500 2,000 2,530 6,534 13,424 3,288 - 5,150 3,320 250 51,232 |
Payments £ (6,046) (2,765) (3,913) - - (6,834) (12,383) (1,092) (129) (2,450) (2,223) (1,630) (39,465) |
Transfers £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Balance at 05.04.25 £ 8,519 1,670 2,354 2,000 2,530 7,842 2,764 2,713 58 2,700 1,468 1,120 35,738 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Explanation of funds
The WLC sessional staff fund represents funds provided by West Lothian Council towards the costs of sessional staff.
The Bridgend fund represents funds received and spent in the Bridgend community.
The Bridgend sessional staff fund represents funds provided towards the costs of sessional staff for work in Bridgend.
The Bridgend Primary School fund represents funds provided towards activities at the primary school in Bridgend.
The Crochet Group fund represents a grant provided for a new health and wellbeing crochet group targeted at girls who have left, or are planning to leave school.
The Stewart Investors fund represents funds received for LYPP programme costs. The transfer out during the year was to split the funding received from this fund into the component projects.
The Holiday programme fund represents funds received specifically to support holiday programmes.
The Lounge fund represents funds received specifically to support our youth centre based activities.
The School fund represents funds received specifically to support our work in local schools including costs for accrediting rewards.
The Small groups fund represents funds received for our Small Groups Programme which creates shared experiences between young people and staff.
The Youth volunteering fund represents funds received specifically to support our youth volunteering projects, including trips, resources and events.
The Rebrand fund represents funds received specifically for the rebrand of LYPP to YOUTHSPACE.
11 Trustee and related party remuneration and expenses
There was no remuneration paid to the Trustees or any related parties during the year (2024: nil). There were no expenses paid to the Trustees in the year (2024: £510 to 1 Trustee).
Donations of £660 were received from 2 trustees.
12 Donated goods and services
Our premises in Linlithgow are provided by West Lothian Council on a pro-bono basis. The most recent lease, signed in February 2024, values this benefit at £10,000 per annum. This figure has not been included in the receipts and payments of the Charity.
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