TRUSTEES REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Charity No: SC046776
## About Youth
## TRUSTEES REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
## CONTENTS
||Page|
|---|---|
|Report of the Trustees|1 - 9|
|Independent Examiners Report|10|
|1. Statement of Receipts and Payments|11|
|2. Statement of Balances|12|
|3. Notes to the Accounts|13 - 15|
About Youth TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
The trustees are please to present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31[st] March 2025.
## **Reference and administrative details**
**Name:** About Youth
## **Charity number:** SC046776
**Bankers:** Royal Bank of Scotland, 239 St John’s Road, Edinburgh, EH12 7XA
## **Structure Governance and Management**
## **Constitution**
About Youth was registered on the 9[th] August 2016 and is a Single Tier Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) governed by its constitution which was adopted in October 2016 and reviewed and updated in November 2020.
## **Appointment of Trustees**
Under the constitution About Youth requires a minimum of three and a maximum of nine trustees. The board of trustees meets regularly and each quarter.
It is desired that young people (aged 16 – 24) will occupy at least two positions on the board of trustees and that local people from South-West of Edinburgh are adequately represented.
Board members are recruited from interested local people, partner agencies and individual professionals as well as through targeted recruitment based on the specific skills required by the organisation.
New board members are introduced to About Youth through discussion with the Project Executive and current trustees.
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About Youth TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
The induction process for new board members involves informal training by the existing trustees and attendance at bespoke training. New board members are provided with the organisations constitution, information on their role and responsibilities of charity trustees, prior year financial statements, prior board meeting minutes, strategic plan documents and organisational policies. About Youth routinely seeks out the input of independent external agencies to access training for board members and to ensure that they are aware of the legislation and regulations that impact the work of About Youth.
## **Management**
The board of trustees are responsible are responsible for the running of the organisation and employing staff. The day-to-day management of the charity is delegated to the Project Executive who works alongside the trustees, staff, volunteers, and young people to steer the strategic direction of the organisation.
## **Risk Management**
A number of policies are in place within the charity to minimise risk, particularly in respect of the safeguarding of the young people within its care. These policies are part of the day-to-day workings of the organisation and are subject to an ongoing regular review process.
## **Objectives and Activities**
About Youth was established in 2016 to act as a resource for young people by providing them with advice, information and support to help them to develop as individuals, connect with their community and access opportunities which enable them to thrive and prosper.
The organisation was developed both as a direct result of accumulated professional experience and in response to a shared desire and observed need in the local community, the South-West of Edinburgh, and in particular the Calders area. It was recognised that these localities require a youth organisation which has a specific focus on supporting local young people to develop their learning, skills and opportunities.
Projects are delivered using a range of youth work methods including;
- Open access ‘Universal’ youth work
- Targeted project work
- Outreach work, including detached street work activity
- Themed group-work programmes
- One-to-one advice and support
- Drop-in services
- School based youth work
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About Youth TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
- Sport related youth work
Most of the young people who engage with our projects do so on a voluntary basis, accessing our projects and services independently, often via hearing about them from peers or via our promotional work. Young people are occasionally referred into projects from a number of sources including schools, careers, local authority services and other voluntary organisations and community projects.
## **Charitable Purposes**
The organisation’s charitable purposes are, to advance the citizenship, education and wellbeing of young people through;
- Providing youth specific advice, information and support
- Providing activities to develop skills, capacities and capabilities
- Delivering programmes of informal and community education
- Relieving and alleviating the effects of disadvantage for young people in economic/financial hardship through delivering projects and services which provide guidance and support to move people into positive destinations.
- Providing recreational activities supporting young people’s learning, well-being and development via the delivery of weekly open access youth services for young people
We achieve this by;
- Being responsive to and regularly consulting and creatively engaging with young people to ensure that our projects address their needs, interests and expectations.
- Actively working to remove any barriers of access for young people; particularly those deemed as hard-to-reach, such as young carers, young people who are care experienced, and young people who are involved in offending and criminality.
- Creating opportunities for young people to participate in new activities, learn and develop new key skills, volunteer and gain vocational qualifications and certificates.
- Working collaboratively in partnership with schools, careers and other youth work services to provide employability advice and practical support to young people who are not in a positive destination in education, employment or training.
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About Youth TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
## ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
In 2024/25, we successfully continued to offer a wide range of exciting youth work opportunities. Working closely with young people and our partners, we co-created new projects and programmes shaped by young people’s needs, interests, and ideas. To meet growing demand, we expanded both our youth groups and our schools-based youth work.
Over the year, we ran **12 different projects** , delivering **477 sessions** packed with activities and opportunities.
In total, **296 young people got involved** , taking part an incredible **6,455 times** across our programmes.
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About Youth
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
YOUTH GROUPS
This year we kept things buzzing
at the Calders Community Flat
with four youth groups running
during school terms!
We welcomed:
Juniors (P4-P6) - full of energy
and curiosity
Intennediates (two groups: P6-
P7 and S1-S2)- ready to step up
and take on new challenges
Seniors (S3+) - our oldest crew,
bringing leadership and fresh
ideas
In the past, we usually ran three
groups a week- but with so many
young people keen to get
involved,
we
increased our
groups from three to four to meet
the growing demand of young
people keen to get involved.
237 young people accessed our weekly youth groups in 2024125 which provided
safe, supportive spaces designed to reduce isolation and build confidence. They
not only connected with their peers through games and activities but also gained
access to vital resources like Wi-Fi and IT equipment, shared meals they prepared
together, and developed lasting friendships and support networks.
Youth volunteering remained at the
heart of our youth groups this year, with
6 young people stepping up to support
delivery while also shaping a brand-
new volunteer strategy and training
programme for the organisation.
Our youth groups thrived on this spirit of
/ leadershi*young people took charge
by planning activities and making sure
everyone felt included. ensuring young
people don't just take part in our
groups-they help shape them. with
real influence and agency at every step.
About Youth
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
ACTIVITY PROGRAMMES
During the school holidays, our offer
transformed into a series of exciting
activity programmes that young people
tell us they truly value and look forward
to. These programmes give them the
chance to try new experiences, learn
fresh skills, and explore new places.
Listening to their feedback, we
expanded the number of residential
breaks this year-creating even more
opportunities for adventure, growth,
and lasting memories
Our holiday activity programmes-delivered completely free of charge-ran
throughout Easter. summer. autumn. and winter breaks. Young people got stuck
into everything from swimming, bowling, and laser tag to exploring country parks
and relaxing on the beach. Every trip also included free meals and refreshments,
making sure everyone could enjoy the experience without barriers.
This year we enhanced our school
holiday
offer
with
our
Free
Fridays programme. Designed with and
for young people, the initiative gave
small groups the chance to enjoy leisure
and outdoor learning activities during
term time. From researching and
booking activities to shaping the
programme around their own needs and
interests, young people played a leading
role in every step-ensuring Free
Fridays were fun, relevant, and truly
theirs.
FOOTBALL GROUP
We continued to provide a weekly
football group every Thursday
evening, and throughout the school
holidays, at the astroturf of the local
high school offering young people
the opportunity to come together for
an organised game of football,
including
fun
games
and
competitions. The project helps
facilitate much needed access to a
local community asset, as well as
creating pathways
into
other
projects, programmes, and support.
AtrM)Ut Youth
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
A wide range of outreach activities were
delivered throughout 2024-25. designed to
connect with young people in their own
environments and respond to their needs in
meaningful ways. Regular street work sessions
were carried out in local streets. parks, and
other community spaces, providing valuable
opportunities to engage positively with young
people where they naturally spend their time.
These sessions ser4ed not only as a way of
building trust and relationships but also as an
effective platform for raising awareness of
available services and gaining insight into young
people's needs and ideas for future
programming.
ONE-TO-ONE SUPPORT
One-to-one support was provided throughout the year. Most young people who
accessed one-to-one support did so in addition to engaging with our other provision,
however some were referred directly by local partners in education, social work and
other organisations. Via one-to-one support, young people accessed advice and
support to overcome issues in their lives and help to progress into positive
destinations in employment, further education and training.
SCHOOL-BASED YOUTH WORK
In 2024-25, we expanded our schools-based
youth work, strengthening support for children
and young people at key stages of their
education. At primary level, we continued to
provide one full day of dedicated support each
week in our local Primary School. This focused
on pupils struggling with social, emotional, or
behavioural challenges, offering one-to-one
and group sessions to build confidence,
improve relationships, and support learning. At
secondary level, our provision increased, with
targeted support around mental health,
attendance, and key transitions. We also
placed greater emphasis on helping young
people develop life skills and improve
employability through mentoring, practical
activities, and personal development work.By
embedding youth work in both primary and
secondary schools, we provided a continuum of
support that addressed immediate challenges
while also preparing young people for longer-
term success.
About Youth TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
## **Financial Review**
Total income for the year was £134,925 (2024: £101,347) with the majority coming from grant income of which £82,117 was restricted. The charity would like to thank all its funders for their contributions, including UK Youth, The City of Edinburgh Council, The Corra Foundation, The Scottish Government, The Gannochy Trust, The Tesco Community Foundation, and The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations. All of which contribute to the charity being able to carry out much needed services.
The total expenditure for the year was £97,627 (2024: £103,788) with the main items being the project costs and staff salaries. The charity had a surplus of £37,298.
The board has developed a planned and measured approach to fundraising which is further outlined in the organisation’s Strategic Plan document.
Financial priorities identified in our Strategic plan include;
- Plans to secure long term funding to support core operational costs and project management.
- Less reliance on short term or small pieces of funding with a view toward pursuing funding opportunities for longer term grants.
- Identifying funding that supports and provides opportunities in line with our organisational priorities and young people’s needs.
- Developing positive partnership relationships with other voluntary sector organisations that create opportunities for pursuing joint funding applications.
- Long term strategic planning to look at a sustainable base for the organisation’s operation.
We continue to develop a prudent funding strategy focussed on making applications to a variety of different grants and funders, with a view to ensuring that we are not reliant on one funding source and enabling us to sustainably deliver a wide range of different youth work projects and activities. Trustees and staff monitor the charity’s finances on a regular basis to ensure that they consistently reflect the organisation’s overarching financial strategy. Key to this is that the organisation develops in a manner that is sustainable and able to stay true to its original vision and values without having priorities adversely driven or determined by funding.
## **Reserves Policy**
In line with their governance and financial strategy, the trustees have reviewed the reserves that are held at the end of this and future financial years to ensure continuity of the charity. The Trustees believe that a minimum of six months expenditure should be set aside and considered reserves. Based on the expenditure in this financial year this amount to £48,813.
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About Youth TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
The Trustees also consider it prudent to have funds set aside in two separate designated funds. The first designated fund, which was established in 2024, is aligned to programme development which will be used towards the development of projects which are important to the strategic development of the charity. This fund presently totals £26,708. The second designation, is a fund in relation to Building and Premises to cover accommodation-related risks and future planning, including rent, support for current premises, or new property proposals. £20,000 was set aside for this in this financial year. Designated funds are monitored by trustees throughout the year.
The reserves at the year-end, which are calculated from the Unrestricted Funds less monies held within the outlined designated funds, are £38,938 which is less than target, however the trustees continue to monitor as required.
## **Plans for Future Periods**
**Youth Volunteering** - Further development of our volunteer training and recruitment strategy is a key focus for 2025-26 and our particular focus is on nurturing the next generation of youth workers out of young people living in the communities in which we operate.
**Review of premises** - Since January 2018, the organisation has been based out of premises located in a community flat where most of our youth work activity also takes place. The building is however limited in its capacity and already used by a variety of different community groups which limits usage and development of projects.
**Governance review** - The trustees began an undertaking a strategic review of the organisation to assess its overall effectiveness and ensure it continues to meet its objectives. This review will evaluate the charity’s operations, impact, and governance practices against the principles outlined in **The Scottish Governance Code for the Third Sector** . The aim is to identify areas for improvement, strengthen organisational performance, and ensure ongoing compliance with best practice governance standards.
## **This report was approved by the trustees on the 21 of November 2025 and signed on their behalf by:**
Signature(s)
Full name(s) Position (e.g. Chair) Chairperson Treasurer Date 21/11/2025 21/11/2025
9
About Youth INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
## **Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of About Youth**
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31[st] March 2025, which are set out on pages 11 to 15.
## **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 ("the 2005 Act") and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) ("the 2006 Regulations"). The trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation (10)(1)(d) of the 2006 Regulations does not apply.
It is my responsibility to examine the accounts under section (44)(1)(c) of the 2005 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 2006 Regulations. 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 any 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 connection with my examination, no matter came to my attention:-
1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect, the requirements
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 44(1)(a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Regulations, and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Regulations
have not been met, or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
24[th] November 2025
10
## About Youth
## STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
|**Receipts**
Donations
Grants
**Total Receipts**
**Payments**
Charitable Activities
Purchase of Equipment
Governance Costs
Net Income/Expenditure
**Surplus/(Deficit) for year**|Note|Unrestricted
Restricted
**Total**
Total
Funds
Funds
**2025**
2024|
|---|---|---|
||4
5|£
£
**£**
£
5,558
-
**5,558**
9,923
47,250
82,117
**129,367**
91,424|
|||52,808
82,117
**134,925**
101,347|
|||18,820
76,891
**95,711**
100,156
-
1,556
**1,556**
3,272
-
360
**360**
360|
|||18,820
78,807
**97,627**
103,788|
|||33,988
3,310
37,298
(2,441)|
|||33,988
3,310
**37,298**
(2,441)|
The Notes on Pages 13 to 15 form an integral part of these accounts
11
## About Youth
## STATEMENT OF BALANCES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
|**Funds Reconciliation**
Balance as at 01 April 2024
Surplus/(Deficit) for year
Balance as at 31 March 2025
**Bank & Cash Balances**
Cash at Bank
Cash in Hand
**Other Assets**
Various Equipment
**Liabilities**
Independent Examination Fee|Note|Unrestricted Restricted
**Total**
Total
Funds
Funds
**2025**
2024|
|---|---|---|
|||£
£
**£**
£
51,659
4,732
**56,391**
58,832
33,988
3,310
**37,298**
(2,441)|
|||85,647
8,042
**93,689**
56,391|
|||85,647
8,042
**93,689**
56,391
-
-
**-**
-|
|||85,647
8,042
**93,689**
56,391|
|||See Note 8
-
**-**
-
-
-
**-**
-|
|||-
-
**-**
-|
|||-
-
**-**
360
-
-
**-**
-|
|||-
-
**-**
360|
The Notes on Pages 13 to 15 form an integral part of these accounts
These accounts were approved by the trustees on the 21 of November 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Chair
Treasurer
12
About Youth NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
## **1. Basis of Preparation**
These accounts have been prepared on the receipts & payments basis in accordance with:
(a) The Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005
(b) The Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended)
There have been no changes to the basis of preparation or to the previous year’s accounts.
## **2. Fund Accounting**
(a) Unrestricted funds are those that can be expended at the discretion of the trustees in the furtherance of the objects of the charity.
(b) Designated funds are unrestricted funds that the trustees have set aside for purposes. The designation is administrative only and does not restrict the trustees’ ability to apply the funds.
(c) Restricted funds are those that may only be used for specific purposes. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor, or when funds are raised for specific purposes.
(d) The purposes of the funds are shown page 15.
## **3. Taxation**
(a) The charity is not liable to corporation tax or capital gains tax on its charitable activities.
(b) The charity is not registered for VAT, thus all costs are shown inclusive of VAT charged.
## **4. Grants Received**
|UK Youth - Thriving Minds Fund
UK Youth - Cost of Living Fund
UK Youth - Legacy & Learning Fund
Tesco Community Fund
CEC - Physical Activity Fund
CEC - Easter Holiday Fund
CEC - Summer Holiday Fund
The Corra Foundation - Henry Duncan Grant
Youth Scotland - Cashback for Communities
Scottish Gov. - Investing in Communities
LAYC - Summer Holiday Activity Fund
The Gannochy Trust
Alpkit Foundation
SCVO - Community Learning & Dev. Device
Fund
CEC - Connected Communities|Unrestricted Restricted
**Total**
Total
Funds
Funds
**2025**
2024|
|---|---|
||£
£
**£**
£
24,750
-
**24,750**
22,500
5,000
-
**5,000**
5,000
11,000
-
**11,000**
-
-
1,000
**1,000**
-
-
-
**-**
2,000
-
**-**
802
810
**810**
780
6,500
-
**6,500**
6,500
-
-
**-**
1,000
-
33,510
**33,510**
34,454
-
-
**-**
2,080
-
10,980
**10,980**
10,980
-
-
**-**
500
-
-
**-**
4,828
-
35,817
**35,817**
-|
||47,250
82,117
**129,367**
91,424|
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## About Youth
## NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
## **5. Cost of Charitable Activities**
|**.**
**Cost of Charitable Activities**||
|---|---|
|Staff Salaries
Project Costs
Staff Training
Office Costs
Telephone
Marketing
Professional Fees|Unrestricted Restricted
**Total**
Total
Funds
Funds
**2025**
2024|
||£
£
**£**
£
10,800
64,228**75,028**
82,434
7,149
10,420**17,568**
14,443
-
-
**-**
-
324
-
**324**
50
547
792
**1,339**
1,235
-
-
**-**
-
-
1,452
**1,452**
1,995|
||18,820
76,891**95,711**100,156|
## **6. Movement in funds**
|**.**
**Movement in funds**||
|---|---|
|Unrestricted Funds
General Fund
Designated Fund - Programme Dev.
Designated Fund - Building & Premises
Restricted Funds
CEC - Physical Activity Fund
CEC - Easter Holiday Fund
CEC - Summer Holiday Fund
The Gannochy Trust
Youth Scotland - CashBack for Comm.
Scottish Gov.- Investing in Communities
CEC - Connected Communities
Alpkit Foundation
Tesco Community Fund
SCVO - Learning & Dev. Device Fund
Total Funds|As at
**As at**
31/03/2024
Receipts Payments Transfers**31/03/2025**|
||£
£
£
£
**£**
33,381
52,808
(542)
(46,708)
**38,939**
18,278
-
(18,278)
26,708
**26,708**
-
-
-
20,000
**20,000**|
||51,659
52,808
(18,820)
-
**85,647**|
||1,000
-
(143)
-
**857**
340
-
(340)
-
**-**
-
810
(810)
-
**-**
336
10,980
(11,316)
-
**-**
1,000
-
(1,000)
-
**-**
-
33,510
(33,428)
-
**82**
-
35,817
(30,214)
-
**5,603**
500
-
-
-
**500**
-
1,000
-
-
**1,000**
1,556
-
(1,556)
-
**-**|
||4,732
82,117
(78,807)
-
**8,042**|
||56,391 134,925
(79,349)
(46,708)
**93,689**|
14
About Youth
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
## **7. Purpose of Funds**
General fund - Unrestricted funds that can be expended at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity.
Designated Fund – Programme Development - Unrestricted funds designated by the trustees for programme delivery including staffing costs, activity costs, and essential resources and equipment.
Designated Fund – Building & Premises Fund - Unrestricted funds designated by the trustees for future planning related to accommodation, including potential rental costs, financial support for the organisation's existing premises, or future property development proposals or initiatives.
Edinburgh City Council (CEC) - Physical Activity Fund - Funds received for the delivery of sports related activities.
Edinburgh City Council (CEC) - Easter and Summer Holiday Activity Funds - Funds received for the delivery of holiday activity programmes.
The Gannochy Trust - Funds received for providing support to young people who are unemployed, or at risk of unemployment upon leaving education.
Youth Scotland – CashBack for Communities – Funds received for providing young people with overnight residential experiences.
The Scottish Government – Investing in Communities – Funds received for youth groups, provision of food and refreshments, group work programmes and volunteer development.
Edinburgh City Council (CEC) - Connected Communities– Funds received for core youth work programme.
Alpkit Foundation - Funds received for activity programme.
Tesco Community Fund -Funds received for activity programme.
SCVO - Community Learning & Development Device Fund – Funds received for the purchasing of IT equipment.
## **8. Assets**
Over the years About Youth has accumulated various pieces of equipment and other assets which are described within the charity’s asset register and regular reviewed. There is no market value available for these however the trustees have insured them for a value of £3,000.
15