KNIGHTSRIDGE ADVENTURE PROJECT
TRUSTEE ANNUAL REPORT 2024-2025
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Knightsridge Adventure Project, operating as "The Vennie," continued its vital community work throughout 2024-25, demonstrating resilience and growth despite leadership transitions. The charity received £31,463 in core funding from West Lothian Council and maintains a robust financial position with six months' reserves policy in place.
MISSION AND OBJECTIVES
Vision: Uplifting Community, Empowering All Young People
The organisation serves as a practical pillar of support for every community member, embracing diversity in all forms. Working collaboratively with partners, The Vennie provides relief from hardship and creates springboards for growth through:
-
Relief services delivering necessities with compassion
-
Educational initiatives empowering progress
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Recreational programs nourishing joy and connection
-
Inclusive spaces welcoming all identities and experiences
LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE
Following the departure of Manager in August 2024, Youth Coordinator successfully assumed leadership responsibilities. The Board of Trustees remains committed to sound governance, maintaining formal reserves and risk management policies to ensure sustainable operations. joined the board. resigned.
SERVICE DELIVERY AND IMPACT
The Food Outlet
Operating twice weekly (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12-3 PM), the Food Outlet serves as a crucial community resource addressing food insecurity. The service maintains dignity-centred approaches, welcoming all regardless of ability to pay.
Impact Metrics:
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50+ daily visitors.
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250+ people fed daily
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Comprehensive support including financial advisors, Fuel Bank Vouchers, and School Bank services
Bicycle Lending Library
This innovative service promotes sustainable transportation, health, and community connection through accessible cycling opportunities.
Services Include:
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Daily bike borrowing with free helmet provision
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Monthly group rides led by experienced cyclists
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Ongoing maintenance and repair education
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Volunteer training in bicycle mechanics
Community Garden
Twenty-three growing beds provide therapeutic community space while addressing food security and mental health needs through horticultural therapy.
Programming Expansion:
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Weekly life skills classes teaching food growing
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Fresh produce distribution to those in need
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Therapeutic gardening reducing stress and anxiety
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Community connection through shared growing experiences
Youth Programming
All youth groups operate at full capacity, demonstrating strong community demand and effective service delivery.
Program Structure:
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Girls Group and Boys Club
-
Creative Horizon program
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Age-specific Friday groups (5-11 years and 12+ years)
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Flexible indoor/outdoor programming adapting to seasonal needs and circumstances
VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT
Volunteers form the backbone of all operations, contributing essential support across food outlet, community garden, and youth programming. Their dedication enables service sustainability and community connection while providing mentorship opportunities for young people.
OUTCOMES AND COMMUNITY IMPACT
The Vennie's integrated approach addresses multiple health determinants simultaneously. Food outlet services tackle nutrition and financial stress. The community garden supports mental health through therapeutic activities while building social connections. Bicycle library
services promote physical activity and environmental sustainability. Youth programming provides safe spaces for personal development and peer support.
The organisation’s flexible, responsive approach ensures services adapt to changing community needs while maintaining consistency during uncertain times. This adaptability has proven crucial in sustaining high-capacity operations across all program areas.
FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP
The charity maintains sound financial practices with formal reserves policy ensuring six months' operational capacity. Core council funding of £31,463 provides stability while additional funding streams support program expansion, particularly in community garden programming.
FUTURE OUTLOOK
With all programs operating at capacity and expanding garden programming secured, The Vennie is well-positioned for continued growth and impact. The organisation’s established volunteer base, strong community partnerships, and proven service delivery model create a solid foundation for future development while maintaining focus on community-led, responsive programming that addresses real local needs.
Knightsridge Adventure Project
| Knightsridge Adventure Project | ||
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Income & Expenditure | ||
| For the Year Ended 31st March 2025 | ||
| Restricted | Unrestricted | |
| Incoming Resources | ||
| West Lothian Council Core Funding | 36406 | |
| Income from Summer Clubs | ||
| Food Outlet Development | 45312 | |
| Job Retention Scheme | ||
| Income from October Holiday Period | ||
| Inclusive Playground | ||
| Other Income | 350 | |
| Cashback Project | ||
| Income Cycling Project | ||
| Councillors Disbursement Fund | ||
| Community Garden Grant | ||
| Mini Bus Hire Income | ||
| Outreach and Youth Forum Scheme | ||
| Lottery Dormant Accounts Scheme | ||
| Go Fund me donations | ||
| Donations | 950 | |
| Health Initiatives | ||
| Total Income | 0 | 83018 |
| Resources Expended | ||
| Staff Salaries/ NIC (Admin) | 50424 | |
| Summer Clubs | 5000 | |
| Pension Contribution | ||
| Events and Activities | 4930 | |
| Girls Group and Volunteers | 409 | |
| Food Oulet | 45655 | |
| Healthy Living & Initiatives | 1549 | |
| Staff Training | ||
| Office Costs | 2776 | |
| Community Garden Project | 928 | |
| Bank Charges | 786 | |
| Cleaning | 453 | |
| Repairs | 1487 | |
| Printing and Stationery | 280 | |
| Cycle Project | ||
| Software | ||
| Outreach and Youth Forum Scheme | 1200 | |
| Insurance | ||
| General Expenses | 408 | |
| Fuel / Oil / Vehicle Servicing Repairs |
| Vehicle Insurance | ||
|---|---|---|
| Subscriptions | 680 | |
| Accountant's Fees | 2755 | |
| Depreciation | 1681 | |
| Total | 7128 | 114273 |
| Net Income Expenditure for the year | -7128 | -31255 |
| Reserves Brought Forward | 3378 | 191105 |
| Total Funds Carried Forward | -3750 | 159850 |
| £ | £ |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 |
| Total | Total |
| 36406 | 36463 |
| 5000 | |
| 45312 | 77622 |
| 350 | 13935 |
| 102 | |
| 500 | |
| 432 | |
| 0 | |
| 8305 | |
| 950 | 232 |
| 0 | |
| 83018 | 142591 |
| 50424 | 56420 |
| 5000 | |
| 15659 | |
| 4930 | 1666 |
| 409 | 1125 |
| 45655 | 47591 |
| 1549 | 3061 |
| 2776 | 1734 |
| 928 | 4023 |
| 786 | |
| 453 | 485 |
| 1487 | 115 |
| 280 | 243 |
| 0 | |
| 1200 | 15150 |
| 939 | |
| 408 | 743 |
| 3503 |
| 680 | |
|---|---|
| 2755 | 2012 |
| 1681 | |
| 121401 | 154469 |
| -38383 | -11878 |
| 194483 | 206361 |
| 156100 | 194483 |
| 0 |
| Knightsridge Adventure Project | ||
|---|---|---|
| Balance Sheets as at 31st March 2025 | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Capital Assets | ||
| Fixtures and Fittings Purchase | 13561 | |
| Other Capital Asset Purchase | 3302 | |
| Fixtures and Fittings Depreciation In Year | -1211 | |
| Other Capital Asset Depreciation | -470 | |
| Net Book Value | 15182 | |
| CURRENT ASSETS | ||
| Current A/c | 145206 | 180903 |
| Bank of Scotland | 20531 | 20045 |
| Petty Cash | 15 | |
| Total Current Assets: | 165737 | 200963 |
| less Current Liabilities | ||
| Pension Creditor | 186 | 186 |
| PAYE/NI | 1781 | 512 |
| Accruals | 22214 | 5782 |
| Other Creditor | 638 | |
| 24819 | 6480 | |
| Net Current Assets | 140918 | 194483 |
| TOTAL ASSETS: | 156100 | |
| Represented by | ||
| Funds | ||
| Opening Balance Restricted | 3378 | -623 |
| Opening Balance Unrestricted | 191105 | 206984 |
| Surplus / Deficit in the Year -Restricted | -7128 | 4001 |
| Surplus /Deficit in the Year - Unrestricted | -31255 | -15879 |
| Total Surplus/ Deficit in the Year | -38383 | -11878 |
| Total Funds Restricted | -3750 | 3378 |
| Total Funds Unrestricted | 159850 | 191105 |
156100 194483
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT
KNIGHTSRIDGE ADVENTURE PROJECT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] MARCH 2025
Charity No SCO 51959
Respective responsibilities of trustees and independent 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) 2005 Act and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. 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. 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 accounts.
Independent examiner’s statement.
In the course of my examination, no matter has come 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 comply with Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations and;
-to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts 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.