VOLUNTARY ACTION ARUN AND CHICHESTER

Registered charity 1113641 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register · also known as VOLUNTARY ACTION ARUN AND CHICHESTER VAAC, VOLUNTARY AND COMMUNITY ACTION CHICHESTER DISTRICT

VAAC aims to combat social exclusion, disadvantage and inequalities in accessing services throughout the Chichester District and it's neighbourhood by providing active support that promotes, develops and strengthens voluntary and community action.

Causes: General Charitable Purposes · Education/training · Economic/community Development/employment · website · Get email alerts

Latest income

£329k

Latest spending

£316k

Registered

2006

Accounts read

FY2025

Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts

The accounts state that the charity achieved a surplus of £13,806 for the year ended 31 March 2025, with total unrestricted reserves of £146,321. Per the trustees' report, these unrestricted reserves are £3,844 below the stated policy target of six months' operating expenses (£142,565). The trustees acknowledge future uncertainty regarding local government funding but confirm the charity is a going concern.

Automated summary of the FY2025 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.

What the accounts disclose

Highest-paid employee band: Under £60,000 — in the top quarter for charities its size (median £60k)

“No employee received employment benefits of more than £60,000 in either the current or previous year.” — page 18

Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Fundraising cost ratio: 0.0% of fundraised income, as disclosed

“No employee received employment benefits of more than £60,000 in either the current or previous year.” — page 18

Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Reserves position: below the charity's own stated reserves policy (held: £146k; policy: six months’ operating expenses and potential redundancy costs, totalling £142,565)

“The unrestricted general reserves as at 31 March 2025 are £3,844 less than the target reserves amount” — page 8

Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts independently examined (not a full audit). Discloses 6 of 6 completeness components.

Funders the charity credits

Named as funders/supporters on the charity’s own website (the charity’s claim, distinct from accounts-verified grants).

West Sussex County Council — “Core Funded by West Sussex County Council and Arun District Council, Chichester District Council and Littlehampton Town Council” (source page)
Arun District Council — “Core Funded by West Sussex County Council and Arun District Council, Chichester District Council and Littlehampton Town Council” (source page)
Chichester District Council — “Core Funded by West Sussex County Council and Arun District Council, Chichester District Council and Littlehampton Town Council” (source page)
Littlehampton Town Council — “Core Funded by West Sussex County Council and Arun District Council, Chichester District Council and Littlehampton Town Council” (source page)

Public profiles (found on the charity’s own website): facebook

Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2023)

Total income

£727k

Total spending

£655k

Reserves (reported)

£183k

Employees

Reported reserves equal ~3.4 months of spending — below the median for charities its size (median 7.1 months; benchmarks).

Per its annual return, largest income source: Charitable activities (96% of income) — components as reported reconcile to the return’s total income; not from the accounts narrative.

Per its annual return, cost of raising funds: 0.0% of total income — below the median for charities its size (2.9%) (benchmarks).

Trustees · trustee networks

Dr SARAH MORGANchair
Caroline Robinson
Caroline Sanderson
Christopher Smethurst
Dr Jeffrey Parker
Elizabeth Ball
Hilary Bartle
Lucy Elsey
Tracey Stakes · trustee of 2 other charities

Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).

Operates in: West Sussex

Income and spending

Financial year end	Income	Spending
31/03/2025	£329k	£316k
31/03/2024	£322k	£427k
31/03/2023	£727k	£655k
31/03/2022	£441k	£476k
31/03/2021	£452k	£435k

Common questions

Is VOLUNTARY ACTION ARUN AND CHICHESTER financially healthy?

Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity achieved a surplus of £13,806 for the year ended 31 March 2025, with total unrestricted reserves of £146,321. Per the trustees' report, these unrestricted reserves are £3,844 below the stated policy target of six months' operating expenses (£142,565). The trustees acknowledge future uncertainty regarding local government funding but confirm the charity is a going concern. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.

What does the highest-paid employee of VOLUNTARY ACTION ARUN AND CHICHESTER earn?

Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the Under £60,000 band.

Government & lottery funding

Grants to this charity published as open data by government and lottery funders (360Giving).

Funder	Date	Amount	Purpose
The National Lottery Community Fund	21/08/2025	£18k	Let’s Grow! A Community-Led Good Food Movement in Arun & Chichester districts
The National Lottery Community Fund	23/01/2020	£944	Inspiring Leaders
The National Lottery Community Fund	19/12/2019	£2k	Creative Communication
The National Lottery Community Fund	13/03/2015	£5k	ESF-Awareness
The National Lottery Community Fund	03/10/2014	£10k	ESF Awareness - from Coast to Capital
The National Lottery Community Fund	10/11/2011	£2k	Employee/Student Volunteer Promotion
The National Lottery Community Fund	07/04/2011	£9k	Young Diversity Champions
The National Lottery Community Fund	22/01/2007	£3k	Carers Liason Project
The National Lottery Community Fund	18/05/2006	£5k	Supported Volunteering Pilot