STEPPING STONES COLLABORATION FOR RECOVERY AND WELLBEING
We offer free adult education to anyone aged 18 or older who is experiencing problems with their mental or emotional health and their supporters. Our workshops foster understanding of different conditions, uncover inner strengths and skills and show how to apply these to live a fulfilling life. We offer an additional specific programme of courses for 16 to 25 year olds.
Objects
THE OBJECTS OF THE CIO ARE TO PROMOTE SOCIAL INCLUSION FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT BY PREVENTING PEOPLE IN THE BRACKNELL FOREST AREA FROM BEING SOCIALLY EXCLUDED, RELIEVING THE NEEDS OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE SOCIALLY EXCLUDED AND ASSISTING THEM TO INTEGRATE INTO SOCIETY BY:1. PROVIDING EDUCATION, INFORMATION, ADVICE, TRAINING AND OTHER SUPPORT THAT ENCOURAGES AND ENABLES INDIVIDUALS TO RE-BUILD THEIR LIVES;2. PROVIDING RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE THEIR CONDITIONS OF LIFE;3. PROVIDING A LOCAL NETWORK GROUP THAT ENCOURAGES AND ENABLES THOSE INDIVIDUALS TO PARTICIPATE MORE EFFECTIVELY WITHIN THE WIDER COMMUNITY.FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS CLAUSE ‘SOCIALLY EXCLUDED’ MEANS BEING EXCLUDED FROM SOCIETY, OR PARTS OF SOCIETY, AS A RESULT OF ONE OF MORE OF THE FOLLOWING FACTORS: ILL HEALTH (PHYSICAL OR MENTAL); SUBSTANCE ABUSE OR DEPENDENCY INCLUDING ALCOHOL AND DRUGS; POOR HOUSING (THAT IS HOUSING THAT DOES NOT MEET BASIC HABITABLE STANDARDS); RELATIONSHIP AND FAMILY BREAKDOWN.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity held unrestricted reserves of £104,867 at year end, which the Trustees confirm is equivalent to at least 6 months of operating costs, meeting their stated policy target of 5-6 months. The charity reported a net income deficit of £18,019 for the period, resulting in a decrease in total funds from £122,886 in the previous year. Despite the deficit, the charity remains solvent with no current liabilities exceeding current assets.
What the accounts disclose
“The Trustees have determined that the Charity must hold a minimum level of liquid reserves equivalent to 5-6 months’ worth of operating costs, as set out in our Financial Policy.”
“The charity received grants and donations totalling £50,000 from related parties (trustees and close relatives) for the period ended 31 December 2025” — page 17
Policies the charity declares
- Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
- Complaints handling
- Complaints policy and procedures
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Internal risk management policy and procedures
- Investing charity funds policy and procedures
- Paying staff
- Risk management
- Safeguarding policy and procedures
- Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
- Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
- Social media policy and procedures
- Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
- Trustee expenses policy and procedures
- Volunteer management
From the charity’s annual return (Part A, self-declared)
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/12/2025
- Volunteers: 15
- Government income: £8,500 — grants £8,500 (2); 4% of the £228,380 total gross income on the same return
- Trustee benefits, answered Yes to: any trustee benefit; other trustee benefit
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/12/2024
- Volunteers: 10
- Government income: £82,000 — grants £82,000 (4); 31% of the £264,717 total gross income on the same return
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/12/2023
- Volunteers: 12
- Government income: £53,000 — grants £53,000 (4); 25% of the £208,356 total gross income on the same return
Trustees
- Dr Bernadette Fisherchair
- George Oliver Jonathan Story
- SIMON HUNTLY MUIR
- Sarah Elizabeth Gore
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £228k | £246k |
| 31/12/2024 | £265k | £229k |
| 31/12/2023 | £208k | £202k |
| 31/12/2022 | £238k | £169k |
| 31/12/2021 | £81k | £69k |
Common questions
Is STEPPING STONES COLLABORATION FOR RECOVERY AND WELLBEING financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity held unrestricted reserves of £104,867 at year end, which the Trustees confirm is equivalent to at least 6 months of operating costs, meeting their stated policy target of 5-6 months. The charity reported a net income deficit of £18,019 for the period, resulting in a decrease in total funds from £122,886 in the previous year. Despite the deficit, the charity remains solvent with no current liabilities exceeding current assets. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 21/07/2023 | £10k | Young Adults Mental health and Wellbeing (Bracknell) |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE PETER MINET TRUST | 1 | £35k |
| THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR YOUTH MUSIC | 1 | £29k |
| THE ALICE ELLEN COOPER-DEAN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £15k |
Charities like this
- STEPPING STONES LEARNING AND LEISURE
- STEPPING STONES PRE-SCHOOL, LITTLEPORT
- STEPPING STONES OF CHESTER
- STEPPING STONES PRE-SCHOOL LEVERINGTON
- STEPPING STONES COMMUNITY ORGANISATION
- STEPPING STONES CHILDCARE (CORNWALL)
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEPPING STONES COLLABORATION FOR RECOVERY AND WELLBEING | £228k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| STEPPING STONES LEARNING AND LEISURE | £80k | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| STEPPING STONES PRE-SCHOOL, LITTLEPORT | £221k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| STEPPING STONES OF CHESTER | £246k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| STEPPING STONES PRE-SCHOOL LEVERINGTON | £125k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| STEPPING STONES COMMUNITY ORGANISATION | £780k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |