Introduction

Double Six Youth Club is a charity based in Sheffield, delivering youth provision from its community facilities. In a typical year, the organisation operates with a turnover of £20,000–£30,000. In 2024, the charity was awarded a £1.5m Youth Investment Fund (YIF) capital grant to refurbish and convert an existing building into a new youth centre. This represented a significant increase in financial scale and complexity for a small, trustee‑led organisation.

Central Support Offer – Identifying the Need

The size of the YIF capital grant placed considerable pressure on Double Six’s small Board of Trustees. The charity has no executive or dedicated finance staff, no internal accounting function or software, and relied on a volunteer Treasurer for financial oversight. Alongside managing a large‑scale construction project, the organisation was also transitioning from an unincorporated charity to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). Trustees needed immediate and specialist support to manage cash flow, statutory requirements, tax considerations and financial risk.

Support Provided

Through the YIF Central Support Offer, Double Six Youth Club received specialist financial management support from Almond Tree Strategic Consulting Limited.

Almond Tree Strategic Consulting Limited provides practical, hands‑on consultancy to charities and community organisations across governance, finance, fundraising and strategic planning. Their work focuses on helping organisations navigate complexity with clarity and confidence, particularly during periods of transition, growth or significant capital investment.

The support focused on strengthening financial planning, monitoring and compliance, including:

  • Developing a 12‑month rolling cashflow forecast linked to management accounts
  • Creating a construction cost‑monitoring tool to track monthly valuations
  • Reviewing VAT treatment of the YIF grant and implications for VAT registration
  • Assessing thresholds for accrual accounting and statutory audit requirements
  • Supporting the assessment and selection of cloud‑based accounting software
  • Developing a tailored Chart of Accounts
  • Advising on the financial implications of incorporation as a CIO

The consultant worked closely with the Treasurer, providing regular briefings and guidance during key decision points, including preparations for appointing the main contractor.

The Result and Impact

For the first time, Double Six produced a forward cashflow forecast, enabling trustees to understand their working capital position and plan for obligations linked to the capital build. This also allowed the charity to explore options such as short‑term bridging finance if required.

Clearer visibility of construction costs and VAT implications reduced financial risk and supported informed decision‑making. The charity also gained clarity on its statutory obligations, including audit requirements and the move to accrual‑based accounting.

Additional Impacts

The Treasurer was introduced to specialist accounting firms to support the new corporate structure and financial reporting requirements. Overall, the support equipped the charity with tools and knowledge across budgeting, accounting, tax, statutory compliance and financial reporting — areas previously unfamiliar to the organisation.

What They Said

“You have provided comprehensive financial expertise, identifying issues to consider as well as solutions and guidance to help make decisions. I’ve appreciated being able to talk things through with you and the moral support you’ve provided as the charity navigates new and complex issues.”
 Linda McDermott, Treasurer, Double Six Youth Club

For media enquiries contact:
press@sibgroup.org.uk