Financial Update: 2025–2027

Brighton Unemployed Centre and Families Project

 Financial Update: 2025–2027

We want to keep our centre open and services running for the people who rely on us. But like most  charities, we are facing rising costs and less funding from the council, government, and other sources.

Where We Are Now

  • In the year to March 2025, we spent £29,400 more than we received.

  • We’ve had some savings (called reserves) from past years, which have helped us cover these shortfalls.

  • At the end of March 2025, we still had £96,700 available in general reserves to help keep the charity running.

What’s Next

  • We expect to raise about £225,600 this coming year (2025–26), close to last year’s income.

  • But we expect costs to be around £285,700 – mostly due to rising prices for essentials like energy and staff.

  • This means we are facing a £60,000 shortfall.

Our Plan

To make sure the charity stays open for at least 3 more years, we need to reduce this shortfall to around £32,000 per year. To do this, we are:

  1. Reducing staff hours and slightly changing some roles to focus more on fundraising and awareness (from November 2025).

  2. Closing the centre on Wednesdays—our quietest day—so we can safely run services on fewer staff (starting September 2025). There will occasionally be some organised events for you on a Wednesday though.

  3. Using volunteers and donations more, instead of spending money where we don’t have to.

  4. Aiming to raise more funds, with a new target of £238,000 for the year.

  5. Cutting extra costs where possible—about £15,400 in savings planned.

What This Means for You

We’re doing everything we can to keep the centre open and services running, while making our money last. We want to make these changes as temporary as possible, and we’re grateful for your support and understanding during this time.

Download further details HERE

May 2025

What a lovely month May was, as well as some gorgeous weather there’s been lots going on in the centre.

Creative expression on Thursdays at 11.30 has been really popular, Jainina is an expert in bringing out everyone’s creative side, you are welcome to sit with the group and discover what it’s all about, there’s no pressure to take part. 

We had a great half term lunch club during May, Joy and Charlie has a good time teaching the children all about smelly foods of the world. We have some more lunch clubs coming up in July and 2 in August, please get in touch if you would like your child to attend. 

Remember we still run ESOL and yoga, both very popular and you just turn up on the day.

We have the BUCFP AGM on Friday 13th June at 11.30,  all users of the centre are welcome to attend, members are allowed to vote in the standing of new trustees (if you would like to be a member, please see a staff or volunteers, costs £1.00 per year). 

April update 2025

OneFamily joined us at the BUCFP allotment for their company volunteering day.

It’s been a busy month at BUCFP. The children had lots of Easter fun at our craft group and lunch clubs, which are a fun way to learn about heathy eating. The playroom allotment is in action with lots of planting ready for Summer, please check out our face book and Instagram pages to see the latest news.

April saw the start of our new group ‘creative expression’ which will run every Thursday at 11.30 in the canteen. The groups aim is to convey thoughts, emotions and ideas through creative means. No experience needed, just turn up on the day and stay for lunch if you wish. Janina will be leading the group and will offer guidance and of course a very warm welcome.

We still have yoga, twice a week Tuesday and Thursday at 11.45, these classes are popular but no need to book.

We organised a corporate volunteer day at our allotment during April, it was a lovely day and our volunteers did a great job painting the shed and clearing some space in the allotment. If you are work for a company and are allowed volunteering days, then get in touch to see what we can offer you.

We really appreciate all the items donations we receive HOWEVER we are not accepting anymore at the moment - we have run out of space. We will let people know as and when we are accepting new items.

As always a massive thank you to all our volunteers, BUCFP only runs because of your loyalty and dedication, we couldn’t do it without you.

Please add us on Facebook and Instagram to see the latest updates!

Mothers Uncovered is now taking bookings for our peer-led course for mothers under 26!

We’re delighted to announce that Mothers Uncovered is now taking bookings for our peer-led course for mothers under 26!

This runs on Fridays from June 13-July 11, 2025

10.30-12.30

BUCFP, Tilbury Place, BN2 0GY

The course is free. It will be led by two younger mothers who have attended a previous group and will use art and writing to help participants unlock experiences.

There is also a bus pass available for each day of the 5 week course, OR a voucher for £30, paid at the end of the course.

There is an onsite creche at BUCFP (a settling in session needs to be done before the course commences. It doesn’t need to be on June 6th, but our course facilitators will be present on that day to answer questions). Babies under 1 will be in the group.

To book, scan the QR code or follow this link to register

https://www.happity.co.uk/mothers-uncovered

For queries email admin@mothersuncovered.com, text/Whatsapp 07907492992.         

March update at BUCFP

The sun is finally shining here at BUCFP. Volunteers and centre users were invited to our allotment to see what needs doing for Spring. It was a great success and means we have some new volunteers on board. Even if you have no gardening experience it’s a really great project to support and we have some very experienced volunteers who can show you the ropes. If you would like to get involved, please speak to Claire of Carol.

Richard from welfare rights organised an Energy saving group along with BHESCO (Brighton and Hove energy saving co op) this month. We had a really good turnout for the event and hope to work with them in the future.

As always a huge Thank you to all our volunteers for their hard work and dedication, the centre couldn’t run without you.

Please like and follow us on Facebook, then you’ll get the latest info on what’s happening.