BritDB

CCEW Charity Commission profile

COMMUNITIES 1ST

Registered charity 1187164 · organisation 5138945

01 Identity

Registration and reporting

Registration status
Registered
Reporting status
Submission Received
Charity type
Charitable company
Registered
31 December 2019
Removed
Not supplied
Company number supplied
11875362
Financial period
1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025
Latest income
£1,631,442
Latest expenditure
£1,581,847
Gift Aid
No
Owns or uses land
Yes
In administration
No
Insolvent
No
CIO
No

Public contact address: Ver House, Park Industrial Estate, Frogmore, ST. ALBANS, Hertfordshire, AL2 2WH

Website recorded by the regulator: www.communities1st.org.uk (displayed as text)

02 Activities

What the charity does

Communities 1st develops, connects and supports local voluntary and community organisations, helping to improve the quality of peoples lives across the districts of Hertfordshire and neighbouring counties. We are home to the local Volunteer Centre, providing support and guidance for those who want to become volunteers and those who want to recruit volunteers.

03 Official extract

Charity Annual Return History

Fin Period Start Date
1 April 2024
Fin Period End Date
31 March 2025
Ar Cycle Reference
AR25
Reporting Due Date
31 January 2026
Date Annual Return Received
7 January 2026
Date Accounts Received
7 January 2026
Total Gross Income
£1,631,442
Total Gross Expenditure
£1,581,847
Fin Period Start Date
1 April 2023
Fin Period End Date
31 March 2024
Ar Cycle Reference
AR24
Reporting Due Date
31 January 2025
Date Annual Return Received
20 August 2024
Date Accounts Received
20 August 2024
Total Gross Income
£1,352,470
Total Gross Expenditure
£1,320,325
Fin Period Start Date
1 April 2022
Fin Period End Date
31 March 2023
Ar Cycle Reference
AR23
Reporting Due Date
31 January 2024
Date Annual Return Received
10 November 2023
Date Accounts Received
10 November 2023
Total Gross Income
£1,765,510
Total Gross Expenditure
£1,407,696
Fin Period Start Date
1 April 2021
Fin Period End Date
31 March 2022
Ar Cycle Reference
AR22
Reporting Due Date
31 January 2023
Date Annual Return Received
4 January 2023
Date Accounts Received
4 January 2023
Total Gross Income
£1,372,749
Total Gross Expenditure
£961,078
Fin Period Start Date
1 April 2020
Fin Period End Date
31 March 2021
Ar Cycle Reference
AR21
Reporting Due Date
31 January 2022
Date Annual Return Received
18 February 2022
Date Accounts Received
18 February 2022
Total Gross Income
£723,766
Total Gross Expenditure
£564,043

04 Official extract

Charity Annual Return Parta

Latest Fin Period Submitted Ind
Yes
Fin Period Order Number
1
Ar Cycle Reference
AR25
Fin Period Start Date
1 April 2024
Fin Period End Date
31 March 2025
Ar Due Date
31 January 2026
Ar Received Date
7 January 2026
Total Gross Income
£1,631,442
Total Gross Expenditure
£1,581,847
Grant Making Is Main Activity
No
Count Govt Contracts
5
Count Govt Grants
£3
Income From Government Contracts
565536
Income From Government Grants
£267,581
Charity Has Trading Subsidiary
No
Does Trustee Receive Any Benefit
No
Trustee Payments Acting As Trustee
No
Trustee Receives Payments Services
No
Trustee Receives Other Benefit
No
Trustee Resigned Employment
No
Employees Salary Over 60k
Yes
Count Salary Band 60001 70000
1
Count Volunteers
400
Latest Fin Period Submitted Ind
No
Fin Period Order Number
2
Ar Cycle Reference
AR24
Fin Period Start Date
1 April 2023
Fin Period End Date
31 March 2024
Ar Due Date
31 January 2025
Ar Received Date
20 August 2024
Total Gross Income
£1,352,470
Total Gross Expenditure
£1,320,325
Grant Making Is Main Activity
No
Count Govt Contracts
6
Count Govt Grants
£3
Income From Government Contracts
639723
Income From Government Grants
£111,168
Charity Has Trading Subsidiary
No
Does Trustee Receive Any Benefit
No
Trustee Payments Acting As Trustee
No
Trustee Receives Payments Services
No
Trustee Receives Other Benefit
No
Trustee Resigned Employment
No
Employees Salary Over 60k
Yes
Count Salary Band 60001 70000
1
Count Volunteers
400
Latest Fin Period Submitted Ind
No
Fin Period Order Number
3
Ar Cycle Reference
AR23
Fin Period Start Date
1 April 2022
Fin Period End Date
31 March 2023
Ar Due Date
31 January 2024
Ar Received Date
10 November 2023
Total Gross Income
£1,765,510
Total Gross Expenditure
£1,407,696
Grant Making Is Main Activity
No
Count Govt Contracts
5
Count Govt Grants
£9
Income From Government Contracts
807881
Income From Government Grants
£370,472
Charity Has Trading Subsidiary
No
Does Trustee Receive Any Benefit
No
Trustee Payments Acting As Trustee
No
Trustee Receives Payments Services
No
Trustee Receives Other Benefit
No
Trustee Resigned Employment
No
Employees Salary Over 60k
No
Count Volunteers
400
Latest Fin Period Submitted Ind
No
Fin Period Order Number
4
Ar Cycle Reference
AR22
Fin Period Start Date
1 April 2021
Fin Period End Date
31 March 2022
Ar Due Date
31 January 2023
Ar Received Date
4 January 2023
Total Gross Income
£1,372,749
Total Gross Expenditure
£961,078
Charity Raises Funds From Public
No
Charity Receives Govt Funding Contracts
Yes
Count Govt Contracts
9
Charity Receives Govt Funding Grants
Yes
Count Govt Grants
£5
Income From Government Contracts
781792
Income From Government Grants
£312,981
Charity Has Trading Subsidiary
No
Does Trustee Receive Any Benefit
No
Trustee Resigned Employment
No
Employees Salary Over 60k
No
Count Volunteers
1200
Latest Fin Period Submitted Ind
No
Fin Period Order Number
5
Ar Cycle Reference
AR21
Fin Period Start Date
1 April 2020
Fin Period End Date
31 March 2021
Ar Due Date
31 January 2022
Ar Received Date
18 February 2022
Total Gross Income
£723,766
Total Gross Expenditure
£564,043
Charity Raises Funds From Public
No
Charity Receives Govt Funding Contracts
No
Charity Receives Govt Funding Grants
Yes
Count Govt Grants
£4
Income From Government Grants
£283,899
Charity Has Trading Subsidiary
No
Does Trustee Receive Any Benefit
No
Trustee Resigned Employment
No
Employees Salary Over 60k
No
Count Volunteers
5000

05 Official extract

Charity Annual Return Partb

Latest Fin Period Submitted Ind
Yes
Fin Period Order Number
1
Ar Cycle Reference
AR25
Fin Period Start Date
1 April 2024
Fin Period End Date
31 March 2025
Ar Due Date
31 January 2026
Ar Received Date
7 January 2026
Income Donations And Legacies
1611048
Income Other Trading Activities
0
Income Charitable Activities
0
Income Investments
20394
Income Other
0
Income Total Income And Endowments
1631442
Income Legacies
0
Income Endowments
0
Expenditure Raising Funds
£0
Expenditure Charitable Expenditure
£1,581,847
Expenditure Other
0
Expenditure Total
1581847
Expenditure Investment Management
0
Expenditure Grants Institution
0
Expenditure Governance
0
Expenditure Support Costs
314548
Expenditure Depreciation
58974
Gain Loss Investment
0
Gain Loss Pension Fund
0
Gain Loss Revaluation Fixed Investment
0
Gain Loss Other
0
Reserves
£875,232
Assets Total Fixed
119734
Assets Own Use
119734
Assets Long Term Investment
0
Defined Benefit Pension Scheme
0
Assets Other Assets
£1,481,057
Assets Total Liabilities
£484,543
Assets Current Investment
0
Assets Total Assets And Liabilities
£1,116,248
Creditors One Year Total Current
484543
Creditors Falling Due After One Year
0
Assets Cash
£1,350,478
Funds Endowment
0
Funds Unrestricted
918553
Funds Restricted
197695
Funds Total
1116248
Count Employees
51
Charity Only Accounts
Yes
Latest Fin Period Submitted Ind
No
Fin Period Order Number
2
Ar Cycle Reference
AR24
Fin Period Start Date
1 April 2023
Fin Period End Date
31 March 2024
Ar Due Date
31 January 2025
Ar Received Date
20 August 2024
Income Donations And Legacies
1340957
Income Other Trading Activities
0
Income Charitable Activities
0
Income Investments
11513
Income Other
0
Income Total Income And Endowments
1352470
Income Legacies
0
Income Endowments
0
Expenditure Raising Funds
£0
Expenditure Charitable Expenditure
£1,320,325
Expenditure Other
0
Expenditure Total
1320325
Expenditure Investment Management
0
Expenditure Grants Institution
0
Expenditure Governance
0
Expenditure Support Costs
296613
Expenditure Depreciation
30369
Gain Loss Investment
0
Gain Loss Pension Fund
0
Gain Loss Revaluation Fixed Investment
0
Gain Loss Other
0
Reserves
£886,286
Assets Total Fixed
173973
Assets Own Use
173973
Assets Long Term Investment
0
Defined Benefit Pension Scheme
0
Assets Other Assets
£1,333,296
Assets Total Liabilities
£440,616
Assets Current Investment
0
Assets Total Assets And Liabilities
£1,066,653
Creditors One Year Total Current
440616
Creditors Falling Due After One Year
0
Assets Cash
£1,075,638
Funds Endowment
0
Funds Unrestricted
886286
Funds Restricted
180367
Funds Total
1066653
Count Employees
46
Charity Only Accounts
Yes
Latest Fin Period Submitted Ind
No
Fin Period Order Number
3
Ar Cycle Reference
AR23
Fin Period Start Date
1 April 2022
Fin Period End Date
31 March 2023
Ar Due Date
31 January 2024
Ar Received Date
10 November 2023
Income Donations And Legacies
1738693
Income Other Trading Activities
0
Income Charitable Activities
0
Income Investments
458
Income Other
26359
Income Total Income And Endowments
1765510
Income Legacies
0
Income Endowments
0
Expenditure Raising Funds
£0
Expenditure Charitable Expenditure
£1,407,696
Expenditure Other
0
Expenditure Total
1407696
Expenditure Investment Management
0
Expenditure Grants Institution
0
Expenditure Governance
0
Expenditure Support Costs
282383
Expenditure Depreciation
26829
Gain Loss Investment
0
Gain Loss Pension Fund
0
Gain Loss Revaluation Fixed Investment
0
Gain Loss Other
0
Reserves
£900,508
Assets Total Fixed
93711
Assets Own Use
93711
Assets Long Term Investment
0
Defined Benefit Pension Scheme
0
Assets Other Assets
£1,203,810
Assets Total Liabilities
£263,013
Assets Current Investment
0
Assets Total Assets And Liabilities
£1,034,508
Creditors One Year Total Current
263013
Creditors Falling Due After One Year
0
Assets Cash
£1,019,554
Funds Endowment
0
Funds Unrestricted
900508
Funds Restricted
134000
Funds Total
1034508
Count Employees
46
Charity Only Accounts
Yes
Latest Fin Period Submitted Ind
No
Fin Period Order Number
4
Ar Cycle Reference
AR22
Fin Period Start Date
1 April 2021
Fin Period End Date
31 March 2022
Ar Due Date
31 January 2023
Ar Received Date
4 January 2023
Income Donations And Legacies
1368596
Income Other Trading Activities
0
Income Charitable Activities
0
Income Investments
53
Income Other
4100
Income Total Income And Endowments
1372749
Income Legacies
0
Income Endowments
0
Expenditure Raising Funds
£0
Expenditure Charitable Expenditure
£961,078
Expenditure Other
0
Expenditure Total
961078
Expenditure Investment Management
0
Expenditure Grants Institution
0
Expenditure Governance
0
Expenditure Support Costs
195822
Expenditure Depreciation
16712
Gain Loss Investment
0
Gain Loss Pension Fund
0
Gain Loss Revaluation Fixed Investment
0
Gain Loss Other
0
Reserves
£661,194
Assets Total Fixed
75904
Assets Own Use
75904
Assets Long Term Investment
0
Defined Benefit Pension Scheme
0
Assets Other Assets
£1,194,420
Assets Total Liabilities
£593,630
Assets Current Investment
0
Assets Total Assets And Liabilities
£676,694
Creditors One Year Total Current
593630
Creditors Falling Due After One Year
0
Assets Cash
£784,765
Funds Endowment
0
Funds Unrestricted
661194
Funds Restricted
15500
Funds Total
676694
Count Employees
50
Charity Only Accounts
Yes
Latest Fin Period Submitted Ind
No
Fin Period Order Number
5
Ar Cycle Reference
AR21
Fin Period Start Date
1 April 2020
Fin Period End Date
31 March 2021
Ar Due Date
31 January 2022
Ar Received Date
18 February 2022
Income Donations And Legacies
0
Income Other Trading Activities
0
Income Charitable Activities
439787
Income Investments
0
Income Other
40
Income Total Income And Endowments
439827
Income Legacies
0
Income Endowments
0
Expenditure Raising Funds
£0
Expenditure Charitable Expenditure
£564,043
Expenditure Other
0
Expenditure Total
564043
Expenditure Investment Management
0
Expenditure Grants Institution
0
Expenditure Governance
2884
Expenditure Support Costs
180524
Expenditure Depreciation
12701
Gain Loss Investment
0
Gain Loss Pension Fund
0
Gain Loss Revaluation Fixed Investment
4892
Gain Loss Other
0
Reserves
£250,023
Assets Total Fixed
30434
Assets Own Use
30434
Assets Long Term Investment
0
Defined Benefit Pension Scheme
0
Assets Other Assets
£490,734
Assets Total Liabilities
£256,145
Assets Current Investment
0
Assets Total Assets And Liabilities
£265,023
Creditors One Year Total Current
256145
Creditors Falling Due After One Year
0
Assets Cash
£378,878
Funds Endowment
0
Funds Unrestricted
250023
Funds Restricted
15000
Funds Total
265023
Count Employees
23
Charity Only Accounts
Yes

06 Official extract

Charity Area Of Operation

Geographic Area Type
Local Authority
Geographic Area Description
Bedford
Welsh Ind
No
Geographic Area Type
Local Authority
Geographic Area Description
Cambridgeshire
Welsh Ind
No
Geographic Area Type
Local Authority
Geographic Area Description
Barnet
Parent Geographic Area Type
Metropolitan Counties
Parent Geographic Area Description
Greater London
Welsh Ind
No
Geographic Area Type
Local Authority
Geographic Area Description
Norfolk
Welsh Ind
No
Geographic Area Type
Local Authority
Geographic Area Description
Suffolk
Welsh Ind
No
Geographic Area Type
Local Authority
Geographic Area Description
Hertfordshire
Welsh Ind
No
Geographic Area Type
Local Authority
Geographic Area Description
Essex
Welsh Ind
No
Geographic Area Type
Local Authority
Geographic Area Description
Enfield
Parent Geographic Area Type
Metropolitan Counties
Parent Geographic Area Description
Greater London
Welsh Ind
No
Geographic Area Type
Local Authority
Geographic Area Description
Harrow
Parent Geographic Area Type
Metropolitan Counties
Parent Geographic Area Description
Greater London
Welsh Ind
No
Geographic Area Type
Local Authority
Geographic Area Description
Peterborough City
Welsh Ind
No

07 Official extract

Charity Classification

Classification Code
305
Classification Type
How
Classification Description
Provides Buildings/facilities/open Space
Classification Code
110
Classification Type
What
Classification Description
Amateur Sport
Classification Code
116
Classification Type
What
Classification Description
Recreation
Classification Code
103
Classification Type
What
Classification Description
The Advancement Of Health Or Saving Of Lives
Classification Code
101
Classification Type
What
Classification Description
General Charitable Purposes
Classification Code
205
Classification Type
Who
Classification Description
Other Charities Or Voluntary Bodies
Classification Code
102
Classification Type
What
Classification Description
Education/training
Classification Code
309
Classification Type
How
Classification Description
Acts As An Umbrella Or Resource Body
Classification Code
202
Classification Type
Who
Classification Description
Elderly/old People
Classification Code
117
Classification Type
What
Classification Description
Other Charitable Purposes
Classification Code
207
Classification Type
Who
Classification Description
The General Public/mankind
Classification Code
307
Classification Type
How
Classification Description
Provides Advocacy/advice/information
Classification Code
306
Classification Type
How
Classification Description
Provides Services
Classification Code
115
Classification Type
What
Classification Description
Human Rights/religious Or Racial Harmony/equality Or Diversity
Classification Code
201
Classification Type
Who
Classification Description
Children/young People
Classification Code
104
Classification Type
What
Classification Description
Disability
Classification Code
203
Classification Type
Who
Classification Description
People With Disabilities
Classification Code
113
Classification Type
What
Classification Description
Economic/community Development/employment
Classification Code
105
Classification Type
What
Classification Description
The Prevention Or Relief Of Poverty

08 Official extract

Charity Event History

Charity Name
COMMUNITIES 1ST
Charity Event Order
3
Event Type
Asset transfer in
Date Of Event
2023-03-17T00:00:00
Reason
Amalgamated
Assoc Organisation Number
4030915
Assoc Registered Charity Number
1119439
Assoc Charity Name
VOLUNTEER CENTRE BROXBOURNE AND EAST HERTS
Charity Name
COMMUNITIES 1ST
Charity Event Order
1
Event Type
Standard registration
Date Of Event
2019-12-31T00:00:00
Charity Name
COMMUNITIES 1ST
Charity Event Order
2
Event Type
Asset transfer in
Date Of Event
2022-05-31T00:00:00
Reason
Does not operate
Assoc Organisation Number
281090
Assoc Registered Charity Number
281090
Assoc Charity Name
BUSHEY AND OXHEY CARE
Charity Name
COMMUNITIES 1ST
Charity Event Order
4
Event Type
Asset transfer in
Date Of Event
2026-03-04T00:00:00
Reason
Amalgamated
Assoc Organisation Number
5016564
Assoc Registered Charity Number
1141645
Assoc Charity Name
WELWYN HATFIELD COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY SERVICES LIMITED

09 Official extract

Charity Governing Document

Governing Document Description
MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES INCORPORATED 11 MAR 2019AS AMENDED BY SPECIAL RESOLUTION REGISTERED AT COMPANIES HOUSE ON 14 DEC 2019 as amended on 24 Oct 2024 as amended on 26 Jun 2025
Charitable Objects
a) The promotion of any charitable purposes for the benefit of the community principally but not exclusively in the County of Hertfordshire and its environs (hereinafter called the area of benefit) and in particular the advancement of education, the protection of health; the relief of poverty, distress and sickness, and developing the capacity and skills of the community in the area of benefit in such a way that it is better able to identify and help meet its needs and to participate more fully in society;b) Undertake such other charitable purposes as the Company deems necessary in the Area of Benefit from time to time.

10 Official extract

Charity Other Names

Charity Name Id
618320
Charity Name Type
Working name
Charity Name
COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE FOR ST. ALBANS DISTRICT
Charity Name Id
618318
Charity Name Type
Working name
Charity Name
COMMUNITY CENTRAL
Charity Name Id
618316
Charity Name Type
Working name
Charity Name
COMMUNITY HERTSMERE
Charity Name Id
618317
Charity Name Type
Working name
Charity Name
COMMUNITY ACTION HERTSMERE
Charity Name Id
618319
Charity Name Type
Working name
Charity Name
HERTSMERE COMMUNITY TRANSPORT

11 Official extract

Charity Policy

Policy Name
Paying staff
Policy Name
Trustee expenses policy and procedures
Policy Name
Risk management
Policy Name
Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
Policy Name
Conflicting interests
Policy Name
Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
Policy Name
Financial reserves policy and procedures
Policy Name
Campaigns and political activity policy and procedures
Policy Name
Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
Policy Name
Social media policy and procedures
Policy Name
Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
Policy Name
Investing charity funds policy and procedures
Policy Name
Safeguarding policy and procedures
Policy Name
Complaints policy and procedures
Policy Name
Internal risk management policy and procedures
Policy Name
Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
Policy Name
Volunteer management
Policy Name
Complaints handling