2025-08-31-accounts - University Of The Third Age Lancaster And Morecambe

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From (Period start date) 01/09/2024 To (Period end date) 31/08/2025

Charity name: University of The Third Age Lancaster and Morecambe

Charity registration number: 1014076

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The Objectives of this u3a are to advance the education of retired and semi-retired people in the Lancaster and Morecambe area by providing activities of a mental, physical and social nature for its members. It is a self-help organisation open to all such persons without discrimination.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	In fulfilling these objectives, the Trustees are aware of and act according to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit, by providing a wide range of activities organised by members for members within interest groups and giving advice on other sources of education which may be appropriate. The u3a holds two meetings each month, open to all members, with regular special talks, at which paid speakers address members on a wide variety of subjects. A considerable number of members take active roles in the organisation, including teaching and assisting learning, organising meetings and activities for membership groups, helping communications between members, and providing refreshments at meetings. All roles within the charity are voluntary.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	All trustees were inducted into the role of Trustee following the guidance issued by the Charity Commission, including the acceptance of the Code of Conduct for Trustees.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	N/A – we do not make grants
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	N/A – we do not do this
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38
Other

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	GROWTH: Lancaster and Morecambe u3a is steadily increasing its membership year on year and has continued to develop in ways that ensure its future sustainability. Our groups and activities include both on- line and in-person meetings. We continued to increase the number of groups and activities. ACHIEVEMENTS: Communication with such a large number of members is helped by the Beacon Management System which is part of our administrative processes and practices. Our website has been completely overhauled and is well maintained with relevant and current information. Its content is easily accessible to members and prospective members. This year we have added Accessibility Days to help our members learn about what are the issues and what help is available from many sources. EXTENDING EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY LINKS: We promote non-u3a educational activities at our Monthly Meetings as well as through the Newslink section on our website. We have informal links(through somegroupleaders and other

members) with local interest groups and activities. The publicity group continued to keep in contact with the community through a public Facebook page, and articles in local newspapers. We have continued our links with Lancaster University’s Faculty of Health and Medicine. LINKS WITH OTHER u3As: We are a member of local u3a networks which have declared aims to be a forum for the exchange of news, information, events and ideas; to encourage links between interest groups of the member u3as; and to encourage minority interest groups which are difficult for individual u3as to support. EVENTS: We continued to hold regular and well attended monthly meetings in both Morecambe and Lancaster. Members continue to have a very wide choice of groups, lectures and activities in which to engage, as well as the opportunity and support to set up new groups if they so wish. CONCLUSION: Our u3a is composed solely of volunteers. By providing and taking part in a wide range of learning opportunities – creative, academic and physical – these volunteers help protect themselves against loneliness and ill health as they grow older, while benefiting the wider community both by encouraging younger members to join and promoting educational and recreational activities throughout the wider community.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41

Other

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	The L&M u3a financial position is healthy and stable. Our liquid funds at the end of the year were £63,487 (previous year £55,329). This includes the reserve of £10,000 noted below.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	The L&M u3a holds a reserve fund in an account recommended by the Charities Commission with the aim of covering unforeseen contingencies.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£10,000
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	N/A – reserves are held
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	N/A - none
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	N/A - none

Additional information (optional)

Additional information (optional)	Additional information (optional)	Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	Income is generated from annual membership subscriptions and from event and group attendance fees. This is specifically to cover room hire and incidental expenses and the provision of technical expenses as needed by the groups. We claim Gift Aid refunds from HMRC each year.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46	N/A
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	There are no major risks. The constantly increasing costs of room hire and potential increase in Third Age Trust contributions are both being monitored with reports to the Committee every month.
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Constitution latest adopted 25 October 2022
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	Unincorporated Association
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	Since a change in the constitution in October 2022 the number of trustees shall be not less than 5 and not more than 15. Up to 12 Trustees may be elected for a term of 1 year by the membership present, or voting by proxy, at the AGM in February each year. There are 4 officers - chair, vice-chair, secretary, and treasurer - who are normally directly elected each year by the annual general meeting. The existing trustees may co-opt additional trustees (up to the maximum overall trustee numbers of 15) to serve until the next annual general meeting. There are limits to both the continuous and overall periods that officers and committee members may serve on the committee to ensure that the committee membership is refreshed periodically. Trustees receive “The Essential Trustee: what you need to know” document (Charity Commission) and have a training session before taking on responsibilities.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Para 1.51	Induction courses are held for new trustees before and after election to the post. Signed Trustee Eligibility forms and Code of Conduct forms are obtained from all Trustees.
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name University of the Third Age Lancaster and Morecambe Other name the charity uses Lancaster and Morecambe u3a Registered charity number 1014076 Charity’s principal address 41 Lune Square, Damside Street, Lancaster LA1 1AH

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
Margaret Hemming	Chair		Membershipat AGM
Sharon Garforth	Vice Chair	09.09.2024 – 25.02.2025	Membershipat AGM
Belinda Hinsley			Membershipat AGM
Belinda Hinsley	Vice Chair	13.03.2025 – 31.08.2025
Nigel Cole	Treasurer		Membershipat AGM
Malcolm Hemming	Secretary		Membershipat AGM
David Downes			Membershipat AGM
Jill Grindey			Membershipat AGM
Pauline Horrocks			Membershipat AGM
Peter Jenner			Membershipat AGM
Ruth-Ann Leak			Membershipat AGM
Susan Pearson			Membershipat AGM
Sheila O’Donnell		25.02.2025 – 20.10.2025	Membershipat AGM
Belinda Nixie		25.02.2025 – 31.08.2025	Membershipat AGM






Corporate trustees–names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name N/A- none
Director name
N/A- none

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name	Dates acted if not for whole year
N/A- none

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets N/A - none held in this capacity Name and objects of the N/A - none charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for N/A - none safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of	Name	Address
adviser

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

Declarations The trustees declare that they have approved Ihe Iruslees, report above. Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees Slgnature(s) Yi ¥MM1 Full name(s) IiQ&fiRCf Hc NHIN Position {eg Secretary, Chair, etc) CH(¥0 Date q. N) oQio

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		MargaretHemming
		NigelCoie

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examinerfs Report Report to the trusteesl members of UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE LANACASTER AND MORECAMBE On accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 Charity no (if any) 1014076 Set out on pages -.efp.einber Ip ID. I In*. p3Je trJ-i4prs ol adeil?4?.ial 5hF.ei>y I report to the trustees on my examination ofthe accounts of the above charity {"the Trust'l for the year ended 3110812025. Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trusl, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 1"the Act.). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(51{b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attention ( ') in connection with the examination which gives me Gause to believe that in, any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordance with sedion 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connertion with the examination lo which attenlion should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding ol the accounls to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets if th8y do not apply. Signed: Date". 13 November 2025 Name: Kevin Murphy Relevant professional qualification{s) or body (if any): Address: Windrush, Haverbreaks Road Lancaster LA15BJ IER October 2018