MANAGEMENT REPORT for the year ending 31 May 2025 Registered Charity Number: 1073206
LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Ferndown & District University of the 3[rd] Age (Fu3a) is a member of the Third Age Trust as an unincorporated association.
The Trustees are the members of the Committee elected annually at the AGM. The following members served during the year 2024 -2025:
Glyn Bosanko, Jo Brearley, Jane Cresswell, Vivian Dedman, Paul Ellis, Debbie Gill, Malcolm Gill, Anne Hutton, David Lamb, Angela Larcombe, Anu Patel, Thelma Poole, Val Tucker, Carole Ward.
In addition, from January 2025
Tony Clarke, Jude Hodges, Anne Sharp Linda Pallister, Lynda Pas, Robert Wellman
Retired December 2024
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Glyn Bosanko retired after twelve years on the committee. Glyn has been an integral part of Fu3a as Secretary to the committee, Health and Safety Coordinator and brought a strategic approach to meetings. In addition, Glyn ran the golf group and supported musical evenings with his skills on the piano and recorder.
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Thelma Poole also retired this year having been the brochure editor for the last few years. Thelma also ran a number of interest groups focusing on history, who can forget her tales of those naughty Roman soldiers!
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Carole Ward stood down from the committee but remains as associate running our Facebook page.
Administration
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Honorary President : Gerry Lewis
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Independent Examiner : Ian Burr, 84 Twyford House, Fairways, Ferndown BH22 8BB.
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Banking: Lloyds Bank (Ferndown Branch), Victoria Road, Ferndown.
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Insurance Provider : AVIVA Insurance Limited brokered through Gallagher Insurance
GOVERNANCE
The full Committee met on seven occasions. Sub-groups continued to meet as required, benefitting from the interest and specialist expertise of individual members. Each group is chaired by a committee member who subsequently reports recommendations to the full Committee.
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Policy Review
We continue to review our governance and especially our policies. All policies can be accessed through the website. The Policies reviewed this year include:
- Risk Assessments
We reviewed all Risk Assessments. All Assessments are available on the website.
- Health & Safety
There were no serious incidents to report .
- Safeguarding
No issues reported
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS & MANAGEMENT
A Statement of Accounts for the year 1[st] June 2024 – 31[st] May 2025 is attached. These have been audited by our Independent Examiner. The Fu3a continues to use the Third Age Trust ‘Beacon’ finance system to monitor our monthly cash-flow against budget. Our Finance & Membership sub-group monitors our policy and practices on financial control and investment. None of the trustees received remuneration or benefits other than for expenses incurred.
During 2024 – 25, accommodation costs continued to rise and once again we incurred some mid-year increases in rentals due to the high cost of utilities.
ACCOMMODATION
With the growing popularity and success of our u3a comes the need to find additional venues. We are constantly looking for alternative venues in and around the Ferndown area and this year it has proved to be quite a challenge. Many of the venues which we use are extremely well used by other members of the community and get booked up very quickly.
We have continued to utilise local Care Homes who have been very welcoming and accommodating but it must be remembered that the care home is primarily the residents’ home.
We are currently using nineteen different venues which provide accommodation for seventy groups. Sixteen groups meet in members’ homes including two delivered via Zoom and ten groups - such as the walking groups -do not require accommodation. We continued to use the Barrington Theatre for ‘First Friday Talks’ and major events such as our “Open Day”.
MEMBERSHIP
Our membership has continued to grow and as a result we ended the year with 611 members. Our “New Member Coffee Afternoons” have enabled new members to meet the Committee and ask any questions they might have, in an informal setting. These meetings have been well received. This year we had a number of oversubscribed groups. Allocations reflected the order of preference on enrolment form.
COMMUNICATION
Communication with members is important to us. Communication with members is normally done via email (9 members do not have email access but most have a buddy to support them) Emails are sent out through the Beacon Administration system which in turn is maintained by our Beacon Administrator and the Membership Secretary. This is a huge task. In summer 2024 approximately 35,000 items had to be input.
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Once again, we produced our brochure in hard-copy format and electronically on the website. This year we did not have flyers printer and instead additional brochures were printed.
We have found new members were attracted to the brochure. Thank you to the proof-readers, and also to those who delivered brochures. This has impacted positively on postage costs.
We continue to develop our Website, and our Facebook presence also continues to grow.
OUR PROGRAMME
Over the last year the Committee has endeavoured to offer a varied programme of lifelong learning and support the u3a values of “Learn, Laugh and Live”.
During 2024 – 25 we were able to offer ninety-six groups supported by sixty-nine group leaders. All members were able to select up to eight activities. In addition, we introduced a monthly update of groups with vacancies. This has proved popular as those who have time on their hand have been able to add to their range of interests.
All members were able to participate in the monthly “First Friday Talks” as well as a range of “In house” talks given by members.
GROUP LEADERS
Our Group Leaders remain Fu3a’s greatest resource. They are the life blood of Fu3a. Each leader gives freely of their time and works hard to ensure members have a wide range of experiences. In support of new Group Leaders, we have introduced a “New to Group Leadership” meeting. These have provided an opportunity for feedback.
EVENTS
Social Events continue to be popular and are attended well. Once again we hosted a wide variety of events including Quiz Night, Musical Showcase and Wine Tasting evenings. Our new event, “Carols and Mince Pies” proved extremely popular and will be repeated in the coming year. Additionally, we were treated to a lovely Christmas meal in the beautiful setting of the Remedy Oak Golf Club. The drama group presentation, “Foul Play at Redcliffe Bay” was warmly received by all in attendance.
VISITS
On occasions, our Visits Programme has been oversubscribed, highlighting the popularity of visits. This year we enjoyed trips to the Isle of Wight, South Kensington Museums, Seaton Tramway and Bath. Our International Study trip, “Viva Espana”, took us to the wonderful cities of Seville, Cordoba and Carmona.
Our performing arts group ran a special outing to Chichester which was open to all Fu3a members. The take up was high and we will repeat in the coming season.
Thanks must go to all those involved in organising both the Visits and Events.
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CHARITY OF THE YEAR
We have continued to support a charity selected by our members. In 2024 the charity was the Leonardo Trust who support Carers. The year started with a presentation and all in attendance received a copy of the trust’s informative booklet, “If Only I had Known.” Over the year we raised funds through a Wine Tasting Evening, Craft Fair, Raffles and other smaller activities. Members contributed to the wonderful total of £3119.92.
As the charity of the year runs from January to December the current charity is “The Ferndown Forest Hospice.” So far this year we have raised around £1000 and hope to increase this with the Charity Coffee Morning in November.
MEMBERS’ WELFARE, MILESTONES & SUCCESSES.
The welfare of our members is important to us. If you know of anyone who is unwell please let us know. We send cards and if appropriate make contact. We know that the cards sent out are appreciated. However, we are also keen to acknowledge milestones in members’ lives such 100[th] birthdays. So please keep us informed.
VOLUNTEERS
A significant number of members undertake a wide range of tasks to ensure that Fu3a continues to be a lively and successful organisation. These include those who support Friday Coffee Mornings, provide support to group leaders and help stacking chairs. Thank you to everyone who does their bit. We are extremely grateful to everyone involved.
Finally, I would like to thank all the committee for their hard work. These are amazing people who work tirelessly to ensure we are successful. They too are all volunteers.
Anne Hutton, Chairman
On behalf of the Trustees
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| Ferndown & District u3a End Of Year Statement of Accounts 1/6/2024-31/5/2025 | Ferndown & District u3a End Of Year Statement of Accounts 1/6/2024-31/5/2025 | Ferndown & District u3a End Of Year Statement of Accounts 1/6/2024-31/5/2025 | Ferndown & District u3a End Of Year Statement of Accounts 1/6/2024-31/5/2025 | Ferndown & District u3a End Of Year Statement of Accounts 1/6/2024-31/5/2025 | Ferndown & District u3a End Of Year Statement of Accounts 1/6/2024-31/5/2025 | Ferndown & District u3a End Of Year Statement of Accounts 1/6/2024-31/5/2025 | Ferndown & District u3a End Of Year Statement of Accounts 1/6/2024-31/5/2025 | Ferndown & District u3a End Of Year Statement of Accounts 1/6/2024-31/5/2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Account | ||||||||
| Income & Expenditure: | ||||||||
| Income | Expenditure | |||||||
| ADMINISTRATION: | ||||||||
| Third Age Trust: Annual Membership Subscription | £ 2,444.00 | |||||||
| Central, Equipment, Meetings | £ 2,201.26 | |||||||
| Sundry Items | £ 552.35 | |||||||
| MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS | £ 37,626.00 | |||||||
| HMRC GIFT AID | £ 5,475.00 | |||||||
| GROUP FUNDS | £ 1,477.00 | £ 3,275.96 | ||||||
| GROUPS - ACCOMMODATION | £ 35,598.72 | |||||||
| FIRST FRIDAYS | £1,882.79 | |||||||
| EVENTS | £7,455.40 | £ 8,303.00 | ||||||
| VISITS | £ 44,063.03 | £ 36,594.00 | ||||||
| Sub-totals | Sub-totals | Sub-totals | Sub-totals | £96,096.43 | £90,852.08 | |||
| Current Account Operating Surplus | Current Account Operating Surplus | £ 5,244.35 | ||||||
| BALANCE OF TRANSFERS TO/FROM RESERVE ACCOUNT | £ 5,000.00 | |||||||
| Current Account Surplus | Current Account Surplus | £ 10,244.35 | ||||||
| Reserve Account - Income & Outgoings | Income | Outgoings | ||||||
| TRANSFERS FROM CURRENT ACCOUNT | £ 40,000.00 | |||||||
| INTEREST | £ 2,399.65 | |||||||
| TRANSFERS TO CURRENT ACCOUNT | £ 45,000.00 | |||||||
| Sub-totals | £ 42,399.65 | £ 45,000.00 | ||||||
| Reserve Account Deficit | -£ 2,600.35 | |||||||
| Total Surplus/Deficit for the year: | ||||||||
| Current Account - Surplus | Current Account - Surplus | £ 10,244.35 | ||||||
| Reserve Account - Deficit | -£2,600.35 | |||||||
| Combined - Surplus | Combined - Surplus | £7,644.00 | ||||||
| Balance Sheet at 31st May 2025 | Balance Sheet at 31st May 2025 | |||||||
| CURRENT BANK ACCOUNT | £15,436.23 | |||||||
| COIF CHARITIES DEPOSIT FUND | £26,547.10 | |||||||
| Total | £41,983.33 | |||||||
| ACCUMULATED FUND AT 31st MAY 2024 | ACCUMULATED FUND AT 31st MAY 2024 | |||||||
| Current A/c £5191.88 + Reserve A/c £29147.45 | £34,339.33 | |||||||
| PLUS SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR | £7,644.00 | |||||||
| Total | £41,983.33 |
01/06/2025
Notes:-
£6416 of the current a/c balance is ring-fenced for overseas trips deposits & buffer for exchange rate fluctuations Combined surplus figure free cashflow is therefore £1228
CHARITY COMMISSION Independent examiner's | FOR ENGLAND AND WALES report on the accounts
SectionA
Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ members of |FERNDOWN & DISTRICT U3A
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On accounts for the year | 31 May 2025
ended
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Charity no | 1073206
(if any)
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| report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/05/2025.
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Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
| 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, | have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
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Independent | have completed my examination. | confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention (etherthanthat-disclosed_below-*) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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e accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
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e the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
| have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
- Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.
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Relevant professional pour pm (Ue —— .
qualification(s) or body LENLCh SOtj¢," RE
(if any):
Address:
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IER
1
October 2018
Section B
Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose.
IER
2
October 2018