Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Sexually Transmitted Infections Research Foundation
(STIRF) Charity Number[1075316]
Activity Report:
a. PhD Studentship.
PhD-3: Study to investigate international students’ access, outcomes and experiences of sexual and reproductive health care whilst studying in a university in the UK, and to identify how these factors have been influenced by COVID-19 – Nottingham Trent University
The student has returned from sick leave and is due to resume the project. A final report is expected in March 2025
STIRF received no application for PhD Studentships in 2024/5.
b: Projects currently being conducted.
STIRF-051: Advertising sexual violence support services in sexual and reproductive health services: improving awareness, relatability and acceptability -
Rachel Caswell.
STIRF approved to funding the above study in March 2023. The end-of-year one report was received and approved in July 2024. The sum approved is £82,918 and has been paid as follows: £52,953 in the first year and £29,965 in the second year.
STIRF – 052 Enhancing access to sexual health services for people with mental health conditions and/or learning difficulties in the West Midlands: assessing knowledge, barriers, and facilitators – Charlotte Owen
STIRF approved to funding October 2024 in the above study for £87,743 to begin in May 2025 to be distributed as follows in the coming financial year 20252026:
Year one: £45,821
Year two: £41,922
c: Projects approved for funding for 2025-6.
STIRF – 052 Enhancing access to sexual health services for people with mental health conditions and/or learning difficulties in the West Midlands:
assessing knowledge, barriers, and facilitators – Charlotte Owen
Sum approved as described above to be paid in this financial year.
STIRF-054 Investigating the host response during symptomatic and asymptomatic Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection – Luke Green.
Sum approved £89,253 over two years
STIRF-056 Co-design of Inclusive Advertising to Promote Sexual Violence Support within Sexual and Reproductive Health Services – Rachel Caswell
Sum approved £99,090 to be paid as follows:
Year one: £54,196
Year two: £44,894
STIRF-057 Congenital Syphilis in England, in 2025 – Margaret Kingston
Sum approved £4,000
Financial report
The income for the financial year 2024-2025 was £50,000. The accounts were independently examined by Garry Rutter C.A, Ormerod Rutter Ltd, Chartered Accountants. The trustees spent £960 on projects and related costs.
New Trustees
Current Board of Trustees consist of six persons. There were no changes.
Secretarial assistance
Ms Leslie Organ continued to provide valuable secretarial assistance to the Hon Secretary
Future developments
Applications were invited for both PhD studentships and research projects for 2024/5 in January 2025. Four application for projects and one for PhD studentship were received. These were sent for review and three projects were approved for funding as outlined above.
STIRF will continue to seek further co-operation with other relevant charities.
Jo-Li Trust has agreed to part-fund STIRF by donating £50,000 annually until 2029 and an additional £40,000 for two years (2025 and 2026) towards funding application STIRF-054.
Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Sexually Transmitted Infections Research Foundation
(STIRF) Charity Number[1075316]
Activity Report:
a. PhD Studentship.
PhD-3: Study to investigate international students’ access, outcomes and experiences of sexual and reproductive health care whilst studying in a university in the UK, and to identify how these factors have been influenced by COVID-19 – Nottingham Trent University
The student has returned from sick leave and is due to resume the project. A final report is expected in March 2025
STIRF received no application for PhD Studentships in 2024/5.
b: Projects currently being conducted.
STIRF-051: Advertising sexual violence support services in sexual and reproductive health services: improving awareness, relatability and acceptability -
Rachel Caswell.
STIRF approved to funding the above study in March 2023. The end-of-year one report was received and approved in July 2024. The sum approved is £82,918 and has been paid as follows: £52,953 in the first year and £29,965 in the second year.
STIRF – 052 Enhancing access to sexual health services for people with mental health conditions and/or learning difficulties in the West Midlands: assessing knowledge, barriers, and facilitators – Charlotte Owen
STIRF approved to funding October 2024 in the above study for £87,743 to begin in May 2025 to be distributed as follows in the coming financial year 20252026:
Year one: £45,821
Year two: £41,922
c: Projects approved for funding for 2025-6.
STIRF – 052 Enhancing access to sexual health services for people with mental health conditions and/or learning difficulties in the West Midlands:
assessing knowledge, barriers, and facilitators – Charlotte Owen
Sum approved as described above to be paid in this financial year.
STIRF-054 Investigating the host response during symptomatic and asymptomatic Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection – Luke Green.
Sum approved £89,253 over two years
STIRF-056 Co-design of Inclusive Advertising to Promote Sexual Violence Support within Sexual and Reproductive Health Services – Rachel Caswell
Sum approved £99,090 to be paid as follows:
Year one: £54,196
Year two: £44,894
STIRF-057 Congenital Syphilis in England, in 2025 – Margaret Kingston
Sum approved £4,000
Financial report
The income for the financial year 2024-2025 was £50,000. The accounts were independently examined by Garry Rutter C.A, Ormerod Rutter Ltd, Chartered Accountants. The trustees spent £960 on projects and related costs.
New Trustees
Current Board of Trustees consist of six persons. There were no changes.
Secretarial assistance
Ms Leslie Organ continued to provide valuable secretarial assistance to the Hon Secretary
Future developments
Applications were invited for both PhD studentships and research projects for 2024/5 in January 2025. Four application for projects and one for PhD studentship were received. These were sent for review and three projects were approved for funding as outlined above.
STIRF will continue to seek further co-operation with other relevant charities.
Jo-Li Trust has agreed to part-fund STIRF by donating £50,000 annually until 2029 and an additional £40,000 for two years (2025 and 2026) towards funding application STIRF-054.
Charity registration number 1075316
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION RESEARCH FOUNDATION (STIRF)
ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION RESEARCH FOUNDATION (STIRF)
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Trustees Dr M Shahmanesh Professor J D C Ross DrA Palfreeman Dr M Page Dr R Caswell Professor L Jackson Charity number 1075316 Principal address Whittall Street Clinic Whittall Street Birmingham B4 6DH independent examiner Gary Rutter The Oakley Kidderminster Road Droitwich WR9 SAY
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION RESEARCH FOUNDATION (STIRF)
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees’ report | 1-4 |
| Independent examiner's report | 5 |
| Statement offinancial activities | 6 |
| Balance sheet | 7 |
| Notestothefinancialstatements | 8-10 |
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION RESEARCH FOUNDATION (STIRF)
TRUSTEES' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 5 April 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)".
Objectives and activities
The charity's objectives are:-
-
- to enhance the care and well being of individuals with sexually acquired infection including HIV by facilitating advancement in medical knowledge;
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- to fund research to advance medical and scientific understanding and knowledge of sexually acquired infection including HIV and to disseminate and publish such research; and
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- to promote the dissemination of knowledge on sexual health by encouraging and facilitating the publication of research and medical reviews in this field of medical practice.
Public Benefit
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
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SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION RESEARCH FOUNDATION (STIRF)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
Achievements and Performance
Activity Report:
a. PhD Studentship:
PhD-3: Study to investigate international students’ access, outcomes and experiences of sexual and reproductive health care whilst studying in a university in the UK, and to identify how these factors have been influenced by COVID-19 — Nottingham Trent University
The student has returned from sick leave and resumed the project. A final report was produced in March 2025.
STIRF received no application for PhD Studentships in 2024/4.
b: Projects currently being conducted:
STIRF-051: Advertising sexual violence support services in sexual and reproductive health services: improving awareness, relatability and acceptability - Rachel Caswell.
STIRF approved to funding the above study in March 2023. The end-of-year one report was received and approved in July 2024. The sum approved is £82,918 and will be paid as follows: £52,953 in the first year and £29,965 in the second year.
STIRF — 052 Enhancing access to sexual health services for people with mental health conditions and/or learning difficulties in the West Midlands: assessing knowledge, barriers, and facilitators — Charlotte Owen
STIRF approved funding October 2024 in the above study for £87,743 to begin in May 2025 to be distributed as follows in the coming financial year 2025-2026:
Year one: £45,821
Year two: £41,922
c: Projects approved for funding for 2025-6:
STIRF - 052 Enhancing access to sexual health services for people with mental health conditions and/or learning difficulties in the West Midlands: assessing knowledge, barriers, and facilitators — Charlotte Owen
Sum approved as described above fo be paid in this financial year.
STIRF-054 Investigating the host response during symptomatic and asymptomatic Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection — Luke Green.
Sum approved £89,253 over two years
STIRF-056 Co-design of Inclusive Advertising to Promote Sexual Violence Support within Sexual and Reproductive Health Services — Rachel Caswell
Sum approved £99,090 to be paid as follows:
Year one: £54,196 Year two: £44,894
STIRF-057 Congenital Syphilis in England, in 2025 — Margaret Kingston
Sum approved £4,000
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SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION RESEARCH FOUNDATION (STIRF)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
Financial review
The income for the financial year 2024-2025 was £51,154 (2024: £122,977). The accounts were independently examined by Garry Rutter F.C.A, Ormerod Rutter Ltd, Chartered Accountants. The trustees spent £960 (2024: £97,283) on projects and related costs.
Reserves Policy
The charity's reserves at year end were £206,490 (2024: £156,296); all of these funds are unrestricted and available for general use. The charity aims to hold in reserves adequate funding to cover all immediate and committed costs that fall due.
Trustees and governance
Current Board of Trustees consist of six persons. There were no changes. Ms Leslie Organ continued to provide valuable secretarial assistance to the Hon Secretary.
Future developments
Applications were invited for both PhD studentships and research projects for 2024/5 in January 2025. Four application for projects and one for PhD studentship were received. These were sent for review and three projects were approved for funding as outlined above.
STIRF will continue to seek further co-operation with other relevant charities.
Jo-Li Trust has agreed to part-fund STIRF by donating £50,000 annually until 2029 and an additional £40,000 for two years (2025 and 2026) towards funding application STIRF-054.
Structure, governance and management The trustees who served during the year were:
Dr M Shahmanesh Professor J D C Ross DrA Palfreeman Dr M Page Dr R Caswell Professor L Jackson
Current Board of Trustees consist of six persons.
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SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION RESEARCH FOUNDATION
(STIRF)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
Statement of trustees’ responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees’ report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
Dr R Caswell Trustee Dated: 14 Jan 2026,
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SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION RESEARCH FOUNDATION
(STIRF)
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION RESEARCH FOUNDATION (STIRF)
| report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Sexually Transmitted Infection Research Foundation (STIRF) (the charity) for the year ended 5 April 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act).
| report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination | have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
| have completed my examination. | confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the
examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
2 _ the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
- the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
| have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be-drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
i /
Garry Rutter FCA
The Oakley Kidderminster Road
Droitwich
Worcestershire
WR9Y 9AY
Dated: AS /er torr
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SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION RESEARCH FOUNDATION (STIRF)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
----- Start of picture text -----
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Unrestricted|Unrestricted|
|funds|funds|
|2025|2024|
|Notes|£|£|
|Income|from:|
|Donations|and|legacies|2|50,000|121,952|
|Investments|3|1,154|1,025|
|Total|income|§1,154|122,977|
|Expenditure|on:|
|Charitable|activities|4|960|97,283|
|Total|expenditure|960|97,283|
|Net|income|and|movement|in|funds|50,194|25,694|
|Reconciliation|of|funds:|
|Fund|balances|at|6|April|2024|156,296|130,602|
|Fund|balances|at|§ April|2025|206,490|156,296|
----- End of picture text -----
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SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION RESEARCH FOUNDATION (STIRF)
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 5 APRIL 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Current assets | |||||||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 206,490 | 156 296 | |||||
| Net current assets | 206,490 | 156,296 | |||||
| The funds ofthe charity | |||||||
| Unrestricted funds | 9 | 206 490 | 156,296 | ||||
| 206,490 | 156,296 |
The financial statements were approved by the trustees on 14 Jan 2026
Trustee
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SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION RESEARCH FOUNDATION (STIRF)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
- 1 Accounting policies
Charity information
Sexually Transmitted infection Research Foundation (STIRF) is an unincorporated charity.
- 1.1 Accounting convention
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The accounts have been prepared under a receipts and payments convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
-
1.2. Going concer At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
-
1.3 Charitable funds Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
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Designated funds comprise funds which have been set aside at the discretion of the trustees for specific purposes. The purposes and uses of the designated funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
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1.4 Incoming resources All income is recognised on receipt in accordance with the receipts and payments basis.
1.5 Resources expended Expenses are included in the financial statements when they have been paid in accordance with the receipts and payments basis.
- 1.6 Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
2 Income from donations and legacies
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | |||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Donations | and | gifts | 50,000 | 121,952 |
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SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION RESEARCH FOUNDATION (STIRF)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
| 3 | Investments | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| interest received | 1,154 | 1,025 | |||
| 4 | Expenditure on charitable activities | ||||
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | ||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Direct costs | |||||
| PHD Studentship | - | 96,347 | |||
| Share ofsupportand governance costs (see note 5) | |||||
| Support | 432 | 432 | |||
| Governance | 528 | 504 | |||
| 960 | 97,283 | ||||
| Analysis by fund | |||||
| Unrestricted funds | 960 | 97,283 | |||
| ) | Support costs | ||||
| Support | Governance | 2025 | 2024 | ||
| costs | costs | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Website costs | 432 | - | 432 | 432 | |
| Independent Examiners Fee | - | 528 | 528 | 504 | |
| 432 | 528 | 960 | 936 | ||
| Analysed between | |||||
| Charitableactivities | 432 | 528 | 960 | 936 |
All support costs are attributable to the single charitable activity and have therefore been allocated in full to this activity.
Independent examiners fees of £528 were incurred during the year (2024: £504).
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SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION RESEARCH FOUNDATION (STIRF)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
| 6 | Net movement in funds | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| The net movement in funds is stated after charging/(crediting): | |||
| Fees payable forthe independent examination ofthe charity's financial | |||
| statements | 528 | 504 |
7 Trustees
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.
8 Taxation
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
9 Unrestricted funds
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
| At6April | Incoming | Resources | At 5 April | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | resources | expended | 2025 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| General funds | 156,296 | 51,154 | (960) | 206,490 |
| Previous year: | At6April | Incoming | Resources | At 5 April |
| 2023 | resources | expended | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Generalfunds | 130,602 | 122,977 | (97,283) | 156,296 |
10 Related party transactions
During the year the charity received a donation of £50,000 (2024: £90,000) from the Jo Li Trust, a charity of which Dr Mohsen Shahmanesh is a trustee.
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