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← Connect In The North

2025-03-31-accounts

Connect in the North

Charity number 1078829 A company limited by guarantee number 03127540

Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Connect in the North

Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Contents Page
Trustees' report 2 to 11
Examiner's report 12
Statement of financial activities 14
Balance sheet 16
Notes to the accounts 18 to 26

Prepared by West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO

1

Connect in the North Trustees' report for the year ended 31 March 2025

Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisors

The trustees during the financial year and up to and including the date the report was approved were:

Name Position Dates Vicky Hiles Chairperson Maisie Hirschhorn resigned 17 May 2025 Michael Buttery Kenny Hendy resigned 17 May 2025 Robert Stephens Treasurer Kenneth Fletcher appointed 16 May 2025 Charity number 1078829 Registered in England and Wales Company number 03127540 Registered in England and Wales Registered and principal address Bankers Office 45 Co-operative Bank plc Sugar Mill Business Park 19/20 Commercial Street Oakhurst Road Leeds Leeds LS1 6AL LS11 7HL

2

Connect in the North Trustees' report for the year ended 31 March 2025

Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisors continued

Independent examiner

Katy Sargeant ACA

West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO

Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW

Structure, governance and management

The charity is a company limited by guarantee and was formed on 17 November 1995. It is governed by its articles of association last amended by special resolution on 25 June 2019. The liability of the members in the event of the company being wound up is limited to a sum not exceeding £1.

Method of recruitment and appointment of trustees

The trustees of the charity are also the directors for the purposes of company law and are appointed by the members at the AGM.

3

Connect in the North Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Objectives and activities

The charity's objects

The relief of people with learning difficulties within the Leeds Metropolitan area and the North of England.

The charity's main activities

We are a Centre for Inclusive Living led by people with learning difficulties. We work to make things better for people with learning difficulties. We help people with learning difficulties change their own lives through person centred planning. We run training in person centred thinking. We provide an information and signposting services for people with learning difficulties in Leeds.

Public benefit statement

In setting our objectives and planning our activities our trustees have given serious consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and in particular ensuring that people with learning difficulties have control of their own lives and equal power in the world.

Achievements and performance

All our members and board of directors of Connect in the North are people with a learning disability.

The board of directors listen to its members and want to find out what would make our members live their best life. We work to make this happen.

4

Connect in the North Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Achievements and performance continued

Connect in the North has 405 members and ran 4 members events in person and on Zoom. They were a way for members to meet up and to find out what was happening in Leeds. We had a big AGM this year, over 60 people came.

In preparation for Learning Disability week we worked with Asking You to write questions for the Council Chamber Take Over. The Pass it on People got funding from Positive Changes to hire the screen in the market. We used it to share information at the Being Social Event we hosted. We held the 2[nd] Leeds Learning Disability Pride March in the City Centre. Over 100 people marched.

Connect in the North had a stall at the Learning Disability Picnic at Temple Newsam. Connect in the North hosts the Being Social Task Group, this is a group of people with learning difficulties, family carers and staff from different organisations. They come together to plan how we can improve the social lives of people with learning difficulties. It is part of Being Me. This is the Leeds Learning Disability Strategy. A plan to make life better for people with learning disabilities in Leeds.

Each year we organise the Being Social Information event in Kirkgate Market. It’s for people with learning disabilities to find things to do in Leeds. This year we had 24 organisations sharing information about thing to do. We spoke to 311 people. Dramarama performed a Flash Mob.

The Rooots team invited the Race Equality Foundation to run an event about Annual Health Checks. The team got money from the Wharfedale Foundation Trust to work with film make Jan Wells. They are interviewing people with learning disabilities about what their religion means to them. We ran training sessions for 169 people with learning disabilities.

5

Connect in the North Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Achievements and performance continued

We ran – 3 My Life My Way Courses. They were about being part of your local community, voting and how to be a trainer.

We ran some of our Person Centred thinking workshops for staff and family carers online this year. We also ran training in person. This year we trained 162 people.

Training for staff and family carers

We ran training sessions for 252 members of staff and family carers.

We ran Managers Making it Happen over 6 months. We did this twice. This was for managers supporting people in Leeds.

We ran 4 programs of person-centred thinking training which included:

6

Connect in the North Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Achievements and performance continued

Through the Maze is an information and signposting service for people with learning disabilities, families and staff. This year we met with 2,443 people and had stalls at:

These are some of the things we did:

7

Connect in the North Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Achievements and performance continued

These are some of the things we did continued:

We send out 984 newsletter every 3 months. The Through the Maze website had 41,000 visits last year. We got 126 people signed up to WhatsApp. We have 710 Facebook likes.

We took part in 2 Webinars for Skills for Care.

We ran staff training for Forum Central.

Continued to host and update the Being Employed Leeds Website.

Financial review

The net expenditure for the year was £13,359, including net expenditure of £16,727 on unrestricted funds and net income of £3,368 on restricted funds.

8

Connect in the North Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Reserves policy

The charity's free reserves, excluding fixed assets, at the year end were £100,003.

In the light of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) recommendations to ensure adequate cash flow, the board aims to build up unrestricted funds equivalent to six to twelve months total running costs.

At 31st March 2025 the reserves equated to just over 8 months of budgeted total running costs for 2025-26.

9

Connect in the North Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Statement of trustees' responsibilities

The trustees (who are also the directors for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees report and the financial statements in accordance with the applicable law and UK Accounting Standards.

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for the year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;

observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

prepare the accounts on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation.

10

Connect in the North Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Statement of trustees' responsibilities continued

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial accounts comply with the Companies Act 2006. 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.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (Charities SORP (FRS102)), and in accordance with the special provisions of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Approved by the board of trustees on 28/8/2025

Robert Stephens (Trustee)

11

Connect in the North

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Connect in the North

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charitable company for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 14 to 26.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the charitable company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the charitable company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

12

Connect in the North

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Connect in the North

Independent examiner's statement continued

I 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 accounts to be reached.

Katy Sargeant ACA

29/8/2025

West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO

Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW

13

Connect in the North Statement of Financial Activities

(including summary income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Notes
2025
Unrestricted
funds
£
Income from:
Grants and donations
(2)
145,245
Services Provided
1,800
Bank interest
1,807
Total income
148,852
Expenditure on:
Salaries, NI and pensions
(3)
125,116
Other staff costs
558
Events and activities
465
Premises costs
18,713
Printing, stationery, post and phone
12,982
Other running costs
1,128
Insurance
2,098
IT costs
1,633
Independent examination
1,080
Office equipment
95
Marketing
367		 2025
Restricted
funds
£
3,801
-
-
3,801
37
-
396
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 2025
Total
funds
£
149,046
1,800
1,807
152,653
125,153
558
861
18,713
12,982
1,128
2,098
1,633
1,080
95
367		 2024
Total
funds
£
145,485
790
1,505
147,780
116,439
485
310
18,183
15,208
1,357
2,475
6,044
1,056
908
138

14

Connect in the North Statement of Financial Activities

(including summary income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Notes
2025
Unrestricted
funds
£
Expenditure on:
Depreciation
474
Bank charges
120
Subscriptions
750
Total expenditure
165,579
Net income / (expenditure)
(16,727)
Fund balances brought forward
116,818
Fund balances carried forward
(4)
100,091		 2025
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
433
3,368
540
3,908		 2025
Total
funds
£
474
120
750
166,012
(13,359)
117,358
103,999		 2024
Total
funds
£
753
120
721
164,197
(16,417)
133,775
117,358

All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities.

15

Connect in the North Balance sheet

as at 31 March 2025
2025
Unrestricted
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
(5)
88
Total fixed assets
88
Current assets
Debtors and prepayments
(6)
1,376
Cash at bank and in hand
(7)
101,839
Total current assets
103,215
Current liabilities:
amounts falling due within one year
Creditors and accruals
(8)
3,212
Total current liabilities
3,212
Net current assets / (liabilities)
100,003
Net assets
100,091
Funds
Unrestricted funds
100,091
Restricted funds
-
Total funds
100,091		 2025
Restricted
£
-
-
-
3,908
3,908
-
-
3,908
3,908
-
3,908
3,908		 2025
Total
£
88
88
1,376
105,747
107,123
3,212
3,212
103,911
103,999
100,091
3,908
103,999		 2024
Total
£
562
562
267
119,912
120,179
3,383
3,383
116,796
117,358
116,818
540
117,358

16

Connect in the North Balance sheet

as at 31 March 2025

For the year ending 31 March 2025 the charitable company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the charitable company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476. The trustees (who are also the directors for the purposes of company law) acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime and with FRS 102 (effective January 2019).

The financial statements were approved by the board of trustees on 28/8/2025

Robert Stephens (Trustee)

17

Connect in the North

Notes to the accounts

for the year ended 31 March 2025

1 Accounting policies

Basis of accounting

These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by 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) and with the Charities Act 2011.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. There has been no change to the accounting policies since last year. No changes have been made to the accounts for previous years.

Going concern

The trustees are satisfied that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity becomes entitled to the resources, if it is more likely than not that the trustees will receive the resources and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.

18

Connect in the North

Notes to the accounts

for the year ended 31 March 2025

1 Accounting policies continued

Grants and donations

Grants and donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.

Where grants are related to performance and specific deliverables, they are accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance.

Expenditure and liabilities

Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out the resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty.

Taxation

As a charity the organisation benefits from rates relief and is generally exempt from income tax and capital gains tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates.

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets costing more than £200 are capitalised and included at cost including any incidental expenses of acquisition. Gifted assets are shown at the value to the charity on receipt.

Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the cost on a straight line basis over their expected useful economic lives as follows: Fixtures, fittings and equipment: over 4 years

19

Connect in the North

Notes to the accounts

for the year ended 31 March 2025

1 Accounting policies continued

Pensions

The charity operates a defined contribution scheme for the benefit of its employees. The costs of contributions are recognised in the year they are payable.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.

Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the accounts.

Leases

Rents under operating leases are charged on a straight line basis over the lease term or to an earlier date if the lease can be determined without financial penalty.

20

Connect in the North

Notes to the accounts continued for the year ended 31 March 2025

2 Grants and donations
Leeds City Council (LCC) Joint Commissioning
Better Action for Families (BAFF)
The Wharfedale Foundation
Other donations
3 Staff costs and numbers
Gross salaries
Social security costs
Employment allowance
Pensions		 2025
Unrestricted
funds
£
144,945
-
-
300
145,245		 2025
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
3,801
-
3,801		 2025
Total
funds
£
144,945
-
3,801
300
149,046
2025
£
113,997
10,249
(5,000)
5,907
125,153		 2024
Total
funds
£
144,945
540
-
-
145,485
2024
£
107,153
9,327
(5,000)
4,959
116,439

The average number of employees during the year was 10, being an average of 3.3 full time equivalent (2024: 9.9, 3.4 FTE). There were no employees with emoluments above £60,000.

Defined contribution pension scheme 2025 2024
£ £
Costs of the scheme to the charity for the year 5,907 4,959

21

Connect in the North

Notes to the accounts continued for the year ended 31 March 2025

4 Restricted funds

Restricted funds
BAFF Good Lives Leaders
The Wharfedale Foundation		 Balance b/f
£
540
-
540		 Incoming
£
-
3,801
3,801		 Outgoing
£
146
287
433		 Transfers
£
-
-
-		 Balance c/f
£
394
3,514
3,908

Fund name

Purpose of restriction

BAFF Good Lives Leaders Towards carers expenses for the Good Lives Leaders visits and meetings. The Wharfedale Foundation Towards the cost of making a film about faith.

Tangible assets
Cost
At 1 April 2024
Additions
At 31 March 2025
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024
Charge for year
At 31 March 2025
Net book value
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024		 £
8,795
-
8,795
8,233
474
8,707
88
562
Fixtures, fittings
and equipm't		 Total
£
8,795
-
8,795
8,233
474
8,707
88
562

5 Tangible assets

22

Connect in the North

Notes to the accounts continued for the year ended 31 March 2025

6 Debtors and prepayments

Debtors and prepayments
Debtors
Prepayments
Other debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank
Cash in hand
Creditors and accruals
Accruals
Taxation and social security
Other creditors		 2025
£
500
876
-
1,376
2025
£
105,567
180
105,747
2025
£
1,080
2,132
-
3,212		 2024
£
209
-
58
267
2024
£
119,732
180
119,912
2024
£
1,056
2,174
153
3,383

7 Cash at bank and in hand

8 Creditors and accruals

23

Connect in the North

Notes to the accounts continued for the year ended 31 March 2025

9 Related party transactions

Trustee expenses

During the year 6 trustees were paid a total of £47 in respect of travel (previous year: 1 trustee and £54).

Trustee remuneration and benefits

No trustee received any remuneration or benefit during this or the previous year.

Remuneration and benefits received by key management personnel

The total employee benefits received by key management personnel were £85,423 (previous year: £82,057).

10 Operating leases

Expected future minimum lease payments over the remaining life of the lease, analysed into the period in which the commitment falls due:

Within one year
In the second to fifth years inclusive
Over five years from the balance sheet date		 2025
£
1,569
3,118
-
4,687		 2024
£
13,329
4,687
-
18,016

24

Connect in the North

Statement of Financial Activities including comparatives for all funds (including summary income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2025

2025
2024
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds
funds
£
£
Income
Grants and donations
145,245
144,945
Services Provided
1,800
790
Bank interest
1,807
1,505
Total income
148,852
147,240
Expenditure
Salaries, NI and pensions
125,116
113,259
Other staff costs
558
485
Events and activities
465
310
Premises costs
18,713
17,487
Printing, stationery, post and pho
12,982
15,033
Other running costs
1,128
1,348
Insurance
2,098
2,475
IT costs
1,633
6,044
Independent examination
1,080
1,056
Office equipment
95
908
Marketing
367
138		 2025
Restricted
funds
£
3,801
-
-
3,801
37
-
396
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 2024
Restricted
funds
£
540
-
-
540
3,180
-
-
696
175
9
-
-
-
-
-		 2025
Total
funds
£
149,046
1,800
1,807
152,653
125,153
558
861
18,713
12,982
1,128
2,098
1,633
1,080
95
367		 2024
Total
funds
£
145,485
790
1,505
147,780
116,439
485
310
18,183
15,208
1,357
2,475
6,044
1,056
908
138

25

Connect in the North

Statement of Financial Activities including comparatives for all funds (including summary income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Expenditure
Depreciation
Bank charges
Subscriptions
Total expenditure
Net income / (expenditure)
Fund balances brought forward
Fund balances carried forward		 2025
2024
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds
funds
£
£
474
753
120
120
750
721
165,579
160,137
(16,727)
(12,897)
116,818
129,715
100,091
116,818		 2025
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
433
3,368
540
3,908		 2024
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
4,060
(3,520)
4,060
540		 2025
Total
funds
£
474
120
750
166,012
(13,359)
117,358
103,999		 2024
Total
funds
£
753
120
721
164,197
(16,417)
133,775
117,358

26