OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator. This document is also available as Markdown.

← The Ann Craft Trust

2025-07-31-accounts

Company registration number: 4080805 Charity registration number: 1086592

The Ann Craft Trust

(A company limited by guarantee) Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025

Community Accounting Plus Units 1 & 2 North West 41 Talbot Street Nottingham NG1 5GL

The Ann Craft Trust

Contents

Reference and Administrative Details 1
Trustees' Report 2 to 15
Independent Examiner's Report 16
Statement of Financial Activities 17 to 18
Balance Sheet 19
Statement of Cash Flows 20
Notes to the Financial Statements 21 to 29

The Ann Craft Trust

Reference and Administrative Details

Chief Executive Officer Stuart Sale Trustees Tania May Natasha Eason Paul Johnson Elisabeth Alton Sarah Mander Deborah Peat Mark Brookes Charity Registration Number 1086592 Company Registration Number 4080805 Registered Office Centre for Social Work University of Nottingham University Park Nottingham NG7 2RD Independent Examiner Eva Stevens, employee of Community Accounting Plus Units 1 & 2 North West 41 Talbot Street Nottingham NG1 5GL

Page 1

The Ann Craft Trust

Trustees' Report

The trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 31 July 2025.

Trustees and officers

The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:

Trustees: Tania May Natasha Eason Paul Johnson Elisabeth Alton Sarah Mander (appointed 1 May 2025) Deborah Peat (appointed 9 July 2025) Mark Brookes (appointed 9 July 2025) David Marsland (resigned 30 April 2025) David Charnock (resigned 18 November 2024) Suzanne Wilson (resigned 30 September 2024)

Chief Executive Officer: Stuart Sale

Structure, governance and management

Nature of governing document

The charity is a company limited by guarantee and registered charity. It is operated under the rules of its memorandum and articles of association dated 25/09/2000 and most recently amended 04/12/2019. It has no share capital and the liability of each member in the event of winding-up is limited to £5.

Page 2

The Ann Craft Trust

Trustees' Report

Recruitment and appointment of trustees

The Ann Craft Trust follows a transparent and structured process for recruiting and appointing trustees to ensure strong governance and alignment with our mission. Recruitment Process

• When vacancies arise, we advertise widely through our website and networks. For example, see our current call for a Chair of Trustees:

https://www.anncrafttrust.org/could-you-be-the-next-ann-craft-trust-chair-of-trustees/.

• Interested candidates can review the details

https://www.anncrafttrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Chair-of-Trustees-Recruitment-Pack-October-2025.pdf and submit an application via: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ACTChairTrustee2025.

• Applications are assessed against the skills and experience outlined in the recruitment pack.

Selection and Appointment

https://www.anncrafttrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Ann-Craft-Trust-Articles-of-Association.pdf, which set out:

o Term of Office: Three years, with the option for re-election for a second term. In exceptional circumstances, a third term may be agreed by special resolution.

o Eligibility: Trustees must be over 18 and not disqualified under Article 35.

o Appointment: Trustees may be appointed by ordinary resolution at a general meeting or by the board to fill a vacancy, provided the maximum number of trustees is not exceeded.

o Nomination: Candidates can be recommended by trustees or proposed by members within the required notice period.

This process ensures that all appointments are fair, transparent, and compliant with our governing documents.

Page 3

The Ann Craft Trust

Trustees' Report

Objectives and activities

Objects and aims

a) To facilitate the safeguarding of all adults at risk and disabled children and young people who are vulnerable to abuse. To work towards the prevention of all abuse.

b) To offer information and support to individuals and professionals, organisations and agencies working/caring in this field, and to advance the education and training of all organisations, charities, individuals and/or groups of individuals concerned with the protection of adults at risk and disabled children and young people.

c) To raise the general level of public awareness of issues relating to the abuse of all adults at risk and disabled children and young people.

d) To relieve all adults at risk and disabled children and young people who have been abused and are in conditions of need, hardship or distress.

e) To relieve and support the parents / carers of such persons as appropriate who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress.

f) To conduct any other activity whatever which can, in the opinion of the Management Committee, be advantageously conducted in connection with or ancillary to any of the business of the Charity and for such other supplementary matters as may be necessary or expedient for carrying out the principal objectives set out above, provided that such supplementary matters are charitable.

g) To procure and print, publish, issue and circulate gratuitously or otherwise reports or periodicals, books, pamphlets, leaflets, films, videotapes, advertisements and appeals.

h) To improve and elevate the technical and general knowledge of the organisations and individuals engaged in, or about to engage in, the care of adults at risk and disabled children and young people, or in any employment in connection therewith and to this end, either alone or in conjunction with universities, schools or other educational establishments or other bodies whatsoever, provide lectures, exhibitions, seminars, classes and conferences as may be required or applicable from time to time.

i) To promote a better understanding of the needs of all adults at risk and disabled children and young people who have been abused and to promote public awareness, advocate and counsel on areas of common concern on this issue.

j) To provide for the affiliation of such of the organisations and individuals who so wish to join the Charity and to promote the achievement of the objects of the Charity.

k) To stimulate, undertake and encourage experimental work on the training of all adults at risk and disabled children and young people and others in relation to their special needs and requirements and in particular relating to such needs and requirements after the occurrence of abuse.

Page 4

The Ann Craft Trust

Trustees' Report

l) To bring into association and intercourse locally, nationally and internationally any bodies and persons engaged in or about to engage in the furtherance of the objects of the Charity.

m) To promote the formation of any charitable bodies or organisations and to assist or enter into arrangements with such bodies or organisations in the furtherance of the purpose of the Charity, and in particular to render assistance either directly or indirectly to Government Departments or Public Authorities in the administration of statute and orders relating to adults at risk and disabled children and young people in such manner as such assistance may from time to time be requested by such Government Departments and Public Authorities or as the Charity may deem advisable.

n) To provide, assist or promote the establishment of support, through various means such as the provision and maintenance of charitable clinics, schools, homes, hostels, places for observation or boarding occupations, workshops, training centres, employment centres, clubs, libraries and other places in connection with the furtherance of the objects of the Charity and to provide services at or in connection with such places either gratuitously or otherwise.

o) To do all such acts and things which shall be calculated to promote the wellbeing of adults at risk and disabled children and young people and their families / carers and in particular for their rehabilitation after the occurrence of abuse.

Objectives, strategies and activities

We help others better understand safeguarding, primarily by providing training and consultancy, while supporting them to embed best practices across their organisations.

Public benefit

Our activites benefit the public through better safeguarding of adults and prevention of abuse.

The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

Page 5

The Ann Craft Trust

Trustees' Report

Achievements and performance

Completed Strategic Actions Overview

Implemented consistent quality assurance processes, launched wellbeing and right-to-disconnect policies, and introduced an internal governance policy. Consolidated governance arrangements with the University of Nottingham for clarity and compliance.

•Communication and Collaboration:

Established a structured communication approach (including team meetings), created methods for capturing and sharing successes, and enhanced collaboration between trustees and staff on strategy and purpose.

•Operational and Service Improvements:

Developed standardised project planning templates and proposal processes, reviewed pricing structures for competitiveness, scoped and moved towards a CRM system, and completed external audits to inform future website development.

•Innovation and Growth:

Advanced safeguarding frameworks and assurance models, explored monetisation opportunities for the framework, evaluated partner relationships for strategic value, and scoped new learning opportunities and accreditation options.

Our actions are explored in further detail below:

Safeguarding Adults Week 2024

Safeguarding Week is our largest event which occurs annually. This year we had:

Source: Brand Mentions, Google Analytics

LinkedIn

Page 6

The Ann Craft Trust

Trustees' Report

Governance Review

The organisation conducted a governance review whereby an external facilitator designed 5 online workshops covering the seven principles This enabled trustees to attend workshops and explore the principles through group discussion. The facilitator prepared questions to stimulate debate and tease out relevant issues for the Trust from the current version of the code. The workshops were supported by one-to-one interviews with members of staff to obtain their perspective. It found that the Board are at the beginning of a governance journey but there is now a detailed set of actions with several Completed Actions already:

- Trustee Recruitment and Onboarding

Recruitment paperwork reviewed and onboarding programme with support materials devised. Current applicants successfully recruited.

Strategy agreed and implemented for recruiting a new permanent Chair and Vice Chair.

Memorandum of Articles revised and supplementary governance materials developed. Register of interests and gifts/hospitality created.

Delegations framework established to clarify Board and management responsibilities.

Page 7

The Ann Craft Trust

Trustees' Report

Training

• Continues to be busy, repeat customers Blind Veterans, Certitude, and Migrant Help are booking training to cover the whole of next year

• Other return customers Smart Works, Progress Group, Headway, HDA, Trinity College return booking as needed.

• New commissions include training for Experts by Experience a contract held by Choice Support in partnership with CQC, Severn Trent Water and Home Instead.

• Higher education continues to be a focus, following the launch of the Safeguarding in Higher Education Network and a new Level 3 Training specific to HE.

• Continue to support Opendoor with the assessment of drama schools and plan to build on this success and learning.

Sport -

Sport England

Across the year, we have seen steady and then significant progress in engaging organisations with the Safeguarding Framework:

First half of the year: Focused on increasing dialogue with organisations yet to submit, mainly through Active Partnership (AP) and National Governing Body (NGB) networks. We supported portal development, moving to a new platform in December 2024, and saw positive engagement during Safeguarding Adults Week. Engagement with National Disability Sports Organisations improved, with one completing the Framework, and three strong submissions from other National System Partners.

Second half of the year: The sport team proactively reached out to additional key partners. We confirmed timelines for Framework completion with existing partners and maintained strong support for lead officer forums and the SVO network. Requests for board training remained steady, and more lead officers attended training beyond AP and NGB representatives.

- Impact

Increased submissions from APs, supported by the SWO network. Growing engagement from national organisations down to local level.

Continued development of the Framework portal to improve user experience.

Sport Wales

Safeguarding Adults Framework in Wales

Three Welsh NGBs have submitted to date:

Welsh Aquatics - strong submission Welsh Athletics - strong submission Golf Wales - result pending

Page 8

The Ann Craft Trust

Trustees' Report

- Training in Wales

We are working closely with WRU, Table Tennis Wales, and FAW to prepare for full Framework submissions. The Ann Craft Trust Advanced Safeguarding Adults course now covers both English and Welsh legislation in one course (previously separate).

This helps safeguarding leads understand cross-border differences, encourages collaboration, and supports informed discussions.

CPSU and ACT delivered Board training to 19 Welsh partners in the last year, with more booked.

October 2024: CPD on Female Health and Performance and a session on PREVENT. June 2024: CPD from Pride Sports on LGBTQ+ inclusion and a session from Dr Rebecca Oatley on Dementia in Sport.

- Wales Collaboration and Outreach

Met with all 5 Gwent Safeguarding groups, delivering presentations on Safeguarding in Sport across Wales. Offered Essentials training for club welfare officers and safeguarding officers free of charge. Promoting collaboration and sharing best practice through scenario-based learning and group work.

UK Sport -

During the first half of the year UK Sport Funding was successfully applied for and awarded. This will cover the period from April 2025 until 30 September 2026. Following this, Ann Craft Trust (ACT) continued delivering support and assurance activities across UK Sport-funded organisations with some key updates below.

- UK Sport Framework Engagement:

We recently focused on initial outreach and engagement with sole-funded organisations new to the Framework, such as Aquatics GB, British Bobsleigh & Skeleton, British Curling, and Ice Hockey UK. Introductory meetings were scheduled and initial guidance shared.

We then developed deeper engagement, including policy reviews and bespoke advice for British Bobsleigh & Skeleton and British Para Table Tennis. Catch-up meetings were held with GB Boxing, British Handball, and British Volleyball to progress Framework objectives.

Joint-funded organisations continued to maintain compliance, with England Hockey and British Weightlifting completing Framework submissions during this period.

- UK Sport Training Delivery:

Athlete training delivered for British Para Table Tennis (April) and Paddle UK Sprint Programme (June), followed by Slalom Programme (August).

British Wheelchair Basketball athlete training delivered in September (two sessions for men’s and women’s teams).

Open Advanced and Essential safeguarding courses ran throughout both quarters.

Planning underway for Paddle UK coach training (October), Archery GB, Basketball UK, and GB Boxing sessions later in the year.

- UK Sport Key Achievements

Successful delivery of multiple athlete training sessions across high-performance programmes. Increased engagement from sole-funded organisations, with several moving towards Essential Criteria compliance.

Page 9

The Ann Craft Trust

Trustees' Report

Completion of Framework submissions by England Hockey and British Weightlifting. Strengthened collaboration with sector partners to influence safeguarding standards.

Consultancy:

• Completion of 25-day audit United Response

• Supporting the development of resources for ‘MindFlow’ mental health and wellbeing in construction

Research

• We have been written in to a bid for funding regarding financial abuse , this is in partnership with OXIL Research which is the non-profit research arm of Oxford Information Labs, this has been successful, and we are waiting on the next steps.

• The work with the Rights Lab Nottingham continues as a positive relationship and we are developing e-learning to support the research.

• We have been involved in developing new Care Standards for The Human Trafficking Foundation, along with other professionals, this is now the final stages of checking and will be launched in the next few weeks, date to be confirmed

Trustees undertook self-assessment to identify skills gaps, leading to enhanced recruitment processes. Ongoing trustee learning opportunities introduced, including staff updates and CPD at Board meetings.

Governance themes embedded into Board agendas for regular review. Lead trustee/subcommittee appointed for risk oversight, with initial risk matrix drafted and shared.

Training and Consultancy:

In 2024 we put 10,889 transactions through our bookings system, including bookings from 247 different organisations and more than 1500 e-learning transactions. There were 129 different types of bookings across the four core activities (e-learning, open training, bespoke training and consultancy). Since November 2023 we have 361 booking accounts and circa 7,000 unique delegates after removing duplicates (from the 15,000 total bookings). We have since moved to a new booking System - Nucleus, which allows for greater flexibility and bespoke e-learning and also works as a CRM which will help us develop new partnerships to support income.

Page 10

The Ann Craft Trust

Trustees' Report

Financial review

The charity remains financially stable, with appropriate oversight in place, and highlighted areas requiring ongoing attention for the Board’s awareness.

This year we have spent a total of £41,935 more than we have received in income:

Income for restricted funds has been more than expenditure, increasing the restricted funds balances.

Income from unrestricted funds has been less than expenditure, which has decreased our reserves by £90,572.

Consultancy income is £94k under budget, and overall unrestricted income is £162.9k under budget at the end of the year. Whilst expenditure has exceeded income due to a shortfall in budget income figures, we have also kept expenses under budget, which are overall £152.8k under budget, with unrestricted expenditure being £72.2k under budget.

Cash remains healthy, with unrestricted reserves at year end of £292,320. Our reserves policy is to have a minimum of £199,150 in reserves.

Policy on reserves

1. Purpose of the Reserves Policy

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that Ann Craft Trust (ACT) maintains adequate financial reserves to support the continuity of its activities in the event of unforeseen financial challenges or to take advantage of strategic opportunities. This policy outlines the approach to managing reserves, ensuring the charity's sustainability and resilience in delivering its mission.

2. Reserve Level Determination

The ACT Trustees are committed to ensuring that reserves are maintained at a level that is sufficient but not excessive. The appropriate level of reserves will be reviewed annually by the Trustees and is currently set to cover:

• Three to six months of core operational costs, which include salaries, and other essential overheads. This ensures that ACT can continue to function effectively during any short-term financial difficulties or where cashflow is hindered through late payments, for example, delayed grant funding.

• Contingencies for unexpected costs, such as legal obligations

• Redundancy pay, in the event the charity ceases to operate. The reserves must cover redundancy payments in line with the University of Nottingham's redundancy policy, ensuring staff are compensated as per contractual and legal obligations in the case of closure of ACT.

• Strategic opportunities, which may require short-term or one-off funding, such as new project initiatives, partnerships, or developments aligned with the Trust's mission.

The target level of reserves will be calculated and agreed on an annual basis, determined by the current assets and overheads.

Page 11

The Ann Craft Trust

Trustees' Report

3. Management of Reserves

The ACT reserves will be held in an account which offers the most favourable interest rates and this will be reviewed regularly by the CEO and Operations Manager. The account used to hold reserves should allow for easy access where cashflow issues arise.

4. Monitoring and Review

• The reserve levels will be monitored monthly by the CEO and leadership team and on a quarterly basis by the Board of Trustees during the finance agenda item of the trustee meeting

• It will be reviewed annually as part of financial and future planning.

• Any significant use of reserves, outside of those related to cashflow, where there is assurance that this will be remedied within 2 months, should be justified by the Senior Leadership Team and approved by the Trustees. In such cases, a plan will be devised to restore reserve levels to the agreed target in a timely manner.

5. Reporting of Reserves

ACT will ensure transparency in its reserves policy by clearly reporting on its reserve levels in the annual financial statements. This will include:

6. Review of Policy

This Reserves Policy will be reviewed annually by the Trustees to ensure it remains appropriate and responsive to changes in the financial environment and the needs of ACT.

This policy ensures that ACT operates with prudent financial management, maintains flexibility to respond to future opportunities or challenges, and provides for redundancy obligations in the event of business closure.

Principal risks and uncertainties

Grant funding from Sport funders may not be renewed in 2027, meaning that are at risk of redeployment or redundancy

Financial uncertainty at University of Nottingham may lead to increased rent/service support charges, eviction or decision to cut ties with charity

Competitors in the safeguarding audit /training/ online offer leading to a reduction in income.

Reduced income due to changes in taxation, National Insurance contributions affecting customer ability to commission.

Increased expenditure due to increased taxation, national insurance contributions or other costs outside our control.

Plans for future periods

Overall details are contained within the A CT-Strategy-document_digital_final.pdf

Overview of actions for 25/26

Goal – promote good safeguarding governance (by ensuring that our own internal governance arrangements are sound and we are leading by example)

Page 12

The Ann Craft Trust

Trustees' Report

Actions within this section include:

Goal – develop more partnerships within new and existing sectors across the UK

Actions within this section include:

Goal – provide accessible, up to date resources and training

Actions within this section include:

Goal – undertake audits to help organisations work towards best practice in safeguarding adults

Actions within this section include:

Goal – to be a leading authority on safeguarding adults in the UK

Actions in this section include:

Page 13

The Ann Craft Trust

Trustees' Report

Governance actions –

Promote governance work through the annual report to evidence trustee commitment to improvement.

Small companies provision statement

This report has been prepared in accordance with the small companies regime under the Companies Act 2006.

Page 14

The Ann Craft Trust

Trustees' Report

Statement of Responsibilities

The trustees (who are also the directors of The Ann Craft Trust for the purposes of company law) 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), including FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland". The report and accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions in the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they 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 its income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that can disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

23/02/2026 Approved by the trustees of the charity on .................... and signed on its behalf by:

......................................... Paul Johnson Trustee

Page 15

The Ann Craft Trust

Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of The Ann Craft Trust ('the Company')

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of The Ann Craft Trust ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 July 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees of the 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 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 2011 (‘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

Since the Company's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), which is one of the listed bodies. I have completed my examination. I 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 Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or

  4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].

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.

24/02/2026

......................................

Eva Stevens, BSc, CPFA employee of Community Accounting Plus member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)

Units 1 & 2 North West 41 Talbot Street Nottingham NG1 5GL Date:............................. Tle[me] ?

Page 16

The Ann Craft Trust

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 July 2025 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)

Note
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
3
Investment income
5
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
6
Total expenditure
Net (expenditure)/income
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
11		 Unrestricted
funds
£
404
372,505
7,022
379,931
(470,503)
(470,503)
(90,572)
(90,572)
382,892
292,320		 Restricted
funds
£
-
482,286
-
482,286
(433,649)
(433,649)
48,637
48,637
48,351
96,988		 Total
2025
£
404
854,791
7,022
862,217
(904,152)
(904,152)
(41,935)
(41,935)
431,243
389,308		 Total
2024
£
1,066
864,168
19,669
884,903
(886,234)
(886,234)
(1,331)
(1,331)
432,574
431,243

All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for the period is shown in note 11.

The notes on pages 21 to 29 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 17

The Ann Craft Trust

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 July 2025 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)

These are the figures for the previous accounting period and are included for comparative purposes

Note
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
3
Investment income
5
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
6
Total expenditure
Net income/(expenditure)
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
11		 Unrestricted
funds
£
1,066
418,330
19,669
439,065
(399,716)
(399,716)
39,349
39,349
343,543
382,892		 Restricted
funds
£
-
445,838
-
445,838
(486,518)
(486,518)
(40,680)
(40,680)
89,031
48,351		 Total
2024
£
1,066
864,168
19,669
884,903
(886,234)
(886,234)
(1,331)
(1,331)
432,574
431,243

The notes on pages 21 to 29 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 18

The Ann Craft Trust

(Registration number: 4080805) Balance Sheet as at 31 July 2025

2025 2024
Note £ £
Current assets
Debtors 8 43,851 47,111
Cash at bank and in hand 9 483,538 545,344
527,389 592,455
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 10 (138,081) (161,212)
Net assets 389,308 431,243
Funds of the charity:
Restricted income funds
Restricted funds 11 96,988 48,351
Unrestricted income funds
Unrestricted funds 292,320 382,892
Total funds 11 389,308 431,243

For the financial year ending 31 July 2025 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Directors' responsibilities:

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the small companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements on pages 17 to 29 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on .................... and signed on their behalf by:23/02/2026

Pot ......................................... SSL Paul Johnson Trustee

The notes on pages 21 to 29 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 19

The Ann Craft Trust

Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended 31 July 2025

Note
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash expenditure
Adjustments to cash flows from non-cash items
Investment income
5
Working capital adjustments
Decrease in debtors
8
(Decrease)/increase in creditors
10
Decrease in deferred income
10
Net cash flows from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Interest receivable and similar income
5
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 August
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 July
Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds
(Decrease)/increase in cash
Net funds at 1 August 2024
Net funds at 31 July 2025		 2025
£
(41,935)
(7,022)
(48,957)
3,260
(23,131)
-
(68,828)
7,022
(61,806)
545,344
483,538
(61,806)
545,344
483,538		 2024
£
(1,331)
(19,669)
(21,000)
21,586
28,564
(19,041)
10,109
19,669
29,778
515,566
545,344
29,778
515,566
545,344

All of the cash flows are derived from continuing operations during the above two periods.

The notes on pages 21 to 29 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 20

The Ann Craft Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025

1 Accounting policies

Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Statement of compliance

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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)) (issued in October 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Basis of preparation

The Ann Craft Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.

Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.

The trustees assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate i.e. whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees make this assessment in respect of a period of one year from the date of approval of the financial statements.

Exemption from preparing a cash flow statement

Under the exemption available to smaller charities the Board of Trustees has chosen not to include a Statement of Cash Flows within the financial statements.

Income and endowments

Voluntary income including donations, gifts, legacies and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Donations and legacies

Donations are recognised when the charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance by the charity before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.

Investment income

Dividends are recognised once the dividend has been declared and notification has been received of the dividend due.

Page 21

The Ann Craft Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025

Expenditure

All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.

Charitable activities

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Taxation

The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

Trade debtors

Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business.

Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

Trade creditors

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the charity does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities.

Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Fund structure

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

Page 22

The Ann Craft Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025

Restricted income funds are those grants for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.

Pensions and other post retirement obligations

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme which is a pension plan under which fixed contributions are paid into a pension fund and the charity has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributions even if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods.

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when they are due. If contribution payments exceed the contribution due for service, the excess is recognised as a prepayment.

2 Income from donations and legacies

Donations and legacies;
Donations from individuals		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
404
404		 Total
2025
£
404
404		 Total
2024
£
1,066
1,066

Page 23

The Ann Craft Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025

3 Income from charitable activities

Unrestricted
funds
General
£
Grants
-
Sales & Fees
354,104
Conference
10,141
Royalties
8,244
Sundry
16
372,505
4
Grants & donations
Sport England
Sport Wales
UK Sport
Sundry grants & donations
5
Investment income
Interest receivable and similar income;
Interest receivable on bank deposits		 Restricted
funds
£
482,286
-
-
-
-
482,286
Unrestricted
funds
£
-
-
-
404
404
Unrestricted
funds
General
£
7,022
7,022		 Total
2025
£
482,286
354,104
10,141
8,244
16
854,791
Restricted
funds
£
336,836
62,000
83,450
-
482,286
Total
2025
£
7,022
7,022		 Total
2024
£
445,838
392,255
14,491
11,573
11
864,168
Total
£
336,836
62,000
83,450
404
482,690
Total
2024
£
19,669
19,669

Page 24

The Ann Craft Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025

6 Expenditure on charitable activities

Associate trainer fees
Conference
Consultants
Consultants expenses
Marketing & communications
Staff expenses
Trainers expenses
Website hosting & system
Finance costs
Hospitality & catering
I.T Equipment
Management committee
Office expenses
Staff development
Staff cost UoN
Grants repaid
Other staff cost		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
83,441
10,752
1,704
454
9,478
4,543
8,439
4,945
2,716
99
2,307
3,651
3,345
1,013
325,720
-
7,896
470,503		 Restricted
funds
£
4,440
-
6,760
399
21,275
7,583
-
15,583
516
5
-
-
785
307
366,395
-
9,601
433,649		 Total
2025
£
87,881
10,752
8,464
853
30,753
12,126
8,439
20,528
3,232
104
2,307
3,651
4,130
1,320
692,115
-
17,497
904,152		 Total
2024
£
85,502
10,468
37,412
1,577
23,738
13,610
6,036
28,731
5,429
266
1,477
166
5,269
2,580
660,806
3,167
-
886,234

Page 25

The Ann Craft Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025

7 Staff costs

The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:

Staff costs during the year were:
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs		 2025
£
563,206
61,146
67,763
692,115		 2024
£
547,934
46,320
66,552
660,806

The monthly average number of persons (including senior management team) employed by the charity during the year was as follows:

Average number of employees 2025
No
15		 2024
No
16

(2024 - 13) of the above employees participated in the Defined Contribution Pension Schemes.

No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year.

8 Debtors

Trade debtors
Prepayments
9
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash at bank		 2025
£
24,221
19,630
43,851
2025
£
483,538		 2024
£
46,601
510
47,111
2024
£
545,344

Page 26

The Ann Craft Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025

10 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors
Other taxation and social security
Other creditors
Accruals
11 Funds		 2025
£
67,028
6,122
2,244
62,687
138,081		 2024
£
79,844
16,857
2,160
62,351
161,212
Unrestricted funds
General
General
Restricted funds
Sport England
Sport Wales
UK Sport
Total restricted funds
Total funds
Unrestricted funds
General
General
Restricted
Sport England
Sport Wales
UK Sport
Total restricted funds
Total funds		 Balance at 1
August 2024
£
382,892
44,501
14,782
(10,932)
48,351
431,243
Balance at 1
August 2023
£
343,543
72,059
16,099
873
89,031
432,574		 Incoming
resources
£
379,931
336,836
62,000
83,450
482,286
862,217
Incoming
resources
£
439,065
323,738
62,000
60,100
445,838
884,903		 Resources
expended
£
(470,503)
(312,575)
(60,204)
(60,870)
(433,649)
(904,152)
Resources
expended
£
(399,716)
(351,296)
(63,317)
(71,905)
(486,518)
(886,234)		 Balance at 31
July 2025
£
292,320
68,762
16,578
11,648
96,988
389,308
Balance at 31
July 2024
£
382,892
44,501
14,782
(10,932)
48,351
431,243

Page 27

The Ann Craft Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025

The specific purposes for which the funds are to be applied are as follows:

Sport England: To support the Sport England funded organisations and the continued development of the Safeguarding in Sport framework

Sport Wales: To deliver a focussed, high quality adult safeguarding advisory and support service to Sport Wales partners and the wider sector

UK Sport: To provide training, support and advice to UK Sport funded organisations

12 Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted

Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets		 General
£
430,401
(138,081)
292,320
Unrestricted
General
£
544,104
(161,212)
382,892		 Restricted
£
96,988
-
96,988
Restricted
£
48,351
-
48,351		 2025
Total funds
£
527,389
(138,081)
389,308
2024
Total funds
£
592,455
(161,212)
431,243

13 Fees payable to independent examiner

During the period, the fees payable (excluding VAT) to the charity’s independent examiner Community Accounting Plus are analysed as follows:

Independent examination
Other financial services		 2025
£
1,870
825
2,695		 2024
£
1,800
1,260
3,060

Page 28

The Ann Craft Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025

14 Taxation

The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from corporation taxation.

15 Trustees remuneration and expenses

No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.

No trustees have received any reimbursed expenses or any other benefits from the charity during the year.

16 Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions in the year.

Page 29

Annual Report Safeguarding Adults

2024-2025

Contents

A Message from the CEO................................3 Meet The Team......................................................5 Executive Summary............................................6 Financial Overview..............................................8 Safeguarding Adults Week 2024.............10 Training, Consultancy & Research...........11 Safeguarding Adults in Sport.....................13

2

Message from the CEO

Welcome to the Annual Report for the Ann Craft Trust for the period of August 2024 to July 2025. Having successfully navigated two full years in post, I sit here proud of what the charity has achieved.

The past twelve months have been a year of growth, reflection, and renewed ambition for the Ann Craft Trust. As we look back, we are proud of the progress made in strengthening safeguarding practice across sectors, deepening partnerships, and investing in the foundations that will sustain our work for years to come.

However, I want to begin this introduction by acknowledging the sad, untimely death of our colleague Nicola Dean in February 2025. Nicola was a much-loved, knowledgeable member of the team and continues to be missed by all who knew her.

You’ll notice that our annual report looks a little different this year – we are required to submit certain information to the Charity Commission and Companies House and this information can be found at the back of this executive report. The executive report provides you with some of our highlights, ‘at a glance’ – we hope you enjoy this new shorter version of our report but please do read the full report too, which contains information about all of our work and financial information.

It also means a much shorter introduction from me as I want you to get into the amazing successes we’ve achieved across the charity during the last year.

I do want to give some thanks though. Thank you to the staff, trustees and associates across the Ann Craft Trust, without whom, we would not be in the position we are in where we can support organisations to develop their safeguarding adults arrangements. I’d also like to thank the University of Nottingham for their continued support of the Ann Craft Trust, providing us with a home at a world class university.

As we move into the next year, our focus is clear: to deepen our impact, strengthen partnerships, and innovate in safeguarding practice. My final thanks are to you all, our partners, supporters, and allies.

Together, we are making safeguarding adults a national priority.

Happy reading Stuart Sale – CEO

3

Our patrons, trustees & associates in 24/25

Trustees &

Management Committee

Stuart Sale (CEO) Dave Marsland (Chair) David Charnock Natasha Eason Rachel Fyson Tania May Paul Johnson Dr Elisabeth Alton Mark Brookes MBE Sarah Mander Deborah Peat

Patrons

Sir Roger Singleton Kate Spicer Richard Whitehead MBE

Consultants

Abra Millar

Research

Rachel Clawson Rachel Fyson Dr Alison Garnder

Staff

Lisa Curtis Elliot Davies Nicola Dean Jodi Evans Emma Gibson Dave Lochtie Sarah Nolan Joanne Pell Hazel Rippin Nat Rock Catherine Sykes Roisin Tear Laura Thorpe Kimberley Walsh

Associates

Robert Kenniwell Sarah Knight Ros Smith Clare Staley Ieuan Watkins Antony Pearce

Meet our current team

Lisa Curtis Elliot Davies Jodi Evans Emma Gibson Deputy CEO & Head of Marketing & Safeguarding Adults in Head of Safeguarding Safeguarding Adults Communications Manager Sport Manager in Wales Adults in Sport

Emma Gibson

Head of Safeguarding

David Lochtie Operations Manager

Sam Morrison Finance Officer

Sarah Nolan

Joanne Pell

Safeguarding Adults in Safeguarding Adults in Sport Administator Sport Manager

Safeguarding Adults in

Hazel Rippin Head of Marketing & Communications

Nat Rock Safeguarding Adults Administator

Stuart Sale CEO

Hannah Shaw Safeguarding Adults in Sport Manager

Catherine Sykes

Safeguarding Adults Manager for Sport & Activity

Laura Thorpe

Safeguarding Adults Manager

Kimberley Walsh Safeguarding Adults in Sport Manager

Executive summary

Governance and people

Our Board has evolved significantly. We were delighted to welcome Dr Mark Brookes, Sarah Mander, and Deborah Peat as trustees during the year.

At the same time, we said farewell to our former chair David Marsland, and David Charnock, both of whom gave invaluable service to the Trust. Their leadership helped shape our strategic direction and embed strong governance practices.

In January 2025, we welcomed Sam Morrison as Finance Officer, bringing stability and expertise to our financial operations. We thank Natalie Palmer, who supported us in this role on a temporary basis, for her contribution during a period of transition.

Roisin Tear also left us in May and we thank her for her contributions to safeguarding adults during her time with us.

This year also saw the completion of an externally facilitated governance review, which included five online workshops and one-to-one interviews with staff.

The review has already delivered tangible improvements: refreshed trustee recruitment and onboarding, revised Memorandum and Articles, new register of interests and gifts, a clear delegations framework, and enhanced collaboration between trustees and staff.

Risk oversight has been strengthened through a lead trustee and subcommittee, and governance themes are now embedded into Board agendas.

We have delivered on key strategic actions across four key areas:

Governance and policy development:

We were proud to launch our wellbeing and right-to-disconnect policies, which set out a supportive framework for staff and associates to disconnect when they need to and focus on their wellbeing – this has led to reduced sickness absence for stress related illness.

We’ve also implemented consistent quality assurance processes, introduced an internal governance policy and consolidated governance arrangements with the University of Nottingham for clarity and compliance.

Communication and collaboration:

We’ve established a structured communication approach (including team meetings), created methods for capturing and sharing successes, and enhanced collaboration between trustees and staff on strategy and purpose.

Operational and service improvements:

We’ve developed standardised project planning templates and proposal processes, reviewed pricing structures for competitiveness, scoped and moved towards a CRM system, and completed external audits to inform future website development.

Innovation and growth:

We’ve advanced safeguarding frameworks and assurance models, explored monetisation opportunities for the framework, evaluated partner relationships for strategic value, and scoped new learning opportunities and accreditation options.

7

Financial overview The charity remains financially stable, with robust oversight and healthy cash reserves. Year-end results show a reportable deficit of £43.4k, better than the budgeted deficit of £51k.

Total income comparison: 24/ 25 vs 23/24 Total Income 24/ 25 £862,217 Total Income 23/ 24 £884,903 Income by activity- 12 months to 31 July 2025 Training/ Consultancy/ e-Learning Sport England Grant UK Sport Grant 7.2% Sport Wales Grant 9.7% Conference Donations/Royalties/Others 41.10% 39.10%

8

Income split

We have a mixture of restricted and unrestricted funds. Restricted funds are our grant funding from Sport England, Sport Wales and UK Sport. This money can only be spent on things related to these grants. Unrestricted funds can be spent on anything to achieve our charitable purpose.

This year has seen a decrease in unrestricted income of 13.5% and an increase of 8.2% restricted income.

==> picture [251 x 118] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
24/25 24/25
Unrestricted Restricted
£379,931 £482,286
(44.1%) (55.9%)
23/24 23/24
Unrestricted Restricted
£439,065 £445,838
(49.6%) (50.4%)
----- End of picture text -----

Reserves

Reserves are the funds that we set aside to ensure the charity can continue to operate should we encounter financial difficulties.

We can spend unrestricted funds on any of our charitable purposes; however, our reserves policy states we must maintain a minimum reserve of 3 months' running costs. Restricted reserves can only be spent on activities related to our grant funding. Our current unrestricted reserves stand at £91,713 above our minimum level, ensuring resilience as we plan for future investment.

==> picture [9 x 10] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
9
----- End of picture text -----

Campaigns

Safeguarding Adults Week 2024

Our campaign provides a time for organisations to come together to raise awareness of important safeguarding issues. The core theme for the 2024 week was Working in Partnership.

Effective partnerships allow us to share our knowledge of safeguarding, learn from others and ultimately create safer cultures.

Our flagship event continues to grow in reach and impact each year. Some key stats include: 16,200 social interactions (+18%), 23,211 website views (+12%), 1,000 resource downloads, and 712 event bookings.

Source: Brand Mentions, Google Analytics.

Highlights launch and activity online for March - Nov 2024

==> picture [71 x 25] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Example of
offline activity
----- End of picture text -----

Training, consultancy & research

Training and consultancy remain core to our mission.

Over twelve months we processed 10,889 bookings from 247 organisations, migrated to Nucleus CRM, and delivered audits and safeguarding support for multiple partners. Research partnerships have flourished, with successful funding bids and contributions to new Care Standards for the Human Trafficking Foundation.

Across training this has included:

Consultancy & research

Our consultancy offer has included:

And our research support has included:

Our partners:

Safeguarding in sport

Our work in sport has seen significant progress with Sport England, Sport Wales, and UK Sport, including successful funding secured for April 2025– September 2026, expanded Framework engagement, and athlete safeguarding training across high-performance programs.

With the Safeguarding Framework across England, we approached our offer in a proactive way across the year:

In the first half of the year we focused on increasing dialogue with organisations yet to submit, mainly through Active Partnership (AP) and National Governing Body (NGB) networks. We supported portal development, moving to a new platform in December 2024, and saw positive engagement during Safeguarding Adults Week.

Engagement with National Disability Sports Organisations improved, with one completing the Framework, along with three strong submissions from other National System Partners.

In the last six months the sport team proactively reached out to additional key partners. We confirmed timelines for Framework completion with existing partners and maintained strong support for lead officer forums and the Safeguarding Welfare Officers network.

Requests for board training remained steady, and more lead officers attended training beyond AP and NGB representatives.

The impact was increased submissions from Active Partnerships in particular, as well as increased engagement from national organisations.

Our partners:

13

In Wales, three organisations submitted their Framework for assessment and we worked closely with others preparing to submit in 2025.

The Ann Craft Trust Advanced Safeguarding Adults course now covers both English and Welsh legislation in one course which means we can support more sports organisations across England and Wales without increased workloads. This also helps safeguarding leads understand cross-border differences, encourages collaboration, and supports informed discussions.

We also co-delivered 19 Board training sessions to 19 Welsh partners with our partners from the Child Protection in Sport (CPSU) colleagues.

During the first half of the year UK Sport Funding was successfully applied for and awarded. This will cover the period from April 2025 until 30 September 2026. Following this, Ann Craft Trust (ACT) continued delivering support and assurance activities across UK Sport-funded organisations with some key updates below.

Through our funding from UK Sport we have continued to support elite sports providing training to both organisations and elite athletes, policy reviews and bespoke advice to a number of organisations. This is aiding progress of these organisations’ progress towards meeting the Framework objectives.

Our partners:

14

Thank you to our supporters

If you would like to discuss training requirements or if you’re a practioner looking for safeguarding advice, please get in touch.

0115 951 5400

anncrafttrust.org

Follow us on social media

Ann Craft Trust, Centre for Social Work, University Park, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD