Upbeat Trustees Annual Report 2024 - 2025
Approved 13 May 2025
Charity Number 1087415 www.upbeatheartsupport.org.uk
Objectives of The Charity :
The relief of sickness and the provision of exercise classes and social activities, among people who have or have had coronary heart disease and related illnesses, within the area generally known as West Suffolk.
Activities :
Upbeat Heart Support was set up in July 1995 by cardiac patients and registered as an independent charity in 2001. This is currently its 30th year. During 2018 Upbeat received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the equivalent of an MBE for Charities. We were the only charity in Suffolk to receive the award and were delighted to have been selected.
The group offers exercise to assist rehabilitation, support and help for people in the West Suffolk area who have had heart attacks or other heart-related problems and their carers. We have expanded this to cover people who have lung problems, circulatory problems, and diabetes. At the year-end (March 2025) membership stood at 565.
Currently, we are offering two exercise classes on a Monday at the New Bury Centre, Bury St. Edmunds, two classes on a Tuesday at Long Melford near Sudbury, and two classes on Wednesday, again at New Bury Centre. A cardiac health professional attends all exercise sessions There is a fortnightly coffee morning at Southgate Centre, Bury St. Edmunds and a Zoom coffee morning on a Friday. Twice-yearly we produce and distribute to members our Upbeat Magazine.
All Executive Committee members are Trustees who are aware of, and have regard to, the guidance issued by the Commission on Public Benefit and that Upbeat exists for the benefit of the public.
The Group is self-funding and relies on its own fund-raising activities and private donations and the occasional grant, when available.
It is not empowered to make grants.
Upbeat is run entirely by unpaid volunteers and only utilises paid professional employment of cardiac nurses and qualified cardiac exercise instructors.
Governing Document :
Constitution
How the Charity Is Constituted:
By the Executive Committee and approved at the AGM.
Trustees :
As listed on the Charity Commission Website
Trustee Selection method :
Elected by members annually at the Annual General Meeting.
Additional Governance Issues :
The Executive Committee usually meet every two months and currently in person or by Zoom and may include non-voting representatives from our cardiac nurses and cardio-vascular trained exercise instructors. All aspects of the charity are monitored with emphasis on current legislation, all relevant financial matters, and the day-to-day running of our exercise sessions to ensure that the group is well-run and delivers its charitable objectives for the benefit of the public, for which it is set up.
A regular review of education and training of our nurses, instructors, and trustees is conducted and suitable courses made available where necessary.
Upbeat is currently part of the Independent Group Network of the British Heart Foundation and is recognised by hospitals, health organisations, and doctors’ surgeries and practices throughout the area in which it operates.
The group has adopted and regularly reviews policies on:
DBS Code of Practice Equal Opportunities Complaints Procedure Conflict of Interests Data Protection and Privacy Confidentiality Safeguarding and Prevent Risk Assessments Emergency Procedures Internal Financial Self- Audit - yearly
There is a detailed and comprehensive handbook available.
Achievements and Performance :
During the last year our activities have stabilized, and we have continued to provide some social and fund-raising activities. We have made links to other groups to try to increase membership. Membership has changed and increasingly we have older members joining.
Unfortunately, we are very short of able and willing volunteers as many of our members are more mature and have health problems and this is a serious issue for us going forward.
Qualified cardiac nurses and exercise instructors are used to ensure the highest quality care and advice is available. The aim is to ensure the best possible programme, at the right level, to help with exercise, relaxation, diet, and confidence.
Policy on Reserves:
Upbeat has a financial policy to maintain a minimum of six months expenditure requirement reserve.
Details of Any Funds Materially in Deficit:
None
Financial Review Details :
The Charity’s principal sources of funding were: Exercise sessions, fund-raising activities, members’ and supporters’ donations, the occasional grant and some funeral donations.
How Expenditure Has Supported the Key Objectives :
Upbeat has a current average monthly expenditure of £4,000 on Nurses’ & Exercise Instructors’ remuneration and room rental – key expenditure to achieve the objectives of the Group. Expenditure has increased due to higher room rentals and charges overall.
Investment Policy:
Upbeat currently has no Investment Policy.
On Behalf of the Trustees
Valerie Axton
Mrs Valerie Axton Treasurer May 2025
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Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Upbeat I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31st March 2025 which are set out on the following pages. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Acl"). I report in respect of my examination of the charivs accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145((5)(b) of the act. Independent examiner's statement I confirm that l am qualified to undertake the examination because l am a member of The Association of Chartered Accountants. which is one of the listed bodies. 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.. 1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the act; or 2) the accounts do not accord with those records. I havc no conccrns and have come acr033 no other matter3 in connection wtth the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper undertaking of the accounts to be reached. Nicholas Farr Moore Green Chartered Accountants 22 Friars Street Sudbury Suffolk C010 2AA Date Ifldv