Upbeat Trustees Annual Report 2025 - 2026
Approved 12 May 2026
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 31[st] 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 2026) membership stood at 569.
Currently, we are offering two exercise classes on a Monday and a Wednesday at the New Bury Centre, Bury St. Edmunds and two classes on a Tuesday at Long Melford near Sudbury. A cardiac health professional attends all exercise sessions. There is a coffee morning twice a month at the 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/health professionals 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 indeed 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 or health professionals 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 £4,677 of which £3,622 is remuneration and mileage for paid staff and room rental which are key expenditures to achieve the objectives of Upbeat. Expenditure has increased due to higher room rentals and charges overall. Our postage and some printing costs used to be covered by a local company, but this is no longer the case, so we now have this cost too.
Investment Policy:
Upbeat currently has no Investment Policy.
On behalf of the Trustees
Valerie Axton
Mrs Valerie Axton Treasurer May 2026
(registered tharity no 1087415) come and Ex nditurn Account for e Year Ended 31st March 2026 2025 Exercise IncL)me Nurse Donalions Gift Aid Coffee Sales Trips Merchandise sales Fund Raising Advertising 100 Club Interest Received Grant Income E88y Fundraising 19.172.00 2,281.50 11,842.61 2,081.19 17,775.00 2.268.40 14,19a.52 1,409.15 2,336.12 712.88 4.628.50 4,946.40 4fj9.50 4,622.15 3,128.50 1.177.03 3,666.00 1.721.18 Total Income 47,360.33 51,076.30 Exercise and Nuise Mileage Training RiX)m Hire Postsge. Slalionery and Teleptre Pfinling Annual Lunch Sundry Expenses Exarninalion ol A¢UnIS Fun¢J Raislng 100 Club Trips Christmas Cards for Fund RaiyrKJ Website C81ersng Bank Chargos Merchandise Stock adjustrnenl Raffle Lunches Advertising 30,968.53 2,444.44 418.50 9.626.Cl) 2.003.02 1.714.30 30.867.85 2.629.32 75.00 10.053.51 1,032.50 435.00 3,083.54 350.¢JO 1.267.94 1.3g3.cj 1.563.60 3,474.93 318.00 2,261.64 1,426.00 2,4Q2.00 225.03 570.51 155.IXI 576.77 238.86 115.19 1.127.77 60.00 312.00 Totsl Expendilurg 56,121.32 56.590.71 Net SurKAuslldeftC411 for the year 8.760.99 5,514.41
(registered charity no 10874151 t as * 31st March 2026 Assots 2026 2025 Cash in Hand Cash al Bank- Current Account CAF Gold ACCunt Natwesl Ac¢x)unl Debloi8lPrep8ymenls stocks 126.00 3,931.37 61,109.45 8.903.7T 120.00 4.939.73 69.952.42 8.038.29 238.86 Tolal Gross Assets 74.309.45 83,050.44 Less Creditors 350.CW) 330.00 Total Nel Assets 73.959.45 82,720.44 AMUlAted Reserves 8rought Forward 82.720.44 88,234.85 &Jrpluslldeflcil} for the Year {8.T60.991 IS,514.411 Accumulated Reserves Carrd Fopward 73.959.45 82 720.44 Mr5 V Axton For and on behalf ol the Trustees 0818 20 &02
Independent Examlnerfs Report to the Trustee8 of Upbeat I report on the xcounts of the Charity for the year ended 31st March 2026 vthich are set out on the folk)wing pages. R•sponslbilltl•B and basis of r•port As tre chanty's trustees you are respomble for the preparation of the accInts in accordan¢e wilh the requirements of the Charrties Act 2011 1.the Acri. I report in respect of my examinatr'on of the charWs &wJnts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying OLrl my examination I have folkmed all the applicat4e Directions given by th8 Charity ComvnissiDn UTKler 5eGlion f45{15)Ibl of the XL Ind•p•nd•ni •xamln•rf• stat•m•nl l confirm that l arn qualified to undertake Ihe exam1nat¢on beouse l am a member of The Associats'on of Chartered Aceountanls. whtch Is one of listed bodies. I have completed my examinaknn, l confirm that no matena matters have come to my attents'on in connection with the examination giwng me cause to believe that in any material respect 11 accounting rordS were not kept in respecl of charity as required by Sect 130 of the aci., or 21 the 8ccounl$ do not &cord records. I have no ¢on¢ern$ and have ¢orne a¢ros$ no olfer mattets In connect1n with the examinalNJn to which attentlon should be drawn In this pOrt in ofdef to enab 8 proper undertaking of the accounts lo be reached. Nicholas Farr Moore Green Charted Accountants 22 Friars Streel Sudbury Suffolk C010 2AA D*e 2110412026