THE FARMING COMMUNITY NETWORK (A CHARIT ABLE COMPANY LIMITED B Y GUARANTEE) Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 Company number.. 04429778 (England and Wales) Charity number.. 1095919 (England and Wales> and SC053538 (Scotland) eFCN THE FARMING COMMUNITY NETWORK (A CHARIT ABLE COMPANY LIMITED B Y GUARANTEE) ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Pages Charity references and Administrative Details Statement of public benefit Introduction from Chairman Introduction from CEO Trustees, Report (including Directors. report) Auditors, report 10-12 Statement of financial activities 13 Balance sheet 14 Statement of Cashflows 15 Notes to the financial statements 16-21 THE FARMING COMMUNITY NETWORK (A CHARIT ABLE COMPANY LIMITED B Y GUARANTEE) CHARITY REFERENCES AND ADMINISTRATIVE DEfAILS Charity number.. 1095919 (England and Wales) and SC053538 (Scotland) Company number.. 04429778 (England and Wales) DIRECTORS The directors of the charitable company are its trustees for the purposes of charity law. The directors seNing during the year and since the year end were as follows: Mark Suthern (Chairl Sally Steadman Nice Chairl Giles Bowring DL {Trea5urerl Barbara Bray Amy Dixon Peter Havers Olivia Helmore Sir Mark Hudson - resigned 23 October 2024 Revd Matthew Jeffrey David Lodder DL - resigned 23 October 2024 Roger Mercer Stuart Roberts Bishop Mark Rylands Robert Walrond SECRETARY Deborah Roe SENIOR MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL Jude Mccann {Chlef Executlve offi￿rI REGISTERED OFFICE AND OPERATIONAL ADDRESS Brdgborough Hall Business Centre Welton Road Daventry NN117JG AUDITORS Dafferns Audit Limited INVESTMENT MANAGERS Rathbones Brothers PIC 8 Finsbury Circus London EC2M 7AZ 8NY MelSon Fund Managers Limited PO Box 366 Darlington DL19RF One Eastwood Harry Weston Road Binley Business Park Coventry CV3 2UB Sarasin Investment Funds Limited CCLA Juxon House PO Box 12892 100 St Paul's Churchyard Dunmow London Essex EC4M 8BU CM6 9DL SOLICITORS Lodders Solicitors LLP Number Ten Elm Court Arden Street Strafford upon Avon CV37 6PA BANKERS Royal Bank of Scotland 36 St Andrews Square Edinburgh EH2 2YB THE FARMING COMMUNITY NETWORK (A CHARIT ABLE COMPANY LIMITED B Y GUARANTEE) STATEMENT OF PUBUC BENEFIT "The Objects of the Charlty are the relief of hardship and distress, amongst persons living and working in the agricultural, horticultural and related communrties, by the provision of pastoral and practical support underpinned by a Christian ethos." All services are made available to those in need from all faiths and none in a non-judgemental, non- proselytising but supportive way. Public Benefits 1. National Helpllne.. The national confidential helpline is open from 7 am to 11 pm every day of the year, staffed by a team of volunteers. Talking with someone who understands faming but is not directly involved in the situation can be a real support in itself, but when appropriate, callers are offered a visit from an FCN volunteer by referral through the Cowordinator local to the caller 2. Volunteers: Around 400 volunteers who are 'in sympathy. with the Christian ethos, suitably experienced and in-touch with rural and faming issues, are recruited, DBS checked and appropriately trained to 'walk with, fanners and their families through times of stress and personal difficulty. Referrals to individual volunteers are made through the local FCN County Co-ordinatorwho is also responsible for the co-ordination and training of volunteers within their Group and liaison with their Regional Director and Head Office for all administrative and policy issues. 3. Chrlstlan etho8: The Charity has a clear Christian ethos which is inherent wrthin its foundation, board of trustees and charitable objects, which is reflected in its published Vision and Ethos Statements, whilst sustaining the principle that all services are made available to those in need from all faiths and none in a non-judgemental, non-proselytising but supportive way. 4. Partnerships: To ensure national coverage, and to respect the territories of other independent famiing and rural support services, FCN has 'memoranda of understanding, with those organisations that facilitate cross referrals of clients, access to the FCN Helpline, sharing of expertise and experience and consortia bidding from national funding sources 5. Uptak•: The demand for FCN'S services fluctuates with the level of causal factors within the industry, so that through a national crisis such as the foot and mouth epidemic in 2001, the scale can be almost ove￿helMIng. Howeverthe nature of farming is such that even when the industry is operating under 'nomial' condttions, individual businesses and families will experience periods of significant stress because of circumstsnces specific to the family or business so that a steady demand on FCN volunteers to manage between 1,500 and 2,500 cases per year is typical. Further statistical details of uptake, nature of the difficulty and routes of referral are described later in this document. Details of FCN'S services, operations and policies are available on the website at.. ww.fcn.org.uk THE FARMING COMMUNITY NETWORK (A CHARIT ABLE COMPANY LIMITED B Y GUARANTEE) A message from Mark Suthern, Chair of FCN'S Board of Trustees I wanted to take this opportunity to thank our network for their ongoing support for the work of FCN. We are indebted to our volunteers and supporters, who allow us to continue 'walking with, farmers and their families during this period of significant change and uncertainty. We are helping to engender a positive mindset and offering hope and guidance. FCN is known for providing on-the-ground help 8nd a trusted ne￿Ork of support for our farning community. Whether the issue is personal or business-related, we are here to listen, to support and to help people to find a way forward. FCN is trusted for our confidentiality and non-judgemental approach empathising and understsnding, and helping people to consider next steps in a supportive environment. Our proactive work to support farmers, health and wellbeing continues to evolve in important ways. This includes nurturing partnerships and collaboration, organising community events, conducting research and developing our FarmW811 website. Established in 2019, Farmwell has for six years been providing farming people with a wide range of information around topics ranging from succession planning and rural crime to safety, mental health and animal disease. A significant UK-wide partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support has seen our charities develop a range of initiatives, campaigns and resources to improve cancer support available to people in farming, rural and migrant worker communities. This work is already making a positive impact in our sector, and we were recently given an opportunity to input on the National Cancer Plan, advocating for the health and wellbeing of people in farming and rural areas. We are also delighted that Baroness Minette Batters has been appointed as FCN'S new Honorary President this year. We are extremely appreciative of Minette's long-stsnding support and advocacy for the work of FCN over the years. Minette's expertise, experience and reputation within the agricultural sector will undoubtedly help us in our mission to see farmers thrive, both now and in the future. As we navigate the challenges and changes ahead, we thank everyone who gets involved in the work of The Farming Community Network. FAIL Mark Suthern Date.. 2 July 2025 THE FARMING COMMUNITY NETWORK (A CHARIT ABLE COMPANY LIMITED B Y GUARANTEE) FCN: Health and wellbeing support across the UK Since ourfounding in 1995, The Farming Community Network (FCN) has helped thousands offarmers and famiing families to navigate difficult times and periods of significant change. 2025 marks our 30th anniversary three decades of 'walking with, farmers and famiing families, helping people to find a positive way fomard. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all our valued and dedicated volunteers, staff and board members for their dedication and support for FCN and those we serve in our faming communities. l especially want to pay tribute to those gone before us, cherished volunteers and founders, especially Christopher Jones MBE. May they all rest in eternal peace. Ourthanks are also extended to our generous donors, partners and funders., without your support, FCN would not be here today nor achieved what it has in support of our faming and rural communities for over 30 years. This past year has seen unprecedented support for the work of The Farming Community Ne￿Ork and we simply cannot continue to serve without support from many individuals, businesses, legacies, foundations and trusts, fundraising groups as well as from Government. As we ￿lebrate our 30th birthday, FCN'S ambition to 'walk with, famers and members of our farming and rural communities in times of difficulty is vital and is arguably needed now more than ever before. FCN is here to listen, to support and to help people in our farming cornmunities - whether the issue is personal or business-related. This work is a core part of our charity, made possible thanks to our extensive nehvork of volunteers who understand farming life and rts unique challenges. As we look to the future, we are developing our support seNices to ensure they continue to meet the changing needs of our vital farming community. Increasingly in recent years, we have seen the value and impact of our proactive work helping to improve farmers, health, wellbeing and resilience. As part of our proactive and preventative work we in FCN recently launched a new UK-wide partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support - which is helping to improve the support available to those living with cancer in rural areas. As part of this partnership we are working closely with Macmillan Cancer Support, including raising awareness in rural communities of the signs and symptoms of cancer and building referral bridges to and from Macmillan's services. Finally. and most importantly, as we navigate the challenges and changes ahead, we thank everyone who gets involved in the work of FCN. Ourwork is only possible thanks to our volunteers, staff and all those who support the charity through donations, collaboration and awareness-raising. Farming across the UK is a truly supportive community- and together we can continue to create a healthy and resilient future for famiing and rural people. Jude Mccann Date.. 2 July 2025 THE FARMING COMMUNITY NETWORK {A CHARIT ABLE COMPANY LIMITED B Y GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) The directors, who are also the trustees, present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025. The directors have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice {SORP) "Accounting by Charities" in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES The company limited by guarantee now known as The Farming Community Ne￿Ork (FCN) took over the assets and activities on l J une 2002 of the unincorpordted charity Fami Crisis Network which was founded in 1995 by the Arthur Rank Centre and Agricultural Christian Fellowship. The Memorandum of Association states.. 'The objects of th8 charity are the rèli8f of hardship and distress, amongst persons living and working in the agricultural, horticultural and related communities, by the provision of pastoral and practical support undefpinned by a Christlan ethos." The activities of FCN are available to all in the agricultural and related spheres of life providing the following services.. P8Storal and practical support, care and listening to people in crisis (by phone, face to face or through the internet) Infomiation and ne￿OrkIng service to people, primarily through on-farm visiting with a holistic approach to both farm hous8hold and business Advocacy on behalf of such people (e.g. for tenant farmers in discussion with landlords, agents or for farmers in discussion with banks, creditors or regulatory agencies) OURVISION Helping to create a strong, resilient and thriving UK faming community - now and in the future. We offer independent, objective and personal support to build resilience and stay strong through changing times. We aim to provide help before problems arise, as well as supporting those who are experiencing difficulty or crisis. Who we support: Famiers, farming families and fam businesses. Wider agricultural sector and associated Industries. Rur81 communities. How we help: Encouraging resilient and supportive communities through our neI￿ork of volunteers with farming knowledge who 'walk with, people. Promoting positive health, wellbeing and business resilience through our Farmwell programmelactivity- Supporting farming and rural communities affected by inequities through partnerships and collaboration. Our strategic priorlties Helping to improve the health and wellbeing of our farm community This year FCN has helped to support the health and wellbeing of the farm community in a wide variety of ways. STATEMENT OF PUBLIC BENEFIT Please see page 3. THE FARMING COMMUNITY NETWORK (A CHARIT ABLE COMPANY LIMITED B Y GUARANTEE) DIRECTORS The directors of the charitable company are its trustees forthe purposes of charity law. The directors serving during the year and since the year end were as follows= Mark Suthem (Chairl Sally Steadman (Vice Chair) Giles Bowring DL (Treasurer) Barbara Bray Amy Dixon Peter Havers Olivia Helmore Sir Mark Hudson- resigned 23 October 2024 Revd Matthew Jeffrey David Lodder DL - resigned 23 October 2024 Roger Mercer Stuart Roberts Bishop Mark Rylands Robert Walrond FINANCIAL REVIEW 2024-25 FCN enjoyed an outstanding year in 2024-25. Although some income strearns show unfavourable year on year comparisons, the overall outcome was an exceptionally good one. The income and expenditure totals reflect the first year of the Joint Venture with Macmillan Cancer Support. Famers faced 8 number of challenges during the year, not least the very wet summarwhlch made crop harvesting particular challenge, with reduced yields. The decision of the new Government to change the expected grant regime and to introduce a Severe reduction in the amount which could be passed on to the next generation without incurring Inheritan￿ tax were further blows to an industry struggling to make a decent return. The work of FCN is more relevant and important than ever. FCN continues to work hard to ensure its income streams are as diverse as possible, so that it is not reliant on a particular source. We have engaged a Trust Officer to apply for grants and hope this will bear fruit in due course. We nurture our relationships with our major donors and all our supporters to ensure they are kept fully infomed about FCN'S work and initiatives. Income Total income was £1,794,750, an increase of 320/0 compared with £1,355,802 for 2023-24. Voluntary income including grants also rose by 32¥0. Legacy income fell with FCN receiving in 2024- 25 £153,862 (£233,319 for 2023-24). Grants received, excluding Macmillan, totalled £884,918, an increase of 72 /0. The contribution from Macmillan amounted to £376,523. Unrestricted income amounted to £806,158 and restricted income was £837,826. Expenditure Expenditure increased by 380/0 to £1,392,725 compared with £1,009,262, for 2023-24, reflecting increased staff costs associated with the Macmillan project. The total number of full time equivalent staff employed increased to 24 compared to 16 in the previous year. FCN saw an end of year surplus (net income) of £402,025. This resulted in a positive net movement in funds of £425,397 after gains on investments. Investments During the year, a net figure of £750,907 was invested in our long temi investment portfolio, and we diversified our holdings by buying units in funds managed by CCLA, Newton and Sarasin who are all respected managers for charities. The Investment Committee meets twice a year to review the performance of these investments and make changes, subject to Trustees. approval. The Trustees believe a strong balance sheet 15 necessary in an uncertain THE FARMING COMMUNITY NETWORK (A CHARIT ABLE COMPANY LIMITED B Y GUARANTEE) world and underlines their commitment to long term support for the agricultural sector and its hard working people. In addiiion, FCN continuously explores new ways in which its resources could be deployed to further its objects. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT GOVERNANCE Over the past few years, the trustees have been strengthening the governance of FCN with the formation of commiitees dealing with Governance, Audit and Risk, Nominations, and Investment with each committee being authorised to make recommendations to the Board. LEGAL AND AOMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION The Farming Community Network is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity governed by its memorandum and articles of association amended 15 July 2024. In the event of the organisation being wound up each trustee agrees to contribute £1 towards the costs of dissolution. The company is also registered with the Charity Commission for England & Wales and registered with OSCR in Scotland on 26 July 2024. AppoiNTMENT OF DIRECTORS The maximum number of directors is 12. The maxlmum length of continuous service to 9. One of the directors should be nominated by the Agricultural Christian Fellowship and 1 nominated by the Arthur Rank Centre, One third of the Board of Dlrectors should retire at each Annual General Meeting. DIRECTOR INDUCTION AND TRAINING New directors undergo training as to their legal obligations under charity and company law and are presented with copie5 of the Memorandum and Articles ofAssociation as well as FCN policy documents which have been approved by the Board. The induction process involves meeting the national staff and other directors. Directors are encouraged to attend training events every 3 years. ORGANISATION The Board of Directors meets quarterfy to administer the charity and receive reports on finance, activities and fundraising. Other items are reported as necessary. Day to day management of FCN is delegated by the Board to the Chief Executive. RELATEO PARTIES FCN has no related parties., however close working relationships are maintained with the Arthur Rank Centre and the Agricultural Christian Fellowship. One director is nominated by ARC and one by ACF for representation on the Board of FCN. RISK MANAGEMENT The Board has undertaken a review of risk and the identified causes have been categorised as relating to: People Propety & finance Reputation The review of risks has led to the implementation of policies aimed at lowering th8 risks to which FCN is exposed as well as designated procedures should an incident oc¢ur. The Risk Management policy document is reviewed regularfy and updated to ensure it is as up to date as possible. LOOKING AHEAD: OUR ORGANISATIONAL STRATEGY12025-2027) Our priorities as a charity over the next three years stem from providing the necessary infrastructure for FCN to deliver our bNO core pillars of support, which can broadly be described as: 1) our proactive and collaborative work including the Famiwell website and related initiatives such as Farmwelllyarn in a Barn events, campaigns, training, projects, research., and our work lo address health inequalities, such as through our partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support. This work is preventative in nature, trying to help famiers to avoid crisis and providing early intervention. 2) our core services and supportive work including local casework and Helpline support provided by FCN volunteers and 5UPPOrted by our staff team. We Listen, Support and Connect. It is hoped that greater investment in the medium and long-term into 'FCN Farmwell, activity could help to reduce the pressure on 'FCN Services,, as we will be helping and assisting people before they reach a point of crisis. We will be placing a greater emphasis on the'FCN Fannwell, activity in the future and caNing out a niche in this space. THE FARMING COMMUNITY NETWORK (A CHARIT ABLE COMPANY LIMITED B Y GUARANTEE) In addition to the above two pillars of support, the following are some of the key areas FCN will focus on in the next three years: Investment in volunteers Investment in staff Focusing on our strengths Fundraising and financial sustainabilty FCN'S UK-wide approach RESERVES POLICY The charity's policy is to strive to secure free reserves SLfficient to meet committed expenditure and the running costs fora period equivalent to 12 months annual expenditure. It is considered that 12 months is necessary in order to ensure continuity of service during any period of reduced income. Free reserves at 31 March 2025 were £1,815,670 cOMpa￿d with unrestricted annual expendrture of £473,616. TRUSTEES. RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT The trustees (who are also directors of The Farming Community Ne￿Ork for the purposes ol company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs ofthe charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to.. select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently., observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2019 (FRS 102)., 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 financial statements on the going concem basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation. The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial ststements 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 8nd detection of fraud and other irregularities. STATEMENT AS TO DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO AUDITORS So far as the trustees are aware, there is no relevant audit infonnation (as defined by Section 418 of the Companies Act 2006) of which the company's auditors are unaware, and each trustee has taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as a trustee in order to make themself aware of any relevant audit information and to estsblish that the charity's auditors are aware of that information. GOING CONCERN After making enquiries, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to 8dopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in note 1 of the financial Statements. This report has been prepared having taken advantage of the small companies exemption in the Companies Act 2006. Signed on behalf of the Directors on 2 July 2025. M A E Suthern Director THE FARMING COMMUNITY NETWORK (A CHARIT ABLE COMPANY LIMITED B Y GUARANTEE) INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES AND MEMBERS OF THE FARMING COMMUNITY NETWORK Opinion We have audited the financial statements of The FaThning Communty NebNork (the "charitable company.) for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise a statement crf financial activities, a balan￿ sheet and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounkn'ro pOI￿leS. The financial reporting framewoth that has been applied in their preparatijn is applicable law and United Kingdom Ac£ounting Standards, induding Financial Reporting Standard 102, The FinancAal Reporting Standard applicab￿ in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom General￿ Accepted Accounting Practi￿}. In our apinion the financial statements.. . give a true and fairview of the state of the charitable company's affaits as at 31 March 2025, and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including ts income and expendiiure, for the year then ended,. . have b￿n property prepared in accordan￿ with United Kir¥Jdom Generally Acceptsd Accounting practi￿,. arKI . have been prepared in accordance with requirements ofthe Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011. Basis for opinion We conducted our audit in accordance wrth Intemational StarKJards on Auditing (UK) (ISAS (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilrties under those standards are further described in the Auditorfs responsibilities for the audtt of the financial stalements section ofour report. We are independent ofthe charita)le company in accordancewith the ethical Nuirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC'S EthrAI Standard, and we have fulfilled our other elhical responsibilities in accordance ￿llth these requirements. We believe that the audrt evidence we have obtaIn￿j is sufficient and 8ppropriate to promde a basrs for our opinion. Conclusions relating to going concern In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the tnjstees, use of the going con￿rn basis of accounting in the preparation of the ffinanci81 statements is appropriate. Based on the work we have perfomed, we have not identth8J any material Un￿rtaIntieS relating to events or conditions that. individually orcollectively, may CASt significant doubt on charitable companls ability to continue as a going contsm for a period of at least bNelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue. Our responsibilities and the responsibilib'es of the trustees with respect to going concem are described in the relevant sections of this report. Other Informatlon The other infornation comprises the infomiation Included in the trustees annual report, other than the financial slatements and our auditorfs report thereon. The trust￿$ are responsible for the ther inft)Tmation contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements daes not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any fomi of assurance conclusion the￿on. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whelher the other inf0m￿tIOn is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knNledge ithined in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially mi55tated. If we identfy such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this grves nse to a material misstatement ￿ the finanaal statements themselves. If, based on the wo we have perfomEd, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other infomiation, we are required tt) report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. 10 THE FARMING COMMUNITY NETWORK (A CHARIT ABLE COMPANY LIMITED B Y GUARANTEE) Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit.. . the information given in the trustees, report lincotporating the directors, report) for the financial year for wh￿h the financial statements are prepar&J is consistent with the financial siatements,. and . the directors, report has been prepared in accordan￿ with applicab￿ legal requirements. Matters on which we are required to report by exception In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the tharitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors, report. We have nothing to report in respect ofthe following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 20C6 and the Chaiiiies Act 2011 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion- . adequate arKI proper &counting records have not been kept, or retums adequate for our audit have not been r￿&Ved from branches not visited by us,. or . the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting re￿dS and retums,. or . cetsin disdosures of directors, remuneration specffied by are not made., or • we have not receiv&d all the information and explanations we require for our audit.. or . the trustee5 were not entided to prepare the financial st*ments in accordan￿ with the small compantes, regim8 and t£ke advantage of the small companies, exemptions in preparing the directors, report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report. other Matter The comparative figures are unaudited. Responslbilities of trustees As expla"Ined morefully in the trust￿5, responsibilities statement, set out on page 9, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable crxnpany for the purp)ses of company law) are responsible for the preparation oflhe financial stalements and for being salisfled that they give a tnje and fair view, 8nd fi)r such intemal control as the trustees detemiine is necessary to erBble the preparation of financial statements that are free from matenal misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing Ihe financial statements, the Irustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company's abilty lo continue as a going con￿M, dlsclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concem and using the going concem basis of accounting unless the tNstees either intend lo liquidate the charitable company or to ￿£se operations, or have no realistic altemative but to do so. Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements We have been appointed auditor under the Companies Act 20C6 and section 151 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with those Acts. Ourobjectivesare to obtain reasonable assurance aboutwhetherthe financial statements as a whole are free from material misslatemenl, whether due to fraud or e￿r, and to issue an audf(orfs report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance wtth ISAS IUKI will always detect a material misstatement when rt exists. Misstalements can arise from fraud or e￿or and are considered material if, indimdually or in the aggregate, Ihey could rea8onably be expected to Influen￿ the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. Irregularities, including fraud, are InStan￿S of non