CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Trustees, Annual Report for the period From 18t January 2025 to 31st December 2025 Charlty name: Flintshire u3a Charity registration number: 1096025 Objectives and Activities Summary oflhe purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document The charity's objective is the advancement of education, and in particular the education of older people and those retired from full time work, by all means including associated activities conducive to learning and personal development in Flintshire. Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. Flinlshire u3a provides a range of activities which are open to all members to participate in. Al 31st December 2025, Flintshire u3a had 875 rnembers who are retired and semi-retired from full time work (831 at 31.12.24 and 794 at 31.12.23). There is an annual programme of events which includes.. Open Meetings with a guest speakei. Outings lo places of interest Social events At the year end, there were 61 interest groups meeting at various locations and on differing days of the week, providing opportunity for members to participate in learning, personal development and social inleraclion. Members can select the interest groups of their choice (subject lo availability of places) in the following categories.. Arts and Crafts Card and Board Games Debating and Discussions General History Languages Music and Drama Outdoor and Physical Activities Reading and Writing Science and Technology Wining and Dining The Trustees have regard to the Charity Commission guidan on public benefit when planning activities for the membership. Consideration is given to ensure that the activities provided for members meet Flintshire u3a's haritable objectives las set out above) for older aple and those retired from work in the County of Flintshire and surroundin areas. statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefi't
Additional information loplionall Policy on grant making Flintshire u3a do8s not make grants lo any external organisations Policy on social investment including program related inveslment Flintshire u3a does not engage in any Social Investment. Contribution made by volunteers As part ofthe u3a movement. Flintshire u3a is made up of volunteers, who contribute their time and energy to running all aspects of the organisation including.. Trustees Co-ordinators of Interest Groups Events and Outings Team Outings organiser Newsletter editor 'STAR Team. members who assist at events Members who assist at group meetings and events It is eslimated that some 15Q/o to 200/D of the membership volunteer in some way towards the running of the organisation. A Thank You Tea was held in the summer to recognise the work of volunteers. There are no paid staff. WilhoLrt volunteerB, the organisation could not carry out ils work. No u3a member receives payment for seNices rendered lo any u3a. Other Achievements and Performance Summary of the main achievements ofthe charity, identifying the differen the Charity's work has Made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. For 2025, Flintshire u3a established a plan which set out its objectives for the year against which progress and achievements Gould b8 monitored. The plan set out what Flintshire u3a hoped to achiev8 in four categories'.- Supporting the Membership Supporting Interest Groups Underpinning Flintshire u3a Operations Governance rtin the Membershi During 2025, Flintshire u3a continued to increase its membership. The number of memb8rs grew by a net 44 (50/0), from 831 to 875. This increase represents a 100/0 increase over the two years to 31, December 2025. During the calendar year, 141 new members joined,1129 in 2024}, with 97 leavers192 in 20241 who did not renew their membership from 1 St January 2025.
Of the new members joining for the first lime for the 2024 membership year, 77 /0 rejoined in 2025. Of the 875 members, 839 {96,) are primary members of Flinlshire u3a {787 in 2024) and 36 14/1 are Associate members, being primary members of another u3a (44 in 20241. Interest groups provided opportunities for learning and personal development in a spirit of enjoyment and friendship. Groups were given the opportunity to showcase Iheirgroups at Open Events and Coffee Mornings to enable members to see what is on offer and so allract new members. During the year 7 new groups opened and 4 groups closed. The establishment of Dry Kurling. Jukebox and Fun with Logic and Numbers (2 groups) provided new areas of interest for members to explore, whilst the opening of Pi¢kleball 2, Social History 2 and Sunday Lunch 2 provided opportunity for those members on waiting lists and not able lo access the original groups. All members are invited to the fi've Open Meetings held throughout the year. Each meeting had a guest speaker providing a varied range of topics. The Christmas Carols in Decemberwere an opportunity not only for members lo gel together but for members of the music groups and singing groups to entertain and showcase their talents. The outings programme continued to be very popular. 180 different members took part in visits to 6 locations with a couple of visits being run twice to accommodate demand. A well as day outings to plaS of interest, the 2025 programme included a Theatre visit and a 3-day short break lo Lincoln enjoyed by 31 mernbers. A new website was launched in March 2025 and is available to members and non-members. The new website has provided easier acces5 for members to find out more about u3a events and group activities. This is supplemented by the bi-monthly newsletter which is available online and in hard copy,. emails sent to all members lo notify of event and outings and orrespondence by post for those members who do not have email. Potential members can also access the website to find out more about Flintshire u3a and what opportunities they mighl find by joining. Mernbers are able to receive the national u3a Matters magazine published 5 times each year if they wish to. ortin Interest Gyou Whilst many members participate in activity across Flintshire u3a, for some their experience is largely through the Interest Groups that they attend. Each group is led by one or more Group Co-ordinators. A member of the Committee is assigned to a dedicated Groups Liaison role lo provide support, advice and guidance to Group Co-ordinators.
Group Co-ordinator meelings were held in April and October providing an opportunity for training, information sharing, raising questions and peer support. Sessions were held in earfy 2025, prior to the implementation of the new Website and Beacon management system, to raise awareness and provide group co-ordinators with training in the use of Ihe new systems so thal they were equipped to manage their groups using the new systems. During the year work was carried out to assist groups reporting that they had waiting lists by supporting new co- ordinators lo come forward to start up new groups. Under innin Flintshire u3a o erations Significant progress has been made in ensuring that systems, policies and procedures provide a stable basis to underpin Flintshire u3a's operations. new website "Siteworks. and management system °Beacon° were implemented in March 2025. u3a Siteworks is a website for u3as, Networks and Regions. Siteworks is based on the industry standard WordPress. Beacon is the u3a movement's integrated membership, groups, finance and mailing system. The membership module SUPPDrts the maintenance of membership records and the provision of statistics. New members Gan applyfor membership online and for existing members there is a self-service. facility through the online Members Portal to view and update personal records, renew membership and to view and join groups. The groups module enables group co-ordinators to keep track of their members and provides a simple book~keeping ledger for the groups to use The mailing feature enables emails lo individual or groups of members and to send them information, complete with delivery tracking. The finan¢e module provides a facility to maintain financial records, produce accounts and financial reports. This module was evaluated during 2025 and will be utilised fully from January 2026. A new bank account for groups was opened in late 2026 lo work in tandem with the new financial ledger. A new documents storage facility for policies, procedures and working docurnent has been established. A wocess to review dales for policies and procedures and assign responsibilities far updates to roles within the Committee has begun for completion in 2026. All public facing documents e.g. Constitution and Fu3a PoliGies have been made available to view on the Members Area of the Website
The Committee sel up subgroups involving committee members to undertake a review of the Financial Policy and Groups Finance Policy which, along with the Oulings policy and a new Events policy, will be completed in 2026. A range of initiatives have taken place during 2025 to seek lo reduce administration and increase efficiency. Joinl Memberships were phased out with the implementalion of Beacon and all existing joint members converted lo individual members to simplify the membership database and provide equality for all members. The number of new members joining online has increased steadily through the year and particularly since the introduction of the Beacon system. 790/0 of new members joined online during the year. Awareness raising on the use of the Members Portal took place in November 2025, with 284 members132Okn) registered at 31 sl December 2025. A card reader was introduced in December 2025 to provide an altemative means of payment for subscriptions and other u3a activities. This provides choice and convenience for members and will assist in moving away from cash I cheques to more digital channels. Slalislical information from Sileworks (visits and usage) and Beacon (membership, groups and financial), along with the recording of attendance at Open Meetings, Events and Outings is providing the basis of information to monitor tnember engagement and plan future seNice provision. Governance A new Chair and Vice-chair were appointed at the Annual General Meeting in May 2025, All roles on the Committee were filled and effective handover arrangements made where officers had moved into new roles. Following a review of Ihe role of the Secretary, the responsibilities have been split, and new roles of Business Secretary and Committee Administrator have been created. The Business Secretary role was filled from within the existing Truslee cohort and the Comrnitlee Administrator role will be advertised in early 2026. All Trustees have signed updated Trustee Eligibility Forms lo confim their eligibility as a Trustee. All Trustees have been provided with the u3a Trust's guidance on Trustee Responsibilities and the Charity Commission's Charity Code ofGood Governance and have confirmed that they have read and understood them. Truslee induction processes have been updated to include sharing of Ihe relevant documents with all new Trustees on appointment.
Addittonal infomiation {optional} Achievements against objectives set Significant progress has been made in all areas of the 2025 plan with many objectives aGhieved or having seen substanlial progress which will come to completion in 2026 as described in the section above. Supporting the Membership Supporting Interest Groups Underpinning Flintshire u3a Operations Governance Performance offundraising activities againsl objectives set Flintshire u3a's principal source of income is from membership subscriptions, including gift aid. In addition, income is received from members paying for outings, some events and group activities on a pay as you go basis. There is no other material fundraising. Flintshire u3a's financial resources are held within current or deposil accounts. Investment performan against objectives There are no other financial investments. Other
Financial Review Review of the charity's financial position at the end of the period Total funds held at 31. December 2025 were £20,452, all of which were unrestrided. Total receipts in the year were £52,671 and total payments £54,276, giving rise to an in-year deficit of £1,605. U3a guidance does not prescribe the level of reserves to be held. but that the level should provide sufficient to fulfil financial obligations for 6 10 12 months. The Medium Term Financial Strategy IMTFSI 2025126, including levels of reserves, was reviewed and approved by the Trustees on 191h November 2024. The MTFS considered that the level of reseNes was higher than required and that this level would be managed downwards over a period of years by keeping th8 membership subscription al current levels creating an annual planned in-year deficit budgel. This situation is monitored monthly and reviewed annually when setting the budget and membership subscription for the following year £20,452 Slalement explaining the policy for holding reserves staling why they are held Amount of reserves held Reasons for holding zero reserves Details of fund materially in deficit Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern Not applicable Not applicable There are no uncertainties about Flintshire u3a ccntinuing as a going concem. Additional Information (optional) The charity's principal sources of funds (inGluding any fundraising) The principal source of income to Flintshire u3a is from membership SLtbscriptions. Subscriptions are paid by all members on joining the organisation and at the annual membership renewal. In addition, income is reiVed from gift aid, members paying for outings, some events and group activities. Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted Flintshire u3a's funds are held in a combination of current and reserve accounts. The aim is to mainlain security of funds and low financial risk. A description of the principal risks facing the charity The principal risks to the charity emanate from people and systems. Peo As a membership organisation, Flintshire u3a is reliant on members wishing to join and being willing to volunteer lo lead activities and interest groups or to be Truslees of the Charity.
A reduction in membership numbers would reduce the principal source of income and potentially curtail the availability of opportunities op8n to members. which in turn ay further reduce the numbers of members wishing to join or remain as members. Inability to attract sufficient members to be Trustees of the Charity would risk the charity being able to continue. Flinlshire u3a seeks to mitigate this risk by implementing appropriate membership recruitment measures., actively recognising the value of volunteer contributions, encouraging members to learn about the role of the Trustees and by ensuring that the offer of interest groups and social activities is well organised and supported. sterns With over 875 members, over 60 interest groups and a varied programme of events and outings, Flintshire u3a needs effeclive management and communication systems lo underpin its operalions. A new website 'Siteworks° and management system "Beacon. were implemented in March 2025. Both are supported nalionally by the u3a Trust and used by some 600 or more u3a's across the UK. The implementation has provided resilience to Flintshire u3a's systems and addressed the previous risk of reliance on a sole provider. other
structure, Governance and Management Description of charity's trusts: Type of governing document ilrdsl deed, royal charter! Flintshire u3a's governing document is ils Constitution. The Constitution was first adopted 5 December 2001, as amended 1 Oih February 2010, 9 February 2011, 12th July 2018, 30th September 2021 and 24th November 2024. How is the charity constituted? .g urFinco:'ooraled aSSOCralion, CIO j Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entilled lo appoint one or more trustees Flinlshire u3a is an unincorporated member's association. Trustee selection is set out in Section 17 of the Constitution "Appointment of Truslees." Trustee nominations are made by members of Flinlshire u3a, with the nominees being members of Flintshire u3a. Additional informatlon (optional) Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees All new Trustees are provided with an overview of their responsibilities as a Trustee of the Charity on taking up their role as a Trustee. The Gharity's organisational structure and any wider nelwork with which the charity works Flintshire u3a is part of a UK-wide movement of locally run interest groups that provide a wide range of opportunities to come together to leam forfun. Each u3a is a mutual aid organisation, operationally independent, but is also a member of the u3a national body, the Third Age Trust, which requires adhere to the guiding principles of the u3a movement. The Third Age Trust provides educational and administrative support to all u3a's in the UK. All u3as across the UK are part of a regional group. There are twelve regions that cover different geographic areas of the UK, nine in England and one each for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Flinlshire u3a seeks to engage positively in national and regional networks and is an active member of the North Wales Netvwork, National Network Link, Beacon Users Forum, Sileworks Users Forum and the u3a Treasurer's Forum. The Flintshire u3a Vice Chair is Chair of the National Network Link. These nelworf(ing opportunities enable exchange of information,. sharing of good practice and ideas., providing and receiving mutual support., planning and organising shared events.. developing shared links with outside bodies. There are no relationships with other relaled parties outside of the relationships within the u3a network described above. Relationship with any related parties
Reference and Administrative details Charity name Flintshire u38 Other name the charily uses None Registered charity number 1096025 Charity's principal address 79 Ffordd Pentre Mold Flintshire CH71UY
Names of the Charity trustees who manage the charity Dates actsd if not for whole year Name of person lor body) entitled to appoint trustee Ifan The members of Flinlshire u3a at the AGM, or Tru5tse narne Office Ilf anyl Jude Jones Chair Chair Vice Chair 15.05.25- 31.12.25 01.01.25- 15.05.25 15.05.25- 31.12.25 Hilary Jones Karen Green Lynne Ingman Vice-chair 01.01.25- 15.05.25 Co-oplion by Ihe elected Trustees. Membership Secretary Secretary Wendy Wynne-Eaton Angle Heys Barbara Thomas Kerry Feather Mike Whiteaker 15.05.25- 19.06.25 As set out in detail in Section 17 Flinlshire Constitution Secretary Business Secretary Treasurer 01.01.25- 15.05.25 u3a's 15.05.25- 31.12.25 Website Adminislralor Joan Maw 10 Dep Web Administrator Groups Liaison Groups Liaison Groups Liaison 15.05.25- 2S.08.25 01.01.25- 15.05.25 Sue Wilcox 12 Enid Bibby Peter Mather lan Nicoll 06.10.25- 31.12.25 13 14 15 Jon Payne Trudy Ellis 16 01.01.25- 31.01.25 Cor orate trustees - names of the directors at the date the re Director n4m& None ortwasa roved Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the Gharily Tru¥tg8 naTne None Dates actsd If not for whole ear
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others Description of the assets None held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity's objects Not Applicable Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity's own assets Not Applicable Additional information {optionall Names and addresses of advisers {Optional infomiationl Type of Narne Address adviser Name of chief execulive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) Flintshire u3a does not have any employees Exemptions from disclosure Reason for non-disclosure of ke ersonnel details Not Applicable Other o tional information
Declarations The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees Signature(s) Full name{s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Eileen Judith Jones Kerry Feather Chair Treasurer Date
CHARITY COMM15510N FOR ENGND AND WALES 109SO'IS Recei ts and ments accounts CC16a For the period from To 0110112025 3111212025 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restrlcted funds Endowment runds Total fund8 Lastyear to th£ TrBare5t to Ihg lleare51 E to the nearest £ to ihe neareslE to thg near95t £ Aq R•eèl ts M8nib&rship& Gtwr81 Evcnls & Uulings Grovp Income 11268 12.168 11542 11.070 12.168 29,170 tota ross inoom or AR) 52.606 set an see table Interest nvestmen sa 6S 65 88 65 Total receiTPts 52,6Y1 S2.671 45,617 A3Pa mènt8 AGM & Meebngs Newsletter IT & web18 Telpphone. posla9e. stationeryste Fees & Chaiyes Equiwn8nl Third Ajg Trust Èvenls X (knup Costs and Groupouliryjs 2,761 909 2.179 291 323 2,761 909 2.179 29% 323 1.576 870 1,133 419 1,957 4.938 12,086 22,008 45.25fj 5.270 12,267 3D,2T6 54.276 6.270 12,267 39.276 Sub total A4 Asset and Investment Sub total 54,276 54.276 45,266 N¢t of receipt{paYments) A6 Transfers between fund8 A6 Cash funds last year end C8$h funds thls year end 1,605 1,605 22,057 20.452 .05 20A52 CCXX R1 accounts ISSI 2010312026
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted funds te nr£s1 £ R85trlct&d funds ¢0 near991 Endowment funds lo nearogt £ Categories Delalls B1 Cash funds LYreniA¢coJnts 8.971 I}eposbtAccnIS 8,283 Cash Accounts 3,198 Total cash funds 20.4S2 lagr@a ba1w¥WNh¢olpt5ad paywThl$ Unrnstrl¢l*d tund Re$tri¢tsd fund Endowment fund¥ Dètails to nearest £ tD nearest £ B2 Other monetary assets Fund lo whlGh asset ben Details Cost loptlonall crrent¥&18 Fursd towhiGh $5set belo Cuent value Details Cost loptlofflall B4 Assets retained for the charity's own use Fund loWlCh relat08 AmouR¢ due Whon duo Details 85 Llabllltles Signed by one Or truste88 on behalf of all the trustees Dale of roval Signature Prlnt Name Eileèn Judllh Jones KeiryADn Feathei CCXX R2 accounts ISSI 2010312026
CHARITY COMMISSION J FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner'.s Rep.o'rt:" Report to the trusteesl member8 of Chaiily Nam# Flinlshire u3a On accounts for the year | 31, December 2025 onded Charity no fit any 1096025 Set out on pages remèmber lo In¢lude the pag6 numbers of atklrtionalsheelsl I report to the Iruslees on my examination of the a¢¢ounls of the above charity I'the Trust") for the year ended 3111212025 Responsibilitieg and As the charity Iru51ees of the Trust, you are respoiisible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in aG¢ordance with the requir8ments of the Charities Act 20111.the Act ). I report in respect of my examinatlon of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Direcllons given by the Charity Commission under sectioii 145(5llbl of the Act. I have Qompleled my examination. I confirm that no material mallers have come lo my ellenlion lolher Ihan that disclosed below "} in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that In, any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent oxaminer's statement have no concerns and have cotne across no other mallers in connection with the examination lo which altention should be drawn in order 10 8nable a proper understanding of the accounts lo be reached. Please d8lele Ihe words iii lh6 brackets rf Ihey do not apply. Date: Signed: 0810512026 Name.. Lynda Ann Roberts Relevant professlonal quallfl¢ationls) or body {il any): Chartered Certified Accountant Addr&ss". The Old Barn, Tyn y Minffordd, Llanhvrog Rulhin, Denbighshire. LL15 2LL IER October 2018
S¢¢tion B Disclosure Only complete if the examirier needs lo highlight mall&rs of concern {see CL32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examinersl- Give here brlef detalls of any items that the examiner wishes to dlsclos8. IER October 2018