Families United (Warrington) Report of the Trustees for the Year ended 31 March 2025
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Charity from 22/04/2004 Number: 1097146
Principal address Independent Examiner The Gateway Voisey & Co LLP 85-101 Sankey Street chartered Accountants Warrington 8 Winmarleigh Street Cheshire Warrington WA1 1SR WA1 SJW
Trustees
Dr L Edwards Ms R staff Mrs L V Price Resigned August 2025 Mrs v James Resigned May 2025 mr J Uttley Death july 2024 Mr S Dolley Death June 2025
Miss M Aspinall appointed 19/08/25 l Taylor appointed 19/08/25 A Shewan appointed 19/08/25 Ms S Johnson appointed 19/08/25 Mrs m Turner appointed 20/11/25
Board of Trustees Report statement
The trustees proudly present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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) (effective 1 January 2019).
Dr lisa edwards
Chair of trustees
Charity aims and objectives
The aim of the charity during the year under review is to create positive opportunities and participation for young people with disabilities, their families, and their carers.
The objectives and aim of the charity are reviewed annually to ensure they remain focused on the charity’s stated purpose. We regularly gain feedback from families to ensure the opportunities we offer provide health and social related benefits to our families. In reviewing our objectives and planning future activities, the trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. Some of the charity’s future plans include thorough impact reporting against our aims and objectives. We will be in a position to complete this once the CRM and data management system is operational from summer 2026.
Achievement and performance
The trustees are pleased with the charity’s performance during the year ended 31 March 2025. The charity has continued to provide meaningful and impactful activities for children with disabilities and their families and has expanded its overall offer.
During the year, the charity received £92,113 in grant income, enabling an expansion of activities and the delivery of more impactful services to the families we support. The charity maintained its regular core offer throughout the year, including: Monthly FUN Club sessions at the Warrington Play and Sensory Centre Puddle Project sessions Weekly sports activities
These activities provide vital opportunities for play, relaxation, and physical activity, addressing a significant lack of accessible provision in the local area and supporting physical development and cognitive skills.
Achievement and performance
The charity also continued to deliver HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) clubs during the summer and winter holiday periods. This programme addresses the shortage of accessible holiday provision for children with disabilities and includes the provision of meals, helping to reduce pressure on families. In addition, the charity delivered a Barstondale adventure and activity day with transport provided.
Other activities delivered during the year included: Sensory centre FUN Clubs Puddle Project sessions Male parent carer support groups Parent coffee chats Space centre sessions Farm and zoo visits Art classes Swimming sessions Gulliver’s Land of Lights visit
A major achievement during the year was the charity’s success in securing a National Lottery Reaching Communities grant, focused on capacity building over the next five years. The year 2024–2025 represents year one of this grant. As a result, the charity is preparing to recruit a Chief Executive Officer and a Families and Events Officer to work alongside the existing Fundraiser. The charity has also strengthened relationships with new corporate supporters and a grant-making organisation operating both nationally and internationally, which is expected to provide long-term benefit. Membership continues to be criteria led (include residence within a WA postcode area and having a child with a formal diagnosis or on the pathway to diagnosis) Trustees approve membership applications and maintain a database of current members.
Future plans
Priorities for the coming year include the successful recruitment and induction of the two new roles funded by the National Lottery Reaching Communities grant. The charity also plans to begin development of a new website and the implementation of a CRM system. Strengthening governance remains a key priority, with a focus on developing and supporting the board of trustees. The Charity also aims to conduct a family consultation focussing on activities and opportunities to ensure we continue to provide activities that meet the needs of those we serve.
Financial Review
Principal funding sources The majority of the charity’s income during the year was derived from grants. These funds are restricted by donors for expenditure on specific projects and are released to the Statement of Financial Activities as the related expenditure is incurred. The Statement of Financial Activities reports a deficit for the year under review.
During the year under review the statement of Financial Activities reports a surplus in the year for the charity. Reserves policy
The charity’s income continues to be largely grant-funded. The trustees’ reserves policy is to hold approximately one year’s running costs in unrestricted funds. The trustees are satisfied that, with tight control over expenditure, the unrestricted funds held at 31 March 2025 are sufficient to meet running costs for the coming financial year.
The level of reserves held at the bank balance sheet date amounted to £66,880 (2024 £23,196)
Free reserves account: £17,058 (2024 £12,275)
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document The charity is governed by a deed of trust and constitutes as an unincorporated charity.
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees The opportunity to stand as a trustee or raise objections to the performance of an existing trustee is offered at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). At the AGM, existing trustees confirm whether they wish to continue in post. New trustees are proposed and seconded at this meeting, and roles are agreed at the first committee meeting following the AGM. Declaration The Trustees declare that they have approved the trustees report above.
Signed and approved on behalf of the Board of trustees Lisa Edwards Lisa Edwards Chair of trustees 22/01/2026
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