**Trustees’ annual report and accounts** _**brainstrust**_ **– the brain cancer people**
1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023
_**When you become a caregiver, you suddenly have to make decisions about someone’s health and wellbeing that you never thought you’d have to. Suddenly everything falls to you.**_
**Caregiver to a low grade glioma patient**
## **Contents**
**Our challenge** . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . **2 Strategic report** . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . **3** 3 Letter.from.chair.and.CEO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . But.we.are.rising.to.this.challenge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 **Our purpose and our work** . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . **4** 4 Our.strategy:.First,.we.are.people.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 How.we.got.here.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 The.experts.we.asked.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . **Key achievements** . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . **6** 6 Our.support.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Online.support.and.information.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thrive.with. _brainstrust_ 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . **Our impact** . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . **9** 9 Background.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Methodology.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 The.impact.we’re.having.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Meet.Hannah,.caregiver.for.her.dad.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 PRIME.–.bringing.people.closer.to.research.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 The.story.of.a.trial:.PORTRAIT.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 The.story.of.a.trial:.APPROACH.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . **16 Our influence – informing change in the future** . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Award.winning.work.that.improves.patient.experience. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . **Collaborations, networks and advisers** . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . **19** 19 ‘None.of.us.is.as.smart.as.all.of.us’.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Patient-focused.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Clinically.focused.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19 Public.Health.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Charities.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Organisational.partnerships.and.collaborations.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . **Your support** . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . **21** 22 Thank.you.to.our.community.of.supporters.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Thank.you.to.our.trust.and.foundation.supporters.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . **Financial review 27** .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . **Our structure, governance, leadership and management** . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . **28** 28 Our.structure.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Our.governance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Leading.the.way.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Our.board.of.trustees.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _brainstrust_ 31 .senior.staff.contacts.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Incidents.and.reporting.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . **Report of the Trustees and Audited Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2023 for** _**brainstrust**_ **32** . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Report.of.the.Trustees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34–35 Report.of.the.Independent.Auditors.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Statement.of.Financial.Activities.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Balance.Sheet.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Cash.Flow.Statement.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Notes.to.the.Cash.Flow.Statement.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37– 42 Notes.to.the.Financial.Statements.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Detailed.Statement.of.Financial.Activities.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . **Get in touch 44** . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . **Declaration 44** . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
_**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023 **1**
## **Our challenge**
_**‘I struggle with multiple issues – fatigue, physical and mental problems – but I try to focus on healing and the road to recovery.’**_ **Patient**
_**‘What am I not struggling with? I suffer daily symptoms, which range from tinnitus, dizziness, head pressure and pain, which frightens my husband.’**_ **Patient**
_**‘Following on from my father’s diagnosis yesterday myself and my family are in a state of shock, while trying to navigate what lies ahead so as to ensure that my father has the best possible care.’**_ **Caregiver**
_**‘I had to be on the drugs for two years at least, as my tumour was small, but in an area associated with seizures. It devastated me. Everything caught up with me. It was the identity shift that was difficult – I wasn’t prepared for going from a “surgery survivor” to “epileptic”.’**_ **Patient**
_**‘My diagnosis was delivered over the phone by my GP, which was incredibly hard to deal with. The best way to describe my feelings at the time is a mixture of fear paired with an overwhelming sense of confusion. As how could this be happening to me? I had just finished my degree, which I had worked hard for. I was starting a new job that I was excited for at the end of the week, and I had just turned 24 years of age a few weeks prior. It felt like such a cruel twist of fate for this to happen as my life was just coming together how I wanted.’**_ **Patient**
**Over 80,000 people are living with a brain tumour in the UK. Only 12% of adults survive beyond five years following a diagnosis. Brain tumours reduce life expectancy by an average of 27 years, and they kill more children than any other cancer, yet treatment for a brain tumour is brutal and harmful. It hasn’t changed in 40 years.**
The.impact.of.brain.tumours.is.under-reported,.support.and.research. under-funded,.and.the.true.impact.of.the.disease.under-acknowledged. and.misunderstood .
When.you.hear.the.words.‘you.have.a.brain.tumour’,.you.face.both.a. potential.cancer.diagnosis.and.also.the.prospect.of.progressive.and. debilitating.neurological.disease You.are.afraid,.you.are.alone,.you.are. confused,.and.your.life.changes.dramatically.in.an.instant .
Today,. _brainstrust_ .is.here.to.help.everyone.live.their.best.possible.life.with. a.brain.tumour.in.the.face.of.these.stark.facts We.help.people.thrive.and. have.their.best.possible.day We.are.also.here.for.tomorrow We.hope.for.a. world.in.the.future.where.brain.tumours.have.little.impact But.we.know. that.hope.is.not.a.strategy We.support.clinical.research.and.work.with.our. community.of.experts.to.improve.investment.and.build.capacity.so.that. harm.is.reduced,.care.is.improved.at.hospital.and.at.home,.and.people.are. more.confident.and.able.to.take.control Only.then.can.life.with.a.brain. tumour.be.fulfilling.and.enjoyable,.and.people.who.have.heard.the.words. ‘you.have.a.brain.tumour’.are.living.the.lives.they.want,.because.they.are. people.first.and.patients.second .
## **This is our challenge.**
_**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023
**2**
## **Strategic report**
**Will Jones Chris Baker** _Chief Executive Chair of Trustees_
## **Letter from chair and CEO**
Thank.you.for.taking.an.interest.in.our.mission.and.passion.for.helping. people.with.a.brain.tumour.to.have.the.best.support.available.so.that.they. can.live.their.lives.as.people.first.and.patients.second
Following.a.strong.year.on.all.fronts.in.2021–22,.this.year.has.been.one.of. planned.investment.to.build.capacity We.have.grown.our.team,.expanded. our.collaborative.relationships.and.developed.our.skills.to.meet.demand,. which.has.increased.steadily.each.quarter And.with.this.growth,.we.have. sustained.impact .
While.from.an.organisational.and.governance.perspective,.this.paints.a. picture.of.positive.progress,.we.are.only.too.aware.that.for.those.diagnosed. with.a.brain.tumour,.the.challenges.of.isolation,.fear,.confusion.in.the.face. of.complex.treatment,.lack.of.support.and.poor.clinical.outcomes.are.as. present.as.ever There.are.over.80,000.people.living.with.a.brain.tumour.in. the.UK,.and.we.still.have.much.work.to.do.to.reach.everyone.who.needs.us .
## **But we are rising to this challenge.**
We.are.reaching.more.people.every.day,.with.beneficiary.numbers.growing. over.the.year.at.15%.each.quarter,.and.we.have.grown.our.skills.and.capacity. to.meet.new.needs.in.the.brain.tumour.community Perhaps.the.most. pertinent.of.these.is.the.impact.of.the.cost-of-living.crisis
Working.with.volunteers,.we.have.been.able.to.provide.welfare.and.benefits. support,.which.has.helped.those.that.need.it.secure.£94,760.in.vital.support. over.the.year .
Leaning.into.where.we.know.we.have.the.most.impact,.we.have.formalised. our.intensive.coaching.offer,.in.partnership.with.Thrive.Partners.and.made. possible.thanks.to.our.Rank.Foundation.Golden.Award With.the.funding. from.The.Rank.Foundation,.we.have.been.able.to.pilot.the.Thrive.platform,. bringing.structured.online.coaching.to.the.cancer.care.and.charity.space.for. the.first.time Feedback.and.outcomes.are.good,.with.people.scoring.their. experience.as.10/10,.from.164.completed.sessions Our.expert.coaches.have. been.scored.5/5 .from.these.sessions .
Fundraising.is.an.equally.important.part.of.our.work To.be.able.to.support. everyone.who.needs.us.and.sustain.our.impact,.we.need.to.raise.over.£1 .5m. every.year
Our.diverse.portfolio.of.fundraising.continues.to.sustain.our.work,.with. our.community.as.passionate.as.ever.about.giving.back.and.enabling.us.to. help.others While.at.face.value.not.a.record.year.for.income,.the.period.in. review.carries.a.high.level.of.unrestricted.income,.which.is.vital.in.helping. us.cover.our.core.costs.and.deliver.our.service Funds.raised.over.the.year. total.£691,706 This.has.been.derived.from.a.traditional.mix.of.charity. fundraising.channels The.fourth.quarter.of.the.year.did.bring.a.slowdown. in.community.fundraising.and.trading.activity.as.our.supporters.bore.the. weight.of.the.cost-of-living.crisis .
Looking.to.the.year.ahead,.and.in.the.face.of.a.challenging.social,.economic. and.political.climate,.we.are.planning.to.consolidate.our.expanded.scale. following.this.period.of.investment,.sustain.or.grow.our.impact,.and.inspire. more.people.and.organisations.to.get.behind.our.mission.to.help.people. with.a.brain.tumour.to.live.their.lives.as.people.rather.than.patients
_**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023 **3**
## **Our purpose and our work**
## **Our strategy: First, we are people**
In.April.2019,.we.launched.our.current.strategy Thirteen.years.in.the. making,.this.strategy,.‘First,.we.are.people’,.puts.laser.focus.on.the.human,. practical.and.cultural.contexts.in.which.people.find.themselves.following.a. brain.tumour.diagnosis It.sets.out.our.journey.to.help.people.living.with.a. brain.tumour.become.less.isolated,.more.in.control,.more.involved.with.their. clinical.care.and.condition,.and.better.resourced .
The.human.context.sees.a.forgotten.group.of.people.who,.following. diagnosis,.see.themselves.fall.into.a.chasm.between.improving.clinical.care. and.the.scientific.pursuit.of.a.cure In.acknowledging.that.before.we.are. patients,.we.are.people,.we.can.help.people.navigate.this.void,.for.when.we. are.patients,.we.are.only.patients.for.a.small.amount.of.the.time We.want. to.do.things.that.people.want.to.do,.not.always.the.things.that.patients. have.to.do .
_**The “all together, stay calm in a crisis and sort out anything” me has been completely taken off guard. I am so lost.**_ **Patient**
In.practical.terms,.we.know.from.our.intimately.close.work.with.our. community.of.people.with.a.brain.tumour,.and.their.caregivers,.that.a. brain.tumour.is.isolating,.the.journey.is.confusing,.communicating.well.is. hard,.behaviour.and.personality.change.devastates.relationships,.fatigue. impacts.95%.of.those.diagnosed,.and.there.is.a.huge.financial.impact.as. work.stops These.are.just.some.of.the.challenges,.and.these.challenges.are. not.addressed.in.either.the.laboratory.or.the.hospital They.are.addressed.at. home,.where.help.is.hard.to.find .
## **How we got here**
Our.direction.has.been.set.in.consultation.with.our.community We.‘asked. the.experts’.what.they.needed,.to.understand.what.matters.most .
## We.heard:
- l . You.spend.more.time.being.a.person.than.you.do.being.a.patient .
- l . As.a.person,.you.are.more.resourceful,.more.proactive.and.more.confident. in.the.face.of.challenges .
- l. Emotions.and.values.drive.your.behaviour,.not.just.clinicians What. matters.to.you.is.more.important.than.what.is.the.matter.with.you .
- l. People.look.at.opportunities As.a.person,.you.grow Patients.tend.to.focus. on.problems,.and.barriers.are.hard.to.overcome.unless.they.can.be.treated. or.medicated .
Our.current.strategy.has.been. co-created.with.our.community. and.delivered.with.its.support This.strategy.is.helping.us.to. achieve.our.mission.–.we.are. here.for.a.world.in.which.people. with.a.brain.tumour.are.involved,. resourced,.supported,.confident. and.connected They.are.living.the. lives.they.want,.because.they.are. people.first.and.patients.second .
**4** _**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023
## **The experts we asked**
The.conclusions.and.decisions. reached.in.the.development.of.our. strategy.result.from.conversations. and.day-to-day.meetings.and. experiences.over.a.six-month.period. with.the.following.stakeholders:
- l . beneficiaries.–.people.living.life. with.a.brain.tumour.and.their. caregivers
- l. supporters
- l. current.and.prospective. philanthropic.funders
- l. other.charities
- l _brainstrust_ .team.members. and.trustees
- l. national.research.bodies
- l. local.and.national.research. funders
- l. clinical.experts.from.all. specialities
- l . campaign.groups .
_**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023 **5**
## **Key achievements**
## **Our support**
_**This year we have grown our team to meet increasing demand and build capacity so that we can continue to help more people than ever before with**_ **brainstrust** _**’s unique and impactful support.**_
_**Riding the momentum we carried through the pandemic, this year has seen us move forward, with and for our community at pace, and without compromising our impact.**_
_**Every day the resourcefulness and resilience of our community inspire and motivate us, and our strategy and structure have enabled us to scale our work across new regions. We hoped that this year would be exciting for**_ **brainstrust** _**, for our community and for our team, and it has been. This is not to make light of the devastating challenges faced by the people we are here for, but it is a comment on how we have never felt more confident, single-minded and committed to our mission to make life better for people post-diagnosis.**_
**Helen Bulbeck** , Co-Founder and Director of Services
**During the year, 3,439 people accessed our help by phone or email, webchat or video call. An increase of 47% on last year (2,339), and 172% on the year before (1,264).**
**1,306 people accessed our help for the first time during the year. 739 of these people were brain tumour patients. 567 were caregivers or close friends or family members seeking support. This is a 58% increase on last year (825).**
_**I’m having a bad day. I feel very demoralised and very down. Hard with the “simple” day-to-day things and even harder with more difficult days, like today. I find it easier to put things in writing. I can take as much time as I need to explain. I just wouldn’t be able to find the words in a phone call. I am so glad I can turn to you for help. You understand. I don’t feel so alone. I’m starting to feel better now, and calmer.**_
**Brain tumour patient** , south-east England
**We were able to send 368 brain boxes to people who needed them. This is 34 fewer than last year.**
**Our volunteer-led welfare and benefits support service helped 41 94,760. people to access financial support worth £ This comprises Personal Independence Payments (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and one-off grants from local organisations.**
**6** _**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023
**Between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023, we provided 372 counselling sessions to 62 people via our network of specially trained and professionally qualified counsellors.**
**On average, those that have accessed counselling through us have progressed by 0.97 across our impact indicators This represents a 24% improvement.**
## 24%
People.who.accessed.counselling.with. _brainstrust_ .reported.feeling.more. on.top.of.things.and.less.alone.–.where.for.both.indicators.we.enabled. a.29 %.improvement .
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Less.alone
Engaged.with. Part.of.a.
clinical.care community
Resourced On.top.
of.things
..Initial
..Latest Supported
**----- End of picture text -----**
_**When I found out about**_ **brainstrust** _**, it was nice to speak to like-minded people who were in a similar position and stage of a brain tumour diagnosis. They kindly sent out a**_ **brainstrust** _**brain box, which meant a lot to me at the time, as I didn’t feel so isolated, as I wasn’t on my own going through this. This must have cost a lot, so I donated – as I still refer to one of the books that was sent to me, it is a very small price to pay. There is a Zoom meeting that I can attend if I want to and speak to other people, where you can vent off frustrations, amongst lots of other things that concern you. I have attended the Liverpool event held recently, which consisted of people working in different fields of brain tumours in the morning session, and in the afternoon we could ask questions amongst other activities held, and I found this INVALUABLE. Long may they continue, as they do a sterling job.**_
**Brain tumour patient** , Liverpool
## **Online support and information**
**120,668 people came to brainstrust.org.uk for the 9% increase from** 9% **first time for information during the year, a 110,928 the previous year.**
**These people accessed 270,716 pages and downloaded 9,384 copies of long-form health information from our website.**
**During the year, the most popular information has been about diagnosis, brain tumour types, patient stories, end-of-life care and glioblastoma trials and treatments.**
**Of the 2,469 people who have provided feedback on our information, 2,219 (90%) tell us that what they have read has helped them to feel better resourced and more in control.**
_**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023 **7**
**The most highly rated information on our website is our content about end-of-life care, the brain box, anatomy and tumour types and brain tumour symptoms and diagnosis.**
## **Thrive with** _**brainstrust**_
_**I found it helpful to lay out all the things I’m feeling overwhelmed about and what I do and don’t have control over and work out the places where I can get more support/information around my treatment and what the next steps are. The exercise of writing things down and categorising those areas was useful and helped get everything out of my head, and I felt supported and heard.**_
## **Brain tumour patient** , London
During.the.pandemic,.we.accelerated.our.plans.to.make.our.coaching. service.available.online This.work.progressed.at.pace.during.the.year.in. review,.culminating.in.the.launch.of.the.‘Thrive’.coaching.platform
On.this.platform,.people.can.select.a.coach,.book.sessions.and.attend.via. secure.video.call Goals.and.topics.are.set.prior.to.the.call,.and.evaluation. takes.place.within.the.platform
Coaching.via.the.Thrive.platform.gives.users.structure.and.direction.in. the.support.they.receive The.platform.allows.people.to.choose.when.the. sessions.take.place.and.to.set.the. focus This.sets.a.clear.pathway. to.attaining.their.goals As.it.is.a. video.platform,.people.get.to.see. their. _brainstrust_ .support.specialist. during.the.sessions,.so.they.can.feel. as.connected.as.possible.with.their. coaching.journeys .
Feedback.and.outcomes.are.good,.with.people.scoring.their.experience.as. 10/10,.from.164.completed.sessions.on.the.platform Our.expert.coaches. have.been.scored.5/5 .from.these.sessions .
## **Madi’s story**
Madi.has. Madi’s.story.shows.the.significant.impact.this.work.can.have lived.with.brain.tumours.for.nearly.30.years.and.is.a.survivor.of.multiple. surgeries She.recently.came.to. _brainstrust_ .for.support.as.her.third.surgery. approached.and.she.faced.ill-health.retirement.from.a.career.she.had. worked.hard.for.and.loved
Madi.engaged.with.our.coaching.service.through.the.Thrive.platform.and. told.us:.‘There.is.something.about.there.being.a.particular.place.to.go.that. adds.value.to.the.sense.of.belonging.and.community It.also.reminds.me. that.there.are.other. _brainstrust_ .resources,.such.as.the.fatigue.book,.that.I. can.go.back.to The.follow-up.emails.my.coach.sends.me.after.each.session. provide.me.with.an.opportunity.to.respond.in.writing,.as.do.the.feedback. and.booking.forms.on.Thrive Writing.is.a.very.helpful.reflective.tool.for.me. and.helps.me.consolidate.what.I.am.taking.away.from.each.of.the.face-toface.online.sessions The.online.sessions.are.helpful.to.me,.as.I.don’t.need. to.travel.and.can.rest.before.or.after.sessions,.depending.on.my.fatigue .’ Madi.told.us:.‘I.feel.empowered.and.have.the.sense.of.being.held.in.a. kind.of.soft.safety.net The.questions.I’ve.been.asked.and.the.relationship. I’ve.built.with.my.coach.provide.an.inner.voice.to.challenge.some.of. the.less.helpful.thoughts.I.may.have I.have.achieved.a.sense.of.relative. calm.whilst.waiting.for.information.about.my.ill.health,.retirement.and. next.surgery .’
Using.our.progress.tracker.tool.over.the.four-month.period.she.was. engaged.in.online.coaching,.Madi.improved.her.overall.well-being.by.76%. from.an.initial.total.score.of.17.out.of.30.across.all.six.of.our.key.indicators. to.her.most.recent.maximum.total.score.of.30.out.of.30
**8** _**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023
## **Our impact**
## **Background**
There.are.nine.pillars.that.drive.our.efforts.to.understand.the.impact.of. our.work .
**Accountability:** .We.are.entrusted.with.resources,.often.donated.by. individuals,.corporations.or.governments Measuring.impact.allows.charities. to.demonstrate.how.effectively.we.are.using.these.resources.to.achieve. our.goals
**Resource allocation:** .Limited.resources.are.a.common.challenge.for.charities By.measuring.impact,.we.can.identify.which.of.our.efforts.are.delivering.the. most.significant.results This.information.guides.informed.decision-making. on.where.we.allocate.resources.for.maximum.effectiveness .
**Improvement:** .Regularly.assessing.impact.enables.us.to.identify.areas.for. improvement By.understanding.what.is.working.well.and.what.isn’t,.we. refine.our.strategies,.modify.programmes,.and.enhance.our.approach.to. better.serve.the.people.we.are.here.for .
**Learning and adaptation:** .The.landscape.in.which.we.operate.changes. rapidly Measuring.impact.helps.us.to.stay.agile.and.responsive.to.evolving. needs When.we.can.track.changes.in.our.beneficiaries’.lives,.we.are.better. equipped.to.adapt.our.work.appropriately.and.with.confidence
**Advocacy with evidence:** .When.we.are.pushing.for.policy.changes.or. increased.funding,.measuring.impact.provides.tangible.evidence.of.the. outcomes.we.are.achieving,.or.demonstrates.the.gap.that.we.need.to.close
**Effective communication:** .Sharing.our.impact.data.allows.us.to. communicate.our.achievements.effectively It.makes.our.stories.relatable.
and.understandable,.enabling.us.to.connect.with.a.broader.audience.and. inspire.people.to.join.our.cause .
**Engaged supporters:** .People.and.institutions.want.to.know.that.their. contributions.are.making.a.difference Impact.measurement.provides. donors.with.a.clear.picture.of.how.their.support.is.creating.positive.change .
**Strategic planning:** .Impact.data.informs.our.planning We.can.set.more. realistic.and.achievable.goals.when.we.have.a.clear.understanding.of.the. outcomes.we.can.deliver.based.on.past.performance .
**A learning culture:** .A.focus.on.impact.cultivates.a.culture.of.continuous. learning.and.improvement We.are.more.open.to.experimentation.and. innovation.as.we.seek.out.the.best.possible.ways.to.achieve.our.mission .
Measuring.impact.is.about.maximising.the.effectiveness.of.our.work,. ensuring.that.our.resources.are.used.efficiently.in.generating.positive. change.for.people.with.a.brain.tumour
We.have.worked.hard.over.recent. years.to.create.a.culture.where. impact.is.not.only.at.the.centre.of. our.processes.but.also.a.central.part. of.the.conversations.we.have.with. the.people.who.need.us Tracking. impact.is.mutually.beneficial
_**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023 **9**
## **Methodology**
We.track.progress.against.six.indicators These.have.been.defined.as. being.important.to.quality.of.life.by.our.community.of.patients.and.their. caregivers In.turn,.these.indicators.support.the.four.priorities.in.our. strategy These.six.indicators.are:
l. engagement.with.care.and.condition
l. reduced.isolation
l. engagement.with.communities
l. creating.control
l. feeling.supported l . feeling.resourced .
We.learn.how.people.are.doing.against.these.indicators.using.our.bespoke. progress.tracker.tool This.gives.us.a.simple,.flexible.and.human.approach. to.understanding.impact Progress.trackers.are.completed.and.monitored. collaboratively.with.our.beneficiaries The.process.isn’t.unobtrusive,.but.it. is.helpful In.completing.a.progress.tracker,.or.multiple.progress.trackers,. we.help.people.to.establish.where.
the.focus.of.our.support.needs.to. be.to.help.them.move.forward To.complete.a.progress.tracker,. patients.and.caregivers.provide. a.score.of.how.they.are.feeling. on.a.scale.of.1.to.5.for.each.of.our. indicators They.complete.multiple. progress.trackers.on.their.journey. with. _brainstrust_ ,.and.this.paints.a. picture.of.their.progress .
## **The impact we’re having**
People.who.have.come.to.us.for.help.in.the.last.year.have.made.progress. against.our.six.key.impact.indicators
On.average,.people.have.progressed.by.0 .57,.on.a.scale.from.1.to.5 This. equates.to.a.14 .25%.average.increase.in.well-being.across.the.board This.is. even.greater.for.some.indicators .
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Less.alone
Engaged.with. Part.of.a.
clinical.care community
Resourced On.top.
of.things
..Initial
..Latest Supported
**----- End of picture text -----**
l. We.helped.people.improve.the.most.with.feeling.able.to.navigate.their. clinical.care,.where.we.saw.a. 17 .25%.increase .
l. After.that.we.saw.a. 16 .25%.increase.in.feeling.resourced .
l. An.area.our.focus.should.turn.to.from.here.is.helping.people.to.feel.less. alone,.as.we.saw.our.smallest.increase,.of.10 %,.here .
In.total,.during.this.given.period,.we.had.84.people.complete.their.second. progress.trackers.and.328.people.complete.their.first .
We.have.worked.hard.over.the.year.to.close.the.gap,.ensuring.we.are. collecting.as.many.second.trackers.as.possible.to.get.an.accurate.picture. of.the.impact.of.our.services
**10** _**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023
_**I’ve been feeling really alone since my last consultation as I feel like I’m burdening friends and family by discussing it over and over but at the same time it’s such a huge decision I don’t want to make it on my own.**_
Numbers.alone.don’t.always.shine.a.light.on.the.powerful.outcomes.that. _brainstrust_ .creates.for.people,.or.the.challenging.circumstances.they.face Over.the.year.we.heard.a.lot.about.the.impact.our.work.is.having.directly. and.unprompted.from.the.people.that.need.us:.
## **Patient**
## **Beneficiary change 2022–2023**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Less.alone
Part.of.a.
community
On.top.of.things
Supported
Resourced
Engaged.with.
clinical.care
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 84
Decreased Same Increased Beneficiaries
**----- End of picture text -----**
Over.the.year,.we.helped.the.vast.majority.of.people.who.contacted.us.to. sustain.or.improve.well-being.in.the.face.of.progressive.neurological.disease. where,.by.all.clinical.measures,.regression.is.more.than.likely
_**It is important that we are realistic in our expectations, given the context in which many of the seriously or terminally ill people with whom we work find themselves. For many in this space, maintenance of well-being is an important and ambitious goal, and we are proud to help people achieve this.**_
**Adam Thomson** , Patient Involvement Officer and Impact Lead
_**I am now at the stage where I really want to share all that I have learnt on my brain tumour journey, and give back to the community. With that in mind, it was perfect timing when I bumped into the lovely team from**_ **brainstrust** _**at a brain tumour conference I’d been asked to speak at. Combining my coaching qualifications and experience on my brain tumour journey, I can now support others in coming to terms with where they are at, and then help them start to take powerful, positive action to live their best lives possible.**_
**Damon** , _brainstrust_ volunteer and brain tumour patient
_**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023 **11**
## **Area of impact Beneficiary feedback**
## **Less alone**
l _That’s the first time I’ve been able to talk with other brain tumour patients in person, and I found it very therapeutic._
- l _I do feel so incredibly blessed and lucky to have found you and_ brainstrust _. It really does feel so comforting knowing you are there. Thank you from the bottom of my heart._
- l _I remember when I got my brain box, it felt like a warm hug and stopped me from feeling alone. I hope someone else gets to feel the same._
**Supported** l _I’m still in shock, but it’s because of all the amazing people in my life, like you, who continue to encourage and support me. Thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement. I am very lucky to have such amazing people around me and wouldn’t be where I am without you, I am sure._
- l _You have been a real beacon of hope for me when I felt all at sea at the beginning of this journey._
**On top of** l _I found the session very useful. I now feel I am heading in the right direction to be as in control and on top of things as I can be. Mariel put me at ease, as_ **things** _this was the first online interactive thing I have ever done, and she also teased out the positive things I didn’t realise I was already doing and some issues that we could address at a later date. Thank you for your advice today._
**Resourced** l _The hypnotherapy helps me to focus on my needs, relax, find a calm place in my head. It reminds me that I need to look after myself. The ‘meningioma matters’ sessions give me relevant information and keep me up to date, allowing me to learn from others’ experience as well as providing a support network who ‘get it’ in relation to lived experience. The information on the website has been useful in researching things like radiotherapy. The Facebook site gives me that community again; it’s nice to feel I can occasionally offer understanding or suggestions to others._
**Part of a** l _For the first time, I felt the group really knew what I was feeling. Acoustic neuromas are rare, so I haven’t been able to find people who have been through_ **community** _similar experiences, and this forum was supportive, friendly and informative. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to learn and share ideas with this group. Looking forward to the next one._
> l _I have found the online ‘family and friends’ Meetup very helpful and supportive. It has been interesting to connect with other people who are experiencing similar situations but who obviously have different ways of coping. I have found it a very useful platform for exchanging management/coping skills, and it helps me to feel less alone with my situation._
> l _Reading other people’s stories has really helped me not feel so alone with the life-changing nature of this diagnosis. I’ve learnt to accept the new me, and know that while I’m different to how I was – there are certain situations I now find difficult, and I don’t have as much energy as before – that’s OK. A brain tumour affects different people in different ways. Accepting this, and accepting help from everywhere it’s offered, plus talking about it and telling your story, can really help._
## **Confident navigating clinical care**
- l _You should know that your advice was instrumental in us obtaining a treatment that saved Caroline’s life. I’ll always be grateful to you for that._
- l _The information webinars (understanding scans) help me understand and ask questions. The information sheets are really useful (radiotherapy, uncertainty) and the new meningioma information is great._
- l _In the short time of contacting_ brainstrust _, you changed my future instantly, and you helped me get the care I needed and knew I deserved. I am forever grateful to you for that._
**12** _**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023
## **Meet Hannah, caregiver for her dad**
When.my.dad.got.diagnosed.with.a. grade.IV.glioblastoma.last.year,.our. lives.turned.upside.down My.dad. and.I.have.always.been.close,.and.it. hit.me.really.hard .
_brainstrust_ .sent.us.a.brain.box.as. soon.as.we.got.our.diagnosis,.and. their.resources.really.helped,.but.a. few.months.in,.I.realised.I.needed. extra.support I.reached.out.to.
_brainstrust_ .who.instantly.set.me. up.with.Molly,.one.of.their.coaches Molly.was.amazing,.and.we.spoke.lots. about.my.dad,.all.my.concerns,.and.sometimes.(read:.regularly).the.sessions. just.allowed.me.to.have.a.really.big.(and.much-needed).cry
After.a.couple.of.months,.we.reached.the.decision.that.I.was.ready.to.start. counselling I.was.just.going.back.to.university.after.the.summer,.and.we. decided.that.the.summer.holidays.would.be.a.good.time.to.do.it As.soon. as.I.sent.the.email,.Molly.and. _brainstrust_ .put.me.in.touch.with.a.counsellor,. who.helped.enormously Even.now,.Molly.still.checks.in.occasionally.to.make. sure.I’m.doing.okay.and.to.let.me.know.that.support.is.still.there.if.I.need.it .
Through. _brainstrust_ .coaching.with.Molly.for.many.months,.and.her.helping. me.take.the.steps.for.reaching.out.for.counselling.over.the.summer,.I.felt. like.I.was.able.to.come.to.terms.with.my.dad’s.diagnosis Their.support. means.I.can.enjoy.my.time.with.him,.however.long.that.may.be I.feel.more. able.to.navigate.my.dad’s.ups.and.downs.and.the.harsh.reality.of.what. we.are.dealing.with I.feel.like.I.have.taken.steps.to.come.to.terms.with. everything.now This.has.meant.that.I.can.now.enjoy.the.time.I.have.left. with.my.dad.without.dealing.with.anticipatory.grief.and.guilt .
_**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023 **13**
## **PRIME – bringing people closer to research**
In.2021,.we.created.the.Patient.Research.Involvement.Movement.(PRIME).to. bridge.the.gap.between.the.clinical.community.and.brain.tumour.patients. and.their.caregivers This.work.improves.the.quality.of.clinical.brain.tumour. research.and.its.design .
This.time.last.year,.57.volunteer.research.partners.and.advocates.were. supporting.PRIME.with.top-level.patient.involvement Over.this.year,.we. have.more.than.doubled.this.number,.with.a.combined.total.of.115 individuals.lending.their.insight.and.knowledge.to.clinical.trial.design .
The.PRIME.community.is.expert.by.experience And.this.expertise.has.been. used.to.test.and.design.intervention.tools.to.support.mental.well-being,. influence.studies.that.explore.how.treatment.prior.to.surgery.may.improve. outcomes,.and.provide.guidance.on.how.patients.should.be.stratified.into.a. trial.comparing.photon.and.proton.therapy,.just.to.name.a.few .
At.any.given.time,.PRIME.supports.15.to.30.studies There.is.a.range.of. opportunities.for.the.patient.and.caregiver.community.to.be.involved,. ensuring.that.researchers.working.in.the.field.have.access.to.strong.patient. involvement .
In.the.future,.we.will.continue.to.improve.the.standard.of.patient.and.public. involvement.(PPI).in.clinical.research,.remain.thought-leaders.in.this.space. and.continue.to.grow.our.service We.will.do.this.by:
l. collaborating.with.other.charities,.including.Brain.Tumour.Research l. exploring.new.ways.to.share.our.services.with.clinicians
- l. having.more.conversations.with.researchers.and.research.funders. regarding.funding.for.this.vital.service
- l. continuing.to.develop.a.training.and.webinar.programme.for.our. volunteers
- l. learning.and.adapting.methods.of.delivering.the.best.patient. involvement .
We.have.continued.to.work.in.partnership.with.the.charity.Brain.Tumour. We.have.also.received. Research.to.grow.this.work.to.mutual.benefit generous.support.from.Naseem’s.Manx.Brain.Tumour.Charity.in.the. previous.year.to.bring.people.with.glioblastoma.closer.to.relevant.research
**14** _**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023
PRIME.has.successfully.supported.research.applications.to.the.value.of. £20m,.with.partners.who.include:
## **The story of a trial: PORTRAIT**
Working.with.Dr.Gerben.Borst,.we.inputted.into.the.PORTRAIT.study,.which. is.to.explore.how.using.Optune.prior.to.and.following.surgery.might. improve.surgical.outcomes .
We.worked.together.to.plan.for.the.patient.and.public.involvement.and. engagement.(PPIE).strategy,.which.began.with.setting.up.focus.groups .
We.organised,.recruited.for.and.facilitated.focus.groups.for.Dr.Borst,.where. he.shared.the.study.design.with.the.community.and.they.fed.back.their. thoughts.and.ideas .
Following.review.of.the.study.design,.a.PRIME.research.partner,.Grant. Stobart,.was.recruited.to.help.produce.patient-facing.materials.for.the.study .
The.PRIME.team,.Grant.and.the.PORTRAIT.team.met.regularly.to.work.on. informational.videos.for.those.recruited.to.the.study
This.also.determined.language,.accessibility.and.preferences.for.those. enrolled Throughout.the.design.process.of.the.study,.Dr.Borst.would.refer. to.Grant.and.the.PRIME.team.at. _brainstrust_ .for.input.and.discussion .
Dr.Borst.can.use.our.ongoing.PPI.input.to.support.his.funding.application,. increasing.the.strength.of.the.study.proposal .
## **The story of a trial: APPROACH**
## **Analysis of Proton vs. Photon Radiotherapy in Oligodendroglioma and Assessment of Cognitive Health.**
- –. Dr.Louise.Murray,.Professor.Susan.Short.et.al .,.University.of.Leeds.
–. Funded.by.the.National.Institute.for.Health.Research.(NIHR):.£1,499,803
- –. Start.date:.June.2021
- –. End.date:.June.2031.
_brainstrust_ ’s.role.as.co-investigator.involves.support.of.the.Trial. Management.Group.(TMG).with.two.further.experienced.patient.advocates,. each.from.two.participating.centres These.individuals.form.the.PPI.panel. that.advises.APPROACH.researchers.and.fully.participates.in.the.decisions. needed.as.the.study.proceeds
This.PPI.panel.is.self-organising,.ensuring.that.it.is.fully.integrated. throughout.preparation,.execution.and.dissemination,.and.in.the. governance.structures _brainstrust_ .assisted.with.establishing.the.terms.of. reference.and.methodology.for.PPI.so.that.PPI.is.truly.in.the.DNA.of.the. trial This.will.be.facilitated.through.a.PPI.panel At.regular.touch.points,.a. focus.group.of.patients,.caregivers.and.the.public.is.consulted.to.ensure.that. value.is.added.and.impact.is.made The.panel.ensures.that.patient.opinion,. experience.and.insights.are.garnered.and.heard,.and.it.provides.a.bridge.for. dialogue.between.patients.and.clinicians
The.activity.is.discursive.and.participative.in.its.consideration.of.evidence. emerging.from.the.trial,.and.it.identifies.areas.of.patient.impact.where. further.information.is.needed _brainstrust_ .also.assists.with.dissemination.of. trial.news.and.results Developing.dissemination.strategies.is.a.core.part.of. our.work This.is.done.through.established.networks.that.include.the.NCRI. consumer.forum,.charities,.neuro-oncology.societies.and,.in.the.case.of.this. trial,.radiotherapy.organisations .
_**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023 **15**
## **Our influence – informing change in the future**
Brain.tumours.present.severe.challenges.to.society.in.the.UK,.not.only. affecting.individuals.and.families.but.also.our.healthcare.systems.and. government These.broader.challenges.include:.
**Healthcare burden:** .Diagnosing.and.treating.brain.tumours.involves. complex.procedures,.including.surgery,.radiation.therapy.and.chemotherapy These.treatments.require.specialist.medical.expertise.and.equipment,. which.strains.resources
**Limited treatment options:** .Brain.tumours.are.difficult.to.treat,.and.in.many. cases,.there.are.limited.effective.treatment.options This.leads.to.frustration. among.patients.and.their.families,.as.well.as.healthcare.professionals,.who. are.trying.to.provide.the.best.care.possible .
**Long-term care needs:** .Brain.tumour.survivors.require.expensive.long-term. care.and.support.due.to.ongoing.medical.and.psychological.needs This. strains.families.and.systems.alike .
**Research and funding:** .Brain.tumours.remain.an.area.of.active.research,.but. funding.for.brain.tumour.research.is.limited.compared.to.other.diseases This.hinders.the.development.of.new.treatment.options.and.innovative. therapies .
**Public awareness and stigma:** .There.is.a.lack.of.public.awareness.and. understanding.about.brain.tumours,.leading.to.stigma.and.misconceptions This.impacts.patients’.social.interactions.and.ability.to.access.support .
**Access to care:** .As.highlighted.by.the.Tessa.Jowell.Brain.Cancer.Mission.and. our.experience.supporting.people,..inequalities.in.access.to.gold-standard. healthcare.and.treatment.are.a.challenge .
**Impact on employment and finances:** .A.brain.tumour.diagnosis.is.expensive. to.families,.and.to.the.state Diagnosis.and.treatment.lead.to.disruptions.in. employment.and.financial.stability Patients.face.challenges.in.maintaining. employment,.due.to.treatment.schedules,.cognitive.impairments.and. physical.limitations .
We.are.here.to.address.these.challenges,.participating.in.a.collaborative,. multidisciplinary.ecosystem.striving.for.better.support.services.for.patients. and.their.families,.improved.access.to.care,.increased.research.funding. and.enhanced.public.awareness Collaborative.efforts.between.charities,. healthcare.professionals,.researchers,.policymakers.and.advocacy.groups. are.making.progress.in.managing.the.societal.challenges.posed.by.brain. tumours.in.the.UK .
We.are.conscious.that.as.a.charity,.we.are.here.not.just.to.alleviate.
challenges.that.the.brain.tumour.community.faces.in.the.here.and.now,.but. also.to.work.for.a.better.world.tomorrow,.for.people.diagnosed.with.a.brain. tumour.in.the.future .
In.acknowledgement.of.our.relatively.small.size,.we.conduct.our. campaigning.and.influencing.activity.collaboratively,.carefully.and.with.a. laser.focus.on.patient.needs .
We.proactively.partner.with.clinical.bodies,.hospitals.and.clinical.teams,. other.charities.and.community.interest.groups,.notably.Brain.Tumour. Research,.the.Tessa.Jowell.Brain.Cancer.Mission,.the.All-Party.Parliamentary. Group.on.Brain.Tumours,.One.Cancer.Voice,.the.Children.and.Young.People. Cancer.Coalition,.the.International.Brain.Tumour.Alliance.and.Cancer52,.to. make.sure.brain.tumour.patients.and.their.caregivers.have.a.voice
**16** _**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023
Key.concerns.we.are.looking.to.be.addressed.are:
l. quality.and.equality.of.care.inside.and.outside.the.clinic
l. prompt.diagnosis
l. addressing.delays.in.follow-up.and.treatment
l. NHS.workforce.shortages
l. cost.of.living.after.brain.tumour.diagnosis.and.access.
to.support
l. implementation.of.shared.decision-making.
l. access.to.novel.treatments.and.therapies.and.adaptive.trial.design l . better.access.to.funding.for.brain.tumour.researchers .
We.go.about.this.work.with.a.positive.approach.and.the.belief.that.‘none.of. us.is.as.smart.as.all.of.us’ If.something.is.not.working.for.our.community,. we.are.quick.to.acknowledge,.slow.to.blame.and.swift.to.seek.a.solution,. with.every.effort.to.bring.the.power.of.our.ecosystem.to.bear.on.a.solution . Please.refer.to.the.‘Collaborations,.networks.and.advisers’.section.of.this. report.for.more.information.about.who.we.are.working.with .
_**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023
**17**
## **Award winning work that improves patient experience**
We.have.been.working.collaboratively.with.two.NHS.trusts.in.Liverpool. and.Preston.to.improve.the.patient.pathway,.both.in.terms.of.experience. and.service.effectiveness Issues.included.no.brain.site-specific.team.based. at.acute.trusts,.which.led.to.a.fragmented.pathway.and.poor.patient. experience Patients.were.falling.between.the.emergency.department,. acute.medical.units,.acute.oncology.and.palliative.care,.so.that.nobody.had. responsibility.for.the.patients This.meant.a.lack.of.follow-up,.no.central. point.of.contact.and.a.lack.of.information,.so.patients.didn’t.know.what. timescales.they.could.expect.or.what.the.next.steps.were Patients.and. their.caregivers.were.interviewed.by. _brainstrust_ .support.specialists.in.focus. groups.and.by.telephone.so.that.we.could.work.with.the.NHS.trusts.to. improve.the.patient.experience.and.service.effectiveness.based.on.their. feedback We.are.very.grateful.to.everyone.who.has.given.us.the.time.and. honesty.to.deliver.this.work
The.outcomes.of.this.work.have.led.to:
- l. the.establishment.of.a.brain.tumour.pathway,.so.that.everyone.receives. coordinated.care.and.a.management.plan
- l. the.allocation.of.a.key.worker
- l. the.point.of.referral.to.neuro-oncology.from.the.emergency.department. to.within.72.hours.to.allow.optimisation.of.steroids.and.accurate. information.being.available.for.the.MDT.meeting
- l. all.patients.having.a.holistic.needs.assessment.with.an.acute.oncology. support.worker
- l. All.patients.being.tracked.by.a.cancer.care.navigator
- l. improved.communication.with.additional.information.written.and. produced.by. _brainstrust_ .about.what.to.expect.when.diagnosed.with. a.suspected.brain.tumour
- l . delivery.of.the.pathway.being.increased.from.five.days.to.seven,.so.that. weekend.referrals.are.overseen
- l. improved.length.of.stay.–.patients.are.being.discharged.earlier.when. appropriate.following.first.review .
This.work.has.been.shared.at.a.local.level.and.is.easily.transferable.to.other. NHS.trusts It.won.a.Nursing.Times.Award.in.2022,.and.acute.oncology. teams.from.London,.Birmingham,.Barnsley,.Wigan.and.Oxford.have. expressed.a.desire.to.replicate.this.work The.work.also.won.a.Macmillan. Professional.Excellence.Award .
**By bringing patients closer to their clinical teams we have been able to help develop award winning patient experience in hospitals.**
**18** _**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023
## **Collaborations, networks and advisers**
## **‘None of us is as smart as all of us’**
Indeed,.meaningful.collaboration. and.co-creation.is.central.to.our. strategy.and.ethos.as.we.work. to.secure.the.best.outcomes.for. anyone.who.is.living.with.a.brain. tumour Our.partnerships,.of.which. we.nurture.around.80,.are.global. and.fall.into.four.themes:
clinical.network,.which.has.been.pivotal.in.the.success.of.our.webinar. programme.and.the.growth.of.our.clinical.research.activity.under.the. banner.of.PRIME .
This.community’s.involvement.in.our.educational.events.has.been. transformative.for.our.beneficiaries We.have.built.a.community.of.over. 20 .clinical.experts,.who.have.selflessly.given.up.their.time.and.knowledge. to.help.people.living.with.a.brain.tumour.understand.more.about.their. condition,.why.at.times.it.is.hard.to.make.a.choice.about.treatment,.and. how.to.live.better.with.a.brain.tumour This.community.continues.to.grow,. and.we.are.so.grateful.for.the.valuable.and.transformative.expertise.so. generously.gifted.by.this.network .
## **Patient-focused**
## **Public Health**
These.partnerships.include.clinical.engagement.with.the.35.neuroscience. and.neurosurgical.centres.and.organisations.that.are.relevant.to.our. community,.such.as.Use.My.Data.and.the.Patient.Information.Forum Clinical.engagement.is.a.priority,.as.this.is.one.way.in.which.we.can. reach.the.community It.is,.however,.a.two-way.relationship,.as.healthcare. professionals.can.visit.our.website.and.order.resources.for.their.patients,. signpost.coaching.and.other.support.services,.and.take.advantage.of. training.opportunities,.such.as.our.expert-led.webinars.and.coaching. programme .
## **Clinically focused**
Clinical.collaborations.are.hubs.of.clinical.practice.and.research,.such.as. the.British.Neuro-Oncology.Society.(BNOS),.the.National.Cancer.Research. Institute.(NCRI).and.the.Cochrane.Collaboration We.are.very.proud.of.our.
We.work.across.the.four.Public.Health.nations This.year,.this.work.has.been. particularly.significant,.as.we.have.worked.closely.with.the.Public.Health. government.departments.to.ensure.that.our.community.is.well.supported. during.the.return.of.services.following.the.Covid-19.pandemic This.work. has.included.advocating.for.cohorts.of.people.living.with.a.specific.type. of.brain.tumour.to.ensure.the.treatment.and.surveillance.that.they.need. has.been.accessible Furthermore,.by.using.data.from.the.National.Cancer. Registration.and.Analysis.Service.to.reassure.the.community.that.waiting. times.and.urgent.referrals.are.returning.to.normal,.our.work.with.Public. Health.has.enabled.us.to.keep.our.community.updated.in.a.meaningful.and. relevant.way .
_**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023 **19**
## **Charities**
We.have.always.worked.closely.with.charities.when.we.have.recognised. that.it.is.in.the.best.interests.of.the.community Our.collaborations.with. charities.have.become.stronger.and.deeper.during.the.pandemic,.and.we. have.worked.hard.this.year.to.continue.to.build.these.relationships .
We.are.actively.involved.in.the.Cancer52.network.of.charities;.we.represent. children.and.young.people.with.brain.cancer.through.our.role.on.the. steering.group.of.the.Children.and.Young.People.with.Cancer.Coalition;.we. work.closely.with.Cancer.Research.UK.on.matters.relating.to.brain.cancer. and.clinical.research;.and.we.work.in.partnership.with.charity.Brain.Tumour. Research.on.a.variety.of.projects,.including.our.PRIME.initiative,.and.on. activity.to.inform.UK.governments.on.the.importance.of.addressing.brain. tumours.at.the.highest.levels.possible .
Notably,.we.have.enjoyed.our.ongoing.relationship.with.the.Tessa.Jowell. Brain.Cancer.Mission _brainstrust_ ’s.chief.executive,.Will.Jones,.brings.our. experiences,.insights.and.the.voices.of.our.communities.to.the.Joint. Strategy.Board.of.the.mission .
## **Organisational partnerships and collaborations**
Our.team.also.maintains.a.broad.portfolio.of.strategic.and.commercial. relationships.outside.the.health.and.charity.sectors These.relationships. with.companies.and.individuals.enhance.our.capabilities,.capacity.and. expertise,.and.they.all.contribute.meaningfully.to.our.mission.and.our. impact We.would.like.to.express.our.specific.appreciation.to:
l. Baker.McKenzie l. Louise.Baker l. Charisma.Charity.Recruitment l. McQueenie.Mulholland l. Class.Networks l. Nifty.Communications l. Eric.Callister l. Rhys.Coren,.RA l. Google.UK l. Salesforce l. Greenberg.Traurig,.LLP l. Smarter.Not.Harder.(SNH) l. Harrison.Black l. TechSoup l. Irene.Clarke l. Think.Creative.Consultants.Ltd l. J.Pullan.&.Sons l . Thrive.Partners .
_**Reaching out to all available support networks is key. We were in such shock at the time of my son’s diagnosis and found charities later.**_
## **Caregiver to a low grade glioma patient**
**20** _**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023
## **Your support**
This.year.our.supporters.raised.£691,706.to.fund. _brainstrust_ ’s.mission This. income.remains.from.a.diversified.mix.of.traditional.charity.fundraising. activity Our.funding.comes.from:
l. trusts.and.foundations
l. direct.and.regular.giving
l. companies.who.support.our.work
l. sponsored.events.and.challenges
l. community.fundraising
l. Gift.Aid.recovery
l. in-memory.giving
l. trading
l. government.support.relating.to.the.Covid-19.pandemic
l. special-purpose.fundraising.to.enable.communities.to.access.novel. treatments.and.therapies .
We.have.limited.income.from.legacy.fundraising.and.high-net-worth. individuals,.and.we.have.minimal.investment.income,.instead.keeping.cash. available.to.provide.liquidity.and.flexibility.so.that.we.can.react.promptly.to. the.needs.of.our.community .
With.all.public.fundraising.cancelled.at.the.outset.of.the.Covid-19.pandemic,. we.have.since.worked.hard.to.reignite.supporter.fundraising We.have.been. delighted.to.see.activity.and.income.from.community.fundraising.channels. build.on.last.year This.focus.is.bringing.our.work.closer,.once.more,.to.the. community.we.are.here.to.serve .
This.being.said,.we.remain.in.a.challenging,.and.changing.fundraising. environment Our.three-year.year.planning.post-Covid.anticipated.a.rapid. return.to.a.fundraising.mix.that.relied.heavily.on.supporter.fundraising,.as.it. was.before.the.pandemic.–.80%.supporter.income,.20%.grants .
However,.our.short-term.planning.and.activities.have.had.to.adapt.in. response.to.changes.in.the.fundraising.landscape,.where.headwinds. during.the.year.have.included.cost-of-living.pressures.for.supporters,. political.uncertainty.in.society,.increased.competition.for.grant.fundraising,. combined.with.unforeseen.increases.in.operational.costs.across.our.whole. organisation .
Our.short-term.planning.anticipates.these.challenges.–.support.from. philanthropic.and.grant-giving.partners.remains.as.important.as.ever.as. our.loyal.community.supporters.struggle.with.cost-of-living.pressures.and. uncertainty.at.home.and.work
We.continue.to.work.hard.to.rebalance.our.fundraising.mix,.but.to.achieve. the.healthy.and.sustainable.balance.of.2019,.we.will.need.the.wider.societal. pressures.to.ease
Hand.in.hand.with.the.fundraising.challenges.that.we.anticipate.will. play.out.for.at.least.the.rest.of.the.year,.we.are.actively.controlling.costs. wherever.possible.without.compromising.on.the.impact.of.our.work.in.the. communities.that.we.serve .
In-memory.fundraising,.team. _brainstrust_ .(marathons.and.challenges).and. trust.and.foundation.fundraising.remain.areas.of.growth.for. _brainstrust_ despite.these.challenges .
_**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023 **21**
## **Our income 2022–23**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Legacies:. £8,963
Investments:. £1,062
Restricted.income.fundraising.–. Personal.donations:.
partner.groups:. £71,086 £90,081
team. brainstrust
marathons.and.
challenges: £117,936
Total.income:. Grants.from.awarding.
£691,706 entities:. £242,951
Community.fundraising.
events:. £81,731
Trading:. £10,249
Corporate.grants.and.donations:.
Gift.Aid.tax.recovered:. £34,878 £32,769
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Our expenditure 2022–23**
## Governance:. **£12,468**
Generating.restricted.income:. **£3,485**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Generating.unrestricted.
income:. £59,218
Charitable.activities.
restricted.expenditure:.
£96,281
Total.expenditure:. Charitable.activities.
unrestricted.
£791,844 expenditure:. £620,392
**----- End of picture text -----**
_**As we reflect on another year of remarkable achievements, we are reminded that the true measure of our success lies not just in the numbers we’ve raised but also in the countless lives we’ve touched and the stories of transformation we’ve authored together. With gratitude for all those who have joined us, we move forward, inspired by the light of our community, which illuminates the darkest of moments that come with a brain tumour diagnosis.**_
**Will Jones, Chief Executive,** _**brainstrust**_
## **Thank you to our community of supporters**
**‘Be more Reesh’ – Donna’s Cardiff Half Marathon**
Donna.signed.up.with.team. _brainstrust_ .early.in.the.year,.taking. inspiration.from.her.friend.Areesha,. who.was.sadly.lost.to.a.brain. tumour.this.year Donna.describes. Areesha.as.someone.who.‘never. shied.away.from.a.challenge’ Donna.chose.to.set.herself.a. fundraising.target.of.£1,500 .
_Turns out running a half marathon is pretty damn hard._
_Thanks to everyone that donated to my fundraising efforts. Thank you to everyone who has asked about my training, checked in on me and said good luck to me. Thank you to everyone that came out and cheered today. Thank you to everyone that told me I could do it even when I didn’t think I could. Thank you to everyone who’s asked about why I’m doing it and let me talk to them about Reesh. And a special thanks to Laura for being the best training_
**22** _**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023
_buddy I could have asked for. I’m so glad you let me tag along with you on this ride._
_And lastly, to Reesh, I miss you so much, but it felt like I had you with me today. And that in itself was worth this entire journey._
_Thank you so much for your support along this journey. I’m so glad I picked_ brainstrust _to fundraise for._
Prior.to.taking.part.in.the.half. marathon,.Donna.shared.her. thoughts.on.her.upcoming. challenge.with.team. _brainstrust_
The.Cardiff.Half.Marathon.took.place.on.2.October,.and.although.Donna.has. admitted.she’s.‘most.definitely.not.a.natural.runner,.or.an.experienced.one’,. she.trained.hard,.and.with.less.than.a.month.to.go,.we.invited.Donna.to. share.her.motivation.for.running.and.to.reflect.on.her.training.so.far .
_I’ve been sitting in front of a blank screen for the last half an hour, trying to figure out how to start to write what motivated me to run the Cardiff Half. And with tear-stained cheeks, I reluctantly admit it was grief. That kind of grief that is all-encompassing and physically painful. That kind of grief that just makes you wish there was something, anything, you could do to make it go away, but there isn’t._
_On 19 February 2022, I lost my dear friend Areesha to a brain tumour that she was diagnosed with less than a year before. Reesh was not like anyone I’d met before. She was wildly extroverted, loud, dramatic and absolutely hilarious. And she said yes to everything. Once, she flew to New York, then drove to Philadelphia on her own to meet up with our roller derby team and play the_
_48 hours later. last two games on our first USA tour. Then she flew back home To say Reesh lived life to the fullest is an understatement – she packed more into 35 short years than most do in a much longer lifetime. And I’m so glad she did._
_I knew I wanted to do something to honour her ‘say yes’ attitude, and when my friend Laura said she was running the Cardiff Half in memory of Reesh, I asked if she wanted someone to do it with her. And the next thing I know, I’m signing up to run 13.1 miles, having not run in over six months and never having run more than seven miles in my entire life. But one thing I knew for sure was that if Reesh was still here, she’d be our biggest cheerleader._
_Training has been full of ups and downs. It started off fairly well, and I was following my training plan, and it wasn’t too hard to motivate myself to put my trainers on and get some miles in. But unfortunately, after avoiding Covid for 2.5 years, my luck finally ran out. It hit me pretty hard, and I wasn’t able to run, or exercise at all, for five very long weeks. But patience (not one of my virtues) prevailed, and I managed to lace my trainers back up towards the end of August and restart training. It’s been humbling to not see the progression I wanted to. I’ve had to dramatically adjust my goals for the race, but it really has brought me back to the bigger picture of why I’m running. I am running for Reesh, for someone that was so incredibly full of life, so ready to take on any challenge and so willing to help her friends when they needed it. And I guess this is what running the Cardiff Half for_ brainstrust _feels like to me: helping a friend._
_I am so incredibly grateful for the generosity people have shown with their donations. Whilst I am nervous about the race, there is no doubt in my mind I can do it. And on the day, when I hit that inevitable wall, I’ll think of Reesh cheering me on and every single person who has supported me along the way._
Donna,.you’re.an.inspiration.–.we.can’t.thank.you.enough.for.your.amazing. support.and.for.smashing.your.fundraising.target.by.raising.a.huge.£1,630 .
_**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023 **23**
## **Kerstin Kramer’s 3 Pistes Cycle Sportive**
On.Saturday.4.June,.Kerstin.Kramer.took.on.the.3.Pistes.Cycle.Sportive.(the. UK’s.highest.cycle.sportive).in.support.of. _brainstrust_ In.an.epic.challenge,. she.tackled.eight.categorised.climbs,.five.of.the.UK’s.six.highest.roads.and. three.Scottish.ski.centres.–.all.spanning.103.miles
When.the.ride.was.originally. planned,.Kerstin.and.her.close. friend.and.fellow.GP,.Margaret,.had. pledged.to.conquer.this.incredible. challenge.together But.sadly,.last. November.Margaret.was.diagnosed. with.a.brain.tumour.and.suddenly. had.to.face.a.very.different.type.
of.challenge In.this.moment,.Margaret.and.her.family.reached.out.to. _brainstrust_ .for.support.and.found.an.understanding.community.ready.to. welcome.them.with.open.arms While.Margaret.had.to.withdraw.from. the.challenge,.Kerstin.chose.to.ride.in.her.honour.and.raised.over.£2,200 in.support.of.her.chosen.charity,. _brainstrust_ ,.and.the.wider.brain.tumour. community .
## **The inaugural Jim Woods Memorial Ride**
_‘_ A.great.ride.in.memory.of.a.great.man _’_ .is.how.one.Alton.Cycling.Club. member.described.the.Jim.Woods.Memorial.Ride .
The.inaugural.Jim.Woods.Memorial. Ride.took.place.on.Sunday.10.July The.ride.was.organised.by.John. Heath.in.memory.of.club.member. Jim.Woods,.who.sadly.died.of.a. brain.tumour.in.2020,.and.who.is. fondly.remembered.by.many .
## **In memory of Jim Woods**
Jim.was.a.keen.club.cyclist,.joining.ACC.in.2010.on.his.return.from.France Always.good.company.on.and.off.the.bike,.Jim.loved.cycle.touring,.Sunday. club.rides.and.all.things.social .
Jim.was.diagnosed.in.September.2018.with.a.malignant.brain.tumour.and. sadly.passed.away.in.April.2020 He.is.hugely.missed.by.his.many.friends. and.family His.gentle.humour.and.keen.intellect.live.on.in.the.memories. of.all.who.knew.him .
## **The day of the ride**
The.ride.began.on.Sunday.morning,.with.the.team. enjoying.excellent.weather.and.quiet.lanes For.many. at.the.club,.this.was.their.first.ever.Audax.ride,.and.the. 2006,.and. first.organised.by.Alton.Cycling.Club.since. it.was.a.great.success .
Considering.the.warm.weather,.the.team.of.60 friendly.cyclists.completed.an.impressive.100.km. and.raised.an.incredible.£ .for. _brainstrust_ 773 .31 .
Alton.Cycling.Club.are.looking.forward.to.organising.this.as.an.annual. Audax.event.from.now.on The.next.ride.will.be.in.July.2024 We.cannot.wait!
**24** _**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023
## **Dreaming big with Ravi Adelekan**
In.December.2022,.8.year.old.brain.tumour.patient.Ravi.Adelekan.launched. his.fundraising.campaign.‘Ravi’s.Dream’.in.support.of.2.charities.close. to.his.heart.–. _brainstrust_ .and.The.Brain.Tumour.Charity His.goal.was.to. raise.£250,000.for.the.work.of.the.charities.so.that.all.children.with.brain. tumours.can.get.the.help.they.need
Ravi’s.fundraising.journey.began.in.his.home.town.of.Brighton.with.the. launch.of.his.charity.music.video.–.a.cover.of.the.song.‘A.Million.Dreams’. from.The.Greatest.Showman With.appearances.from.Hugh.Jackman.and. Michael.Gracey.of.Greatest.Showman.fame,.the.video.also.features.an. amazing.array.of.internationally.acclaimed.musicians.including.Bastille,. Damon.Albarn,.Paloma.Faith,.The.Big.Moon,.and.Metronomy .
You.can.watch.the.video.here:.
**www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDETq8P88SI** Ravi.has.since.won.a.Pride.of.Britain.award. for.his.courage,.reaching.millions.in.his. mission.to.help.children.with.a.brain. tumour.to.be.better.supported .
_**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023
**25**
## **Thank you to our trust and foundation supporters**
Your.support.is.invaluable.and.vital.to.us;.it.has.allowed.us.to.widen.and. strengthen.our.local.communities We.value.our.relationships.with.all. our.generous.and.compassionate.funders.and.are.grateful.to.The.Rank. Foundation.for.its.ongoing.support
We.are.also.indebted.to.the.National.Lottery.Community.Fund.and.players. of.The.National.Lottery Their.grants.helped.us.support.many.more.people. with.our.high-impact.coaching,.allowed.us.to.reach.more.people.in.Scotland. and.to.plan.free.all-day.health.and.well-being.events
In.addition,.we.are.incredibly.privileged.to.have.been.supported.by.these. very.generous.funding.partners:
- l. The.Edward.Gostling.Foundation
l . Garfield.Weston.Foundation
- l. The.Hospital.Saturday.Fund
- l. St James’s.Place.Charitable.Foundation
- l. Wyseliot.Rose.Charitable.Trust.
- l. Sir.Jules.Thorn.Charitable.Trust.
- l. The.Moondance.Foundation
- l. The.February.Foundation.
- l. The.Meikle.Foundation.
- l. The.Thistledown.Education.Trust
- l. The.Hobson.Charity
- l. The.Mishcon.Family.Charitable.Trust.
- l. Sandra.Charitable.Trust.
- l. The.Hodge.Foundation. l . The.Oakdale.Trust .
Thank.you,.all,.for.your.generosity,.and.for.the.incredible.kindness.of.an. anonymous.trust.donor Your.funding.has.allowed.us.to.be.there.for.an.everincreasing.number.of.people.who.need.us.and.to.help.them.live.their.best. possible.lives .
**26** _**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023
## **Financial review**
The.Trust’s.published.statutory.accounts.for.the.year.ended.31.March.2023 are.incorporated.in.this.Trustees’.Annual.Report.and.include.considerable. detail.on.the.source.and.application.of.funds,.and.the.financial.position. of.the.Trust.at.31.March.2023,.as.required.by.the.SORP.for.UK.charities. published.by.the.Charity.Commission This.report.comments.on.the.main. points.contained.in.the.accounts .
In.summary,.gross.income.generated.in.2022–2023.was.£692K.(2021–22:. £952K),.of.which.£71K.related.to.restricted.income.funds The.net.deficit. for.the.year.was.£100K.(2021–22:.£289K.surplus),.of.which.£32K.related.to. restricted.income.funds .
While,.as.reviewed.elsewhere.in.the.Trustees’.Annual.Report,. _brainstrust_ ’s. charitable.impact.has.been.significantly.increased,.thus.increasing.our.reach. and.effectiveness We.have.had.to.invest.in.meeting.demand.and.scaling. our.efforts.over.the.year,.and.this.has.come.at.an.increased.cost.due.to.new,. planned-for.recruitment.and.an.increase.in.live.events Overall.expenditure. in.2022–2023,.at.£792K,.of.which.£100K.related.to.planned.expenditure.of. restricted.income.funds,.has.naturally.increased.year.on.year,.alongside.a. higher.level.of.activity,.from.the.previous.year.of.2021–22.(£663K) .
The.Trust’s.gross.income.for.2022–23,.at.£692K,.was,.as.noted.above,.a. decrease.on.the.£952K.raised.in.2021–22 However,.it.is.only.£16K.short. against.our.targets We.have.not.yet.seen.a.return.to.a.‘normal’.twelve. months.since.before.Covid-19,.but.our.supporters,.through.grants,.donations. and,.in.many.cases,.the.hard.physical.graft.of.traditional.fundraising. through,.for.example,.sponsored.and.testing.walks.and.marathons,.have. raised.this.money.despite.the.ongoing.economic.uncertainty.and.external. factors,.such.as.recruitment.and.cost-of-living.pressures.in.our.team.and.for.
our.community This.has.made.for.a.challenging.fourth.quarter.in.terms.of. fundraising.and.planning/pipeline.development,.but.the.significant.growth. in.our.reserves.last.year.has.helped.us.to.weather.the.storm .
Most.of.the.Trust’s.income,.both.general.and.restricted,.is.applied.to. supporting.patients.and.their.caregivers.and.families,.from.the.point.of. a.brain.cancer.diagnosis Our.support.team.provides.UK-wide.coverage,. supported.by.the.National.Lottery.Community.Fund.and.other.substantial. funders .
The.Trust.has.only.cash.investments,.deposited.with.NatWest.Bank.and.The. Co-operative.Bank At.31.March.2023,.the.Trust.had.net.reserves,.including. our.restricted.income.funds,.of.£604K.(March.2022:.£704K),.which.included. unrestricted.reserves.of.£205K.(2022:.£274K).and.net.restricted.reserves.of. £399K.(2022:.£430K) The.unrestricted.deficit.for.the.year.in.review.has.been. deducted.from.our.general.charitable.funds .
The.Trust.has.a.long-standing.policy.of.holding.unrestricted.reserves.to. As.at.31.March.2023,.unrestricted. cover.four.months.of.defined.core.costs reserves.were.sufficient.to.cover.just.over.five.months.of.core.costs,. the.excess.providing.a.useful.cushion.as.the.UK,.and.especially.the. charity.sector,.continues.to.operate.in.a.very.unusual.and.unpredictable. environment .
_**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023 **27**
## **Our structure, governance, leadership and management**
## **Our structure**
_brainstrust_ .is.a.mature.organisation We.are.confident.in.our.abilities,. our.purpose.and.our.impact As.we. near.the.end.of.our.current.strategy,. we.are.more.focused.than.ever.on. our.purpose.and.the.needs.of.our. beneficiaries .
We.are.proud.that.we.have. catalysed.a.new.ecosystem.in.the. brain.tumour.charity.and.advocacy. landscape.that.is.focused.on. improving.life.for.people.with.a. brain.tumour .
Our.professional.and.highly.trained. team.supports.people.across.the. UK,.and.these.people.can.access. impactful,.accredited. _brainstrust_ resources We.are.a.resilient. organisation.that.has.transitioned. well.over.the.last.five.years.from. being.a.‘large.small’.operation.to.a. ‘small.big’.charity.with.a.scalable,. professional.and.resilient.structure .
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Board
of Trustees
Gillian Bilbo Kevin Higgs Chris Baker Puneet Plaha Stephen Warrington
Trustee Trustee Chair.of.Trustees Trustee Trustee
Senior Leadership
Team
Will Jones
CEO
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **The** _**brainstrust**_ **team**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Advisory Helen Bulbeck Kathy Springate Peter Bulbeck Regulatory
and Supported Director.of.Services. Head.of.Finance Trust.Administrator Bodies
Parties and.Policy
The Fundraising
Patients Regulator
Caregivers The Charities
NCRI Support and Finance Governance Reach and Fundraising Commission
Impact and HR Effectiveness OSCR
NIHR
Public Health Statutory Auditor
England Patient Engagement Support Specialist Payroll and Audit HR Consultant Designer Fundraising HMRC
NHS Four Nations Officer – PRIME London. (Contracted.third. (Agency) (Freelance) Manager ICO
JLA and.South-East party) Trusts.and.
Foundations
NICE
NCRAS Support Specialist Support Specialist Communications Fundraising
Scotland Wales Manager Manager
Cochrane
Support Specialist Support Specialist Charity Resources Senior Fundraising
Midlands Northern.England Officer Officer
Support Specialist
Central.Southern.
England
**----- End of picture text -----**
**28** _**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023
## **Our governance**
_**Good governance is an essential component of our success, particularly as we grow. It underpins our integrity, reinforces the trust and confidence our patients and partners place in us, and contributes to a strong highperformance culture.**_
## **Chris Baker, Chair of Trustees**
_**Focused discussions, an agile and adaptable approach to planning and sound cooperation between the appointed trustees and the managers of the Trust have ensured that**_ **brainstrust** _**has continued to provide support and guidance for our patients, in accordance with its aims, while maintaining a secure financial footing.**_
## **Gillian Bilbo, Trustee,** _**brainstrust**_
_brainstrust_ .is.constituted.as.a.trust,.governed.by.its.Declaration.of.Trust,. dated.4.March.2006
The.overall.guidelines.for.the.management.and.administration.of.the. Trust.are.incorporated.in.the.Declaration.of.Trust,.dated.4.March.2006,.as. amended.by.Deeds.of.Amendment.adopted.by.the.trustees.under.the.terms. of.the.original.deed.and.notified.to.the.Charity.Commission .
This.places.overall.responsibility.for.the.proper.governance.of.the.Trust.with. the.appointed.trustees Day-to-day.management.of.the.Trust.is.delegated. to.William.Jones,.who.has.been.appointed.chief.executive.of.the.Trust The. chief.executive,.supported.by.the.leadership.team,.makes.recommendations. to.the.trustees.on.the.Trust’s.vision,.patient.and.caregiver.support,.related. research,.financial.fundraising,.promotional.activities.and.ensuring.that. funds.raised.are.spent.as.efficiently.as.possible.on.resources.that.will.be. useful.to.people.affected.by.brain.cancer .
_brainstrust_ ’s.trustees.have.had.regard.to.the.guidance.issued.by.the.Charity. Commission.on.public.benefit .
## **Leading the way**
_brainstrust_ .has.a.stable,.experienced.and.committed.leadership.team. who.are.aligned.in.delivering.our.mission.and.who.are.the.strongest. advocates.of.our.vision.and.values Day.to.day,.the.leadership.team.work.to. promote,.develop.and.instil.purpose,.autonomy.and.mastery.throughout. the.organisation.through.a.‘tight-loose’.approach,.which.is.manifested.in. tightly.defined.objectives.for.each.member.of.the.team,.but.loosely.defined. method This.allows.people.to.work.the.way.that.suits.them.best.to.achieve. the.right.goals.for. _brainstrust_ .and.our.beneficiaries .
This.leadership.team.and.trustees.have.a.clear.mandate.to:
l **Set an example** .–.It.is.important.to.demonstrate.our.values.in.everything. we.do We.set.high.standards.of.behaviour.and.inspire.colleagues,. We.demonstrate.fairness,. supporters.and.beneficiaries.to.do.the.same integrity.and.resilience,.and.we.build.trust.with.our.actions .
l **Look after people** .–.At. _brainstrust_ ,.we.promote.the.well-being.of. individuals,.teams.and.communities We.encourage.a.supportive.culture. and.inclusive.working.arrangements We.prioritise.one-to-one.time. with.people.to.listen.and.understand.their.needs We.support.and. defend.colleagues.in.difficult.situations We.identify.and.deal.with.poor. performance.and.bad.behaviour .
l **Take ownership** .–.We.welcome.responsibility.and.accountability We’re. proactive,.pick.up.things.that.need.doing.without.being.asked.and.push. to.finish.the.job.in.hand We’re.the.first.to.admit.mistakes,.apologise. when.wrong.and.learn.for.next.time .
l **Provide clarity** .–.We.must.communicate.clearly.and.concisely.through. the.right.channel We.question.any.decisions,.goals.or.explanations.that. are.vague.or.ambiguous,.and.we.work.to.clarify.them We’re.open,.honest.
_**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023 **29**
and.straightforward.in.what.we.say.and.write And.we.provide.specific,. understandable.and.useful.feedback .
l **Make good decisions** .–.We.use.evidence.and.judgement.to.make.good. decisions We.know.that.timely.decisions.are.important,.so.we.don’t. procrastinate.or.fudge We.commit.to.collective.decisions,.particularly. when.we.originally.disagreed We.consult.broadly,.seek.out.contrary. opinions.and.listen.to.quieter.voices We.make.sure.we.can.explain.our. decisions,.with.context,.rationale.and.evidence .
l **Point the way** .–.We.share.an.inspiring.vision.for.the.future.of.the.charity. and.everyone’s.part.in.it In.our.work,.we.make.sure.that.colleagues. understand.the.outcomes.we.want.to.achieve.and.the.value.that.they.will. create .
- l **Build the future** .–.We.bring.great.people.on.board We.actively.look.for.the. widest.range.of.candidates.to.strengthen.our.diversity We.encourage.our. colleagues.to.learn,.develop.new.skills.and.pursue.their.career.aspirations,. whether.at. _brainstrust_ .or.elsewhere And.we.give.people.opportunity. and.responsibility.at.the.right.pace.for.them We.continually.improve. _brainstrust_ ’s.capability.and.the.effectiveness.and.efficiency.of.our.delivery
- We.try.out.new.approaches.and.technologies.and.give.others.the.time. and.space.to.do.the.same .
## **Our board of trustees**
_brainstrust_ ’s.trustees.for.the.year.in.review.are.Christopher.Baker,.Kevin. Higgs,.Stephen.Warrington,.Gillian.Bilbo.and.Puneet.Plaha .
## **Chris Baker**
## _Chair of Trustees_
Chris.is.EMEA.managing.director.at.a.leading.global.software.company.and. has.over.20 .years’.experience.driving.growth.at.some.of.the.highest-profile. companies.in.the.world,.including.Microsoft.and.Salesforce Chris.has.been. a.trustee.for.nearly.eleven.years.and.the.chair.of.trustees.at. _brainstrust_ .for. six.years .
## **Kevin Higgs**
## _Trustee_
In.a. Kevin.is.a.financial.adviser.and.has.been.a.trustee.for.fourteen.years chance.meeting.while.at.a.previous.employer,.Kevin.was.immediately.taken. by.the.dedication.and.commitment.of.the.charity.to.focus.on.the.support. and.well-being.of.patients.and.families.diagnosed.with.a.brain.tumour He.knew.that.he.wanted.to.be.a.part.of.the.journey.that. _brainstrust_ .has. been.on.since.2006
## **Stephen Warrington**
## _Trustee_
Stephen.brings.to.the.organisation.extensive.experience.leading.
professional.services.businesses.and.consulting.for.major.multinationals,. and.he.has.been.a.trustee.for.six.years Stephen’s.teenage.son.was. diagnosed.with.a.brain.tumour.and.underwent.successful.surgery .
## **Gillian Bilbo**
## _Trustee_
Gillian.is.a.retired.headteacher.and.is.now.a.school.inspector,.and.she.has. been.a.trustee.for.ten.years She.brings.a.listening.ear.and.an.objective. viewpoint.to.the.board.and.is.supportive.of.fundraising.initiatives .
## **Puneet Plaha**
## _Trustee_
Puneet.is.an.associate.professor.and.consultant.neuro-oncology.surgeon. in.Oxford,.with.a.specialist.interest.in.brain.tumours,.especially.endoscopic. minimally.invasive.surgery.and.awake.surgery He.has.been.a.consultant. neuro-oncology.surgeon.lead.for.the.Oxford.brain.tumour.MDT.and.neurooncology.lead.for.Thames.Valley.since.2012 Puneet.joined. _brainstrust_ ’s.board. of.trustees.in.March.2021
**30** _**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023
The.board.of.trustees.meets.formally.four.times.a.year.to.ratify.the.broad. strategy.and.areas.of.activity.for.the.Trust In.addition,.trustees.may.meet. with.members.of.the.team.to.work.on.specific.projects All.trustees.give. their.time.freely,.and.no.remuneration.is.paid .
In.accordance.with.clause.9.of.the.Declaration.of.Trust,.dated.4.March.2006:
- (i). There.must.be.at.least.three.trustees Apart.from.the.first.trustees,.every. trustee.must.be.appointed.by.a.resolution.of.the.trustees.passed.at.a. special.meeting.called.under.clause.15.of.this.deed .
- (ii). In.selecting.individuals.for.appointment.as.trustees,.the.trustees.must. have.regard.to.the.skills,.knowledge.and.experience.needed.for.the. effective.administration.of.the.charity .
- (iii).The.trustees.must.keep.a.record.of.the.name.and.address.and.the.dates. of.appointment,.reappointment.and.retirement.of.each.trustee .
- (iv).The.trustees.must.make.available.to.each.new.trustee,.on.his.or.her.first. appointment:
- (a). a.copy.of.this.deed.and.any.amendments.made.to.it
- (b). a.copy.of.the.charity’s.latest.report.and.statement.of.accounts .
There.are.no.exemptions.from.disclosure.applicable.to.or.within.this.report,. and.neither.the.charity.nor.any.of.its.trustees.are.acting.as.custodian. trustees .
Now.in.our.17th.year.of.operation,.we.have.an.established.national.footprint. across.all.elements.of.our.activity This.is.delivered.with.public.benefit.at.the. heart.by.a.professional.team.with.a.professional.leadership.structure .
## _**brainstrust**_ **senior staff contacts**
**Will Jones** ,. _Chief Executive_ ,. will@brainstrust .org .uk
**Dr Helen Bulbeck** ,. _Director of Services and Policy_ ,. helen@brainstrust .org .uk
**Kathy Springate** ,. _Head of Finance_ ,. kathy@brainstrust .org .uk
**Jodie Eveleigh** ,. _Head of Support_ ,. jodie@brainstrust .org .uk
## **Incidents and reporting**
For.the.year.in.review,.and.indeed.for.the.duration.of.the.organisation’s. history,.we.have.had.no.reportable.incidents.relating.to.our.fundraising,.our. service.or.our.internal.operations We.have.in.place.policies.and.procedures. for.managing,.reporting.and.escalating.incidents.and.complaints The. following.are.available.on.request:
## l. Whistleblowing.policy
- l. Complaints.procedure.–.patient.services
- l. Complaints.procedure.–.fundraising
- l. Complaints.policy.–.staff
- l. Complaints.policy.–.volunteers
_**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023 **31**
_**brainstrust**_ **– Contents of the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2023**
**Registered Charity Number: 1114634**
**Report of the Trustees and Audited Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2023 for** _**brainstrust**_
Page 33 Report.of.the.Trustees.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34–35 Report.of.the.Independent.Auditors.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Statement.of.Financial.Activities.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Balance.Sheet.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Cash.Flow.Statement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Notes.to.the.Cash.Flow.Statement.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37– 42 Notes.to.the.Financial.Statements.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Detailed.Statement.of.Financial.Activities.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Harrison Black Limited Statutory Auditor East Quay Kite Hill Wootton Bridge Isle of Wight PO33 4LA
**32** _**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023
_**brainstrust**_ **– Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st March 2023**
_**brainstrust**_ **– Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st March 2023**
31st.March. The.trustees.present.their.report.with.the.financial.statements.of.the.charity.for.the.year.ended. 2023 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)
## **Structure, governance and management**
## **Governing document**
The.charity.is.controlled.by.its.governing.document,.a.deed.of.trust.and.constitutes.an.unincorporated.charity
## **Reference and administrative details**
## **Registered Charity number**
1114634
## **Principal address**
4.Yvery.Court. Castle.Road. Cowes. Isle.of.Wight. PO31.7QG
## **Trustees**
C.Baker. K.Higgs. G.Bilbo. S.Warrington. P.Plaha.
## **Auditors**
## **Trustees’ Responsibility Statement – continued**
The.law.applicable.to.charities.in.England.and.Wales,.the.Charities.Act.2011,.Charity.(Accounts.and.Reports). Regulations.2008.and.the.provisions.of.the.trust.deed.requires.the.trustees.to.prepare.financial.statements. for.each.financial.year.which.give.a.true.and.fair.view.of.the.state.of.affairs.of.the.charity.and.of.the.incoming. resources.and.application.of.resources,.including.the.income.and.expenditure,.of.the.charity.for.that.period In.preparing.those.financial.statements,.the.trustees.are.required.to.
l.select.suitable.accounting.policies.and.then.apply.them.consistently;.
- l.observe.the.methods.and.principles.in.the.Charity.SORP;.
- l.make.judgements.and.estimates.that.are.reasonable.and.prudent;.
- l.state.whether.applicable.accounting.standards.have.been.followed,.subject.to.any.material.departures. disclosed.and.explained.in.the.financial.statements;.
- l .prepare.the.financial.statements.on.the.going.concern.basis.unless.it.is.inappropriate.to.presume.that.the. charity.will.continue.in.business
The.trustees.are.responsible.for.keeping.proper.accounting.records.which.disclose.with.reasonable.accuracy. at.any.time.the.financial.position.of.the.charity.and.to.enable.them.to.ensure.that.the.financial.statements. comply.with.the.Charities.Act.2011,.the.Charity.(Accounts.and.Reports).Regulations.2008.and.the.provisions. of.the.trust.deed They.are.also.responsible.for.safeguarding.the.assets.of.the.charity.and.hence.for.taking. reasonable.steps.for.the.prevention.and.detection.of.fraud.and.other.irregularities
Approved.by.order.of.the.board.of.trustees.on. **5th October 2023** .and.signed.on.its.behalf.by:.
**C Baker** .–.Trustee.
Harrison.Black.Limited. Statutory.Auditor. East.Quay. Kite.Hill. Wootton.Bridge. Isle.of.Wight. PO33.4LA
_brainstrust_ .is.also.a.Scottish.Charity,.SC044642,.regulated.by.the.Scottish.Charity.Regulator.(OSCR) .
## **Trustees’ Responsibility Statement**
The.trustees.are.responsible.for.preparing.the.Report.of.the.Trustees.and.the.financial.statements.in.accordance. with.applicable.law.and.United.Kingdom.Accounting.Standards.(United.Kingdom.Generally.Accepted. Accounting.Practice)
_**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023 **33**
**Report of the Independent Auditors to the trustees of** _**brainstrust**_
**Report of the Independent Auditors to the trustees of** _**brainstrust**_
## **Opinion**
We.have.audited.the.financial.statements.of. _brainstrust_ .(the.‘charity’).for.the.year.ended.31st.March.2023.which. comprise.the.Statement.of.Financial.Activities,.the.Balance.Sheet,.the.Cash.Flow.Statement.and.notes.to.the. financial.statements,.including.a.summary.of.significant.accounting.policies The.financial.reporting.framework. that.has.been.applied.in.their.preparation.is.applicable.law.and.United.Kingdom.Accounting.Standards.(United. Kingdom.Generally.Accepted.Accounting.Practice)
In.our.opinion.the.financial.statements:.
- l.give.a.true.and.fair.view.of.the.state.of.the.charity’s.affairs.as.at.31st.March.2023.and.of.its.incoming.resources. and.application.of.resources,.for.the.year.then.ended;.
l.have.been.properly.prepared.in.accordance.with.United.Kingdom.Generally.Accepted.Accounting.Practice;.and.
l.have.been.prepared.in.accordance.with.the.requirements.of.the.Charities.Act.2011
## **Basis for opinion**
We.conducted.our.audit.in.accordance.with.International.Standards.on.Auditing.(UK).(ISAs.(UK)).and.applicable. law Our.responsibilities.under.those.standards.are.further.described.in.the.Auditors’.responsibilities.for.the. audit.of.the.financial.statements.section.of.our.report We.are.independent.of.the.charity.in.accordance.with. the.ethical.requirements.that.are.relevant.to.our.audit.of.the.financial.statements.in.the.UK,.including.the.FRC’s. Ethical.Standard,.and.we.have.fulfilled.our.other.ethical.responsibilities.in.accordance.with.these.requirements We.believe.that.the.audit.evidence.we.have.obtained.is.sufficient.and.appropriate.to.provide.a.basis.for.our. opinion
## **Conclusions relating to going concern**
In.auditing.the.financial.statements,.we.have.concluded.that.the.trustees’.use.of.the.going.concern.basis.of. accounting.in.the.preparation.of.the.financial.statements.is.appropriate
Based.on.the.work.we.have.performed,.we.have.not.identified.any.material.uncertainties.relating.to.events. or.conditions.that,.individually.or.collectively,.may.cast.significant.doubt.on.the.charity’s.ability.to.continue. as.a.going.concern.for.a.period.of.at.least.twelve.months.from.when.the.financial.statements.are.authorised. for.issue
Our.responsibilities.and.the.responsibilities.of.the.trustees.with.respect.to.going.concern.are.described.in.the. relevant.sections.of.this.report
## **Other information**
The.trustees.are.responsible.for.the.other.information The.other.information.comprises.the.information. included.in.the.Annual.Report,.other.than.the.financial.statements.and.our.Report.of.the.Independent.Auditors. thereon
Our.opinion.on.the.financial.statements.does.not.cover.the.other.information.and,.except.to.the.extent. otherwise.explicitly.stated.in.our.report,.we.do.not.express.any.form.of.assurance.conclusion.thereon
In.connection.with.our.audit.of.the.financial.statements,.our.responsibility.is.to.read.the.other.information.and,. in.doing.so,.consider.whether.the.other.information.is.materially.inconsistent.with.the.financial.statements.
or.our.knowledge.obtained.in.the.audit.or.otherwise.appears.to.be.materially.misstated If.we.identify.such. material.inconsistencies.or.apparent.material.misstatements,.we.are.required.to.determine.whether.this. gives.rise.to.a.material.misstatement.in.the.financial.statements.themselves If,.based.on.the.work.we.have. performed,.we.conclude.that.there.is.a.material.misstatement.of.this.other.information,.we.are.required.to. report.that.fact .We.have.nothing.to.report.in.this.regard
## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception**
We.have.nothing.to.report.in.respect.of.the.following.matters.where.the.Charities.(Accounts.and.Reports). Regulations.2008.requires.us.to.report.to.you.if,.in.our.opinion:.
l .the.information.given.in.the.Report.of.the.Trustees.is.inconsistent.in.any.material.respect.with.the.financial. statements;.or.
l .sufficient.accounting.records.have.not.been.kept;.or.
l .the.financial.statements.are.not.in.agreement.with.the.accounting.records.and.returns;.or.
l.we.have.not.received.all.the.information.and.explanations.we.require.for.our.audit
## **Responsibilities of trustees**
As.explained.more.fully.in.the.Trustees’.Responsibilities.Statement,.the.trustees.are.responsible.for.the. preparation.of.the.financial.statements.which.give.a.true.and.fair.view,.and.for.such.internal.control.as.the. trustees.determine.is.necessary.to.enable.the.preparation.of.financial.statements.that.are.free.from.material. misstatement,.whether.due.to.fraud.or.error
In.preparing.the.financial.statements,.the.trustees.are.responsible.for.assessing.the.charity’s.ability.to.continue. as.a.going.concern,.disclosing,.as.applicable,.matters.related.to.going.concern.and.using.the.going.concern. basis.of.accounting.unless.the.trustees.either.intend.to.liquidate.the.charity.or.to.cease.operations,.or.have.no. realistic.alternative.but.to.do.so
## **Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements**
We.have.been.appointed.as.auditors.under.Section.144.of.the.Charities.Act.2011.and.report.in.accordance.with. the.Act.and.relevant.regulations.made.or.having.effect.thereunder
Our.objectives.are.to.obtain.reasonable.assurance.about.whether.the.financial.statements.as.a.whole.are.free. from.material.misstatement,.whether.due.to.fraud.or.error,.and.to.issue.a.Report.of.the.Independent.Auditors. that.includes.our.opinion .Reasonable.assurance.is.a.high.level.of.assurance,.but.is.not.a.guarantee.that.an. audit.conducted.in.accordance.with.ISAs.(UK).will.always.detect.a.material.misstatement.when.it.exists Misstatements.can.arise.from.fraud.or.error.and.are.considered.material.if,.individually.or.in.the.aggregate,.they. could.reasonably.be.expected.to.influence.the.economic.decisions.of.users.taken.on.the.basis.of.these.financial. statements
The.extent.to.which.our.procedures.are.capable.of.detecting.irregularities,.including.fraud.is.detailed.below:.
As.outlined.above,.our.objective.is.to.give.reasonable.assurance.that.the.financial.statements.are.free.from. material.misstatements.and.irregularities Whilst.not.a.guarantee.that.such.instances.will.be.detected,.our.risk. based.approach,.using.systematic.testing.methods,.judgement,.communication.with.management,.professional.
**34** _**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023
## **Report of the Independent Auditors to the trustees of** _**brainstrust**_
scepticism,.observation.of.controls.and.systems,.and.audit.experience/knowledge,.allows.us.to.be.satisfied.that. our.procedures.are.highly.capable.of.detecting.irregularities,.including.fraud .
A.further.description.of.our.responsibilities.for.the.audit.of.the.financial.statements.is.located.on.the.Financial. Reporting.Council’s.website.at.www frc org uk/auditorsresponsibilities This.description.forms.part.of.our.Report. of.the.Independent.Auditors
## **Use of our report**
This.report.is.made.solely.to.the.charity’s.trustees,.as.a.body,.in.accordance.with.Part.4.of.the.Charities.(Accounts. and.Reports).Regulations.2008 Our.audit.work.has.been.undertaken.so.that.we.might.state.to.the.charity’s. trustees.those.matters.we.are.required.to.state.to.them.in.an.auditors’.report.and.for.no.other.purpose To.the. fullest.extent.permitted.by.law,.we.do.not.accept.or.assume.responsibility.to.anyone.other.than.the.charity.and. the.charity’s.trustees.as.a.body,.for.our.audit.work,.for.this.report,.or.for.the.opinions.we.have.formed
Harrison.Black.Limited Statutory.Auditor East.Quay Kite.Hill Wootton.Bridge Isle.of.Wight PO33.4LA
Date:.13th.October.2023
## _**brainstrust**_ **– Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31st March 2023**
|Notes
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**
Donationsandlegacies
2
Othertradingactivities
3
Investmentincome
4
Otherincome
**Total**
**EXPENDITURE ON**
Raisingfunds
5
**Charitable activities**
6
Charityactivities
Other
**Total**
**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**
**Transfers between funds**
17
**Net movement in funds**
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
Totalfundsbroughtforward
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**|Unrestricted**)**
fund**)**
£**)**|Restricted**)**
funds**)**
£**)**|**2023)**
**Total)**
**funds)**
**£)**
2022)
Total)
funds)
£)
**409,642)**
337,854)
**281,002)**
608,240)
**1,062)**
26)
**–)**
6,083)|
|---|---|---|---|
|||||
||**409,642)**|**–)**||
|||||
||**209,966)**|**71,036)**||
||**1,062)**|**–)**||
||**–)**|**–)**||
||**620,670)**|**71,036)**|**691,706)**
952,203)|
||||**62,703)**
90,184)
**716,673)**
558,284)
**12,468)**
14,963)|
|||||
||**59,218)**|**3,485)**||
|||||
|||||
|||||
||**620,392)**|**96,281)**||
|||||
||**12,468)**|**–)**||
||||**791,844)**
663,431)|
||**692,078)**|**99,766)**||
||||**(100,138)**
288,772)
**–)**
–)|
||**(71,408)**|**(28,730)**||
||**2,563)**|**(2,563)**||
||||**(100,138)**
288,772)
**704,245)**
415,473)|
||**(68,845)**|**(31,293)**||
|||||
|||||
||**273,874)**|**430,371)**||
|||||
||**205,029)**|**399,078)**|**604,107)**
704,245)|
The.notes.form.part.of.these.financial.statements
_**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023 **35**
_**brainstrust**_ **– Cash Flow Statement for the year ended 31st March 2023**
## _**brainstrust**_ **– Balance Sheet 31st March 2023**
|Notes
**FIXED ASSETS**
Tangibleassets
11
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
12
Cashatbank
**CREDITORS**
Amountsfallingduewithin
oneyear
13
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT**
**LIABILITIES**
**CREDITORS**
Amountsfallingdueaftermore
thanoneyear
14
**NET ASSETS**
**FUNDS**
17
Unrestrictedfunds
Restrictedfunds
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Unrestricted**)**
fund**)**
£**)**|Restricted**)**
funds**)**
£**)**|**2023)**
**Total)**
**funds)**
**£)**
**1,957)**
**77,711)**
**587,708)**
**665,419)**
**(39,796)**
**625,623)**
**627,580)**
**(23,473)**
**604,107)**
**205,029)**
**399,078)**
**604,107)**|2022)
Total)
funds)
£)
2,824)
39,522)
730,827)
770,349)
(35,655)
734,694
737,518)
(33,273)
704,245)
273,874)
430,371)
704,245)
Notes
**Cash fows from operating**
**activities**
Cashgeneratedfromoperations
1
Interestpaid
Netcash(usedin)/providedby
operatingactivities
**Cash fows from investing**
**activities**
Purchaseoftangiblefxedassets
Interestreceived
Netcashprovidedby/(usedin)
investingactivities
**Cash fows from fnancing**
**activities**
Loanrepaymentsinyear
Netcashusedinfnancing
activities
**Change in cash and cash**
**equivalents in the reporting period**
**Cash and cash equivalents at the**
**beginning of the reporting period**
**Cash and cash equivalents at the**
**end of the reporting period**|**2023)**
**£)**
**(133,533)**
**(969)**
**(134,502)**
**–)**
**1,062)**
**1,062)**
**(9,679)**
**(9,679)**
**(143,119)**
**730,827)**
**587,708)**|2022)
£)
277,073)
(818)|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||||
||**1,957)**|**–)**|||||
|||||||276,255)|
||||||||
||**77,711)**|**–)**|||||
||**188,630)**|**399,078)**||||(3,469)
26)|
||**266,341)**|**399,078)**|||||
||||||||
||||||||
||**(39,796)**|**–)**|||||
|||||||(3,443)|
||||||||
||**226,545)**|**399,078)**|||||
|||||||(7,169)|
||||||||
||**228,502)**|**399,078)**|||||
||||||||
|||||||(7,169)|
||**(23,473)**|**–)**|||||
||||||||
||||||||
||**205,029)**|**399,078)**||||265,643)
465,184)|
||||||||
||||||||
||||||||
|||||||730,827)|
||||||||
The.financial.statements.were.approved.by.the.Board.of.Trustees.and.authorised.for.issue. on.5th.October.2023.and.were.signed.on.its.behalf.by:.
**C Baker** .–.Trustee.
The.notes.form.part.of.these.financial.statements
The.notes.form.part.of.these.financial.statements
**36** _**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023
_**brainstrust**_ **– Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2023**
## _**brainstrust**_ **– Notes to the Cash Flow Statement for the year ended 31st March 2023**
## **1. Reconciliation of net (expenditure)/income to net cash flow from operating activities**
|**Net (expenditure)/income for the reporting period**
**(as per the Statement of Financial Activities)**
**Adjustments for:**
Depreciationcharges
Interestreceived
Interestpaid
Increaseindebtors
Increase/(decrease)increditors
**Net cash (used in)/provided by operations**
**Analysis of changes in net funds**
**Net cash**
Cashatbank
**Debt**
Debtsfallingduewithin1year
Debtsfallingdueafter1year
**Total**|At1 4 22**)**
£**)**
**730,827)**
**730,827)**
**(9,558)**
**(33,273)**
**(42,831)**
**687,996)**|**2023)**
**£)**
**(100,138)**
**867**
**(1,062)**
**969**
**(38,189)**
**4,020**
**(133,533)**
Cashfow**)**
£**)**
**(143,119)**
**(143,119)**
**(121)**
**9,800)**
**9,679)**|2022)
£)
)
288,772)
2,675)
(26)
818)
(14,134)
(1,032)|
|---|---|---|---|
||||277,073)|
||||**At 31.3.23)**
**£)**
**587,708)**|
||||**587,708)**|
||||**(9,679)**
**(23,473)**|
||||**(33,152)**|
|||**(133,440)**|**554,556)**|
## **2. Analysis of changes in net funds**
## **1. Accounting policies**
## **Basis of preparing the financial statements**
The.financial.statements.of.the.charity,.which.is.a.public.benefit.entity.under.FRS.102,.have.been.prepared. in.accordance.with.the.Charities.SORP.(FRS.102).‘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)’,. Financial.Reporting.Standard.102.‘The.Financial.Reporting.Standard.applicable.in.the.UK.and.Republic.of. Ireland’.and.the.Charities.Act.2011 The.financial.statements.have.been.prepared.under.the.historical.cost. convention
## **Income**
All.income.is.recognised.in.the.Statement.of.Financial.Activities.once.the.charity.has.entitlement.to.the. funds,.it.is.probable.that.the.income.will.be.received.and.the.amount.can.be.measured.reliably .
Donations.are.recognised.when.the.charity.has.been.notified.in.writing.of.both.the.amount.and. settlement.date In.the.event.that.a.donation.is.subject.to.conditions.that.require.a.level.of.performance. before.the.charity.is.entitled.to.the.funds,.the.income.is.deferred.and.not.recognised.until.either.those. conditions.are.fully.met,.or.the.fulfilment.of.those.conditions.is.wholly.within.the.control.of.the.charity. and.it.is.probable.that.those.conditions.will.be.fulfilled.in.the.reporting.period .
Grant.income.is.recognised.when.received In.the.event.that.a.grant.is.subject.to.conditions.that.require.a. level.of.performance.before.the.charity.is.entitled.to.the.funds,.the.income.is.deferred.and.not.recognised. until.either.those.conditions.are.fully.met,.or.the.fulfilment.of.those.conditions.is.wholly.within.the.control. of.the.charity.and.it.is.probable.that.those.conditions.will.be.fulfilled.in.the.reporting.period .
Legacy.gifts.are.recognised.on.a.case.by.case.basis.following.the.granting.of.probate.when.the. administrator/executor.for.the.estate.has.communicated.in.writing.both.the.amount.and.settlement. date In.the.event.that.the.gift.is.in.the.form.of.an.asset,.recognition.is.subject.to.the.value.of.the.gift. being.reliably.measurable.with.a.degree.of.reasonable.accuracy.and.the.title.to.the.asset.having.been. transferred.to.the.charity .
Interest.on.funds.held.on.deposit.is.included.when.receivable.and.the.amount.can.be.measured.reliably. by.the.charity;.this.is.normally.upon.notification.of.the.interest.paid.or.payable.by.the.bank .
## **Expenditure**
Liabilities.are.recognised.as.expenditure.as.soon.as.there.is.a.legal.or.constructive.obligation.committing. the.charity.to.that.expenditure,.it.is.probable.that.a.transfer.of.economic.benefits.will.be.required.in. settlement.and.the.amount.of.the.obligation.can.be.measured.reliably Expenditure.is.accounted.for.on. an.accruals.basis.and.has.been.classified.under.headings.that.aggregate.all.cost.related.to.the.category Where.costs.cannot.be.directly.attributed.to.particular.headings.they.have.been.allocated.to.activities. on.a.basis.consistent.with.the.use.of.resources .
## **Tangible fixed assets**
Depreciation.is.provided.at.the.following.annual.rates.in.order.to.write.off.each.asset.over.its.estimated. useful.life -25%.on.cost. Fixtures.and.fittings.
The.notes.form.part.of.these.financial.statements
_continued ..._
_**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023 **37**
## _**brainstrust**_ **– Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2023 – continued**
## _**brainstrust**_ **– Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2023 – continued**
## **1. Accounting policies – continued**
## **4. Investment income**
## **Taxation**
|**1. **
**Accounting policies – continued**
**4. **
**Investment income**|||
|---|---|---|
|**Taxation**
Thecharityisexemptfromtaxonitscharitableactivities
**Fund accounting**
Unrestrictedfundscanbeusedinaccordancewiththecharitableobjectivesatthediscretionof
thetrustees
Restrictedfundscanonlybeusedforparticularrestrictedpurposeswithintheobjectsofthecharity
Restrictionsarisewhenspecifedbythedonororwhenfundsareraisedforparticularrestrictedpurposes
Furtherexplanationofthenatureandpurposeofeachfundisincludedinthenotestothefnancial
statements
**2. **
**Donations and legacies**
**2023)**
**£)**
2022)
£)
Donations
**90,081)**
57,896)
Grantsfromawardingentities
**242,951)**
175,831)
Corporategrantsanddonations
**32,769)**
53,576)
Giftaidtaxrecovered
**34,878)**
50,551)
Legacies
**8,963)**
–)
**409,642)**
337,854)
**3. **
**Other trading activities**
**2023)**
**£)**
2022)
£)
Fundraisingevents
**81,731)**
75,417)
Saleof‘_brainstrust_’items
**10,249)**
12,472)
Sponsoredactivities
**117,936)**
174,339)
Activitiesofpartnergroups
**71,086)**
346,012)
**281,002)**
608,240)
Depositaccountinterest
**5. **
**Raising funds**
Raisingdonationsandlegacies
Fundraisingfees
Promotionalexpenses
Othertradingactivities
Tradingcostsandpurchases
Eventcosts
Sponsoredactivitiescosts
Aggregateamounts
**6. **
**Charitable activities costs**
DirectCosts**)**
£**)**
Charityactivities
**714,187)**|**2023)**
**£)**
**1,062)**
**2023)**
**£)**
**11,077)**
**31,318)**
**42,395)**
**2023)**
**£)**
**4,755)**
**5,941)**
**9,612)**
**20,308)**
**62,703)**
Supportcosts**)**
(seenote7)**)**
£**)**
**2,486)**|2022**)**
£**)**
26**)**|
|||2022**)**
£**)**
33,129**)**
26,782**)**|
|||59,911**)**|
|||2022**)**
£**)**
7,972**)**
11,433**)**
10,868**)**|
|||30,273**)**|
|||90,184**)**|
|||Totals**)**
£**)**
**716,673)**|
_continued ..._
_continued ..._
**38** _**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023
## _**brainstrust**_ **– Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2023 – continued**
## **7. Support costs**
|Otherresourcesexpended
Charityactivities|Governance**)**
costs**)**
£**)**
**12,468)**
**2,486)**|
|---|---|
||**14,954)**|
## **8. Trustees’ remuneration and benefits**
31st.March.2023.nor. There.were.no.trustees’.remuneration.or.other.benefits.for.the.year.ended. for.the.year.ended.31st.March.2022
## **Trustees’ expenses**
There.were.no.trustees’.expenses.paid.for.the.year.ended.31st.March.2023.nor.for.the.year.ended. 31st.March.2022
## **9. Staff costs**
Total.gross.salaries,.benefits.in.kind.and.employers.national.insurance.costs.for.the.year.ending. 31st.March.2023.were.£483,632.(2022.–.£431,130) .
The.average.monthly.number.of.employees.during.the.year.was.as.follows:.
|Fundraising
CharitableActivities
Governance
Other|**2023)**
**4)**
**9)**
**1)**
**1)**
**15)**|2022**)**
4**)**
9**)**
1**)**
1**)**|
|---|---|---|
|||15**)**|
No.employees.received.emoluments.in.excess.of.£60,000
## _**brainstrust**_ **– Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2023 – continued**
## **10 . Comparatives for the statement of financial activities**
|**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**
Donationsandlegacies
Othertradingactivities
Investmentincome
Otherincome
**Total**
**EXPENDITURE ON**
Raisingfunds
**Charitable activities**
Charityactivities
Other
**Total**
**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**
**Transfers between funds**
**Net movement in funds**
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
Totalfundsbroughtforward
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**|Unrestricted)
fund)
£)
337,854)
262,228)
26)
6,083)
606,191)
66,402)
538,688)
14,963)
620,053)
(13,862)
20,000
6,138)
267,736)
273,874)|Restricted)
funds)
£)
–)
346,012)
–)
–)
346,012)
23,782)
19,596)
–)
43,378)
302,634)
(20,000)
282,634)
147,737)
430,371)|Total)
funds)
£)
337,854)
608,240)
26)
6,083)|
|---|---|---|---|
||||952,203)|
||||90,184)
558,284)
14,963)|
||||663,431)|
||||288,772)
–)|
||||288,772)
415,473)|
||||704,245)|
_continued ..._
_continued ..._
_**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023 **39**
## _**brainstrust**_ **– Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2023 – continued**
## **11 . Tangible fixed assets**
|**COST**
At1stApril2022and31stMarch2023
**DEPRECIATION**
At1stApril2022
Chargeforyear
At31stMarch2023
**NET BOOK VALUE**
At31stMarch2023
At31stMarch2022
**Debtors: amounts falling due within one year**
Tradedebtors
Otherdebtors
Prepayment|Fixturesand**)**
fttings**)**
£**)**
**1,905)**
**1,502)**
**103)**
**1,605)**
**300)**
403**)**|Website**)**
£**)**
**11,176)**
**8,755)**
**764)**
**9,519)**
**1,657)**
2,421**)**
**2023**
**£**
**1,000**
**39,462**
**37,249**
**77,711**|Totals)
£)
**13,081**)|
|---|---|---|---|
||||**10,257**)
**867**)|
||||**11,124**)|
||||**1,957**)|
||||2,824)|
||||2022)
£)
(90)
15,499)
24,113)|
||||39,522)|
## **12. Debtors: amounts falling due within one year**
## _**brainstrust**_ **– Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2023 – continued**
## **14. Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year**
|**2023)**
**£)**
Othercreditors
**23,473)**
**Loans**
Ananalysisofthematurityofloansisgivenbelow:
**2023)**
**£)**
Amountsfallingduewithinoneyearondemand:
Otherloans
**9,679)**
Amountsfallingduebetweentwoandfveyears:
Otherloans–1–5years
**23,473)**
**Leasing agreements**
Minimumleasepaymentsundernon-cancellableoperatingleasesfalldueasfollows:
**2023)**
**£)**
Withinoneyear
**–)**|2022)
£)
33,273)|
|---|---|
||2022)
£)
9,558)|
||33,273)|
||2022)
£)
13,990)|
## **15. Loans**
## **16. Leasing agreements**
## **13. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
|Tradecreditors
Othercreditors|**2023**
**£**
**10,832**
**28,964**
**39,796**|2022)
£)
12,840)
22,815)|
|---|---|---|
|||35,655)|
|||_continued ..._|
_continued ..._
**40** _**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023
## _**brainstrust**_ **– Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2023 – continued**
## **17. Movement in funds**
|**Unrestricted funds**
Generalfund
**Restricted funds**
FundA
FundE
FundH
FundI
FundJ
**TOTAL FUNDS**|At1 4 22**)**
£**)**
**273,874)**
**710)**
**79,003)**
**27,034)**
**323,624)**
**–)**
**430,371)**
**704,245)**|Net**)**
movement**)**
infunds**)**
£**)**
**(71,408)**
**2,566)**
**3,255)**
**5)**
**(36,664)**
**2,108)**
**(28,730)**
**(100,138)**|Transfers**)**
between**)**
funds**)**
£**)**
**2,563)**
**(2,563)**
**–)**
**–)**
**–)**
**–)**
**(2,563))**
**–)**|At31 3 23**)**
£**)**
**205,029)**
**713)**
**82,258)**
**27,039)**
**286,960)**
**2,108)**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||**399,078)**|
|||||**604,107)**|
Net.movement.in.funds,.included.in.the.above.are.as.follows:.
|**Unrestricted funds**
Generalfund
**Restricted funds**
FundA
FundE
FundH
FundI
FundJ
FundK
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Incoming**)**
resources**)**
£**)**
**620,670)**
**2,566)**
**5,070)**
**119)**
**19,040)**
**2,141)**
**42,100)**
**71,036)**
**691,706)**|Resources**)**
expended**)**
£**)**
**(692,078)**
**–)**
**(1,815)**
**(114)**
**(55,704)**
**(33)**
**(42,100)**
**(99,766)**
**(791,844)**|Movement**)**
infunds**)**
£**)**
**(71,408)**
**2,566)**
**3,255)**
**5)**
**(36,664)**
**2,108)**
**–)**|
|---|---|---|---|
||||**(28,730)**|
||||**(100,138)**|
||||_continued ..._|
## _**brainstrust**_ **– Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2023 – continued**
## **17. Movement in funds – continued**
**Comparatives for movement in funds**
|**Unrestricted funds**
Generalfund
**Restricted funds**
FundA
FundE
FundH
FundI
**TOTAL FUNDS**|At1 4 21)
£)
267,736)
677)
76,895)
30,031)
40,134)
147,737)
415,473)|Net)
movement)
infunds)
£)
(13,862)
33)
2,108)
(2,997)
303,490)
302,634)
288,772)|Transfers)
between)
funds)
£)
20,000)
–
–
–
(20,000)
(20,000)
–|At31 3 22)
£)
273,874)
710)
79,003)
27,034)
323,624)|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||430,371)|
|||||704,245)|
|Comparativenetmovementinfunds,includedintheaboveareasfollows:
Incoming)
resources)
£)
Resources)
expended)
£)
**Unrestricted funds**
Generalfund
606,191)
(620,053)
**Restricted funds**
FundA
33)
–)
FundE
5,069)
(2,961)
FundH
3)
(3,000)
FundI
340,907)
(37,417)
346,012)
(43,378)
**TOTAL FUNDS**
952,203)
(663,431)|Movement)
infunds)
£)
(13,862)
33)
2,108)
(2,997)
303,490)|
|---|---|
||302,634)|
||288,772)|
_continued ..._
_**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023 **41**
## _**brainstrust**_ **– Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2023 – continued**
## **17. Movement in funds – continued**
A.current.year.12.months.and.prior.year.12.months.combined.position.is.as.follows:.
|**Unrestricted funds**
Generalfund
**Restricted funds**
FundA
FundE
FundH
FundI
FundJ
**TOTAL FUNDS**|At1 4 21)
£)
267,736)
677)
76,895)
30,031)
40,134)
–)
147,737)
415,473)|Net)
movement)
infunds)
£)
(85,270)
2,599)
5,363)
(2,992)
266,826)
2,108)
273,904)
188,634)|Transfers)
between)
funds)
£)
22,563)
(2,563)
–)
–)
(20,000)
–)
(22,563)
–)|At31 3 23)
£)
205,029)
713)
82,258)
27,039)
286,960)
2,108)|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||399,078)|
|||||604,107)|
## _**brainstrust**_ **– Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2023 – continued**
## **17. Movement in funds – continued**
A.current.year.12.months.and.prior.year.12.months.combined.net.movement.in.funds,.included.in.the. above.are.as.follows:.
|**Unrestricted funds**
Generalfund
**Restricted funds**
FundA
FundE
FundH
FundI
FundJ
FundK
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Incoming)
resources)
£)
1,226,861)
2,599)
10,139)
122)
359,947)
2,141)
42,100)
417,048)
1,643,909)|Resources)
expended)
£)
Movement)
infunds)
£)
(1,312,131)
(85,270)
–)
2,599)
(4,776)
5,363)
(3,114)
(2,992)
(93,121)
266,826)
(33)
2,108)
(42,100)
–)
(143,144)
273,904)
(1,455,275)
188,634)|
|---|---|---|
## **NATURE AND PURPOSE OF FUNDS**
## **General Fund**
The.‘free.reserves’.after.allowing.for.all.restricted.funds .
## **Restricted Funds**
All.other.restricted.funds.have.been.created.through.fundraising.or.donations.for.the.benefit.of.individual. brain.tumour.patients The.charity.uses.the.funds.for.direct.treatment.or.to.support.research.relating.to. the.patients.needs .
## **18. Related party disclosures**
During.the.year.the.charity.purchased.services.from.Fitton.Holman.Creative.Limited.totalling.£14,985 (2022.–.£10,462) The.company.is.directed.by.one.of.the.co-founder’s.sister,.Catherine.Fitton .
During.the.year.the.charity.paid.the.co-founders.and.management.employees.of. _brainstrust_ ,.Peter.and. Helen.Bulbeck,.£3,960.(2022.–.£4,320).for.administrative.use.of.their.property .
The.co-founder’s.daughter,.Leonora.Bulbeck,.supplied.editorial.services.during.the.year.to.the.charity. totalling.£2,100.(2022.–.£1,890).at.a.commercial.rate .
_continued ..._
**42** _**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023
## _**brainstrust**_ **– Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31st March 2023**
|**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS**
**Donations and legacies**
Donations
Grantsfromawardingentities
Corporategrantsanddonations
Giftaidtaxrecovered
Legacies
**Other trading activities**
Fundraisingevents
Saleof‘_brainstrust_’items
Sponsoredactivities
Activitiesofpartnergroups
**Investment income**
Depositaccountinterest
**Other income**
Govgrants–Furloughclaimed
**Total incoming resources**
**EXPENDITURE**
**Raising donations and legacies**
Fundraisingfees
Promotionalexpenses
**Other trading activities**
Tradingcostsandpurchases
Eventcosts
Sponsoredactivitiescosts|2023**)**
£**)**
**90,081)**
**242,951)**
**32,769)**
**34,878)**
**8,963)**
**409,642)**
**81,731)**
**10,249)**
**117,936)**
**71,086)**
**281,002)**
**1,062)**
**–)**
**691,706)**
**11,077)**
**31,318)**
**42,395)**
**4,755)**
**5,941)**
**9,612)**
**20,308)**|2022)
£)
57,896)
175,831)
53,576)
50,551)
–)|
|---|---|---|
|||337,854)
75,417)
12,472)
174,339)
346,012)|
|||608,240)
26)
6,083)|
|||952,203)
33,129)
26,782)|
|||59,911)
7,972)
11,433)
10,868)|
|||30,273)|
This.page.does.not.form.part.of.the.statutory.financial.statements
## _**brainstrust**_ **– Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31st March 2023**
|**Other trading activities**
**Charitable activities**
Medicalgrantsandcosts
Patientsupportandstaffng
Salaries
Travel
Administration
Offcerent&rates
Fixturesandfttings
Depnofwebsite
**Support costs**
**Governance costs**
Auditors’remuneration
Insurance
Other
Bankloaninterest
Totalresourcesexpended
**Net (expenditure)/income**|2023**)**
£**)**
**1,400)**
**463,460)**
**159,660)**
**22,243)**
**35,241)**
**31,316)**
**103)**
**764)**
**714,187)**
**3,225)**
**2,486)**
**8,274)**
**969)**
**14,954)**
**791,844)**
**(100,138)**|2022)
£)
3,000)
318,242)
163,094)
8,972)
31,803)
30,498)
9)
2,666)|
|---|---|---|
|||558,284)
3,000)
2,196)
8,949)
818)|
|||14,963)|
|||663,431)|
|||288,772)|
This.page.does.not.form.part.of.the.statutory.financial.statements
_**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023 **43**
## **Get in touch**
## **Helping you**
Talk.to.our.team.24/7.on. **01983 292 405** ,.or.email.
**hello@brainstrust.org.uk**
## **Helping us**
Make.a.donation.at. **brainstrust.org.uk/donate** ,. call.us.on. **01983 292 405** .during.office.hours,.or.email.
**fundraising@brainstrust.org.uk**
## **Declaration**
The.trustees.declare.that.they.have.approved.the.trustees’.report.above Signed.on.behalf.of.the.charity’s.trustees .
Signature:.
Full.name:. **Christopher John Baker**
Position:. **Chair of the Board of Trustees**
Date:. **5 October 2023**
## **Registration**
_brainstrust_ .is.a.registered.charitable.trust,.registered. with.the.Charity.Commission.for.England.and.Wales. as.Charity.No 1114634,.registered.with.the.Office.of.the. Scottish.Charity.Regulator.as.Charity.No SC044642 .
## **Registered address**
_brainstrust_ ,.4.Yvery.Court,.Castle.Road,. Cowes,.Isle.of.Wight.PO31.7QG
**www.brainstrust.org.uk www.braintumourhub.org.uk**
## **Regional office (north of England)**
_brainstrust_ ,.C19–21.Joseph’s.Well,.Hannover.Lane,. Westgate,.Leeds.LS3.1AB
_**brainstrust**_ **trustees’ annual report and accounts:** 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023
**44**
_**When I was feeling overwhelmed after my husband’s craniotomy, I reached out to the team at**_ **brainstrust** _**. Their support has been reassuring and the family and friends Meetups have provided an opportunity for me to connect with others in a similar situation. All the team at**_ **brainstrust** _**have been amazing at keeping in touch and I am very grateful for the brain box and the informative booklets in it.**_
**Caregiver**
_brainstrust_ .is.a.registered.charitable.trust.–.registered.with.the.Charity.Commission.for.England.and.Wales. as.Charity.No 1114634,.registered.with.the.Office.of.the.Scottish.Charity.Regulator.as.Charity.No SC044642 ©. _brainstrust_ 2023 .