Report of the Trustees and Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 May 2025
for Roding Valley u3a
The Trustees Annual Report for the period 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2025
A. Reference and Administrative Details
| A. Reference and Administrative Details | Reference and Administrative Details |
|---|---|
| Charity Name |
|
| Other names charity is known by ~~Pf~~ |
“RodingValleyu3a” and “RV u3a” ~~Pf~~ |
| Registered Charity Number ~~Pf~~ |
|
| Charity’s Principal Address | 1A Tower Road EPPING Essex CM16 5EL |
Names of the charity Trustees who manage the charity.
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Date Appointed | Date Resigned | Method of Appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laura Blake | Appointed Chair | 21/11/2022 20/11/2023 |
Elected by Members | |
| Andrew Forrest | Secretary ~~es~~ |
21/11/2022 ~~es~~ |
~~es~~ | Elected by Members ~~es~~ |
| Andy Quaife | Treasurer ~~es~~ |
15/10/2018 ~~es~~ |
~~es~~ | Elected by Members ~~es~~ |
| Jacqui Steinberg | ~~ee~~ ~~es~~ |
16/01/2023 ~~ee~~ |
17/2/2025 ~~ee~~ |
Co-opted by Trustees ~~ee~~ |
| 20/11/2023 ~~ee~~ |
Elected by Members ~~ee~~ |
|||
| Sara Day ~~es~~ |
18/12/2023 ~~es~~ |
21/10/2024 ~~es~~ |
Co-opted by Trustees ~~es~~ |
|
| Graham Witherick ~~es~~ |
~~es~~ ~~—_———~~ |
20/11/2023 ~~es~~ ~~—_———~~ |
17/2/2025 ~~es~~ ~~—_———~~ |
Elected by Members ~~es~~ ~~—_———~~ |
| David Linnell | ~~—_———~~ | 20/11/2023 ~~—_———~~ |
~~—_———~~ | Elected by Members ~~—_———~~ |
| Peter Rowles | ~~es~~ | 20/11/2023 ~~es~~ |
~~es~~ | Elected by Members ~~es~~ |
| Silvia Newton | ~~es~~ | 14 April 2025 ~~es~~ |
~~es~~ | Co-opted by Trustees ~~es~~ |
| Vivien McCaffrey | ~~ee~~ | 14 April 2025 ~~ee~~ |
~~ee~~ | Co-opted by Trustees ~~ee~~ |
| Louise Howard | ~~ee~~ | 14 April 2025 ~~ee~~ |
~~ee~~ | Co-opted by Trustees ~~ee~~ |
| Anne Scurfield | ~~es~~ | 14 April 2025 ~~es~~ |
~~es~~ | Co-opted by Trustees ~~es~~ |
| Catherine Doran ~~oO~~ |
~~es~~ | 14 April 2025 ~~es~~ |
~~es~~ | Co-opted by Trustees ~~es~~ |
| George Howard ~~oO~~ |
14 April 2025 | Co-opted by Trustees |
Names and addresses of advisors.
|Type of Advisor
||Name|Address
||
|---|---|---|
|Independent Examiner:
~~es~~
~~Oo~~|Greville John Norman CPFA AGP
~~es~~
~~Oo~~|~~es~~|
|Bankers:
~~es~~
~~Oo~~|NatWest Bank,
~~es~~
~~Oo~~|102 High Road, Loughton,
Essex IG10 4AS
~~es~~|
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B. Structure, Governance and Management
Description of the charity’s trusts
| Type of Governing Document | Constitution |
| How the charity is constituted | Unincorporated charity |
| Trustee Selection Method | Elected annually by members. Trustees who join after an AGM are co-opted |
Governance
The Executive Committee (which consists of all of the RV u3a Trustees) should consist of 4 officers - Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. The number of Trustees shall be not less than 5 and not more than 15.
During the year 2024-2025, the Executive Committee had 3 officers Chair, Secretary and Treasurer, together with another 5 Trustees. No member stood for election as Vice Chair.
During the year Jacqui Steinberg, Sara Day, and Graham Witherick resigned from the Committee.
The Trustees co-opted 6 new members: Silvia Newton, Vivien McCaffrey, Louise Howard, Anne Scurfield, Catherine Doran, and George Howard.
All the Committee members will stand for election / re-election at the October 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Andy Quaife will stand down as Treasurer at the AGM, as he has held the position for the maximum number of years permitted by the constitution. A new Treasurer will need to be elected.
Risk Management
The Trustees have been reviewing the risk assessments for all the groups. This has been very time consuming and work in this area continues.
Management and Structure
RV u3a have over 40 members who volunteer on a regular basis, and their work is truly appreciated, but several Trustee and support roles are currently vacant, and the Executive Committee are looking for new volunteers.
C. Objectives and Activities
Objective
RV u3a’s objective is the advancement of education, and in particular the education of older people and those retired from full time work, by all means including associated activities conducive to learning and personal development in Northeast London and South Essex.
RV u3a’s activities are organised and run by members who volunteer their time, experience, and expertise.
Activities
RV u3a continues to offer a wide range of interest groups and activities. It also organises monthly talks and social events, to encourage learning and personal development.
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Membership
Membership is open to older people who are no longer in full-time employment or whose family responsibilities have reduced. New members can join at any time.
On 31 May 2024, membership stood at 422. During 2024-2025, a number of people left for various reasons, but 83 people joined RV u3a. On 31 May 2025, membership stood at 459.
Volunteers
The Trustees are grateful for the many hours all the volunteers have spent to support RV u3a.
At the monthly meeting, we have members making tea, setting up the technology, greeting new members and running stalls where members can swap, books, and dvds.
The interest groups are run by a strong group of convenors and the outings, trips and social events are organised by teams and individuals, to provide a wide variety of activities for the members.
The Executive Committee works continuously to ensure RV u3a runs smoothly and meets the objectives as stated above.
During the last few years there has been a shortage of members for administrative tasks, which meant more work for the Trustees. This position will be reviewed again at the 2025 AGM.
Public Benefit
The Trustees have complied with their duties as defined in the Charities Act 2011 and other relevant legislation and have paid due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Commission. The Trustees have:
-
Ensured RV u3a is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit.
-
Complied with the RV u3a governing document and the law.
-
Acted in the best interests of RV u3a.
-
Managed RV u3a’s resources responsibly.
-
Acted with reasonable care and skill.
-
Ensured RV u3a is accountable.
All Trustees have been provided with induction training, either on a one-to-one basis or via the Trustee Induction Training Pack.
D. Achievements and performance
Interest Groups
Roding Valley u3a does not currently have a Groups Coordinator.
Throughout the year the Trustees have been working very hard supporting the convenors and setting up new interest groups.
RVu3a now has 32 interest groups, and they meet in different places depending on the needs of the group and its members.
A number of groups meet in the Oak Room at Theydon Bois Village Hall which RV u3a hire every Monday and Tuesday afternoons. This includes Keep Fit, Scrabble, Duplicate Bridge, Book Club, Cryptic Crossword, Current Affairs and Rummikub where the numbers are too big to meet in somebody's house or there are parking difficulties.
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Some groups meet in member's homes; these include the Gardening, Stitchery, Science, Discussion Group, Film Club, Lives of Artists, Creative Writing and Family History Group,
Sometimes the materials used by the Group mean that other accommodation needs to be found as with the Practical Art group which meets in the Jack Silley Pavilion in Epping.
Visits to local tea shops, cafes, restaurants, hostelries, and curry houses remain very popular with members.
RV u3a also share a number of groups with other local u3as where there are not enough members to run the group. Some of these are hosted by RV u3a and others by another u3a and the meeting places vary accordingly. This year Roding Valley u3a, joined up with the u3as from Buckhurst Hill and Wanstead & Woodford, to create a joint Quiz Club.
The number of groups does not stand still. This year a number of new groups have started, including Chair Yoga, Dog Walking, Ladies (and Lads) That Lunch, and Quiz Club.
All the group convenors work really hard, and it is very much appreciated by all those taking part.
Activities
There are many other activities and events that members can join without being part of a regular group.
-
Outings have included a guided tour of Merchant Taylors’s Hall, a backstage tour of the Royal Opera House, Afternoon Tea at “Carriages”, and a trip to the seaside.
-
There have been walks in the local area and in London. Our members have strolled around Fitzrovia, Temple and Regents Canal.
-
Theatre visits continue to be a favourite with the members.
-
The Sunday Afternoon Concerts at the Royal Festival Hall also continue to be very popular.
The members acknowledge the work that goes into organising such events.
Social Life
Our members social life has been enhanced by visits to pubs, restaurants, cafes, and tea houses, together with Friday Afternoon Quizzes run jointly with Buckhurst Hill and Wanstead & Woodford u3as.
Monthly Meetings
The RV u3a monthly meetings continued to be very popular. A wide variety of talk were given. Topics included: The Perfect Murder, Beatrix Potter, Easton Lodge and Medical History on our Doorstep.
The monthly meeting relies on the work done by non-committee members, who give their time voluntarily for the benefit of other members and to whom Executive Committee wish to thank.
New Members Meeting
A new members meeting was held just after the financial year end, so new members could benefit from a full year’s subscription. This proved very successful.
Advertising
RV u3a’s Executive Committee have been using social media to increase the u3a’s profile. Articles have been placed on several local community groups Facebook pages. It is hoped this will attract new members.
Membership Management
The Beacon Membership system continues to be a great success and has enabled RV u3a to streamline the management of its members data and is used by a number of group convenors to manage their groups.
The RV u3a Website.
A new RV u3a website was launched. It has received a number of positive comments.
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E. Financial Review
The receipts and payments account are reported via two categories: -
Unrestricted funds - reflecting the general activities of the u3a.
Designated funds - representing the "social" activities e.g. theatre, outings etc… where movement on the funds is more related to the timing of receipts and payments for particular events.
Unrestricted Funds
| Summary | 2025 | 2024 | Change | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receipts | £ 13,384 | £ 11,241 | £ 2,143 | 19% | |
| Payments | (£ 11,211) | (£ 12,541) | £ 1,330 | -11% | |
| Surplus/(Deficit) | £ 2,173 | (£ 1,300) | £ 3,473 |
The surplus for the year largely arises as the national u3a membership invoice has not been received or paid at the year end. I ncluding this cost, would have resulted in a small surplus of £361.
Membership ended the year at 459, up from the previous year of 422.
The annual subscription was increased to £18 anticipating a breakeven for the year following a period of actively reducing reserves.
Subscription income increased with higher membership numbers and higher subscription.
Group hall hire receipts were also higher reflecting a full year of increased charges to recover the costs incurred.
Payments in total show a decrease as the national U3A subscription invoice has been delayed.
Group Hall hire costs were up £501 due to increased activities but nevertheless showing a shortfall of £463 compared to the corresponding income.
Hall hire for monthly meetings is significantly lower largely as we now put out chairs ourselves.
As noted above the National U3A membership cost was not received therefore two charges will fall into the current year. Third Age Matters costs increased from £3.80 to £4 per issue (still just postage cost) with additional numbers.
Beacon costs show a reduction as the previous year included two years charges - the cost is £1 per member.
Newsletter and postage costs have increased reflecting the "lumpy" purchases of stamps plus general increases in costs. Other costs are broadly in line with last year.
The net surplus of £2,173 leaves total unrestricted funds at £17,714. (2024: £15,541).
The committee has established a reserves policy to hold 12 months expenditure as a reserve.
Additional information is provided as an Appendix.
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Designated Funds
Designated funds represent monies held in separate bank accounts to fund specific activities and encompass, Art Appreciation, Bridge, Concerts, Outings, Social and Theatre.
The overall receipts for the year were higher particularly the theatre and outings groups.
| Receipts 2025 |
2024 |
|---|---|
| £ 14,456 £ 10 | 456 £ 10,846 |
| £ 8,079 £ 5 | 079 £ 5,722 |
| £ 2,106 £ 4 | 106 £ 4,613 |
| £ 4,197 £ 3 | 197 £ 3,512 |
| £ 28,838 £ 24 | 838 £ 24,693 |
Overall designated funds decreased by £286 in the year reflecting the timing of activities around the year end.
The balance at the year-end on designated funds is £4,686 which is considered more than adequate to cover commitments at the year end. A breakdown of the balances on the Designated Funds is shown below.
| Year End Balance | 2025 |
|---|---|
| Theatre | £ 566 |
| Outings | £ 1,779 |
| Social | £ 1,130 |
| Other | £ 1,211 |
| £ 4,686 |
Other Optional Information
The Chairman would like to express her thanks to the members of the Executive Committee and all the members who have given up their time to support all the activities of RV u3a. Everyone’s hard work, commitment and patience has been truly appreciated.
F. Declaration
The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ report at the meeting of the Executive Committee on 18 August 2025.
Signed on behalf of Roding Valley u3a’s Trustees.
| Signature | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Laura Blake |
| Position | Chair |
| Date | 18thAugust 2025 |
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APPENDIX 1 ANALYSIS OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS PER MEMBER
The following analysis gives a breakdown or receipts and payments per member.
| 2024-5 | 2024-5 | 2023-4 | 2023-4 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receiptsper Member | 459 | Members | 422 | Members | ||
| £ each | Total | £ each | Total | |||
| Subscriptions | £17.29 | £7,936 | £15.63 | £6,594 | ||
| Interest & Other | £1.10 | £504 | £1.10 | £466 | ||
| Subscriptions in advance | £0.17 | £76 | £0.88 | £372 | ||
| Gift Aid | £2.88 | £1,324 | £2.77 | £1,169 | ||
| Total Receipts | £21.44 | £9,840 | £20.38 | £ 8,601 |
| 2024-5 | 2024-5 | 2023-4 | 2023-4 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receiptsper Member | 459 | Members | 422 | Members | ||
| £ each | Total | £ each | Total | |||
| Subscriptions | £17.29 | £7,936 | £15.63 | £6,594 | ||
| Interest & Other | £1.10 | £504 | £1.10 | £466 | ||
| Subscriptions in advance | £0.17 | £76 | £0.88 | £372 | ||
| Gift Aid | £2.88 | £1,324 | £2.77 | £1,169 | ||
| Total Receipts | £21.44 | £9,840 | £20.38 | £ 8,601 | ||
| Subscriptions, £17.29 , 81% Interest & Other, £1.10 , 5% Subscriptions in advance, £0.17 , 1% Gift Aid, £2.88 , 13% Receipts per Member ~~=oO—~~ |
||||||
| 2024-5 | 2023-4 | |||||
| Paymentsper Member | 459 | Members | 422 | Members | ||
| £ each | Total | £ each | Total | |||
| *Group Hall Hire(net) ** | £1.01 | £463.00 | £2.05 | £866.00 | ||
| Monthly Hall Hire | £6.74 | £3,092.00 | £8.58 | £3,619.00 | ||
| Speakers | £2.27 | £1,041.65 | £2.17 | £915.00 | ||
| u3a Membership | £0.00 | £0.00 | £3.94 | £1,664.00 | ||
| Magazine/ Other | £3.02 | £1,386.80 | £2.65 | £1,117.20 | ||
| Beacon | £0.99 | £454.00 | £1.91 | £805.67 | ||
| Other costs | £2.68 | £1,228.83 | £2.16 | £914.15 | ||
| Total Payments | £16.70 | £7,666.28 | £23.46 | £9,901.02 | ||
| Group Hall Hire (net)[1], £1.01 , 6% Monthly Hall Hire, £6.74 , 40% Speakers, £2.27 , 14% u3a Membership, £0.00 , 0% Magazine / Other, £3.02 , 18% Beacon, £0.99 , 6% Other costs, £2.68 , 16% Payments per Member ~~=0=>~~ |
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