OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

← Involve North East

2025-03-31-accounts

INVOLVE NORTH EAST

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2025

Charity Number 1116182 Company number 05899382

Involve North East (A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees� Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

The trustees, who are also directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law, submit their annual report and the financial statements of Involve North East (the charitable company) for the year ended 31 March 2025.

The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Articles of Association, and the 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).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Policies and objectives

Involve North East�s objects are the promotion and protection of the good health of the inhabitants of North East England. It does this by seeking to put patients, carers and the public at the heart of health and social care services.

Involve North East has 5 strategic objectives that were agreed by the Board. These are:

Objective 1: Gather community intelligence about health, wellbeing and social care services; Objective 2: Use community intelligence to influence relevant commissioning and service plans; Objective 3: Build effective working relationships with relevant partners and organisations;

Objective 4: Present information in simple, accessible and easily understood formats (e.g. from commissioners);

Objective 5: Train people with responsibility for involvement in best practice methods and techniques;

These objectives are met through a variety of activities and initiatives, including: organising and facilitating consultation events and research activities with members of the public, producing newsletters and other information bulletins, identifying areas where the needs of the population are not met by current services and therefore promoting the need for change and, identifying and promoting shared issues and trends within community health. We also deliver training to enable people to lead healthier lives, access health related services and to advocate for themselves and their communities in doing so. Over recent years we have made increasing use of digital technologies and online media to achieve our objectives, for example through projects such as English for Health and Student GP Registration.

Public benefit

We operate a hybrid working model i.e. staff work both in the office and at home throughout the week. As many organisations now do the same, interactions with them and their beneficiaries also follow a hybrid model. Through a mixture of face-to-face and online meetings, digital platforms and the telephone Involve North East (INE) has worked closely with members of the public, service users, community groups, voluntary community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector partners, commissioners, providers and others to ensure the voice of service users is listened to and acted upon in decisions made about the healthcare services they receive.

1

Involve North East (A company limited by guarantee)

For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

INE is committed to tackling health inequalities and improving the overall health of the population in North East England. A significant part of our outreach is with people from disadvantaged backgrounds and people who typically find it hard to engage in decisions made about the health and social care services they receive. This relates to our strategic objectives of ensuring that the most excluded from mainstream society are given a voice in the planning and delivery of health and social care. As part of our delivery of the Engagement Service contract for NHS North East & North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NENC ICB) Newcastle and Gateshead Place, we have been working closely with charities and community groups to better understand the needs of their service users from marginalised communities, to ensure we find the best way to include them and their views as part of our work.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Key figures

Introduction

In line with our business development aspirations, our aim has been to increase and diversify our noncontracted work. We knew that our skillsets and experience meant we could deliver high quality service evaluations and that as long as these helped and supported the wellbeing of people living in North East England, we would be fulfilling our charitable aims.

focussed on community issues, right in the heart of the neighbourhoods. Meeting with local people and the staff who work to support them across a range of organisations keeps our work grounded in the day-to-day experiences of people in the North East.

2

Involve North East (A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees� Report

For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Getting Help: Informing the Redesign of Children and Young People�s Counselling Services

As part of ongoing efforts to improve access to mental health support for children and young people in Newcastle and Gateshead, Involve North East was commissioned to gather community feedback to inform a new service specification for the �Getting Help� counselling service. This service forms a key element of the wider emotional wellbeing and mental health system, offering early intervention through counselling following referral and triage.

Building on years of engagement in this area, our work sought to evaluate how the existing service was perceived and what improvements could make it more accessible, relevant, and effective for those who use it. We designed and delivered two online surveys targeting young people and parents/carers. To supplement the quantitative findings, we conducted focus groups and interviews, which provided deeper insight into lived experiences and expectations. We are especially grateful to Gateshead Parent Carer Forum and Gateshead Young Inspectors for contributing their perspectives during dedicated engagement sessions.

The findings revealed several consistent themes. Many participants highlighted a general lack of awareness around the current service. Respondents requested more transparent and accessible information on what the service offers, how to access it, who is eligible, and the likely waiting times involved.

When considering the format of future provision, participants favoured a more holistic and flexible model of care. While counselling and structured therapeutic support were seen as vital, there was strong appetite for complementary, non-clinical approaches. Suggestions included creative therapies such as music and art, as well as opportunities for physical activity and outdoor engagement - approaches that many young people felt would support confidence, self-esteem and resilience.

Accessibility emerged as a priority theme. Participants emphasised the need for services that are timely, culturally aware, and available in a range of familiar and inclusive venues. Involvement of parents and carers was also seen as an important component of support.

Based on this feedback, Involve North East developed a series of recommendations for commissioners. These were shared with NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NENC ICB) to support the development of a revised service specification. The updated specification is expected to inform a future commissioning round and will help shape a more responsive, inclusive and effective service for local children and families.

This project reinforces our ongoing commitment to ensuring that children, young people, and their families are central to the design of services that affect them.

Co-designing Autism Support Services in Tees Valley

About 1 in 100 people in the UK are estimated to be autistic, with at least 700,000 autistic adults and children living here. The true number may be even higher due to underdiagnosis, especially in women and older adults. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) involves different ways of seeing and responding to the world, including challenges with social situations, a need for routine, intense interests, and sensory sensitivities. These can create a range of complex challenges for people with the condition and so there is a need for timely and effective support.

Approximately 5,000 autistic people live in Tees Valley, with an additional 1,400 awaiting autism assessments. To address their needs, NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NENC ICB) planned to commission two new services: pre-assessment support for those waiting and postdiagnostic support for autistic individuals.

To design these services, a survey and focus groups were conducted, and we gathered input from over 100 participants. This process was supported by Rose Matthews, an experienced autism researcher and associate of INE.

3

Involve North East

(A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees� Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Our finding fell into two categories: pre and post-assessment. People waiting for an autism assessment told us they would like to receive regular updates on their position in the waiting list and clear initial information about the process. They wanted help with accessing services and flexible options for doing so. In addition, they highlighted the need for clear guidance on what is available and help with coping mechanisms while they wait.

One quote from a participant underscored the importance of a tailored approach, �A video tour of the building...little details that I don�t know can cause anxiety.�

From those who have received their diagnosis we learned that their key priorities included support in terms of the emotional impact of processing the diagnosis. They wanted help navigating education, employment and benefits systems, including with the sensory challenges of completing forms also featured in their responses. We were told that there is a need for more information to build selfunderstanding and help with developing effective coping strategies. Participants stressed the need for flexible, individualized approaches, �Support should be tailored to the person rather than a �one size fits all�...home visits should be offered as the outside world [for me] involves too much sensory overload.�

The findings of this important project helped to inform a tender specification released in October 2024 with a new, needs-led service launched in April 2025.

Gateshead Women�s Health Hub

Improving women�s health is a collective ambition across Gateshead Place. One of Gateshead Cares (local NHS organisations, Gateshead Council, and voluntary and community sector organisations) strategic intentions is to become a Northern Centre of Excellence for Women�s Health.

The development of a women�s health hub in Gateshead was underpinned by several key documents, including The �Women�s Health Strategy� (2022). The strategy�s 10-year ambitions are that women and girls have more of their health needs met at one time and in one place, that they can access services that meet their needs throughout their lives, and the approach to delivering these services are designed and delivered around their needs, not those of commissioners.

At a local level, Gateshead�s Director of Public Health�s Annual Report �Mind the Gap� (2022) focused on women and health inequalities. Mirroring the findings of the Women�s Health Strategy it highlighted that although women live on average 4.2 years longer than men, they do so in poorer health. This is caused by a range of factors �created by systemic, historic and social bias that place women and girls within cycles of disadvantage.� The report called for �conditions that enable women and girls to reach their full potential� including addressing female-specific health and care needs.

Gateshead Cares was successful in bidding for £250,000 funding from NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NENC ICB) to develop a women�s health hub in Gateshead. The hub and spoke model addresses fragmentation in service delivery with the aim of improving access, experiences, and outcomes. The aim, therefore, has been to enable women to get more of their health needs met at one time, with less need for appointments in different places. INE were tasked with researching and delivering a detailed evaluation of the hub to determine how well it had achieved its aims and where any improvements could be made.

Whilst acknowledging that the hub is still in its development phase, we found there is clear evidence that change across the system is occurring, underpinned by a passionate and focussed Oversight Group. Breaking down organisational barriers to understand need, provision and ultimately what is required across Gateshead, the hub and spoke model, supported by outreach services, is providing women with a range of ways to receive support for a variety of health issues based on one appointment.

The key highlight of our five pages of recommendations is that this highly successful approach should be used as a framework for future system-wide transformation change projects. As one patient told us, �I was made to feel so comfortable. Thank you. Amazing service and lovely staff.�

4

Involve North East (A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees� Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS

Most would agree that the healthcare system in the UK is facing its share of challenges. A lack of sustained investment and workforce issues have had a knock-on effect on services and patient wait times. Against this backdrop, the potential for commissioned healthcare research has declined and seems set to reduce further. In response, the need for planned business development has become a priority for us and we have set aside resources and engaged expert support to help.

Our portfolio consists mainly of qualitative research within the healthcare sector but recently we�ve been exploring work that has a wider public benefit in terms of wellbeing. Poverty, housing and access to services are key challenges that affect communities and those living within them. These and other issues are tied into the health and wellbeing of residents across our area, so understanding them better is very much in tune with our charitable objects.

With a practical action plan in place, we�ve been exploring what we can offer to a wider cross-section of organisations that help people in our region. Almost thirty years of experience in speaking to patients, carers and staff in a healthcare setting have given us a good understanding of the communities with whom we�ve been engaging. Our success comes from our approach: understanding what we need to know, working out the best way to find that out, listening to the people affected and extracting from those conversations the feedback and knowledge we need for our research. Lastly, we combine all of that into a clear, concise report with a host of key recommendations based on what we�ve discovered.

We know it works because we�ve been doing it successfully and to the highest standard for decades. Our findings have helped transform and shape the healthcare services that people use every day. Our independence means that commissioners always get the truth which underlies surface issues.

In 2025 we are welcoming in a host of new organisations, engaging us to speak to the people they care about. We�re excited by the fresh opportunities that await us.

5

Involve North East (A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees� Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Company number 05899382
Charity number 1116182
Trustees Lynda Cox (Chair)
Stephen Telford
Niamh Storey
Neina Sheldon
Andrea Fairley
Jennifer Johnson
Jennifer Harrison (resigned July 2024)
Pasha Tanriverdi (appointed January 2025)
Company secretary Sandra Lambrou
Chief Executive AJ White
Registered office Carnegie Building
Atkinson Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 8XS
Independent examiner Jim Dodds
33 The Glebe
Stannington
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 6HW
Bankers Unity Trust Bank
9 Brindley Place
Birmingham
B1 2HB
Solicitors David Gray
Old County Court
56 Westgate Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 5XU

6

Involve North East (A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees� Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Organisational Structure

Involve North East has a Board of six members who meet at least six times each year. The Board brings expertise from a wide range of professional backgrounds. Their principal role is to:

Financial management of the organisation is the responsibility of all trustees, who go through the financial reports and cash flow projections at Board meetings. Nominations and remuneration are reviewed by the Board on an annual basis.

Governing Documents

The charitable company is registered as a charity and a company limited by guarantee and is governed by its Articles of Association.

Method of Appointment or Election of Trustees

The trustees are elected from the membership of Involve North East. Any member of the charitable company can nominate himself or herself to the Board of Trustees. Those elected then agree the position of Chair and other officers.

Policies adopted for the induction and training of Trustees

All newly appointed trustees are given an induction pack including key information on the roles and responsibilities of trustees, the most recent Annual Report and financial statements, a history of the charitable company and an indication of the forthcoming trustees� meetings. All trustees are offered the opportunity to attend training courses run by VCSE support organisations such as Connected Voice.

Human Resources

The staff team consists of:

Chief Executive

All staff members have taken part in regular team and line management meetings to ensure delivery against plans and targets. A range of training and professional development opportunities were made available to staff during the year.

7

Involve North East (A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees� Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Information Technology

Our IT infrastructure involves the use of a secure online file sharing system using Microsoft Sharepoint. Fully password protected, this can be accessed both in the office and when working remotely. Post Covid the decision was taken to adopt a �hybrid� working model. For part of the week the team are office based and on other days work remotely from home. As well as anti-virus software, each of our laptops has been fully encrypted to provide an additional level of security. Team members have their own workspace on Sharepoint as well as access to areas required for their work. Access to HR and finance records is restricted to the Chief Executive.

Having undertaken training and advice we are fully compliant with the NENC ICB�s Information Governance policies and systems and with GDPR legislation. We have successfully completed and published the Information Governance Toolkit assessment summary in line with NHS supplier requirements.

Our website www.involvene.org.uk is kept up to date with our latest reports and news. Our team has the necessary skills and experience to carry out updates and add to the website content as our requirements demand. We make use of email newsletters and social media such as Bluesky and LinkedIn to promote our work and to highlight forthcoming events and activities. Our digital portfolio includes a bespoke website for online GP registration for students, training and resource videos for the public, and interactive Zoom sessions, making our support and engagement more accessible.

Risk management

The Board is responsible for the management of the risks to which the Charity is exposed. A risk register is produced which considers financial, governance and delivery risks, and this is reviewed at least twice each year. For each risk the register identifies:

Initial risk assessment in terms of impact and likelihood

Through the counter measures put in place in the risk register and the regular reviews and updates, the Board is satisfied that the major risks identified have been adequately mitigated. It is recognised that this approach can only provide reasonable but not absolute assurance that major risks have been adequately managed.

In addition, the trustees operate an annual rolling programme to review all internal policies and procedures on a regular basis. The trustees have a Gifts and Hospitality policy, requiring all offers of gifts or hospitality worth more than £25 and related to the work of Involve North East to be registered. A central register of such offers is held alongside the Register of Interests.

8

Involve North East

(A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees� Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Review of the year

The results for the year and the company's financial position at the end of the year are shown in the attached financial statements.

During the year the Charity had income of £123,034 (2024: £128,947) and expenditure of £140,248 (2024: £141,878). There was an operating deficit of -£17,214 (2024: deficit -£12,931).

At 31 March 2025 the Charity had net assets of £160,810 (2024: £178,024), analysed in the balance sheet set out on page 13.

Budgets are set annually by the Board and performance against the budget is monitored by the trustees at each meeting.

Reserves policy

The trustees have agreed a policy of maintaining unrestricted reserves at a level which would cover operating costs for up to 6 months. This figure is reviewed annually, due to changing staffing and premises liabilities, and currently stands at £59,782. The unrestricted reserves were £160,810 at 31 March 2025, resulting in a current surplus of £101,028.

Investment policy and performance

The Trustees have determined to hold all unutilised balances on deposit with Nationwide Building Society and Unity Trust Bank Plc for the time being.

Principal funding

The principal funding of the charitable company during the year was from NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NENC ICB). The charitable company is in the sixth year of our funding agreement under the NHS Standard Contract for the provision of the Engagement Service until March 2025, as part of an agreed twelve month extension to the original contract.

Pension

One staff member at Involve North East was a member of the Tyne and Wear Local Government Pension Scheme. A number of years ago the Trustees decided to close this scheme to new applicants. Alternative arrangements for new staff members have been made with the Pension Trust.

Involve North East has a subsumption agreement in place with Newcastle City Council for any deficit that may arise on termination of the Tyne and Wear pension scheme (see note 19). This agreement effectively means that the charity has no financial pension risk in the event of closure.

9

Involve North East (A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees� Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Pay policy for senior staff

Involve North East�s pay structure references the National Joint Council for Local Government Services� salary scales, which are nationally recognised pay scales used by a number of organisations including local authorities.

All trustees give their time freely and no trustee received remuneration in the year.

TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES IN RELATION TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT

The charity trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees� annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the group and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable group for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that 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 Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and the group and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company�s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

This report was approved by the Trustees on:

and signed on their behalf by:

Lynda Cox Chair

10

INVOLVE NORTH EAST

(A company limited by guarantee)

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES

For the year ended 31 March 2025

I report on the financial statements of Involve North East for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 12 to 21.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity's trustees (who are also directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:

to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner's statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS102).

I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Jim Dodds 33 The Glebe Morpeth Northumberland NE61 6HW

Date: 3 November 2025

11

INVOLVE NORTH EAST

(A company limited by guarantee)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

(INCLUDING SUMMARY INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) For the year ended 31 March 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Funds Funds 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Income from:
Charitable activities
Grants and contracts 6 120,056 - 120,056 126,815
Investments 7 2,978 - 2,978 2,132
Total income 123,034 - 123,034 128,947
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
Operation of the charity 8 140,248 - 140,248 141,878
Total expenditure 140,248 - 140,248 141,878
Net income/(expenditure) and net -
( 17,214 ) ( 17,214 ) ( 12,931 )
movement of funds
Reconciliation of funds
-
Total funds brought forward 178,024 178,024 190,955
Total funds carried forward 160,810 - 160,810 178,024
Notes
----- End of picture text -----

The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities

The notes on pages 14 to 21 form an integral part of these accounts.

12

Charity Number 1116182 Company Number 05899382

INVOLVE NORTH EAST

(A company limited by guarantee)

BALANCE SHEET

As at 31 March 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
Total Total
2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 14 - -
Total fixed assets - -
Current assets
Debtors 15 22,072 11,982
Cash at bank and in hand 16 164,717 171,211
Total current assets 186,789 183,193
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year 17 ( 25,979 ) ( 5,169 )
Net current assets 160,810 178,024
Total assets less current liabilities 160,810 178,024
Total net assets or liabilities 160,810 178,024
Funds of the charity
Unrestricted income funds 160,810 178,024
Restricted income funds - -
Total funds 160,810 178,024
Notes
----- End of picture text -----

The company was entitled to an exemption from audit under s477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act with the respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to small companies subject to the small companies regime and in accordance with FRS102 SORP.

The notes on pages 14 to 21 form an integral part of these accounts.

These financial statements were approved by the Board on:

Lynda Cox Chair

and are signed on its behalf by:

13

INVOLVE NORTH EAST

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 March 2025

1 Accounting Policies

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

2 Basis of accounting

2.1 Basis of preparation

These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with 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) �Charities SORP (FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

Involve North East meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

2.2 Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis

The charity reported total unrestricted funds at the year end of £160,810 and has already secured a significant amount of funding for the current year. The trustees are of the view that the immediate future of the charity for the next 12 to 18 months is secure and that on this basis the charity is a going concern.

3 Income

3.1 Recognition of income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the resources, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is more likely than not that the resources will be received and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability

3.2 Offsetting

There has been no offsetting of assets and liabilities, or income and expenses, unless required or permitted by FRS102 SORP or FRS102.

3.3 Grants and donations

Income from government and other grants, whether �capital�grants or �revenue�grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

Income received in advance of the provision of a specified service is deferred until the criteria of income recognition are met.

3.5 Volunteer help

The value of volunteer help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the trustees' annual report.

14

(A company limited by guarantee)

INVOLVE NORTH EAST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 March 2025

3.6 Interest receivable

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.

3.7 Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.

4 Expenditure and liabilities

4.1 Liability recognition

Liabilities are recognised when it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty.

4.2 Charitable activities

Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs of consulting with local communities on health issues and other activities undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs.

4.3 Governance and support costs

Support costs have been allocated between governance cost and other support. Governance costs comprise all costs involving public accountability of the charity and its compliance with regulation and good practice.

Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

4.4 Irrecoverable VAT

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

4.5 Creditors

The charity has creditors which are measured at settlement amounts less any trade discounts.

4.6 Provisions for liabilities

A liability is measured on recognition at its historical cost and then subsequently measured at the best estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation at the reporting date.

5 Assets

5.1 Tangible fixed assets for use by the charity

Individual fixed assets costing £1,000 or more are capitalised at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful economic lives on a straight line basis as follows:

Fixtures and fittings 15% Straight line Office and computer equipment 25% Straight line

15

INVOLVE NORTH EAST

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Analysis of income
6
Charitable activities
Income from contracts
7
Income from investments
Commissioned activities/training
Other
Interest - deposits
NHS Newcastle Gateshead CCG
Student GP registration		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
91,401
16,155
7,500
5,000
120,056
2,978
2,978		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Total
2025
£
91,401
16,155
7,500
5,000
120,056
2,978
2,978		 Total
2024
£
90,856
16,869
14,090
5,000
126,815
2,132
2,132

Income was £123,034 (2024: £128,947) of which £123,034 was unrestricted or designated (2024: £128,947) and £0 was restricted (2024: £0)

16

INVOLVE NORTH EAST

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

8 Charitable activities
Direct costs
Support costs
Governance costs
Insurance
Website development
Annual report and AGM and meeting costs
Equipment
Premises costs
Communication costs
Subscriptions
Bank charges
Sundries
Business development
Legal and professional
Wages and salaries
Event costs
Marketing and promotion
Staff other costs
Depreciation
Independent examiner's fees for reporting on
the accounts
Staff training costs
IT maintenance and support
Printing, postage, stationery & equipment		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
105,882
216
203
1,660
798
320
8,884
4,049
7,554
557
125
4,131
1,552
195
143
-
2,697
-
1,230
52
140,248		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Total
2025
£
105,882
216
203
1,660
798
320
8,884
4,049
7,554
557
125
4,131
1,552
195
143
-
2,697
-
1,230
52
140,248		 Total
2024
£
106,859
1,653
1,106
1,245
800
320
8,887
4,548
6,157
999
683
3,727
1,291
574
141
39
490
69
1,230
1,060
141,878

Expenditure on charitable activities was £140,248 (2024: £137,878) of which £140,248 was unrestricted or designated (2024: £137,878) and £0 was restricted (2024: £0)

9 Fees for examination of the accounts

Independent examiner's fees for reporting on the accounts 2025
£
1,230
1,230		 2024
£
1,230
1,230

There were no other fees paid to the examiner (2024: £nil)

17

INVOLVE NORTH EAST

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 March 2025

10 Analysis of staff costs and the cost of key management personnel

Pension costs (defined contribution pension plan)
Salaries and wages
Social security costs		 2025
£
91,863
7,451
6,568
105,882		 2024
£
93,729
7,513
5,617
106,859

No employee received remuneration above £60,000 (2024: £nil)

The key management personnel of the charity, comprise the Trustees and the Chief Executive Officer. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £20,579. (2024: £20,234)

11 Staff numbers

The average monthly head count was 4 staff (2024: 4 staff) and the average monthly number of full-time equivalent employees during the year were as follows:

The parts of the charity in which the employee's work
Charitable activities		 2025
Number
3.2
3.2		 2024
Number
3.2
3.2

12 Transactions with trustees

None of the trustees have been paid any remuneration or received any other benefits from an employment with their charity or a related entity.

Trustees' expenses

The following detail the expenses incurred by one trustee.

Expenses
Training		 2025
£
52
-
52		 2024
£
-
25
25

Transaction(s) with related parties

There have been no related party transactions in the reporting period.

13 Corporation Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objectives.

18

INVOLVE NORTH EAST

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 March 2025

14 Tangible fixed assets
Cost
Balance brought forward
Additions
Disposals
Balance carried forward
Depreciation
Basis
Rate
Balance brought forward
Depreciation charge for year
Disposals
Balance carried forward
Net book value
Brought forward
Carried forward
15 Debtors and prepayments (receivable within 1 year)
Accrued income
16
Short term deposits
Cash at bank and in hand
17
Taxation and social security
Deferred income
Cash at bank and in hand
Prepayments
Trade debtors
Other accruals
Independent examination of accounts
Creditors and accruals (payable within 1 year)
Accruals
Other creditors
Trade creditors		 Fixture and
fittings
£
158
-
-
158
SL
15%
158
-
-
158
-
-
2025
£
21,600
-
472
22,072
2025
£
137,272
27,445
164,717
2025
£
366
1,717
1,230
99
21,600
967
25,979		 Office
equipment
£
9,546
-
-
9,546
SL
25%
9,546
-
-
9,546
-
-
2024
£
9,010
2,500
472
11,982
2024
£
134,297
36,914
171,211
2024
£
215
2,090
1,230
885
-
749
5,169		 Total
£
9,704
-
-
9,704
9,704
-
-
9,704
-
-

19

INVOLVE NORTH EAST

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 March 2025

18 Deferred income

Deferred income comprises of advance payments from grants that relate to future periods

Balance brought forward
Amount released to income earned from
charitable activities
Amount deferred in year
Balance carried forward		 2025
£
-
-
19,100
19,100

19 Pension commitments

Tyne and Wear Pension Fund

Involve North East staff participated in the Tyne and Wear Pension Fund, which has now been closed. This is a multi-employer defined benefit scheme.

The scheme is accounted for as a defined contribution scheme as the future service accrual contribution rate is assessed on a "grouped" basis and therefore it is not possible to identify the share of underlying assets and liabilities belonging to individual participating employers. The amount recognised as an expense in the period was £1,834 (2024: £1,758). There were 1 (2024: 1) employee participating in the scheme during the year.

An amount of £666.61 (2024: £300) was outstanding at the year end.

There is an agreement in place with Newcastle City Council which guarantees they will pay any deficit that may arise on the termination of the pension scheme.

Pension Trust

The charity operates a defined contribution pension plan for its employees. The amount recognised as an expense in the period was £3,232 (2024: £2,426).

There was no liability due to the pension provider at the 31 March 2025 (2024: £nil).

Scottish Equitable

The charity operates a defined contribution pension plan for its employees. The amount recognised as an expense in the period was £1,463 (2024: £1,397).

There was a liability of £300 due to the pension provider at the 31 March 2025 (2024: £276).

20 Events after the end of the reporting period

No events (not requiring adjustment to the accounts) have occurred after the end of the reporting period but before the accounts are authorised which relate to conditions that arose after the end of the reporting period.

20

INVOLVE NORTH EAST

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 March 2025

21 Analysis of charitable funds

Analysis of movements in unrestricted funds

Unrestricted funds
General unrestricted fund
Totals		 Fund
balances
brought
forward
£
178,024
178,024		 Incoming
resources
£
123,034
123,034		 Resources
expended
£
( 140,248 )
( 140,248 )		 Transfers
£
-
-		 Fund
balances
carried
forward
£
160,810
160,810

Purpose of unrestricted funds

General unrestricted fund

The 'free reserves' of the charity.

22 Capital commitments

As at 31 March 2025, the charity had no capital commitments (2024 -£nil)

23 Analysis of net assets between funds 2025

Other net current assets/(liabilities)
Cash at bank and in hand		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
164,717
( 3,907 )
160,810		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-		 Total
2025
£
164,717
( 3,907 )
160,810

Analysis of net assets between funds 2024

Cash at bank and in hand
Other net current assets/(liabilities)		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
171,211
6,813
178,024		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-		 Total
2024
£
171,211
6,813
178,024

21