Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1[st] February 2024 To 31[st] January 2025
Charity name: FURNESS UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE (u3a)
Charity registration number: 1118002
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The advancement of education and, in particular, the education of older people and those who are retired from full time work, by all means, including associated activities conducive to learning and personal development in the Furness area and its surroundinglocality. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Furness u3a, part of the nationwide u3a organisation, exists to help its members make new friends, develop their interests and enjoy social activities. Furness u3a raises funds through an annual membership fee [in the reporting period, this was £14 if the monthly newsletter was received by email, and £30 if the newsletter was printed and posted]. Furness u3a covers the whole of the Furness area and has about 50 interest groups which meet regularly and are led by the u3a members themselves. These cover a wide range of activities, including: reading groups and walking groups, history, photography, drawing, painting, table tennis, philosophy, theatre visits and board games. Any member whose interest is not catered for can start a new group. We have a Groups Liaison officer who helps with the setting up of new groups. Some interest groups meet in members’ homes; others meet at a venue which may incur a small charge and others meet outside. |
| Throughout the reporting period, Monthly Meetings open to all members took place each month, normally in the Coronation Hall, Ulverston, with a speaker, coffee and an opportunity to socialize. A Christmas Social was also held, in the same venue. Throughout the reporting period, Furness u3a also ran a Drop-In each month, where our groups introduced themselves and their activities. As well as providing an ideal opportunity to find out what the u3a can do for members, members could also get help with computing problems at the Computer Helpdesk, which is run by volunteers. Throughout the reporting period, the Trustees of Furness u3a met on a monthly basis to ensure the smooth running of Furness u3a. The meetings involved reviewing finances, organising Monthly Meetings and Drop-ins, dealing with matters related to the smooth running of existing groups and the setting up of new groups, and developing and monitoring strategies and policies for enabling the charity’s activities to continue effectively and appropriately. The Trustees also worked to ensure good communications with its members, through a monthly Newsletter and an up-to-date website. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | All trustees have regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | [Not relevant.] |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | [Not relevant.] |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | All of our activities were run by volunteers from within the membership of Furness u3a. |
|---|---|---|
| Other | [None.] |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | Overall, this was another good year for Furness u3a. Attendance at Monthly Speaker meetings was good, and the number of our members was very similar to last year. 41 of our members are “Associate Members”, which means that they are full members of another u3a, but have decided to join us as well. Most of our Associates are from Grange and District u3a, with whom we have a reciprocal agreement not to charge fees. The Christmas Social for members in December was successful. Once again, the food was delicious, and members enjoyed a festive quiz and a magician gave a well- received performance. We also held a successful event for Group Leaders in the summer. The Committee, and other volunteers again staffed a stand at the Ulverston Retro Rendezvous Festival in June and the Ulverston Charter Day in September. Furness u3a was also very heavily involved in Silver Sunday in the Coronation Hall, Ulverston on 6thOctober. No fewer than 7 of our groups participated [the Drawing group, the Craft group, English Country Dancing, the Recorder group, the String Chickens and the Uke Troupe], several Committee members staffed a publicity stall, and the u3a Secretary acted as compere for the afternoon. We are planning to be involved in all these events again in 2025. |
Our website and Newsletter are both running successfully, and we are very grateful to the volunteer who ensures that the website is up to date and the Newsletter is produced each month. The Committee has produced several new policies and guidance documents, now available from the website. These include: • how activity groups can apply for grants and loans; • an updated safeguarding policy; • an insurance disclaimer form for non-members who wish to participate in u3a walks, The Committee decided in December 2024 to trial, starting in March 2025, a new procedure in which, instead of holding separate Drop-ins and monthly speaker meetings, we would have a single extended meeting in the Coronation Hall each month, to include group presentations, the IT Helpdesk and other Drop-in features as well as a guest speaker. This initiative will be reviewed regularly by the Committee. Committee members have been actively participating in the wider u3a movement, by attending the Third Age Trust AGM, the North West Region AGM and Conference, and other North West Region events. The Committee also participated in numerous online votes, including voting on a proposal to establish a new national Board of Trustees and a u3 Council. These bodies have now been established and the Committee has participated in elections for the inaugural trustees on the new Board. We are grateful to so many people who have done so much to keep our u3a going over the past year! Also, we are immensely grateful to all our Group Leaders, walk leaders, volunteers who organise trips and talks, volunteers who book members in at meetings, volunteers who serve refreshments, and many others who selflessly offer their time to our u3a.
Additional information (optional)
| Additional information (optional) | Additional information (optional) | |
|---|---|---|
| You may choose to include further statements | where relevant about: | |
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | [Not relevant.] |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | [Not relevant.] |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | [Not relevant.] |
| Other | [Not relevant.] |
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | We ended the year financially in very good health. At the end of the reporting period, our Reserve stood at £12,134.28. This is somewhat in excess of our target (£7000), but has enabled us to freeze membership subscriptions despite an increase in costs. We have embraced online finance - for membership subscriptions as well as our general business We have also acquired a card reader to enable payment by credit and debit cards. |
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | A reserve level of £7000 has been identified as an appropriate target to cover the month-on-month variations in liquidity and to allow for financial cover in the (unlikely) event of Furness u3a ceasing to operate. This reserve level is a judgement based largely on the normal annual subscription income. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | End of period balance is £12,134.28 with no current liabilities; future outgoings are budgeted to be covered by member subscriptions and meeting door charges.so this balance is taken as our reserve. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | Not applicable. |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | Not applicable. |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | The trustees judge that the charity is likely to be able to continue as a going concern for the foreseeable future. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | The primary source of income is membership subscriptions (including Gift Aid) We do not routinely arrange 'Fund Raising' events |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | We have no investments. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | 1. A significant reduction in membership numbers, leading to a significant reduction in income. However, this is highly unlikely in the short term: membership numbers are growing in u3as across the UK. 2. A significant increase in costs, especially room hire costs for meetings. However, the cost of hiring our main hall have been reduced recently, and we are confident that we will be able to handle likely increases over the next fewyears. |
|---|---|---|
| Other | [None.] |
Structure, Governance and Management
Description of charity’s trusts:
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution |
|---|---|---|
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | A Member of the Third Age Trust as an Unincorporated Association. |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Elected by members at Annual AGM which is in March. |
Additional information (optional)
| Additional information (optional) | Additional information (optional) | |
|---|---|---|
| You may choose to include further statements | where relevant about: | |
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | New trustees are inducted via meetings with the Chair; this induction uses, inter alia, training documents issued by the Third Age Trust. |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | We belong to the North West Region of u3as which enables us to liaise with other u3a groups in our region. We are also part of the national u3a movement, under the auspices of the Third Age Trust. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | None. |
| Other | We have an up-to-date Safeguarding Policy. We have an up-to-date Data Protection Policy. |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charityname | Furness Universityof the Third Age(U3A) |
|---|---|
| Other name the charityuses | Not applicable. |
| Registered charitynumber | 1118002 |
| Charity’s principal address | 18 Lyndhurst Road, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 0EG |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Lewis | Chair | Not applicable | ||
| Ann Wilson | Vice Chair | |||
| Neil McLaughlin Cook | Secretary | |||
| Gary Thompson | Treasurer | |||
| Julie Amos | ||||
| Janet Barlow | ||||
| Christine Butler | ||||
| Harry Knowles | ||||
| Linda Marshall | ||||
| Duncan Platts | 8thOctober 2024 to 31stJanuary 2025 |
|||
| Julie Wilson | 1stFebruary 2024 to 10thSeptember 2024 |
Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name [None]
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | **Dates acted if not for whole year ** |
|---|---|
| [None] |
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets Not applicable. held in this capacity
Name and objects of the Not applicable. charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects
Details of arrangements for Not applicable. safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
None
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
None
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Not applicable.
Other optional information
Not applicable.
Declarations The trustees declare that tY have approved the trustsos. r•port above. Slgned on behalf of the charlty's trustees Signatures COi Full name Position Richard Lewis Chair Anthony Neil McLaughlin Cook Date 11 November 2025 11 November 2025
Financial Report for year ended 31 January 2025 For Furness U3A
Independent Examinerf5 Report to the Trustee5 of Furness U3A I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 January 2025, which are set out on page Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner As the charity's Trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you consider that the audit requirement of section 144{2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act} does not apply. It is mv responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 145151{bl of the Act. whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of Independent Examiners Report My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. 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 unusu31 items or disclosures in the account5 and seeking explanation from you as Trustee5 concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently, I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. Independent Examiner5 Statement In Connection with my examination. no matter has come to my attention: Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements To keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Act,. and To prepare accounts which agree with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Act have not been met, or To which in my opinion. attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Mrs L Piechura Ma2uma GB Ltd 05/02/2025 74 Duke Street Barrow in Furness Cumbria LA14 1RX
Financial Report Furness U3A For The Year Ending: 3110112025 Receipts and Payments 2025 2024 Income Subscriptions Groups Monthly Meetings Christmas Orop In Gift Aid Svndries Total 8476.00 36523.33 2480.50 1020.00 160.60 8471.60 15807.25 2368.40 1140.00 170.25 2529.45 49.03 438.58 51238.91 28396.08 Less Expenditure Room Hire Group5 Advertising Printing Committee Expenses Speaker fees Third Age Trust Equipment Actountancy Bank Fees Drop In Sundries Christmas Party Total 2210.40 38195.95 202.72 4710.80 14779.10 50.00 506.47 407.33 616.05 105.40 4854.20 676.75 1405.87 i io.i)o 4362.00 99.99 504.(K) 504.00 180.60 473.(K) 462.60 213.69 507.23 179.98 1477.59 50250.43 1434.88 28980.17 Net Surplus 988.48 -584.09 Statement of Assets Cash Fund5 Bank Subscription Account Bank General Account Bank General Online Account Paypal Unpresented Cheques Cash in hand Total 96.50 11218.75 641.77 82.60 5259.87 5789.73 13.60 0.00 177.26 0.00 0.00 12134.28 0.00 11145.80 Accumulated Fund Opening Balance Net surplus for the year C105ing Balance 11145.80 988.48 12134.28 11729.89 -584.09 11145.80 G Thompson Treasurer 0510212025
List of Assets I Compaq Laptop Computer I Sanyo Digital Projector I Projection Screen Numerous Display Boards 2 Roving Microphones l Dell Inspiron Laptop & Accessories l IOCHOW 104 Mini Projector & Stand 1230-6301 VONSHEF Hot Plate 2 Pull Up Banners Financial Report for year ended 31 January 2025
Financial Report Furness U3A Groups Funds For The Year Ending.. 31101/2025 2025 2024 Accumulated Fund5 Digital Photography Drawing English Country Dancing Friday Walkers Industrial History Ireland Local History Love To Read Pickleball Questers String Chickens Theatregoers & Visits Ukulele Unallocated Total 95.00 79.00 163.00 61.00 206.00 0.00 201.14 75.00 38.25 238.00 0.00 209. 14 375.00 -28.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 34.00 156.59 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2042.54 10.00 -34.42 0.00 2796.93 1124.31