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2025-03-31-accounts

Registered Charity Number: 1122461 | SC053979

National Ugly Mugs

Report and financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025

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National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025 er

Registered Charity Number: 1122461 | SC053979

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Registered Charity No. 1122461

National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025

A MESSAGE FROM THE TRUSTEES 5
MAIN OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES 7
NUM’S MAIN ACTIVITIES 10
NUMINNUMBERS- MEMBERSHIPSTATISTICS 10
DIGITALSERVICES 11
ALERTINGMECHANISM ANDNUMCHECKER 12
REPORTS OFHARM, ALERTS,ANDVICTIMISATION 13
REPORTSORIGINATING FROMPOLICEFORCES ANDCONSENTS 14
SUPPORT SERVICES 15
CASEWORK 15
MENTALHEALTHSUPPORTSERVICES 16
NUMBRELLALANE 17
VOCATIONALSUPPORT 19
RACIAL JUSTICE FOR SEX WORKERS 21
SPECIALIST SEX WORKER INDEPENDENT SEXUAL VIOLENCE ADVISOR (SWISVA) PARTNERSHIP
PROJECT 22
SWERV! – SEX WORKERS EVALUATE REPORTING VIOLENCE 23
SYSTEMIC ADVOCACY, STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS & COMMUNITY EDUCATION 24
POLICYADVOCACY& PUBLICVOICE 24
STRATEGICPARTNERSHIPS& MOVEMENTBUILDING 24
LOOKING AHEAD 27
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT 28
FINANCIAL REVIEW 29
RISKMANAGEMENT 30
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 31
TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES IN RELATION TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 32
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT 33
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 34

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National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025

Charity number 1122461 / SCO53979

Registered office and operational address

Unit 209, Green Fish Resource Centre, 46-50 Oldham Street, Manchester M4 1LE

National Ugly Mugs (NUM) (formerly known as The UK Network of Sex Work Projects (UKNSWP)

Trustees Trustees who served during the year and up to the date of this report were as follows:

Megan Prescott Chair (appointed September 2024) Sian Prime Chair (left August 2024) Michael Edmonds Treasurer (appointed August 2024) James Osborne Treasurer (left August 2024) Emily Kenway Trustee Patrick Vignal Trustee Dr. Laura Graham Trustee Dr Laura Connelly Trustee

Key management Dr Raven Bowen Chief Executive Officer (left 01/07/25) personnel Lynsey Walton Chief Executive Officer (appointed 14/04/25)

Bankers

CAF(Charities Aid Foundation) Bank

25 Kings Hill Avenue, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4TA

Lloyds Bank

25 Gresham Street, London, EC2 7HN

Independent examiners

Jennifer Daniel FCCA DChA Slade & Cooper Limited

Beehive Mill, Jersey St, Manchester, M4 6JG

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National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025

A Message from the Trustees

National Ugly Mugs (NUM) achieved considerable success in 2024/5, reaching major milestones and expanding its offer in innovative ways. Notably, NUM’s membership reached 10,000 for the first time, ensuring many more sex working people have access to resources and reporting functions which improve their safety. We also received 29 per cent more reports of crime or harm than in the previous year; this produces vital intelligence for the community and for policymakers. We have continued to listen to our community to embed their needs in our reporting system: based on findings from our Racial Justice Project, we launched a ’reporting professionals’ tool, the UK’s first civil society mechanism to report harm from public officials. Finally, we have continued to tackle image-based abuse (including so-called ‘revenge porn’) by expanding our support for members to remove unwanted personal content from the internet.

Aside from our expanding digital reporting service, our hands-on support increased too. Sex workers may feel concerned by stigma when approaching services for support after sexual violence. Based on this knowledge, We introduced dedicated Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) services for sex workers in Manchester and expanded provision with a relaunch in London. We also funded over 120 individual therapy sessions and doubled the number of free sessions in our therapy package offered to sex workers. We complemented this individualised support by piloting new mental health drop-in and crisis services at NUMbrella Lane, Glasgow.

We are proud that our vocational support programme was co-designed by people with lived experience of the sex industry as well as expertise in lifelong learning. This dual knowledge ensures our offer is appropriate for our membership, improving its efficacy for those who wish to change or augment their work lives. This year, over 500 sex workers engaged in the service, with £5,000 distributed in bursaries to support career planning too. Recognising the value of peer spaces, we also hosted regular peer-led hangouts on themes such as CV development and navigating earning within precarious industries. Feedback from people using this multi-faceted programme found that they felt more confident, less isolated and more in control of their potential futures.

NUM continued to draw on its membership’s expertise, its extensive data and academic partnerships to contribute to the national research and policy agenda. We are pleased to report that we formed strategic partnerships with three health-focused organisations: the National Institute for Health and Care Research, the UK Health Security Agency and National Voices. Through these partnerships and beyond, NUM has influenced national inclusion health policy, making sure sex worker voices are not only heard but embedded at the heart of decision-making, so policies are grounded in real lived experience.

In February 2025, NUM was also formally registered as a charity in Scotland, strengthening our governance and ensuring we can deliver our mission UK-wide with accountability across all nations.

Sex work policy continues to be contested and challenging terrain. In 2024/5, NUM drew on

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National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025

its extensive institutional knowledge of sex work to contribute to the National Police Chiefs’ Council consultation on sex work guidance. We also submitted evidence to parliament in support of full decriminalisation in England and Scotland. Of course, policy is made in the public arena as much as in the corridors of power. To that end, we strive to bring sex workers’ safety and rights into civic and cultural spaces. We continued our successful partnership with the Vagina Museum, using a co-created merchandise collection as a platform to spark public conversations and challenge stigma. We also partnered with Open Clasp Theatre on Mycelial, a touring performance which amplified sex worker voices. Finally, we published three new editions of our zine, Under the Red Umbrella, exploring harm, healing, rights, and resistance, using the words and imagery of experts by experience: our community.

This is a substantial list of achievements for a team of under 15 people operating in a challenging fundraising and political context. The trustees extend their gratitude and respect to all the staff who have made this work possible and all the community members who make NUM what it is: vibrant, vital, and always innovating.

This message is shared on behalf of NUM’s Board of Trustees.

The following report summarises the financial year ending March 2025.

Trustees Report – Year End 31st March 2025

The trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements for the financial year end 2025. Reference and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the charity’s trust deed/constitution and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: SORP applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102.

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National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025

Main Objectives and Activities

National Ugly Mugs (NUM) began as a pilot project, founded in 2012 after 10 years of advocacy to the Home Office for a centralised service that managed reports of harm to sex workers. We’re now the largest violence prevention and survivor support service for sex workers in the UK, working by, for and with sex workers to offer digital and in-person services for workers of all genders, backgrounds and types of work. Ultimately, our aim is to improve the rights, safety and leadership of sex workers, working through policy, community development and service provision to end all forms of violence against sex workers.

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National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025

In January 2025, the Board of Trustees passed a resolution to amend NUM’s charitable objects, aligning them with the broader relief of those in need and ensuring compliance with charity law across England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The objects of the CIO are :

The relief of those in need by reason of age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage and in furtherance of this:

  1. To promote public safety and the prevention of crime by the provision of safety training, information and resources.

  2. To preserve, protect and promote good health by providing information and support services.

  3. To promote the rights and entitlements of sex workers as equal citizens by providing advocacy, information and support services.

Nothing in this constitution shall authorise an application of the property of the CIO for purposes which are not charitable in accordance with section 7 of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and section 2 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.

Main Aims

In line with these objects, NUM’s main aims are:

  1. Increasing sex worker safety and the prevention of crimes and harms against this diverse population of adults.

  2. Supporting sex workers in generating knowledge and sharing experiences in ways that advance wellbeing, increase social inclusion, and combat discrimination, criminalisation and violence.

  3. Providing survivor-centred, trauma-informed services and facilitating sex workers in safely accessing the public services of their choosing, ensuring that:

  4. Sex workers are the ones characterising their work and defining their circumstances, needs and priorities.

  5. Services are informed about sex workers’ needs and priorities to promote accessibility, meaningful engagement, and non-judgemental treatment.

  6. All sex workers – irrespective of class, race, gender, sexuality, disability, immigration status, or type of work – receive consistent, protective responses from police and public services when they ask for help.

  7. Sex workers inform justice, victim support, anti-violence and inclusion health initiatives in ways that improve wellbeing and increase their engagement in civil society.

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National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025

Charitable Activities

To achieve these aims, NUM delivers a wide range of services and initiatives, including:

These amended objects replace those previously agreed and were formally adopted by trustee resolution in January 2025

The trustees review the aims, objectives, and activities of the charity each year. This report looks at what NUM has achieved and the outcomes of its work in the reporting period. The trustees report the success of each key activity and the benefits the charity has brought to those groups of people that it is set up to help. The review also helps the trustees ensure the charity's aims, objectives and activities remain focused on its stated purposes. The trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity's aims and objectives and in planning its future activities. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives that have been set.

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National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025

NUM’s Main Activities

NUM’s charitable activities are undertaken in furtherance of our mandate and charitable purposes and are for public benefit.

NUM in NUMbers - Membership Statistics

In 2024, NUM reached a milestone as our membership grew to 10,238 people and organisations, compared to 9382 in 2023. This growth included 629 newly registered independent sex workers, alongside sex worker organisations and venues joining throughout the year. Active UK-based sex workers continued to make up the vast majority of our membership at around 85% overall, with the remainder comprising of industry venues (2%) and organisations, shelters, doctors’ surgeries, and other community partners were sex industry venues (14%).

Among members who disclosed their gender identity (n=567), the largest group were cis women, representing almost 70% . Cis men accounted for just over 14% , with trans women making up 5.9% , trans men 2.3% , and a further 7.9% identifying as non-binary or other gender minorities. Data on ethnicity (n=447, independent workers only) shows a similarly diverse membership. The majority of members, 72.9% , identified as White of British, Irish, Scottish, or other backgrounds; 6.9% identified as Black, including Black British, Caribbean, and African backgrounds; 6.9% identified as Asian; 8.7% as mixed heritage; and 4.5% as Hispanic, Latino/a, or Latinx. Age disclosure (n=437) showed that nearly half of our members ( 47.7% ) were between 18 and 30, a third ( 34.1% ) were aged 31–40, and the remainder were split between those aged 41–50 ( 13.7% ), 51–60 ( 4.1% ), and over 60 ( 0.7% ).

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National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025

Digital Services

NUM’s digital services are more than tools, they are frontline interventions designed with and for sex workers, enabling members to protect themselves, share intelligence, and stay connected to care. Our NUM Checker continues to grow, with design and development improvements making it more accessible and user-friendly.

To strengthen integration, we developed a Checker API linking our reporting and alerting tools with trusted partners, and expanded Content Removal support to help members manage online abuse and non-consensual content. Alongside this, we launched a new e- learning platform, beginning with a vocational video series and workbooks, and started developing a Competency Dictionary to help sex workers identify and articulate their transferable skills.

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National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025

Alerting Mechanism and NUMChecker

NUM’s alerting system allows members to receive warnings of reported harm in real time, tailored to the locations they choose. Reports can be submitted directly online, or with support from our caseworkers via phone, email, or chat. Once processed, these reports feed into NUM’s secure database, powering the NUMChecker tool.

Through the Checker, sex workers can screen clients by searching phone numbers, emails, usernames, or car registration plates against reports of harm. They can also browse historic alerts using filters such as work type, age, or region. This ability to check and screen clients gives sex workers greater autonomy and the information needed to make safer, informed choices.

The NUMChecker enables sex workers to search by phone number, email, username, or car registration - giving control over who they engage with.

All of these tools are accessed via our secure, members-only area of the website, developed through a bespoke WordPress build with safety and privacy at its core. In this space, created by and for sex workers , members can use our safety tools, access tailored advice and resources, and stay up to date with the latest news.

NUM’s alert system lets members filter historic reports by work type, age, gender, region, or status - creating a safer, more informed decision-making process.

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National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025

Reports of Harm, Alerts, and Victimisation

In 2024, NUM received 756 reports of violence against sex workers, containing 917 distinct accounts of harm. This represents a 29% increase on the previous year and reflects the scale, complexity and severity of harms of the challenges sex workers continue to face.

Through our alerting system, we issued over 1 million warnings ( 1,087,262 in 2024), enabling sex workers to take informed decisions to protect their safety. Since NUM was founded, we have sent more than 4.4 million alerts to the community. The most common harms reported included physical assault, stalking and harassment, boundary violations, refusal to pay, malicious communications, and sexual assault. These patterns highlight the ongoing risks faced by sex workers, and the vital role of survivor-led reporting in prevention and safety.

On average, NUM caseworkers processed 63 reports per month. Most reports ( 75% ) came directly from sex workers, with 17% submitted by partner support organisations and 8% originating from the police.

Distribution of harms reported to NUM in 2024

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National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025

Reports Originating from Police Forces and Consents

In 2024, NUM processed 59 reports submitted by police forces, an 11% increase on the previous year. These reports were used to disseminate safety alerts and, where requested, to provide casework support to sex workers.

Consent remains central to our approach. In 2024, 35% of survivors consented to anonymous sharing of their reports with police intelligence, and just 9% consented to full information sharing . The vast majority, around 9 out of 10 sex workers, chose not to involve police at all.

These figures continue a long-term trend: in 2012, 95% of survivors consented to anonymous sharing with police, falling to 55% in 2022 and 52% in 2023. Full consent has dropped from 28% in 2012, to 14% in 2022, to 12% in 2023, and now to 9% in 2024.

This sharp decline reflects both wider public concerns about policing and the specific risks sex workers face in engaging with law enforcement. NUM’s commitment is clear: no report is ever shared without explicit consent, ensuring safety, dignity, and survivor choice remain at the heart of our work.

Consent trends for sharing reports with police, 2012–2024

Our digital services and our support services are not separate silos, they feed into one another. Every alert leads to a survivor who may need casework support, and every drop-in or therapy session helps us strengthen our digital safety net. Together, they form a holistic system designed with sex workers, for sex workers.

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National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025

Support Services

Alongside managing digital safety tools, our specialist casework team provides a broad range of direct support to sex workers. This includes one-to-one trauma-informed casework, emergency financial assistance for individuals and sex worker-led organisations, in-person drop-ins and wellbeing spaces, and access to paid therapy packages and tailored mental health support. Looking ahead, our London and Manchester-based SWISVAs will also begin offering drop-in sessions and information events, further strengthening our local presence and expanding in-person support.

Casework

In 2024, the team supported 1,279 sex workers, a 25% increase on the previous year. This included:

Support during this time become more responsive through new out-of-hours live chat and phone shifts, ensuring sex workers could reach skilled staff for crisis vouchers, information, and reassurance beyond office hours. Funded through cost-of-living support, this extended service proved its worth immediately, giving members confidence that help was there whenever they needed it.

This year also marked an important expansion of our Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) provision. A new Manchester-based SWISVA role was created as part of our partnership project with Basis Yorkshire and POW Nottingham, while in early 2025, funding from the City Bridge Foundation enabled NUM to once again appoint a dedicated Londonbased ISVA. This is the first time since 2018 that NUM has had a visible casework presence in London, and represents a vital step in restoring localised, specialist support in a city where so many of our members live and work.

“It only takes one person to believe in you before you start believing in yourself.” – NUM member

Case Study: Standing Beside Survivors

One NUM member, who had experienced multiple incidents of violence, turned to our casework team at a moment of deep distress. Stigma and isolation compounded her trauma,

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National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025

but she described how simply having someone listen, check in, and provide consistent reassurance gave her the strength to continue.

Her words remind us that impact is not only measured in reports logged or cases closed, but in the quiet, transformative moments where care and belief help rebuild confidence. This is the foundation on which safety, justice, and recovery are built.

Our approach remains survivor-centred and rooted in lived experience, combining professional expertise with a “small but mighty” team ethos. Every report is met with care and belief, reflecting our unwavering commitment to safety, justice, and wellbeing.

Mental Health Support Services

NUM’s mental health services are designed to be inclusive, accessible, and rooted in the realities of sex workers’ lives. They are non-coercive, non-judgemental, and grounded in lived experience, recognising that mental health cannot be separated from hostile environments such as policing, immigration enforcement, online surveillance, and economic marginalisation.

In 2024, NUM funded 120 therapy sessions with qualified, sex worker-friendly practitioners. In early 2025, we doubled our therapy package from three to six free sessions, recognising - that longer-term, flexible care is essential. Our Directory of Sex Worker Friendly Therapists has now grown to over 89 practitioners across the UK, including many offering multilingual services. Every therapist listed has signed NUM’s declaration of values, affirming support for decriminalisation, the right to safety, and the principles of integrity, inclusion, compassion, and contribution.

Those marked with a NUM symbol offer free 3 or 6 session therapy packages, fully funded by NUM and available to any sex worker referred through our casework team. These packages reduce the emotional labour of finding support and ensure that sex workers can access help quickly, confidentially, and without cost.

“Honestly having this therapy has saved my life. For the first time I felt I wasn’t judged… I’ve managed to get back to my outgoing self thanks to the therapy NUM offered.” – NUM member

Our in-house therapist continues to host online drop-ins, while we also build tailored resources such as hypnotherapy resources and video sessions exploring grief, loss, and self-care. On awareness days like Mental Health Awareness Week, World Suicide Prevention Day, and the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, we use our platforms to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and share safety planning tools.

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National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025

We also recognise the need to care for our own staff. Following the loss of a colleague in 2024, we facilitated one-to-one counselling and reflective team sessions, creating space for grief and resilience within the organisation.

“I’ve always found it difficult to open up because of my past and the shame I carry. Knowing there are sex worker-friendly therapists available through NUM made it easier to take that first step.” – NUM member

Mental health support is not a luxury but a necessity. By combining funded therapy packages, an expanding therapist directory, online resources, and community advocacy, NUM is building pathways to healing that honour sex workers’ dignity and strength.

NUMbrella Lane

NUMbrella Lane has cemented its role as Scotland’s only wellbeing hub designed by and for sex workers. Supported by The National Lottery Community Fund and The Robertson Trust, the space is grounded in NUM’s harm reduction ethos and provides essential resources, connection, and care to some of Scotland’s most marginalised communities. In the past year, we delivered 636 hours of face-to-face support through drop-ins, casework, and mental health services.

In 2024, NUMbrella Lane welcomed 269 sex workers to drop-ins in Glasgow and Edinburgh, providing immediate crisis aid and ongoing advocacy. Over 178 sex workers have accessed sexual health testing and supplies through the hub since 2022, and in the past year alone 109 workers received supplies directly, while 278 were supported with food and essentials from our in-house foodbank.

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National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025

The hub is also a centre for creativity and community. Across 2024, NUMbrella Lane hosted 52 events, attended by 213 sex workers, from arts workshops and zine-making sessions to brunches and peer-led discussions. In total, this formed part of 111 drop-ins and community activities that brought together more than 400 attendees over the year. Members tell us these gatherings are more than events:

“The events always lift my spirits and remind me that I’m part of a community.”

Weekly craft sessions remain at the heart of our wellbeing offer, while collaborations with Arika, the Sex Workers’ Union, and Scotland for Decriminalisation ensured that racialised, migrant, trans, and disabled sex workers had space to lead and be heard. Outreach extended into Edinburgh saunas, strip clubs, and community spaces, embedding harm reduction resources where workers were most likely to engage on their own terms. We also deepened partnerships with Crew2000, the Simon Community, and Lothian Sexual Health.

Case Study: Housing Support

One member who regularly attended NUMbrella Lane had been homeless for over a year after leaving an abusive relationship. Sofa surfing and facing repeated housing rejections left them exhausted and isolated. With the support of our caseworker, the member received both practical help to navigate housing systems and the encouragement to keep going. Together, we secured a permanent tenancy, furnishings, and vital local grants to rebuild stability.

“It only took one conversation to make me see my situation clearly. I was stuck, but NUM gave me the tools and encouragement to move forward. Now, I finally have a home.” – NUM member

2024 also marked a new chapter for NUMbrella Lane as we relocated to Baltic Chambers in Glasgow. The new premises are more welcoming, accessible, and supportive of staff wellbeing, positioning the hub strongly for future growth. Looking ahead, we aim to expand vocational opportunities through NUMbrella Lane, building on our national programme with tailored sessions for Scotland-based workers.

Beyond direct service delivery, NUMbrella Lane has amplified sex workers’ voices in national debates, including contributions to the Women’s Support Project’s Migrant Sex Worker webinar and the Scottish Government’s Circle Event on Empowering Women. These interventions ensure that sex workers’ lived realities are part of conversations on gender equality and inclusion health.

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National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025

In June 2024, NUMbrella Lane received a Special Commendation for Community Impact at the SCVO Scottish Charity Awards. Out of 39 finalists, only two organisations received this recognition, a proud moment that reflects the safety, connection, and opportunity NUMbrella Lane creates for sex workers in Scotland.

Watch out team receive the award here.

NUMbrella Lane team receive SCVO award

Vocational Support

NUM’s Vocational Support Service (VSS) continued to expand in 2024-25, delivering tailored, sex worker-led support for those exploring career development, income diversification, or transitions in or out of the sex industry. Thanks to support from the National Lottery Community Fund and an ongoing partnership with Vivastreet now in its tenth year, VSS has become a core part of NUM’s national offer and a key area for future growth.

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National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025

NUM’s approach to VSS is grounded in the principle that career support for sex workers must be free from judgement or coercion. True choice requires material stability, access to mental health care, and safety from violence, not criminalisation or welfare conditionality. The VSS team blends academic expertise, PGCE specialisms in social inclusion, victim support casework and lived experience in the sex industry. Together, they design resources and user journeys that integrate trauma-informed mental health support with practical career planning, now fully embedded into NUM’s wider casework and digital services.

In 2024, NUM delivered 12 rounds of live WORKshops reaching 419 participants more widely. Feedback was consistently positive: workshops were rated 4.8/5 for content , 4.7/5 for engagement, and 5/5 for feeling safe to participate. Participants told us they valued not only the practical skills covered, from CV building and freelance project work to navigating DBS checks and confidence-building, but also the peer support and non-judgemental environment.

Alongside live delivery, we piloted pre-recorded “Work in Your Own Time” modules, voiced by our vocational team and complete with subtitles and downloadable workbooks. These were accessed 335 times, with a total of 57 hours of watch time, and complemented by 408 views of related content and 419 visits to the booking page. Other key developments included the creation of a Competency Dictionary to help sex workers translate their skills into mainstream employment language; the expansion of zines, toolkits, and updated online service maps; and the introduction of accelerated workshops tailored for student sex workers, carers, and those with unstable schedules.

One participant described the workshops as “a priceless piece of kit for the toolbox of providing for yourself in a cutthroat world of business” , while another reflected: “NUM really cares about people like us and what we’ve been through.”

“I have been supported with mental health, with confidence building, vocational experience and inspiration… I have felt validated and empowered through the experience and have always had someone to contact.” – NUM member

Our dedicated Vocational Support Caseworker, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, also delivered 36 individualised one-to-one support cases in 202 4 , integrating trauma support with vocational planning. In addition, we distributed £5,000 in bursaries to support members’ vocational goals and funded 31 therapy sessions for VSS participants.

As pressures on sex workers intensify through increased policing, anti-sex work rhetoric, and economic insecurity, NUM’s vocational services remain a vital alternative to punitive “exit” frameworks. We meet people where they are, support their goals (whether staying, diversifying, or leaving) and make sure they are not navigating those changes alone.

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National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025

Racial Justice for Sex Workers

Racialised sex workers in the UK sit at the sharp intersection of structural racism and antisex worker discrimination, navigating hostile systems across policing, healthcare, housing, - education, and support services. NUM’s Racial Justice for Sex Workers Project Rights, Recognition and Redress was created to confront these realities, reclaim narratives, and ensure that racialised sex workers’ expertise shapes the future of policy and practice. The project is funded by the Joseph Rowntree Community Trust as part of their Rights & Justice priority.

The first phase of the project produced a series of policy briefs, co-created with racialised sex workers across the UK. These briefs map how racism and anti-sex worker discrimination intersect in everyday life, from medical neglect and unsafe housing, to retaliatory expulsion from education, and outline the systemic changes needed to achieve equality, accessibility, and justice. The work also established a national Working Group of Racialised Sex Workers, creating the UK’s first dedicated platform for leadership and visibility in shaping public policy.

Phase One, completed in 2023, focused on research and documentation. Working with racialised sex workers across the UK, we co-created a series of policy briefs mapping how racism and anti-sex worker discrimination intersect in everyday life. These outlined harms such as medical neglect, unsafe housing, and retaliatory expulsion from education, while also setting out systemic changes needed to improve equality, accessibility, and justice. The project also established a national Working Group of Racialised Sex Workers, the first of its kind in the UK, ensuring ongoing leadership and visibility in shaping public policy.

“Racialised sex workers are experts in their own safety and survival. For too long, their experiences have been sidelined or erased. This project is about putting their knowledge at the centre of policy and advocacy, where it belongs.” – NUM member

Phase Two began in January 2025. Building on the findings and momentum of Phase One, this stage is focused on turning evidence into action. Our priorities include:

Embedding the Reporting Professionals Service , a new casework stream enabling sex workers to safely report racism, discrimination, or abuse of power by individuals in positions of public trust, such as police officers, housing officials, or doctors. This service, guided by the Working Group, closes a longstanding gap in accessible, survivor-led justice routes and connects directly into NUM’s wider reporting and casework infrastructure.

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National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025

Taking a public health perspective, the project recognises both social exclusion and sex work as public health issues. Systems that criminalise sex workers and racialised people are drivers of harm; addressing these systems is central to improving safety, wellbeing, and inclusion.

Looking ahead, Phase Two will continue throughout 2025 and beyond, pushing for systemic change while amplifying the leadership of racialised sex workers themselves. The project now stands as a permanent part of NUM’s strategy: transforming lived realities into political change, and ensuring that policymakers, funders, and services can no longer ignore the voices of racialised sex workers.

Specialist Sex Worker Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (SWISVA) Partnership Project

In July 2024, NUM, Basis Yorkshire, and POW Nottingham were awarded three years of funding from the National Lottery Community Fund to deliver the Specialist Sex Worker Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (SWISVA) Partnership Project . This collaborative initiative is designed to improve health outcomes for sex workers, expand access to recovery and healing spaces, provide coordinated crisis support across regions, and strengthen sex workers’ experiences of reporting, particularly within the criminal justice system, ensuring consistent, specialist support is available in Greater Manchester, Nottingham, West Yorkshire, and beyond.

NUM recruited our dedicated Manchester-based SWISVA in December 2024, marking the first time we have had a specialist ISVA role embedded in the city. In their first months they took on complex cases of sexual violence, supporting survivors through early recovery, safety planning, and justice pathways. They also built strong partnerships with St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), the Greater Manchester ISVA Forum, and the RASSO unit, where they successfully advocated for sex workers to have access to plainclothed officers when reporting violence. Alongside this, they organised themed monthly drop-ins, offering practical support, crisis resources, and safe peer connection shaped directly around community feedback, and represented sex workers in Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s sex work strategy discussions to ensure that lived experience remains central to local policy. The three SWISVAs (NUM, Basis and POW) meet regularly to align practice, share expertise, and troubleshoot barriers faced by sex workers. The partnership combines NUM’s national reporting infrastructure with the regional depth of POW and Basis, creating a unique blend of frontline delivery and systemic advocacy .

Looking ahead, the SWISVA Partnership is laying the foundations for long-term systemic change. Together, we will continue regional and national advocacy, using frontline evidence to influence policing, health, and justice policies; strengthen data collection and localised reporting to build an evidence base for reform; and expand drop-ins and outreach, drawing on NUMbrella Lane’s peer-led model to design safe, supportive community spaces. This project represents a significant step forward: specialist, sex worker-led ISVA support is no longer the exception, but a coordinated reality across three major regions of England, with

Registered Charity Number: 1122461 | SC053979

22

National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025

NUM ensuring Manchester’s sex workers have the tailored, trauma-informed advocacy they deserve.

SWERV! – Sex Workers Evaluate Reporting Violence

In May 2024, NUM launched SWERV! (Sex Workers Evaluate ~~OO~~ Reporting Violence London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine ) , a 30 month national study in partnership with the and Brunel University , funded by the National Institute for Health Research .

This is the first independent evaluation of NUM’s safety model, examining how our alerts, NUMChecker tool, reporting system, and casework support impact sex workers’ safety, mental health, and quality of life. Oversight comes from an advisory group of sex workers, survivor advocates, and violence-prevention experts, ensuring the research is rooted in lived experience.

While groundwork began in 2024, the main phase of community engagement will run through 2025–26. Findings will guide the future of NUM’s services, strengthen survivorcentred practice across the sector, and provide a powerful evidence base for sex worker-led approaches to violence prevention and justice.

This study is a historic opportunity to prove what sex workers have always known - that safety is strongest when we design the systems meant to protect us.

Registered Charity Number: 1122461 | SC053979

23

National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025

Systemic Advocacy, Strategic Partnerships & Community Education

Throughout 2024-25, NUM’s advocacy championed the rights and needs of sex workers across policy, public health, policing, culture, and media, pushing for evidence-led change and safer systems.

Policy Advocacy & Public Voice

In Scotland, NUM commissioned a YouGov poll in May 2024 that revealed only 13% of Scots believe all sex work is inherently violence, while nearly half ( 47%) disagreed. These findings provided a powerful evidence base against criminalisation-focused policy, undermining attempts to introduce a Nordic Model approach.

NUM also played a central role in shaping the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Sex Work Guidance, consulting with over 100 sex workers through an anonymous survey co-run with the English Collective of Prostitutes. The consultation revealed that most sex workers want police to use respectful terminology, acknowledged that adult services websites are a safer working environment, and strongly opposed brothel-keeping laws that criminalise workers for sharing premises. NUM’s submission ensured these perspectives shaped the final NPCC guidance for 2025.

At Westminster, NUM submitted evidence on the Crime and Policing Bill, opposing amendments that would criminalise clients, advertising, or support for sex workers and supporting reforms to remove outdated offences such as “loitering or soliciting.” These interventions continue to place sex worker voices at the heart of national debates.

Strategic Partnerships & Movement Building

NUM strengthened collaborations with cultural, feminist, and grassroots partners, including:

Registered Charity Number: 1122461 | SC053979

24

National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025

Highlights of NUM’s advocacy, outreach, and cultural partnerships in 2024–25 — from zines and stickers to theatre tours, workshops, and public campaigns.

Registered Charity Number: 1122461 | SC053979

25

National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025

Education, Outreach & Public Engagement

NUM’s public engagement work connects safety, culture, and community - amplifying sex workers’ voices in spaces where they are too often silenced.

On International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers ( 17 December 2024 ) , we cohosted a stall with MASH at Manchester’s Christmas Market, distributing care packages and premiering a memorial video of 199 names voiced by actor Megan Prescott and NUM Board Chair. The film honoured those lost to violence, stigma, and neglect, while reminding the public why this day matters: they are why we fight for better.

We continued to expand our creative platforms for sex worker expression. Three new issues of Under the Red Umbrella , our zine on harm, healing, rights, and resistance, were published online and at events. These zines, illustrated and written by sex workers, offer unapologetic testimony and art, and have become a key tool for outreach and education.

Issue 4 – June 2024 Issue 5 – December 2024 Issue 6 – March 2025

Outreach also focused on younger and student sex workers, with engagement at Northumbria University Freshers’ Fair and the delivery of workshops on online safety, migrant rights, and decriminalisation in collaboration with ESWA, Arika, and SWU. These sessions provided practical resources while tackling stigma head-on.

Through partnerships with Anawim, Crew2000, Simon Community, and the Women’s Support Project, we helped strengthen access to housing, mental health, and justice services. Ensuring our advocacy reaches beyond NUM and builds capacity across the wider sector. With UKHSA, we shaped mpox prevention advice so that it was accurate, inclusive, and stigma-free.

Registered Charity Number: 1122461 | SC053979

26

National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025

Looking Ahead

NUM’s work in the last 12 months has remained firmly aligned with our Strategic Vision 2023–2027, which set priorities across safety, support, and systems change. Guided by our principles - Sex Workers First, Quality Support, and Learning & Innovation - we strengthened digital safety tools, expanded casework and ISVA provision, grew our Vocational Support Services, and embedded sex worker voices in policy and cultural spaces nationwide.

Projects such as SWERV!, the SWISVA Partnership , our Racial Justice for Sex Workers Projec t , and NUMbrella Lane demonstrate how our vision is being realised: combining practical support with systemic advocacy to reduce harm and expand justice.

Looking forward, NUM is entering a new chapter. With a new CEO in post from April 2025, we are preparing a refreshed strategic framework . This will build on our current progress while sharpening our focus on advocacy, inclusion health, digital innovation, and sustainable service delivery. The new framework will be published in the coming year, setting out the next phase of NUM’s work to end violence against sex workers.

Registered Charity Number: 1122461 | SC053979

27

National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025

Structure, governance and management

National Ugly Mugs converted to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 30th October 2019 to better serve the objectives of the organisation. It was previously registered as a charity with the Charity Commission, constituted under a trust deed dated June 2002 and now works to its Constitution.

Appointment of trustees

As set out in the Constitution, trustees are elected by existing trustees of the CIO at Annual General meetings and serve for a period of 3 years.

Trustee induction and training

All trustees will initially join the board for a 6-month induction period. At the end of this period, they will meet with the Chair and another board member to discuss their experience and decide whether they wish to continue as a trustee. During this meeting, the Chair will also provide feedback on the trustee's contributions throughout the induction. All trustees are required to review and sign a code of conduct and are fully supported by the existing board throughout their tenure.

Related parties and co-operation with other organisations

Our trustees do not receive any remuneration or benefits for their work with the charity. Any connections between a trustee or senior manager and a service provider must be fully disclosed to the board of trustees, in line with the standard procedure for any contractual relationships involving related parties. No related party transactions were reported during the current year.

Organisation

The board of trustees oversees the administration of the charity and typically meets quarterly throughout the year. As required by the constitution, a minimum of two ordinary meetings must be held annually. To manage the charity’s daily operations, the trustees appoint a Chief Executive. The charity actively furthers its purposes for the public benefit by successfully preventing crime, bringing perpetrators of serious offences to justice, and enhancing the safety of sex workers. The trustees confirm that they have adhered to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives, planning future activities, and setting policies for the year.

Investment powers and policy

The trustees, considering the charity's liquidity needs for ongoing operations, have maintained available funds in an interest-bearing deposit account.

Registered Charity Number: 1122461 | SC053979

28

National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025

Financial Review

NUM reported an overall deficit of £132,251 in 2024-25 (compared with a deficit of £67,570 in 2023-24). This reflects both the increasing cost of service delivery and the continued strain on fundraising across the UK voluntary sector.

Income for the year totalled £430,584, the majority from charitable trusts and foundations, including the National Lottery Community Fund, Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, John Ellerman Foundation, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, and NIHR (for the SWERV! project). Further support came from Vivastreet, corporate donations, consultancy, individual giving, and merchandise sales.

Expenditure for the year was £562,835, with the largest proportion allocated to staff costs, digital services, and direct project delivery including therapy packages, emergency food provision, and research activity.

At 31 March 2025, NUM’s unrestricted reserves stood at £20,649, of which £9,649 are free reserves. Trustees continue to aim for a level of free reserves equivalent to three months of unrestricted expenditure, a target not met this year. Replenishing reserves is therefore a priority for 2025-26, alongside ongoing diversification of income through donations, consultancy, and partnerships.

Despite the challenging financial context, NUM secured multi-year commitments that provide a strong foundation going forward, including continued funding from the National Lottery Community Fund (ISVA Partnership), Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, NIHR, and City Bridge Trust. We are also pursuing statutory contracts and new earned income opportunities, such as our eLearning platform, to strengthen financial sustainability.

Since year end, NUM has also secured significant additional multi-year grants from the Robertson Trust, the National Lottery Community Fund Scotland, the Paul Hamlyn Foundation Youth Fund (a new funder); and four years in unrestricted funding from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. Together, these commitments provide a secure foundation of more than half a million pounds over the coming years, combining restricted project funding with unrestricted investment in NUM’s core work.

Coupled with a positive projected cashflow trajectory in 2025-26 (with end funds projected to rise from £88,434 to £168,555 across the year), the trustees consider it appropriate to prepare the accounts on a going concern basis. We also expect awareness of NUM and donations to grow following high-profile media coverage, the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, our Memorial Map, and the appointment of our new Ambassador, Megan Barton-Hanson .

Registered Charity Number: 1122461 | SC053979

29

National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025

Risk Management

The trustees have carefully assessed the risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that appropriate systems are in place to manage these risks effectively. A risk register is maintained by staff and reviewed quarterly during trustee meetings. The charity trustees have identified three principal risks and uncertainties facing the organization. Below is a summary of these risks and the strategies in place to mitigate them:

Financial Sustainability

The wider financial environment for UK charities remains challenging, and NUM’s unrestricted reserves remain below the target level. The trustees are aware that the reserves policy of maintaining approximately three months of running costs (£150,000) has not been met. Steps are being taken to increase unrestricted reserves, including close monitoring of income and expenditure, diversifying income sources, and prioritising fundraising for core costs. Trustees continue to review financial performance regularly and are committed to achieving the target level of reserves in due course.

Staff Wellbeing and Service Delivery

The ongoing pressures facing the charity sector are considerable, and NUM's unique role in advocating for the rights and safety of sex workers amplifies these challenges. Mental and emotional stress, leading to staff "burnout," remains a significant concern.

To address this, the charity actively monitors risks related to staff burnout and provides access to a network of therapists and mental health professionals at no cost to employees in need. Plans are in place to further develop staff resources, adding capacity to the team and reducing workload pressures to support long-term wellbeing and effective service delivery.

Reputational Risks

Operating in a sensitive and often politicised field, trustees recognise the importance of safeguarding the charity’s reputation and influence. NUM manages this risk through careful communications, partnership-building, and active advocacy in policy arenas. This includes contributions to the NPCC Sex Work Guidance, evidence to the Scottish Parliament consultation, and cultural collaborations with organisations such as Open Clasp and the Vagina Museum. These activities strengthen public understanding of NUM’s mission while countering stigma and hostility, ensuring continued credibility with beneficiaries, funders, and partners.

Digital and Data Risks

With NUM’s services delivered largely through digital platforms, including NUMChecker, online reporting forms, and the members’ area, data security and confidentiality are critical. Trustees recognise the risks of cyber-attacks, data breaches, or misuse of sensitive information. These are mitigated through robust GDPR compliance, secure hosting infrastructure, regular system testing, and ongoing collaboration with trusted digital partners. Staff are trained in data handling and safeguarding protocols, ensuring that members’ information is protected at every stage.

Registered Charity Number: 1122461 | SC053979

30

National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025

Acknowledgements

Above all, we thank the sex workers who have been at the heart of NUM’s community. Your trust in us - whether by using our services, contributing to our research and consultations, or joining us in organising - means that together we change our world!

We stand in solidarity with sex workers, those who survive, resist, organise, and support one another in a world that too often looks away. Your strength shapes NUM’s mission.

We’re proud of our staff, volunteers, and members, whose dedication drives this work forward. And we’re grateful to the donors, funders, and allies who choose to stand with us in unwavering efforts in the fight to end violence, building safety, dignity, and justice for sex workers across the UK. We also deeply appreciate the invaluable support from individual donors and the charitable funders who enable our work to continue.

Registered Charity Number: 1122461 | SC053979

31

National Ugly Mugs Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31st March 2025

Trustees Responsibilities in Relation to the Financial

Statements

Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charity's financial activities during the period and of its financial position at the end of the period. In preparing financial statements giving a true and fair view, the trustees should follow best practice and:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. 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.

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

Approved by the trustees on 28/11/2025 and signed on their behalf by:

Megan Prescott (Chair)

Registered Charity Number: 1122461 | SC053979

32

Independent examiner’s report

to the members of

National Ugly Mugs

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2025 which are set out on pages 34 to 54.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and 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.

Jennifer Daniel FCCA DChA Slade & Cooper Limited, Chartered Certified Accountants Beehive Mill, Jersey Street, Ancoats Manchester, M4 6JG

Date: 21/01/2026

33

National Ugly Mugs

Statement of Financial Activities

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Unrestricted
funds
Note
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
109,631
Charitable activities
4
-
5
69,101
Investments
6
35
Total income
178,767
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
7
334
Charitable activities:
8
326,995
Total expenditure
327,329
(148,562)
10
(148,562)
Transfer between funds
27,044
Net movement in funds for the year
(121,518)
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
142,167
Total funds carried forward
20,649
Other trading activities
Net income/(expenditure) before
net gains/(losses) on investments
Net income/(expenditure) for the
year		 Restricted
funds
£
-
251,817
-
-
251,817
-
235,506
235,506
16,311
16,311
(27,044)
(10,733)
64,580
53,847		 Total funds
2025
£
109,631
251,817
69,101
35
430,584
334
562,501
562,835
(132,251)
(132,251)
-
(132,251)
206,747
74,496		 Total funds
2024
£
230,058
363,230
24,433
156
617,877
6,868
678,579
685,447
(67,570)
(67,570)
-
(67,570)
274,317
206,747

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

A full comparative SOFA is available on the last page of the financial statements.

34

National Ugly Mugs

Balance Sheet

as at 31 March 2025

Note
£
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
15
978
Intangible assets
16
10,022
Total fixed assets
11,000
Current assets
Debtors
17
8,143
Cash at bank and in hand
18
88,434
Total current assets
96,577
Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling
due in less than one year
19
(33,081)
Net current assets
63,496
Net assets
74,496
Funds of the charity:
Restricted income funds
20
53,847
Unrestricted income funds
21
20,649
Total charity funds
74,496
2025
The notes on pages 37 to 54 form part of these accounts.		 £
£
2,567
-
2,567
5,755
230,247
236,002
(31,822)
204,180
206,747
64,580
142,167
206,747
2024

Approved by the trustees on 28/11/2025 and signed on their behalf by:

Megan Prescott (Chair)

Michael Edmonds (Treasurer)

35

National Ugly Mugs

Statement of Cash Flows for the year ending 31 March 2025

Note
2025
£
Cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
23
(130,712)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Dividends, interest, and rents from investments
35
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
-
Purchase of intangible fixed assets
(11,136)
Cash provided by/(used in) investing activities
(11,101)
(141,813)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
230,247
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
88,434
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents in the year		 2024
£
(53,244)
156
(2,935)
-
(2,779)
(56,023)
286,270
230,247

36

National Ugly Mugs

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

1 Accounting policies

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

a Basis of preparation

The financial statements 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), second edition - October 2019 (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared to give a 'true and fair view' and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair view'. This departure has involved following 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), second edition - October 2019, rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

National Ugly Mugs meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.

b Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes that the charity will continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. At the year end, the charity held net current assets of £63,496 and unrestricted free reserves of £9,649. The forecast to 31 March 2026 projects a positive cash balance of £168,555. The trustees recognise that reserves are below the target level of three months’ running costs and are committed to taking all possible steps to strengthen the charity’s financial position. This includes increasing unrestricted income, building reserves, and maintaining close oversight of cashflow and expenditure.

Given the challenging funding climate, contingency plans are in place to reduce costs and restructure operations if required. Cashflow is monitored regularly, and the trustees are confident that sufficient reserves are available to meet liabilities and, if necessary, to wind down the charity in an orderly manner. It is therefore not considered necessary to restate the assets and liabilities of the charity at this time.

37

National Ugly Mugs

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

c Income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

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.

For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor(s) to the charity that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the charity has been notified of the executor’s intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the charity, or the charity is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is a treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.

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

d Donated services and facilities

Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), general volunteer time is not recognised; refer to the trustees’ annual report for more information about their contribution.

On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

e 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.

38

National Ugly Mugs

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

f Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of 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.

g Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

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

h Allocation of support costs

Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include back office costs, finance, personnel, payroll and governance costs which support the charity's programmes and activities. These costs have been allocated between cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities. The bases on which support costs have been allocated are set out in note 8.

i Operating leases

Operating leases are leases in which the title to the assets, and the risks and rewards of ownership, remain with the lessor. Rental charges are charged on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.

j Tangible fixed assets

Individual fixed assets costing £500 or more are capitalised at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful economic lives on a straight line basis as follows:

Computers & office equipment

33.33% on cost

k Intangible assets

Individual intangible assets costing £500 or more are capitalised at cost and are amortised over their estimated useful economic lives on a straight line basis as follows:

Website

10% on cost

39

National Ugly Mugs

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

l Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

m Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

n Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

o Financial instruments

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

40

National Ugly Mugs

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

2 Legal status of the charity

The charity is a charitable incorporated organisation, registered as a charity in England & Wales.

3 Income from donations and legacies

Current reporting period
Donations
General grants:
Esmee Fairbairn Foundation
Garfield Weston Foundation
John Ellerman Foundation
Other
Total
Previous reporting period
Donations
General grants:
Esmee Fairbairn Foundation
John Ellerman Foundation
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Tudor Trust
Total		 Unrestricted
£
24,556
5,000
30,000
49,500
575
109,631
Unrestricted
£
10,378
66,180
49,500
25,000
79,000
230,058		 Restricted
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
Restricted
£
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Total 2025
£
24,556
5,000
30,000
49,500
575
109,631
Total 2024
£
10,378
66,180
49,500
25,000
79,000
230,058

41

4 Income from charitable activities

National Ugly Mugs

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

Current reporting period
Restricted grants:
City Bridge
JRCT
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
National Lottery Community Fund SWISVA
Total
Previous reporting period
Restricted grants:
Esmee Fairbairn Foundation
JRCT
National Lottery Community Fund Cost of Living
National Lottery Community Fund Scotland
Robertsons Trust
Trust for London
Worshipful Company of Information Technologists
Total
National Lottery Community Fund Reaching Communities
National Lottery Community Fund Scotland
National Lottery Community Fund Reaching Communities		 Unrestricted
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Unrestricted
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Restricted
£
32,750
16,088
14,711
84,613
71,150
32,505
251,817
Restricted
£
8,240
27,126
67,269
84,606
63,389
39,600
58,000
15,000
363,230		 Total 2025
£
32,750
16,088
14,711
84,613
71,150
32,505
251,817
Total 2024
£
8,240
27,126
67,269
84,606
63,389
39,600
58,000
15,000
363,230

42

National Ugly Mugs

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

5 Income from other trading activities

Consultancy and Public Speaking
Corporate income
E-learning
Events
Merchandise
All income from other trading activities is unrestricted.
6
Investment income
Current reporting period
Income from bank deposits
Previous reporting period
Income from bank deposits
7
Cost of raising funds
Fundraising fees
Merchandise costs
Advertising and marketing		 2025
£
12,990
52,475
-
-
3,636
69,101
Unrestricted
£
35
Unrestricted
£
156
2025
£
216
-
118
334		 2024
£
600
21,750
1,250
400
433
24,433
Restricted
£
-
Restricted
£
-
2024
£
396
5,065
1,407
6,868		 Total 2025
£
35
Total 2024
£
156

All expenditure on cost of raising funds is unrestricted.

43

National Ugly Mugs

8 Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

Current reporting period
Amortisation
Bulk emailing and texting
Conferences
Depreciation
Emergency food provision and support
Minor equipment
Project costs
Refreshments
Staff costs
Subscriptions
Office sundries
Telephone
Website costs
Governance costs (see note 9)
Support costs (see note 9)
Restricted expenditure
Unrestricted expenditure		 Total 2025
£
1,114
23,564
1,237
1,589
7,719
614
17,435
1,604
375,462
11,106
3,174
1,755
31,625
2,556
81,947
562,501
2025
£
235,506
326,995
562,501

44

National Ugly Mugs

8 Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities (continued)

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

Previous reporting period
Bulk emailing and texting
Conferences
Depreciation
Emergency food provision
IT costs
Minor equipment
Post, printing & stationery
Project costs
Refreshments
Staff costs
Subscriptions
Sundries
Telephone
Training
Website costs
Governance costs (see note 9)
Support costs (see note 9)
Restricted expenditure
Unrestricted expenditure		 Total 2024
£
23,144
244
2,317
12,374
6,978
5,221
947
29,483
3,744
458,460
5,146
892
1,631
65
53,042
3,398
71,493
678,579
2024
£
264,743
413,836
678,579

45

National Ugly Mugs

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

9 Analysis of governance and support costs

Current reporting period
Basis of
apportionment
Accountancy fees
type of expense
Bank charges
type of expense
Consultancy
type of expense
Staff costs
type of expense
Staff training
type of expense
Rent
type of expense
Insurance
type of expense
Payroll bureau
type of expense
Staff and project travel
type of expense
Trustee travel
type of expense
Management and supervision
type of expense
Previous reporting period
Basis of
apportionment
Accountancy fees
type of expense
Bank charges
type of expense
Consultancy
type of expense
Staff costs
type of expense
Staff training
type of expense
Professional fees
type of expense
Rent
type of expense
Insurance
type of expense
Payroll bureau
type of expense
Staff travel
type of expense
Trustee travel
type of expense
Management and supervision
type of expense		 Support
£
3,166
327
30,411
6,125
1,382
30,617
1,718
1,053
6,013
-
1,135
81,947
Support
£
8,443
285
14,114
4,776
3,354
209
24,338
1,889
1,172
7,778
-
5,135
71,493		 Governance
£
2,448
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
108
-
2,556
Governance
£
2,328
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,070
-
3,398		 Total 2025
£
5,614
327
30,411
6,125
1,382
30,617
1,718
1,053
6,013
108
1,135
84,503
Total 2024
£
10,771
285
14,114
4,776
3,354
209
24,338
1,889
1,172
7,778
1,070
5,135
74,891

46

National Ugly Mugs

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

10 Net income/(expenditure) for the year

This is stated after charging/(crediting):
Amortisation
Depreciation
Staff costs
Staff costs during the year were as follows:
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs
Independent examiner's fees
Independent examiner's remuneration - accountancy fees		 2025
£
1,114
1,589
1,470
570
2025
£
331,664
25,219
18,579
375,462		 2024
£
-
2,317
2,800
1,080
2024
£
406,637
30,456
21,367
458,460

11 Staff costs

No employee has employee benefits in excess of £60,000 (2024: Nil).

The average number of staff employed during the period was 13 (2024: 17). The average full time equivalent number of staff employed during the period was 13 (2024: 12).

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 £64,394 (2024: £66,663).

12 Trustee remuneration and expenses, and related party transactions

1 trustee received remuneration or reimbursed expenses during the year of £33 (2024: nil).

1 trustee received travel and subsistence expenses during the year of £108 (2024: £681).

Aggregate donations with conditions from related parties were nil (2024: nil).

No trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity, including guarantees, during the year (2024: nil).

47

National Ugly Mugs

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

13 Government grants

The government grants recognised in the accounts were as follows:

University College London Hospitals
NHS Foundation Trust		 2025
£
-
-		 2024
£
25,000
25,000

There were no unfulfilled conditions and contingencies attached to the grants.

14 Corporation tax

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within Chapter 3 of Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the charity.

15 Fixed assets: tangible assets

Cost
Additions
Disposals
Depreciation
Charge for the year
Disposals
Net book value
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024
At 1 April 2024
At 31 March 2025
At 1 April 2024		 Office
equipment
£
2,251
-
-
2,251
1,422
414
-
1,836
415
829		 Computer
equipment
£
23,449
-
-
23,449
21,711
1,175
-
22,886
563
1,738		 £
25,700
-
-
Total
25,700
23,133
1,589
-
24,722
978
2,567

48

National Ugly Mugs

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

16 Fixed assets: intangible assets

Cost
Additions
Disposals
Amortisation
Charge for the year
Disposals
Net book value
At 1 April 2024
At 31 March 2025
At 1 April 2024
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024		 Website
£
-
11,136
-
11,136
-
1,114
-
1,114
10,022
-		 £
-
11,136
-
Total
11,136
-
1,114
-
1,114
10,022
-

17 Debtors

Grants receivable
Other debtors (rent deposit, staff costs control)
Prepayments and accrued income		 2025
£
3,675
1,227
3,241
8,143		 2024
£
250
2,053
3,452
5,755

49

National Ugly Mugs

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

18 Cash at bank and in hand

18
Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and on hand
19
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Other creditors and accruals
Taxation and social security costs		 2025
£
88,434
88,434
2025
£
17,004
16,077
33,081		 2024
£
230,247
230,247
2024
£
12,507
19,315
31,822

20 Analysis of movements in restricted funds

Restricted grants:
City Bridge
EFF
JRCT
Robertsons Trust
Trust for London
WCIT
Current reporting period
London School of Hygiene &
Tropical Medicine
National Lottery Community
Fund Reaching
Communities
National Lottery Community
Fund Scotland
National Lottery Community
Fund SWISVA		 Balance at
1 April
2024
£
-
8,240
8,187
-
(24,654)
20,548
-
5,115
36,084
11,060
64,580



 Income
£
32,750
-
16,088
14,711
84,613
71,150
32,505
-
-
-
251,817		 Expenditure
£
(4,290)
(4,320)
(16,493)
(10,445)
(69,437)
(61,239)
(13,965)
(18,762)
(20,627)
(15,928)
(235,506)		 Transfers
£
(3,802)
(3,920)
(1,462)
(2,739)
(2,096)
(8,000)
(8,083)
13,647
(15,457)
4,868
(27,044)		 Balance at
31 March
2025
£
24,658
-
6,320
1,527
(11,574)
22,459
10,457
-
-
-
53,847

50

National Ugly Mugs

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

20 Analysis of movements in restricted funds (continued)

Catalyst
Comic Relief
EFF
Glasgow Fund
J Butler Educational Trust
JRCT
Manchester City Council
Robertsons Trust
Trust for London
WCIT
Previous reporting period
National Lottery
Community Fund Digital
National Lottery
Community Fund Org
Development
National Lottery
Community Fund Reaching
Communities
National Lottery
Community Fund Scotland
National Lottery Cost of
Living
London Community
Foundation (MOPAC)
National Lottery
Community Fund Covid		 Balance at
1 April
2023
£
123
(13,204)
-
8,428
900
32,166
3,523
(3,824)
4,812
(616)
80
(23,362)
3,341
-
23,673
27,907
-
63,947		 Income
£
-
-
8,240
-
-
27,126
-
-
-
-
-
84,606
63,389
67,269
39,600
58,000
15,000
363,230		 Expenditure
£
-
-
-
-
-
(47,221)
-
-
-
-
-
(76,901)
(38,182)
(6,367)
(51,289)
(44,783)
-
(264,743)		 Transfers
£
(123)
13,204
-
(8,428)
(900)
(3,884)
(3,523)
3,824
(4,812)
616
(80)
(8,997)
(8,000)
(60,902)
(6,869)
(5,040)
(3,940)
(97,854)		 Balance at
31 March
2024
£
-
-
8,240
-
-
8,187
-
-
-
-
-
(24,654)
20,548
-
5,115
36,084
11,060
64,580

51

National Ugly Mugs

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

20 Analysis of movements in restricted funds (continued)

Name of restricted fund

Description, nature and purposes of the fund

Catalyst Universal credit project with CAST City Bridge Restricted to London for victim support case work Comic Relief Restricted case work for women only EFF Expanding impact and opportunities in healthcare spaces Glasgow Fund Restricted to Glasgow J Butler Educational Trust Funding for brochures for Romanian sex workers in London JRCT Racial justice London Community Foundation (MOPAC) Covid in London London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine NIHR research project Manchester City Council Government grant for ISVA case work to Manchester residents National Lottery Community Fund Covid National Covid emergency response project National Lottery Community Fund Digital Digital build funding National Lottery Community Fund Org Development Org development contract for digital National Lottery Community Fund Reaching Communities Victim and Vocational support services - England only National Lottery Community Fund Scotland Restricted to Scotland Partnership project restricted to England/Manchester support National Lottery Community Fund SWISVA services National Lottery Cost of Living Cost of living response project in financial year 2023-24 Robertsons Trust Restricted to Scotland, NUMbrella Lane Trust for London Vocational Support Services Development - London only WCIT Digital build funding

21 Analysis of movement in unrestricted funds

Previous reporting period
Current reporting period
Name of
unrestricted fund
General fund
General fund		 Balance
at 1 April
2024
£
142,167
Balance
at 1 April
2023
£
210,370		 Income
£
178,767
Income
£
254,647		 Expenditure
£
(327,329)
Expenditure
£
(420,704)		 Transfers
£
27,044
Transfers
£
97,854		 As at 31
March 2025
£
20,649
As at 31
March
2024
£
142,167

Description, nature and purposes of the fund

General fund

The free reserves after allowing for all designated funds

52

National Ugly Mugs

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

22 Analysis of net assets between funds

Current Reporting Period
Tangible fixed assets
Intangible fixed assets
Other net current assets/(liabilities)
Creditors of more than one year
Total
Previous Reporting Period
Tangible fixed assets
Other net current assets/(liabilities)
Creditors of more than one year
Total		 General
fund
£
978
10,022
9,649
-
20,649
General
fund
£
2,567
139,600
-
142,167		 Designated
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
Designated
funds
£
-
-
-
-		 Restricted
funds
£
-
-
53,847
-
53,847
Restricted
funds
£
-
64,580
-
64,580		 Total
£
978
10,022
63,496
-
74,496
Total
£
2,567
204,180
-
206,747

23 Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities

Net income/(expenditure) for the year
Adjustments for:
Amortisation charge
Depreciation charge
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
Decrease/(increase) in debtors
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities		 2025
£
(132,251)
1,114
1,589
(35)
(2,388)
1,259
(130,712)		 2024
£
(67,570)
-
2,317
(156)
5,807
6,358
(53,244)

53

National Ugly Mugs

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

24 Prior Year Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure account)

Unrestricted
funds
Note
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
230,058
Charitable activities
4
-
5
24,433
Investments
6
156
Total income
254,647
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
7
6,868
Charitable activities:
8
413,836
Total expenditure
420,704
(166,057)
10
(166,057)
Transfer between funds
97,854
Net movement in funds for the year
(68,203)
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
210,370
Total funds carried forward
142,167
Net income/(expenditure) for the year
Other trading activities
Net income/(expenditure) before net
gains/(losses) on investments		 Restricted
funds
£
-
363,230
-
-
363,230
-
264,743
264,743
98,487
98,487
(97,854)
633
63,947
64,580		 Total funds
2024
£
230,058
363,230
24,433
156
617,877
6,868
678,579
685,447
(67,570)
(67,570)
-
(67,570)
274,317
206,747		 Total funds
2023
£
243,734
333,783
43,698
242
621,457
793
665,922
666,715
(45,258)
(45,258)
-
(45,258)
319,575
274,317

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

54