2025-03-31-accounts - Gloucestershire Older Persons Association

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Gloucestershire Older Persons’ Association
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The Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements for the period 1[st] April 2023 to 31[st] March 2025

Gloucestershire Older Persons’ Association Registered Charity Number 1124977

28 Byfords Close, Huntley, Gloucestershire GL19 3SA

Email: GOPA4672@hotmail.co.uk

Chair’s Re ort p

Due to a number of factors, many outside of our control, it is two years since our last Annual General Meeting. As well as covering the financial years 2023/24 and 2024/25, we have included activities that have occurred in recent months.

Since our last AGM, the Gloucestershire Older People’s Association (GOPA), along with most other organisations, has continued to see changes in the way we all live and work in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. One lasting impact was that we lost touch with many of our members and communities within the county and we are pleased to have seen a significant increase in our membership – both individuals and organisations. As a membership organisation, it is most important we continue to recruit more members so that we can say with confidence that we represent ‘the many voices of older people’.

We are delighted to report there were a number of significant developments since our last AGM, and they include the merger of GOPA and the Gloucestershire Older Drivers Forum (GODF) in March 2024, and the merger of GOPA and the Gloucestershire Dementia Action Alliance (GDAA) the following month.

The GODF and GDAA operate as separate divisions within GOPA and further information about their work is included in this report.

As a consequence of the mergers, we were pleased to welcome Nigel Lloyd-Jones who, together with his sister Alexandra, is to co-lead the GODF, as a trustee.

The Board of Trustees (Management Committee) was further strengthened in November 2023 with the appointment of Clive Hooper as our Treasurer and in October 2024 when we were joined by Barbara Piranty, Chief Executive Officer of GRCC.

The trustees have continued to meet on a regular basis – both virtually (one of the consequences of Covid) and in person. We are grateful to both the Gloucestershire Rural Community Council and Barnwood Trust for hosting a number of these meetings.

As is shown in the Financial Statements, our finances are in a far healthier state than in previous years. This is due to a number of factors including the transfer of funds previously held by the GODF and GDAA, grants we have secured as well as a significant number of donations from individuals and local organisations.

As far as grants are concerned, we need to particularly mention:

£4,750 received in 2024 from the Thriving Communities Grant administered by Gloucestershire County Council. That grant enabled us to produce 5,000 copies of a pull-out information leaflet ‘Do you know about Dementia’ and reprint 2,000 copies of an earlier ‘Out and About’ leaflet.
£15,000 received from Gloucestershire County Council Highways and Gloucestershire Constabulary as a contribution towards the GODF’s core costs which included increasing capacity for Zoom webinars and Mailchimp database, a contribution to the refresh of their website, and the offer of free mature driver reviews to qualifying residents in Gloucestershire.

GOPA Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 1 April 2023 – 31 March 2025

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£10,000 from the GEM Charity Trust to enable an academic review of the GODF website by Dr Carol Hawley, Principal Research Fellow at Warwick University. The outcomes of this review will inform the refresh and redesign of the national ODF website for which further funding is being sought.

We can also report that in August of this year we received an award of £2,000 from the Benefact Group through their Movement for Good programme.

As far as our activities are concerned, since April 2023 we have:

organised information stands at many events across Gloucestershire including: the Police Open Day in September 2023; the ‘Big Information Day’ at Longfield Hospice in September 2024; and the ‘Big Health Day’ at Oxstalls Sport Park in Gloucester in June 2025;
to celebrate the International Day of Older People on 1 October 2025 we partnered with The Grace Network to organise an event at The Old Department Store in Cirencester;
given presentations to community and social groups and are particularly grateful for the support we have received from those groups in terms of donations. As an example, 77 webinars and presentations were given by the GODF to over 3,000 attendees;
taken an active part in the ‘Know Your Patch’ meetings across the six Districts of Gloucestershire;
arranged nearly 100 FREE mature driver reviews;
attended 3 roads safety receptions at the House of Commons;
46 media engagements with local and national media, online, radio, and TV;
thousands of items of print collateral (and advertorials) to libraries, police stations, hospitals, and doctors’ surgeries;
thousands of social media posts;
the GODF received a Chief Constable and Police Crime Commissioner IMPACT Award for outstanding voluntary service to the Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership.

More recently we have been working in partnership with Age UK Gloucestershire on a new project known as the Voice of Older People (VOOP) led by David Brewis.

We hold a wide range of publications produced by statutory organisations such as the NHS and Gloucestershire Constabulary and national and local voluntary organisations for our information stand at events.

We pride ourselves on being a low-cost organisation that does not have the burden of funding an office and paid staff. Nevertheless, as our Financial Statements show, we still need to raise significant funds just to cover our basic overheads such as insurance, travel and printing costs. It goes without saying that we are grateful to our funders for supporting GOPA and for those individuals and local organisations who have supported us over the years.

GOPA Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 1 April 2023 – 31 March 2025

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I would like to record my thanks for the support and dedication shown by the Board of Trustees (Management Committee) and our volunteers. A number of volunteers are mentioned separately in this report, and thanks also go to Steve Shelley-King, Clinical Lead – Dementia Consultant Dementia Nurse (NHS Gloucestershire) for his specialist knowledge and support and who attend the meetings of the GDAA.

And what about the future? Having consulted with other organisations, we continue to see a role for GOPA for several reasons which include:

We are independent, non-political, and focused on representing the many voices of older people.
We are not part of a national organisation – we are focused on older people in Gloucestershire.
We are committed to working in partnership with organisations across the voluntary, statutory, and business sectors.
We are widely recognised as a ‘trusted third party’.
GOPA – continues to act for older people and is run by committed trustees and volunteers.
GOPA – is alert to the needs of older people.
GOPA – is committed to working in, and seeking, partnerships across the statutory, private, and voluntary sectors.
GOPS is committed to improving the quality of life for older people.
We want older people in Gloucestershire to be confident and connected.

We continue to look for members of our community who are interested in what we do and might consider becoming a volunteer, acting as an ‘ambassador’ to help promote GOPA or joining our Board of Trustees. Please contact us if you would like more information and how you might be able to help.

And finally,

Some good news:

In the latest Highways audited data for 70+ driver age group in Gloucestershire from 2024 there were:

0 fatalities (Nationally 23% of all fatalities are in this age group)
Serious injuries down 325
Slight injuries down 7%
KSI collisions involving mature drivers were down 34% on a 5-year average with 21% reduction in the number where they were deemed blameworthy or partly blameworthy.

Phil Sullivan, MBE Chair of Trustees

28 November 2025

GOPA Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 1 April 2023 – 31 March 2025

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Dementia-Friendl Communities: A Collective Commitment y

The Gloucestershire Dementia Action Alliance continues to play a vital role in creating dementia-friendly communities across the county. While much attention is rightly given to those living with dementia, we must also recognise the wider ripple effect of the condition. Dementia impacts not only individuals but also their families, friends, neighbours and even community organisations. Its reach and impact is extensive and so must be our response.

Why Collective Action Matters

We all have a role to play. Small actions by many people can lead to significant change. Consider your networks (both personal and professional) and ask:

Who can you encourage to become more dementia aware?
Are the spaces you use and access accessible to all, inclusive and welcoming?
Are your activities inclusive for people living with dementia?

Sometimes, a small phone call, email or web search can make a real difference.

Strategic Aims and Collaboration

Our vision and goal is a truly dementia-friendly Gloucestershire, achieved through awareness, education and engagement at all levels and ages. We actively support Dementia Action Week and Dementia Action Days, led by Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, to raise awareness, share best practice and encourage community involvement.

We are strengthening networks from local to county level and building partnerships with key agencies including the NHS, local councils, police and community organisations. Together, we aim to create inclusive communities where people living with dementia feel supported, understood, and valued.

Looking Ahead

The challenge is clear – but so is the opportunity. Dementia touches every corner of our communities. Every conversation, every act of kindness, and every effort to make spaces inclusive matters. Let us lead by example and continue building a future where compassion and understanding are at the heart of everything we do.

“Thank you” for your commitment to this vital and important work and to the dedicated dementia-friendly groups all round the county for ‘being there’ for those with dementia in their communities.

GOPA Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 1 April 2023 – 31 March 2025

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GOPA Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 1 April 2023 – 31 March 2025 5| P a g e

Gloucestershire Older Drivers Forum

Across Gloucestershire, communities have a vital role to play in promoting road safety awareness.

Many road users – drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike – remain unaware of the key changes, such as the new hierarchy of road users and the clearer guidance on giving way to pedestrians at junctions. This gap in understanding has highlighted the need for grassroots action to ensure messages about safety reach all parts of society.

Voluntary organisations are ideally placed to help bridge this gap. By hosting talks, distributing accessible resources, and partnering with schools and community groups, they can spread accurate and practical information about road safety. Families, too, have an essential influence – through everyday conversations parents and carers can instil safer attitudes in young people and watch out for other vulnerable road users ensuring that awareness grows from the home outward.

As Gloucestershire looks to the future, collaboration between voluntary groups, families, and local authorities will be key. Together, they can make road safety a shared community responsibility – transforming awareness into lasting behavioural change. Our mission is to promote mature driver road safety, preventative awareness and education within Gloucestershire. We also have national roles in contributing to a national mature driver assessment trial, website development and a national conference.

The team consists of two Co-leads supported by four volunteers, with oversight from Rob Heard MBE, Chair and Founder of the Older Drivers Forum and a member of the National Older Drivers Taskforce.

Oversight is provided by Rob Heard MBE, who acts as Chair and external advisor. As we operate under the charitable status of GOPA, we adhere to their governance framework and policies, including financial accountability, safeguarding, and data protection. Major decisions and program directions are discussed with and approved, where appropriate, by Phil Sullivan MBE, Chair of GOPA and GOPA trustees. The Gloucestershire Older Drivers Forum (GODF) organisational structure is as follows:

Co-Leads: Nigel Lloyd-Jones and Alexandra Lloyd-Jones

Alexandra is a member of Brimscombe and Thrupp Parish Council Road Safety Group. She is responsible at GODF for: business planning and reporting on finances; fundraising; volunteer management; liaison with Neighbourhood Watch; social media; mature driver reviews; and GODF’s contribution to a national trial for a standardised mature driver assessment. She partners with Nigel in comms delivery in webinars, presentations, and points-of-presence.

GOPA Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 1 April 2023 – 31 March 2025

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Nigel is a GOPA Trustee and leads the Mature Drivers Workstream for the Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership (GRSP). He is a member of Road Safety GB and serves on the editorial committee for 2026 National Mature Driver Conference. He is a member of the national Older Drivers Forum (ODF) website development team.

At GODF he is responsible for the research, writing, art direction, software, and print production of all comms material. He plans the annual calendar of activities and is the organisation’s media spokesman.

Other members of the GODF voluntary team are:

Jonathan Sindall, who manages Mailchimp services which includes the database, production, and broadcasting. He mentors on communications planning;
Chris Firth, who is the lead host of webinars;
David Jones, who is the back-up host of webinars and contributes to research;
Phil Williams, who supports point-of-presence.

Chair of the national ODF is Rob Heard MBE who provides governance, oversight, strategic advice, and external credibility to the sub-forums.

Operational decisions are made jointly by the Co-leads in consultation with their mentors. Strategic and policy decisions are reviewed with GOPA Chair and trustees, who provide oversight and ensure alignment with the aims and policies of GOPA. The Co-leads meet weekly to review progress and priorities. Records of decisions and key actions are maintained in reports to GOPA and GRSP for accountability and transparency.

GODF submit regular activity updates to GOPA and GRSP and provide an annual report summarising achievements, challenges, and community impact. Feedback from local partners and participants is collected and used to improve our activities.

This management structure ensures that GODF’s team operates effectively and responsibility under the charitable governance of GOPA, while benefitting from expert mentorships and independent oversight from experienced professionals in the road safety field.

There are many case histories of how GODF’s work has made an impact. As an example of the GODF’s ripple effect is this feedback:

“I have taken a lot of notes (from the webinar) … so that I can inform my 90-year-old father, 82-year-old in laws and the father-in-law to my broth-in-law of your wonderful, practical, potentially life preserving advice” Jenny

GOPA Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 1 April 2023 – 31 March 2025

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General Information

Gloucestershire Older Persons’ Association

Charity Registration Number: 1124977

Trustees

The trustees service during the period covered by this report were as follows:

Phil Sullivan (Chair) Clive Hooper (Treasurer) – appointed 30 November 2023 Dilys Warren Bill Wragge Jim Rollinson (Secretary) Sarah Davies Nigel Lloyd-Jones – appointed 15 March 2024 Barbara Piranty – appointed 9 October 2024

Secretary

Jim Rollinson

Bank

Cooperative Bank

Structure, Governance and Management

Legal Status and Governing Document

Gloucestershire Older Persons’ Association is a registered charity. It was established in 2000 as the Gloucestershire Older Persons’ Assembly and changed to its current name in 2010.

The charity is governed by its Constitution which was amended by Special Resolution in 2010 following the change in name and in September 2017.

The Objects of the charity are:

“To promote the benefit of older people in Gloucestershire who are affected by the issues of ageing, by associating the local authorities, voluntary organisations and older people in a common effort to provide facilities and services in the interest of social welfare with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said older people.

To advance the education of older people in Gloucestershire through the development of activities that develop individual capabilities, competencies, skills and understanding about the issues of ageing, with the object of improving conditions of life for the said older people.”

Governance:

During the period covered by this report the trustees held regular face-to-face and virtual (Zoom and Teams) meetings.

GOPA Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 1 April 2023 – 31 March 2025

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Management:

The Charity is managed by the Board of Trustees using self-employed facilitators and consultants for specific projects as funding and circumstances permit.

During the period covered by this report the Charity had no paid employees.

Reserves Policy:

It is the policy of the Trustees of the Gloucestershire Older Persons’ Association to maintain a reserve which represents at least one year’s cost of governance.

This policy is reviewed annually by the Board of Trustees or as may be necessary to comply with the duty of prudence.

Restricted Funds:

All grants received are regarded as Restricted Funds.

GOPA Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 1 April 2023 – 31 March 2025

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Financial Statements 1[st] April 2023 to 31[st] March 2025

GOPA Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 1 April 2023 – 31 March 2025

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Gloucestershire Older Persons Association

Unaudited Financial Statements

For the year ended 31st March 2025 Charity Number 1124977

15 High Street Lydney, Gloucestershire GL15 5DP

Gloucestershire Older Persons Association

Income and Expenditure Year ended 31st March 2025

Receipts Donations Grants Fundraising ODF transfer from NRC Stonehouse memory link transfer Total Receipts Current account at 1st April 2024 Total Available Funds Payments Insurance Storage ICO fee Website Travelling expenses Meeting rooms & refreshments Computer costs & IT Printing Administration Projects Dementia support Link project Event Thriving communities Institute of advanced motorists "Z" cards Total Expenditure Bank account at 31st March 2025	2025 £ 1,432.15 25,000.00 80.00 14.30 - 26,526.45 49,122.90 75,649.35 739.33 200.00 35.00 130.18 2,143.58 167.60 - 1,392.52 2,532.66 300.00 - 766.05 1,515.00 8,500.00 3,235.00 21,656.92 53,992.43 75,649.35	2024 £ 543.90 4,750.00 - 15,440.25 600.93 21,335.08 33,968.64 55,303.72 468.45 200.00 35.00 91.18 795.25 438.21 119.72 749.33 2,198.88 25.00 46.40 963.40 50.00 - - 6,180.82 49,122.90 55,303.72

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Gloucestershire Older Persons Association

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Gloucestershire Older Persons Association for the year ended 31st March 2025 (charity number 1124977).

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011, to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission, and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Independent examiner’s 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 Charities Act 2011; and

to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act 2011 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.

J.M. Pflug FMAAT AATQB 283997 Fellow member of Association of Accounting Technicians For Dean Accountancy Services Lydney Gloucestershire GL15 5DP

Jenna Pflug

Date: 8th January 2026

Client Approval Certificate

We approve the financial statements and confirm that we have made available all relevant records and information for their preparation.

……………………………………….

Gloucestershire Older Persons Association

Unaudited Financial Statements

For the year ended 31st March 2025 Charity Number 1124977

15 High Street Lydney, Gloucestershire GL15 5DP

Gloucestershire Older Persons Association

Income and Expenditure Year ended 31st March 2025

Receipts Donations Grants Fundraising ODF transfer from NRC Stonehouse memory link transfer Total Receipts Current account at 1st April 2024 Total Available Funds Payments Insurance Storage ICO fee Website Travelling expenses Meeting rooms & refreshments Computer costs & IT Printing Administration Projects Dementia support Link project Event Thriving communities Institute of advanced motorists "Z" cards Total Expenditure Bank account at 31st March 2025	2025 £ 1,432.15 25,000.00 80.00 14.30 - 26,526.45 49,122.90 75,649.35 739.33 200.00 35.00 130.18 2,143.58 167.60 - 1,392.52 2,532.66 300.00 - 766.05 1,515.00 8,500.00 3,235.00 21,656.92 53,992.43 75,649.35	2024 £ 543.90 4,750.00 - 15,440.25 600.93 21,335.08 33,968.64 55,303.72 468.45 200.00 35.00 91.18 795.25 438.21 119.72 749.33 2,198.88 25.00 46.40 963.40 50.00 - - 6,180.82 49,122.90 55,303.72

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Gloucestershire Older Persons Association

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Gloucestershire Older Persons Association for the year ended 31st March 2025 (charity number 1124977).

Responsibilities and basis of report

Independent examiner’s 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 Charities Act 2011; and

to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act 2011 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.

J.M. Pflug FMAAT AATQB 283997 Fellow member of Association of Accounting Technicians For Dean Accountancy Services Lydney Gloucestershire GL15 5DP

Jenna Pflug

Date: 8th January 2026

Client Approval Certificate

We approve the financial statements and confirm that we have made available all relevant records and information for their preparation.

……………………………………….