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yeegNe/%gq Gd Nottinghamproviding4: training,- educationSoroptimist. and financial’ . hardshipTrust. grants
— for women and girls in Nottinghamshire
Bonn, registered charity number 1130691
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Trustees’ Annual Report
for the period 1* January 2024 to 31°' December 2024
Objectives and Activities
Summary of the purposes of the Charity as set out in its governing document
The Trustees must apply the income of the Charity in furthering the following objects:
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a) For the relief of financial hardship among women (including those under the age of 18 years) living or working mainly or wholly in Nottinghamshire
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b) For the advancement of education of women (including those under the age of 18 years) living or working mainly or wholly in Nottinghamshire
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c) Supporting Soroptimist International projects for the relief of financial hardship and the advancement of education for women (including those under the age of 18 years)
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit
The Charity was established during 2009. The Charity’s funds were invested in an appropriate portfolio of investments. Investment is managed subject to the Trust’s Investment Policy, which aims to further the Trust’s objects by balancing the maintenance of the capital, the provision of income and risk.
Income from the investments is used to further the objectives of the Trust through an application and award process.
The Trust has no staff and no volunteers except for the Trustees, who work together ona voluntary basis to achieve the objects.
The Trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. The Trustees have developed a new website and introduced entries into grant seeking websites, to ensure information about our grants is available to the widest section of the population who fulfil the criteria within our objects.
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Nottingham Soroptimist Trust Annual Report 2024
page 1 of[4]
Achievements and Performance
The Trustees are pleased with the range of applications and awards made in relation to the objects this year.
During the current period the charity has continued a successful programme of grant making for a wide variety of Nottinghamshire women. The grants awarded have varied in size and purpose covering education and hardship.
The Trustees have changed the application schedule this year and increased from two to four award rounds.
This structure and the relevant cut-off dates are communicated on the application forms and guidance notes. The Trustees also have a process for making one off urgent payments in cases of severe financial hardship.
The application process is reviewed at least once every year, and the application forms and guidance notes are updated as necessary
During the period, applications were received from women for funds to assist with hardship and for educational purpose, and the Trustees considered all such applications during the award process.
There were more applications for hardship grants than in previous years. These were mainly for women moving out of refuges into independent accommodation. Increasing to four grant meetings has resulted in fewer applications having to be considered on an urgent basis — making fairer distribution of the available funds.
The objectives of the deed are being met and the operations are benefitting many Nottinghamshire women and girls.
Financial Review
The Charity’s funds are invested in an appropriate portfolio of investments. Income from the investments is used to further the objectives of the Trust through an award process in accordance with the key objectives of the Charity.
The investments are managed in accordance with the Trust’s Investment Policy with regular reviews by the Trustees and our Legal Advisors. The Advisors have reported that the investments have performed as well as possible in comparison to the current market.
The Fund Managers were asked to increase income where possible, and the income is significantly improved on the previous year, enabling more money for grants. Normally the only income derives from the Investment Fund. The Trustees have agreed not to take any money from that fund except in extraordinary circumstances as that would affect future income.
The value of the investment portfolio has fluctuated during the period, in line with all investments, ending slightly lower at the end of the year.
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The Trustees hold a small cash fund in the bank to allow flexibility in awarding grants depending on demand. Some years grants awarded are slightly above the income for particular year. In other years grants may be slightly below the income.
Trustees have agreed to keep an amount at least equal to a year’s expenditure in the cash fund. The current amount is £39,000.
There are no uncertainties about the Charity continuing as a going concern. There are no fixed on-going commitments and grants are always awarded considering the income received.
Risks are addressed by the Charity’s risk policy and the risk register is reviewed regularly.
Structure, Governance and Management
Nottingham Soroptimist Trust is a Charitable Trust governed by a Trust deed.
The Trustees are appointed by the current Trustees following application by the prospective Trustee and selection under the terms of the Trust Deed.
The Trustees have adopted and regularly review the policy on the appointment of Trustees.
Trustees use Charity Commission guidance “The Essential Trustee” and FSI Foundation for Social Improvement training.
The Charity is run by the Trustees with no other volunteers and no staff.
The Trustees have adopted and regularly review policies on the appointment of Trustees; conflict of interest; complaints; investment; privacy and data retention; equality & diversity; and safeguarding.
The Trustees have adopted and regularly reviewa risk policy and a risk register
Reference and Administrative details
Nottingham Soroptimist Trust - Registered Charity number : 1130691
Charity’s principal address
Nottingham Soroptimist Trust, Newstead House, Pelham Road, Nottingham NG5 1AP
Names of the Charity trustees who manage the Charity
Ann Collin — Chair/Trustee Kathleen Pamela Swinscoe — Secretary/Trustee Joanne Hutsby — Vice-Chair/Trustee Linda Edwina Hill — Trustee Margaret Elizabeth Oldroyd—Trustee Bryony Watson-Hope - Trustee Anne Shirley Towle — Trustee
All Trustees were in post for the whole year.
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There are no Corporate trustees and no Trustees holding title to property belonging to the Charity
There are no funds held as Custodian Trustees on behalf of others
There are no staff members
Names and addresses of advisers
| Type ofadviser | Name | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Nelsons Solicitors | Pennine House, 8 Stanford Street, Nottingham, NG1 7BQ | |
| Bank | CaterAllen | 9NelsonStreet,Bradford, BD1SAN |
| Independent Examiner | Rogers Spencer | Newstead House, Pelham Rd, Nottingham, NGS 1AP |
| BrewinDolphin | WaterfrontHouse,35StationStreet,NottinghamNG23DQ |
Declarations
The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the Charity’s Trustees
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Nottingham Soroptimist Trust Annual Report 2024
page 4 of 4
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e-y| CHARITY COMMISSION sein ijermaun _. Noditany)
FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Nottingham Soroptimist Trust 1130691
Receipts and payments accounts CC16a
For the period Period start date 7 Period end date
from 01/01/2024 9 31/12/2024
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Last
funds funds funds Total funds ast year
tothe nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest£ to the nearest£ to the nearest £
Ai Receipts
Interest Income [| [ed [|
[Donation Ci ee 2es
Investment Income | 3,982 | |34082] [|][20,222][|]
Sub total (Gross income for AR)___31,882| P_34.962
|
A2 Asset and investment sales
A3 Payments
Grants awarded
Admin expenses —SSCdSCCSCSCSC«tSub (888|
total| 30,709)
A4 Asset and investment purchases,
see table
Net of receipts/(payments)
A6 Cash funds last year end
Cash funds this year end 38,954 38,954
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Categories. .Details; Unrestrictedfunds Restrictedfunds Endowmentfunds
to nearest£ to nearest £ to nearest£
B1 Cash funds Cash at bank
Total cash funds 38,954
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s)) “.) “ OOF }
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
funds funds funds
Details to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
~ Fund to which . Current value
Details asset belongs Soatioptoral; optional
Details Fundasset to belongs which cest (ondonal)' ' Currentoptional value
charity’s own use
hon Fund to which Amount due When due
Details liability relates optional optional
Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all A . . Date of
the trastees ( Signature Print Name approval
Kiucthl Swinse€] (iv. 2s
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF NOINGHAm SOROPTIMIST TRUST I r8POrt to the charfty trustees on my examination of th8 receipts and payments accounts of the charfty for the year ended 31 December 2024. Responsibilities and basls of report As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the pr8paration of the accounts in accordance wlth the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 Cthe Act,). I report In respect of my examination of tha charity's accounts Carrled out under section 145 of the Act and in carying out my examlnation I have followed all the appllcable Directions given by the Charity Commlssion under $8Ction 145(SXb} of the Act. Independent examlnevs Statement I hav8 wmpleted my examinatlon. l ¢onfirm that no materfal matters have come to my attention in conn8Ction with the examlnation giving me cause to belleve that in any materfal respect: accounling records wre not kept in respect of th8 charity as required by sectlon 130 of the Act; or the accounts do not accord wth thos8 récords. l.have no conc8ms and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attentlon should be drawn In thls report in order to enable a proper understanding of th8 accounts to be reached. Melvln Balley FCCA DChA Rogers Spencer Charter8d Accountants N8WStaad House Pelham Road Nottingham NG5 1AP Date 15 August 2025