THE
BREATHWORKS FOUNDATION
Trustees’ annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
Company number: 06890078 Charity number: 1131851
Doc ID: 371a16c3ad92a8e43fde61c7009ec39cb69c5323
CONTENTS
The trustees are pleased to present their report and the unaudited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Included in this report is:
| About Breathworks | 03 | |
|---|---|---|
| Letters from the Team | 04 | |
| Our Year in Numbers | 07 | |
| Our Community | 08 | |
| Educational Activities | 10 | |
| Grant Funded Programmes | 14 | |
| Workplace Wellbeing | 13 | |
| Teacher Training | 15 | |
| Trustees Report & Financial Statements 18 |
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ABOUT
Breathworks has been teaching mindfulness-based approaches for managing pain, illness and stress since 2001. Founded by Vidyamala Burch OBE, Breathworks developed the first Mindfulness-based Pain Management (MBPM) programme. This has been supported by research and health organisations around the world. We are a UK-based charity who are committed to making programmes accessible and inclusive through funding and support for those with financial (or other) barriers.
OUR IMPACT
Taught more than 124,000 individuals
Trained over 900 mindfulness teachers across 40 countries.
OBJECTIVES
To provide mindfulness-based tools to reduce the suffering of living with pain, illness and stress..
To advance the education of the public in mindfulness-based activities.
To undertake research into mindfulness-based activities and to publish useful results.
Doc ID: 371a16c3ad92a8e43fde61c7009ec39cb69c5323 Vidyamala Burch OBE 3
Looking Forward with Positivity
Prasadu Dharmachari, Chair of Trustees
It has been an extraordinary privilege to serve as Chair of Trustees for the Breathworks Foundation over the past decade, and to witness Breathworks grow from its local origins into the international organization it is today. It has rightfully earned a reputation for excellence in the field of mindfulness.
Like many charities, the past year has brought its share of challenges. However, our first class team of experienced Trustees, supported by our extraordinarily dedicated staff team, successfully navigated these to ensure the organization remains strong and in good health. We are now looking forward to a successful year ahead, with exciting new projects underway.
I will soon be stepping down from my position as Trustee, which I have held since 2014. I do so with the utmost confidence that Breathworks will continue to flourish as it enters its next phase of growth and development. The organization is well-positioned to reach an ever-increasing number of people who can benefit from its unique blend of help and support.
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to my fellow Trustees for their generosity, creativity, and unwavering dedication. Thanks to their commitment, the organization can look to the future with optimism and hope as we continue our mission to reach more people who need support and training.
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Accessible, affordable and tangible
Vidyamala Burch, Founder & Honorary President
I am delighted to reflect on another successful year at Breathworks. In these challenging times, the need for what we offer is greater than ever. Many of the communities we serve—people living with pain, illness, and other difficulties around the world—are part of ageing populations and rely on health services severely under strain.
Our approaches are accessible, affordable, and deliver tangible, evidencebased results. We are committed to ensuring that finances are never a barrier, and I’m proud of the depth and reach of our bursary and scholarship schemes. None of this would be possible without our generous donors, to whom I extend my heartfelt thanks.
I would also like to thank our team for their creativity, commitment, and dedication. Sustaining an organisation like Breathworks for nearly 25 years is no small achievement. The passion of our core team, alongside our community of teachers, associates, and service users, continues to inspire me every day.
Everyone at Breathworks is dedicated to making the world a better place. Human goodness runs deeply through all that we offer, which I find deeply inspiring and humbling. I am often profoundly moved by the stories that are shared, as I hope you will be as you read this report. People regularly report that our approach is life-changing, and in some cases life-saving. Thank you to all who contribute to bringing about these positive benefits for individuals and the world.
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Growing our Accessibility and Reach
Colin Duff, CEO
I am honoured to have been appointed CEO of the Breathworks Foundation in May 2025. Having worked with the Breathworks project since 2008, I have seen mindfulness change lives across a huge diversity of situations and lifestyles, and am passionate about making the Breathworks approach available to all who will benefit from it.
One of the pleasures of stepping into the CEO role has been seeing the steady stream of feedback from our events, which consistently show how mindful health management can change lives for the better. The courage and compassion demonstrated by those who find a new relationship with pain, illness and other challenges, can be humbling to witness.
The following pages give a brief glimpse into the work that we do. We are immensely grateful to everyone who has contributed to our successes over the past year, from our dedicated staff and trustees, to our skilful trainers and associates, to our compassionate community. We are especially thankful for the generosity of our funders and supporters, who make it possible for us to focus our work on reaching the people who will most benefit.
While we are proud of the life changing impacts described here, we are also aware that we are reaching only a small number of the people who could benefit, and are working hard to make our services more widely accessible. We would love to hear from anyone inspired by our work, whether to get involved or to contribute.
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2024
YEAR IN NUMBERS
>3.5K
people learnt how to manage pain, stress and illness through courses taught by Breathworks & our network of teachers.
312
teachers maintained their accreditation to teach Breathworks programmes , with 40 new teachers accredited in 2024.
67.5K
GBP awarded in bursary funding in 2024, helping 388 people with pain and financial difficulty .
2.2K
people accessed our free resources, including our Toolkit for Tough Times and Mindfulness for Long Covid.
47K+
views of our free ‘Space to Breathe’ weekly guided meditations for pain.
9416
people reached by a live Breathworks event
INCOME GENERATION
£131.6K
£15.8K
£310K
raised through donations
awarded in grant funding
raised in earned income
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COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE
The beating heart of Breathworks’ is our online mindfulness hub and e-learning platform. The Community of Practice allows everyone to access mindfulness for free.
members accessed free 8980 resources, & events. 208 patrons generated over... worldwide members in £14.1K[in donations in 2024] over 86 different countries
of live events, including community meditations on 86 Christmas eve and Christmas day as a vital support to those hours who find the festive season challenging.
The Silence for Seven fundraising challenge was a sponsored silence to raise funds for bursary places for young adults. Community members committed to periods of verbal and digital silence for seven days. Our members raised enough for 10 bursary places.
“After a couple of days, I relaxed into the experience and began to see silence as a friend. I felt I had more clarity of thought, like cleaning a whiteboard and starting over”
Kevin completed 84 hours of verbal, digital and analogue silence
“I found the whole experience amazing... It felt great to give back to Breathworks, as they have helped me so much. I will continue with all of these activities going forward, as I really felt the benefits”
Joanne completed 560 minutes of silent meditation, absorbing nature and drawing
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COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE: IMPACT
Feedback tells us the three main ways the community helps members:
Build a regular meditation practice
Gain knowledge & tools to better manage health challenges
Feel less isolated & more like they belong
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would recommend
86%
to a friend
said it helped them
82%
maintain their practice
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said it helps them manage
78%
a health condition
said it helps them feel
72%
less alone
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[On other social platforms], people with pain, sadly, can be very unkind in the way they speak. The Community of Practice is the opposite - all conversations are friendly & caring. People share how tough life can be living with pain, but there is always a light shining in hope, that things do pass.
Wendy Community member living with Hughes Syndrome, EDS and chronic pain
A few words from a fellow member is worth more than anything in a day that feels like just survival. It's an incredible helpline that works so intuitively [especially for] people that can't afford therapists, or can't get help from other services easily or quickly.
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MINDFULNESS FOR HEALTH
Our award winning signature mindfulness for health course provides participants the tools and skills to live well with chronic pain and illness over 8 weeks. In 2024 we ran...
12 public courses, reaching 154[participants]
97% of participants said the course gave them something of lasting value 4.8 out of 5 average rating by participants feeling better able manage their health condition and feeling more optimistic 65% or positive for the future
On completing the Mindfulness for Health course, participants reported:
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Reduced
physical
symptoms
Ability to
manage health
conditions
Feeling able to
do more
Reduced
medication use
for symptoms
Improved sense
of wellbeing or
quality of life
Improved mood
Feeling less
isolated/alone
Feeling more
optimistic for
the future
Something else
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MINDFULNESS FOR STRESS
Our 8-week mindfulness for stress course teaches people how to increase their happiness and wellbeing, finding new sources of resilience, joy, and calm in their lives.
11 public courses, reaching 171[participants]
97% of participants said the course gave them something of lasting value 4.8 out of 5 average rating by participants 83% reported having new ways to manage anxiety, stress or overwhelm
On completing the Mindfulness for Stress course, participants reported:
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New ways to
manage
anxiety/stress
Feeling less
irritable or
angry
Improved
general mood
Less affected
by difficult
thoughts
Improved quality
of life
Feeling kinder
towards self
Better able to
enjoy life
Feeling less
isolated/alone
Feeling more
optimistic for
the future
Improved
relationships
with others
Something else
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BURSARIES: HEALTH AND STRESS COURSES
Our bursary funding is available to support people experiencing financial barriers to accessing our services. Our partial bursaries support people from marginalised or under-served groups, especially people whose health conditions are a barrier to work.
of places on our 1/3 courses are bursary funded
Mindfulness for Health 36 students received bursary funding in 2024
Teacher Training 43 students received bursary funding in 2024 Mindfulness for Stress 46 students received bursary funding in 2024
I suffer from a long-term health condition which causes me substantial levels of pain and discomfort on a daily basis. Mindfulness - and especially the Breathworks approach - has transformed the way I manage my condition, relieving much of my secondary suffering.
A generous bursary from Breathworks in 2024 has allowed me not only to take the Mindfulness for Health course to live with less pain and stress, but also to embark on the teacher training programme.
Christophe Mindfulness for Health Bursary recipient
“I had a difficult year health wise in 2023 with diagnosis of some rare cardiac and vascular compressions. A bursary place on the Mindfulness for Stress course in 2024 helped me to find a supportive meditation routine and a slower, kinder approach to life.
I’ve since been diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s disease also. What I learnt on the course helped me to manage and face the difficult diagnosis one step at a time while also having a young family. When I meditate all my PD symptoms recede into the background.
Charlotte Mindfulness for Stress Bursary recipient
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HEALS: WHOLE LIFE HEALTH
HEALS, newly launched to the public in autumn 2024, uses awareness training, habit methodology and principles from the growing field of lifestyle medicine to create sustainable changes to physical, emotional, and psychological wellbeing.
2 public courses, reaching 95 participants
4.5 average rating fromparticipants
felt better able to make 87% positive changes to their health and wellbeing
90%
82%
felt better able to manage pain or health conditions felt more compassionate towards themselves
“The HEALS course was one of the most significant learning experiences I've had with respect to learning to thrive with chronic pain. Anyone who struggles with health issues or wants to improve their life experience would find this course invaluable.”
“I'm a C5/6 tetraplegic wheelchair user. My Spinal Injuries Consultant suggested I look at Mindfulness and I very luckily found Breathworks. To anyone thinking about doing the course I would say “Please do this HEALS course you'll enjoy it and get lots from it. After a while you’ll find out how much better you feel in the whole of your life”
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GRANT FUNDED PROGRAMMES
The 'Take Back Your Life' program, funded by the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund, in partnership with the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA), provided mindful pain and illness management courses for 32 residents of highly deprived areas in Salford and Trafford who have been economically inactive and socially isolated due to health challenges.
This initiative was designed to equip participants with a toolkit of selfmanagement skills to help them overcome barriers to employment and community involvement.
The project was underpinned by local community partnerships, and has led to a repeat commission in 2025 .
Participants reported significant improvements in confidence:
engaging with people, using new skills to manage moving towards including participating health challenges and employment, training in groups improve wellbeing or volunteering.
For many, these were hard-won changes for those with very significant health challenges who have often been economically inactive and socially isolated for long periods. Many participants mentioned the value of being in a group with “people like them” who understand the challenges of living with pain and illness.
Participants securing employment and voluntary work included:
A domestic violence worker, signed off longterm with stress after work related trauma, now retraining as a counsellor.
A health professional, off long term with painful adenomyosis, reported that the skills learned on the course meant she could return to work
A participant out of work for 3 years with PTSD, put in his first job applications with support from our team
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WELLBEING IN THE WORKPLACE
Breathworks once more provided tailored programmes for the NHS and other public bodies that help improve and support staff mental wellbeing. Partnership projects delivered in 2024 included commissions from:
Client: The Eastern Region Special Operations Unit
The Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) operates at the frontline of national security, requiring exceptional leadership in a high-stress environment. Breathworks’ Mindful and Compassionate Leadership course for 10 management staff focused on stress resilience and compassionate leadership under pressure. Participants reported outcomes including:
-
Making more skilful decisions
-
Better relationships with colleagues
-
Increased confidence
-
Improved leadership skills
This course has given me the skills to be a better, aware and observant leader. I feel empowered to be better every day, and to bring my team along with me. Tactical Firearms Commander
Client: Calderdale + Huddersfield NHS
Breathworks Mindfulness for Resilience sessions in West Yorkshire hospitals were attended by clinicians, nurses, and administrative staff, to promote staff wellbeing. 100% of attendees reported gaining useful tools for managing stress, including taking skills home to support family members.
-
I’ve realised I have more negative thoughts than I thought! I now know how to manage this.
-
I learnt that by acknowledging myself there is more time than I thought originally.
The session was so valuable to learn how to train your mind; it has given me hope on some recovery and self care in my thoughts.
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MINDFULNESS TEACHER TRAINING
In 2024, we launched our new modular teacher training programme. This includes our newly developed Facilitator Training , a two module (43 hour) certification designed to enable people to lead short mindfulness sessions in their community or workplace. This opened up our successful Teacher Training programme to be more accessible , especially for those who don’t want to complete the full 12-month training programme to provide full-length courses.
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40 newly 36 certified 43 bursaries
accredited teachers Mindfulness Facilitators awarded to trainees
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The initial response to our new Facilitator Training was highly encouraging, with many courses selling out, bringing 75 new students to the Breathworks training pathways in 2024. This included our new Going Deeper module, which can be taken as a standalone course with one-on-one mentorship.
The start of 2025 has seen continued growth, with an 88% Stage 1 booking rate in Q1.
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facilitators felt more
average rating for
4.5 Stage 1 modules 91% confident sharing
mindfulness
4.8 average rating for Stage 2 modules 4.6 average rating of thementoring experience
The Breathworks mindfulness course has been of
incredible use in my work with survivors of sexual
Se a : % and domestic abuse and with people facing
terminal illness. As the founder of a small and very
grassroots non profit group, the Breathworks
lu‘3 at bursary enabled me to progress my training, so I
can then offer a programme to those people we
so MN
Naomi work with across North Devon.
Training Bursary
recipient
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GLOBAL TEACHING COMMUNITY
Our community of accredited teachers across the world teach Breathworks materials in a wide range of contexts. Our annual survey showed that in 2024 there were:
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Breathworks Teachers in
29
countries
82 312
accredited accredited
Breathworks Breathworks
Respira Vida Teachers
Teachers
8600 2328
people reached with people reached
Breathworks with Breathworks
materials at other 8 week courses
events, taught by its taught by its
trained teachers trained teachers
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We asked our teachers to share what was most impactful or rewarding experience in your teaching this year. They said:
Witnessing transformation in students
Teachers repeatedly mentioned how rewarding it was to see participants develop in their practice, experience breakthroughs and to receive feedback that the course had been life-changing for students
Building Connection and Community
Teachers found real value in building community. For some this was through hosting regular meditations and keeping in touch with students and for others this was through peer support with other teachers.
Adapting Mindfulness to meet specific needs
Teachers mentioned getting fulfilment from adapting the 8-week course materials to support specific groups including people with cancer, PTSD, neurodiversity or in specific contexts like hospices, prisons or workplaces.
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Trustees’ annual report for the period ended 31 December 2024
Report Overview
The trustees are pleased to present their report and the unaudited financial statements for the year ended 2024.
The trustees review the aims, objectives and activities of the charity each year. 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.
The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the memorandum and articles of association and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: SORP applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102.
Reference and administrative information
Company Number 06890078 Charity Number 1131851
Registered office and operational address: 16-20 Turner Street, Manchester, M4 1DZ
Trustees
Trustees, who are also directors under company law, who served during this year and up to the date of the report were as follows:
Dharmachari Prasadu Dominic Houlder Gillian Parry Karim Rushdy Menka Sanghvi Robert Jones Ruth Cheesley Sally Jones (resigned 31st March 2024)
No trustee held title property belonging to the charity during the reporting period or at the date of approval.
Key Management Personnel: Nathan Jarvis, Chief Executive (in post till 15/04/2025)
Bankers: The Co-operative Bank, PO Box 250, Skelmersdale, WN8 6WT
Independent examiner: Kate Adderley CA, Third Sector Accountancy Limited, Holyoake House, Hanover Street, Manchester, M60 0AS
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Financial review
At the end of this financial period the total funds carried forward are £84,424 (2023: £116,221) of which £15,695 (2023 £17,799) are restricted funds. This is an overall decrease of £2,104 for the period. The decrease is due to surplus generated in previous years being drawn on to fund continued inward investment in programme development, including a new course launched in Q3 2024 in response to the wide interest in lifestyle medicine, development of a new app for launch in 2025, and the launch period of our redesigned training programme.
The total income for the year was £453,466 (2023: £466,850) consisting of £109,014 (2023: £74,871) restricted funds and £344,452 (2023: £391,979) unrestricted funds. The total expenditure for the year was £485,263 (2023: £506,702) consisting of £112,266 (2023: £90,359) spent from restricted funds and £372,997 (2023: £416,343) spent from unrestricted funds. At year end, this leaves the charity with total reserves of £84,424 of which £17,695 are free reserves.
While a further loss in 2025 is possible, primarily due to an unexpected one-off cost in the first half of the current year, the trustees are confident in the underlying performance of the charity and the continued success of fundraising initiatives, and do not see any concerns about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern. It is expected that the reserves will be restored to a satisfactory level by the end of 2025 with a major fundraising drive planned for the autumn. Our confidence is also supported by our current performance, and cash resources of £98,000 as at end of August, leaving us well placed to meet our responsibilities.
Plans for the future
This year the Board of Trustees and Senior Management team have continued to oversee implementation of the 2023-2025 strategy that was set in 2022. The vision and goals of the organisation remain unchanged and we will work to ensure our evidencebased programmes are widely accessible for people living with pain, illness and stress, by developing meaningful relationships with funders, providers and communities.
The efficacy of mindfulness as a healthcare intervention is well recognised through the health system, however, there is still more to do to educate and inform the public. We continue to develop a wide range of events to introduce people to mindfulness-based pain management, and to support them in establishing a personal practice. We also continue our work with the British Association of Mindfulness Based Approaches (BAMBA) to maintain standards in the field of mindfulness teaching to ensure safe, ethical and inclusive practice.
Beyond the UK, we continue to develop successful strategic partnerships with organisations that can help scale our reach by translating programmes into other languages. Teacher training programmes are underway in collaboration with partners in France, Spain and Greece, and initial events are underway in China.
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In 2024 we have launched our new programme applying mindfulness to the emerging discipline of Lifestyle Medicine, with the aim of meeting the problems of increasing chronic conditions in our aging population, though mindfulness-based techniques to improve mental wellbeing, social connection, healthy eating, physical activity, sleep and minimisation of harmful substances and behaviours.
It is recognised by the trustees that with the current cost of living challenges we need to further diversify our sources of income to reduce overall dependency on individuals self funding their courses and training. We have launched a successful programme of fundraisers throughout 2025, and our new strategic plan is focusing on growing new funding sources while expanding our reach.
Structure, governance and management
The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 28 April 2009 and registered as a charity on 28 September 2009.
The company was established under a memorandum of association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its articles of association.
Members of the charity guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £10 to the assets of the charity in the event of winding up. The total number of such guarantees at year end was 7 (2023: 8). The trustees are members of the charity but this entitles them only to voting rights. The trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.
Trustees are appointed for 3 year terms. At each AGM, those reaching expiry will resign and be available for re-election. Recruitment is based on ensuring there is a blend of expertise in health and social care, business and charitable operations management.
All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity. Any expenses reclaimed from the charity are set out in note 11 to the accounts.
Organisational structure
Breathworks operates within a hierarchical structure, with day to day management of the charity delegated to its Chief Executive, formerly Nathan Jarvis (January 2024 - May 2025), now Colin Duff (May 2025 - present). The CEO works closely with the organisation’s Founder, Vidyamala (Prudence) Burch OBE, who continues to actively contribute as a senior ambassador for the organisation.
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The Board of Trustees hold responsibility for setting the direction and high level strategy and signing off the annual budget which is then delegated to the CEO for operationalisation. The CEO reports to the Board on strategic progress and risk management on a quarterly basis.
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
In accordance with Breathworks’ Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) policy trustee vacancies are widely advertised, with an emphasis on diversity of skills and lived experience. To enable effectiveness in the role, inductions are designed to include time on a 1-2-1 basis with the Chair, CEO, a fireside chat with all other trustees and 1-2-1 mentoring with a longer standing Board member.
Remuneration policy for key management personnel
The trustees review and agree the remuneration for key management personnel annually, in consideration with market rates and affordability for the charity.
Reserves policy
The reserves policy was developed to ensure:
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Trustees have the time to take action if projected new income streams fall below expectations.
-
There is protection for unforeseen operational costs.
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There is capacity for ‘seed-funding’ for an urgent or high potential project eg for research.
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Provision for redundancy payments and closing contractual obligations in the event of winding up the charity.
Following a review of the Foundation's budget and guided by the nature of the overheads, the trustees have concluded that an unrestricted reserve equivalent to 3 months’ overheads (£61K) is sufficient to meet these objectives.
The charity’s free reserves at the end of this financial year were £17,659. Free reserves consist of the total funds of the charity (£84,424) less restricted funds (£15,695) and less designated fixed asset funds (£51,034). The trustees have detailed in the Financia Review Section of this report how they will address this.
Risk management
The charity trustees have given consideration to the major risks to which the charity is exposed and satisfied themselves that systems or procedures are established in order to manage those risks.
Funds held as custodian trustee on behalf of others
No funds are held on behalf of others.
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Statement of responsibilities of the trustees
The trustees (who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees’ annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP
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Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
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State whether applicable UK Accounting Standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements
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Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable group and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company 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 charitable company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
The trustees’ annual report has been approved by the trustees on 22 September 2025 and signed on their behalf by
Robert Jones Treasurer
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Independent examiner’s report to the members of
The Breathworks Foundation
Independent Examiner’s Report
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024 set out on pages 24 to 38.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Charities Act”) and that an independent examination is needed. The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of ICAEW.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no 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; and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
have not been met; or
- to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Kate Adderley CA Date: 28 / 09 / 2025 Third Sector Accountancy Limited Holyoake House Hanover Street Manchester, M60 0AS
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The Breathworks Foundation
Statement of Financial Activities
(including Income and Expenditure account) for the year ended 31 December 2024
| Unrestricted funds Note £ Income from: Donations and legacies 3 43,412 Charitable activities 4 301,040 Investments 5 - Total income 344,452 Expenditure on: Raising funds 6 6,963 Charitable activities 8 366,034 Total expenditure 372,997 (28,545) Transfer between funds (1,148) Net movement in funds for the year (29,693) Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward 98,422 Total funds carried forward 68,729 Net income/(expenditure) for the year |
Restricted funds £ 93,225 15,789 - 109,014 - 112,266 112,266 (3,252) 1,148 (2,104) 17,799 15,695 |
Total funds 2024 £ 136,637 316,829 - 453,466 6,963 478,300 485,263 (31,797) - (31,797) 116,221 84,424 |
Unrestricted funds £ 30,453 361,477 49 391,979 6,453 409,890 416,343 (24,364) (4,122) (28,486) 126,908 98,422 |
Restricted funds £ 54,671 20,200 - 74,871 - 90,359 90,359 (15,488) 4,122 (11,366) 29,165 17,799 |
Total funds 2023 £ 85,124 381,677 49 466,850 6,453 500,249 506,702 (39,852) - (39,852) 156,073 116,221 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
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Doc ID: 371a16c3ad92a8e43fde61c7009ec39cb69c5323
The Breathworks Foundation Company number 06890078
Balance sheet as at 31 December 2024
| Note | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||
| Fixed assets | |||||||
| Intangible assets | 14 | 48,627 | 55,574 | ||||
| Tangible assets | 14 | 2,407 | 1,846 | ||||
| Investments | 15 | 3 | 3 | ||||
| Total fixed assets | 51,037 | 57,423 | |||||
| Current assets | |||||||
| Debtors | 16 | 9,969 | 13,365 | ||||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 134,714 | 134,970 | |||||
| Total current assets | 144,683 | 148,335 | |||||
| Liabilities | |||||||
| Creditors: amounts falling | |||||||
| due in less than one year | 17 | (111,296) | (89,537) | ||||
| Net current assets | 33,387 | 58,798 | |||||
| Total assets less current liabilities | 84,424 | 116,221 | |||||
| Net assets | 84,424 | 116,221 | |||||
| The funds of the charity: | |||||||
| Restricted income funds | 18 | 15,695 | 17,799 | ||||
| Unrestricted income funds | 19 | 68,729 | 98,422 | ||||
| Total charity funds | 84,424 | 116,221 |
For the year in question, the company was entitled to exemption from an audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors' responsibilities:
-
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006,
-
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
These accounts are prepared in accordance with the special provisions of part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies and constitute the annual accounts required by the Companies Act 2006 and are for circulation to members of the company.
The notes on pages 26 to 38 form part of these accounts.
Approved by the trustees on and signed on their behalf by: 28 / 09 / 2025
Robert Jones, Trustee/Treasurer
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The Breathworks Foundation
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024
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) issued in October 2019 - (Charities SORP (FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
The Breathworks Foundation 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.
The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest £ sterling.
b Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern.
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.
Income received in advance of a provision of a specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.
d 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.
e 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.
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The Breathworks Foundation
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 (continued)
f 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:
-
Costs of raising funds comprise the costs of salaries and their associated support costs.
-
Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs of education, training and research undertaken to further the purposes of the charity, and their associated support costs.
-
Other expenditure represents those items not falling into any other heading.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.
g Tangible fixed assets
Individual fixed assets costing £100 or more are capitalised at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful economic lives on a straight line basis as follows:
Office equipment
25%
- h Intangible fixed assets
Intangible fixed assets are amortised over their estimated useful economic lives on a straight line basis as follows:
Goodwill
10 years
i 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.
j 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.
k 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.
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The Breathworks Foundation
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 (continued)
- l Pensions
Employees of the charity are entitled to join a defined contribution scheme. The charity’s contribution is restricted to the contributions disclosed in note 10. Outstanding contributions at the year end were £1,056 which were paid in January 2025.
- 2 Legal status of the charity
The charity is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales and has no share capital. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity. The registered office address is disclosed on page 1.
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The Breathworks Foundation
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 (continued)
- 3 Income from donations and legacies
| 4 | Donations and grants Total Income from charitable activities Grants Jigsaw Grant WEA - TBYL Salford Grant WEA - TBYL Trafford Grant The Big Life Group Hart Knowe Trust Charitable trading Courses and Workshops Membership fees Other income Total |
Unrestricted £ 43,412 43,412 Unrestricted £ 279,777 19,890 1,373 301,040 |
Restricted £ 93,225 93,225 Restricted £ 8,844 3,784 3,161 - 15,789 |
Total 2024 £ 136,637 136,637 Total 2024 £ 8,844 3,784 3,161 - - 279,777 19,890 1,373 316,829 |
Unrestricted £ 30,453 30,453 Unrestricted £ - - 337,082 20,937 3,458 361,477 |
Restricted £ 54,671 54,671 Restricted £ 10,200 10,000 - - - 20,200 |
Total 2023 £ 85,124 85,124 Total 2023 £ 10,200 10,000 337,082 20,937 3,458 381,677 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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The Breathworks Foundation
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 (continued)
| 5 Investment income Income from bank deposits 6 Cost of raising funds Staff costs Other direct costs Support costs (see note 7) Governance costs (see note 7) |
Unrestricted £ - - Unrestricted £ 5,289 975 381 318 6,963 |
Restricted £ - - Restricted £ - - - - - |
Total 2024 £ - - 2024 £ 5,289 975 381 318 6,963 |
Unrestricted £ 49 49 Unrestricted £ 4,985 802 377 289 6,453 |
Restricted £ - - Restricted £ - - - - - |
Total 2023 £ 49 49 2023 £ 4,985 802 377 289 6,453 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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The Breathworks Foundation
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 (continued)
- 7 Analysis of governance and support costs
| Staff costs Premises Administration Accountancy fees Legal expenses Depreciation Interest payable |
Support £ 13,874 268 489 1,040 1,080 428 - 17,179 |
Governance £ 10,694 206 377 2,700 - 332 - 14,309 |
Total 2024 £ 24,568 474 866 3,740 1,080 760 - 31,488 |
Support £ 13,517 262 393 2,549 1,148 415 - 18,284 |
Governance £ 10,826 209 315 2,358 - 332 - 14,040 |
Total 2023 £ 24,343 471 708 4,907 1,148 747 - 32,324 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The support and governance costs are apportioned to fundraising and charitable activities based on the relevant direct salary costs.
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The Breathworks Foundation
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 (continued)
8 Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities
| Staff costs Staff training and other costs Direct course costs Marketing Internet and website Research Grants awarded Office rent and rates Administration and office expenses Insurance Sundry expenses Depreciation Restricted expenditure Unrestricted expenditure Governance costs (see note 7) Support costs (see Note 7) |
2024 £ 232,914 6,819 159,966 9,874 13,193 - - 4,496 8,208 2,202 2,651 7,189 16,798 13,990 478,300 112,266 366,034 478,300 |
2023 £ 236,936 4,782 176,497 8,171 13,206 810 5,882 4,582 6,896 1,966 1,590 7,273 17,907 13,751 500,249 90,359 409,890 500,249 |
|---|---|---|
Note concerning bursaries and charitable activity costs
Throughout the year the charity awarded 388 (2023: 281) bursary places to beneficiaries to attend various courses, training and events. The theoretical value of lost revenue was £67,596 (2023: £69,658). Any training delivery cost related to the bursary places is captured in the expenditure in the above table.
- 9 Net income/(expenditure) for the year
| This is stated after charging/(crediting): | 2024 2023 |
|---|---|
| Depreciation | £ £ 8,110 8,173 |
| Auditor's remuneration - accountancy fees | 2,100 1,860 |
| Independent examiner's fee | 600 498 |
32 Doc ID: 371a16c3ad92a8e43fde61c7009ec39cb69c5323
The Breathworks Foundation
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 (continued)
10 Staff costs
Staff costs during the year were as follows:
| Wages and salaries Social security costs Pension costs Allocated as follows: Cost of raising funds Charitable activities Support costs Governance costs |
2024 £ 235,756 22,458 4,557 262,771 5,289 232,914 13,874 10,694 262,771 |
2023 £ 245,282 16,328 4,654 266,264 4,985 236,936 13,517 10,826 266,264 |
|---|---|---|
No employee has employee benefits in excess of £60,000 (2023: Nil).
The average number of staff employed during the period was 12 (2023: 14).
The average full time equivalent number of staff employed during the period was 10 (2023: 11).
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 £39,258 (2023: £35,120). As per reporting requirements this figure includes employer's national insurance and pension contributions.
- 11 Trustee remuneration and expenses, and related party transactions
Neither the trustees nor any persons connected with them received any remuneration or reimbursed expenses during the year (2023: Nil).
During the year the trustees received travel and subsistence expenses of £67 (2023: £462).
Aggregate donations from related parties were £5,288 (2023: £1,095).
There are no donations from related parties which are outside the normal course of business and no restricted donations from related parties.
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 (2023: nil).
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The Breathworks Foundation
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 (continued)
12 Government grants
The government grants recognised in the accounts were as follows:
| HMRC Employment Allowance | 2024 £ 5,000 5,000 |
2023 £ 5,000 5,000 |
|---|---|---|
There were no unfulfilled conditions and contingencies attaching to the grants.
13 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.
14 Fixed assets: tangible and intangible assets
| Cost Additions Depreciation Charge for the year Net book value At 1 January 2024 At 1 January 2024 At 31 December 2023 At 31 December 2024 At 31 December 2024 At 31 December 2024 |
Tangible assets Intangible assets Office equipment Goodwill £ £ 6,390 69,468 1,723 - 8,113 69,468 4,544 13,894 1,162 6,947 5,706 20,841 2,407 48,627 1,846 55,574 |
|---|---|
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The Breathworks Foundation
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 (continued)
15 Investments
| Investments | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Investment in the shares of the subsidiary company | ||||
| Breathworks Community Interest Company | 3 | 3 |
The charity owns the whole of the ordinary share issue of the Breathworks Community Interest Company, a company registered in England, register no 5016384. The company has been dormant since 31 December 2021.
| Balance sheet Current assets Total assets less current liabilities Net assets Assets Shareholder's funds 16 Debtors Trade debtors Prepayments and accrued income 17 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Trade creditors Other creditors and accruals Deferred income Taxation and social security costs |
2024 £ 3 3 3 3 3 2024 £ 7,764 2,205 9,969 2024 £ 10,670 19,851 68,521 12,254 111,296 |
2023 £ 3 3 3 3 3 2023 £ 7,806 5,559 13,365 2023 £ 30,941 20,221 32,209 6,166 89,537 |
|---|---|---|
35 Doc ID: 371a16c3ad92a8e43fde61c7009ec39cb69c5323
The Breathworks Foundation
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 (continued)
18 Analysis of movements in restricted funds
| Grants Donations Bursary Fund Community of Practice HEALS Programme Seed funding Sierra Leone Project Total Hart Knowe Trust - Seed funding Jigsaw Foundation WEA - TBYL Trafford The Big Life Group WEA - TBYL Salford |
Balance at 1 January 2024 £ 500 2,400 - - - - 11,929 - 1,149 1,821 17,799 |
Income £ 500 8,844 3,784 3,161 19,202 34,325 38,948 250 109,014 |
Expenditure £ (1,000) (2,400) (4,303) (3,790) (19,202) (46,254) (33,246) (2,071) (112,266) |
Transfers £ 519 629 1,148 |
Balance at 31 December 2024 £ - - 8,844 - - - - 5,702 1,149 - 15,695 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Note for transfers
Two projects were supported from unrestricted funds.
Comparative period
| Grants Donations Bursary Fund Community of Practice Give2Live HEALS Programme Seed funding Sierra Leone Project Total Hart Knowe Trust - Bursaries Sport England Together Fund Hart Knowe Trust - Seed funding Key Fund - Social Enterprise Support The Big Life Group |
Balance at 1 January 2023 £ 3,400 - - 8,160 937 - 16,668 - - - - 29,165 |
Income £ 10,700 5,000 5,000 - - 216 24,592 120 18,643 1,149 9,451 74,871 |
Expenditure £ (13,600) (5,000) (2,600) (8,259) (4,960) (216) (29,331) (120) (18,643) - (7,630) (90,359) |
Transfers £ - - - 99 4,023 - - - - - - 4,122 |
Balance at 31 December 2023 £ 500 - 2,400 - - - 11,929 - - 1,149 1,821 17,799 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
36 Doc ID: 371a16c3ad92a8e43fde61c7009ec39cb69c5323
The Breathworks Foundation
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 (continued)
Note 18 continued
Name of restricted fund Description, nature and purposes of the fund The Big Life Group for the "Take Back Your Life" project, to fund 9 6-week courses with up to 12 participants each, for Be Well clients with challenging health or stress conditions Jigsaw Foundation - Moving Well classes for the over 55s Moving Well Workers Education for "Take Back Your Life" courses to provide pain and illness self-management Association (WEA) - skills for Salford and Trafford residents living with challenging health conditions Take Back Your Life Salford and Trafford Community of Practice to fund free on-line access to Mindfulness practitioners to support and sustain their practice, free courses, workshops and materials
Hart Knowe Trust - to fund Mindfulness Teacher Scholarships for four places bursaries Hart Knowe Trust - seed funding for three mindfulness-based projects seed funding HEALS Programme to support the provision of an 11-week course providing a holistic approach to a healthy lifestyle Seed funding to contribute to funding mindfulness-based projects Sierra Leone Project seed funding for a mindfulness-based training project in Sierra Leone
19 Analysis of movement in unrestricted funds
| Comparative period General fund General fund |
Balance at 1 January 2024 £ 98,422 98,422 Balance at 1 January 2023 £ 126,908 126,908 |
Income £ 344,452 344,452 Income £ 391,979 391,979 |
Expenditure £ (372,997) (372,997) Expenditure £ (416,343) (416,343) |
Transfers £ (1,148) (1,148) Transfers £ (4,122) (4,122) |
As at 31 December 2024 £ 68,729 68,729 As at 31 December 2023 £ 98,422 98,422 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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The Breathworks Foundation
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 (continued)
Note 19 continued
Name of unrestricted fund Description, nature and purposes of the fund General fund The free reserves after allowing for all designated funds
Designated property The fixed assets are essential for the future operation of the charity and so are assets fund excluded from free reserves.
20 Analysis of net assets between funds
| Intangible fixed assets Tangible fixed assets Fixed asset investments Net current assets/(liabilities) Total Comparative period Intangible fixed assets Tangible fixed assets Fixed asset investments Net current assets/(liabilities) Total |
General fund £ 48,627 2,407 3 17,692 68,729 General fund £ 55,574 1,846 3 40,999 98,422 |
Designated funds £ - - - - Designated funds £ - - - - |
Restricted funds £ - - 15,695 15,695 Restricted funds £ - - 17,799 17,799 |
Total 2024 £ 48,627 2,407 3 33,387 84,424 Total 2023 £ 55,574 1,846 3 58,798 116,221 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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