2023-12-31-accounts - Rayleigh University Of The Third Age (U3A)

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator. This document is also available as Markdown.

		Charity name		RAYLEIGH University
Other names charity is known by
Registered	charity number (ifany)			1134068
Charity's		principal address	c/o The Secretary, Jane Reeve
			11A, The	Chase
			Rayleigh,	Essex
			Postcode	SS66QL

==> picture [510 x 299] intentionally omitted <==

f	d	t We are governed by our Constitution which was formally adopted on 1"February 2008. Itwas amended on 6/2/09, 6/4/17, 5/1 0/17, 3/5/18
		and 3/1 1/21.
Hpw the chanity is cpnstituted		A member ofthe Third Age Trust as an Unincorporated Association.
Trustee selection	methods	Elected by the membership at the Annual General Meeting. Two
		new Trustees can also be co-opted between AGM's if required, and
		then stand for election at the next AGM.
Additional governance	issues	(Optional information)
ma chppse tp /noir/de infppmatrpn where re/evan/'	additions/ ahput	The charity isa member ofthe Third Age Trust which provides additional help, information 5advice. The Trustees take their responsibilities seriously and are mindful that they exercise due diligence and care.
policies and procedures	adopted
for the induction and training of		Rayleigh u3a, like other u3as, is a mutual aid organisation,
trustees;		operationally independent but a member ofthe Third Age Trust, which
the charity's organisational		requires adherence to the guiding principles ofthe u3a movement (to be
structure and any wider	network	found on the Trust's website www. u3a.org.uk )
with which the charity works;
relationship with any related		The Trustees have considered risks and take professional advice as
parties;		appropriate. We have adequate insurance cover through our national
trustees' consideration	ofmajor	body. We do not employ staff, hold leases or property.
risks and the system and procedures to manage them.		No payments are made to members for services rendered to any u3a. Each u3a is self-funded with membership subscriptions Ik costs kept as
		low as possible. This is particularly important given the sector ofthe public
		we serve who are no longer in full-time employment.
		Rayleigh u3a is a member ofthe East of England Association ofu3a's
		which is set up to exchange good practice 8coordinate regional events.

					The objects of Rayleigh u3a are:
Summary ofthe objects charity set out in its				ofthe	The advancement ofeducation and in particular, the education ofolder people and those who are retired from full-time work, in varied ways
governing		document			including activities conducive to learning and personal development.
					The Trustees have regard to the guidance issued by the Charity
					Commission on public benefit and work to further our Charity's objectives,
					whilst having regard to changing legal requirements.
					We held our AGM in May 2023, all paperwork was emailed or posted
					to all members in advance.
					Accounts were filed as income was above L25K.
Summary undertaken		ofthe main activities for the public			The Committee ofthe Trustees met in person on 20th January, 17e February, 17"March, 21stApril, 19 May, 16'"June, 21"July, 1st
benefit	in	relation tothese			September, 13th October and 10th November 2023
objects section	(include within this the statutory				Membership ofa u3a is open to all in their third age, which is defined not by age but by a period in life in which full time employment has
declaration			that trustees	have	ceased. Members promote the values of lifelong learning &the
had regard			to the guidance		positive attributes ofbelonging toa u3a, particularly at a time of life
issued	by	the Charity			when social contact may have decreased. Trustees tt members do all
Commission			on public benefit)		they can to ensure that people wanting to join the u3a can do so.
					We provide a Newsletter to our members on a regular basis along
					with access to our dedicated Rayleigh u3a website, which has contact
					details for the Officers and Committee.
					We hold monthly meetings open to all members (except for August
					and December) with a variety ofspeakers.
					Members form interest groups covering as wide a range oftopics 8
					interests as are desired. Members organise their own activities 8 offer
					their skills, knowledge 8 experience for the benefit offellow members.
					There are 47 active groups at present 8 a list ofthese, together with
					contact details, is available on our website. We are constantly trying to
					set up new groups and some groups cease over time as members
					move on.
					The Groups' Coordinator, who isa trustee, keeps a record of unfuliilled
					requests for specific groups 8 helps to facilitate the setting up ofnew
					groups. Advice is given on venues, Lthe setting up ofa new group.
					Each group has a Group Leader who liaises with the Groups Co-
					ordinator.
					We continue to use a u3a backed database called Beacon, which
					enables the Trustees to be able to work with their data in a more secure
					environment.
Additional		details ofobjectives			and activities (Optional information)
You may	choose toinclude			further
statements,		where relevant,		about:	We particularly value the fact that all our members, who give oftheir time
policy	on	grantmaking;			and expertise in different capacities, are all volunteers. Members are
policy pmgramme related investment;					more than willing to help their fellow members ifthey are in need of assistance.
contribution			made by
volunteers.

~	~		e ~ ~ ~ e
Summary	ofthe main
achievements		ofthe charity	Our main achievement this year has been to run our monthly meetings,
during the	year		groups and educational events on a regular basis and we have attracted
			more new members and provided additional interest groups.
			We hold our main monthly meetings in Rayleigh Mill Hall. This venue
			allows us to welcome more members.
			This year the annual cost ofmembership was maintained atf20 and	we
			have been able to hold meetings and social events as normal during
			2023. Our membership fee allows members toaccess groups, and
			includes the following:
			1:A full and varied programme of monthly meetings, which are detailed
			on both the newsletter B the website. These have continued to attract a
			wide audience together with the opportunity to socialise more widely.
			They are held at a venue with disabled access K amplilication for those
			hard of hearing. We held main members meetings in every month apqrt
			from August and December.
			2:A newsletter, published every 2/3 months, continues to be sent to	all
			members by e-mail or post. This helps keep members informed 8 is
			particularly beneficial to those without easy internet access.
			This year we introduced New Members meetings and a specific group for
			new members. The aim ofthis is to ensure new members are fully
			orientated to the u3a and their attendance and involvement is
			encouraged. The New Members group leader, Membership Secretary
			and Groups Coordinator work closely together to ensure our new
			members feel welcomed and are able tojoin interest groups or form	new
			interest groups as required.
			3:We held regular Talks for All educational events and visits during	ttle
			year which have been well attended. There isa nominal cost for
			members to cover expenses.
			4:Social Events are also available to all members on a cost basis—
			these have included quizzes, outings and visits.
			5:Membership also includes subscription to the national u3a publication
			"Third Age Matters"

==> picture [450 x 154] intentionally omitted <==

==> picture [21 x 8] intentionally omitted <==