2025-03-31-accounts

National Survivor User Network

(a Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31[st] March 2025

CIO Number 1135980

National Survivor User Network

Trustees’ annual report for the period for the year ended 31[st] March 2025

Contents	Page
Legal and Administrative Information	1
Trustees’ Annual Report	2
Independent Examiner’s Report	18
Statement of Financial Activities	19
Balance Sheet	20
Statement of Cash Flows	21
Notes to the Financial Statements	22 - 39

National Survivor User Network Trustees’ annual report for the period for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

Reference and Administrative Information Charity Name: National Survivor User Network CIO Registered Number: 1135980 Registered Address: NSUN 483 Green Lanes London N13 4BS Trustees: The Trustees of the CIO are its Trustees for the purposes of charity law. The Trustees who have served from 1[st] April 2024 up to the date of approval of these financial statements were as follows: Alisdair Cameron Micha Frazer-Carroll Amy Palmer (resigned 23.07.24) Andrew Payne Worpole, Treasurer (resigned 30.06.25) Emily Reynolds (resigned 23.07.24) Rachel Rowan Olive (resigned 30.06.25) Amy Rushton, Chair (resigned 30.06.25) Aqsa Suleman Tasha Suratwala Shuranjeet Takhar, Vice Chair (resigned 23.07.24) CEO: Mandy Crandale (from 1[st] June 2024) Interim CEO: Justin Irwin (from 18[th] March 2024 to 1[st] June 2024) Independent Examiner: Elizabeth Hatchman, Menzies LLP 4[th] Floor, 95 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7AB Principal Bankers: CAF Bank Ltd, 25 Kings Hill Ave, West Malling, ME19 4JQ Solicitors: Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, 7 Pilgrim Street, London, EC4V 6LB

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National Survivor User Network Trustees’ annual report for the period for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

The Trustees present their report and the examined financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the financial statements and comply with the charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 as amended by the Charities Act 2022, and the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published in October 2019.

Trustees who have served during the year are listed on page 1.

Objects and activities for the public benefit

The objects of the charity as set out in its governing document are to provide for the public benefit, the promotion of good health and to advance education in particular, but not exclusively, by:

1. creating a network which will engage and support the wide diversity of mental health service users and survivors across England in order to strengthen the user voice;

2. facilitating active links between service user groups and individuals;

3. building capacity for service user groups; and

4. brokering and facilitating access to service users for purposes of influencing and informing policy-makers and planners.

The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the Charity Commission’s Guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities. The objects are achieved through a variety of activities, including:

• building capacity in our membership;

• strengthening local, regional and specialist networks;

• capacity building and information sharing;

• influencing mental health policy and practice;

• representing and relaying members' views at high level mental health policy spaces and communicating practice, policy and legislative changes back to members; and

• promoting better service user involvement and Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) practices in research, practice and policy.

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National Survivor User Network Trustees’ annual report for the period for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

Review of achievements and performance: How our activities delivered public benefit

National Survivor User Network (NSUN) is an England-wide network of people and groups with lived experience of mental ill-health, distress and trauma. It is an infrastructure organisation and sector voice for user-led groups that work to support the mental health of those in their communities, who live at the intersection of multiple, compounding inequalities and marginalisations. NSUN’s aims are to create and strengthen links between individuals and groups; support and promote user-led groups and initiatives; and influence and inform policy and decision makers. All NSUN staff and Trustees have lived experience of mental ill-health, distress or trauma which may include racial trauma.

NSUN is the only national mental health charity which is entirely by and for people with lived experience of mental ill-health, distress and trauma. In the current political moment, where disability benefits are under threat and key actors within government are pushing unhelpful narratives about ‘overdiagnosis’ instead of addressing the huge gaps in mental health care and in standards of living across the UK, there’s a clear and vital need for NSUN to call out the current mental health crisis and empower its members to use their lived experience to be part of the solution.

Key aims 2024/25

NSUN’s stated aims for the year included the following:

• To continue to promote and amplify members’ perspectives, voices and campaigns

• To secure funds for a new NSUN grants scheme, and plan the implementation process

• To successfully induct the new substantive CEO, Mandy Crandale, who joined NSUN in June 2024

• To deliver the rearticulated policy priorities, including via the successful recruitment of a new Policy Manager and launch of a newly funded project looking at how to engage with member campaigns

• To successfully deliver round 2 of the Synergi grant scheme

• To secure new multi-year funding to achieve additional sustainable impact

Progress against these aims is described below, structured around the four themes of NSUN’s Theory of Change: Knowledge, Voice, Collaboration & Resourcing. As we approached the end of the year we have begun to refresh our Theory of Change to better articulate the work we do, but for this year we will report in the existing structure.

“I've been able to get involved in initiatives I wouldn't even have known about if it wasn't for NSUN, including a paid opportunity which was much needed at the time. I find NSUN's email bulletins a mine of information, with well-chosen articles and opinion pieces that I really appreciate and probably wouldn't find on my own, and I appreciate the organisation's role as a principled thought leader in

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National Survivor User Network Trustees’ annual report for the period for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

the incredibly hostile political context we currently find ourselves in, as people with lived experience of mental ill health, trauma and so often much more besides.” (From members’ questionnaire 2025) 2024-25 has seen NSUN expanding its team and capacity, delivering an ambitious programme of publications and member events, and joining up our activities across workstreams in order to better achieve our aims. After a period of interim leadership by Jen Beardsley and Justin Irwin, we welcomed our new CEO Mandy Crandale in June 2024. In November 2024, we were joined by Courtney Buckler as our Senior Policy Manager. As of the end of 24-25, we’ve begun the process of reshaping our Theory of Change to better articulate what NSUN does and how.

This meets our stated aims to successfully induct the new substantive CEO, Mandy Crandale, who joined NSUN in June 2024 and recruit a new Policy Manager.

This report explains our work in four strands: Knowledge, Collaboration, Voice and Resourcing. We’ve also included an update on the organisation, its structure and development over the past year.

Finally, we look at what we’ve learned and what the future holds.

Knowledge - sourcing, creating and sharing survivor-led research and knowledge

“I love the NSUN bulletin as I don't use social media. I have read many articles and blogs and also applied successfully to several lived experience opportunities advertised in the bulletin. I have recommended the bulletin to many professionals and people. “(From members’ questionnaire 2025) 24-25 has seen us continue to amplify our crucial insights through blogs, research, reports and artwork. By filling knowledge gaps, championing lived experience expertise, and connecting people with a movement by and for people with lived experience, we aim to create a better, more intersectional understanding of mental ill-health, distress and trauma, defined by people who experience of the issues.

Key publications

• Menstrual health in psychiatric inpatient settings, by Hat Porter, was published in May 2024. This project was initially pitched by Hat, and was commissioned and supported by NSUN. NSUN hosted launch events, and Hat also spoke at Bloody Good Period’s parliamentary event in May to discuss the report’s findings and recommendations. Information from the report was published in Asylum magazine, and the report has supported people to advocate for their rights and change practice: one member shared, “I’ve put menstrual health onto agenda of local service user and carer forum as a result of reading report in Asylum magazine.” (From members’ questionnaire 2025)

• Mapping resilience and sustainability in user-led groups is a report commissioned by NSUN and carried out by Teapot Collective, which undertook collaborative research with six London-based User Led Groups. More on this below.

• In August 24, we published The Language of Mental Health Lived Experience. This is a unique crowd-sourced glossary drawn from 32 submissions from members with lived experience, who collectively defined various terms used in the context of mental health and social justice.

• In September 24, we published The Shape of Safety: A guide to reimaging safety and safeguarding alongside young people with experience of mental ill-health, distress and trauma. This research

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National Survivor User Network Trustees’ annual report for the period for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

was carried out in partnership with Act Build Change, Voice Collective and Revoke, and was partfunded by the Blagrave Trust; it brought together twenty one young people and five staff members across multiple organisations to explore critical questions of safety and safeguarding in community spaces. Feedback included, ‘I loved the sessions I attended on the radical safeguarding theme […] the things we discussed and input from others in the network made permanent impact on my thinking as a practitioner. I would love to see more collated evidence and research on this topic and the alternative routes to care within policy.’ (From members’ questionnaire 2025)

• In 24-25, we published 27 member blogs in total. As well as ad-hoc publications, we’ve run one blog series, Mental Health in a Failing State, and in Feb 25 we began a second blog series, The Limitations of Lived Experience. Examples of member blogs include:

o Falling in love with neurodivergence - Aiyana Goodfellow, 4 March 2025

• Are we facing a step backwards in disability benefit policy? A history of benefits in the UK – Gareth Oliver, 18 Sept 2024

• ‘Like a puppet on a string’; the ‘sick note’ culture and those who live it – Nima Cas Hunt, 22 April 2024

We’ve continued to publish our weekly bulletin, which provides trustworthy information about the mental health space, including events, campaigns, critical perspectives, participation, employment, and funding opportunities. Members shape the bulletin and can use it as a collaborative platform to boost their own events and work. Our 24-25 members’ questionnaire demonstrates that this is a key way for members to feel connected to a wider movement and to get reliable information about what’s going on in the user-led mental health space.

This meets our stated aim to continue to promote and amplify members’ perspectives, voices and campaigns.

Ongoing research

We’ve just launched a survey into experiences with the media, which will lead to producing resources that can support people with lived experience to engage with the media, particularly around issues relating to mental ill-health, distress and trauma. This is a particular priority given the current media interest in issues around mental health, and the hostile tone of a lot of coverage.

Collaboration – working with partners and taking an intersectional approach

“[NSUN] has introduced me to groups and campaigns/issues that I wasn’t aware of e.g. the abolition movement. Also creative groups using new media I hadn’t heard of e.g. zines.” (From members’ questionnaire 2025)

In 24-25, NSUN has worked extensively with partners, which is part of our commitment to ensuring our approach to mental health and systems change is intersectional and holistic.

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National Survivor User Network Trustees’ annual report for the period for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

Reimagining Safety

As part of a 3-year project part-funded by the Blagrave Trust, NSUN is working with Foyer Federation and Peer Power Youth to explore how we can bring young people’s experience and expertise into understanding safety and safeguarding. The aim is to both build the capacity of our partner organisations to safeguard well and to build sector-level knowledge about rights-based, anti-racist approaches to safety and safeguarding. Our first year of work saw us publishing The Shape of Safety: A guide to reimaging safety and safeguarding alongside young people with experience of mental illhealth, distress and trauma. Since then, we’ve run seven workshops and interviews across Peer Power Youth and with Foyers across the country, engaging with staff and young people in the organisations. We will be producing bespoke resources for the organisations based on what we heard in those conversations, exploring the specific challenges of the contexts they work in and how young people with experience of mental ill-health, distress and trauma would like to be safeguarded and involved in safeguarding.

Mental Health & Migrant Justice

Since 2023, we’ve had a focus on the intersection of migrant justice and mental health. We host and facilitate the Mental Health and Migrant Justice Working Group, a consortium of 6 organisations working in this overlapping space, based in London and in Hull. The Working Group come together to share skills, expertise and discuss local contexts and challenges. In 24-25, the group had a focus on fighting for more just and participatory approaches to funding, and published an open letter to funders naming their hopes for the future of funding work at the intersection of migrant justice and mental health. The group also hosted a hybrid roundtable for funders, bringing together representatives from funders including JRCT, the National Lottery and some smaller family foundations to discuss how to open up the funding ecosystem.

NSUN is a member of the Disability and Migration Network, a network of organisations and individuals which aims to build solidarity and resist the disabling and racist impact of immigration restrictions and inequalities. We are contributing to their June 2025 conference in collaboration with Disabled People Against Cuts.

In partnership with Migrants’ Rights Network, NSUN co-authored a short piece on the term ‘vulnerability’ as part of MRN’s ‘Words Matter’ campaign, which can be read here. We also coauthored the Trauma, Mental Health and Migration Zine. We view our partnerships with migrant-led organisations as a core part of our intersectional approach to mental ill-health, trauma and distress.

Voice – speaking out and enabling our members to do the same

“I like that you raise awareness of issues that a lot of the bigger mental health charities don't touch. I get tired of seeing the narrative over and over that the biggest issue in mental health is public stigma when that hasn't been the experience of me or anyone I know. I like that you don't shy away from talking about the more difficult issues within the system.” (From members’ questionnaire 2025) The development of our policy function has been a core achievement in 24-25, and it sees us moving into 25-26 able to meet the challenges of influencing at local and national levels.

In the early part of the year, we focused on developing our policy priorities through a collaborative process with staff and other stakeholders: they can be viewed here.

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Policy and influencing: our strategy

The policy team have been analysing the current influencing levers available to us, and where our energy is best used. This has led to us piloting a mixed model of influencing, with a focus on developing both NSUN’s own capacity to influence, and offering support for grassroots user-led campaigns originating from across our network. Our hypothesis is that this mix of more traditional policy work combined with a movement-building and capacity-building approach will lead to an effective, multi-pronged influencing strategy.

We also see these two strands as complementary; through active collaboration with grassroots groups, we’ll ensure that our own influencing priorities and approaches are in keeping with the needs of the people on the ground, and through engaging in influencing with key decision makers we’ll develop connections and expertise which can then benefit our members.

This meets our stated aim to deliver the rearticulated policy priorities, and launch of a newly funded project looking at how to engage with member campaigns

Social security, welfare reform

In the early part of 24-25, we worked in coalition with Big Brother Watch, Greater Manchester Disabled People’s Coalition and other DDPOs to fight back against the harmful spy powers included in the previous Conservative government’s Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, which was dropped in May 24 following our mobilisation. The new Labour government has brought back similar proposals in their Fraud, Error and Debt Bill. While this move is disappointing, our previous work and strong relationships mean we and our partners are well-positioned to keep pushing back and get the proposals binned.

Since the government announced their plans for sweeping cuts to welfare targeted primarily at disabled people, we have been prioritising informing and mobilising our members, connecting with allies and partners, and developing a briefing for parliamentarians to underline the seriousness of the issue. We’ve also offered one-off microgrants to disabled-led organisations and campaigns who are fighting back against the proposed changes – such as Crip Coffee, a group for Disabled/mad/sick activists organising against welfare cuts.

Advocating for safe, dignified and accessible mental health care

In November 2024, we learned that the Government plans to introduce changes to the Mental Health Act via a new Mental Health Bill. In our response to this, we have pushed for a greater shift towards rights-based care, and for a proactive approach to dealing with the entrenched racism in the mental health system. We continue to monitor the progression of the bill.

In January 2025, we published a response to the Government’s new independent commission to reform adult social care, naming our three priorities as 1) meaningful coproduction 2) willingness to tackle private sector involvement in social care and 3) a National Care Service.

Also in January 2025, we published a primer explaining the Parliamentary inquiry into the state of community mental health services, and how people could submit evidence. We submitted both written and verbal evidence, with our Senior Policy Manager Courtney Buckler contributing to an expert panel. As part of our effort to demystify and challenge some of the ‘norms’ around policy and

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National Survivor User Network Trustees’ annual report for the period for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

influencing, and to be critical about how they systemically exclude people with lived experience from contributing, Courtney also wrote a piece reflecting on the experience of giving evidence.

Throughout the year, we’ve continued to support Stop Oxevision, a grassroots campaign exposing and fighting against the use of Oxevision and other surveillance technologies in NHS mental health wards. Our support has included upskilling campaign members on FoI requests, and offering comms support to help them launch their website, respond to media inquiries and continue their research into the use and impacts of surveillance tech. They’ve been able to grow their campaign through our network: a member told us in our 2025 members’ questionnaire, “I found out about Oxevision through NSUN…I am now involved and campaigning against its use.” Working closely with Stop Oxevision has also equipped NSUN to better understand issues of surveillance, and informed our policy positions; for instance, our response to the publication of new NHS principles on digital technologies was strongly informed by learning from our work with Stop Oxevision.

Widening our understanding of mental health, and working intersectionally

We are currently operating in the midst of multiple overlapping crises – ecological, humanitarian, economic, and public-health related, to name just a few. Mental health is connected to all of these things. In that context, our policy team have had to think carefully about when and where we can be most useful. How do we balance being intersectional and expansive with being targeted and effective? In 24-25, we’ve met this challenge by prioritising work which won’t get done if we don’t do it – thinking critically about where NSUN is best placed to offer allyship, unique perspectives and expertise.

For example: in response to the continuing attacks on the rights and dignity of trans people, NSUN has set up a group of mental health charity leaders committing to allying together for trans rights.

After consulting with trans-led organisations, we spearheaded an open letter objecting to the framing of ‘mental healthcare’ as an alternative to gender-affirming care for trans people, naming the importance of adequate mental health and transition-related care, signed by the seven largest mental health charities in the UK. Alongside representatives from these charities, we are now developing a letter to Kier Starmer to further highlight these issues. We think it’s particularly important as an organisation which isn’t led by trans people that we use our position tactically and effectively to advocate for better and more equitable access to health care for all, regardless of trans status or experience of mental ill-health.

Supporting grassroots campaigns, influencing and policy

We’ve worked with individual campaigns and organisations over the year, such as Stop Oxevision, Anti-Normality Club and smaller campaigns such as a member’s research into how PIP stoppages are affecting people on inpatient wards.

We’ve launched a new monthly space called our Mad Campaigns Lab, which brings together grassroots activists in to develop their skills and capacity to campaign.

Feedback from our 2025 members’ questionnaire affirms the importance of our policy, influencing and movement-building work:

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National Survivor User Network Trustees’ annual report for the period for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

“I find NSUN gives a voice to those of us who are left out of more 'mainstream' mental health advocacy.”

“Important to be able to access a network where others also share the same critical thinking about the mental health system and report on how power really works within this system. This feels especially important now as I see the statutory bodies and institutions become more 'fluffy' and covering up the failures of the system with nice-looking initiatives like co-production/ lived experience voices etc.”

(From members’ questionnaire 2025)

However, we also received feedback about wanting to be more involved in setting NSUN policy and perspectives. This is inevitable given the varied opinions within our membership; it’s our hope that establishing spaces like the Mad Campaigns Lab will support us in accurately representing and communicating the priorities of our members, while also acknowledging that there are differences of opinion across our network.

Resourcing – giving our members what they need to build community and lived-experience-led alternatives to our broken mental health system

“I am very glad that NSUN does capacity-building work and offers grants, because I am part of a community group that does work like this in other sectors on occasion, and I am therefore aware of just how difficult it is to keep such work sustainable.” (From members’ questionnaire 2025)

Network meetings

Our monthly Network Meetings, which began in Nov 23, continue to be popular and well-attended, with positive feedback from both new and longstanding members. In 24-25, we covered topics such as current issues in mental health policy, peer support responses to suicidality, the nature of “community” and how to navigate using lived experience in non-LE-led spaces (e.g. the NHS, academia, etc). The topics for our network meetings are responsive and drawn from member expressions of interest; in the next few months we’ll be prioritising making space for members to discuss the government’s proposed changes to social security and the impacts they will have on people with experience of mental ill-health, distress and trauma.

Offering grants and financial support

Using a discretionary pot from Lankelly Chase, and other funding earmarked to support small organisations with their comms and operating costs, we’ve made small grants to Stop Oxevision, Mad Pride, Not the Void, Anti-Normality Club and Neuromancers. Of all of these groups, only one (Neuromancers) is constituted, and all of them are run by mostly volunteer labour, doing work that isn’t replicated anywhere else in the mental health sector. Their work is hard to fund, and seeking other funding is often a time investment they can’t afford. Our flexible and responsive grants have covered important costs such as bespoke training on dialogue-based approaches to suicidality (Not The Void), producing media assets and communicating key messages (Stop Oxevision), and delivering a community-run Mad Pride festival (Mad Pride).

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Capacity-building for user-led groups

• Since 2020, understanding and meeting the needs of user led groups has been a core part of NSUN’s work. There’s a clear need for capacity-building and infrastructure support which meets the needs of these groups, which are often very small and have limited resources. In 24-25, we continued this focus, and drew upon the last five years to plan for the future.

Over the year, we’ve made available several free training sessions for our members which were extremely well attended, including training on facilitating through conflict, safeguarding, Trans 101, and monitoring, evaluation and learning. We focus on commissioning training which is responsive to the particular needs of our members, which we hear through feedback questionnaires and informal discussions in our network meetings.

We commissioned research from Teapot Collective exploring the experiences of user-led groups in London. This research led to the production of a self-led workshop to support user-led groups to vision and plan for the future, responding to what we’d heard from groups about the difficulty of long-term planning and strategising.

As well as these offerings, which focus reaching out to a broad range of groups, we’ve also offered more bespoke one-to-one support to six member-led groups. Groups have had the opportunity to get advice and support from NSUN staff, particularly focusing on drafting and refining fundraising bids.

We’ve grown aware of a need for further capacity in this area to respond to demand. Offering ad-hoc advice has helped us to see the scale of the need and its common contours; we are now developing a pilot for a cohort-based capacity-building programme which will see 4-5 groups receive in-depth and on-going support, networking space and access to bespoke resource over a period of 4-6 months.

Synergi

NSUN secured a three-year grant from Lankelly Chase to host Synergi, a complex and ambitious programme of work focussing on the intersection of racial justice and mental health, from April 2022. Synergi works with grassroots groups and community organisers, and connects, amplifies, celebrates and resources this work. This grant has a no-cost extension to September 2025.

Significant progress has been made this year across the workstreams, including the following highlights:

SUPPORTING MOVEMENT SPACES

We had one event last year under this workstream entitled An Introduction to Developing Abolitionist Care in our Community’ which led by Radical Therapist Network. The session was well attended.

We also continued to run Peer Support sessions. The peer support sessions continued to have low number and we used the start of 2025 as an opportunity to redesign and provide much more structure . The session were renamed ‘Abolition In Practice and are facilitated externally with support from the Synergi Director. The sign up for these sessions has increased dramatically and even though the attendance is low it is much higher than the previous iterations. Themes of the new sessions have included “What do anti-psychiatry and abolition mean to and for us?” “what’s the body got to do with it” and “Navigating conflict”.

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We wrote a post in light of the race riots, and organised an offering additional session ‘Care for the Collective’ the attendance was low but there were a lot of the same kind of offerings within the community.

In June 2025 Synergi stopped being hosted by the National Survivor Network an become an independent Unincorporated Organisation to further develop their work.

GRANTS PROGRAMME

We awarded 42 grants, totalling £272,735. We are redesigning the website and have created an interactive map showing the geographical location of the current and past grantees Until then, you can read about some of the groups we previously funded here. We sought to address the historical underfunding of this work to groups who are led by and for those racialised as Black by ring fencing 50% of the funding for these groups. We prioritised groups working on the following themes: Prisons and policing (including forensic mental health settings); Have lived experience of mental health settings; Been impacted by immigration detention and removal centres; Working at the intersection of mental ill health, distress &/trauma and racial and or disability justice using an abolitionist framework. In addition, we ensured that groups led by and for people from disabled, Muslim, trans and non-binary, refugees and/or people seeking asylum communities were also prioritized.

We also called for applications from those with a yearly project income of under £25,000; with nontraditional structures (including those that are unregistered) as these organisations can struggle to attract funding.

This meets our stated aim to successfully deliver round 2 of the Synergi grant scheme.

REMEMBERANCE AS RESISTANCE

As part of this workstream we have run an Online Zine Series to explore the power of zines to tell our own stories, build our own archives, share community knowledge, and resist erasure and harmful narratives. We also developed a podcast where we are building an oral history of learnings from archivists, artists and organisers working at the intersection of racial justice and mental health. In this podcast series, we explore themes around abolition, resistance, community and alternative modes of storytelling in order to share and re-imagine our histories.

Our Social Media presence has increased. On Instagram we have 855 followers since the account was created in February 2024. There has also been an increase in the number of posts in general and in particular to non-followers since in the past three months. Engagement has also increased to 356 from 20. On X we have 1,498 Followers (analytic are not available without a premium account). We also have 112 on Bluesky, up from 86.

Hosting

By hosting autonomous mental health projects, we can offer the benefit of our infrastructure to newer or less formalised groups as they grow and develop. We currently host two projects:

• North East Together, the regional network for people with lived experience of mental health conditions living in the North East of England.

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• misery, a mental health community and sober rave based in London and led by and for queer, trans, intersex, black people and people of colour (QTIBPOC) with lived experience of madness, mental health challenges, time in hospital, addiction, public service use, disability, trauma, medication and neurodivergence.

Our support for our hosted projects primarily involves holding some of their ‘backstage’ operational and financial administration, while also offering bespoke advice and access to expert guidance on their work.

We also provide fiscal hosting for the United Families and Friends Campaign (UFFC) .

Organisational development

A huge aspect of work this year has been the development of NSUN as an organisation. We’ve grown organically and rapidly, and we’re committed to being a progressive organisation ‘doing it differently’.

This has meant taking stock of how we support our team, especially given that everyone who works for us has lived experience of mental ill-health, distress and trauma. We’ve been able to continue offering budgets to staff to cover coaching and therapy, as well as wellbeing budgets and an employee assistance programme. Staff have created a staff forum to give feedback to the management team: suggestions which have come from this forum and are in the process of being implemented have included making provisions for menstrual and menopausal leave, a new structure for our regular team meetings, and more accessible internal policy documents.

NSUN is committed to being an anti-racist organisation, which upholds dignity and equity for all regardless of protected characteristics. To further this mission, all staff have received Trans 101 training from Gendered Intelligence, Gypsy Roma and Travellers Cultural Awareness Training from Friends Families and Travelers, and we have scheduled an intensive course of anti-racist training sessions over the next few months with You Make It.

Over the course of 24-25, we successfully applied for and received funding from the National Lottery Community Foundation, Trust For London, City Bridge Trust and the Propel Partnership. We are currently exploring a large bid to Esme Fairbairn to expand our work. We are also developing a spec letter campaign to approach small and specialist grant-making bodies in order to diversify our pool of funders and safeguard the work into the future.

This meets our stated aim to secure multi-year funding to ensure the sustainability of our work.

What we’ve learned & what’s next

Future of capacity building

Over the period, through participatory research with Teapot Collective, member feedback, and what we’ve learned through ad-hoc capacity-building engagements, we’ve deepened our understanding of what ULG’s need from us as an infrastructure organisation. This has prompted us to develop a cohort programme which we will be trialling in 2025-26. The initial pilot will be co-created with 4-5 user-led groups, and will involve offerings of regular meetings, peer support, bespoke training and connection to opportunities over a period of 4-6 months. Our aim is to create a programme which can build confidence, connections and knowledge, and which is also flexible enough to account for the variety

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across our membership. Ideally, for future cohorts, we’ll be able to draw upon past cohort members as expert advisors and mentors, who can be reimbursed for their time and knowledge.

This programme design builds on the findings from research with London-based user-led groups, which draws upon the idea of solidarity and ‘co-conspirators’ as an unseen but crucial element of success for grassroots groups: “Co-conspirators may make groups feel less alone in their radical approach to community building and activism.”

Participatory grant-making in the mental health & migrant justice space

Through our work with the Mental Health and Migrant Justice Working Group we have built an indepth understanding of the needs of this community in relation to mental health and are working with them to secure funding to run a grants programme in 2025-26. Our hope is that this programme will both disseminate vital funding to under-resourced groups, and that being part of the design and decision-making process will be a useful exercise in building up the capacity and experience of working group members.

Survivor-led knowledge, and being a trusted curator of information

The response to Hat’s report on Menstrual Health in Inpatient Psychiatric Settings taught us about the continued importance of survivor-led research and the need to ensure we continue to focus in this area and commission pieces where appropriate. Similarly, the success of our blog series and stand-alone pieces demonstrate the real need for a continuation to publish survivor voices. Our members rely on NSUN as a ‘way in’ to a broader movement, with one member commenting, “[I] feel optimistic about this larger community of people who are survivors-users and who are doing amazing things. I feel connected to something bigger than me.” (From members’ questionnaire 2025)

This is part of the unique place we hold in the mental health charity landscape as the only user-led organisation working nationally. This reminder has been particularly helpful as we embark upon the refresh of our Theory of Change, ensuring the activities we plan to deliver and develop are truly meeting community needs.

Our aims for 2025/26 are as follows:

• To continue to promote and amplify members’ perspectives, voices and campaigns

• To secure funds for a new NSUN grants scheme, and plan the implementation process

• To successfully recruit and induct a Capacity Building Manager

• To continue to deliver our policy priorities, including via the new Mad Campaigns Lab offering

• To successfully deliver the pilot cohort capacity building program

• To secure new multi-year funding to achieve additional sustainable impact

• To redevelop our Theory of Change to better reflect community needs

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National Survivor User Network Trustees’ annual report for the period for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

Financial review

Income for the year ended 31st March 2025 totalled £826,919 (2024: £970,203), a decrease of £143,284 from the previous year. The largest area of decrease was in Grants and Donations which dropped by £131,630 compared with the previous year.

NSUN’s principal source of funds during 2024/25 was income from grants and totalled £808,615 (2024: £940,245) and comprises 98% of income (2024: 92%).

Expenditure totaled £1,054,381 (2024: £759,013) for the year ended 31[st] March 2025, an increase of £295,368 compared with the previous year. The main increase in costs related to the Synergi project.

In April 2024 NSUN was notified of a successful application to the National Lottery Community Fund for £499,337 over 3 years.

NUSN is hugely grateful to our range of funders and supporters who contribute to our income.

Total funds, reserves policy and going concern

Total funds at 31st March 2025 were £298,349 (2024: £525,811) and comprised restricted funds of £206,593 (2024: £385,087) and unrestricted funds of £91,756 (2024: £140,724). The largest remaining restricted funds comprise funding for the Synergi programme (£43,700) and National Lottery funding (£42,746).

Unrestricted funding was comprised of funding from a number of unrestricted grants towards project and core costs in the 2024/25 financial year of £74,556, and unrestricted income from donations and contracts.

The Trustees review the charity’s reserves policy annually and aim to hold three months of fixed staff and running costs. As such the agreed reserves target is £155,972 (2024: £139,143). The actual free unrestricted reserves are £87,245 (2024: £137,053). This represents 56% of target (2024: 98%), equivalent to 1.7 months reserves. The trustees and management will endeavour to move back towards this target in the coming years.

The Trustees have reviewed the budgets for the 2025/26 financial year, including reserves and secured income and consider there to be sufficient funding secured to prepare these financial statements on a going concern basis.

Grantmaking Policy

NSUN’s grantmaking policy is specific to the funds being distributed and is in line with the conditions of the funder. The Trustees consider micro-grants an effective means of achieving NSUN’s charitable objectives of building capacity for user-led groups.

NSUN grants are awarded to groups in England, and are currently small in volume and value. There are plans to secure further funding for this work and advertise grant more widely in the future.

The Synergi grants programme launched in April 2024 with clear published criteria, including transparency around decision-making and panel membership.

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National Survivor User Network Trustees’ annual report for the period for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

Key Risks and Uncertainty

The Trustees regularly review the principal risks and major uncertainties to which the charity may be exposed and systems and procedures have been established to manage those risks. This is primarily via the NSUN risk register, which is reviewed by Trustees at least quarterly. The register lists the key risks together with a score calculated based on the probability and the potential impact of the risk concerned, noting any mitigation. A separate Synergi Risk Register is also shared and discussed as a standing item, due to the size and complexity of Synergi as a hosted project, and the associated risks. Actions being taken to manage the identified risks are listed on the registers.

Key risks identified during the year are:

• A gap between funding expenditure and income targets, mitigated initially through the submission of multiple funding applications

• Significant changes in leadership at board and staff level, following an unsuccessful recruitment to the CEO post in summer 2023, and a change in chair of trustees at the end of December 2024. This risk has dissipated following the appointment of consecutive interim chief executives, and the appointment of a permanent chief executive from June 2024

• The growth of the organization and the increased responsibility and pressures on key staff. Risk is mitigated by NSUN’s agreed ways of working, by extended notice periods for staff, regular supervision and on-going consideration of well-being issues

• The on-going integration of Synergi into NSUN, and Synergi’s own delivery risks, noting the size of the programme. This has been mitigated through clear governance protocols, confirmation of Synergi’s strategic direction, and the provision of a separate Synergi risk register to NSUN trustees and the Synergi governance board.

Contribution made by volunteers

NSUN is extremely grateful to all of our volunteers, many of whom have provided considerable pro-bono support, valued at £49,903 (2024: £6,060) and included within the financial statements. In both years this related to pro-bono legal support.

Structure Governance and Management

During the year, the National Survivor User Network (NSUN) was a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with charity number 1135980. NSUN’s governing document is a Constitution and the charity operates in England.

Trustees are elected at the Annual General Meeting or co-opted onto the Board when a serving Trustee resigns during the year. The Constitution states that the minimum number of Trustees should be three and the maximum twelve. A third of trustees must retire at each AGM and may be reappointed.

Skills gaps at Board level are addressed by regular skills audits. New Trustees are inducted by the Chair, Vice-Chair, and CEO, and are offered training as necessary.

The Board meets at least five times a year.

Day-to-day management of the charity has been delegated to the CEO. The CEO is supported by staff, consultants (“Associates”) and volunteers, if applicable, and a scheme of delegation is in place.

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National Survivor User Network Trustees’ annual report for the period for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

Organisational Structure and Key Management Personnel

The CEO reports to the Chair of NSUN, who is responsible for convening Board meetings and ensuring correct governance of the charity with other Trustees. The Chair is also responsible for appraising the performance of the CEO and Trustees.

During the year, there were ten other members of staff who are line managed and appraised by the CEO, or other Managers within the team. The staff team was supported by several freelance associates.

Following an unsuccessful recruitment process in summer 2023, interim chief executives were appointed. A successful process early in 2024 resulted in the appointment of a new substantive CEO, Mandy Crandale, who started June 2024.

The Board makes use of task and finish groups and sub committees where needed to undertake specific tasks. In 2023/24 a number of trustees met informally to review the finance papers, and to support the CEO recruitment processes.

The Board was also supported in its work around the Synergi Project by the Synergi Governance Board, which comprised five members with a specific interest in the work, including one member of the NSUN Board of Trustees. The Governance Board operates under a terms of reference approved by the NSUN Board.

The SORP considers the key management personnel of the charity to be those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the charity, directly or indirectly. The Trustees consider that the NSUN Board of Trustees and the CEO are Key Management Personnel of the charity.

The pay of the CEO is reviewed annually by the Chair and benchmarked to similar posts within the sector.

Details of Trustee expenses and related party transactions are disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. Trustees are required to disclose all relevant interests and register them with the CEO and, in accordance with the charities policy, withdraw from decisions where a conflict of interest arises.

Trustees’ responsibilities in relation to the financial statements

A resolution proposing that Beever and Struthers (since 1 October 2025 now Menzies LLP) be reappointed as independent examiners of the charity was passed at the last NSUN Annual General Meeting on the 28[th] February 2023.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the financial statements and comply with the charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 as amended by the Charities Act 2022 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published in October 2019.

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National Survivor User Network Trustees’ annual report for the period for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 22 3rd December[nd] October 2025 and was signed on its behalf, by:

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National Survivor User Network Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of National Survivor User Network

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025 which are set out on pages 19 to 39.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 as amended by the Charities Act 2022 (‘the Act’).

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

Other Matters

Your attention is to drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared the financial statements in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to Charities 2019 preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has been withdrawn.

We understand that this has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

Independent examiner's statement

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

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

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

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

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

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

Fadil Uhl»

Elizabeth Hatchman ACA Menzies LLP Chartered Accountants 4[th] Floor, 95 Gresham Street London EC2V 7AB

Date:

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National Survivor User Network

Statement of Financial Activities (including summary income and expenditure account) For the year ended 31 March 2025

Notes Income from: Legacies and Donations Grants and Donations 4 Charitable Activities Contracts and Consultancy Interest Total Income Expenditure on: Costs of raising funds 5 Charitable Activities Knowledge Collaboration Voice Resourcing Synergi Total Charitable Activities 5 Total Expenditure Net movement in funds for the year Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward 17 Total funds carried forward 17

Total Total 31.03.2025 31.03.2024 £ £ £ £ 82,257 726,358 808,615 940,245 3,881 1,516 5,397 18,595 12,907 - 12,907 11,363 99,045 727,874 826,919 970,203 14,157 22,010 36,167 34,795 42,062 87,086 129,148 106,433 53,994 131,611 185,605 196,790 33,800 74,191 107,991 190,387 4,000 - 4,000 950 - - 591,470 591,470 231,558 133,856 884,358 1,018,214 724,218 148,013 906,368 1,054,381 759,013 (48,968) (178,494) (227,462) 211,190 140,724 385,087 525,811 314,621 91,756 206,593 298,349 525,811 Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds

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National Survivor User Network Balance Sheet For the year ended 31 March 2025

Notes	31.03.2025	31.03.2024
	£	£
Fixed Assets
Tangible assets 13	4,511	3,671
Total Fixed Assets Current Assets Debtors 14 Cash at bank and in hand 22	4,511 3,592 561,657	3,671 2,413 617,906
Total Current Assets Creditors: Creditors falling due within one year 15	565,249 271,411	620,319 98,179
Net Current Assets	293,838	522,140
Total Assets less current liabilities	298,349	525,811
Total Net Assets	298,349	525,811
The Funds of the charity: Unrestricted income funds Restricted income funds	209,859 91,756 206,593	184,749 140,724 385,087
Total charity funds 17	298,349	525,811

The financial statements set out on pages 22 to 39 were approved by the Trustees and authorised for issue on 22nd October 2025 and signed on their behalf by: 3rd December

The notes on pages 22 to 39 form an integral part of these financial statements

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National Survivor User Network Statement of Cash Flows For the year ended 31 March 2025

Notes Cash flows from operating activities: 21 Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of tangible fixed assets Proceeds from sale of fixed assets Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities Change in cash in the reporting period Cash at the beginning of the reporting period Cash at the end of the reporting period 22 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	31.03.2025 £ (52,719) (3,530) - (3,530) (56,249) 617,906 561,657	31.03.2024 £ 276,856 (2,153) - (2,153) 274,703 343,203 617,906

The notes on pages 22 to 39 form an integral part of these financial statements

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National Survivor User Network Notes to the financialstatementsfortheyearended 31 March 2025 Basis of Preparation Basis of Accounting The financial statements have been prepared to give a 'true and fairf view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair view. This departure has involved following the 2019 version of the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from l April 2005 which has since been withdrawn. Legal Form National Survivor User Network was a charitable company incorporated in England under the Companies Act 2006 from l April 2022 to 6 June 2023, when it then converted to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. In the event of the charity being wound up. the liability in respert of the guarantee is limited to £10 per member of the charity. The address of the registered office is 483 Green Lanes. London N13 4BS.. The charity's operations and principal activities are included on page 2 and 3 of the Trustees, annual report. Going Concern The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis. The Trustees have looked at least 12 months from the signing date of these accounts, considering the charity's cost base, reserves and secured funding and have concluded that there are no material uncertainties around the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. Accounting Policies The accounts present a true and fair view and the accounting policies adopted are those outlined in note 2. The financial statements are presented in sterling which 15 the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest £. Significant accounting estimates and judgements Aside from going concern set out in Ic above. there have been no other key estimates or judgements required in determining the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Accounting Policies Income Recognition of income Income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities ISOFAI when the charity becomes entitled to the resources- it is more likely than not that the trustees will receive the resources- and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability. There has been no offsetting of assets and liabilities. or income and expenses, unless required or permitted by the FRS 102 SORP. 22

National Survivor User Network Notes to the financialstatementsfortheyearended 31 March 2025 Accounting Policies (continued) Grants and donations Grants and donations are only included in the SOFA when the general income recognition criteria are met, generally upon receipt. Where grants are of a performance related nature, income is only be recognised to the extent that the charity has provided the specified goods or services as entitlement to the grant only occurs when the performance related conditions are met. Government grants The charity has received government grants in the reporting period and these are disclosed in note 3a. Tax reclaims on donations and gifts Gift Aid receivable is included in income when there is a valid declaration from the donor. Any Gift Aid amount recovered on a donation is considered to be part of that gift and is treated as an addition to the same fund as the initial donation unless the donor or the terms of the appeal have specified otherwise. Contractual income This is only included in the SOFA once the charity has provided the related goods or services or met the performance related conditions. Donated goods and services/facilities Gifts in kind for use by the charity are included in the SOFA as income from donations when receivable. Donated goods are measured at fair value (the amount for which the asset could be exchanged) unless impractical to do so. Donated services and facilities are included in the SOFA when received at the value of the gift to the charity provided the value of the gift can be measured reliablv. Donated services and facilities that are consumed immediately are recognised as income with an equivalent amount recognised as an expense under the appropriate heading in the SOFA. Volunteer help The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the trustees. annual report. Expenditure Liability recognition Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or construttive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty. 23

National Survivor User Network Notes to the financialstatementsfortheyearended 31 March 202.5 Accounting Policies (continued) Allocation of governance and support costs Support costs represent indirect charitable expenditure. In order to carry out the primary purposes of the charity it is necessary to provide support in the form of personnel development and support, financial 5UPPOrt, insurances and IT support. Governance costs comprise the costs involving the public accountability of the charity lincluding independent examination costs) and costs in respect of its compliance with regulation and good practice. Support costs including governance costs are apportioned based on the proportion of time spent on each activity by staff. Assets and Liabilities Accrued and deferred income Accrued income relates to gift aid receivable only. Deferred income relates to contract income received where a proportion of the work remains incomplete. Debtors Debtors lincluding trade debtors and loans receivable) are measured on initial recognition at settlement amount after any trade discounts or amount advanced by the charity. Subsequently. they are measured atthe cash or other consideration expected to be received. Creditors The charity has creditors which are measured at settlement amounts less any trade discounts. Bank and Cash Cash includes Cash held in the chariws bank accounts. amounts held by PayPal and Equals Money. Tangible fixed assets for use by the charity Tangible fixed assets represent computer equipment and are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and cost at least £250. They are valued at cost. Assets are depreciated over 4 years on a straight-line basis. 24

National Survivor User Network Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2025

3. Prior period comparatives: statement of financial activities

Income from: Legacies and Donations Grants and Donations Charitable Activities Contracts and Consultancy Interest Total Income Expenditure on: Costs of raising funds Charitable Activities Knowledge Collaboration Voice Resourcing Synergi Total Charitable Activities Total Expenditure Net movement in funds for the year Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 4. Grants and Donations Donations from Individuals and organisations Grant Income (note 4b) Donated gift and services (note 4c)

Total 31.03.2024 £ £ £ 159,915 780,330 940,245 12,969 5,626 18,595 11,363 - 11,363 184,247 785,956 970,203 12,663 22,132 34,795 31,753 74,680 106,433 38,643 158,147 196,790 58,942 131,445 190,387 (950) - (950) - 231,558 231,558 128,388 595,830 724,218 141,051 617,962 759,013 43,196 167,994 211,190 97,528 217,093 314,621 140,724 385,087 525,811 Total Total 31.03.2025 31.03.2024 £ £ £ £ 1,641 1,873 3,514 1,549 74,556 724,485 799,041 888,793 6,060 - 6,060 49,903 82,257 726,358 £ 808,615 £ 940,245 £ Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds

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National Survivor User Network

Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2025

4b. Grant Income (including Government Grants)

We were grateful to have received Grant income from:

Be the Earth Foundation Blagrave Trust City Bridge Trust John Ellerman Foundation Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust Lankelly Chase Lankelly Chase- Synergi Mental Health North East Mind Peer Support - Misery Mind Community Partnership Mind North East Together NHS Contract income for North East together Synergi misery medicine The Tudor Trust The Tudor Trust- Wellness grant Trust for London Trust for London - Disability Justice Fund Unlimited misery Women's Environmental Network - misery National Lottery Community Fund- RC London and South

Total Total 31.03.2025 31.03.2024 £ £ £ £ - - - 4,000 - 28,500 28,500 28,500 - - - 50,000 - - - 30,000 34,556 - 34,556 42,308 - - - 40,000 - 373,714 373,714 456,412 - - - 3,001 - - - 200 - - - 15,000 - - - 15,000 - 161,772 161,772 138,897 - - - 6,000 - 5,000 5,000 - 40,000 - 40,000 20,000 - - - 7,200 - 58,000 58,000 22,275 - 56,500 56,500 - 40,000 40,000 - 1,000 1,000 10,000 74,556 724,486 799,042 888,793 Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds

No Government Grants were received in 2025 or 2024. As set out above funds were received from the National Lottery Community Fund totalling £161,772 (2024: £138,897).

4c. Donated goods, Facilities and Services

Legal Advice	Total Total 31.03.2025 31.03.2024 £ £ 6,060 49,903 6,060 49,903

Donated services and facilities are included in the SOFA when received and are shown at the value the charity would need to pay to secure the same services, items or facilities provided that the amount can be measured reliably.

There are no unfulfilled conditions or other contingencies associated with the donated services or facilities

The time given by volunteers is not recognised in the accounts. However we are extremely grateful for to all NSUN volunteers

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National Survivor User Network

Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2025

5. Resources expended

Costs of Raising Funds Charitable Activities Knowledge Communications Other Projects National Elf partnership Collaboration Membership Community Constellations Members projects Hosted Projects- North East Together Hosted Projects- misery Hosted Projects- UFFC Voice Influencing policy work Reimagining safety Resourcing Grants to user led groups (note 21) NSUN Synergi Synergi Project Synergi Small Grants Scheme Total Cost of Charitable Activities Total Costs

Direct Staff Costs Direct Costs Support Costs Total Total (Note 7) 31.03.2025 31.03.2024 £ £ £ £ £ 21,636 - 14,531 36,167 34,795 72,857 12,838 37,779 123,474 103,341 - 5,378 - 5,378 2,792 - 296 - 296 300 72,857 18,512 37,779 129,148 106,433 59,611 516 31,967 92,094 69,414 24,727 925 14,531 40,183 52,143 - 4,184 - 4,184 11,975 - 8,858 - 8,858 5,500 - 39,153 250 39,403 19,029 883 - - 883 38,729 85,221 53,636 46,748 185,605 196,790 48,572 7,832 26,155 82,559 167,690 9,213 16,219 - 25,432 18,322 57,785 24,051 26,155 107,991 190,387 - 4,000 - 4,000 (950) - 4,000 - 4,000 (950) 233,652 52,688 22,875 309,215 228,915 - 282,255 - 282,255 2,643 233,652 334,943 22,875 591,470 231,558 449,515 435,142 133,557 1,018,214 724,218 471,152 435,142 148,087 1,054,381 759,013

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National Survivor User Network Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2025

6. Resources expended in the previous year

Costs of Raising Funds Charitable Activities Knowledge Communications Other Projects National Elf partnership Collaboration Membership Community Constellations Lived Experience Leadership Mind Peer Support Hosted Projects- North East Together Hosted Projects- Survivor Researcher Network Hosted Projects- misery Hosted Projects- 2027 Project Hosted Projects- UFFC Voice Influencing policy work Keeping Control Other Projects Resourcing Grants to user led groups (note 24) NSUN Grants Synergi Synergi Project Synergi Small Grants Scheme Total Cost of Charitable Activities Total Costs

Direct Staff Costs Direct Costs Support Costs Total (Note 7) 31.03.2024 £ £ £ £ 17,355 - 17,440 34,795 47,727 13,758 41,856 103,341 - 2,792 - 2,792 - 300 - 300 47,727 16,850 41,856 106,433 34,711 3,311 31,392 69,414 21,694 13,009 17,440 52,143 - - - - - 11,975 - 11,975 - 5,500 - 5,500 3,300 15,729 - 19,029 - - - - - 38,479 250 38,729 - - - - - - - - 59705 88,003 49082 196790 82,438 12,005 73,247 167,690 4,639 13,683 - 18,322 - 4,375 - 4,375 87,077 30,063 73,247 190,387 - (950) - (950) - (950) - (950) 157,393 55,715 15,807 228,915 - 2,643 - 2,643 157,393 58,358 15,807 231,558 351,902 192,324 179,992 724,218 369,257 192,324 197,432 759,013

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National Survivor User Network

Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2025

7. Support Costs

Support Staff Costs, including governance (see note 8) Direct Governance costs (see note 8) Legal and Professional Fees Payroll, Accountancy and Bookkeeping Website costs Stationary, Postage, Telephones and IT costs Insurance and HR support Advertising, Recruitment and Subscriptions Staff Travel and Wellness Staff Training costs Depreciation and profit on disposal Other	Total Total 31.03.2025 31.03.2024 £ £ 38,416 39,050 11,288 57,788 662 1,789 45,481 25,813 1,781 2,196 13,649 16,097 596 4,292 3,468 20,551 7,935 10,364 21,263 16,281 2,030 1,235 1,519 1,977 148,088 197,433

Support costs, including governance costs, are apportioned based across the activities shown in note 5 on the proportion of time spent on each activity by staff

8. Governance costs

Governance costs are included within support costs (note 7) and comprise Staff costs Independent Examination Board expenses and training Legal advice - including in-kind support Governance support 9. Net expenditure for the year This is stated after the following Depreciation of tangible fixed assets Profit/(loss) on disposal of Fixed Assets Independent Examination Fees (excluding VAT) - Independent Examination - Other Services

Total Total 31.03.2025 31.03.2024 £ £ 17,221 17,355 2,718 2,720 333 248 6,060 49,903 2,177 4,917 28,509 75,143 Total Total 31.03.2025 31.03.2024 £ £ 2,030 1,045 (661) (538) 2,304 2,265 - -

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National Survivor User Network Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2025

10. Analysis of staff costs and the cost of key management personnel

The staff costs were Wages and Salaries Social Security Costs Pension Costs	Total Total 31.03.2025 31.03.2024 £ £ 418,482 344,494 38,055 32,103 19,264 15,609 475,801 392,206

In 2025 no employees received employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) for the reporting period over £60,000 (2024: none).

National Survivor User Network operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all eligible employees. Employer contributions are included in the SOFA within staff costs as an expense for the year total £19,264 (2024: £15,609).

The key management personnel of the charity comprise the Trustees and the CEO. The total amount paid, including Employers National Insurance and Pension, to the CEO was £59,624 (2024: £74,896).

No trustees received any payment for their services to the charity (2024: none). Two trustees received payment for professional services to the charity totalling £1,225 (2024: £2,050). Three trustees were reimbursed £398 for travel expenses (2024: none). There were no training costs for trustees (2024: £248)

11. Staff numbers

The average number of employees (headcount based on number of staff employed) during the year was 9.7 (2024: 9.7) with a full time equivalent of 8.0 (2024: 8.0).

12. Taxation

The Charity is a registered charity and is thus exempted from taxation of its income and gains falling within section 524 of the Income Tax Act 2007 to the extent that they are applied to its charitable objectives. No tax charge has arisen in the year.

13. Tangible Fixed Assets

Cost As at 1 April 2024 Additions Disposals As at 31 March 2025 Depreciation As at 1 April 2024 Charge for the year Disposals As at 31 March 2025 Net Book Value As at 31 March 2024 As at 31 March 2025	IT Equipment Total £ £ 6,335 6,335 3,530 3,530 (857) (857) 9,008 9,008 2,664 2,664 2,030 2,030 (196) (196) 4,498 4,498 3,671 3,671 4,511 4,511

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National Survivor User Network Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2025

14. Debtors

Trade debtors Prepayments Gift Aid Accrued Income All debtors relate to amounts owed within one year 15. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Trade creditors Lease Accrual Other Creditors- Social Security Accruals Grants payable Funds held on behalf of hosted project UFFC Deferred Income (note 16)	Total Total 31.03.2025 31.03.2024 £ £ 1,000 275 2,568 2,114 24 24 3,592 2,413 Total Total 31.03.2025 31.03.2024 £ £ 15,310 7,149 1,640 1,640 12,585 9,825 12,851 29,850 4,683 715 - 20,000 224,342 29,000 271,411 98,179

An accrual has been made for grants awarded under the Synergi grants programme of £4,683 by not yet paid at the year end (2024: Synergi grant programme £115 and North East Together grant £600).

Movement in recognised grant commitments during the year

Grant commitment recognised at the start of the year New Grant Commitments charged to the SoFA in year Grants paid during the year Amount of grant commitments recognised at year end	31.03.2025 31.03.2024 £ £ 715 9,000.00 276,735 8,293 (272,767) (16,578) 4,683 £ 715 £ Grant Commitments Accrued

16. Deferred Income

Balance at the start of the year Released in the year Deferred in the year Balance at year end	Total Total 31.03.2025 31.03.2024 £ £ 29,000 7,400 (29,000) (7,400) 224,342 29,000 224,342 £ 29,000 £

Income deferred relates to a grant from Trust for London which was paid in advance of the start date. Income in 2024/25 has been deferred in relation to agreed activities supporting Central North West London NHS Foundation Trust which had not been delivered at the year end.

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National Survivor User Network Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2025

17. Analysis of charitable funds

17a. Details of charitable funds held and movements during the current reporting period

Unrestricted Funds Restricted funds Blagrave Trust City Bridge Trust John Ellerman Foundation Synergi misery misery library misery medicine misery Unlimited North East Together NSUN Small Grants Programme Trust for London Trust for London - Disability Justice Fund Women's Environmental Network - misery Total Restricted Funds Total Funds National Lottery Community Fund- RC London

Fund balance brought forward Income Expenditure Fund balance at 01.04.2024 31.03.2025 £ £ £ £ 140,724 96,803 148,238 89,289 10,178 28,500 28,398 10,280 17,570 - 17,570 - 18,207 - 18,207 - 297,857 373,814 627,971 43,700 16,519 2,983 10,197 9,305 - 295 295 - - 5,000 3,898 1,102 - 40,000 21,199 18,801 19,810 2,241 8,857 13,194 (128) 161,772 118,899 42,745 794 10 - 804 - 58,000 22,500 35,500 - 56,500 23,871 32,629 4,280 1,000 4,280 1,000 385,087 730,115 906,142 209,060 525,811 826,918 1,054,381 298,349

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National Survivor User Network Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2025

17a. Details of charitable funds held and movements during the current reporting period (continued)

Restricted Fund	Purpose of fund
Blagrave Trust	Reimagining safety - three-year project seeking new, more liberatory
	approaches to young people’s safety and mental health.
City Bridge Trust	Building the resilience and sustainability of grassroots, lived experience led
	groups in London that work to support the mental health of those in their
	communities
John Ellerman Foundation	Funding towards core costs of NSUN
Lankelly Chase- Synergi	First year of a 3-year grant for the Synergi Project
misery, misery medicine and Women's Environmental Network - misery	Funds held towards the activities of the misery hosted project
misery library	Funds held towards the activities of the misery to create a library resource
misery Unlimited	Funds held towards the activities of the misery hosted project to create a
	cookbook
National Lottery Community Fund- RC London	Funding towards membership support and community constellations
North East Together	Funds held to support work in the North East
NSUN Small Grants Programme	Restricted donations for small grants
Trust for London	Funding towards Policy Officer and Policy work
Trust for London - Disability Justice Fund	Funding towards Policy Officer and Policy work
Women's Environmental Network - misery	Funds held towards the activities of the misery hosted project

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National Survivor User Network Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2025

17. Analysis of charitable funds (continued)

17b. Details of charitable funds held and movements during the previous reporting period

	Fund balance	Fund balance
		brought			Fund balance
		forward	Income	Expenditure	at
		01.04.2023			31.03.2024
		£	£	£	£
Unrestricted Funds		97,528	184,247	141,051	140,724
Restricted funds
2027 Project		-	28,500	18,322	10,178
John Ellerman Foundation		-	50,000	32,430	17,570
Lankelly Chase- Synergi		24,029	30,000	35,822	18,207
LGBT Futures		112,054	456,412	270,609	297,857
Mind Side by Side Fund		19,410	-	19,410	-
misery		14,849	24,001	19,040	19,810
National Lottery Community Fund- RC London		20,516	10,777	14,774	16,519
North East Together		-	15,000	15,000	-
NSUN Small Grants Programme		10,070	138,897	149,095	(128)
The Tudor Trust		699	94	0	793
The Tudor Trust- development grant		15,466	22,275	37,741	-
Trust for London		-	10,000	5,720	4,280
Total Restricted Funds		217,093	785,956	617,963	385,086
Total Funds		314,621	970,203	759,014	525,810
Restricted Fund	Purpose of fund
LGBT Futures	Funding for the misery herbal		walks programme
Mind- NSUN Side by Side Fund	Funding towards the costs of the NSUN Side-by-Side small grants fund
18. Analysis of net assets between funds
Fixed Assets	Unrestricted Funds £ 4,510		Restricted Funds £ -	Total Funds 31.03.2025 £ 4,510	Total Funds 31.03.2024 £ 3,670
Current Assets		106,763	458,485	565,248	620,319
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year		(21,987)	(249,425)	(271,412)	(98,180)
		89,286	209,060	298,346	525,809

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National Survivor User Network Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2025

19. Financial Instruments

At the Balance Sheet date the Charity held the following:

Financial Assets Measured at cost: Cash at bank Measured at amortised cost: Trade Debtors Prepayments Gift Aid Accrued Income Total Financial Assets Financial Liabilities Measured at amortised cost: Trade creditors Income in advance Lease Accrual Other Creditors- Social Security Accruals Grants payable Total Financial Liabilities	31.03.2025 31.03.2024 £ £ 561,657 617,906 1,000 275 2,568 2,115 24 24 565,249 620,320 15,310 7,149 224,342 - 1,640 1,640 12,585 9,825 12,851 29,850 4,683 715 271,411 49,179

20. Transactions with trustees and related parties

None of the trustees have been paid any renumeration or received any other benefits in relation to their role as Trustees with the charity (2024: none).

During the year no training and board development costs were paid (2024: £248 was paid for two Trustees).

During the year one Trustee (2024: one) received participation payments of £525 (2024: £300). This was at the same rate as other participants.

Payments totalling £700 (2024: £1,750) were paid to NSUN trustee Shuranjeet Takhar for their role on the Synergi Governance Board. These payments were made under a written agreement and agreed to be in the best interest of NSUN by the Trustee board.

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National Survivor User Network Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2025

21. Reconciliation of net income/(expenditure) to net cash flow from operating activities

----- Start of picture text -----
||||| |---|---|---|---| |Total|Total| |31.03.2025|31.03.2024| |£|£| |Net income for the reporting period ( as per the statement of financial activities)|(227,462)|211,190| |Adjustment for :| |Depreciation charges|2,030|1,234| |(Profit)/loss on disposal of equipment|661|-| |(Increase)/decrease in debtors|(1,180)|19,507| |Increase/(decrease) in creditors|173,232|44,925| |Net cash provided by operating activities|(52,719)|276,856| |22. Cash at bank and in hand| |Total|Total| |31.03.2025|31.03.2024| |£|£| |Cash at bank|540,951|597,610| |North East Together Account|16,800|17,256| |North East Together Cash|101|200| |Equals Money Prepaid Cards|3,303|2,685| |PayPal|502|155| |Total Cash|561,657|617,906| |23. Analysis of changes in net debt| |31.03.2024|Cash flows|31.03.2025| |£|£|£| |-|-|-| |Short and long term loan liabilities| |Total Liabilities|-|-|-| |Cash and cash equivalents|617,907|(56,249)|561,658| |Total net debt|617,907|(56,249)|561,658|

----- End of picture text -----

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National Survivor User Network Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2025

24. Analysis of Grants

NSUN North East Together Synergi Grant Fund Total Grants to Institutions	Total Total 31.03.2025 31.03.2024 £ £ 4,000 (950) - 6,600 272,735 2,643 276,735 8,293

In 2024/25 two grants of £2000 where given funded by Lankelly Knowledge Justice.

In 2022/23 NSUN awarded grants of between £500 and £1,000 to groups facilitating community spaces where people shared identities and experiences come together in support of one another's wellbeing. Grants were funded by Mind's Peerfest Project. In 2023/24 £950 was returned.

In 2024/25 36 grants of £5,000, 1 grant of £8,360 and 5 grants of £16,875 to groups led by Black people and people of colour with lived experience of mental ill-health, distress or trauma to take action on mental health and racial justice. In 2023/24 the Synergi Small Grants programme awarded grants totalling £2,643 to four groups.

In 2023/24 North East Together gave grants of £600 to 11 groups supporting mental health in the North East.

No grants were awarded to individuals

Reconciliation to Direct costs (Note 5) Grants to institutions- NSUN Grants to institutions- Synergi Small Grants Total Direct costs of NSUN Grants Direct cost of administration of funds (including Panel and Evaluation costs)	Total Total 31.03.2025 31.03.2024 £ £ 4,000 (950) 282,255 2,643 278,255 - 564,510 1,693

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National Survivor User Network Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2025

24. Analysis of Grants (continued)

Recipients of Intuitional grants Campaign for Phsychiatric Abolition Neuromancers Plushealth Total Recipients - NSUN Recipients of North East Together Autie Mates Contact Morpeth Mental Health Group County Durham and Darlington Mental Health Forum County Durham Peer Support Network Fungi Sea Days Connect and Flourish Together Gateshead Clubhouse Holding Hands North East CIC Newcastle Bipolar Self Help Group Teeside Eritrean Community Thrivers Tuesday Treckers Total Recipients of North East Together Grants

Total Total 31.03.2025 31.03.2024 £ £ 2,000 - 2,000 - - (950) 4,000 (950) Total Total 31.03.2025 31.03.2024 £ £ - 600 - 600 - 600 - 600 - 600 - 600 - 600 - 600 - 600 - 600 - 600 - 6,600

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National Survivor User Network Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2025

24. Analysis of Grants (continued)

Recipients of Synergi Grants Abolitionist Healing Collective Adiyah Collective Back A Yardd Be Active Recovery Group Black Men Rising Black Muslim Women Healing Collective Black Trans Foundation Bounce Black Bring British Families Home Collective Futurism Cradle Community Critical Youth Sound GEM Collective Global Copwatch Harehills Lane Action Team Heal Together CIC Holding Hands North East CIC Mcr Womxn Misery Muslim Social Justice Initative Nejma Collective NISABA Nottingham Nourishment Network CIC NUBIA Wellness Healing NW Out & Proud African LGBTI Our Naked Truth Radical Rhizomes Rafiki Community CIC Resistance Is Our Mother Tongue Serene Group Therapeutic Productions CIC The Advocacy Academy The Black Men’s Consortium The Delicate Mind The Muslim Voice The Nerve of My MS The Rights Collective Together in Unity Ubuntu - Liverpool's Black Wellbeing Collective United Families and Friends Voice Of Voiceless Immigration Detainees Yorkshire Wharf Radical Lending Library York Anti Racist Collective Other Total Recipients of Synergi Grants Total Grants to institutions

Total Total 31.03.2025 31.03.2024 £ £ 5,000 - 5,000 - 5,000 - 5,000 - 5,000 - 5,000 - 8,360 - 5,000 - 5,000 - 5,000 - 5,000 - 5,000 - 5,000 - 5,000 - 16,875 - 5,000 - 5,000 - 5,000 - 5,000 - 5,000 - 16,875 - 5,000 - 5,000 - 5,000 - 16,875 - 5,000 - 5,000 - 5,000 - 5,000 - 5,000 - 16,875 - 5,000 - 5,000 - 5,000 - 5,000 - 5,000 - 5,000 - 5,000 - 5,000 - 5,000 - 16,875 - 5,000 - - 100 - 2,643 272,735 2,743 276,735 8,393

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