Making people's
lives better
The Equilibrium Foundation report
September 2024 - August 2025
EQUILIBRIUM
FOUNDATION

Contents
Introduction
Making people's lives better
Breakdown of sectors
How we made a difference
Epic ende8vours
Team charity days
Community support team
10
A look ahead
12
Objectives. activities and structure
13
Reference and administration details
14
Statement of trustees, responsibilities
14
Receipts and payments accounts
16
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
17

Introduction from
Sarah Warburton
This year has been a truly remarkable one for The Equilibrium
Foundation, defined by generosity, teamwork, and an
extraordinary level of support from our clients and colleagues.
Our Christmas Lunches raised a record £20,000, thanks to
client donations and the Equilibrium Foundation. The Toy
Appeal and The School Coat Charity benefited significantly
from this milestone, highlighting the incredible generosity of
our community.
We continue to be inspired by the enthusiasm and creativity of our team members.
From organising a team-led coffee morning in support of Macmillan. to rolling up
their sleeves for team charity volunteer days in the community, their commitment has
made a real difference. One of our client managers. Simon Lister and his childhood
friend Jon Massey, even swam the English Channel in 12 hours and 1 minute which is
truly inspiring.
Every pound raised helps us support the causes and communities that matter most.
None of this would be possible without the unwavering generosity of our clients,
the passion of our team, and the shared belief that together. we can create
meaningful change.
Sarah Warburton
Chair of the Equilibrium Foundation

Making
people's
lives better
£150,923
raised for good
causes this year
£1,281,842
raised since 2010
73
charity days were
taken by the team
Donations made to over
57 charities
10x£500
Over 40/
of our team giving through
Give As You Earn, securing
us Diamond Status again!
grants were given to local
charities as part of our
community support scheme

Breakdown
of sectors
16%
21%
14%
23%
Animal
Community
Mental health & wellbeing
Education
Poverty relief
Healthcare & research
Sports

How we made
a difference
This year, we were privileged to support 57 exceptional charities, each striving to bring about
positive change in our community. Here's a snapshot of the difference we've made together..
Championing Youth Potential
RISE UP is a youth employment charity built on lived
experience, bold leadership, and a steadfast belief th8t
every young person deserves the chance to achieve
independence and success. Their work focuses on
supporting 16-30-year-olds furthest from the labour
market, including care leavers, those facing mental
health challenges, and young people navigating
multiple disadvantages.
RISE
up
Roman Dibden, CEO of RISE UP, shared..
-This grant really means the world to us. It's not just the
money- it's knowing that someone believes in what
we're doing and wants to back us. With this support from
Equilibrium, we'll be able to reach more young people
and give them a proper shot at building something
better for themselves. We're buzzing to get started."
Unlocking Talent
Since 2021, The Equilibrium Foundation has
supported The Bursary Foundation, who
help talented children from underrepresented
backgrounds realise their potential.
The
Bursary
Foundation
.com
Beginning with their inaugural group of just
20 students in 2018, we are delighted to
support this inspiring initiative alongside
other sponsors. We are proud of the part
we've played in helping more pupils, who
might otherwise miss out, gain admission to
leading selective schools across Manchester,
Salford, Trafford and, more recently, London,
empowering them to thrive academically.

Caring for our elders
Our commitment extends to Friends of the Elderly, where our collective generosity has helped
reach older people living in difficult circumstances. These grants provide essential items and
comfort when it's needed most, improving living standards, enhancing wellbeing, and reducing
anxiety and isolation. For many, this support has been truly life-changing.
Yvonne Shearing, Fundraising Manager. said=
-The generosity of our supporters has enabled
us to reach older people living in challenging
circumstances, providing them with essentials
and offering them comfort at a time when
they needed it most. We know the grants
we distribute are improving living standards,
enhancing wellbeing and mental health and
reducing anxiety and isolation. For many. this
has been life changing. One recent grant
recipient told us.. 'It feels like 811 is not lost.
Friends
of the Elderly
Festive Giving
Our client Christmas lunches raised crucial funds for The Toy Appeal and The Sch¢>tsl
Coat Charity. with client donations matched by the Equilibrium Foundation. This year,
we raised £20,000.
The Toy Appeal provides toy sacks to underprivileged children in Manchester and
Cheshire, ensuring no child misses out on the joy of Christmas. Beyond financial
support. our team volunteered for a charity day, packing thousands of gifts for delivery
a truly rewarding experience that brings hope and happiness to local families.
Theschool Coal Charity
works to alleviate child
poverty by providing new
school coats to those most
in need. ensuring children
are warm and cared for
throughout the winter
months.
Together, these initiatives
highlight the tangible
impact of our collective
efforts, showing how
every contribution, from
volunteering to fundraising,
creates lasting change
across our community.
Iiiii
.7 14 i

Epic endeavours
supported byThe Equilibrium Foundation
Braving thechannel
One of our very own client managers, Simon Lister. and his childhood friend Jon Massey,
took on the swim of a lifetime to cross the English Channel. Their journey personified true
endurance and an unwavering resolve to never give up, even when faced with formidable
challenges. Through grit, determination and teamwork, they achieved their ambitious goal
and also shone a light on the importance of perseverance. Their efforts have not only inspired
others but also raised an incredible £12,000 for Andy Man'$ Club, helping to support men's
wellbeing in our community.
IANDysw¢IVJl
Stride by stride
After running his first marathon at the age of
74 less than four years ago. esteemed client of
Equilibrium, Peter Boulton, donned his trainers
once again to run the 2025 TCS London
Marathon to raise funds for a cause close to
his heart. The Christie. Peter's preparation
Was marked by unwavering determination
and despite the many hurdles in the lead up
to the big race day, he remained positive and
steadfast in his mindset. Peter ranked 46th in
the 75-79 age category and became a Guiness
World Record holder as one of 56,640
finishers on the day. Peter's endeavours raised
over £6,000.

Team charitydays
At Equilibrium, our unwavering dedication to giving back lies at the very core of our ethos.
We proudly underscore this commitment by granting every member of our team three paid
dÈys each year to volunteer, enabling them to champion causes close to their hearts and
create meaningful change for those in need. Whether team members chooseto support a
charity they have a personal connection with or join one of the team volunteer days led by our
passionate charity champions, every opportunTty is tailored to inspire real impact.
This inclusive policy not only nurtures individual engagement and strengthens our
community bonds. but also ensures that volunteering is truly accessible to all. By
empowering our people to invest their lime, talents and enthusiasm, we foster a genuine
sense of purpose and unity across the organisation.
Moreover. Equilibrium amplifies the difference made by donating £100 for each employee
who volunteers, reinforcing the positive outcome of their contributions. Over the past year,
we organised 16 volunteer days supporting 10 distinct charities. In total. we dedicated an
impressive 507 hours to voluntary service, dernonstrating the powerful ripple effect of
collective action.

Community
support scheme
Our community $upport ￿herne provides granlsof up to £500 10 charities based
In ihe North West every slx month$. Here are this year'swlnners...
Contact
Active Hope Ltd
Blackburn Blind Sports
Little Green Sock Project
Boaz Trust
Elite Community Hub
Toms Trust
Her Place Charitable Trust
Just Ice-Poynton
Mcr Mens Health CIC
Her Place Charitsble Trust
-The money donated will go towards supporting
families that access our community share hub,
that provides school uniform and baby supplies.
Our community share hub is expanding and we
are always in need of donations."
- Kate Blakemore.CEO
Manchester Men's Health
"This grant enables those that attend to have the chance to
develop their creative writing skills, by coming together each
week, with others at The Well Being Centre, Old Trafford,
Manchester and learning from published writers. The workshops
will be accessible to anyone, as the overall aim is to improve
health and well being. Manypeople will benefit froffl this grant.
Thank you so much.~
- Tonysheppard, Lead Prnclitioner
10

Elite Community Hub AUI" _
-we are incredibly grateful to the Equilibrlum
Foundation for their generous support.
Without organisations like them, we wouldn't
be able to create the lasting impact we strive
for. This grant will enable us to continue and
expand our boxing initiatives, equipping our
community with the skills and opportunities
they need for 8 brighter future.~
- Kallumwallbank. Project Manager

A lookahead
We look forward to commencing our partnership with The Centre for Social
Justice Foundation ICSJ Foundation) because it embodies a shared Commitment
to empowering grassroots organisations across the North West. The Equilibriurn
Foundation's strategy of supporting small, community-rooted charities
complements the CSJ Foundation's mission to tackle poverty at its source.
Together, we amplify the voices and impact of local groups, ensuring that their
real-world insights and achievements inform and influence national policymaking.
This approach is especially significant in Greater Manchester and the wider North
West, where our deep Ioc21 connections have demonstrated that small charities
are not only able to address immediate community needs, but also drive broader
social change. By backing these organisations, we help them deliver essential
services, foster long-term opportunities. and ultimately contribute to nation81
reform from the ground up.
12

Objectives and activities
The Equilibrium Foundation exists to make
people's lives better by supporting charitable
causes with a particular focus on the North
West of England.
We want to have the maximum possible
impact, so we mostly support new and
smaller charities (typically with incomes
of less than £100,000 a yearl. Grants are
normally between £2,000 and £10,000 and
we sometimes offer support foi more than
one year.
We support a wide range of organisations
with a particular emphasis on education and
disability charities and on helping people
experiencing all sorts of disadvantages to
have better opportunities for learning and
employrnent.
In supporting the activities of our fundraisers
and in making charitable donations, the
trustees have been mindful of the Charity
Commission's guidance on public benefit at
our trustee meetings.
The principal objective of the charity is to
promote and assist, through the provision
of grants and financial assistance, charitable
activities and other charitable organisations
which may be nominated by the staff
and clients of Equilibrium Financial
Planning LLP.
The trustees have complied with the duty in
Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have
due regard to the public benefit guidance
published by the Charity Commission.
Structure and governance
The governing document is a trust deed dated
8 June 2010. The charity is constituted a trust.
Trustees who are employed by Equilibrium
Financial Planning LLP 8re appointed or
reappointed on a five-year basis. External
trustees are appointed or reappointed every
three years.
charges or costs are paid by the charity as
all these are borne by Equilibrium Financial
Planning LLP.
An in-house finance team oversee the finances
for the trust and there is rninirnal risk of fraud.
Professional insurance is in place to mitigate
risks and provide indemnity cover for the
trustees, public liability cover and legal
expenses.
All trustees give their time voluntarily and do
not receive any remuneration or benefits. No
Financial review
Brief statement on the charity's policy reserves
It is the charity's policy that any balance held by The Foundation in excess of £3,000 (surplus
cash over and above any restricted donations or committed funds) is to be distributed. The
trustees will ask the staff of Equilibrium Financial Planning LLP to suggest suitable charitable
recipients.
Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees report
Signature(s):
Full name: Sarah Warburton
Posltlon: Chair
Date: 30 March 2026
13

Reference and
administration details
Charlty name: The Equilibrium Foundation
89iStorgd charity numbep. 1136933
Charity's principal address: Ascot House, Epsom Avenue, Handforth. Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 3DF
Accountants: Azets, Ship Canal House, 98 King St, Manchester M2 4WU
Auditors: Azets Audit Services, Fleet House, New Road. Lancaster LA11EZ
Trustee name
Off ice lif any)
Dates acted if not for
whole year
Name of person lor body) entitled
to appoint trustee lif any)
A Evans
D Jukes
C Lawson
B Rogers
S Warburton
Chair
Statement of trustees, responsibilities
We confirm that the following representations
are made on the basis of enquiries of
management and staff with relevant
knowledge and experience and, where
appropriate, of inspection of supporting
documentation, sufficient to satisfy ouiselves
that we can properly make each of the
following representations to you. in connection
with your examination of the charity's receipts
and payments account (the 'account'l and
a statement of assets and liabilities (the
'statement) as its annual statement of account
for the year ended 31 August 2025.
1. We acknowledge, as trustees our
collective responsibility under the Charities
Act 2011 for presenting the account and
staternent and confirm that we have approved
the account and statement for the year
ended 31 August 2025. We also acknowledge
our responsibility for making accurate
representations to you. All the accounting
records have been made available to you
for the purpose of your assignment 8nd 811
the transactions undertaken by the charity
have been properly reflected and recorded
in the accounting records. All other records
14

and related information, including minutes of
all trustee and management meetings. have
been made available to you.
control, or those employed by the charity
where the fraud could have a rnaterial effect
on the financial statements. No allegations of
such irregularities or breaches have come to
our notice.
2. We confirm that the charity is entitled to
prepare receipts and payments accounts and
is eligible for an independent examination
of its account and statement, and that there
are no circumstances which we should draw
to your attention which would invalidate this
eligibility. We acknowledge that the work
performed by you is substantially less in
scope than an audit performed in accordance
with International Standards on Auditing IU K
and Ire18nd).
7. We are unaware of any breaches or
possible breaches of statute, regulations,
contracts, agreements or the charity's
constitution which might result in the charity
suffering significant penalties or other loss. No
allegations of such irregularities or breaches
have come to our notice. We confirm
that the ch8rity has had no non-routine
communication with Charity Commission
during or since the period of which you are
unaware.
3. All grants, donation and other incoming
resources, the receipt of which is subject
to specifie terms or conditions, have been
8. We have reviewed the affairs of the charity
notified to you. There have been no breaches
and confirm that no income is subject to
of terms or conditions during the period in the income or capital gains tax. We have also
application of such incoming resources.
reviewed the VAT treatment in relation to
contractual services provided by the charity
and confirm that VAT has been correctly
accounted for.
4. The charity has satisfactory title
to all assets and there are no liens or
encumbrances on the charity's assets except
as disclosed to you.
g. The account and statement have been
prepared on the going concern basis as we
believe that adequate cash and resources
will be available to cover the charity's
requirements for working capital and capital
expenditure for at least the next twelve
months.
5. Other than those disclosed, the charity
has not entered into any transactions or has
balances outstanding involving trustees.
officers or other related parties, which
require disclosure under the law. If relevant,
appropriate disclosure has been made of the
control of the charity.
10. There have been no events since the
reporting date which necessitate revision
of the figures included in the account and
statement or inclusion of a note thereto.
Should further material events occur, which
may necessitate revision of the figures
included in the financial statements or
inclusion of a note thereto, we will advise you
accordingly.
6. We acknowledge our responsibility for the
design and implantation of internal controls
to prevent and detect errors or fraud, and
have disclosed to you the results of our
assessment of the risk that the account
and statement may be materially misstated
as a result of fraud. We are unaware of any
irregularities. including fraud and suspected
fraud, involving management, employees or
others who have significant roles in internal
15

Receipts and payments accounts
Forthe perlod from 01109124 to 31108125
Receipts and payments accounts
Unrestiicted
funds
Restiicted
funds
Endowment
funds
Total
funds
Last
year
to the nearest
to the nearest
to the nearest
to the nearest
to the nearest
Al Receipts
72,938
77,918
150,856
192,855
A2 Asset and
investment sales
Total recelplg
72.938
77.918
150.856
192.855
A3 Payments
8,441
119,064
127,505
173,883
A4 Asset and
investment purchases
Total paymenls
8.441
I19￿64
127￿05
173.883
Net of reCeipts(paym￿￿s)
64A97
23.351
18.972
A5 Transfers
between funds
A6 Cash funds18St
year end
Cash fund#thi8
year end
(75,728)
75,728
25,700
7,774
33,474
14,502
14A69
42,356
56,825
33A74
Statement of assets and liabilities atthe end ofthe period
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Endowment
funds
Categories
Details
ro the nearest £
to Ihe ne8resi É
ro the nearest E
Bl Cash funds
Cash at bank
14,469
42,356
B2 Other monetary assets
B3 Investment assets
B4 Assets retained for the
charity s own use
B5 Liabilities
Signed:
Name: Debbie Jukes
atv. 30 March 2026
16

Independent examiner's report
Report to the Irustsesl
members of
On accountsfor the
year ended
Charity no (if any)
Set out on page¥
The Equilibrium Foundation
31 August 2025
1136933
16
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.
It is my responsibility to..
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by
the Charity Commission (under section 14515)Ibl of the Charities Act,
and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Respective
responsibilities of
trustees and examiner
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. 8nd 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 preser)t 8 'true and f8ir' view and the report is
limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Basis of independent
examiner s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my
attention
1. 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
2. to which. in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to
enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Independent
examlner s statement
Slgned:
Name: Susanna Cassey
Dale: 21 May 2026
Relevant professional
quallfloailon(s) or body:
Chartered Accountant
Address
Azets Audit Services
Fleet House, New Road, Lancaster LA11EZ

,fy> EQUILIBRIUM
FOUNDATION
R•gist•r•d charity num￿￿. 1136933
Haad Offleo
Ascot House, Ep50m Avenue,
Handforth. Wilmslow.
Cheshire SK9 3DF
Chesterofflce
19a Tellord Court,
Chester Gates Business Park.
Chester CHI 6LT
0161486 2250
askus@equilibrium.¢o.uk
www.equilibrium.co.uk