# THE CHEER-UP SQUAD LTD. **TRUSTEES REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** **2 0 2 5** We Keep Smiles in Fashion **ANNUAL REPORT 2025 Table of Contents** ## **TABLE OF CONTENTS** About Us **2** Our Services **3** Impact **6** Testimonials **7** Facts and Figures **8** Looking Ahead **9** Financial Statements **10** fundraising@thecheerupsquad.org.uk The Cheer-Up Squad Limited Charity Number 1139859 **1** **ANNUAL REPORT 2025 About Us** ## **ABOUT US** **The Cheer-Up Squad** is a grassroots charity born from lived experience. After a founder’s child was hospitalised, they witnessed first-hand the emotional strain and isolation that families face, particularly those from underserved and minority communities. In response, a small support network was created to bring comfort and connection to patients and their families. Over time, this has grown into a wide-reaching initiative supporting children, families, and elderly individuals across London. Our mission is to restore **joy** , **dignity** , and **emotional relief** to those facing some of life’s most difficult circumstances. We support children living with chronic or life-limiting conditions, disabilities, or the effects of poverty, as well as frail elderly individuals experiencing conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s, many of whom live in profound isolation. At the heart of our work is a belief that emotional wellbeing is an essential part of healing. Through meaningful human connection, we help reduce loneliness, ease anxiety, and bring moments of light into otherwise challenging days. For families navigating illness, these moments provide not only comfort, but also renewed strength and resilience. Alongside emotional support, we recognise the importance of practical assistance. Many of the families we work with face complex challenges that extend beyond illness alone. We provide guidance by connecting them with other organisations that can offer support with food, housing, or mental health needs, and we assist parents in navigating benefits and entitlements, helping to ease the burden of systems that can often feel overwhelming during times of crisis. By combining compassion, creativity, and practical support, **The Cheer-Up Squad** continues to stand alongside families when they need it most, ensuring that no one feels alone in their journey. fundraising@thecheerupsquad.org.uk The Cheer-Up Squad Limited Charity Number 1139859 **2** **ANNUAL REPORT 2025** **Our Services** ## **OUR SERVICES** ## Bedside Visits & Personalised Engagement At the core of **The Cheer-Up Squad’s** work are our **bedside visits** , delivered consistently across hospitals, care homes, and private residences. This is the foundation of everything we do. Each visit is shaped around the individual. For children, our volunteers bring **toys** , **games** , and **activity packs** , alongside music, singing, and playful interactions, including **clown entertainment** where appropriate. For elderly individuals, visits often focus on **companionship** , **music** , **singing** , and **gentle activities** that provide comfort and human connection. No two visits are the same. Our approach is intentionally flexible, allowing us to respond to the needs, energy levels, and preferences of each person. For some, this may mean lively engagement and laughter; for others, it may simply be a calm presence and conversation. **Creative engagement** remains an important part of these visits. Where appropriate, we incorporate arts and crafts, storytelling, and hands-on activities, offering both enjoyment and a therapeutic outlet. This adaptability allows us to meet a wide range of needs while ensuring that every interaction feels personal and meaningful. ## Tech Connect (Enhanced Digital Library) Our **Tech Connect** service continues to provide vital access to digital tools for patients experiencing isolation. Through our lending library of **iPads** , **laptops** , and **DVDs** , individuals are able to stay connected with loved ones, access entertainment, and engage in creative or educational activities. This year, we strengthened this provision by replenishing our devices and introducing **Virtual Reality (VR)** . These immersive experiences offer patients a powerful form of escape, allowing them to explore new environments, relax, and momentarily step beyond the confines of illness or hospital settings. Use of VR is carefully managed, particularly for younger children, and is always delivered with **appropriate supervision** and **parental consent** . This ensures that experiences remain safe, ageappropriate, and beneficial for each individual. fundraising@thecheerupsquad.org.uk The Cheer-Up Squad Limited Charity Number 1139859 **3** **ANNUAL REPORT 2025 Our Services** ## Active Recovery Programmes such as **yoga** and **cricket** , exploring expansion of our work into **active recovery** and **physical wellbeing** . We introduced **Swimming for Recovery** , delivering weekly sessions Alongside this, our **Cycling for Recovery** programme has provided an inclusive, longer-term opportunity for children to build strength, coordination, and confidence. recovery. **----- Start of picture text -----**
Cheerful Meals (Food Support Programme)
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We continue to provide practical assistance to families facing financial hardship through our **Cheerful Meals programme** . This includes food vouchers that help ease immediate financial pressures and ensure access to nutritious, culturally appropriate food. For vulnerably housed individuals and families, we extend this support further by providing **essential items** such as bedding sets alongside **food assistance** . This holistic approach allows us to respond to urgent needs while maintaining dignity and stability for those in particularly challenging circumstances. **----- Start of picture text -----**
The Cheer-Up Squad Limited
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Charity Number 1139859 fundraising@thecheerupsquad.org.uk **4** **ANNUAL REPORT 2025 Our Services** ## Events & Community Engagement In addition to our regular services, we create opportunities for children and families to experience **joy beyond medical settings** . This year, we organised a **summer day trip** to the sea, offering children a chance to enjoy fresh air, play, and create positive memories outside of hospital environments. We also hosted our **Summer Fun Day** in August 2025, specifically designed for children undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment, bringing together families and volunteers for a day of shared activities, connection, and celebration. These experiences are invaluable in nurturing a sense of community and allowing children to simply enjoy being children. ## Organisational Development To support the continued growth of our services, we undertook an **office refurbishment** this year. This has strengthened our operational capacity and improved our ability to coordinate resources and deliver programmes effectively. ## Local Presence: Barnet Building on our established base in **Hackney** , where the majority of our services are delivered, we have continued to strengthen our presence in **Barnet** in the second year of our expansion into the borough. Supported by a dedicated part-time staff member, this has enabled more consistent and responsive delivery in the area. Through this **growing local base** , we have expanded our reach to support a wider group of beneficiaries, while building stronger relationships with local families, care providers, and community networks. Our continued presence in Barnet represents an important step in extending our services beyond our core area and making our support more accessible to new communities. fundraising@thecheerupsquad.org.uk The Cheer-Up Squad Limited Charity Number 1139859 **5** **ANNUAL REPORT 2025 Impact** ## **IMPACT** Our impact continues to be rooted in lived experience and shaped by the communities we serve. As a **grassroots organisation** , our work is informed directly by the needs of patients and families on the ground, allowing us to respond in ways that are both **practical** and **deeply personal** . We support any individual facing illness, **regardless of background** , **faith** , or **circumstance** . Through our visits, we bring together children and families from different faiths and backgrounds, creating shared moments that foster **community cohesion** , **inclusivity** , and **harmony** . In hospital settings, this helps build connection, understanding, and a sense of belonging among those going through similar challenges. Through consistent bedside engagement, we reduce isolation and ease anxiety, supporting emotional wellbeing during periods of illness. Our expansion into **active recovery** has further strengthened this impact, helping children rebuild **confidence** , **improve physical health** , and **reconnect socially** . Beyond individual outcomes, our work contributes to a wider sense of community support, ensuring that families facing illness do not feel alone and that **care extends beyond clinical settings** into everyday life. We remain committed to delivering support that is **responsive** , **inclusive** , and **grounded** in real experiences, ensuring that our services continue to evolve alongside the needs of those we serve. **Based on feedback from beneficiaries, families, and healthcare professionals:** **----- Start of picture text -----**
100% 98% 96% 95%
reported reduced experienced relief felt more positive reported improved
feelings of from boredom and motivated physical and
isolation during hospital during treatment mental wellbeing
stays
93% 90% 99%
experienced showed improved feeling supported
increased social communication by the community
interaction
The Cheer-Up Squad Limited Charity Number 1139859 fundraising@thecheerupsquad.org.uk
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## **ANNUAL REPORT 2025** **Testimonials** ## **TESTIMONIALS** "I can't thank you enough for the Cheer Up Day. My son's face lit up when the clowns arrived. **He hasn't laughed like that in months. Truly incredible.** " – L.M. " **Thanks for the books you sent.** My son was busy with it the whole day and I finally had a bit of quiet time!" -Sara The volunteers at the hospital gave us a muchneeded break. I was able to rest while my child enjoyed the crafts and toys. **Thank you, Cheer Up Squad!** " – N.G. “Thanks for sending a group to my uncle. **He was a different person after you left** ! Greatly appreciated!" -Josh **----- Start of picture text -----**
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“Thank you so much for the DVDs! **It was a major help!!! You can't even imagine!** ” – A. "Your guys are doing an excellent job. **I can tell on patients when The Cheer-Up Squad visited** — I notice that on those days **they respond far better to treatment** ." -Dr. H Busch, a doctor at Royal London Hospital “ **After your visit, he asked for food for the first time in days.** Seeing him smile and want to eat again meant everything to us.” They were absolutely wonderful. **My mum had a very difficult day and this was a ray of sunshine** .” “They were absolutely wonderful. "I just want to say a **big thank you to The CheerUp Squad** . **My mum had a very difficult day and this was a ray of sunshine** .” "The Cheer-Up Squad's **visits truly show that laughter** The Cheer-Up Squad Limited Charity Number 1139859 fundraising@thecheerupsquad.org.uk **7** ## **ANNUAL REPORT 2025** **Facts and Figures** ## **FACTS & FIGURES** **OVER 310 1,600** **visit days delivered** **days a week throughout the year of bedside visits volunteers engaged in service delivery** **6** **130** **OVER 85 20 140 14,000 Families children engaged digital supported Hygiene and in structured engagements through food beddings recovery through device vouchers and bundles programmes lending essential provisions** The Cheer-Up Squad Limited Charity Number 1139859 fundraising@thecheerupsquad.org.uk **8** **ANNUAL REPORT 2025 Looking Ahead** ## **LOOKING AHEAD** To support our increasing level of activity, we are also exploring the **acquisition of a dedicated vehicle** . With volunteers delivering **visits to multiple hospitals** in **various locations** almost daily, often carrying large volumes of equipment, activity materials, and supplies, this would significantly improve efficiency and reduce the physical demands on our team, as public transport has proven to be really difficult and time consuming. As we continue to grow, we are building on the strength of our core services while gradually extending our reach. Alongside our established work across London, **we have maintained a limited but meaningful presence** in areas such as **Essex** and **Manchester** . While still in the early stages, we are encouraged by the response and hopeful that, over time, we can strengthen and expand our delivery in these areas to reach more families in need. Looking ahead, our focus remains on **growing sustainably** while preserving the **personal** , **responsive** , and **community-rooted** approach that defines **The Cheer-Up Squad** . At the same time, we are working towards establishing a more **permanent and fully equipped office** in **Barnet** . This will provide a stronger operational base and enable us to coordinate our expanding programmes more effectively. Charity Number 1139859 fundraising@thecheerupsquad.org.uk The Cheer-Up Squad Limited **9** THE CHEER-UP SQUAD LTD. **UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025** We Keep Smiles in Fashion Th ANNUAL REPORT 2025 Chè*r-Up Finanttial Statementts Compiny wl•tr4tb)Th numbbi.. 0741951 L Charlty re01stra￿D￿ number.. 1119859 THE CHEER-UP SQUAD LIMITED TRVSTEES. 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