## **Trustees' Annual Report For the year ended 31 March 2025** ## **Structure** The charity registered as a charity on 8th April 2011 Trustees for the financial year are listed on the previous page. Trustees are recruited by invitation, from local voluntary agency advertisements and from within our membership and are a mix of professional, volunteers and beneficiaries. We are keen to increase the number of beneficiary and volunteer Trustees. None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the charity and has no business interests linked to the charity. All trustees are members of the charity. ## **Governance and Management** The trustees all hold individual roles, including chair, treasurer and secretary and attend relevant training courses. Trustee discussions include the service's future plans and direction and overseeing all aspects of the running of the charity. The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that the systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the assessed risks. All trustees and staff have DBS disclosures and the charity has full liability cover. ## **Financial Review and Reserves Policy** The organisation regularly reviews its financial position and systems. The financial year showed an underspend on funds. The charity is confident in robust monitoring of its future financial and administrative business. ## **Achievements and performance of the charity** 1. Brainbox was awarded National Lottery Awards for All funding of £20,000 for the new Open Arms inclusion project which commenced in Northumberland in July 2024. 2. Brainbox undertook some new in depth and complex case work with new beneficiaries from Northumberland to Teesside which continued throughout the year. 3. Brainbox significantly developed its training programme, delivering to staff, trustees and volunteers. The sessions were also accessed by other community groups and local charities. We delivered sessions on topics including Safeguarding, GDPR, Digital Accessibility, Harassment and Bullying, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Staff also participated in external Suicide Prevention, LGBTQ+ and several Acquired Brain Injury training as well as attending local, regional and national conferences. This enhanced personal and professional development and the overall skills and knowledge of the charity as a whole. 4. Brainbox held its third annual Gala Ball in September 2024 which attracted new sponsorship and brought in considerable funds that made a direct difference to our beneficiaries. 5. Brainbox hosted the Community Foundation’s On The Table event, thus contributing to the joint Vital Signs Report, commissioned by the Community Foundation and Newcastle Building Society. The event considered all elements of community life in the North East. We were also represented at the Vital Signs 24 Regional Conference, sharing knowledge, experiences and ideas. ## **Trustees:** Chair: John McConville Secretary: Lynn Jones - resigned 31/10/2024 Treasurer: Jonnie Clarke Trustee: Graham Light Trustee : Lewis Bruin Page 2 ## **BRAINBOX** ## **Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2025** |**Receipts**
Grants
**4**
Donations
Just Giving/Paypal etc
Gift Aid
Fundraising
Sundries
**Total Receipts**
**Payments**
Salaries
Staff expenses
Travel Costs
Activity Costs
Office Expenses
Loan repayment
Equipment
Office equipment & refurbishment
Telephone
Volunteer Expenses
Insurance
Accounts/payroll
Fundraising Costs
Training
Sundries
**Total Payments**
Surplus / (deficit) for the year
Funds at 1 April 2024
**Funds at 31 March 2025**|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2025**|**Restricted**
**Total**
**Total**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**2025**
**2025**
**2024**| |---|---|---| ||34102
2487
1769
0
21297
161|**£**
**£**
56125
90227
63450
0
2487
1940
0
1769
1374
0
0
956
0
21297
12273
0
161| ||**59816**|**56125**
**115941**
**79993**| ||34143
0
235
2000
0
2500
0
3882
0
265
181
579
10335
400
0|42397
76540
80123
0
0
151
200
435
2248
876
2876
57
108
108
41
3000
5500
0
0
0
871
2492
6375
0
0
0
440
1031
1296
0
200
381
351
0
579
416
0
10335
7893
811
1211
375
0
0
2000| ||**54521**|**51114**
**105635**
**94966**| ||5296
3051|5011
10307
-14973
3139
6190
22222| ||**8347**|**8150**
**16497**
**7249**| Page 4 ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT** Report to the BRAINBOX trustees of On accounts for the Charity no 1141250 year ended[31st MARCH 2025] Set out on pages 4 to 6. Respective responsibilities of trustees and The trustees of the organisation are responsible for the preparation of accounts; they consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of examiner the Charities Act 2011 and that an Independent Examination is needed. It is my responsibility to · examine the accounts (under section 145 of the 2011 Act), · follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Act), and · state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting independent 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 examiner’s the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be statement required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts. Independent In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention examiner's statement 1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the trustees have not met the requirements to ensure that: - proper accounting records are kept (in accordance with section 41 of the Act); · accounts are prepared which agree with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Act; or - 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: David Belk Date: 24th January 2026 Name: David Belk F.C.I.S./M.A.A.T. Address: 4 Harton Lane South Shields NE34 0EF Page 3