Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1[st] April 2024 Period start date To 31[st] March 2025 Period end date
Charity name: Oxfordshire Oesophageal and Stomach Organisation
Charity registration number: 1152733
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | We promote the treatment and care of persons suffering from oesophageal or stomach cancer and to provide support to those caring for such persons or who are affected by oesophageal or stomach cancer amongst their families or friends. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
(a) Listening services, support, advice (including 7day/week telephone line), education and information not normally provided by the statutory authorities. (b) Listening and other support to the family and friends of patients and to those who have been bereaved. (c) Host online zoom group support sessions, and regular local lunch gatherings. (d) Education in relation to these illnesses. (e) Facilitation of meetings between patients and their carers, family and friends with members of the clinical team involved in treatment. (f) Representation of the patient voice on medical committees and similar forums. (g) Raise awareness of the public in relation to stomach and oesophageal cancers including the provision of lectures, forums, websites, newsletters and other publicity and educational material. (h) Engage with a small group of volunteers to help with our Charitable activities, such as hosting events, supporting the website and representing |
| OOSO on clinical trial boards and research projects |
||
|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | Trustees are fully aware and compliant with regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers Other
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | Because we are a mix of surviving ex- cancer patients, family to previous sufferers, and medical clinicians, we offer a range of support, reassurance and advice to those at different stages of their illness, treatment and recovery. We continue to work, as in previous years, closely with the Churchill Hospital Upper GI clinical team in Oxford to ensure our support services are complimentary and appropriate. During 2024/25 we maintained an active network supporting newly diagnosed patients through their treatment and into recovery. We continue to receive steady numbers of telephone conversations and online 1:1 |
zoom chats, and have established regular social lunchtime events around the county. Our communications include ongoing fortnightly e-newsletter keeping all of our contacts informed of what we were doing, inviting engagement, voluntary support and feedback. Our regular 6-weekly zoom group sessions are very popular, inviting panels of clinician experts and patients to share knowledge and experiences. Our attendee list has steadily grown with up to c.200 people invited to join in. During the year, we estimate we had contact by telephone with approximately 110 patients and their family members, plus over 600 patients, carers and clinicians via our zoom sessions. We have been further developing our new website, produced and designed by former patients, with input from clinicians. All the content has been reviewed by third parties with direct experience of these cancers, and is deemed to be current and up to date. We are receiving visitors from all over the world who credit and value the information we share with patients. Funds are raised through donations and events and ringfenced for running costs and towards specialised equipment identified by the clinical team. We have further reduced our running costs by utilising the help and skills of our volunteers. We have no paid members of staff and only pay expenses in exceptional circumstances. Our running costs are kept to an absolute minimum. In addition, this year we have input to and supported several clinical research projects, assisting with bids for funds and commenting as patients on trial management boards.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Our measures of success include (1) offering support to 100% of patients and carers contacting us (yes) (2) supporting projects and initiatives led by the Churchill Hospital (yes) (3) receiving 95% positive |
|---|---|---|
| feedback (100%) (4) maintain a steadily growing newsletter circulation list (yes), (5) increasing numbers visiting our website (yes) and (6) raising sufficient funds to maintain the charity (yes) We continue to be most proud to have achieved our core patient and carer focussed objectives, by meeting or corresponding with, and supporting all those that have contacted us or those we have proactively met online. It is vital that we maintain strong links with patients so that we can support them. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Due to increasing costs of living we believe this has marginally impacted the numbers and monitory values of donations to us, hence our income this year has been a little less than in previous years. We do not actively seek donations in the same way other charities might do, we rely on people’s own generosity and will to donate to our charity. Because we are volunteers and our overheads are low, we can operate and achieve our primary goals without needing to ask for donations. People give generously when they can. |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | We met our investment objectives by purchasing various bits of kit for the UGI ward and the Dietitians team at the Churchill hospital, for example bespoke adjustable bed-chairs, and food blenders to be given free to patients who cannot afford them. This year we spent more on our charitable donations to the hospital than income received through our activities. We – the Trustees expected this, from purchases made outstanding from previous years, effectively catching up on what we had planned to spend. |
| Other | ||
| Financial Review | ||
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Our closing balance on 31 March 2025 was £75,987 |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Trustees agree that we aim to maintain a reserve balance of £30,000. This is to ensure that if we (1) suffer a period of reduced fund raising, we are able to sustain the charity for a period of up to 6 years, and (2) if required, cover the costs of unforeseen expenses that might arise in extraordinary circumstances |
|---|---|---|
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £30,000 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | n/a |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | n/a |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | none |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | Funds are raised principally through private donations and fundraising events, such as plant sales, our annual BBQ, sponsored walks, cycle events, sky dives and runs |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Organisation |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | CIO |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Appointed on 1, 2 and 3 year cycle |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction Para 1.51 and training of trustees The charity’s organisational structure and any wider Para 1.51 network with which the charity works Relationship with any related Para 1.51 parties Other
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Oxfordshire Oesophageal and Stomach Organisation |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1152733 |
| Charity’s principal address | Walled Cottage Thame Road Great Milton OX44 7NU |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity at the time of making this report
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicholas David Maynard |
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| Anne-Margrethe Phillips |
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| Matthew Carter | Contact & Chair | |||
| Ann Dennis | ||||
| Richard Owen | ||||
| Liz Ward | ||||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets n/a held in this capacity
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of adviser Name Address |
||
| Accountant | Brian Molyneux | TaxAssist, 2a Cope Road, Banbury, Oxon, OX16 2EH |
| Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) | ||
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Full name(s) MR MATTHEW CARTER Position (eg Secretary, TRUSTEE Chair, etc) ~~—_——~~ Date 09/12/25 ~~Pp~~
Charity No. 1152733 OXFORDSHIRE OESOPHAGEAL AND STOMACH ORGANISATION STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31 March Z025
OXFORDSHIRE QESOPHAGEAL AND STOMACH ORGANISATION RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT For the Year Ended 315t March 2025 2025 2024 RECEIPTS". Giant5 Donations and fundraisin8 Gift aid Totsl Recelpts 12.341 833 12,064 1,298 13,174 13,361 PAYMENTS: Donations to hospital Promotr'onal events Accountancy fees Insurance Subscripiions and fees Postage ond Ststionery Advertisin8 and website maintenance Sundry admin costs Total Payrnent5 4,552 3,701 894 14,047 4,995 894 118 1,042 213 1,526 157 833 171 111,1551 122,8351 NET RECEIPTSIIPAYMENTSI 2,019 19,4741 assets blf 73,968 85,827 Oeposit account monies rèimbursed to J. Beaumont Petty Cash top up 12,3851 Total Bank Account balances as at end of year 75,987 73,968
OXFORDSHIRE OESOPHAGEAL AND STOMACH ORGANISATrON STATEMENT OF MOVEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIE5 AT 31 MARCH 2025 2025 2024 MONETARY ASSETS: 8ank Current Account Bank Deposit account Petty cash float Total Cash 75,938 73,919 ioi 76,039 49 73,968 OTHER ASSETS Capital Equipment Debtors Ooficit b/f 3,814 3,814 LIABILITIES Other Credltors 1521 1521 The accounts were approved by the Trustees on ............, ...................... Ann Dennls Anne-Mar8rethe Phillips Mart Carter Nicholas Maynard hard Owen Liz Ward
Independent examinerfs report on the accounts R•port to the tru$teesl members of OXFORDSHIRE OESOPHAGEAL AND STOMACH ORGANISATION On accounts lorthe year entl8d Charlty no lif any) 31 March 2025 1152733 Set out on pages RPeCtiVe m8ponslbllltits oi The charity's tru51ee$ are responslble lor the preparation of the accounts. The ¢*arrty'$ trustees and exgmlner trustees conskler that an audit is not required fLY this year undei Section 144 of the Chantios 2011 Ilhe Charities Acll and Ih818n Indepen(Jent examinalion Is needed. It is our responsibility to. eK?rnine th• accounts under section 145 of tho Charits'•s Ad, to follow the procedures laid down in oeneral Directions 9lven by the CharSty Comrnission lunder seclian 14515llt)l of the Chantie$ Act. an 10 8tstè %thtlhÉr particular matter5 have cfjmé to our attÈntlon. Basis of Indeptndent examlneT'8 Statoment Our examination was carried out In accordance wlh general Directions given by the Chanly Commlsslon. An examination Includes a VIeW01 the accounting records kept by the chanly and a comparison of the afxounls presented wlh those records It al80 In&LO88 con8iderallon ol any unusual ilems or ¢is¢loSu$ In the acxounl$. and se&king explanèlions Irorn the Iruslees concerning any Buch rnaiiers The procedure5 und•rtaken do not provide all th evidence that would be rèquired In an aud1t, and consequently no opinion Is given as lo whether Ihe accounts pr•s•ni a 'iru• and fair, vièw and the port Is Iimrted to those maller8 set oth In the statement b•low. Independent examlngrf8 statomont In connecllon wlth our examination, no matter has come to our 3tt8ntson 1 whith gives Us reaaonable cau58 to bElieve that In. any matedal SPeci, the fequiremenl$' to ke•p accounting records In accordance wlh section 130 of the Chanties Act, lo prepare account5 Ithich acccrrl wth the ac¢ounllng records and comply wlh the accounting requirements of the Charitie5 Act hav8 not been met. or 2. tovthich. In our opinion, attentlon should be drawn in order io enable a propar under¥ianding of the Bcccunt5 tc bB ieaGhed. Slgned.. Date.. 13-May-25 Name.. TaxAssi$l Ac¢ounl8nis Addr•ss'. 2A Cope Road Banbury