Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01 April 2024 To 31 March 2025
Charity name: Bracknell Forest University of the Third Age
Charity registration number: 1153789
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The advancement of education and in particular the education of older people and those who are retired from full time work, by all means including associated activities conducive to learning and personal development, residing in Bracknell Forest and the surrounding locality. |
| 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 |
• Open meetings addressed by an outside speaker are held every six weeks, followed by a period for refreshments and social interaction. Special provision is made to welcome new members and those who may have a disability/additional needs. Hybrid meetings are held so that members who are able to get out and about are able to meet socially face to face, whilst members who are unable to attend are able to watch in the safety and comfort of their home on Zoom. • Over seventy Interest Groups have been established. Here members pursue a wide variety of subjects on a self-teaching basis ie: all members are both teachers and learners. Such Groups are of benefit not only in an educational sense, but socially too. Members are actively encouraged to start up new Interest Groups. Many of our Group Co-ordinators keep in contact with their members by email, WhatsApp, phone calls and Zoom. • We normally offer a range of outings and social events designed to promote both educational and social benefits. Taken together these activities help to combat loneliness and isolation for older members of the public. In particular we have 3 very popular |
| MOTO Groups for Members On Their Own to specifically address this problem and also CAMEO groups (Come and meet each other) for those who wish to undertake activities within a small group. |
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| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | These provisions show how the trustees have had regard to the requirement to provide a Public Benefit, as all activities are available to any person who chooses to become a member, provided they are no longer in full time employment. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
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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
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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 | We have continued to see a further increase in membership with now over 720 members who are able to enjoy a wide range of activities including holiday breaks and many outings ranging from places of interest to shows in the West End, together with walks, playing or listening to music, sports, art, photography and many, many others. Our interest groups are varied with over 100 volunteers, including our CAMEO for members on their own who prefer company for an activity, our 3 MOTO groups for members on their own, our very popular coffee mornings which are open to all members and a monthly luncheon event. We have also offered talks at our Open Meetings on topics from Ageing & Fitness, Nutrition for heart health and diabetes to Mysteries and Conundrums and Gilbert & Sullivan. We update our membership on scams which we hope are shared through word of mouth with the wider community. Our New Members Secretary encourages new members to participate in our activities such that they may introduce new ideas and hopefully new groups. Our application and renewal forms now ask about any disability/additional needs that they may wish to share with us. We also now have an Accessibility Officer and a personal risk assessment for discussion with those seeking support. Carers can attend with members for which no charge is made. Open meetings include a New Members Table and a meeting was held during the year to showcase what is on offer. We continue to maintain a close relationship with the local council, and invited the Mayor to an event; especially with the Public Health Directorate, Social Prescription and INVOLVE. There was a meeting with a PCSO for Bracknell to enable them to tell people about the u3a on their welfare visits, and we publicize our u3a in local shops, libraries, GP surgeries who sometimes contacted us regarding their patients for social interaction, and family members who point their parents towards our organisation. |
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Additional information (optional)
| You may choose to include further statements | You may choose to include further statements | where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Our finances continue to be strong as a result of the increase in membership |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | We hold reserves to cover • Three months cover for venue hire costs • Cash flow for five months before membership income is received • Possible need to purchase or renew equipment • Provision for set-up costs for new Interest Groups • Other contingencies |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £7000 |
| 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 | n/a |
Additional information (optional)
| Additional information (optional) | Additional information (optional) | 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 | Principal sources of funds arise from: • Membership subscriptions and Gift Aid arising from these • Charges to members for participating in social events and outings • Charges to members for participating in their chosen Interest Groups to cover for example, hire of suitable venues |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | We make no investments |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | Our main risk relates to falling membership numbers |
| Other |
| Additional information (optional) | Additional information (optional) | 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 | Principal sources of funds arise from: • Membership subscriptions and Gift Aid arising from these • Charges to members for participating in social events and outings • Charges to members for participating in their chosen Interest Groups to cover for example, hire of suitable venues |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | We make no investments |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | Our main risk relates to falling membership numbers |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
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|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Unincorporated members association, and member of the Third Age Trust |
| 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 | Elected by the membership at the AGM |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | We have a Policies and Procedures document held on our website and reviewed regularly. We follow the recommendations of the Third Age Trust on trustee selection and induction. |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | We liaise with other u3as in the Region through the Thames Valley u3a network. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | n/a |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Bracknell Forest u3a |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | Bracknell Forest University of the Third Age |
| Registered charity number | 1153789 |
| Charity’s principal address | 5 Bloomfield Drive Wick Hill Bracknell Berkshire RG12 2JW |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Goddard | Chair | |||
| Bruce Collins | Vice Chair | Until 11 July2024 | ||
| Carol Morgan | Vice Chair | From 11 July2024 | Membershipat AGM | |
| Janet Russell | Admin Secretary | Until 11 July2024 | ||
| Shelagh Richards | Admin Secretary | From 11 July2024 | Membershipat AGM | |
| Graham Clark | Treasurer | |||
| Anthony Bolt | Membership Secretary |
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| Stephen Richards | New Members Secretary |
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| Carol Morgan | Speakers Secretary | Until 11 July2024 | ||
| Laurayne Barber | Speakers Secretary | From 11 July2024 | Membershipat AGM | |
| Shelagh Richards | Minutes Secretary | Until 11 July2024 | ||
| Niccola Hood | Minutes Secretary | From 11 July2024 | Membershipat AGM | |
| Carol Clark | Groups Support Officer |
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| Jacqueline Young | Events Secretary | |||
| Dorothy Kirkham | Asst. Events Secretary |
From 11 July 2024 | Membership at AGM | |
| Vacant | PublicityOfficer | |||
– 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 none held in this capacity Name and objects of the none charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for none safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser
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 abov•. Signed on behalf of the charlty's trustaes Signature(s) rull namelg) Position {eG Secretary. Chair, etc) Robort William Goddard Shelagh Mary Richards Chair Admin Secretary Date 08 Ociober 2025 08 October 2025
Bracknell Forest U3A Income and Expenditure Account for year ending 31 March 2025 Charity Reg. No. 1153789 All figures in £, (brackets indicate negative) 2024- 25 Expenditure 2023-24 Income 7,992.00 Category Membership subscriptions PayPal commission on online memberships Gift Aid Bank Interest Commission Donations Membership Support NatÈonal Office Capitation Fee "Third Age Matters" Magazine Ad-Hoc Meetings Licences, Website & Beacon Support Thames Valley Network (TVN) Committee Expenses Training, Education Post, stationery, printing (ex. newsletter) Publicity Newsletter 'AGM Miscellaneous Purchase of Equipment Open Meetings Christmas Social Group Start-up Grants/losses Events, Outings Sub-totals Surplus forthe year Brought forward Year-end Total Less transfer to Reserves Funds Available for General Use Income Expenditure 8,879.50 196.55 , 167.08 1,376.20 108.19 1,363.03 108.11 454.82 23.50 549.93 2,608.00 1,871.12 148.83 943.74 29.25 126.00 513.35 2,420.00 1,692.72 131.16 1,001.94 87.75 108.30 0.00 5.00 76.06 551.47 11.75 41.08 788.26 1,728.37 413.82 96.20 5,121.30 15,301.73 k 181.25 538.67 33.06 45.84 171.00 239.00 10.80 1,370.94 379.69 55.99 3,343.08 12,086.62 60.70 4,528.10 15,578.511 276.78 12,691.29 12,968.071 (7,000.00) 5,968.07 3,248.00 , 12,973.641 887.02 ' 11,804.27 12,691.29 (5,000.00) 7,691.29 Balance Sheet ' Current Account Deposit Account , PayPal ! Locally Held Group Cash-in-hand Total Funds Accruals and Deferrals Group Funds in Bank ' Locally Held Group Cash-in-hand Reserves Funds Available for General Use 2024-25 1.912.85 13,508.86 260.65 2,854.12 18,536.48 | (2,105.27) (609.02) (2,854.12) (7,000.00) 5,968.07 2023-24 2,095.47 12,400.67 348.57 2,985.81 17,830.52 (1,916.94) (236.48) (2,985.81) (5,000.00) 7,691.29 For the purposes of these accounts, subscriptions paid for the year to 30 September have been treated as coterminous with the year to 31 March. 2. Movement of group funds Balances at year beginning Income Less expenditure Balances at year end 3,222.29 50,704.64 (50,463.79) 3,463.14 2,832.19 41,056.82 (40,666.72) 3,222.29 3. Gross Income Group Non-group Total 50,704.64 15,578.51 66,283.15 41,056.82 12,973.64 54,030.46 Graham Clark 06 July 2025 Re ort of the inde endent examiner I have examined the above income and expenditure account and balance sheet and confirm that they are in agreement with the books of account and explanations given to me. Steve Edwards 06 July 2025
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees Bracknell Forest u3a On accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 Charity no (if any) 1153789 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended 3110312025. 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 ("the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 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. Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records. I have no concems 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 accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: 0610712025 Name: S R Edwards Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: 62 Culver Lane Reading RG6 1DY IER Oct 2018