2025-04-05-accounts - Springboard - Oldham Dementia Carers Group

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period 6[th] April 2024 to 5[th] April 2025

Charity name: Springboard – Oldham Dementia Carers Group

Charity registration number: 1156480

Objectives and Activities

Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	To relieve the needs of people and their families, friends and carers within the boundaries of the metropolitan borough of Oldham and its surrounding areas (the area of benefit), suffering from all types of dementia and its effects by the provision of emotional and practical support, advice, education and practical support, advice, education and by raising public awareness of the said conditions. To provide or assist in the provision of facilities and social activities for recreation and leisure time occupation of people suffering from all types of dementia and their families, friends and carers in the interests of social welfare with the object of improving their conditions of life.
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.	Springboard is an Oldham-based charity, set up for and by people with dementia and their carers. Members tend to be Oldham residents, although we do have attendees who travel from other areas. Over ten years ago, it was recognised that there was no opportunity for both carers and people with dementia to meet. The group was originally set up as a constituted group and then developed into a charity on 1st April 2014. The group was initially set up with six members, but in April 2012, in response to local demand, the doors opened at Downey House and Springboard was regularly full with 60 to 90 members attending weekly. This well illustrates that a support group for people living with dementia and their carers was and is hugely needed. The group welcomes all ages, but the majority of its members are aged 65+. Springboard meets face to face at Downey House in Royton on Thursdays and has also continued to maintain a 7 day helpline which offers a general query line and gives advice and support. The charity provides a fundamental and vital service within the Oldham community. Springboard is inclusive of all and encourages everyone never to forget the person behind the diagnosis – forgetfulness may be one associated symptom of dementia, but singing, dancing, walking and all areas of individual interests are endorsed, encouraged and supported. Springboard embodies the values of choice, dignity and respect and offers an environment where people feel safe. This enables people living with dementia to live well - to continue to engage in a lifestyle which promotes positive health and well-being and to retain or develop new skills and stay more independent for longer. The group charges an annual membership fee of £5 per member and an admission fee of £2 per visit and also relies on weekly donations for tea, coffee and cakes and a weekly raffle. Our usual fund-raising is done internally with members and this also returned to normal during this financial year. No-one involved in the running of the group receives any payment for their time and all volunteers give their time freely. Springboard has continued to provide advice, peer support, recreational, educational and leisure activities for people with dementia, their families and carers by holding face to face meetings. The environment is made welcoming throughthekindhearted, approachablevolunteers on hand.

Summary of the
purposes of the
charity as set out
in its governing
document

To relieve the needs of people and their families, friends and carers within the
boundaries of the metropolitan borough of Oldham and its surrounding areas
(the area of benefit), suffering from all types of dementia and its effects by the
provision of emotional and practical support, advice, education and practical
support, advice, education and by raising public awareness of the said
conditions. To provide or assist in the provision of facilities and social activities
for recreation and leisure time occupation of people suffering from all types of
dementia and their families, friends and carers in the interests of social welfare
with the object of improving their conditions of life.

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.

Springboard is an Oldham-based charity, set up for and by people with dementia
and their carers. Members tend to be Oldham residents, although we do have
attendees who travel from other areas.
Over ten years ago, it was recognised that there was no opportunity for both
carers and people with dementia to meet. The group was originally set up as a
constituted group and then developed into a charity on 1st April 2014. The
group was initially set up with six members, but in April 2012, in response to
local demand, the doors opened at Downey House and Springboard was
regularly full with 60 to 90 members attending weekly. This well illustrates that a
support group for people living with dementia and their carers was and is hugely
needed.
The group welcomes all ages, but the majority of its members are aged 65+.
Springboard meets face to face at Downey House in Royton on Thursdays and
has also continued to maintain a 7 day helpline which offers a general query line
and gives advice and support.
The charity provides a fundamental and vital service within the Oldham
community. Springboard is inclusive of all and encourages everyone never to
forget the person behind the diagnosis – forgetfulness may be one associated
symptom of dementia, but singing, dancing, walking and all areas of individual
interests are endorsed, encouraged and supported. Springboard embodies the
values of choice, dignity and respect and offers an environment where people
feel safe. This enables people living with dementia to live well - to continue to
engage in a lifestyle which promotes positive health and well-being and to retain
or develop new skills and stay more independent for longer.
The group charges an annual membership fee of £5 per member and an
admission fee of £2 per visit and also relies on weekly donations for tea, coffee
and cakes and a weekly raffle. Our usual fund-raising is done internally with
members and this also returned to normal during this financial year. No-one
involved in the running of the group receives any payment for their time and all
volunteers give their time freely.
Springboard has continued to provide advice, peer support, recreational,
educational and leisure activities for people with dementia, their families and
carers by holding face to face meetings. The environment is made welcoming
throughthekindhearted, approachablevolunteers on hand.

	Statement confirming trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	All Trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit and have taken this guidance into account when making any decision it is relevant to.

Additional information

Policy on grant making	Springboard does not make grants to any other individual, organisation or charity.
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Springboard currently holds no investments and holds the funds it has as reserves in interest-bearing cash accounts. Springboard keeps these funds in reserve as a contingency fund to allow it to continue to operate in the event that income stops or support we receive from other charities ceases. These funds could then be used to cover the cost of replacing this support for a period of time.
Contribution made by volunteers	Springboard is completely reliant on our volunteers. Without them, the group would not exist. We have no employees and all aspects of the running of the charity are covered by volunteers. During this financial year, our 5 volunteers have provided refreshments to members or sold raffle tickets at group meetings. In addition to these 5 volunteers all 4 Trustees / Committee members and 6 Committee members provide peer support and assist in the running of the Group. No individual has received any payment for any of their time.

Policy on grant
making

Springboard does not make grants to any other individual, organisation or
charity.

Policy on social
investment
including program
related investment

Springboard currently holds no investments and holds the funds it has as
reserves in interest-bearing cash accounts. Springboard keeps these funds in
reserve as a contingency fund to allow it to continue to operate in the event that
income stops or support we receive from other charities ceases. These funds
could then be used to cover the cost of replacing this support for a period of
time.

Contribution made
by volunteers

Springboard is completely reliant on our volunteers. Without them, the group
would not exist. We have no employees and all aspects of the running of the
charity are covered by volunteers. During this financial year, our 5 volunteers
have provided refreshments to members or sold raffle tickets at group meetings.
In addition to these 5 volunteers all 4 Trustees / Committee members and 6
Committee members provide peer support and assist in the running of the
Group. No individual has received any payment for any of their time.

Achievements and Performance

	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.	Key highlights during the year 6th April 2024 to 5th April 2025 were: Regular events; We continued to hold weekly face to face meetings We continued to use our extremely popular Whatsapp group where we exchange local information and also use as a powerful way of maintaining our peer support and moral support by messaging members – this remains a very popular means of communicating and continues to bring our members together. Some of the other regular activities each week were facilitated by staff from Age UK Oldham – who are an independent local charity that works in partnership with the Local Authority and NHS Oldham delivering services under contract. In the 2015/16 financial year, the group was fortunate to receive £5,000 via Oldham Council and Oldham Dementia Partnership. These monies have been classed as a restricted fund with these funds only to be spent on the setting up of new and additional support groups. These monies continued to be held for these purposes and the balance at the end of the 2024-25 financial year remains the same as last year, at £3,246.00 as we have not set up any new groups in the financial year.

Additional information (optional)

Achievements against objectives set	The Group has continued to provide a range of supporting activities for those diagnosed with a memory problem and their carers on a regular basis. We have returned to pre-Covid levels of engagement with members.
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	For the first complete financial year, Springboard has been able to raise funds via an annual membership fee and an entrance fee each time a member attends our face to face meetings. Our levels of income have been sustained and level of donations have increased but our expenditure has increased in line with additional expenses of meeting face to face, e.g. rent and refreshments costs.
Investment performance against objectives	Springboard – Oldham Dementia Carers Group does not intend to raise monies for investment and currently holds no investments.

Financial Review

Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	The charity’s financial position has improved since last year, with reserves increasing by £5,4194.61, a further increase in the growth experienced in 2023- 2024. This increase was due to donations from local Inner Wheel Charities, a legacy from the will of a late member and from donations made at the funerals of former members and local supporters. Our expenditure increased in line with expectations, with the one-of purchase of a projector our largest individual cost. We also experienced increases in almost all our area of expenditure due to the general increases in the cost of living, which we felt most through our rent, food, drink and transport costs.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Springboard currently holds no investments and holds the funds it has as reserves in a cash bank account. Springboard keeps these funds in reserve as a contingency fund to allow it to continue to operate in the event that income stops or support we receive from other charities ceases. These funds could then be used to cover the cost of replacing this support for a period of time.

Review of the
charity’s financial
position at the end
of the period

The charity’s financial position has improved since last year, with reserves
increasing by £5,4194.61, a further increase in the growth experienced in 2023-
2024. This increase was due to donations from local Inner Wheel Charities, a
legacy from the will of a late member and from donations made at the funerals of
former members and local supporters.
Our expenditure increased in line with expectations, with the one-of purchase of
a projector our largest individual cost. We also experienced increases in almost
all our area of expenditure due to the general increases in the cost of living,
which we felt most through our rent, food, drink and transport costs.

Statement
explaining the
policy for holding
reserves stating
why they are held

Springboard currently holds no investments and holds the funds it has as
reserves in a cash bank account. Springboard keeps these funds in reserve as
a contingency fund to allow it to continue to operate in the event that income
stops or support we receive from other charities ceases. These funds could then
be used to cover the cost of replacing this support for a period of time.

Amount of reserves held	We carry over reserves of £55,920.53 to the next financial year, with £3,246 of the reserves being restricted for use in the setting up and running of new groups in addition to the group running at Downey House in Royton.
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Not applicable
Details of funds materially in deficit	There are no funds materially in deficit.
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	At the time of producing this report, we are running our usual weekly face to face group meetings at Downey House in Royton and welcoming new members – predominantly referred to us from Pennine Care’s Memory Service. We are 100% certain that the charity is able to continue as a going concern due to our reserves policy, low overheads and prudent spending.
Additional information (optional)
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	The Charity does not use external professional fundraisers and does not contact the public for fundraising. Any funds generated are generally donated by current or former members and their carers and occasionally by members of the public who wish to fund raise for us – e.g. sponsored walks etc.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Springboard currently holds no investments and holds the funds it has as reserves in two cash accounts – a current account and a “savings” account. Springboard keeps these funds in reserve as a contingency fund to allow it to continue to operate in the event that income stops or support we receive from other charities and groups in providing activities ceases. These funds could then be used to cover the cost of replacing this support for a period of time. The Trustees and Committee reviewed this stance but and noted recent increases in interest-bearing instant access bank accounts. The Trustees and Committee agreed to move the bulk of the charity’s funds into an interest-bearing immediate access current account, where fund balances are at minimal or no risk of loss. Trustees will continue to take a very cautious view around investing donors funds.
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	The principal risks facing the charity are; a) Loss of support provided by Age UK Oldham. b) loss of committee members and Trustees. We are very fortunate to have such dedicated volunteers and Trustees and we hope we can continue to rely on their loyalty. We do not have many natural successors to these positions so, where necessary, we would have to look to use the excellent local support provided by Action Together Oldham to recruit to these positions. c) loss of premises. We are very fortunate that our landlords - St. Paul’s Parish Centre – Downey House. in Royton, where our main group meets, continue to be very flexible and supportive and maintain the premises to enable us to continue to use this venue as our base.

Structure, Governance and Management

Type of governing document	Association Model Constitution
How is the charity constituted?	Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Trustee selection methods including details of constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	There must be a minimum of three and maximum of twelve Trustees. At every annual general meeting, one-third of the charity trustees retire from office. If the number of charity trustees is not three or a multiple of three, then the number nearest to one-third retire from office. The charity trustees retire by rotation - those who have been longest in office since their last appointment or reappointment retire first. The vacancies are filled by the voting decision of the members at the annual general meeting.

Type of governing
document

Association Model Constitution

How is the charity
constituted?

Charitable Incorporated Organisation

Trustee selection
methods including
details of
constitutional
provisions e.g.
election to post or
name of any
person or body
entitled to appoint
one or more
trustees

There must be a minimum of three and maximum of twelve Trustees.
At every annual general meeting, one-third of the charity trustees retire from
office. If the number of charity trustees is not three or a multiple of three, then
the number nearest to one-third retire from office.
The charity trustees retire by rotation - those who have been longest in office
since their last appointment or reappointment retire first.
The vacancies are filled by the voting decision of the members at the annual
general meeting.

Additional information

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	All Trustees are sent annually and on appointment a copy of the Charity Commission document cc3 – The essential trustee – what you need to know and they confirm they have read and understand this document. Trustees have considered the following risks and have reviewed existing policies around them; Risk Management, Investment / Banking / Financial Controls, Safeguarding, Vulnerable Beneficiaries, Conflict of Interest, Volunteer Management, Complaints Handling, First Aid, Food Hygiene & Safety, Register of members and attendees, Disability requirements, Fire & Emergency, Accommodation suitability. These risks are reviewed at least annually. The Charity's processes around safeguarding incorporate joint working with the local council and health organisations.
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Springboard – Oldham Dementia Carers Group Governance Structure is comprised of 4 Trustees. Underneath the Trustees is an Operational Committee which includes the Trustees and also members of the Group. Representatives from Springboard – Oldham Dementia Carers Group sit on the Oldham Dementia Partnership and also The Oldham Dementia Action Alliance. The Group is also a member of DEEP – the National Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project and attends their meetings.
Relationship with any related parties	Springboard has no formal relationships with any related parties. We remain very grateful for the support we receive from Age UK Oldham, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, Oldham Libraries, Action Together, DEEP, Oldham Council and Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group and St Paul’s Parish Church.

Policies and
procedures
adopted for the
induction and
training of trustees

All Trustees are sent annually and on appointment a copy of the Charity
Commission document cc3 – The essential trustee – what you need to know and
they confirm they have read and understand this document.
Trustees have considered the following risks and have reviewed existing policies
around them; Risk Management, Investment / Banking / Financial Controls,
Safeguarding, Vulnerable Beneficiaries, Conflict of Interest, Volunteer
Management, Complaints Handling, First Aid, Food Hygiene & Safety, Register
of members and attendees, Disability requirements, Fire & Emergency,
Accommodation suitability. These risks are reviewed at least annually.
The Charity's processes around safeguarding incorporate joint working with the
local council and health organisations.

The charity’s
organisational
structure and any
wider network with
which the charity
works

Springboard – Oldham Dementia Carers Group Governance Structure is
comprised of 4 Trustees. Underneath the Trustees is an Operational Committee
which includes the Trustees and also members of the Group.
Representatives from Springboard – Oldham Dementia Carers Group sit on the
Oldham Dementia Partnership and also The Oldham Dementia Action Alliance.
The Group is also a member of DEEP – the National Dementia Engagement and
Empowerment Project and attends their meetings.

Relationship with
any related parties

Springboard has no formal relationships with any related parties. We remain
very grateful for the support we receive from Age UK Oldham, Pennine Care
NHS Foundation Trust, Oldham Libraries, Action Together, DEEP, Oldham
Council and Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group and St Paul’s Parish
Church.

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Springboard – Oldham Dementia Carers Group
Other name the charity uses	Springboard
Registered charity number	1156480
Charity’s principal address	c/o 25 Chiltern Drive Royton OLDHAM OL2 5TD

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any)
Paul Smithies	Chair	Elected by members of Springboard – Oldham Dementia Carers Group
John Charles Starkey	Treasurer	Elected by members of Springboard – Oldham Dementia Carers Group
Lesley Ann McCabe		Elected by members of Springboard – Oldham Dementia Carers Group
David Antony Mullin		Elected by members of Springboard – Oldham Dementia Carers Group

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name
n/a	n/a	n/a

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name	Dates acted if not for whole year
n/a	n/a	n/a
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity			n/a n/a n/a
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
n/a	n/a	n/a
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
n/a

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

n/a

Other optional information

n/a

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) mithies Paul Smithies John Charles Starkey Full name(s) Position (e.g. Secretary, Chair Treasurer Chair, etc) Date 29th December 2025

mithies tarkey

Springboard – Oldham Dementia Carers Group 1156480 CC16a Receipts andpayments accounts Period start date To Period end date 06/04/2024 05/04/2025 Section A Receipts and payments For the period from ~~—_————e~~
Total funds Last year Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
Opening Balance 47,255 3,246 - 50,501 45963 Donations 8,090 - - 8,090 4542 Deposits 5,574 - - 5,574 4955 Oldham Lottery 577 - - 577 320 Raffle 2,708 - - 2,708 2143 Membership fees 333 - - 333 376 Entrance fees 3,792 - - 3,792 3245 Paypal - - - - 60 Tea Money - - - - 18 Fundraising events 851 - - 851 560 Bank Interest 803 - - 803 807 69,982 3,246 - 73,228 62,990 *Sub total*(Gross income for AR) ~~8~~
- - - - - - - - - - Sub total - - - - - Total receipts 69,982 3,246 - 73,228 62,990 A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). ~~———~~
A3 Payments
Rent 4,187 - - 4,187 3356 Member entertainment 2,441 - - 2,441 2672.8 Refreshments 5,111 - - 5,111 2658.02 Coach hire 2,690 - - 2,690 2825 Equipment & Stationery 2,414 - - 2,414 630.72 Prizes 464 - - 464 346.21 Sub total 17,307 - - 17,307 12,489 ~~====_~~
- - - - - - - - - - Sub total - - - - - Total payments 17,307 - - 17,307 12,489 Net of receipts/(payments) 52,675 3,246 - 55,921 50,501 A5 Transfers between funds - - - - - A6 Cash funds last year end - - - - - Cash funds this year end 52,675 3,246 - 55,921 50,501 A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) ~~—————~~ ~~===>~~ ~~=>~~

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

Details Cash at Bank Cash held as float Details Details Details Amplifier and microphones Colour laser printer Projector Ipad Details Signature P Smithies J Starkey *Total cash funds* (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s))	Unrestricted funds	Unrestricted funds
	52,647	3,246
	27	-
	-	-
	52,675	3,246
	OK
	to nearest £ Unrestricted funds
	-	-
	-	-
	-	-
	-	-
	-	-
	-	-
	Fund to which asset belongs
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
	Fund to which asset belongs
		-
		-
		-
		-
	Fund to which liability relates
		-
		-
P Smithies	Paul Smithies(Chair)
J Starkey	John Starkey (Treasurer)

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examlnerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examinerfs Report R•port to th• tru•t•MI On cnts lor th• y••r d25 Chartty no (If •ftyl 1156480 dwty rtr Trt) fty Itr y•w mJJOS 'aoar RHpoMlbllltl•• and AJ fv thwity truths oftho Tru•( Y w• réwm'blo lor the yepafabon 2011 145 af 2011 Ad In cryry my examinatKm, I r S•Qkyi 1445Xb) of the Ind•pnd•nt I h•ve CcffiF4et my exarninatK)n. I c(xthn that no material matters have •xamln•rf• •tst•m•rt ccKne to my attent (cther than dAdos8d tdow") In COnnectn wth enatIon gNe• me cauw to hlieve that in. any material AL* ly Sfi•d: R•l•vant wofH•lonal quallflcatiorfs) or body (rf any): FCA (nNwnber aflh ICAEW) Addr•M: Octob•r 2018

Seclbon O¢tob•r 2018