2025-03-31-accounts - Durham Pride UK

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Durham Pride UK Annual Report 2024/2025

Headings

1. Legal and administrative information.

2. Trustees report.

3. Structure, governance and management.

4. Background and history.

5. Our mission statements.

6. Our values.

7. Purpose aims and objectives.

8. Review of the reporting year and activities.

9. Plans and priorities for the future.

10. Financial review and independent examination report.

11. Statement regarding the responsibility of trustees. 12. The Chairs report.

1. LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Durham Pride UK is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. The registration number is 1159910.

This report will consider our Durham Pride UK activities and important administrative information from April 2024 up until the financial year ends to 31 March 2025.

Trustees

Mel Metcalf - Tracy Reeves - Daniel Wilkes - Joanne Metcalf

Public Benefit Statement

The Trustees consider that they have complied with their duty in Section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.

Day to Day Responsibility

The Chair of the charity has delegated full day-to-day responsibility.

The Principal Office of Durham Pride UK

Rainbow Office St Aidan’s College Windmill Hill Durham DH1 3LJ

Relevant Organisations

Banking - Unity Trust Bank Plc Nine Brindley Place Birmingham B1 2HB

2. TRUSTEES REPORT

The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statement of Durham Pride UK for the year ending 31 March 2025.

The provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) were issued in March 2005. The Trustees confirm that the annual report and financial statements of the charity comply with the current statutory 3 requirement, the requirement of the charity’s governing document.

3. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Constitution: The Charity is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales and is managed and administered in accordance with the charity’s constitution by the Trustees duly adopted on the 15th of January 2015.

Appointment of charity Trustees: In selecting individuals for appointments as charity Trustees, the charity Trustees always have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO.

Policies: Are adopted for the induction and training of Durham Pride UK trustees

who have access to the National Council for Voluntary Organisation (NCVO) and Charity Commission websites and

Trustees are encouraged to review documents around ‘good governance’ as well as other learning opportunities both internal and external to ensure they have the knowledge, experience and skills expected of their role.

Decision making : Durham Pride UK is administered by a board of Trustees who meet quarterly. Delegated authority within the constitutional governing document is given for the day-to-day decisions and general operations, including all and any financial transactions to be authorised by the chair of the charity.

Risk management: The major risks facing the charity have been reviewed and systems or procedures have been established to manage those risks which include the task of monitoring the charity’s financial control systems.

4. BACKGROUND AND HISTORY

Durham Pride UK was founded back in 2014 by Mel Metcalf who had started asking why our beautiful County Durham wasn’t celebrating and raising awareness for more LGBT+ equality and diversity through a Pride event. Mel formed an events committee with support from Dr Jamie Lawson and Dr Susan Frenk, Principal St Aidan’s College at Durham University.

Mel held Pride meetings and was told he couldn’t do it by some, that it would only be another student event by others and that there wouldn’t be any interest by many. Less than 6 months later the first Pride happened on a lovely sunny Thursday evening with an estimated audience of 500 and a magnificent mix of people. So, he did it and a wonderful LGBT+ community and its many fabulously supportive friends, families and allies came together to celebrate diversity and put County Durham and Darlington on the LGBT+ map.

5. OUR MISSION STATEMENT

‘Working in partnership to celebrate diversity and promote equality for LGBT+ people, their friends, families and allies living and working in Co Durham and Darlington’.

6. OUR VALUES

Values are important to us:

We will work for LGBT+ to feel safe - everyone deserves the right to feel safe and not live-in fear just because of whom they are and how they identify.

We will work and campaign to raise awareness of LGBT+ issues and difficulties living in County Durham and Darlington - helping agencies understand and recognise the needs of the LGBT+ community.

We will work to provide professional high-quality LGBT+ advice and guidance that meet the needs of our members.

We will work to empower the LGBT+ community and always put them at the

centre of what we do, going that extra mile to achieve our aims.

We will always respect and acknowledge all people are individuals and recognise everyone’s unique qualities, abilities and experiences and we will strive to pursue equality in everything we do.

We will always believe and be proud of what we can achieve by providing outstanding services to our members, stakeholders and agencies. These are the values that inspire us to support the LGBT+ community to the best of our ability.

Durham Pride Trustees and supporters give hope, courage and determination to many and we will campaign to raise awareness and improve LGBT+ experiences for individuals and families in County Durham.

These are the values that will make a difference by offering new and creative platforms of reporting, learning and training to eliminate all forms of LGBT+ related discrimination, reducing incidents of same sex domestic/sexual violence and abuse and tackling the destructive effects of Hate Crime for victims.

7. PURPOSE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To promote equality and diversity for the public benefit and in particular the elimination of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity of those living in County Durham and Darlington and the surrounding areas but not exclusively by:

a) Raising awareness and educating the public about the issues and difficulties affecting the lives of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT+) people.
b) Cultivating a sentiment in favour of equality and diversity through celebrating the diversity of the LGBT+ community.
c) Staging an annual LGBT+ festival and smaller events, including regular social events for the LGBT+ community and allies in a safe environment throughout the year.
d) To preserve and protect the health of LGBT+ people in County Durham and Darlington, but not exclusively those living with HIV and aids by the provision of information and support.

We review our aims, objectives and what we do each year. This review looks at what we have achieved and the outcomes of our work in the previous year. The review evaluates the success of the projects we have provided and the benefits they have brought to the people or services we have supported.

The review also helps us to ensure that our aims, objectives and projects remain focused on our stated purposes. We have referred to guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and when planning our future project delivery. In particular, the Trustees consider how planned projects will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.

Our focus for the year continued to be the promotion of services available to

LGBT+ in County Durham and Darlington. We continued providing and enhancing emergency safe spaces for victims of same sex violence and abuse, a community helpline for victims of hate crime, IDVA/ISVA outreach support, training around same sex domestic/sexual violence and abuse and hate crime awareness. We delivered a large range of Pride related events across County Durham and Darlington.

The strategies we used included promoting the need of services which are reflective of relevant quality standards, we challenged services to deliver on issues relating to LGBT+, we focused upon raising awareness of LGBT+ in the wider community and we provided specialist training to frontline agencies.

Our funding limits the projects we can provide but we continue to support who we can and that is prioritised according to the risk and needs of those seeking help.

All our services are provided free. Durham Pride UK is a fully inclusive charity and equal access to all our projects is an important principle to us. We believe that equal access to our projects and events is vital to our success and will only charge a minimum to cover event costs. The main areas of our charitable activity remain LGBT+ advice and information with the provision of a helpline, a safe space for victims, 1-1 specialist support, specialised training around same sex domestic violence, LGBT+ awareness and combatting Hate Crime.

8. REVIEW OF THE REPORTING YEAR AND ACTIVITIES

This was a significant year for the charity and our chair who received a BEM in recognition of his work for victims of same sex domestic and sexual violence. We continue to promote LGBT+ awareness.

Durham is gaining recognition for fostering an inclusive, diverse, and welcoming atmosphere that promotes LGBT+ equality. Charities and frontline agencies that partner with us remain active in the NEERA network project.

This year, Durham Pride UK provided specialist training to various front-line agencies about same-sex domestic violence, increasing awareness of LGBT+ issues such as same-sex rape, sexual violence, and LGBT+ sex work. We participated in LGBT History Month and World Holocaust Memorial Day. Durham Pride is involved with the Durham FA Inclusion Advisory Group and the CPS hate crime scrutiny panel. Our organisation is also a member of both the National Council for Voluntary Organisations and the National LGBT Consortium.

We are the largest ‘by and for’ LGBT+ charity serving County Durham, dedicated to supporting an estimated 25,000 individuals through the establishment of Durham Pride’s Rainbow Alliance. This strategic group is focused on evaluating and enhancing services for LGBT+ communities within County Durham and the broader Northeast region.

Durham Pride's social media now has over 15,000 followers, with TV and radio appearances reaching more than 2 million people. We keep LGBT+ issues prominent locally and maintain a website focused on community information.

9. PLANS AND PRIORITIES FOR THE FUTURE

Durham Pride UK plans and priorities for the coming year.

a) Continue to manage and embed the Rainbow Alliance.
b) We will endeavor to secure funding and will seek further opportunities to develop and deliver innovative projects.

c) Durham Pride Trustees and members will continue to live with the charities’ values and strive to meet its objectives.

d) Improve multi-agency work around same sex domestic/sexual violence and abuse utilising joint working ensuring the best service is available to all our LGBT+ community.
e) Promote and invest in training, developing relationships with external agencies. Value everyone’s contribution and what they achieve for LGBT+ through our Rainbow Alliance project.
f) We will promote our charity as the leading promoter of LGBT+ services in County Durham and involve our members and stakeholders in reviewing what we deliver.
g) Campaign and raise awareness of hate crime in all its forms highlighting the devastating impact it has on victims particularly within our LGBT+ community.

10. FINANCIAL REVIEW

Durham Pride UK will continue to look for funding to celebrate Pride and will seek further opportunities to develop and deliver new and innovative projects for the benefit of LGBT+. We will continue to work with other agencies ensuring the best service is available to all our members and stakeholders.

a) Reserve’s Policy – The Trustees of Durham Pride UK have considered the charity commission recommendations in respect of holding funds for general use to meet any shortfall in funding and are reflected in this financial statement.
b) Risk Assessment – The Trustees of Durham Pride UK have considered whether there are any risks to which the charity is exposed as of 31 January 2026. It is the opinion of the Trustees that there is no significant or material risk to which Durham Pride UK is exposed.

11. STATEMENT TO THE RESPONSIBILITY OF TRUSTEES

All the Trustees are aware of their responsibility (Charities Act 1992 and 1993 and subsequent amendments) collectively to keep proper accounting records, to ensure that at any time a statement can be produced showing the up-to-date position of the charity in respect of income and expenditure, assets and liabilities and to produce a set of annual accounts according to the Reporting and Accounting Statement of the Recommended Practice 2005.

Trustees confirm that suitable policies are selected, and they have been applied consistently, have observed the methods of principles in the Charities SORP, have made judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent and prepared the financial statements on the going-concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

12. CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

Each year I am very happy to report that Durham Pride continues to grow, and I would just like to thank everyone who has made it the success it is today. I was honored to receive the British Empire Medal from the King and would like to dedicate it to all the amazing volunteers who give their time and considerable skills to our charity. We could not have achieved as much without the help of so many from our proud LGBT+ community or indeed the exceptional allies to our cause. Every year we face fresh challenges and next year will be no different, but I am sure we will overcome them and continue our mission to combat hate crime and make Durham a truly inclusive and welcoming environment for all LGBT+ people.

THIS REPORT WAS APPROVED BY THE TRUSTEES ON 31 JAN 2026 AND SIGNED ON THEIR BEHALF BY:

MJ Metcalf

Melvin J. Metcalf

BEM

CHAIR

31 January 2026

ACCOUNTS PAGES 8 and 9 of this report.

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLANO ANO WALES tk4rharn Prlde UK 1159910 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period from 01.04.2024 To 31.03.2025 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Tolal funds Last 10 th nar•st to the nearest £ to the nearest£ to the nearest£ A1 Receipts Donationslsponsors National Lottgry Comrnunity Fund Contributionslothar Pitch fees S1.110 S1,110 12.500 48.713 4.704 48,000 25.000 42.174 12.500 48.713 4.704 Sub total (Gross income for AR) 104,527 11500 117.027 117.728 A2 Asset and investrnent 5ale5. (see table). Sub total 104.527 12.500 117,027 117.728 A3Pa ents Outreach Pride Volunteer NEERA Projèct 21,800 78.400 3.600 21.800 78.400 3.600 12.500 12.500 Sub total 103.800 11500 116.300 A4 Asset and investment urchases. see table Sub total 103.800 12,500 116.300 Net ofrecwpW(paymentsJ A5 Transfers between funds Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 727 727 117,728 727 727 117.728 CCXX R1 accounts ISSI 31.01.2026 Figure I

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted fund$ Restricted funds Endowment funds Categories Delails nearest £ to nearest£ b) nearest£ B1 Cash funds At bank and in hand 727 Total cash fiinds 727 (aoree banWIth we[<aTrd FoyMt6 XCCW4(sll Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Details nearest £ to nearest£ to nearest £ Fund to which set bek Current vlu Details Co%t loptionall Fund to which asset belo DPUK Details Safo Spac& 1 Cosi {optionall Current value tional Safe Space 2 DPUK Fund to which rlatès Arnount due When due tlonal Details R¢nVStorage 85 Liabilities CUK &'gned by on? or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees Date of roval Signature Print Name Mel Metca 31101.2026 CCXX R2 accounts ISS 31.01.2026

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examinerfs Report Report to the trusteesl members of Durham Pr*Je UK On accounts for the year ended 3110312025 Charity no (if any) 1159910 Set out on pages Pages 8 and 9 {remember to include the page numbeTS of addrtional sheets) I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended 3110312025. Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordan 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 carying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below ") in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Date: 3110112026 Name: Thomas Howcroft Relevant professional qualification{s) or body (if any): NIA Address: Castle Grange, Drover Road. Castleside, Consett DH8 9RE Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of Charty accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).