SCHOOL AND PUBLIC HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
Charity No. 1162042
Annual Report and Financial Statements
Year ended 31[st] July 2024
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School and Public Health Nurses Association
Year ended 31[st ] July 2024
Reference and administrative details
Trustees C McEvilly (appointed 5[th ] May 2024) N Stevens (appointed 5[th ] May 2024) P Sharifi (appointed 5[th ] May 2024, resigned 14[th ] April 2025) P Watson R Bostwick Principal address Capital Office 124 City Road London EC1V 2NX Bankers The Co-Operative Bank PLC Registered Charity Number 1162042 Independent Examiner M R Heaton FCCA FCIE DChA KM Chartered Accountants 1[st ] Floor, Block C The Wharf Manchester Road Burnley BB11 1JG
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School and Public Health Nurses Association
Year ended 31[st] July 2024
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ending 31[st ] July 2024.
OBJECTS
The objects of the charity, as per its constitution dated 5[th ] January 2015 are:
For the public benefit, the advancement of the health of children and young people through the promotion of excellence in school nursing and specialist community public health nursing, in particular but not exclusively by: raising standards, building expertise, creating networks and promoting research and innovation in practice; and raising awareness amongst stakeholders for health, children, families, education, schools and others of the benefits of developing evidence-based practices that improve the health and well-being of children and young people.
PUBLIC BENEFIT
In accordance with their objectives for this year, and with due regard to the published Charity Commission guidance on the operation of the Public Benefit requirements of the Charities Act 2006, the trustees have undertaken appropriate activities in furtherance of these aims for the public benefit. This report explains how our activities achieve public benefit.
WHAT WE DO
The School and Public Health Nurses Association (SAPHNA) is a professional organisation dedicated to the advancement of school nursing and specialist community public health nursing. We support the development of high standards of practice and aim to improve the health outcomes of children and young people across the UK. Our activities include:
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Advocacy and Policy Influence: SAPHNA actively engages with policymakers, government bodies, and key stakeholders to ensure the voice of school and public health nurses is heard and considered in health and education policies.
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Education and Training: We provide a range of educational resources, training courses, webinars, and events to enhance the knowledge and skills of school and public health nurses working with children and young people.
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Networking and Support: SAPHNA fosters a collaborative environment where school nurses and public health practitioners can connect, share best practices, and access peer support.
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Resource Development: We create evidence-based resources, guidance, and toolkits to support school and public health nurses in their work with children, families, and schools.
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Research and Innovation: SAPHNA encourages and promotes research that informs best practices in school and public health nursing, driving improvements in service delivery.
SAPHNA continued to deliver its charitable aims by leading, influencing, and empowering the school nursing and public health nursing workforce across the UK. Between August 2023 and July 2024, SAPHNA engaged in a broad programme of advocacy, education, research, service development, and system-wide collaboration to promote better health outcomes for children and young people.
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School and Public Health Nurses Association
Year ended 31[st] July 2024
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)
POLICY INFLUENCE, CAMPAIGNING & STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP
SAPHNA played a central role in influencing national health and education policy, shaping services, and championing public health nursing through evidence, consultation, and strategic partnership:
Major Campaigns & National Initiatives:
- A School Nurse for Every School – National Roundtables
In collaboration with the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) and the College of Medicine, and funded by Sanofi (with no input or influence), SAPHNA co-led two national School Nurse Roundtables:
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15 December 2023: Identified causes and impact of the school nursing workforce decline
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20 March 2024: Progress review, stakeholder commitments and calls to action Over 30 organisations contributed, including Directors of Public Health, National Health Service (NHS), local authorities, and voluntary sector partners. The work culminated in published reports calling for urgent investment and reform.
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#SchoolNurseInEverySchool Survey (January 2024)
A national survey was launched to gather frontline intelligence from school nursing teams on the state of the workforce, Healthy Child Programme delivery, system pressures, and innovation. Findings are being used to advocate with Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England (NHSE), and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs).
Policy Consultations & Government Engagement:
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Responses submitted to DHSC and Department for Education (DfE) on:
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Mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse
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Parent-to-child abuse
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Gender guidance for schools
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Relationship, Sex and Health Education statutory guidance review
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Working Together to Safeguard Children
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Contributions to:
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House of Commons inquiries
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All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) on Children and Education
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ICB commissioning and workforce planning
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Health Equity, Prevention and Population Health Strategy (Chief Nursing Officer pending publication)
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School and Public Health Nurses Association
Year ended 31[st] July 2024
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)
Joint Projects & Safeguarding Collaboration:
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Policy Position: Role of public health nurses in safeguarding (with the Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) and the Institute of Health Visitors (iHV))
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Intrafamilial Abuse Webinar (with Child Sexual Abuse Centre)
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Working Together webinar (with DHSC, NHSE, iHV)
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JTAI Consultation on Domestic Abuse (with Care Quality Commission (CQC), Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted))
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Greater Manchester Attendance Action Alliance collaboration with the Children's Commissioner
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Free School Meals (FSM) for All campaign (National Education Union (NEU)): SAPHNA supported the Westminster event launch (July 2024), part of a national bus tour, advocating for expanded FSM access
Coalitions & Committees:
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Quarterly Health Policy Influencing Group (HPIG) meetings
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Cross-Sector Manifesto Influencing Group (monthly)
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National Safeguarding Collaboration (NHSE)
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Partnership and Policy Sub-committee (x2 annually)
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Representation in coalitions: Medical Conditions in Schools, Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition (CYPMHC), Paediatric Continence Forum (until closure)
EDUCATION, CONTINUED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD) & KNOWLEDGE SHARING
SAPHNA provided professional learning, leadership development, and student engagement through:
Annual Conference (Autumn 2023)
Theme: "Looking to a positive future: strengthen, prevent, promote and protect" Held online via Vfairs with morning keynotes and afternoon workshops, the conference explored trauma-informed practice, health inequalities, inclusive education and digital safety. Supported by: Solutions4Health, Sanofi, AstraZeneca, Sandoz
Immunisation Toolkit (Sept 2023)
Co-created with Ashfield MedComms (Inizio Medical), based on youth consultation, this interactive resource (Mission: Searching Space for Vaccine Confidence) supports addressing vaccine hesitancy. It was shortlisted for a Communiqué Award in Public Health Communications.
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School and Public Health Nurses Association
Year ended 31[st] July 2024
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)
Webinars Delivered (selection):
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Testicular Health for School Nurses
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Weight Stigma & Body Acceptance (with Nutriri)
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Are Mobile Phones Damaging Children's Eyes?
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Health Behaviour in School-aged Children: Report Findings
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Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Regulatory Review – Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) Implications (with Royal College of Nursing (RCN) & iHV)
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Promoting Positive Body Image in Children (with Body Happy)
Pan-London SCPHN Practice Learning Resources (July 2024)
SAPHNA co-developed tools with iHV including a Good Learning Environment Charter and SCPHN Maturity Matrix to support student experience and educational quality.
Leadership Commissions & Service Support:
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Pan-London Leadership Commission: Two leadership courses delivered; development of an educational infrastructure toolkit; five Communities of Practice (COP), linked to the ICB footprints
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Tower Hamlets: Commissioned to support school nursing procurement
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Isle of Man: Service review Student Engagement & Promotion:
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School Nurse Student Ambassadors: Led a Special Interest Group (SIG)SIG, promoted SAPHNA nationally, and supported CPD and advocacy opportunities
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SAPHNA spoke at multiple university talks and recruitment sessions:
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Chester (Dec 2023), Derby (Sept 2023), Oxford Brookes (Oct 2023), Queen Margaret (Nov 2023), South Wales (Jan 2024), Manchester Metropolitan (Oct 2023), UWE (Oct 2023), Greenwich (Jan 2024, pre-recorded), Birmingham City (Feb 2024)
Podcasts:
School Nursing Uncovered – a new podcast series created in partnership with ChatHealth (Digital Transformation in Healthcare) and Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust.
MEMBERSHIP, SPONSORSHIP & ENGAGEMENT
As of 31st July 2024, SAPHNA had:
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1,118 active individual members, including 71 student members
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25 corporate members, including NHS Trusts, local authorities, and independent schools
Annual Corporate Sponsors:
- Sanofi (roundtable sponsor), Solutions4Health, AstraZeneca, Sandoz
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School and Public Health Nurses Association
Year ended 31[st] July 2024
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)
RESOURCES, GUIDANCE & PRACTICE DEVELOPMENT
SAPHNA responded to several consultations, such as Position Statements on School Readiness, Trauma-Informed Practice and Healthy Weight.
Special Interest Groups (SIGs) supported:
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Safeguarding the Safeguarders
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LGBTQi
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Practice Educators
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Student School Nurse Ambassadors
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Nurses in Independent Settings
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Joint Special Educational Needs, Disabilities and Inclusion (SENDi) & Community Children’s Nurses (QNI/SAPHNA)
REPRESENTATION, EVENTS & PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
SAPHNA had a strong national presence, promoting the profession and building visibility:
External Conferences and Events:
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Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust 0–19 Conference (Nov 2023)
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Nursing in Practice – Southampton (May 2024)
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Brighton & Hove 0–19 Conference (June 2024)
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Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust Conference (May 2024)
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RCN Wales Seminar & Healthy Child Wales Workshop (April 2024)
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Taunton Research Conference (pre-recorded, June 2024)
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Association of British Paediatric Nurses Celebration, Birmingham
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APPG for Children – Portcullis House with the Children’s Commissioner
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House of Lords Event (Jan 2024): Health of the Next Generation – Good Food for Children report launch with media coverage (ITN)
RESEARCH & INNOVATION
Contributed to ongoing research forums, including the British Association for Community Child Health (BACCH) and the 0-19 Research Network.
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School and Public Health Nurses Association
Year ended 31[st] July 2024
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)
IN SUMMARY
Throughout 2023–2024, SAPHNA has delivered a wide-reaching and impactful programme of work that directly supported our charitable objectives: to advance the health and wellbeing of children and young people through the promotion of excellence in school and public health nursing.
Through national campaigns, expert-led training, collaborative resource development, and policy influence, we have:
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Raised awareness of the vital role of school and public health nurses in safeguarding, prevention, and health promotion.
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Built professional capacity and resilience , equipping practitioners with the tools, knowledge and leadership opportunities needed to meet growing and complex demands
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Informed and shaped national policy , ensuring the voice of our workforce is represented in strategic decision-making at all levels.
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Promoted best practice and innovation , sharing research, championing evidence-based delivery, and responding to real-time workforce needs.
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Strengthened professional networks , providing connection, support and advocacy for our members, students, and corporate partners.
Collectively, this activity has not only met but strengthened our commitment to delivering tangible public benefit. As we look ahead, SAPHNA remains steadfast in our mission to ensure that we support a confident, skilled, and valued school and public health nursing workforce so that every child and young person can thrive.
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School and Public Health Nurses Association
Year ended 31[st] July 2024
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)
Income sources
All income received in financial year 2023-24 was unrestricted for general use.
| 0-19 Research Network | £ 7,200 |
|---|---|
| Advertising | £ 925 |
| Commissions(TES course reviews,Sandoz course review) | £ 7,290 |
| Conference tickets(individual and corporate) | £ 19,247 |
| Expert Advice (Sandoz expert advisory board, Solutions4Health virtual clinic) |
£ 1,040 |
| Membership (individual and corporate) | £ 83,363 |
| Roundtable event(Sanofi) | £ 11,500 |
| Service review(Isle of Man and Tower Hamlets) | £ 14,110 |
| Sponsorship (annual and conference): Astra Zeneca Thomson Screener Tigerlily Training Aire Innovate Sandoz Solutions4Health Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (Chat Health) Alutrix Ltd Sanofi |
£ 33,777 |
| Training (Children's Nutritional Health Training) | £ 4,162 |
| Other | £ 889 |
| TOTAL | £ 183,503 |
RESERVES
SAPHNA have a reserve policy of three-months operating costs plus closure expenses, which is reviewed quarterly at each Board meeting and adjusted where necessary to reflect the growth of the organisation.
As at 31 July 2024, the general funds carried forward is £133,545 (2023: £120,079) which meets the reserves policy.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
SAPHNA is a Foundation Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) governed by its constitution dated 5th January 2015. The charity's trustees are responsible for overseeing SAPHNA's strategic direction, ensuring compliance with its objectives, and maintaining sound financial management. Trustees are appointed in accordance with the charity's constitution, which sets out the criteria and process for appointment.
Trustees are recruited through an open selection process to ensure a diverse range of skills and experiences relevant to SAPHNA's work. Induction and ongoing support are provided to ensure trustees are equipped to fulfil their duties effectively.
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School and Public Health Nurses Association
Year ended 31[st] July 2024
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)
RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
The trustees actively monitor risks associated with SAPHNA's operations and services. Regular reviews of financial performance, operational delivery, and governance practices are conducted to ensure SAPHNA continues to meet its charitable objectives while maintaining public trust and confidence.
This report was approved by the trustees on 22[nd ] May 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
………………………………….
Catherine McEvilly Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF SCHOOL AND PUBLIC HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31[st ] July 2024
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 charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 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 examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
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(1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by Section 130 of the Act; or
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(2) the accounts do not accord with those records.
I have no concerns 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.
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M R Heaton FCCA FCIE DChA KM 1[st ] Floor, Block C, The Wharf Burnley Lancashire BB11 1JG
22[nd ] May 2025
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School and Public Health Nurses Association
Year ended 31[st] July 2024
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
| Receipts 0-19 Research Network Advertising Commissions Conference tickets Expert Advice Membership Roundtable event Service review Sponsorship Training Other Payments Charitable activities Staff costs Net receipts/(payments) Cash funds brought forward Cash funds carried forward |
General funds £ 7,200 925 7,290 19,247 1,040 83,363 11,500 14,110 33,777 4,162 889 |
|---|---|
| 183,503 | |
40,522 129,515 |
|
| 170,037 | |
| 13,466 | |
| 120,079 | |
| 133,545 |
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School and Public Health Nurses Association
Year ended 31[st] July 2024
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
| General | |
|---|---|
| funds | |
| £ | |
| Assets | |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 133,545 |
| Prepayments | 797 |
| Debtors | 70 |
| Liabilities | |
| Accruals | 6,823 |
| Deferred income | 38,980 |
| Other creditors | 1,833 |
Approved by the trustees and signed by:
22[nd ] May 2025
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School and Public Health Nurses Association
Year ended 31[st] July 2024
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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1 Basis of preparation These accounts have been prepared on the Receipts and Payments basis in accordance with the Charities Act 2011.
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2 Fund Accounting
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(a) Unrestricted funds are those that can be expended at the discretion of the trustees in the furtherance of the objects of the charity
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(b) Restricted funds are those that may only be used for specific purposes. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor.
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3 Taxation The charity is not liable to tax on its charitable activities. The charity is not registered for VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the expense to which it relates.
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4 Transactions with trustees
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No remuneration nor expenses were paid to trustees, or any persons connected with them during the year or previous year.
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