LESBIAN
GAY
BISEXUAL
TRANS
QUEER
NON-BINARY
POLY
PAN *,
INTERSEX
SEXUAL
QUESTIONING
ANNUAL
DfpoRT
YORK
LGFr
FORUM
2025
DON'T HIDE YOUR HEART
**CONTENTS**
## **YORK LGBT FORUM**
DON’T HIDE YOUR HEART
|AREAS WE WORK IN|1|
|---|---|
|ABOUT US|2|
|OUR OBJECTS|2|
|CO-CHAIRS’ REPORT|3|
|EXPANDING & STRENGTHENING OUR BOARD|3|
|SUSTAINING OUR CORE ACTIVITIES|4|
|CHAMPIONING TRANS RIGHTS|4|
|CELEBRATING 10 YEARS AS A CHARITY|4|
|LOOKING AHEAD|4|
|FUNDING REPORT|5|
|ACCOUNTS 2024/25|6|
|FUNDERS|6|
|TRUSTEE REPORT|7|
|NEW APPOINTMENTS|7|
|DEPARTING TRUSTEES|8|
|ACTIVITY REPORT: OUR CORE FOCUSES AND PROJECTS|9|
|ADVOCACY & CAMPAIGNING|9|
|OPEN MEETINGS|10|
|YORK SOCIALS|10|
|NORTHALLERTON SOCIALS|11|
|TRANS & NON-BINARY SUPPORT|12|
|PEOPLE OF FAITH|13|
|TRUSTEE RECRUITMENT|13|
|OTHER PROJECTS|14|
## AREAS WE WORK IN
The York LGBT Forum is based in York and most of our work is in the city. However we cover York’s surrounding environs in North Yorkshire.
**----- Start of picture text -----**
RICHMONDSHIRE
HAMBLETON
RYEDALE
CRAVEN
HARROGATE
YORK
EAST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE
SELBY
SCARBOROUGH
**----- End of picture text -----**
Registered charity no. 1162234
## **ABOUT US**
## York LGBT Forum is a registered charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) with wider membership.
This structure allows the York LGBT Forum full members to have voting rights on the management of the organisation. York LGBT Forum was established in 2006 to act as a strong and unified voice for the local LGBT community. The Forum works on behalf of the York area but is not exclusive to York. We also support people who identify as LGBT internationally.
## Our objects:
1. To promote equality and diversity for the public benefit by:
- I. The elimination of discrimination in relation to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, queer, questioning (LGBT) and allies and associates living within the city of York and its environs
- II. Challenging homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, or any associated negative attitudes and behaviour within society
- III. Working with partners and organisations, public and private, in developing initiatives that will enhance and safeguard LGBT people’s lives, ensuring their inclusion in all aspects of life, and that their human rights are protected
- IV. Advancing education, raising awareness and promoting a culture based on equality and diversity.
2. To promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, queer, questioning people (LGBT) and allies and associates from being socially excluded from society on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.
3. To further any other purpose which is charitable according to the law of England and Wales for the public benefit as the
You can request a copy of our constitution by
email us at enquiries@yorklgbtforum.org
## **CO-CHAIRS’ REPORT**
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E
K
A
J
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A
N
N
I
S
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As Co-Chairs of the York LGBT Forum, we are proud to present our annual report, reflecting on a landmark year for our charity. In 2024-25, we not only strengthened our organisation and deepened our advocacy, but also celebrated 10 years since the Forum became a registered charity.
Over the past decade, York LGBT Forum has been a voice for inclusion, equality, and community. This year, we honoured that history while ensuring our work continues to meet the challenges of today: focusing on expanding our Board, sustaining our essential activities, and placing trans rights at the heart of our mission.
## EXPANDING & STRENGTHENING OUR BOARD
The increasing demand for our services and growth of our projects have required us to expand our leadership. This year we have:
- Recruited several new trustees, bringing
- new skills, experiences and perspectives to the Board.
- Worked to ensure our leadership is more representative of the communities we serve, including trans and non-binary voices.
- Strengthened our governance and succession planning, equipping the Forum to deliver for the next decade.
## SUSTAINING OUR CORE ACTIVITIES
We know how vital our activities are to our members and partners, and despite increasing pressure on resources, we have ensured continuity. This year, we have:
- Continued to host regular open meetings with allies and partners, creating opportunities for joint working on the most pressing issues LGBTQ+ people are facing.
- Maintained our projects and campaigns, providing consistency, visibility and advocacy for the community.
This consistency has strengthened trust and kept the Forum at the centre of York’s LGBTQ+ life.
## CHAMPIONING TRANS RIGHTS
One of the most important areas of our work this year has been a clear and public commitment to trans and non-binary equality. In a national climate where hostility and misinformation have increased, the Forum has stood firm in advocating for the dignity, safety, and rights of trans people. You can read more about this in the ‘Advocacy and campaigning’ section on page 9.
## CELEBRATING 10 YEARS AS A CHARITY
This April, we marked a major milestone: 10 years since York LGBT Forum became a registered charity. To celebrate, we hosted a special event: York LGBT Forum’s Anniversary Cabaret. This was a joyful evening of music, drag, comedy, and reflection, celebrating a decade of advocacy, community, and inclusion. The event showcased local talent and honoured the progress we have made together while looking ahead to the future.
As part of our ten-year celebrations, we also updated our logo - refreshing our identity to make sure York LGBT Forum is unique, inclusive, and stylishly represented for the decade ahead. Talented local graphic designer (and Forum member) Henry Turner created two options for our members to vote on, and our powerful new identity was unveiled at our anniversary cabaret. You can see our new logo throughout this report.
## LOOKING AHEAD
As we enter our second decade, our priorities are clear:
- Grow our Board further to strengthen our resilience and ensure diverse, representative leadership
- Safeguard our activities, protecting the continuity of services and spaces our community depends on
- Deepen our focus on trans rights,
building on this year’s work to ensure trans and non-binary people remain at the centre of our mission.
Your support has enabled us to reach this 10-year milestone, and will carry us forward into the next decade of advocacy, support, and community-building.
We are deeply grateful to our members, trustees, volunteers, partners, and funders.
## Thank you for continuing to stand with us.
## **FINANCE REPORT & FUNDING**
The funding landscape in the voluntary sector continues to grow more challenging. Despite this, we’re proud to have sustained our core projects throughout the year, thanks to the support of our funders (listed below) and community donations. We’re especially pleased to have maintained our core activities.
We’ve also seen a heartening rise in donations from businesses and members of the public, raising nearly £4,000 in support of York LGBT Forum. We cannot thank you enough - your generosity is deeply appreciated. Every penny you’ve contributed helps us continue providing essential support for
queer and trans people across York and North Yorkshire.
Looking ahead, we remain focused on securing funding to deliver our core activities and bring new projects to life. This year, we’ve taken time to review our funding priorities and are excited to develop them further in support of our charitable objects.
We’d like to extend our sincere thanks to the funders listed below, whose contributions make our work possible. We’re also incredibly grateful to our volunteers, freelance workers, and group facilitators: we couldn’t do this without you.
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ACCOUNTS
2024 / 25
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UNRESTRICTED UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED TOTAL TOTAL INCOME EXPENDITURE INCOME EXPENDITURE INCOME EXPENDITURE £4225.34 £3692.76 £14,020 £13,599.19 £8,245.34 £17,291.95
## UNRESTRICTED:
Funding that we can use in support of any purposes that will help us to meet our charitable objects – for example, our core running costs.
## RESTRICTED:
Funding that is ringfenced for certain projects – for example, our weekly York socials.
BROUGHT FORWARD BROUGHT FORWARD BROUGHT FORWARD BROUGHT FORWARD UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED BALANCE BALANCE (WITH RESERVE) £2930.63 £14,353.08 £17,283.71 £18,283.71
## FUNDERS
## FUNDER
## AMOUNT
PURPOSE
Wharfedale Foundation Brelms Trust York Community Fund (Two Ridings Foundation)
£4,000 (2nd year of grant) Socials £4,995 (2nd year of grant) Trans Support Group £4,980 Socials
## **TRUSTEE REPORT**
## NEW APPOINTMENTS
At the start of this year the board of trustees undertook a second round of recruitment to expand our board. This process followed the successful recruitment of Kris Barnfield, Chris Bailey-Munt and Joe McKenzie last year, which demonstrated the significant benefits of having additional governance capacity.
As part of this process, we are delighted to welcome three new trustees to the York LGBT Forum:
## TJ TAYLOR
A true Yorkshire native, TJ was born and raised in Leeds. After two decades spent living in various places across the UK, gaining a wealth of experience and perspective, they made the welcome decision to settle back in North Yorkshire in 2022. This return home coincided with a commitment to local engagement: TJ joined the forum with a determined goal of becoming more deeply involved in LGBT support and activism, focusing their energy and experience on making a tangible difference within the community of their home region.
## MEGAN HORNER
Megan has a professional background in charities and charitable organisations, mainly working with children and adults with disabilities. They applied to be a trustee as they are passionate about accessible and inclusive events, engaging with different communities in the area, and bringing youth-focused perspectives and experience to the board.
Megan was a finalist in the 2024 TargetJobs LGBTQ+ Undergraduate of the Year awards as a result of their work at Huddersfield Students' Union setting up and running the university's first official Trans Day of Remembrance vigil. They were also instrumental in changing the university’s policies to ensure prospective, current, and past students will all be referred to by their preferred names in official communications.
runs Kyra’s first LGBTQ+ group. She has also just started a Sociology PhD at the University of York, exploring how single-sex charities like Kyra and Menfulness can be more inclusive for gender diverse folk.
## MAISIE WILSON
Maisie grew up in York and had the pleasure of attending York’s first ever Pride back in 2012 (she got her face painted as a tiger). Most of her time is spent working at Kyra Women’s Project, where she started and now
Our new trustees have been helping to guide and shape the York LGBT Forum since their appointment earlier this year, and we hope that they will be ratified at our 2025 Annual General Meeting.
## **DEPARTING TRUSTEES**
At our 2025 AGM, we will say farewell to two of our trustees as they step down from the Board after several years’ service.
Kris Barnfield-Guest joined York LGBT Forum as a trustee in 2024, bringing valuable experience in governance and risk management to the Board from his extensive career in the public sector.
Annis Cordy joined the Board in 2023, stepping into the role of Co-Chair later that year; her work has added structure to how we communicate and collaborate with stakeholders and partner organisations.
We’d like to thank Kris and Annis for all their contributions to the Forum during their tenure as trustees, and wish them well in their future endeavours.
## **ACTIVITY REPORT**
## ADVOCACY & CAMPAIGNING
We have campaigned publicly against transphobia, challenging harmful narratives and highlighting the lived realities of trans and non-binary people in York and beyond. By using our platform, we have sought to amplify trans voices and ensure their perspectives are central to local discussions about equality and inclusion.
## OUR CORE FOCUSES & PROJECTS
We have also strengthened partnerships with healthcare providers, schools, universities, and local authorities, advocating for fair access to services and ensuring that trans and non-binary people are treated with dignity and respect. Our work has included lobbying for better training for professionals and pushing for inclusive policies that protect trans people from discrimination.
In addition, we have prioritised trans representation within the Forum itself. By welcoming trans and non-binary leadership
onto our Board and into decision-making processes, we are ensuring our structures reflect the diversity of our community and that trans voices directly shape our strategies.
Finally, we have been outspoken in calling for stronger protections in law and policy, recognising that trans rights are human rights. At a time when trans and non-binary people face unprecedented challenges, the Forum has placed trans equality at the very heart of our mission.
## OPEN MEETINGS
As a charity, we focus on building, facilitating and promoting community support. Core to this is recognising where our similarities and differences lie in relation to other organisations and looking at where our member bases overlap. In much of our collaborative work, we have supported individuals who experience marginalisation for reasons other than their sexual orientation or gender identity.
This year, we have used this intersectional emphasis to underpin the structure for our Open Meetings. Stakeholders in related professions – such as local businesses, charities, community groups, local government
departments and statutory organisations – have been invited to participate in discussion around topics of importance to the LGBTQ+ community, which this year have included supporting queer and trans children; living in precarity; and faith and cultural identity.
Our Open Meetings are an opportunity to share expertise; to learn more about how being LGBTQ+ can create unique challenges - for example in healthcare - which can be overlooked when providing services; and to reflect on the role that individuals, organisations and communities can play in making improvements. We’re delighted to have been able to create spaces to facilitate conversation and promote collaborative working between service providers, charities and other stakeholders in the city. We hope to continue these invaluable sessions in the coming months, and welcome suggestions for future themes.
## YORK SOCIALS
The York LGBT+ Social continues to go from strength to strength, and I am delighted to share another year of positive progress. The group has grown steadily, with a consistent mix of familiar friendly faces alongside a warm
welcome for new attendees. This balance has helped us create a community that is both established and open to fresh connections.
Our core aim remains the same: to provide an inclusive, respectful, and supportive space where everyone feels able to relax and be themselves. Conversations at the socials are meaningful yet easy-going, ranging from light-hearted chat to deeper discussions, and the feedback we have received reflects how much people value this balance. Many attendees have expressed that they are forming new friendships, some of which we hope will last a lifetime.
It has also been wonderful to see how collaborative and community-minded the group has become. Everyone contributes to setting up the space and helping return the venue in good order, which fosters a shared sense of responsibility and respect. This teamwork mirrors the supportive ethos of the social itself, where members are quick to encourage and look out for one another.
The social is not only about the weekly meet up but also about the sense of belonging that extends beyond them. Importantly, the atmosphere remains welcoming to people of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences within the LGBT+ community and allies too.
In summary, the York LGBT Social is thriving. It has become a space where people feel at ease, valued, and part of something meaningful. We look forward to building on this success, welcoming even more people, and continuing to grow together as a community.
## NORTHALLERTON SOCIALS
Our Northallerton Socials continue to attract LGBTQ+ people from across a wide region, with members travelling from Scarborough, the Yorkshire Dales, the adjacent areas of Middlesbrough, Darlington and Bishop Auckland, and even as far afield as Northumberland; with the majority of people still coming from within Northallerton itself.
The venue remains a safe and inclusive space for all our members, although we have needed to work closely with staff at the hotel to help them continue to be inclusive of the need of trans and non-binary attendees in the face of changing government guidance. During this past year, members have worked closely with a PhD student from Northumbria University to explore issues, barriers and concerns for LGBTQ+ people in rural areas as part of their research.
## TRANS & NON-BINARY SUPPORT
This year has been focused on expanding and strengthening our provision of support for the trans and non-binary community: we continue to offer support, social events and creative opportunities for members across York and the region.
Our trans peer support socials have continued to grow and now take place twice a month: one session online, and the other in person at Over the Rainbow Café. Attendance has notably increased, particularly during our popular open mic nights which provide a creative outlet for exploring trans identities. We have also hosted film nights, charity shopping trips, taster folk group sessions with Stubborn Roots, and poetry writing on the Arts Barge. These evenings have had a positive impact on mental wellbeing, offering members a supportive space to express themselves through art, music, and performance.
Our dedicated Trans Coordinators, Phil and Sophie, have been instrumental in driving this progress, and we have also welcomed Sarah and Bigby to the facilitators team to bring extra capacity and new ideas.
Together, their continued efforts have been key to the success of these initiatives, and the overall popularity of our trans socials.
As the group continues to expand, we are considering the need for a larger venue to accommodate the rising number of participants. The success of this growth reflects the strong community bonds that have formed, and we want to ensure everyone feels welcome and supported.
## PEOPLE OF FAITH
We continue to support the online LGBTQ+ People of Faith group, which provides a safe space for people to engage with different faiths and cultures which support and provide activities for LGBTQ+ people. Through this network, we have been able to promote regular events such as Outside In with St Luke’s Church and the York Christians at Pride (first Saturday evening each month) and Open Table Northallerton (first Monday evening each month), alongside additional LGBTQ+ events such as the Kith camps, the York Liberal Jews’ Shabbat, Pride compline at York Minster, and connections to other faiths and activities across Yorkshire.
Additionally, the group have provided connections for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers and others who feel unsafe or unsure about being able to share their sexuality and gender within their own faith communities.
Finally, our October Open Meeting was based on the theme of LGBTQ+ identity alongside faith and culture. This explored both the difficulties faced by queer and trans people of faith and the benefits of being part of a faith community, and invited faith and community leaders to reflect on how they can better support and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.
## **TRUSTEE RECRUITMENT**
Following the departure of two Board members, we will be looking to recruit two new trustees in early 2026. We welcome applications from those without previous trustee experience, as well as from individuals who have held governance roles before.
If you would like to learn more about being a trustee, please do speak to any of the trustees at AGM 2025, or send an email to enquiries@yorklgbtforum.org.
## **OTHER PROJECTS**
As ever, we hope to continue to support our current projects and to undertake further development, outreach and awarenessraising.
If you have any ideas, or are interested in setting up your own project supported by York LGBT Forum, please contact
enquiries@yorklgbtforum.org or speak to one of the trustees.
York LGBT Forum welcomes, encourages and supports member projects. If you are currently running, have ideas for a project, or would like to get more involved in an existing project, please contact enquiries@yorklgbtforum.org, or speak to one of the trustees.
**YORK LGBT FORUM**
DON’T HIDE YOUR HEART
## **2025**
www.yorklgbtforum.org.uk
@yorklgbtforum.org.uk
@yorklgbtforum
## **York & District LGBT Forum**
## **Charitable Incorporated Organisation**
(Charity Number: 1162234)
**Trustees Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended**
## **31st July 2025**
Charity accounts preparation & independent examination service
## **York & District LGBT Forum**
|**Contents**||
|---|---|
|**Index**|**Page**|
|**Trustees annual report**|**1**|
|**Independent examiner's report**|**6**|
|**Receipts & payments accounts**|**7**|
|**Statement of assets and liabilities**|**8**|
|**Notes to the accounts**|**9**|
## **Trustees' Annual Report**
**From:** 01/08/2024
**To:** 31/07/2025
**Charity's full name** York LGBT Forum
**Registered Charity number** 1162234
## **Objectives and activities**
## **Summary of the purposes of the charity set out in its governing document**
1. To promote equality and diversity for the public benefit by:
living within the city of York and its environs;
ensuring their inclusion in all aspects of life, and that their human rights are protected; and by
2. To promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, queer, questioning people (LGBT) and allies and associates from being socially excluded from society on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity; and
3. To further any other purpose which is charitable according to the law of England and Wales for the public benefit as the trustees see fit from time to time.
These aims and objectives are achieved in a number of ways, including through casework, advocacy, policy and advisory work, mapping local crime analysis, training, projects, outreach and through schools and education.
The Forum believes that where barriers exist, there is inequality!
The diversity within the LGBT community enriches all aspects of life and should be encouraged and promoted. This is why the York LGBT Forum strives to improve the social inclusion of LGBT people in the area.
others to reduce the fear of crime and bullying, particularly in schools. It also encourages greater participation in the prevention and detection of homophobic, transphobic and biphobic discrimination.
## **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**
## **Open meetings**
As a charity, we focus on building, facilitating and promoting community support. Core to this is recognising where we are similar to and different from other organisations and looking at where our member bases overlap. In much of our collaborative work, we have supported individuals who experience marginalisation for reasons other than their sexual orientationity or gender identity. This year, we have used this intersectional emphasis to underpin the structure for our Open Meetings. Relevant stakeholders in
health, hate crime, disability, and active leisure. This is an opportunity to share expertise; to learn more about how being LGBTQ+ can create unique challenges - for example in healthcare - which can be overlooked when providing services; and to reflect on the role that individuals, organisations and communities can play in making improvements.
providers, charities and other stakeholders in the city. We hope to continue these invaluable sessions in the coming months, and welcome suggestions for future themes.
The trustees consider that they have complied with their duties to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.
1
## **Achievements and performance**
## **circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.**
See Annual report 2025 (attached after this report)
## **Financial review**
The York LGBT Forum Trustees are concentrating on building finacial resilence. The Trustees along with the membership have decided to focus on key projects. This has made helped us to focus on more achievable goals. Trustees are content with the financial position.
## **Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held**
## **York LGBT Forum exists to promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, queer, questioning people (LGBT) and allies or associates from being socially excluded from society on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.**
The organisation is a voluntary led registered charity and currently has no employees or fixed property assets.
This Reserves Policy exists is to maintain sufficient level of reserves to enable normal operating activities to continue should a shortfall in income occur and to take account of potential risks and contingencies that may arise from time to time.
Excluded from the Reserves Policy is income associated with restricted project funds (earmarked income).
Therefore, in order to demonstrate transparency, accountability and sound financial management, this Reserves Policy clearly justifies the amount of reserves to be kept back.
The Trustees have considered the risks in respect of expenditure, unrestricted income and where appropriate restricted income. Also taken into consideration is any external identified potential risks to income and expenditure during the year under consideration. A risk assessment has been undertaken for the period 2016/17 and the level of reserve required by the Forum has been agreed to cover basic operating costs encompassing insurance, accounting and any administration costs that may fall due. York LGBT Forum should hold in reserve approximately 6 months operating capital.
## **Amount of reserves held**
**£4,173 Reasons for holding zero reserves** N/A **Funds materially in deficit** N/A
**Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern** There are no uncertainies about the charity continuing.
## **Structure, governance and management**
## **Description of the charity's trusts**
**Type of governing document** Constituion **How the charity is constituted** CIO with Membership
**Trustee selection methods including** Election to post at AGM. Trustees who are elected not at the AGM are ratified at a Forum **details of any constitutional** Members meeting and is then raitifed at the next year AGM. **provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees**
## **Reference and administration details**
**Charity's full name** York LGBT Forum
**Other names the charity is known by** N/A York LGBT Forum York CVS 15 Priory Street, York, Y01 6ET
2
|**Names of the trustees**|**who manage the charity**|**who manage the charity**|**who manage the charity**||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Trustee name**||**Office (if any)**|||**Dates acted if not for**
**whole year**|**Name of person (or body)**
**entitled to appoint trustee**|
|**Names and addresses of advisers**
Ian Holdsworth
Kris Barnfield-Guest
Chris Bailey-Munt
Annis Cordy
Jake Furby
Chair
Joe McKenzie|||||||
|**Type of adviser**|**Name**||**Address**||||
|**Independent**|||||||
|**Examiner**|Karen Wood ACMA||Outsource||Accounting Services & Independent||
||||Examinations||||
||||Hiscox Building, Peasholme Green||||
||||York, YO1||7PR||
|**Bankers**|||||||
|**Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members**|||||||
|N/A|||||||
|**Declaration**|||||||
|**The trustees declare that they**||**have approved the Trustees Annual Report and Accounts**|||||
|**Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees**|||||||
|**Signature**|||||||
|**Full Name**|||||||
|**Position**|||||||
|**Date**|||||||
3
I report on the accounts of: **York & District LGBT Forum** for the year ended: **31st July 2025** which are set out on pages 7 to 10.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in
I report in respect of my examination of the Charity'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 examiner's statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention
in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
- 1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
- 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.
**Karen Wood (ACMA)** Outsource independent examination service
**Date:**
2 Galligap Lane Osbaldwick York YO10 3NR
6
## **York & District LGBT Forum**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Receipts & Payments Accounts for the year ended: 31st July 2025
2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
funds funds funds funds
Receipts £ £ £ £
Grants - 13,975 13,975 14,907
Donations 3,994 45 4,039 4,337
Training & fee income 306 - 306 1,271
Total receipts 4,300 14,020 18,320 20,515
Payments
Marketing (banners, leaflets etc) 49 - 49 461
Facilitation of activities & 330 8,975 9,305 11,022
Independent examination fee 400 - 400 400
Administration & office costs 75 - 75 768
Insurance 179 - 179 -
Website 983 - 983 330
Event costs & merchendise 337 - 337 1,374
Volunteer travel & expenses 78 - 78 95
Socials expenses 341 568 909 1,212
AGM & annual report costs 130 - 130 1,091
Room hire, venue & rent 145 2,310 2,455 4,683
Social events & anniversary events 749 - 749 -
-
Grant management 1,868 1,868 1,265
Training - - - 300
Total payments 3,796 13,721 17,517 23,001
Net of receipts/(payments) 504 299 803 (2,486)
Transfers between funds (272) 272 - -
Balance brought forward 3,941 13,540 17,481 19,967
Balance carried forward 4,173 14,111 18,284 17,481
**----- End of picture text -----**
7
## **York & District LGBT Forum**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at: 31st July 2025
2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
funds funds funds funds
Assets £ £ £ £
Cash at bank and in hand
Current bank account 4,173 14,111 18,284 19,967
4,173 14,111 18,284 19,967
2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
funds funds funds funds
Liabilities £ £ £ £
Independent examiner's fee 400 - 400 400
400 - 400 400
**----- End of picture text -----**
8
**York & District LGBT Forum** (Charity Number: 1162234)
## **Notes to the Accounts for the year ended:**
## **31st July 2025**
## **1. Basis of preparation**
The Trustees have taken advantage of section 144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 and prepared the accounts on a receipts and payments basis.
## **2. Funds analysis**
## **2.1 Restricted funds**
**Fund name Purpose** Homeless project Funds to help educate and raise awareness of what it is like to be homeless in organisations that support homeless people. Northallerton socials Monthly coffee social, funded by Hambleton District Council and Broadacres. 2 hours a month for facilitation. Awards for All **Coffee Socials (York and Northallerton)** (payment for rent, facilitation freelance workers x 2 and project management). Cost of Living Fund **Trans Support** (payment for rent, facilitation freelance workers x 2 and project management) Belfry (Two Ridings) Trans Support (payment for rent, facilitation freelance workers x 2 and project management) Wharfedale Socials Brelms Trans Support (payment for rent, facilitation freelance workers x 2 and project
## **2.2 Designated funds**
Older LGBT Free to be me in care . Money allocated for older LGBT projects
9
## **2.2 Movement of major funds**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Balance Incoming Resources Trf between Balance
b/fwd resources expended funds c/fwd
£ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General funds 3,383 3,994 3,796 (236) 3,345
Designated funds 558 306 - (36) 828
3,941 4,300 3,796 (272) 4,173
Restricted funds
Homeless project 1,494 - - - 1,494
Northallerton socials 551 - 472 - 79
Awards for All 187 - 300 113 -
Cost of Living Fund 116 45 275 159 45
Belfry (Two Ridings) 973 4,980 2,743 - 3,210
Wharfedale 4,649 4,000 4,298 4,351
Brelms 5,570 4,995 5,633 4,932
- - - - -
13,540 14,020 13,721 272 14,111
Total funds 17,481 18,320 17,517 - 18,284
Approval of Accounts for the year ended: 31st July 2025
The report and accounts were approved at a meeting of the Trustees
held on:
Date
Signed for and on behalf of the Trustees Date
Print Name Position (e.g. Chair etc)
**----- End of picture text -----**
10
LESBIAN
GAY
BISEXUAL
TRANS
QUEER
NON-BINARY
POLY
PAY
INTERSEX
SEXUAL
QUESTIONING
ANNUAL
DI PORr
YORK
LGBT
FORUM
2025
DON'T HIDE YOUR HEART
YORK
LGBT
FORUM
CONTENTS
DON'T HIDE YOUR HEART
AREAS IYE IYORK IN
ABOUT US
OUR OBIECTS
CO-CHAIRS. REPORT
EXPANDING & STRENGTHENING OUR BOARD
SUSTAINING OUR CORE AcfiviTIES
CHAMPIONING TRANS RIGHTS
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS A CHARITY
LOOKIIIG AHEAD
FUNDING REPORT
ACCOUNTS X124125
FUNDERS
TRUSTEE REPORT
NEIY APPOINTMENTS
DEPARTING TRUSTEES
ACTIVITY REPORT: OUR CORE FOCUSES AND PROIEcrs
ADVIXACY & CAMPAIGNING
OPEN MEETINGS
10
YORK SOCIALS
10
NORTIIALLERTON SOCIALS
li
TRANS & NON-BIMARY SUPPORT
12
PEOPLE OF FAITH
13
TRUSTEE RECRUITMEiir
13
OTHER PROIEcf5
14
AREAS WE WORK IN
The York LGBT Forum Is based In York
and most of our work is in the city.
However we cover York's surroundlng
envlrons In North Yorkshlre.
Regstered charity no. 1162234
ABOUT
us
R!GA/TC,
York LGBT Forum is a
registered charitable
incorporated organisation
(CIO) with wider membership.
This structure allows the York LGBT Forum full
111. Working with partners and
organisations, public and private, in
developing initiatives that will enhance
and safeguard LGBT people's lives,
ensuring their inclusion in all aspects of
life, and that their human rights are
protected
members to have voting rights on the
management of the organisation. York LGBT
Forum was established in 2006 to act as a
strong and unified voice for the local LGBT
community. The Forum works on behalf of the
York area but is not exclusive to York. We also
support people who identify as LGBT
internationally.
IV. Advancing education, raising awareness
and promoting a culture based on
equality and diversity.
Our objects:
l. To promote equality and diversity for the
public benefit by:
2. To promote social inclusion for the public
benefit by preventing lesbian, gay, bisexual,
trans, intersex, queer, questioning people
ILGBTI and allies and associates from
being socially excluded from society on the
grounds of sexual orientation and gender
identity.
l. The elimination of discrimination in
relation to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans,
intersex, queer, questioning ILGBTI and
allies and associates living within the
city of York and its environs
11. Challenging homophobia, biphobia,
transphobia, or any associated negative
attitudes and behaviour within society
3. To further any other purpose which is
charitable according to the law of England
and Wales for the public benefit as the
trustees see fit from time to time.
You can request a copy of our constitution by
email us at enqulrles@yorkigbtforum.org
CO-CHAIRS.
REPORT
As Co-chalrs of the York LGBT
Forum. we are proud to present our
annual report, refierting on a
landmarf( year for our durlty. In
2024-25, we not only strengthened
our organlsatlon and deepened our
advocary, but also celebrated 10
years slnce the Forum became a
reglstered charlty.
Over the past decade, York LGBT Forum has
been a voice for inclusion, equality, and
community. This year, we honoured that
history while ensuring our work continues to
meet the challenges of today- focusing on
expanding our Board, sustaining our
essential activities, and placing trans rights
at the heart of our mission.
EXPANDING & STRENGTHENING
OUR BOARD
The increasing demand for our services and
growth of our projects have required us to
expand our leadership. This year we have-
Recrulted several new trustees, brlnglng
new skllls, experlences and
perspectives to the Board.
Worked to ensure our leadership is more
representative of the ¢ommunities we
serve, Includlng trans and non-blnary
voices.
strengthened our governance and
succession planning, equipping the
Forum to dellver for the next decade.
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS
AS A CHARITY
This April, we marked a major milestone: 10
years since York LGBT Forum became a
registered charity. To celebrate, we hosted a
special event: York LGBT Forum's Anniversary
Cabaret. This was a joyful evening of music.
drag, comedy, and reflection, celebrating a
decade of advocacy, community, and
inclusion. The event showcased local talent
SUSTAINING OUR CORE ACTIVITIES
We know how vital our activities are to our
members and partners, and despite
increasing pressure on resources, we have
ensured continuity. This year, we have:
Continued to host regular open
meetlngs wlth allles and partners,
creatlng opportunltles for Jolnt worklng
on the rnost pressing issues LGBTQ+
people are faclng.
and honoured the progress we have made
together while looking ahead to the f uture.
As part of our ten-year celebrations, we also
updated our logo- refreshing our identity to
make sure York LGBT Forum is unique,
inclusive, and stylishly represented for the
decade ahead. Talented local graphic
designer land Forum memberl Henry Turner
created two options for our members to vote
on. and our powerful new identity was
unveiled at our anniversary cabaret. You can
see our new logo throughout this report.
Malntalned our projects and campaigns,
providing consistency, visibility and
advocacy for the communlty.
This consistency has strengthened trust and
keptthe Forum at the centre of York's
LGBTQ+ life.
CHAMPIONING TRANS RIGHTS
LOOKING AHEAD
One of the most important areas of our
work this year has been a clear and
public commitment to trans and
non-binary equality. In a national climate
where hostility and misinformation have
increased, the Forum has stood firrm in
As we enter our second decade, our priorities
are clear:
Grow our Board further to strengthen our
resilience and ensure diverse,
representatlve leadershlp
advocating for the dignity, safety, and
rights of trans people. You can read
more about this in the 'Advocacy and
campaigning. section on page 9.
Safeguard our actlvltles, protectlng the
contlnulty of servlces and spaces our
community depends on
Deepen our focus on trans rlghts,
building on this year's work to ensure
trans and non-binary people remain at
the centre ol our mlsslon.
Your support has enabled us to reach this
10-year milestone, and will carry us forward
into the next decade of advocacy, support,
and community-building.
We are deeply grateful to our members,
trustees, volunteers, partners. and funders.
Thank you for contlnulngto stand wlth us.
FINANCE REPORT
& FUNDING
The funding landscape in the voluntary
sector continuesto grow more
challenging. Despite this, we're proud to
have sustained our core projects
throughout the year, thanks to the
support of our funders Ilisted below)
and community donations.We're
especially pleased to have maintained
our core activities.
queer and trans people acrossyork and
North Yorkshire.
Looking ahead, we remain focused on
securing funding to deliver our core
activities and bring new projects to life.
This year, we've taken time to review our
funding priorities and are excited to
develop them further in support of our
charitable objects.
We've also seen a heartening rise in
donations from businesses and
We'd like to extend our sincere thanks to
the funders listed below, whose
contributions make our work possible.
We're also incredibly grateful to our
volunteers, freelance workers, and
group facilitators.. we couldn't do this
without you.
members of the public, raising nearly
£4,000 in support of York LGBT Forum.
We cannot thank you enough - your
generosity is deeply appreciated. Every
penny you've contributed helps us
continue providing essential support for
ACCOUNTS
2024 125
UNRESTRicfED
INCOME
UNREsTricfED
EMPENDITURE
RESTRICTED
INCOME
RESTrICTED
EXPENDITURE
TOTAL
INCOME
TOTAL
EXPENDITURE
£4225.34
£3692.76
£14,020
£13,599.19
£8,245.34
£17,291.95
UNRESTRicfED:
Funding that we can use in support of any purposes that will help us to meet our charitable
objects - for example, our core running costs.
ItESTRICTED:
Funding that is ringrenced for certain projects - for example, our weekly York socials.
BROUGHT FORWARD
UMRESTRicfED
BROUGHT FORWARD
RESTRICTED
BROUGHT FORWARD
BALANCE
BROUGHT FORWARD
BALAN(E IWITH RESERVE
£2930.63
£14,353.08
£17,283.71
£18,283.71
FUNDERS
FUNDER
AMOUNT
PURPOSE
Wharfedale Foundation
£4,000 (2nd year of grant}
Socials
Brelms Trust
£4,995 {2nd year of grant)
£4,980
Trans Support Group
Socials
York Community Fund
(Two Ridings Foundation)
TRUSTEE
REPORT
NEW APPOINTMENTS
At the start of this year the board of trustees
undertook a second round of recruitment to
expand our board. This process followed the
successful recruitment of Kris Barnfield,
Chris Bailey-munt and Joe McKenzie last
year, which demonstrated the significant
benefits of having additional governance
capacity.
MEGAN HORNER
Megan has a professional background in
charities and charitable organisations, mainly
working with children and adults with
disabilities. They applied to be a trustee as
they are passionate about accessible and
inclusive events, engaging with different
communities in the area, and bringing
youth-focused perspectives and experience
to the board.
As part of this process, we are delighted to
welcome three new trustees to the York LGBT
Forum..
TJ TAYLOR
A true Yorkshire native, TJ was born and
raised in Leeds. After two decades spent
living in various places across the UK, gaining
a wealth of experience and perspective, they
made the welcome decision to settle back in
Megan was a finalist in the 2024 Targetjobs
LGBTQ+ Undergraduate of the Year awards
as a result of their work at Huddersfield
Students, Union setting up and runningthe
university's first official Trans Day of
Remembrance vigil. They were also
instrumental in changing the university's
policies to ensure prospective, current, and
past students will all be referred to by their
preferred names in official communications.
North Yorkshire in 2022. This return home
coincided with a commitment to local
engagement: TJ joined the forum with a
determined goal of becoming more deeply
involved in LGBT support and activism,
focusing their energy and experience on
making a tangble difference within the
community of their home region.
runs Kyra's first LGBTQ+ group. She has also
just started a Sociology PhD at the University
of York, exploring how singi&sex charities like
Kyra and Menfulness can be more inclusive
for gender diverse folk.
MAISIE WILSON
Maisie grew up in York and had the pleasure
of attending York's first ever Pride back in
2012 Ishe got her face painted as a tiger).
Most of her time is spent working at Kyra
Women's Project, where she started ané now
Our new trustees have been helpingto guide
and shape the York LGBT Forum since their
appointment earlier this year, and we hope
that they will be ratified at our 2025 Annual
General Meeting.
DEPARTING
TRUSTEES
At our 2025 AGM, we will say
farewell to two of our trustees
as they step down from the
Board after several years,
service.
Annis Cordy joined the Board in
2023, stepping into the role of
Co£hair later that year; her work has
added structure to how we
communicate and collaborate with
stakeholders and partner
organisations.
Krls Barnfleld-Guest joined York
LGBT Forum as a trustee in 2024,
bringing valuable experience in
governance and risk management to
the Board from his extensive career
We'd like to thank Kris and Annis for
all their contributions to the Forum
during their tenure as trustees, and
wish them well in their future
in the public sector.
endeavours.
AcfiviTY
REPORT
OUR CORE FOCUSES
& PROJEcrs
We have also strengthened partnerships with
healthcare providers, schools, universities,
and local authorities, advocating for fair
access to services 8nd ensuring that trans
and non-binary people are treated with dignity
and respect. Our work has included lobbying
for better training for professionals and
pushing for inclusive policies that protect
trans people from discrimination.
ADVOCACY & CAMPAIGNING
We have campaigned publicly against
transphobia, challenging harmful narratives
and highlighting the lived realities of trans
and non-binary people in York and beyond. By
using our platform, we have sought to amplify
trans voices and ensure their perspectives
are central to local discussions about equality
and inclusion.
In addition, we have prioritised trans
representation within the Forum itself. By
welcoming trans and non-binary leadership
onto our Board and into decision-making
processes, we are ensuring our structures
reflect the diversity of our community and that
trans voices directly shape our strategies.
departments and statutory organisations -
have been invited to participate in discussion
around topics of importance to the LGBTQ+
community, which this year have included
supporting queer and trans children. living in
precarity: and faith and cultural identity.
Finally, we have been outspoken in calling for
stronger protections in law and policy,
recognising that trans rights are human rights.
At a time when trans 8nd non-binary people
face unprecedented challenges, the Forum
has placed trans equality at the very heart of
our mission.
Our Open Meetings are an opportunity to
share expertise; to learn more about how
being LGBTQ+ can create unique challenges-
for example in healthcare which can be
overlooked when providing services., and to
reflect on the role that individuals,
organisations and com munities can play in
making improvements. We're delighted to have
been able to create spaces to facilitate
conversation and promote collaborative
working between service providers, charities
and other stakeholders in the city. We hope to
continue these invaluable sessions in the
OPEN MEETINGS
coming months, and welcome suggestions for
future themes.
As a charity, we focus on building, facilitating
and promoting community support. Core to
this is recognising where our similarities and
differences lie in relation to other
organisations and looking at where our
member bases overlap. In much of our
collaborative work, we have supported
inéividuals who experience marginalisation for
reasons other than their sexual orientation or
gender identity.
YORK SOCIALS
This year, we have used this intersectional
emphasis to underpin the structure for our
Open Meetings. Stakeholders in related
professions - such as local businesses,
charities, community groups, local government
The York LGBT+ Social continues to go from
strength to strength, and l am delighted to
share another year of positive progress. The
group has grown steadily, with a consistent
mix of familiar friendly faces alongside a warm
10
welcome for new attendees. This balance has
helped us create a community that is both
established and open to fresh connections.
Our core aim remains the same: to provide an
inclusive, respectful, and supportive space
where everyone feels able to relax and be
themselves. Conversations at the socials are
meaningful yet easy-going, ranging from
light-hearted chat to deeper discussions, and
the feedback we have received reflects how
NORTHALLERTON SOCIALS
Our Northallerton Socials continue to
much people value this balance. Many
attendees have expressed that they are
forming new friendships, some of which we
hope will last a lifetime.
attract LGBTQ+ people from across a wide
region, with members travelling from
Scarborough, the Yorkshire Dales, the
adjacent areas of Middlesbrough,
Darlington and Bishop Auckland, and
even as far afield as Northumberland.,
with the majority of people still coming
from within Northallerton itself.
It has also been wonderful to see how
collaborative and community-minded the group
has become. Everyone contributes to setting up
the space and helping return the venue in good
order, which fosters a shared sense of
responsibility and respect. This teamwork
mirrors the supportive ethos of the social itself,
where members are quick to encourage and
look out for one another.
The venue remains a safe and inclusive
space for all our members, although we
have needed to work closely with staff at
the hotel to help them continue to be
inclusive of the need of trans and
The social is not only about the weekly meet up
but also about the sense of belonging that
extends beyond them. Importantly, the
atmosphere remains welcomingto people of all
ages, backgrounds, and experiences within the
LGBT+ community and allies too.
non-binary attendees in the face of
changing government guidance. During
this past year, members have worked
closely with a PhD student from
Northumbria University to explore issues,
barriers and concerns for LGBTQ+ people
in rural areas as part of their research.
In summary, the York LGBT Social is thriving. It
has become a space where people feel at
ease, valued, and part of something
meaningful. We look forward to building on this
success, welcoming even more people, and
continuing to grow together as a community.
TRANS & NON-BINARY SUPPORT
This year has been focused on expanding and
strengthening our provision of support for the
trans and non-binary community.. we continue
to offer support, social events and creative
opportunities for members across York and the
region.
ORTURE
Ir
Our trans peer support socials have continued
to grow and now take place twice a month: one
session online, and the other in person at Over
the Rainbow Cafe. Attendance has notably
increaseé, particularly during our popular open
mic nights which provide a creative outlet for
exploring trans identities. We have also hosted
film nights, charity shopping trips, taster folk
group sessions with Stubborn Roots, and
poetry writing on the Arts Barge. These
evenings have had a positive impact on mental
wellbeing, offering members a supportive
space to express themselves through art,
music, and performance.
Together. their continued efforts have been key
to the success of these initiatives, and the
overall popularity of our trans socials.
As the group continues to expand, we are
considering the need for a larger venue to
accommodate the rising number of
participants. The success of this growth
reflects the strong community bonds that have
formed, and we want to ensure everyone feels
welcome and supported.
Our dedicated Trans Coordinators. Phil and
Sophie. have been instrumental in driving this
progress, and we have also welcomed Sarah
and Bigby to the facilitators team to bring extra
capacity and new ideas.
12
PEOPLE OF FAITH
Additionally, the group have provided
connections for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers and
others who feel unsafe or unsure about being
able to share their sexuality and gender within
their own faith communities.
We continue to support the online LGBTQ+
People of Faith group, which provides a safe
space for people to engage with different
faiths and cultures which support and provide
activities for LGBTQ+ people. Through this
network, we have been able to promote
regular events such as Outside In with St
Luke's Church and the York Christians at Pride
Finally, our October Open Meeting was based
on the theme of LGBTQ+ identity alongside
faith and culture. This explored both the
difficulties faced by queer and trans people of
faith and the benefits of being part of a faith
community, and invited faith and community
leaders to reflect on how they can better
support and advocate for the LGBTQ+
community.
{first Saturday evening each monthl and Open
Table Northallerton Ifirst Monday evening each
monthl, alongside additional LGBTQ+ events
such as the Kith camps, the York Liberal Jews,
Shabbat, Pride compline at York Minster, and
connections to other faiths and activities
across Yorkshire.
TRUSTEE
RECRUITMENT
Following the departure of two Board
members, we will be looking to recruit
two new trustees in early 2026. We
welcome applications from those
without previous trustee experience,
as well as from individuals who have
If you would like to learn more about
being a trustee, please do speak to any
of the trustees at AGM 2025. or send an
email to enquiries@yorkigbfforum.org.
held governance roles before.
OTHER
PROJEcrs
As ever, we hope to continue to support our
current projects and to undertake further
development, outreach and awareness-
raising.
If you have any ideas, or are interested in
setting up your own project supported by York
LGBT Forum. please contact
enquiries@yorkigbtforum.org or speak to one
of the trustees.
York LGBT Forum welcomes, encourages and
supports member projects. If you are currently
running. have ideas for a project, or would like
to get more involved in an existing project,
please contact enquiries@yorkigbtforum.org,
or speak to one of the trustees.
14
YORK
LGBT
FORUM
DON'T HIDEYOUR HEART
ANNUAL
REPORT
2025
www.yorklgbtforum.org.uk
yorltlgbtl•rum.org.uk
Prwdly deygned and printed by nettl of Y(wk
www.nettl-yorkco.uk
The York LGBT Forum is a registered charity.
Charity Number". 1162254
fyo