fviii*yl¥
A(: I l)Il=
youth dlsablllty charlty
CORNWALL
ri
Charity number: 1163942
ANNUAL
REPORT
2024-2025

**“To me Active8 means a place to belong, and it also means trying new things with the right support. I have enjoyed Active8 because it has made me push my limits but also supported me in doing so and I love every month away with all my best friends. Active 8 has given me a lot more confidence and independence than I would’ve had without it, and also given me friendships that I know will last a lifetime.” Acceler8 member 2025** 




## **TABLE OF CONTENTS** 


**Page 4 - Executive Summary Page 5 - Mission and Vision Page 6 - Active8's Pillars Page 7 - Our Impact Page 8 - Acceler8 Page 10 - Illumin8 Page 12 - Mentoring Page 14 - Advocacy Page 15 - Accessible Transport Page 16 - Other Achievements Page 17 - Organisational Structure Page 20 - Fundraising Page 21 - Looking to the future Page 22 - Finances Page 23 - Signatories Page 24 - Independent examiners report Page 25 - Receipts and Payments account Page 26 - Statement of Assets and Liabilities Page 27 - Restricted funds Page 29 - References and administrative information** 





## **EXECUTIVE SUMMARY** 


Active8 is a Cornwall based charity supporting young people with physical disabilities. Our mission is to provide accessible opportunities to young people with physical disabilities to become more independent. We support Active8 members to challenge the status quo and be a catalyst for improvement in the quality of life of young individuals and our community. The Trustees have complied with their duty to have regard to the Charity Commissions’ public benefit guidance when planning activities for the year. 





**MISSION** Our mission is to support young people with physical disabilities in Cornwall to become autonomous individuals and to have their voices heard. 


## **VISION** 

Our vision is for a world where all young people are accepted for the person they are and the person they want to be so that they can fully embrace life’s opportunities. 





## **ACTIVE8'S PILLARS** 



## 







## **OUR IMPACT** 

OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS WE HAVE SUPPORTED OVER 600 INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND ORGANISATIONS THROUGH THE VARIOUS ACTIVE8 PILLARS. 

DAY ACTIVITIES 14 NIGHTS AWAY 40 

Trustees, Volunteers and Staį 20 Members and families 200 

121S 107 

Minibus rentals 290 

RESIDENTIALS 19 

Access Audits 85 



## **ACCELER8** 

This year we continued to progress with our March 2024 cohort as they completed the first year of their programme and continued into their second year. Over the last 12 months the group have met for a residential weekend each month as well as a week long trip in June to the Wheelpower National Junior Games at Stoke Mandeville. 

Aug - Camping, surfing and canoeing Sept - Mental health training and escape room Oct - Try a train and fright night Nov - Woodturning and wheelchair basketball 




Dec - Christmas crafts and present shopping Jan - Radio show and ice skating Feb - First aid training and trip to the seal sanctuary Mar - Stain glass window workshop and murder mystery Apr - Driving assessments and lesson and screen printing May - Graffiti workshop and lightsaber choreography June - Week at the Wheelpower National Junior Games in Stoke Mandeville July - Escape room, mentoring evaluation and music festival 

“I’ve learnt that my barriers aren’t really a big deal at all, and that I can do more than I thought.” Acceler8 member 



## **ILLUMIN8** 

This year starts the evolution of the project as we secured continuation funding for an additional 5 years from the National Lottery. It has meant we have been able to continue to deliver our services to our 18-30 year olds and with newly recruited staff progress our offering and recruit new young people to our programme. In the last 12 months we have been able to recruit an additional five young people to the group over 30. 




This year the Illumin8 group have done five residentials (over 10 nights) and seven day activities including: Aug - Flying lessons with Aerobility Sept - City residential to Bath Oct - Escape room Nov- Christmas shopping in Exeter Dec - Christmas party residential Jan - Butlins Back to the 00's weekend Feb - Cooking workshop Mar - Sports and Crafts Hotel residential Apr - A trip to Dartmoor Zoo May - City residential to Cardiff June - Cookery workshop July - Music concert 




**MENTORING** After securing funding in the last financial year we were able to role out the next cohort of mentoring with our Illumin8 members in September 2024. Active8 staff ran two residential weekends in September and October 2024 for 8 Illumin8 members who all complete their AQA Level 3 Mentoring Qualification. After the training was complete the group hosted a get to know you event with their mentees in November and began 121 sessions in January 2025. 

During the programme, there were over 36 mentoring sessions carried out by the members. 




## **MENTORING** 

At the first mentoring sessions the pairs identified a number of objectives for them to work towards. Over the following 6 months the pairs worked to achieve these objectives. 

There were a range of objectives completed by the mentees such as: “To pass my driving theory test and to find a course for university.” “To have sleepovers more.” “To buy items from the shop independently.” 

In July 2025 the mentors and mentees met as a group again to talk about their experiences, feedback on the journey and discuss the future of their mentoring. 4 of the 8 pairs decided to carry on past the 6 months and create some new objectives. 

Our members feel that their mentors were supportive and able to give valuable advice. Quotes from the mentees about their mentors: 

“They are good at finding solutions to things I might be struggling with as well as providing advice and opportunities for the things I’d like to do.” “They shared their experiences with college and how to deal with exam stresses.” 





**ADVOCACY** At Active8 we endeavor to support organisations and local communities to engage young people with disabilities and to support our members to advocate for better access. Over the last 12 months we have been involved in a number of projects supporting advocacy for disabled people, young people and those living in Cornwall. We have supported various organisations including the following: The Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust The Environment Agency Cornwall Council Cormac Bude Town Council Gwennap Parish Council 



## **ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORT** 

An important member of the Active8 team is our fully accessible minibus. This provides a lifeline to some of our members that wouldn’t be able to attend Active8 events without it. Along with supporting Active8 members we are able to support other like minded organisations from across Cornwall. This year we have been able to support schools, community projects, churches, youth clubs, sports clubs and scouting groups. Without this not for profit, accessible transport available in Cornwall our local community would struggle to attend these lifechanging and aspirational events. 



## **OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS** 

We are also very proud to have been involved in: A Royal visit from the Duchess of Edinburgh Nomination for the Kings Award for Voluntary Services The opening of the Liz Olive garden by Cornwall Rural Housing Association Continued involvement in the Cornwall Disability Alliance Run two brilliant family and friends events Run one of the only accessible minibuses in the North of Cornwall Continue to offer amazing opportunities and life changing experiences to our members 




**ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE STAFFING** Over 2024-2025 our team of 5 have grown into their roles with Tom and Clare celebrating their first year with the charity. 


Lindsey continues to provide support to staff and members and is thriving with the Acceler8 group. Lindsey celebrated 5 years of working for Active8 in January 2025 and we look forward to her continuing to grow in her role and developing the charity for years to come. Stacey has flourished in her adapted role supporting on Acceler8 and Illumin8 events, running the mentoring programme and organising the family and friends events. John continues to lead the charity on its aims and looks to develop the charity in the coming years. In March John celebrated 15 years of involved with Active8 and in June 2025 celebrated 10 years of employment with the charity. 




## **TRUSTEES** 

Mrs Anne Jeffery - Chair of Trustees Mr Mark Stevens - Deputy Chair of Trustees & Safeguarding Mr Paul Staniland - Treasurer Ms Felicity Gibbins – wellbeing Ms Cheryl Everitt – voice of a parent Mr Mark Curtis – legal, technology and GDPR Ms Chloe Walker 

Newly appointed Ms Alison Thomas - GDPR & Data Protection - appointed Dec 2024 Mr James Ball - Aug 2025 Ms Kelly McKernan - Sept 2025 Ms Laura Saunders - Sept 2025 Stepped down within the last 12 months: Mrs Penny Monger - January 2025 Mr Julian Tyson - June 2025 



## **TRUSTEES CONTINUED** 

Active8 trustees are appointed by the existing trustees for 3 years of service. In selecting individuals for appointment by charity trustees, the trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO. Every trustee must be appointed by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees with 21 days’ notice. It is the responsibility of all trustees to operate within the agreed procedure when inviting new or re-electing trustees to ensure the safety of themselves and others, as well as representing the organisation in an appropriate manner. It is the responsibility of the trustees to ensure the policy is adhered to and any issues are dealt with quickly to minimise the impact on others and the organisation. 





## **FUNDRAISING** 

The past year has been a challenging time for fundraising, with rising costs, increased competition for charitable funding, and uncertainty around longer-term support for much-needed charitable programmes. Despite this difficult backdrop, Active8 has worked hard to adapt and respond with resilience and creativity. The appointment of a dedicated fundraiser has enabled us to focus our efforts more effectively and explore new opportunities to generate the essential income we need. 

This renewed focus is already delivering tangible results, with a number of multi-year grants secured that are vital for sustainability and reducing financial risk to our core programmes. We are proud to have secured funding for our Acceler8 programme 2024–2026, with long-term contributions also achieved; including a two-year grant from National Global’s Make Some Noise and funding from The Clare Milne Trust. Our priority now is to build on this momentum and secure additional, sustainable, ongoing support for 2026–2028 and beyond. 

Our goal is to achieve five-year, funding commitments for Acceler8 – as we have successfully achieved for our Illumin8 programme – giving us the space to plan strategically, focus on other essential funding requirements, such as a new accessible minibus, and continue improving our delivery, impact, and reach. 

We are deeply grateful for the generosity and commitment of our supporters, partners, and funders, whose belief in our mission is enabling Active8 to keep improving young disabled lives and plan confidently ahead for the future. 



## **LOOKING TO THE FUTURE** 

Building on the progress already made, we identified and delivered our 2024 strategy plan prioritising of our five-year key strategic aims. 

In 2024 the board of trustees have worked with members and staff to create the next strategy plan that the charity will work towards from 2025-2030. This is a working document and will evolve over the life of the document. 

Using the various inputs and building on the organisation’s strengths and opportunities, while addressing its weaknesses and external threats, Active8 has set the following five goals for the period 2025 – 2030: 

- 1.Young people with physical disabilities in Cornwall are empowered to be self-advocates and their voices are heard within their community. 

- 2.Active8 has the necessary human, material and financial resources to make the organisation sustainable. 

- 3.Active8 has increased public awareness both locally and nationally 

- 4.Active8 has access to reliable, cost-effective transport. 5.Active8 has access to an accessible building suitable for our needs 




## **FINANCES** 

## **REVIEW OF RISK** 

The charity Trustees have considered the major risks to the charity and are satisfied that the systems and procedures in place manage those risks. At the Trustee meetings time is allocated to this and the charity has a risk register and strategy plan including a SWOT analysis to identify the major risks. 

## **OVERVIEW** 

Active8 are committed to providing a reliable and consistent provision to its members. Therefore, we aim to have secured funding for each of the project cycles. The table below shows the funding situation at the end of the financial year 2024/25: 


||**Funding at 1st August 2024**|**Funding at 31st July 2025**|
|---|---|---|
|**Restricted**<br>Acceler8<br>Illumin8<br>Total|£63,671<br>£49,503<br>£113,174|£28,500<br>£24,401<br>£52,901|
|**Unrestricted**|£77,692|£99,600*|
|**Total**|£190,866|£152,501|



*DONATIONS DURING THE YEAR INCLUDE £23,921 RAISED THROUGH A BIG GIVE CAMPAIGN. WHILST THESE WERE UNRESTRICTED, THE TRUSTEES HAVE AGREED TO ALLOCATE THESE FUNDS TO THE ACCELER8 PROGRAMME. AT THE END OF JULY 2025 £23,191 OF THESE FUNDS REMAINED UNSPENT AND INCLUDED WITHIN THE UNRESTRICTED FUNDS OF £99,600. 

## **RESERVES** 

ACTIVE8 ENDEAVORS TO SECURE SUFFICIENT FUNDING TO COMPLETE THE CURRENT CYCLE OF PROJECTS THAT IT RUNS, ALLOCATING ITS UNRESTRICTED RESERVES TO MEET ANY TEMPORARY SHORTFALL. THE CHARITY ENSURES THAT £53,000 IS HELD IN UNRESTRICTED RESERVE AT ALL TIMES. ANY RESERVES HELD IN EXCESS OF THIS MINIMUM FIGURE WILL BE USED TO SUPPORT THE ONGOING MANAGEMENT OF THE CHARITY AND TO SUPPORT PROJECTS IN FUTURE PERIODS. 



SIGNATORIES
Chair of Trustees- Anne Jeffery
Treasurer- Paul Sta
ActiveB CEO- John Sweeting

Active8
For the year ended 31 July 2025
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Active8
I report ￿ the Vusiees on my examinau'on of accounis of the Aciive8 (the Trusi) for the
year ended 31 July 2025.
Responsibiliiies and basis of report
As the charty trusiees of Ihe Trust you are responsible for the preparaiion of the accounts in
accordance wAh the requirements of the Chariiies Aci 2011 {'Ihe Aci).
I report in respeci of my examination of ihe Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of
Ihe 2011 Aci and in carrying oui my examinaiion I havo followed all the applicable Directions
given by ihe Charity Commission under section 145{5)(b) ol the Act.
Independent examinefs statement
I have compleied my examination. I can confirm ihai no maierial mailers have come to my
allenlion in conneciion With ihe examination giving me cause to believe that in any material
rospcci:
(l ) accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of
the Act.. or
(2) the accounis do not accord with Ihose records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other maller5 in connection wilh the examinaiion
10 which alteniion should be drawn in this report in order io enable a proper understanding of
Ihe accounts io be reached.
Darren Perry BA (Hons) ACA DChA
Chartered Accountant
Francis Clark LLP
Lowin House
Tre9olls Road
TRURO
TR12NA
Date: 27 Novernber 2025

Active8
Receipts and payments account for the year ended 31 July 2025
2025
2024
Unr•¥trlctod R￿1￿cled
Tot•1
Receipts
VolunL9ry sources
Granl from Nat￿nal Lotttty Community Fund
(>ants from other ass￿18110nS and trusls
Fundr￿sIng
Donatbons and Glft Ald
Othor Income
80.971
67.309
80.971
67.309
421
32,926
4,401
148.280 186.028
108.251
99.697
1.670
4.906
12.002
226.526
421
32,926
4.401
37.748
Incwie from assets
Bank deposit intor8sl
Tolal receipts
5.271
5,271
148.280 191299
3.149
229.675
Payments
Direct chariiable expenditure
Youlh ddivery work
Activllles
Montonng
Cwe cosls
Accomm￿latIon
Equipm&nl. food and transport
Manager
Fundraiser
Youth Work8rs
186
41.323
7.272
19.274
41.509
7.272
19.274
25.468
128
7.613
39.993
13,701
43.607
6.387
1.927
892
1.222
3,450
3,351
5,837
1,008
1.250
438
4.718
36.284
11.712
71.607
6.797
1.911
709
8.168
39.635
17,549
72.615
8.047
2.349
712
Staff wa)8s & NI
Staff exponsos
IT
CommunicalK)ns
Recnjilmenl c£>sls
15.523
201.607 217.130
140.938
Olher expenditure
Professional f88S
Indepe￿yenI 8xamwball¢￿ foo
Put4icity
Insurance
Offic8 rent and ulillb88
Traini
Gfrneral 8xponses
Bank char988
2,158
1,500
662
2.158
1.799
1.380
1.280
779
4.702
979
228
60
11.207
1.182
4.192
1.572
1.188
371
420
1.992
411
60
6.946
12.534
Tolal payTnants
21,111
208.553 229.
152.145
IDeficrtysurplu$ for Iho year
21.908
(60.273> {38,3651
77.530
Balances t￿r￿gh1 for￿rd
77,692
113.174 1￿.866
113.336
Balances in hand at 31 July 2025
99.600
52.901
152.501
1￿j.866

Active8
Statement of assets and liabilities at 31 July 2025
2025
2024
Non monetary assets
Caprtal vehicle assets costing E15,500 were purchased wi 2022 with fufKls from th8
National Lottery Community FLYKI. relalw lo a minibus purchase.
Monetary assets
Cash and bank balances
CAF bank
CAF deposit
Chanty bank
United Trust bank
Expense ￿COUnts
Cash in hand
4,144
15,842
47,476
85,000
5,382
15,000
85,409
85,000
39
75
152,501
190.866
Liabilities
Al the 31 sl July 2025. pawnls of El.454 wer8 Outstanding for employe8 and employer p8nsk
contribub'ons, together with an accrual for Independent ExaMinatW￿ lees of £1.65O+VAT in
resp￿1 ol lh8 yew.
Restricted fund balances
C04)P
Dorota
Cornwall CommLmlty Fund
Cornwall Community Fund
Albert Van den 88r
National Lottery Community FLKKI
Disability Comwall
Whirhvind
Hedley FrAff￿ation
Comwall Councll
Cornwall Councll
Global Charrties
NatM)nal Lottery Community FLWKI
3.661
1.082
4.623
Clat8 Milne
10,000
1.000
20.000
5.305
5.000
3.000
20.000
5,000
Tim82Mov8
13,500
24,401
49,503
52,901
113.174
Th8 a￿¥8 stalemènl of a$s8ts and liabih'tD8s and th8 attath8d receipts and payThénts aco)unl
for the year ended 31 Juty 2025 arv as approved by the Truslees
ANNE JEFF
On behalf ol Ihe Truste8S

Active8
Restricted Funds
Comwall
Community
Fund
Cornwall
Comwall
Community Community
Fund Tann•r Fund Clar•
Phoenix
Milne
Natlonal
Lottory
Communlty
Fund
Nallonal
Global
Lottery
Charit1•8 Community
Fund
A Van don
B•rgh
Cornwall
Cornwall
Councll
Council
Tlme2Mov• Car• Co•ls
Total
Co-op
Dorota
Disability
eomw*ll
whirlw1￿1
Hadley
Foundatlon
Comwjll
Councll
Liz Oliv•
Fund
113.174
3,661
1.082
4,623
20,IXIO
5.305
S,Cx)O
3.000
20,0fy)
49,503
Introduced In the year
148.280
10,000
soo
s,0(KJ
16,649
13,500
80.971
10.000
Spent In the year
1208.5531
13.661)
11.082)
14,623)
(3.0001
(2.0001
(20.0001
(12.985)
15,000)
13.000)
115,500)
{5.0001
116.649)
1106.0731 (10,000>
Cfwd
52.901
5.000
13,500
Acceler8
Acceler8
Accelef8
Acceler8
Ac¢eler8
Acceler8
Ac¢eler8
Acceler8
Acceler8
Acceler8
Accele18
Acc8ler8
Acc8ler8
Ac£eler8
Illuifftn8
Active 8
Related Party Transactlon5
Due lo ihe nalure ol the chanly'5 operations and some fftmbefs of the board belng Invofved In the organlsatlon's charitable acttvlty, transadions may take place the ￿anIsatIonS and Indivi￿alS In vthlch a m&n*er of Ihe Board ol Tfusiees may have an interest.
All tr8nsaclions involving such organisabons are conducted al am￿ length and In accordance with the chanty's financial regulations and ncxmal procufemenl procedures.
Income rolatod party transactlon*
During the year the charity received unrestrlcted don8tlons to the value 01 £3,12012024: £3,522l from 1 (2024'.71 truslee.
Expense• r•lated party trani*ctlon•
OunrvJ this and th• Wo￿Ou5 ya41 th• charlly rK>t makè any 1dmbufs8m￿{ ol 8xpénw 10 tfUStè•$.

Active8
Restricted Funds
Breakdown
Costs all￿8{￿rt lo Funds bas8d oft a pro rala I￿nd by cost In th• PIW thty W•f• oiv•n to
Comwall
Comwall Communlty
Dorota Communlty
Fund
Fund
Tann•r
Pho•nlx
Cornwall
Communlty A Van d•n
Fund Cl•r•
B•rgh
Mlln•
Natk>nal
Lottery
Dlsablllty
Communlty Cornwall
Fund
Cornw•ll
Cornwall
Council
Councll
Tkno2Mov• Car• Costs
Natlonal
Lott•ry
Communlty
Fund
Total
co.op
H•dl•y
Foundallon
Cornwall
Coun¢ll
Global
Charltl•8
Llz Ollv•
Fund
Irhylnd
Spent in ￿ar
106 073
y￿1h Wtrk O•th'¥ww Acifvrti•s
I￿nIorIng
Cai• c4)sts
Eouipmènl. food 8A)d lrnnip(*t
Manager
Fundraiser
Youth Workers
41.323
7,272
19.274
4.718
36.284
11.712
71.607
6.797
1.911
931
275
1,175
763
8,296
1,271
763
3,940
1271
22,048
7,272
2.625
2,714
13,205
11,712
37.605
3,296
1,501
350
594
2,106
1,045
16,649
97
631
122
797
79
517
53
345
528
3,449
343
2,236
132
79
517
410
2,673
132
862
Staff w&385 & Nl
187
10.CKX)
1,642
169
2.073
213
25
22
36
127
32
1,345
139
16
14
23
83
21
13,
813
599
70
61
101
357
90
2,242
231
27
24
39
138
1,345
139
16
14
23
83
21
6,950
716
84
73
120
426
108
2,242
231
27
24
39
138
35
Staff ex￿n385
IT
Cc¥M)un￿91lc
Insufance
Office rent and utilrties
Training
92
923
17
28
101
25
95
155
1.182
4.192
1.572
16
14
139
106 073

- **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION** 

Charity name: Active8 

Registered number 1163942, first registered 12th October 2015. 

Registered Charity address & Office Address: Active8, B108 Beacon Place, Station Approach, Victoria, St Austell, PL26 8LG. 

Nature of governing document Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) – Foundation Trust Registered 12 Oct 2015 (a copy can be provided upon request). 

Bankers 

CAF Bank Limited, 25, Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ. 

The Charity Bank Limited, Fosse House, 182 High Street, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1BE. 

United Trust Bank, One Ropemaker Street, London, EC2Y 9AW. 

Independent Examiner Francis Clark LLP, Lowin House, Tregolls Road, Truro, Cornwall TR1 2NA.