The Clare Project
Registered Charity Number: 1165746
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
1. Reference and Administrative Details
Charity Name: The Clare Project Registered Charity Number: 116746 Registered Address: Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, Dorset Gardens, Brighton, BN1 1RL Legal Form: Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Governing Document: 25 February 2016 Trustees: Andie Davidson, Charlotte Fanfara, Fiona Allen. New trustees: Emma Preston-Dunlop, Lily Dommett. Resigned trustee: Maria Young. Em Ely Independent Examiner / Auditor: Sushma Clark (FCMA/ACMA) Your Accounts Team Ltd
Bankers: Lloyds
Principal Staff: Gray Hutchins, August Reed, Beck Cedar
2. Objectives and Activities
Charitable Objectives
The Clare Project aims to preserve and protect the good health of people, particularly those who are or who identify as transgender, non-binary, intersex, gender variant or gender questioning, and those who support them, by providing a safe and supportive environment for people to explore issues surrounding their gender identity through a weekly drop in, psychotherapeutic support, and such other services as the trustees shall think fit.
Public Benefit Statement
In planning and carrying out our activities, the trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. Our work provides measurable public benefit by reducing social isolation, improving mental health, providing peer support, and information regarding healthcare for trans, non binary, intersex, and gender-diverse people.
Main Activities
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Run peer-led psychosocial support groups in person and online
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Delivered training and information sessions.
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Organised excursions and social events to reduce isolation and develop community connection.
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Partnered with SGS (GIC) providing support to individuals on gender affirming NHS pathways.
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Provided training and consultancy for professionals and organisations on transinclusive practice
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Offered signposting and connections to peer support, psychotherapy and healthcare services.
3. Achievements and Performance
Despite continuing challenges in the wider environment, significant progress has been made this year. Key achievements include:
Service Use and Community Needs
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Drop-in attendance has grown to an average of around 30 people per week .
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Common concerns raised by attendees include:
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Mental health difficulties and increased anxiety
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Financial insecurity
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Rising transphobic content online and in the media
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Lack of frontline NHS support for both general healthcare and gender-affirming care
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Reductions in other essential services
New Groups and Projects
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New West Sussex Group established
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Sussex Transcendence launched
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First West Sussex project launched in Chichester (April)
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New East Sussex Group launched – Hastings TNBI
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Aging Well Project – group for over-50s
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Neurodivergent Group created
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Racialised TNBI Group established
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Group Nourish
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Youphoria Low-Sensory Class
Community Activities and Drop-In Activities
Organised a wide range of community and drop-in activities, including:
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Trips to Charleston and BLAGGs bowling
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Fire Social
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Group walks
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25th Anniversary Event
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Attendance at Trans Prides and Prides
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Collaboration with Terrence Higgins Trust
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Pizza & Paperwork sessions
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Pop-up COVID vaccinations
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Clothes swap events
Training and Staffing
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Delivered training sessions to local NHS teams and community partners
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• Recruited new staff, including facilitators, care navigators, and engagement workers
Outcomes
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Improved mental wellbeing
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Increased confidence in navigating healthcare and other services
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Greater sense of belonging and empowerment
4. Financial Review
Overview
During the year the charity received total income of £239,846 and expenditure of £242,058
Income sources:
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Grants
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Donations and Legacies
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Training and consultancy income
Expenditure included:
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Facilitation of support groups and workshops
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Staff and volunteer coordination
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Venue hire, materials, and travel
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Administrative and governance costs
Reserves Policy
The trustees aim to maintain free reserves equivalent to three months of core costs, about £60,000]. At year-end, reserves stood at £39,973.
Investments and Risk
The charity holds its reserves in UK bank accounts. Key risks include funding sustainability, staff wellbeing, and safeguarding. Trustees monitor these risks and maintain appropriate policies and insurance cover.
5. Structure, Governance and Management
The charity is governed by its constitution, adopted on 20 February 2016 and amended 5 March 2022, and managed by a board of trustees who meet regularly.
Trustee Recruitment and Training
Trustees are recruited through open community calls and appointed by existing members. New trustees receive an induction covering governance, safeguarding, and equality duties.
Organisational Structure
The charity is run largely by 14 part time staff, running operations, events and administration.
Risk Management
Trustees review risks at each trustee meeting several times per year. Controls include safeguarding procedures, financial status, finance authorisation limits, and data protection compliance.
6. Plans for the Future
Next year, the charity aims to:
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Continue our existing support groups
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Review existing, and develop new operational and wellbeing processes and procedures.
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Strengthen partnerships with healthcare providers and local authorities
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Improve evaluation and data systems to demonstrate impact
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Continue building sustainability through diverse funding
7. Acknowledgements
The trustees thank our volunteers, facilitators, donors, funders and partner organisations whose generosity and dedication make our work possible. Special thanks to everyone in our community who gives time, courage and energy to building safer, affirming spaces for trans, non binary, intersex and gender-diverse people.
8. Financial Statements
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Statement of Financial Activities
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Balance Sheet
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Notes to the Accounts
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Independent Examiner’s or Auditor’s Report
Approved by the Trustees on 18.11.2025
Signed on behalf of the Board: Fiona Allen – Chair
The Clare Project Financial Activities by Restricted & Unrestricted Funds April 2024 - March 2025
| Income Total Income Total Expenditures Total Expenditures Net Operating Income Other Income Total Other Income Other Expenditures 2000 Depreciation Restricted Funds cfwd Total Other Expenditures Net Other Income Net Income/(Expenditure) |
RESTRICTED FUNDS | TOTAL UN-RESTRICTED FUNDS |
TOTAL UN-RESTRICTED FUNDS |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOTAL | TOTAL | ALL FUNDS | |
| 133,522 | 106,324 | 239,846 | |
| 133,522 - |
106,324 - |
239,846 | |
| 146,560 | 107,256 | 253,816 | |
| - 13,038 - |
- 932 - |
- 13,970 | |
| 36,609 - - 23,571 |
- - 1,280 - |
36,609 1,280 23,571 |
|
| 23,571 | 1,280 | 24,851 | |
| 13,038 | - 1,280 | 11,758 | |
| - 0 | - 2,212 | - 2,212 |
The Clare Project Balance Sheet
As of March 31, 2025
| Fixed Asset Tangible assets Total Tangible assets Total Fixed Asset Cash at bank and in hand Total Cash at bank and in hand Debtors Debtors Total Debtors Current Assets Prepaid Expenditures Total Current Assets Net current assets Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Trade Creditors Creditors Total Trade Creditors Current Liabilities Total Current Liabilities Total Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Net current assets (liabilities) Total assets less current liabilities Provision for liabilities and charges Total net assets (liabilities) Charity funds Retained Earnings Surplus/(Deficit) Total Charity funds |
Total |
|---|---|
| As of Mar 31, 2025 |
|
| £ 861.49 | |
| £ 861.49 | |
| £ 26,883.22 49,056.33 |
|
| £ 49,056.33 0.00 |
|
| £ 0.00 | |
| £ 75,939.55 3,364.30 |
|
| £ 3,364.30 | |
| £ 25,463.72 | |
| £ 28,828.02 | |
| £ 47,111.53 | |
| £ 47,973.02 0.00 |
|
| £ 47,973.02 50,184.89 -2,211.87 |
|
| £ 47,973.02 |
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ Charity Name THE CLARE PROJECT members of On accounts for the year 31 MARCH 2025 Charity no 1165746 ended (if any) Set out on pages (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets) I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31[st] March 2025. Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). I have carried out my examination under section 145 of the Act and, in doing so, have followed all applicable Directions issued by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b).
Independent examiner's statement[I have completed my examination. ]
No material matters have come to my attention.
I confirm that I have no concerns and have encountered no other matters in connection with the examination that require disclosure in this report to enable a proper understanding of the accounts.
Signed: Date: 25/11/2025 Name: MRS SUSHMA CLARK Relevant professional CIMA qualification(s) or body (if any): Address:[10 SUDELEY PLACE ][BRIGHTON ][BN2 1HF ]
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Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
N/A
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