2025-08-31-accounts - South Cumbria Breastfeeding Support

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Trustees Annual Report for the Period From 1[st] September 2024 to 31[st] August 2025

South Cumbria Breastfeeding Support Charity Registration number 1166379 Website: https://cumbriabreastfeeding.org.uk/

Objectives and Activities

The object of South Cumbria Breastfeeding Support is the advancement of health, for the public benefit, through the provision of information, skilled help and support for mothers in and around South Cumbria who breastfeed or wish to breastfeed their babies, the families of those mothers and those who support them.

To meet this objective, South Cumbria Breastfeeding Support runs free, drop-in groups and online support for mothers in and around South Cumbria. We liaise with local Health Professionals, professional networks and local organisations in order best to support our local community.

In planning our activities for the year, the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

Additional Information

We value the contribution made by volunteers very highly. We rely on volunteers to ensure the smooth running of the groups, and to make sure that all mums have a positive experience when they come to a group, no matter how busy the group is.

Achievements and Performance

In person groups

There were a total of 672 attendances at our groups during this year, including 129 1[st] -time attendees. There were approximately 250 one-to-one consultations during the drop-in groups.

Most people who come to our groups live not far from the location of the group. However, as in previous years, we continue to welcome attendees from much further afield from time to time, including from Workington, Whitehaven, Carlisle, Penrith, Barrow, Lancaster and Settle. Families sometimes travel considerable distances to get to our drop-in groups.

The majority of 1st-time attendees have a baby who is under 6 weeks old. The youngest baby to be brought to a group this year was 5 days old. However, we are delighted to welcome nurslings of all ages to our groups, including a number of toddlers and pre-schoolers. Almost all of our 1[st] -time attendees come to the group seeking help or support, though often then become regulars at the groups, benefitting from the social and emotional support of other mums.

A grant from Cumbria Community Foundation enabled us to buy a set of medicalgrade digital scales for each of our drop-ins. These have been a very useful addition to the groups, especially for those families who have needed to monitor their baby’s weight closely, with support from our IBCLC.

Recent feedback from mums who have attended our in-person groups includes:

‘Friendly, warm welcome, reassuring! I mean I could keep going.’

‘Practical help from Ann; some stuff really needs to be in-person, doesn't it! Solidarity. Intelligent conversation from switched-on parents.’

‘It's a great time to chill and chat. When I've had questions/concerns, Ann is very knowledgeable and helpful.’

‘Thank you so much for all the help and support you have given me and my baby over the past few months. Without you she wouldn't be being breast fed and I wouldn't get this amazing bond I have with her now.’

SCBS In It Together: private online forum

This closed online forum allows families to connect with us, and with each other, providing a community of support seven days a week. This forum is only open to mums-to-be and mums with an LA or CA postcode, unlike our drop-in groups which are open to anyone who can get to them. By the end of August 2025, there were over 1120 members SCBS In It Together. Mums use this group to ask each other questions that they might not be able to ask elsewhere, seek informal support, and to share information: the kind of support that mums might once have been able to offer each other in a close-knit real-life community.

1:1 videocalls

The majority of mums who have received support by videocall have had babies under a month old. The commonest issue that mums have sought support for has been painful feeding, or difficulties in establishing breastfeeding.

Antenatal education

We have continued to provide antenatal breastfeeding classes via Kendal Parent Network. We were fortunate to receive some funding from Kendal Town Council to support this, and have been able to provide one class per month, with a rolling programme of 4 breastfeeding topics.

Recent feedback on our antenatal sessions included:

‘This workshop was the perfect balance of information and group discussion’

‘Helpful information to start breastfeeding, especially the different positions.’

‘Very good and helpful session’

One service user who made use of both our in-person and online support, including videocalls, took the time to write a detailed testimonial, which we are proud to share here:

Firstly, Ann and her group provided us with a free, accessible, cosy, welcoming space that we could go to, to not only breastfeed but have a cuppa, meet new mums and relax. This was such a comfort as a first time Mum and I very quickly felt relaxed at the group, as it was not at all intimidating. Ann was always there for advice regarding latch and feeding and positioning, but more than that, the environment just made me feel comfortable feeding with other mums feeding too and I know the atmosphere helped me to learn on the job! I attended both the Kendal and Windermere groups and was so glad for both.

Secondly, Ann was contactable via Facebook for difficulties and advice in all areas, such as latch, wind, baby stools, having an unsettled baby, night feeds, position changes, the list goes on. Ann’s knowledge, be it in person during a group, one to one after the group, or via message, was second to none. As a first time Mum, I realised that although lots of breastfeeding is down to being relaxed, responding to baby, adapting to your own body and baby’s body, there are also tips and tricks which can help. Ann’s advice is always open and flexible so that it empowers you to learn with your baby as opposed to ‘telling you what to do’.

Thirdly, Ann and I had two ‘one to one’ sessions together which focused on taking a mindfulness approach. Here, Ann used mindfulness and affirmations to help me reframe some of my thoughts around breastfeeding. The session focussed on how to work on my own anxieties, to make an environment that was calm and relaxed for feeding. We focussed on simple techniques such as music and lighting to make a calm feeding environment. We then looked at my thoughts going into the feed and how to reframe anxious or negative thoughts. We worked on positive affirmations around my feeding journey and how to use and repeat these in daily life. We looked at journaling thoughts and feelings, and the positive effect this can have on my relationship with my baby. These sessions were a real turning point for me with a baby coming out of the newborn period, and helped our feeding journey immensely. The ‘penny dropped’ in the sense that I was able to focus less on feeding positions and ‘correct’ technique and instead lean in to listening to my body and my baby and working on my own inner narrative to enable our feeding, and our bond in general, to strengthen and grow.

Without sounding clichéd, I know for a fact that our feeding journey and post-partum period in general would have been extremely different and less positive without Ann’s support and it was South Cumbria Breastfeeding who played a huge role in supporting our exclusive breastfeeding journey past infancy, of which I feel very proud. Although it wasn’t always easy, I really enjoyed breast feeding and the journey that came with it, I look forward to hopefully feeding a future child and feel very lucky that we have such local support on our doorstep in Cumbria.

Financial Review CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND ANO WALES ." lil arryL South Cumrbia Breastfeedlng Support Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period 0110912024 311W202S Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds tothe nearest Restricted lunds EndowTnerrt funds Totsl funds Lam year tothe Trearest£ totheneare5t£ totheNeare5t£ tothe neatest£ A1 Receipts 2.575 29.000 102 1675 31ffi75 102 14.115 12 Other Sub total(Gross incom8 for ARJ 311,676 167$ J4JSl A2 Ass•t and Inv•sty•ni sales, Isee tablel. Sub iotal zzzz Toral relP1¥ 30,616 3.675 34J51 18,8BI A3Pa m•nt5 19,650 149 92 74 18NMI Equipment Rèfreshmènl$ WeDsile R?sourcès Room Hire 2.175 lJ24 92 74 1JO 74 2.455 2.616 Sundry Wènse$ 76 76 Ac£ounlancv 216 a6 116 BanK Charges Sub toral 22.772 2J75 2746 22.050 A4 Ass•t and Inv•stm•ni ur¢has•s. s•• tabl• Sub ioial zzaz Tot•lpaym¢ni 22,772 2,975 2S746 22,056 Net of m¢elpt(p4yMenlJ AO Transl•r5 b•knw••n lund5 A6 Cash funds last y•ar •nd Cash funds thls yearend 7) 3,17 9.505 11.409 12.680 100 16.109

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of th8 period Unrestricied funds to nearest£ Resiricted lunds toTrearest£ Endowment funds tofftearest£ Cat•gorl•s D•talls B1 Ca¥hfunds CAF Bank 18,1DY Totalcash funds 18,109 lagreebaknceswrth recepts and payments Unr•strlet•d funds 10 neare$t£ R•strlet•d funds Endowm•nt funds t0e&rS1£ DetJi15 B2 Other monetary assets Fund tolTrKh asset beh) costlop1K&lI Current¥ae Details B3 Investrnentassets Fund towhKh a8•tt won Current¥ae D•tails Cost (Opi1> B4 Assets retained for the charity's own u¥• Fund towlTrh athlity rdates AmountdL loptK>nall When due Details B5 Liabiliti•$ Signed by one ortwo trustees on Snature Prirrt Name Date of roval J CLUMre Jessica CupNen 1910W2026 Kathleen Miller 1910812028

The trustees of South Cumbria Breastfeeding Support consider that reserves would be needed in the event of:

a) unforeseen emergency or other unexpected need for funds

b) unforeseen day-to-day operational costs, eg employing temporary staff to cover a long-term sick absence.

c) A source of income, such as a grant, not being renewed. Funds might be needed to give the trustees time to take action if income falls below expectations.

d) Planned commitments, or designations, that cannot be met by future income alone

e) The need to fund short-term deficits in a cash budget

SCBS aims to hold reserves equating to 6 months’ expenditure. This was agreed by trustees in November 2021.

The majority of South Cumbria Breastfeeding Support’s income comes from grantmaking trusts. During 2024-2025 these included: National Lottery (Awards for All) Eric Wright Charitable Trust Kendal Town Council Postcode Neighbourhood Trust Cumbria Community Foundation

We also receive financial support from our service users. For example, cash donations from mothers at our groups online donations through JustGiving. Some service users and supporters have birthday fundraisers for us too. We are enormously grateful to our services users for their support, especially since at the time that they access our services, most of our service users are on very restricted incomes.

Structure Governance and Management

South Cumbria Breastfeeding Support is a Charitably Incorporated Organisation. The charity’s governing document is a Constitution.

New trustees are appointed by existing trustees. The current trustees are all local parents who have volunteered to undertake this role. Many of our trustees have at one time been service users of the Charity.

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole year Rebecca Beck Resigned 31.3.25 Ann Bruce Jennifer Corrin Resigned19.9.24 Jessica Curwen Treasurer Michelle Duncan Appointed 20.3.25 Carissa Lough Resigned 30.4.25 Lisa Metcalfe Chair Resigned 24.10.24 Kathleen Miller Secretary

Registered Address: 29 St Mary’s Park, Windermere, LA23 1AZ

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature J Curwen Full name Jessica Curwen Position Trustee Date 19/06/2026 Signature K Miller Full name Kathleen Miller Position Trustee Date 19/06/2026

IHARITY COMMISSION FOR EN6IANO AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounls Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees South Cumbria Breastfeeding Support On accounts for the yfrar ended 31&IAugusI 2025 Charity no lif anyl 1168379 Sel out on page$ 1109 I report lo the trustees on my examination ofthe accounts of the above charity I'yhe Trusl'l for the year ended 31 August. Responsibilities and basis of report As the ¢harily's trustees. you are responsible forthe pr8paralion of th9 accounts in accordance with the rÈqulrements of the chareS Act 2011 c'the AGt'I. I report in respect of my examination ol the Trusts ac¢ounts carried OLrt under sÈdion 145 of thè 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination. I have followed a11 the appliGable Direthons given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of A(. Independeht I have completed my examinat10n l ¢onfirM that n¢ material malters have examlner's statèment come to my attention in connection with the examination which give5 me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in acrdanCe wlth section 130 of the Charities Act", or the accounts did not aOrd wrth the accounting recoids., or the accounts did not comply wlth the tpplicable requirements concerning the form and content of account5 set out in the Charitk?S (Accounts and RepDrt$l Regulation$ 2008 other than any requiretnenl that the a¢¢ounis give a Irue and fairf view which is not a matter consid8r8d as part of an independent examination. I have no GorEcèin5 and have com8 across no other matters In connection with the examination to which attention should be diawn in this r8POrt in orderto enable a prop8r understanding of the aGGoun15 to be reached. Slgned., Dats: 0910612028 Name: Sarah Jayne Roberts BSC FCA Relevant professlonal quallfi¢ationl$l or body Ilf anyl.. Chartered A¢¢ounlant Address.. Valley View, Askew Gale Brow. Kirkby in Furness Cumb8 LA17 7TE IER Oct 2018

Section B Disclosure Only Gomplele If Ihe examiner needs lo highlight malenal matters pf 1$88 CC32. Independent examination of Ghairty aGcounts'. direction8 and guidan for examiners). Glve here briel detai15 of any Item$ that the examinerwishes to dlsclose. IER Oct 2018

Trustees Annual Report for the Period From 1[st] September 2024 to 31[st] August 2025

South Cumbria Breastfeeding Support Charity Registration number 1166379 Website: https://cumbriabreastfeeding.org.uk/

Objectives and Activities

In planning our activities for the year, the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

Additional Information

Achievements and Performance

In person groups

There were a total of 672 attendances at our groups during this year, including 129 1[st] -time attendees. There were approximately 250 one-to-one consultations during the drop-in groups.

Recent feedback from mums who have attended our in-person groups includes:

‘Friendly, warm welcome, reassuring! I mean I could keep going.’

‘Practical help from Ann; some stuff really needs to be in-person, doesn't it! Solidarity. Intelligent conversation from switched-on parents.’

‘It's a great time to chill and chat. When I've had questions/concerns, Ann is very knowledgeable and helpful.’

SCBS In It Together: private online forum

1:1 videocalls

Antenatal education

Recent feedback on our antenatal sessions included:

‘This workshop was the perfect balance of information and group discussion’

‘Helpful information to start breastfeeding, especially the different positions.’

‘Very good and helpful session’

One service user who made use of both our in-person and online support, including videocalls, took the time to write a detailed testimonial, which we are proud to share here:

The trustees of South Cumbria Breastfeeding Support consider that reserves would be needed in the event of:

a) unforeseen emergency or other unexpected need for funds

b) unforeseen day-to-day operational costs, eg employing temporary staff to cover a long-term sick absence.

c) A source of income, such as a grant, not being renewed. Funds might be needed to give the trustees time to take action if income falls below expectations.

d) Planned commitments, or designations, that cannot be met by future income alone

e) The need to fund short-term deficits in a cash budget

SCBS aims to hold reserves equating to 6 months’ expenditure. This was agreed by trustees in November 2021.

Structure Governance and Management

South Cumbria Breastfeeding Support is a Charitably Incorporated Organisation. The charity’s governing document is a Constitution.

Registered Address: 29 St Mary’s Park, Windermere, LA23 1AZ

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature J Curwen Full name Jessica Curwen Position Trustee Date 19/06/2026 Signature K Miller Full name Kathleen Miller Position Trustee Date 19/06/2026

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees Charity Name South Cumbria Breastfeeding Support On accounts for the year 31[st] August 2025 Charity no 1166379 ended (if any) Set out on pages 1-9 (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] August. 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 report in respect of my examination of the Trust’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 I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

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.

Signed: Name: Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address:	*SJ Roberts*	09/06/2026

	Sarah Jayne Roberts BSc FCA

	Chartered Accountant

	Valley View, Askew Gate Brow, Kirkby in Furness
	Cumbria LA17 7TE

Oct 2018

IER

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 .

Oct 2018

IER