’ ’ - Manor Farm Boys Club Trustees Annual Report 2024 2025
Structure and Management
Manor Farm Boys’ Club is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registration number 1176423 located at Manor Farm Boys Club, Wellington Hill, Bristol, BS7 8ST. The Management Committee is made up of members of the community and the Trustees of the charity.
Trustees
Trustees are appointed to the Committee. In planning our activities, the Trustees keep in mind the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. The current Trustees are: Andrew Beer Gemma Cant Seamus Clandillon Adam Gill
Activities and Objectives
A significant number of the young people we work with may be disaffected and socially excluded. We seek to develop the social skills, self-esteem and confidence of young people through a range of extra-curricular activities and youth led projects. We undertake mainly centre-based work using sport and recreational activities as the medium which addresses key issues within a variety of diverse and challenging settings. Many of the young people we work with are at risk of becoming involved in anti-social behaviour. Manor Farm Boys' Club is there to help them make informed choices and mature decisions and to understand how their actions impact the community. Our activities programme has been complemented by both formally and informally organised sessions, discussions and debates on issues relevant to young people, including violence and bullying, health and safety, Deaf awareness, disabilities and additional needs, race and culture. All this is in addition to the regular ongoing focus on respect, attitudes and behaviour, teamwork and participation which all build towards the development of young people’s characters. Former members continue to take an active role in the running of the Club. We also aim to give some very enthusiastic younger members a taster of life helping out on the staff team with the youngest members of the Club.
Serving the wider community
We have been able to let the Club’s facilities at times when not in use by the Boys’ Club to gain valuable additional income. The building and equipment have been hired by a number of other young people’s organisations during the year including a holiday club, Welly Playgroup, Deaf men’s mental health group, FACE Youth Club, Little Feet football coaching, Little Hands mums and toddlers’ group. Manor Farm Boys’ Club continues to provide an excellent well-balanced service through the skills and experience of an enthusiastic and dedicated staff team. The members of our Management Committee oversee the work of the Club and registered Charity. It is important to recognise that all these volunteers and part-time personnel are prepared to give their evenings, weekends and on occasions their holidays, to provide young people with opportunities, experiences, guidance and knowledge to assist their growth towards maturity.
Financial review, debts and reserves policy
Despite the ongoing economic and inflationary challenges, the finances of the Club continue to be well managed and in good order.
Total receipts for the year was £30,435 and total payments amounted to £20,679, resulting in an increase of £9,756 in bank balances during the period. Some £7,000 of the receipts related to the sale of the Club’s minibus, which was a one-off item. The Trustees are continuing to investigate other sources of fundraising, particularly ones in which the boys can actively participate.
Owing to the unpredictability of the cost of maintaining the Club’s Victorian premises, the Trustees believe that the equivalent of 18 months’ expenses should be held in reserves. This is intended to cover the cost of repairs, alternative venues for the boys, and potential loss of hire income during any repair period.
Sale of Cottage
The Club owns a cottage in Abergavenny, Wales, which historically supported residential and outdoor activity programmes. In recent years, however, the property has become increasingly difficult to maintain and underused due to rising upkeep costs, transport challenges, staffing requirements, and additional health and safety expectations.
The Trustees have therefore concluded that the asset would provide greater long-term value to the Club if the proceeds of a sale were redirected towards essential priorities. The Club currently faces a significant shortfall in the capital fund required to bring the main building up to an acceptable standard of repair (outlined later in this report). Funds released from the sale of the cottage would enable the Club to undertake these critical works, stabilise overall finances, and invest further in youth activities and events for our members.
Plans for the Building
The Club building is owned by Bristol City Council and leased to the organisation. As an older structure, it is now in a deteriorated condition and requires substantial refurbishment. Some immediate works have already been completed, including replacement of several doors and an urgent roof repair following storm damage to prevent water ingress.
The Trustees commissioned a professional property management consultancy to assess the building. Their report sets out the full scope of repairs required to ensure safety, accessibility and long-term usability. We have also secured a one-off grant of approximately £53,000 from the Council’s Resilience Fund. This funding will be used to replace the ageing electrical wiring and refurbish several windows. Due to the stone frames and leaded glass, this work must be carried out by specialist contractors to preserve the building’s character and comply with planning requirements. Proceeds from the proposed sale of the cottage will enable the Club to carry out further essential repairs, helping safeguard this important community facility for many years to come.
Fundraising Plans
Historically, the Club raised funds through an annual door-to-door envelope collection in the local area. This was once highly effective, but the approach became increasingly challenging following the pandemic and the wider move towards cashless payments. The collection now generates limited income relative to the time, resources and printing costs involved.
In response, we have diversified our fundraising activities. Our annual Swimmathon,
hosted at a local Bristol pool, has become a successful and well-supported event. Many young members complete long-distance challenges to raise sponsorship, aligning well with the Club’s emphasis on sport and positive activity.
This year we also approached a major local retailer, Tesco, who have kindly agreed to host a fundraising day in their foyer in January 2026. Planning is underway, and if the event proves successful we intend to make it an annual fixture.
Keith Bonham commemoration
Last year we were deeply saddened by the passing of our long-standing Chair, Keith Bonham. Keith supported the Club for 45 years and was a dedicated, compassionate and much-loved leader. His contribution to the lives of young people and to the Club’s development has been immense, and he is greatly missed by all.
The Trustees are currently discussing an appropriate way to commemorate Keith’s life and service. Options are being explored in consultation with members and volunteers to ensure that any tribute reflects his values, his commitment to young people, and the legacy he leaves behind.
Manor Farm Boys' Club CIO
Registered Charity number 1176423 Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025
| Manor Farm Boys' Club CIO Registered Charity number 1176423 Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Bank balances as at 1 April 2024 Bank movements in the year Receipts (see analysis below) Payments (see analysis below) Net receipts Bank balances as at 31 March 2025 |
£ £ 23,216 30,435 (20,679) 9,756 32,972 |
|
| 32,972 |
| Analysis of receipts Member Subscriptions Fundraising Donations Minibus Hire of Premises Tuck Shop Investment income Total receipts Analysis of payments Staff Salaries and Expenses Building Equipment Cleaning Insurance Utilities Stationery Cottage Activities & Trips Tuck Shop supplies Bank Charges Total payments |
1,822 1,180 6,250 7,014 13,235 3 931 |
|---|---|
| 30,435 | |
| (5,252) (4,039) (200) (1,949) (3,002) (4,465) (10) (884) (500) (230) (148) |
|
| (20,679) |
| M&G Charifund accounts As at 1 April 2024 Increase in investment value As at 31 March 2025 |
Accumulation £ 7,172 771 |
Income £ 14,977 640 |
Total £ 22,149 1,411 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7,943 | 15,617 | 23,560 |
Signed on behalf of the Trustees
Andrew Beer 16/01/2026
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ Charity Name members of Manor Farm Boys’ Club On accounts for the year 31 March 2025 Charity no 1176423 ended (if any) Set out on pages Below (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 31/03/2025.
Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the 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 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:
-
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
-
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
| Signed: Name: Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: |
David Plumb | Date: | 25thJanuary 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Plumb | |||
| Associate Chartered Management Accountant | |||
| Grove Cottage, Street End Lane | |||
| Blagdon, N. Somerset | |||
| BS40 7TW |
1
IER