Annual Report of the Trustees of Umbrellas Lincoln for the period 1[st] April 2024 to 31[st] March 2025
Administrative Information
Charity name: Umbrellas Lincoln Other names: Umbrellas Registered charity number: 1177444 Charity’s principal address: 7 Lincoln Lane
Thorpe on the Hill Lincoln LN6 9BH
Trustees of Umbrellas Lincoln
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates active, if not whole year |
|---|---|---|
| Sandra Allen | ||
| Rachel Cordell | ||
| Judith Holden | ||
| Zoe Ives | Treasurer | |
| Charlotte Owen | Chair | |
| Jodi Weaver | Secretary | |
| Rebecca Wyatt |
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Structure, governance and management
Type of governing document: Constitution How the charity is constituted: CIO Trustee selection method: Elected by existing board of trustees
Additional governance issues:
Umbrellas is a very small CIO where the board of trustees also functions as the operational committee. Decisions are made at meetings of the committee, held at least monthly, usually in person, but, following Covid-19 guidance, these can also be held via Teams or Zoom. Dayto-day committee decisions are made via WhatsApp. All trustees have read and are fully conversant with the constitution, along with our other working documents which help the functionality of the organisation, namely our Roles and Responsibilities Guidance and our Safeguarding Policy and Procedure. A complete review of all existing policies will be carried out during the first quarter of 2026 by the chair and secretary. These are to be used as working documents to which we can refer whenever required. Any additional policies that are deemed useful will be drafted and put forward to the committee for approval at this time. Enhanced DBS checks have been carried out within the last 30 months and will be renewed in the second quarter of 2026.
Financial risk to the charity’s work has increased substantially over this financial period because of regular outgoings, including rent payments, insurances and internet provision. As a committee, we also have a quarterly review of resources which can lead to significant spending on replacement items.
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Objectives and activities
The objects of Umbrellas Lincoln, as set out in the charity’s constitution, are as follows:
To relieve the needs of children, young people and adults with disabilities/additional needs and their families by in particular but not exclusively:
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i. Providing a support group;
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ii. Acting as a liaison with organisations, agencies and services that support children, young people and adults with additional needs; and
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iii. Organising events that provide help and support to said beneficiaries in need of such help.
The charitable activities of Umbrellas Lincoln continue to be paid for predominantly by fundraising events that are organised and led by the committee, along with some charitable donations from local organisations and companies. At the end of the last financial period, Umbrellas was awarded two grants by the Lincolnshire Virtual Autism Hub, one to provide an autism-friendly youth club, the other for a homework club to aid the transition from school to home. The trustees continue to adhere to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission in relation to public benefit, and in particular to the protected characteristic relevant to our aims and objectives, namely disability.
During the last financial period, the committee continued to develop the rented former office space off Doddington Road in Lincoln. Umbrellas currently leases 7 rooms within the building. These spaces are used for the following purposes:
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Sensory room, equipped with black out tents and sensory equipment
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Play room, with toys for a wide range of ages and abilities
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Gaming room, a space with games consoles, board games and books
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Work room, for crafting and quieter activities
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Sitting room, where parents and carers can relax with a drink and snack
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Storage spaces, allowing for regular rotation of resources.
Umbrellas has invested in new, safer storage for the sensory room and Nintento Switches for the gaming area. There is also a regular restock of the art and craft supplies. During the 2025-26 financial period, the committee’s aim is to develop one of the storage spaces into a soft play area, including matting, ball pool and play shapes, some of which have already been purchased in preparation for this work.
Our main function was a 10[th] anniversary ball, held in May 2024. The Christmas Fair was also a huge success, both in terms of attendance and funds raised. In addition to these two events, the committee has continued to run a café once a month as both a way to fundraise and to work with the wider community.
During 2024, were proactive in approaching the local press regarding the services we offer. This resulted in a large spread in one of the premier magazines in the district, Lincolnshire Pride, where we were able to explain our aims, objectives and motivation. Following on from this, we held our first weekend open day, with over 40 people in attendance. Many of these visitors have gone on to actively participate in subsequent monthly events, where parents
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have formed important relationships and their own support network, whilst their children engage in activities provided by Umbrellas.
The first youth club session was held in September 2024 and this has gone from strength to strength with approximately 15 young people in regular attendance. This also provides another fundamental opportunity for parents and carers to relax and form friendships based on common experiences. During the coming financial period, we hope to gain support from more volunteers which will enable us to open the premises more regularly.
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Financial Review
During the last financial year, we invested in furniture and resources for the centre. By the start of April 2025, our reserves stood at £75,000; however, we anticipate withdrawing a significant sum over the next period, predominantly in order to continue leasing the premises, as fundraising events pay for the majority of the charity’s other outgoings.
We continue to be challenged by the size of the committee and the availability of other volunteers, due to the fact that we are all carers. However, as documented, we have held some successful fundraisers. Our other significant income, aside from the VAH grant, has been from the following generous donations:
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Cathedral View Apartments - £126.14
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Greetwell Purchasing - £500.00
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Sir Robert Pattinson Academy Changemakers - £181.45
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Additional donations - £207.00
Other regular income has come from the Lincoln Community Lottery, PayPal and Amazon.
The Umbrellas committee will continue to explore opportunities for grant funding to support regular opening of the premises over the coming year.
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Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the report above.
Signed on behalf of the trustees of Umbrellas Lincoln as follows:
| Signature: | Signature: | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name: | Charlotte Louise Owen | Full name: | Zoe Ives |
| Office: | Chair | Office: | Treasurer |
| Date: | 31.01.2026 | Date: | 31.01.2026 |
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CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1177444
UMBRELLAS LINCOLN
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
31 MARCH 2024
UMBRELLAS LINCOLN
TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (continued)
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
The trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024.
| Reference and administrative details | Reference and administrative details |
|---|---|
| Registered charity name | Umbrellas Lincoln |
| Charity registration number | 1177444 |
| Principal office | 7 Lincoln Lane |
| Thorpe on the Hill | |
| Lincoln | |
| LN6 9BH | |
| The trustees | |
| J Holden | |
| S J Allen | |
| Z Ives | |
| J L Weaver | |
| R L Wyatt | |
| C L Owen | |
| R M Cordell | |
| INDEPENDENT EXAMINER | Hurstons Ltd Chartered Certified Accountants |
| 463-465 High Street | |
| Lincoln | |
| LN5 8JB |
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UMBRELLAS LINCOLN
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF UMBRELLAS LINCOLN
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Umbrellas Lincoln ('the charity') for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements 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:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
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the financial statements do 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.
Hurstons Ltd Chartered Certified Accountants Independent Examiner
463-465 High Street Lincoln LN5 8JB
19 December 2024
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UMBRELLAS LINCOLN
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | |||
| funds | funds | Total funds | Total funds | |
| Note | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Income and endowments | ||||
| Donations and legacies | 1,626 | – | 1,626 | 6,850 |
| Charitable activities | 10,702 | – | 10,702 | 7,095 |
| Investment income | 1,488 | – | 1,488 | 409 |
| ---------------------------- | -------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| Total income | 13,816 | – | 13,816 | 14,354 |
| ============================ | ============== | ============================ | ============================ | |
| Expenditure | ||||
| Expenditure on raising funds: | ||||
| Costs of raising donations and legacies | 8,758 | – | 8,758 | 4,452 |
| Costs of other trading activities | 2,108 | – | 2,108 | – |
| Expenditure on charitable activities | 11,247 | – | 11,248 | 2,673 |
| ---------------------------- | -------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| Total expenditure | 22,113 | – | 22,114 | 7,125 |
| ============================ | ============== | ============================ | ============================ | |
| ---------------------------- | -------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| Net (expenditure)/income and net movement | ||||
| in funds | (8,297) | – | (8,298) | 7,229 |
| ============================ | ============== | ============================ | ============================ | |
| Reconciliation of funds | ||||
| Total funds brought forward | 103,195 | 392 | 103,587 | 96,358 |
| --------------------------------- | -------------- | --------------------------------- | --------------------------------- | |
| Total funds carried forward | 94,898 ================================= |
392 ============== |
95,290 ================================= |
103,587 ================================= |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The notes on page 5 form part of these financial statements.
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UMBRELLAS LINCOLN
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
31 MARCH 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | £ | £ | |
| FIXED ASSETS | |||
| Tangible fixed assets | 4 | 4,280 | 600 |
| CURRENT ASSETS | |||
| Debtors | 5 | 335 | 335 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 90,674 | 102,652 | |
| ---------------------------- | --------------------------------- | ||
| 91,009 | 102,987 | ||
| ---------------------------- | --------------------------------- | ||
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | 91,009 | 102,987 | |
| ---------------------------- | --------------------------------- | ||
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES | 95,289 | 103,587 | |
| ============================ | ================================= | ||
| FUNDS OF THE CHARITY | |||
| Restricted funds | 392 | 392 | |
| Unrestricted funds | 94,898 | 103,195 | |
| ---------------------------- | --------------------------------- | ||
| Total charity funds | 95,290 ============================ |
103,587 ================================= |
These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 18 December 2024, and are signed on behalf of the board by:
Z Ives Trustee
C L Owen Trustee
The notes on page 5 form part of these financial statements.
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UMBRELLAS LINCOLN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
The charity is a public benefit entity and a registered charity in England and Wales and is unincorporated. The address of the principal office is 7 Lincoln Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln, LN6 9BH.
2. STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE
These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland', the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Charities Act 2011.
3. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities and investment properties measured at fair value through income or expenditure.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.
Going concern
There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.
Disclosure exemptions
The entity satisfies the criteria of being a qualifying entity as defined in FRS 102. Its financial statements are consolidated into the financial statements of (enter name of group financial statements) which can be obtained from (enter detail). As such, advantage has been taken of the following disclosure exemptions available under paragraph 1.12 of FRS 102: (a) No cash flow statement has been presented for the company.
(b) Disclosures in respect of financial instruments have not been presented.
Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
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UMBRELLAS LINCOLN
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
The following pages do not form part of the financial statements.
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UMBRELLAS LINCOLN
DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Income and endowments | ||
| Donations and legacies | ||
| Donations | 1,626 | 6,850 |
| ------------------------ | ------------------------ | |
| Charitable activities | ||
| Fundraising activities | 6,484 | 6,647 |
| Cafe income | 3,856 | – |
| Lottery income | 362 | 448 |
| ---------------------------- | ------------------------ | |
| 10,702 | 7,095 | |
| ---------------------------- | ------------------------ | |
| Investment income | ||
| Bank interest received | 1,488 | 409 |
| ------------------------ | -------------- | |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| Total income | 13,816 | 14,354 |
| ============================ | ============================ | |
| Expenditure | ||
| Costs of raising donations and legacies | ||
| Purchases | 8,758 | 4,452 |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| Costs of other trading activities | ||
| Purchases | 2,108 | – |
| ------------------------ | -------------- | |
| Expenditure on charitable activities | ||
| Rent | 7,660 | – |
| Insurance | 548 | 515 |
| Other establishment | 570 | 1,443 |
| Other office costs | 872 | 403 |
| Depreciation | 1,494 | 200 |
| Bank charges | 104 | 112 |
| ---------------------------- | ------------------------ | |
| 11,248 | 2,673 | |
| ---------------------------- | ------------------------ | |
| ---------------------------- | ------------------------ | |
| Total expenditure | 22,114 | 7,125 |
| ============================ | ======================== | |
| ---------------------------- | ------------------------ | |
| Net (expenditure)/income | (8,298) ============================ |
7,229 ======================== |
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