## **Suffolk West Federation of Women’s Institutes (CIO)** ## **Charity no. 1179294** Trustees Report for the year October 2024 – September 2025 |**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**| |---|---| |Maggie Glavin|Chairman| |Sue Archer Until April
Sheila Deare|Treasurer| |Helen Lindfield|Vice Chairman| |Anne Ling|Vice Chairman| |Julie Higgins|| |Linda Gridley|| |June Bryant|| |Shirley Rogers|| |Yvonne King|| |Tina Walker|| ## **Governance** The Federation has a constitution approved by the National Federation of Women’s Institutes and by the Charity Commission. The managing trustees are voted for every two (2) years by the WIs of the Federation. They take office after the end of that year’s annual meeting. ## **Staff** The Federation employs two part time member of staff Federation Secretary, Rachel Hows and Finance Assistant Rachel Sparks. ## **Objects of the WI** The objects of the Federation are to further the purposes of the Women’s Institute movement in West Suffolk. The main purposes of the Women’s Institute organisation are: (a) to advance the education of women and girls for the public benefit in all areas including (without limitation): i. local, national and international issues of political and social importance ii. music, drama and other cultural subjects; and iii. all branches of agriculture, crafts, home economics, science, health and social welfare (b) to promote sustainable development for the public benefit by: i. educating people in the preservation, conservation and protection of the environment and the prudent use of natural resources; and ii. promoting sustainable means of achieving economic growth and regeneration (c) to advance health for the public benefit (d) to advance citizenship for the public benefit by the promotion of civic responsibility and volunteering. ## **Achievements** We consider our greatest achievements are supporting the interests of our members and giving opportunities for activities both new and established. Our Trustees work hard to run fun and educational events at Federation level. They run regular 1-2-1 meetings with all WI officers and offer support, whenever requested, to WI committees in running their own WI’s ensuring the continuation of enjoying the friendship in the many ways that the WI is known for. Our Media team joined the Members Advisory Committee, now Members Support Team (MST). The Public Affairs (PA) committee members have been successful in sourcing knowledgeable and entertaining speakers to support the National Resolutions so that members can be knowledgeable when casting their votes for the resolutions to go forward. ## **Summary of the main activities of the organisation** Our Federation Annual Meeting (FAM) in April was well received by members. The first morning speaker was Chantel Dawson who spoke on ‘Growing My Wellbeing’ which promotes awareness through plants. This was followed by an Interactive session with ActivLives a local independent charity who work to keep people across Suffolk active. They provided seat dance exercises which had members in fits of giggles. SWFWI Climate Ambassador Lesli Tunbridge spoke about the work that she and the team do to encourage the awareness of climate change for all members. The second morning speaker was Chris Wiley who is the Co-Ordinator for Bury in Bloom. He explained the changes that are panned to keep the movement fresh and meaningful in changing times. Our afternoon speaker was Adam Frost the BBC Gardeners’ World presenter. He shared his journey from amateur gardener to becoming a popular and knowledgeable broadcaster. During the year we ran monthly Soup & Natter and Craft & Chat sessions, which continue to be popular. Other activities include paddle boarding, fortnightly Mahjong, regular ten pin bowling, walks and various crafts. Outings to Warners Textile Museum, Thursford for their annual Christmas extravaganza, the Great War Huts, Gardeners World all proved very popular. Social evenings were well supported, in June a Thank You to our WI Officers and in October an evening with entertainment for all members. Many members enjoyed a day at Audley End, courtesy of English Heritage, where members from four Federations came together with the NFWI Chair to celebrate WI Day. Workshops held throughout the year – finance and web editor training plus Doing the Best for Your WI all had good attendance. We now use Ticketsource for many of our bookings in the hopes of making it easier for members to make and pay for event bookings at any time of day. In the year the focus was very much on ensuring all risk assessments and subsequent Health & Safety Policies for both the Federation and WIs were either reviewed or implemented, and all now are carrying out risk assessments on all appropriate activities. ## **Financial Review Reserves Policy** The Federation holds reserves for several reasons. 1. To cover cash flow situations where for instance the subscriptions which provide a substantial part of the income are only received in April/May to cover the whole year. 2. To cover for unforeseen emergency or unexpected needs. 3. Cover for unforeseen day to day operational costs such as employing temporary staff to cover long term sick absence. 4. To meet planned commitments that cannot be met from future income alone. 5. To support the office costs following the sale of owned premises and the rental of current premises. The proceeds from the sale of the Federation’s own property are held as reserves to give both access and income. Our capital has been invested through Barratt & Cooke of Norwich, an established stockbroker specialising in community and charity investments, with the intention of having inflation proofed income and increase in values combined with a low to medium risk. Due to the Federations losses in the last few years, since 2021 the income from the investments has been used for the running of the federation, whereas previously this had been added to the capital. The accounts show a deficit of £23,047.00. Considerations are being made regarding the next 3 years including office space and staffing.. Our membership is around 1,100 across 42 WI’s, this year a closure of a WI was offset with the formation of a new group. Numbers of WI over the past 5 years ago have reduced which is a common trend in all WI Federations. The effect is that the Federation receives less subscriptions and there are fewer members to attend events. Some events were cancelled due to lack of numbers. Our members are generally of an older age group and some WI’s have closed because of a lack of volunteers to take on the responsibility of running the WI in the capacity of a WI Officer. The MST sub-committee have worked towards improving our visibility by attending local events and in particular the Christmas Light Up evening, talking to people, We have actively promoted the WI at various fayres and in local magazines. The Board and staff have looked at ways to reduce costs wherever possible and increase income and will continue to do so. ## **5 Year Strategic Plan** In 2025 a team was formed of trustees and members tasked with producing a 5 year plan. The Plan focused on delivering four commitments – a secure and sustainable future – a welcoming and thriving Federation - engaging opportunities and stronger connections - clear value and visible impact. The strategic plan was agreed by the Board of Trustees, at the Federation Annual meeting in April 2026 the plan was formally presented to the members. Suffolk West Federation of Women's Institute Charity No: 1179294 Accounts th Year End 30 September 2025 Suffolk West Federation of Women's Institutes Year ended 30th September 2025 Balance Sheet Assets 2025 2024 Office Equipment Chairmans Brooch Trade Debtors Bank Current Account Float Barratt Cooke Pre-payment of Expendlture Accrual of Intome 1,068. 240.CKJ 642.IXJ 19.059.00 897.(Kl 240.CK) 20.LKI 8.094.LN) 378,426.CKI 2,586.LKJ 3.519.LKI 423.385. 1,153.Cx) 3.508.¢J) 405,620.00 437.377.00 Uabllltes Trade Creditors Suspended In5tltutes Funds NFWI Affiliation Fees Other Creditor- Women Insplred Accrual of Expenditure Prepayment of Income 26.iJ) 3,9iXJ.fy) 1.504. 112.LY) 30.ts) 1.312.IXI 7.844.CKI 843.CK) 956.CM) 1,430.LKI IOW2.(Xl 7.155.00 Total assets less liabilities 394,818. 430.222.(#] Capltal & R•5•rv•s Accumulated Funds Surplus (Deficit) Investment Movement Profit & Lo55 414,841.IXI 15,983. I12,959.￿) 123.047.LKII 414,841.C(J 3,106.QKJ 33,959.00 I21,684.￿) 394,818.CKI 430,222.00 Suffolk West Federation of Women's Instltutes Year ended 30th September 2025 Income & Expenditure Income 2025 2024 Federatlon Suspended Institutes Dlvldend & Interest Creative Leisure Artivtties Members Advisory Committee Event Committee Publlc Affalrs MSMT Sport Catering Committee 26,043.(X) 3.889.LX) 13,711.(k) 3.439.Ll) 23.762.(Ll 3.255.00 13,692.IX) 658.(M) 802.IXI 12,690.IX) 437. 4,599.(Kl 275.(Ll 852.00 1.521. 1,494.CM) 2,032.ts) 1,633.lJ) 55,823.(XI 58,961.00 Expendlture Federatlon Board Of Trustees Creatlve Leisure Actlvitles Members Advisory Commlttee Event Committee Public Affairs PR & Media MSMT Sports & Lelsure Catering Committee Cholr 69,940.(KI 481.CK) 2.453.1K) 67.265.¢XI 812.CM) 363.(Ll 997. 8.431.C() 376.IXI 603.(MJ 3,491.CKI 416.IXI 746. 875.1Xl 468.cti 1.300.L)) 498.1)0 78.870. 80.645.00 Surpluslldeficitl for the year 123.047.LK)I 12 1.684.001 Glve here bri•f details of any itoms that the examiner wlshes to dlsclo80. CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of Suffolk West Federation of Women's Inslf(utes On accounts for the year ended 3010912025 Charlty no {rfany) 1179294 Set out on pages I report to the trust865 on my examln8tlon of the accounts of the above charity {'the Trusf) for the year ended 3010912025. Responsibilities and As the charity trust86s of the Trtjst, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (Ihe Acr). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's acMunts carried out under section 145 of Ihe 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have CoM￿eted my examination. I corfirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives Me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. accounting records We￿ not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the a￿OUntIng records Indopendont 8xamlnerf3 statement I have no con￿M$ and have come across no othèr mattèrs in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Dats: 2olV• Name: Gabby Hammond Relevant professlonal quallficatlon(s) or body {if any): FCCA Address: Hammond Ford & Co Ltd, Unit 6, Church Fami Church Road, Barrow Bury St Edmunds IP29 SAX Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concem (see CC32, Independent examination of tharty accounts: diredions and guidanc8 for examiners). IER October 2018 IER October 2018