Holt
Deme
trict
pport
Annual Report
2025 - 26
## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period 2025 - 2026**
**Period start date:** 1 April 2025 **Period end date:** 31 March 2026
**Charity name:** Holt & District Dementia Support
**Charity registration number:** 1179793
## **Objectives and Activities**
||SORP
reference||
|---|---|---|
|Summary of the
purposes of the
charity as set out in
its governing
document|Para
1.17|The objects of the charity are set out in our Constitution and are
summarised as follows:
The promotion of social inclusion amongst those living with
dementia and their carers within Holt and the immediate surrounding
district to a radius of 8 miles, who are socially excluded from society,
or parts of society, as a result of their disability by:
**1.**Providing support and services appropriate to their needs;
**2.**Developing greater awareness and understanding of dementia
issues within our local community;
**3.**Establishing and developing networks and links with other
service providers and businesses to enable us to support and
develop a local dementia friendly community;
**4.**Providing accessible information on how to access advice,
support and services for people living with dementia and their
carers; and
**5.**Providing social support and access to activities through the
provision of a dementia-friendly café, home visiting support and
other activities.|
|Summary of the
main activities in
relation to those
purposes for the
public benefit, in
particular, the
activities, projects or
services identified in
the accounts.|Para
1.17 and
1.19|**Activities**
Holt & District Dementia Support has endeavoured to meet its aims
and objectives throughout 2025-26. The trustees consider these
were directed entirely for the benefit of those living with dementia
and their carers. Services were delivered free of charge except for
the Poppy Lunch Club, where a contribution to the cost of the meal
was requested. Donations were welcomed.
The activities / services delivered to meet these objectives have
included the following:|
2
## **Poppy Café**
The organisation provides a drop-in Poppy Café for people living with dementia and their carers. Carers are invited to leave the person living with dementia in the care of the Café volunteers and to enjoy some respite time to themselves. Each session lasts two hours and is staffed by volunteers and managed by a co-ordinator.
During this reporting period the organisation provided a Poppy Café on Tuesday and Friday mornings.
The Poppy Cafés offer –
- Opportunities for support in a safe, friendly and relaxed environment;
- Social contact and friendship, allowing families and carers time to share ideas and information;
- A wide selection of activities including a twice monthly session of music and singing;
- Refreshments including tea, coffee and cakes;
- Access to visiting health and care professionals and members of other voluntary organisations;
- Information leaflets on available resources and access to a library of books on dementia care.
## **Poppy Home Visiting Service**
The charity also provides a Poppy Home Visiting Service that offers respite for families and carers who look after those with dementia in their own homes.
This service –
- Is provided by volunteers who offer company, support and reassurance to the client and enable carers to take time out;
- Is undertaken by volunteers that have successfully completed training in Adult Safeguarding, Communication skills, Dementia Awareness and Lone Working and who have received clearance via the DBS screening service;
- Provides visits lasting up to a maximum of 3 hours;
- Offers visits on a weekly, fortnightly, monthly or occasional basis and these are pre-arranged to suit both the clients and families’ needs;
- Ensures that all visits are risk assessed, planned and coordinated.
## **Poppy Friends**
It was recognised that carers of our clients needed extra support and we could help by linking them with each other. In addition, it was also recognised that bereaved ex-carers had ongoing needs as well as much to offer to new carers in terms of providing advice, sharing anecdotes and offering friendship. This led to the formation of Poppy Friends in May 2021 and the group has met monthly ever since.
The Poppy Friends sessions occur on the third Tuesday of the month and carers are able to leave the person living with dementia at the Poppy Café while they attend the meeting at a separate location.
It is a safe, informal support group, providing a place where carers and ex-carers can meet, supported by volunteers, to chat, share
3
experiences, laugh, feel sad and discuss issues of concern with each other. Carers provide each other with mutual support in a neutral forum, including sharing information about available resources, services, and events. Refreshments are provided and most importantly, the carers are met with a warm welcome and an opportunity to express their feelings in a group that truly understands their difficulties.
## **Poppy Lunch**
Poppy Lunch commenced on December 2 2022 and has operated on the first Thursday of every month. Our clients living with dementia and their carers are invited to attend and the meal has been provided by another local charitable organisation, Glaven Caring. The meal was initially provided to clients and carers free of charge during the first year but is now provided at the subsidised rate of £7.50 per head for a two-course meal with coffee and tea to follow. Every effort is made to create the feel of a restaurant but in a safe, unhurried atmosphere. Assistance is provided to clients who may need support with eating and all dietary needs are met.
At the end of this year the decision was made to bring the catering in-house and to move the lunch to a Friday following a Poppy Café. This has increased attendance.
## **Poppy Exercise**
Gentle exercise sessions to promote balance, mobility and muscle strength were commenced on September 5 2022 at the Monday Poppy Café as a pilot initiative. During 2023-24 this was offered as a stand-alone service on a separate day but this proved less attractive to clients than the integrated exercise sessions so exercise has once more returned to being within the Café setting. This service is open to both clients and carers and is regularly provided at the Friday Poppy Café.
## **Partnership working**
The Chair became a trustee of Norfolk & Waveney MIND during 2025-26 and is able to share information between both organisations. Changes in Local Government arrangements has reduced involvement in local groups focused on dementia but opportunities are provided for networking and sharing information on an occasional basis and Holt & District Dementia Support participates when appropriate. Referrals for support are received from statutory services and other voluntary organisations.
The Lead Coordinator for Carers and Networking attends local meetings focused on services that support those living with dementia and their carers. Information is shared by email and at the monthly Poppy Friends meeting. Other voluntary organisations working with families living with dementia, such as the Alzheimer’s Society, AgeUK, Carers Matter and Dementia Adventure liaise with the organisation and provide information and advice.
The organisation also has links with the University of East Anglia Research Unit into Dementia and Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust Research Unit and provides information to those living with dementia and their carers on possible participation in current research.
4
## **Public information and advice**
Holt & District Dementia Support reaches out to the public to publicise its activities and services to ensure that those needing support are able to access its services. This occurs via its website, posters and leaflets in public places and local publications.
Leaflets on other local and national resources and voluntary groups providing services for this client group are made available at the Poppy Cafés and online.
Members of Holt & District Dementia Support also attend local Community Events to offer information on our services.
## **Training**
The organisation will provide dementia awareness training to local businesses and organisations that request it and opens its in-house training for volunteers to other local organisations that might have either staff members or volunteers who could benefit from the training sessions.
All new volunteers are required to attend ‘Understanding Dementia’ and Adult Safeguarding training as soon as possible after joining the organisation. Additional presentations are arranged for existing volunteers
## **Performance review**
Prior to the Annual General meeting all volunteers and clients are requested to provide feedback on the organisation’s services and approach via a survey, which can be submitted anonymously. The results of these various surveys are analysed and reported at the Annual General Meeting. The questions were focused on evaluating service users’ satisfaction with the service provision, determining whether clients, carers and volunteers feel supported and seeking suggestions for future developments. This year there has been an additional survey on the future of the Poppy Lunch Club.
## **Additional details of objectives and activities**
## **Website**
Holt & District Dementia Support provides a website that provides details of all its services and activities plus contact details for the organisation and other voluntary or statutory services that families living with dementia may need to access. This is kept updated and includes an online copy of the most up to date Newsletter.
## **Newsletter**
The charity provides a regular bi-monthly newsletter. The Newsletter includes articles, details of activities and useful information for clients, carers and volunteers. This is provided electronically to volunteers and clients alike but is also available in hard copy for those not online.
## **Fund raising**
The charity provides services free of charge but welcomes donations. Where applicable the organisation applies for relevant grants either locally or nationally and has benefitted from local organisations and individuals raising money on its behalf. This year the charity obtained a licence for operating a small lottery and
5
|||undertook an Easter raffle for prizes donated by members and an
external supporter.|
|---|---|---|
|Statement
confirming whether
the trustees have
had regard to the
guidance issued by
the Charity
Commission on
public benefit|Para
1.18|The trustees have due regard to the requirement to ensure that the
activities of the organisation are directed at ensuring public benefit
in accordance with the guidance issued by the Charity Commission.|
**Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
||SORP
reference||
|---|---|---|
|Policy on grant
making|Para
1.38|The charity does not make grants to individuals or other
organisations.|
|Policy on social
investment including
programme related
investment|Para
1.38|The charity does not invest in other social programmes apart from
those provided by the organisation but has had a working
relationship with Glaven Caring in Blakeney and Heritage House in
Wells-next-the-Sea.|
|Contribution made
by volunteers
Contribution made
by volunteers cont’d|Para
1.38
Para
1.38|Volunteers are the lifeblood of the charity and without the interest
and support of our volunteers the charity would not be able to
provide any of its services. They contribute their time, interest and
practical support to ensuring that the charity can offer its services to
clients and carers. They also each contribute the benefit of a wealth
of experience and knowledge that is of inestimable value to the
clients and carers alike.
The organisation constantly looks to recruit new volunteers and from
time to time has an active recruitment campaign. Many new
volunteers come to the organisation by word of mouth while others
are drawn to volunteering by reading articles or leaflets about the
work we do. Over the year five new volunteers have come forward
and have become active volunteers at the Cafés with one volunteer
switching to undertake Home Visiting. This has allowed the
organisation to continue to provide its services for families living with
dementia.|
|Other|||
## **Achievements and Performance**
||SORP
reference||
|---|---|---|
|Summary of the
main achievements
of the charity,
identifying the
difference the
charity’s work has
made to the|Para
1.20|During 2025-26 Holt & District Dementia Support pursued its
charitable aims by responding to all requests for support and
promoting its services to families living with dementia. In so doing, it
met its duty to deliver public benefit.
During the year the organisation has seen the loss of some
longstanding clients due to the inevitable attrition associated with the
disease but since the beginning of 2025 there continues to be a|
6
|circumstances of its
beneficiaries and
any wider benefits to
society as a whole.||constant stream of new families seeking help and support. Overall,
the year began with 39 clients on the register and during the year
the organisation lost 22 clients but also gained 23 new clients so that
the number on the register now stands at 40 clients. 4 clients died,
9 went into full time care, 9 were discharged from the service.
The organisation’s main achievements during 2025-26 were as
follows:
**Poppy Café**
The Poppy Café has been provided twice a week throughout the
year. Attendance at the Friday session was small initially but now is
nearly the same as the main Tuesday Café. This session remains
the one of choice for those clients whose degree of disability means
that they require a less stimulating environment or who enjoy some
of the crafts and activities offered on a Friday.
There were 1210 client attendances at the two Poppy Cafes with
885 attendances by carers. The Cafes were supported by 795
episodes of volunteering by our volunteers.
During both Poppy Cafés, carers were encouraged to leave the
client living with dementia at the Café and have some time to
themselves. However, an increasing number are choosing to remain
as they enjoy the atmosphere and camaraderie that is evident during
the Café sessions.
Poppy Café has continued to focus on not only providing an
opportunity for social interaction, but also aiming to create a
therapeutic environment to maintain and where possible, regain
functional capacity.
During 2025-26 the Cafés have provided a range of activities
including games, quizzes, colouring books, etching, flower
arranging, baking and occasional craft sessions. The use of an
interactive white board has enabled some clients to participate in
jigsaws and word searches on the bigger screen and also to enjoy
background pictures and music that helps to initiate memories and
conversations with volunteers.
There are now two music sessions per month including the Singing
Café, where client participation is actively encouraged, plus a further
session led by a pianist, which involves more modern music. Words
for songs are now being displayed on the electronic white board to
aid participation.
Music and singing remains very popular and enables clients who
struggle to talk to find a medium to express their feelings and
emotions.
Regular monthly visits from our PAT dog, Tilly, remain very popular
and help to reach some of those living with dementia who find
speech and oral expression difficult.
Major national and cultural events are recognized and celebrated so
that clients are able to participate along with the wider community.
During this year this has included a special celebration for the VE
day remembrance celebrations.|
|---|---|---|
7
## **Poppy Home Visiting Service**
Poppy Home Visiting continues to flourish and provide beneficial support and companionship for people living with dementia and their families.
During the past year we have taken on 16 new clients whilst 16 clients have left our service as they have been admitted into hospital or care homes, moved to be near family or sadly died. Many of our clients come to us through attendance at the Poppy Café while others find out about Home Visiting through looking at our website or through recommendations from others. At the 31 March we had 18 clients, all with different abilities and interests, supported by our very able volunteers who adapt to each individual and their families.
Taking on 16 new clients (more than last year) has led to an increase in the level of work required behind the scenes with assessment visits, setting up a visiting schedule, matching and allocating suitable volunteers and supervising the service.
We have been fortunate that 2 new volunteers have joined the team whilst 4 others have stepped down. We are very grateful to them for the time and effort they have put in to help with visiting. We have 18 volunteers in the team with two of the team taking some time out at present. Interestingly the number of visits has mirrored those of the previous year with 377 home visits during 2025-26.
Unfortunately, it appears there is no equivalent service in Norfolk to support families at home living with dementia and this leads to us receiving a number of referrals and queries about having home visiting from families living outside our catchment area which we are unable to support. This is distressing for all concerned.
Volunteers continue to provide a wonderful service, giving of their time, care and support on a regular and consistent basis, which is greatly appreciated by all in receipt of their visits. Volunteers aim to provide therapeutic support for clients during their visits by offering reminiscence sessions, singing, painting, going out for walks or coffee, playing games or just sitting and watching television together. Carers appreciate the time they have to themselves, knowing that their loved ones are safe and being well looked after.
## **Poppy Friends**
Our meetings have taken place on the third Tuesday of the month at Loades Hall (Holt Methodist Church) but are due to re-locate to The Cedars, Cromer Road from April 2026, a venue provided by one of our volunteers. Carers can come along knowing that their loved one is being entertained and cared for by volunteers at the Poppy Café. Many of our carers attend regularly and find it extremely helpful to meet up with each other. Average attendance is 8 to 10 carers each month supported by one or two of our volunteers.
This year we have benefitted from regular three-monthly visits from our local Alzheimer’s Society support worker, Catherine Moorhouse, who has offered support and advice to carers on a group and individual basis.
8
## **Poppy Lunch**
Poppy Lunch commenced in December 2022. It has attracted between 6 and 18 clients and carers each lunch during the year with an average attendance of 13. The Christmas lunch attendance exceeded this with 27 enjoying a very festive occasion.
The atmosphere is convivial and everyone is encouraged to enjoy their meal in a relaxed setting and conversation is encouraged. Volunteers serve the meal and clients and carers enjoy their meal as though they are in a restaurant but without any worries about client behaviour or eating ability. It is intended to change the venue for the meal during 2026 to improve attendance. Overall, we served 148 lunches over the year.
The meal is subsidised by the charity with attendees asked to pay £7.50 per head and the charity making up the shortfall on expenditure from its donated funds.
## **Poppy Exercise**
Poppy Exercise started with only one or two clients and support was provided on a one-to-one basis. Those that took part felt that it helped them with their balance and muscle strength.
Poppy Exercise is now fully integrated into the Friday Poppy Café sessions and the exercises offered have reflected the abilities of the clients present on the day. Carers are encouraged to take part as well and the focus has been on enjoyment as well as providing exercises that strengthen balance and mobility.
## **Poppy Outings**
During 2025-26 the organisation once more arranged an outing to the gardens at Severals Grange in July 2025, by kind invitation of Jane Lister and Brenda Hine.
Afternoon tea was provided and clients and carers were able to explore the lovely gardens. Photographs taken on the day have been used on the interactive white board to initiate conversations during subsequent Poppy Café sessions.
During the Holt Festival in July 2025 the Poppy Cafés were obliged to vacate their usual venue and the Cafés were kindly accommodated in Loades Hall by invitation of Holt Methodist Church. This lasted three weeks and provided a change of scene that was a welcome alternative for clients.
## **Partnership working**
Holt & District Dementia Support has continued to work with other partner organisations to strengthen services for those living with dementia.
The Lead for Carers and Networking has maintained electronic contact with the local Carers Matter voluntary organisation and has passed on information and advice to carers.
Referrals of clients and carers have been received from the Alzheimer’s Society and local health and social care organisations. The local Alzheimer’s Society representative regularly attends the Poppy Friends meeting.
9
The organisation has established a fruitful relationship with North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) and the Chair attended a networking afternoon of local voluntary groups provided by NNDC on the 28.04.2025. More recently a new relationship has been established with Norfolk & Waveney MIND via the Chair, who is a trustee of this organisation.
Close ties have been maintained with the local parish church, Glaven Caring, the Methodist church and Heritage House, all of whom have supported the organisation throughout the year and facilitated opportunities for the families of those living with dementia. The organisation took part in a networking event facilitated by Heritage House on the 11[th] June 2025. The organisation has reached out to the two local care homes that have opened in Holt and a number of residents regularly attend the Poppy Café.
This year we welcomed two sixth form pupils for a placement at the Poppy Café as part of the requirements for them to obtain their Duke of Edinburgh Award. **Performance review** Clients and carers at each of the organisation’s services are issued with a survey questionnaire each year as are all volunteers within the organisation.
The surveys for 2024-25 were circulated in April 2025 and were reported at the Annual General Meeting on the 19[th] June 2025. The surveys looked at the effectiveness of service provision as well as more detailed analysis of each service. Clients and carers were very positive about all the services although as usual, some clients expressed a wish for more home visiting. Carers expressed appreciation for the provision of two cafes per week. The importance of support and general social interaction shone through the responses. Dominoes continued to be a very popular pastime.
The Poppy Lunch Club was well evaluated by those that attended and the additional survey on the lunch provision in March 2026 gave approval for moving the provision to a Friday following a Poppy Café and suggested that a wider choice of menu would be welcomed. Poppy Friends was highly valued by those that attended and respondents expressed an appreciation for the support offered when the situation at home was particularly challenging. Volunteers reported that they found it easy to volunteer and felt well supported in their role. This year’s questions have been circulated and will be reported at the Annual General Meeting on the 18 June 2026. This year the focus is again on whether clients feel that current services are effective and whether volunteers feel supported in their role.
10
## **Public information**
The organisation has continued to promote the work of the charity where applicable through articles in the local press, involvement in local events to raise awareness of what we do and by distributing leaflets and posters widely throughout the area. Articles on the work of the organisation are regularly printed in local publications. The website has continued to be updated regularly with information about current services and events. The bimonthly Newsletter is published online and there is access to all previous copies for those new to the site. Updates have also taken place to listings of the organisation on local authority information sites and those of partner organisations such as the Alzheimer’s Society.
**Education & Training** Face-to-face training has taken place during 2025-26 and new volunteers have been provided with the opportunity to attend sessions on Understanding Dementia and Safeguarding Adults. The Chair has provided additional on-site training to staff and volunteers at the Glaven Day Care Centre.
## **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
|Achievements
against objectives
set|Achievements
against objectives
set|Para
1.41|The charity has achieved against all its agreed objectives and
continues to look for ways in which it can both improve and expand
its services to maximise its support for families living with dementia.
It remains focused on raising awareness about the needs and
interests of those living with dementia, sharing information with
partnership organisations and helping to raise the profile of those
living with dementia when new developments are envisaged in the
local community.
The organisation has ensured that communication with families living
with dementia and the public has been assured through the
publication of its Newsletter, website, articles in the local media and
the distribution of leaflets about the charity’s activities.
Holt & District Dementia Support remains a lifeline for many families
and as our annual surveys attest, many families living with dementia
find they are only able to continue to care for their relative due to our
support and the services we provide. We continue to look for
innovative ways to develop and expand our support and to assist
families to live well with the challenge of dementia.
In late 2024 the charity was nominated for a King’s Award for
Voluntary Services by a small group of the organisation’s carers.
Over the following few months two deputy lieutenants of the county
attended all our services and spoke to clients, carers and volunteers.
Their report was submitted by March 31 2025. Sadly, in November
2025 the organisation found out that it was unsuccessful this time in
being selected for an award although it received very positive
feedback from both the deputy lieutenants.|
|---|---|---|---|
|||||
11
|Performance of
fundraising activities
against objectives
set|Para
1.41|The charity does not set itself any objectives in terms of fundraising
but has been fortunate to receive contributions towards its services
from the continued support of local people, businesses and
individuals who have benefitted from the service. In 2025-26 the
charity received a number of donations. The largest individual
donation was £926 from the North Norfolk Walkers.
This year we were the chosen charity for a participant in the 2026
London Marathon, Clare Christmas, with £882.43 received from Just
Giving to date with £312.04 received by 31.03.2026.
Our very first public raffle raised £730 for the organisation following
payment of expenses. All prizes were donated.|
|---|---|---|
|Investment
performance against
objectives|Para
1.41|The charity does not have any objectives in relation to investments.|
|Other|||
## **Financial Review**
|Review of the
charity’s financial
position at the end of
the period|Para
1.21|The cash held either at bank or in hand totalled £32.7k at 31 March
2025. There were no other assets and no outstanding liabilities at
that date.|
|---|---|---|
|Statement
explaining the policy
for holding reserves
stating why they are
held|Para
1.22|The main financial risk to the charity is reduced donations and the
reserves are held to cover operational costs in the event of a loss of
income, to meet the costs of possible new initiatives and to meet any
unforeseen expenditure that may occur. It is the charity’s policy to
maintain reserves that would cover 24 months expenditure in the
event of a loss of income.Expenditure totalled £11.8k for the year
ended 31 March 2026.|
|Amount of reserves
held|Para
1.22|The reserves held at 31 March 2026 totalled £32.7k.|
|Reasons for holding
zero reserves|Para
1.22|Not applicable|
|Details of fund
materially in deficit|Para
1.24|Not applicable|
|Explanation of any
uncertainties about
the charity
continuing as a
going concern|Para
1.23|Currently there are no uncertainties about the charity continuing as
a going concern.|
**Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s The charity’s principal source of funds is from donations. These principal sources of come from the clients and carers who use the services, fundraising funds (including initiatives by local individuals, organisations, businesses and from any fundraising) Para 1.47 bequests. The charity applies for community grants where applicable. During the year donations received totalled £10.7k.
12
|Investment policy
and objectives
including any social
investment policy
adopted|Para
1.46|Not applicable.|
|---|---|---|
|A description of the
principal risks
facing the charity|Para
1.46|**Risk Management**
The charity has a proactive approach to risk management. The
Trustees have identified their key risks and have in place a risk
management plan to manage and mitigate the identified risks. This
is monitored regularly and updated as required.
A risk assessment is undertaken if new services are commenced or
outings are considered. These are shared with the volunteers.
The Home Visiting Service undertakes a risk assessment on all new
clients and the subsequent risk management plan is made available
to all volunteers visiting the client and this is updated as required.
Specific guidance is available for volunteers at both the Poppy Café
and the Home Visiting service to manage risks associated with the
health and well-being of clients. This guidance is brought to the
attention of all new volunteers with the service as part of the
volunteer’s induction to the organisation. The provision of a cardiac
defibrillator on the premises led to the provision of first aid training.
Poppy Exercise has also been added to the risk register and
mitigations have included training for key volunteers, health
assessment of all participants and guidance for the use of
equipment.
Checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service are undertaken for
all members who exercise positions of responsibility within the
organisation and all those who volunteer as Home Visitors to ensure
protection for our vulnerable clients.
Public liability insurance is in place plus additional accidental cover
for volunteers undertaking duties with the organisation.|
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
|Description of
charity’s trusts:|||
|---|---|---|
|Type of governing
document|Para
1.25|Holt & District Dementia Support is governed by a Constitution that
was agreed and ratified by the entire membership when the
organisation registered with the Charity Commission in September
2018. In 2021-22 an amendment was made to the Constitution at an
Emergency General meeting held on the 9 December 2021 as
follows:
•
Trustees to serve for three terms of three years before
compulsorily having to stand down instead of two terms. A
charity trustee who has served for three consecutive terms may
not be reappointed for a fourth consecutive term but may be
reappointed after an interval of at least three years.|
13
|How is the charity
constituted?|Para
1.25|The organisation is registered as a Charitable Incorporated
Organisation.|
|---|---|---|
|Trustee selection
methods including
details of any
constitutional
provisions E.g.
election to post or
name of any
person or body
entitled to appoint
one or more
trustees|Para
1.25|**Recruitment and appointment of trustees**
Trustees are elected by those members that are in attendance at the
Annual General meeting and are drawn from both the membership
and from individuals from outside the organisation but with a proven
interest in the aims of the organisation.
Trustees are proposed and seconded by current members and are
required to indicate their willingness to take on the additional
responsibilities associated with being an officer within the
organisation and the duties and responsibilities associated with
being a trustee prior to the Annual General meeting. Members are
eligible to be considered as trustees based on their personal abilities,
specialist knowledge and skills and commitment to the aims and
objectives of the organisation.
If a trustee vacancy occurs before the Annual General meeting is
due to take place the existing trustees will appoint an interim trustee
to ensure continuity of governance and the appointment will be
subject to a vote of the membership at the next Annual General
meeting.|
|**Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:|**Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:|**Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:|
|---|---|---|
|Policies and
procedures
adopted for the
induction and
training of trustees|Para
1.51|**Induction and training of trustees**
On appointment as a trustee, the appointee is provided with an
introduction to the role by an existing trustee and given a copy of the
Constitution and the organisation’s policies and procedures.
In addition, the new trustee is directed to the guidance issued by the
Charity Commission on the duties and responsibilities associated
with being a trustee and the importance of public benefit.|
|The charity’s
organisational
structure and any
wider network with
which the charity
works|Para
1.51|**Organisational structure**
The charity has a well understood structure that supports good
governance and operational management.
The charity trustees are responsible for exercising responsibility for
the corporate governance of the organisation, setting its strategic
direction and ensuring compliance with both its Constitution and the
requirements of being a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
The operational management of the various services provided by the
charity are overseen by the Working Committee, which comprises
the trustees plus other appointees and advisors that contribute
specific knowledge and expertise.|
14
The trustees and members of the Working Committee receive no remuneration other than payment for incidental expenditure associated with undertaking their role as either committee members or as volunteers. All give of their time freely.
The Working Committee meets six times a year with a separate Trustee committee meeting preceding that of the Working Committee meeting at least twice a year. Otherwise, the meetings are integrated. Each committee has specific terms of reference which ensure that responsibilities, delegation and decision-making is clearly defined and duplication is avoided. Both committees are chaired by the Chair of the organisation to ensure continuity and good communication between both committees.
During 2025-26 two trustees, Eleanor Sidgwick and Dr. Stephen Gillam, stood down. Dr. Stephen Gillam was re-elected for a further term of office and Karen Neill was elected as a new trustee. Elizabeth Brett was appointed as Administrator for the following year. Volunteers are core to the organisation and are recruited from the general public and specifically for their commitment to the aims and objectives of the organisation in supporting those living with dementia and their carers.
Volunteers are invited to attend a meeting twice a year to ensure that all members have an opportunity to contribute to the direction of the organisation and to discuss issues with the membership of both committees. All members are invited to attend the Annual General meeting. During 2025-26 the Volunteers had an opportunity to attend a Volunteer Lunch before the meeting took place.
In addition to the Constitution, Holt & District Dementia Support has a suite of policies to support good governance including policies on Safeguarding, Recruitment, Data Protection, Risk Management, Internal Financial Controls, Managing Conflicts of Interest, Complaints and Lone Working and all members are directed to these policies on joining the charity. This guidance is supplemented by a comprehensive Volunteer Handbook that is issued to all new members. In addition, this year all trustees have been asked to complete a Fit and Proper Persons declaration.
Training is provided to all new volunteers who have been accepted as members through the recruitment process including training on understanding dementia, safeguarding and communication skills. Bespoke training is arranged when needed.
15
## **H&DDS ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE**
**TRUSTEES** Chair / Lead for Poppy Lunch Deputy Chair/ Lead for Poppy Cafes Treasurer Volunteer / Music Volunteer/ Health Professional Volunteer / Home Visitor
**THE WORKING COMMITTEE** Trustees Lead for Home Visiting Lead for Poppy Cafés Lead for Media / Newsletter Lead for Carers / Networking Home Visitor Volunteer Poppy Café Volunteer Representatives from associated organisations
## **MEMBERS**
Current volunteers who have completed the recruitment process
Relationship with any related parties
Para 1.51
## **Relationship with related parties**
The charity is the principal voice for those living with dementia in Holt but endeavours to work with other organisations and authorities that are engaged in supporting families living with dementia including the local district council, health authorities, local care homes and local businesses that actively promote dementia-friendly practices.
The charity is also in regular contact with other charities in this field such as Age UK, the Alzheimer’s Society, the Admiral Nursing Service, Dementia Action Alliance, Glaven Caring and Heritage House so that advice, support and service provision is integrated and focused on the needs of the local client group.
16
Other
## **Reference and Administrative details**
|Charity name|Holt & District Dementia Support|
|---|---|
|Other name the charity
uses|None|
|Registered charity number|1179793|
|Charity’s principal address|39 Cromer Road
Holt
Norfolk
NR25 6EU|
## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity**
|1
2
3
4
5
6
7|**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for whole**
**year**|**Name of person (or**
**body) entitled to**
**appoint trustee (if**
**any)**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||
Claire Roberts|Chair/ Lead
Coordinator for
PoppyLunch|Whole period|Membership of
organisation|
||Eleanor Sidgwick|Lead for Home
Visiting|April 1stuntil the AGM
(19thJune 2025)|Membership of
organisation|
||
Karen Neill|Provision of
music/singing
Promoter – small
lottery|From AGM|Membership of
organisation|
||David Sidgwick|Treasurer/Home
VisitingVolunteer|Whole period|Membership of
organisation|
||
Isobel Horsley|Lead Coordinator
for the Poppy
Cafés|Whole period|Membership of
organisation|
||
Stephen Gillam|Poppy Café &
Home Visiting
Volunteer/ Retired
GP|Whole period|Membership of
organisation|
||Jocelyn Wiggins|Home Visiting
Volunteer|Whole period|Membership of
organisation|
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
**Director name** None
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
|**Trustee name**|**Dates acted if not for whole year**||
|---|---|---|
|None|||
17
## **Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others**
|Description of the assets held in this
capacity|None|
|---|---|
|Name and objects of the charity on
whose behalf the assets are held and
how this falls within the custodian
charity’s objects||
|Details of arrangements for safe custody
and segregation of such assets from the
charity’s own assets||
## **Additional information (optional)**
## **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)**
||**Type of Adviser**|**Name**|**Address**|
|---|---|---|---|
||Alzheimer’s Society|Catherine Moorhouse|**catherine.moorhouse@alzheimers.org.uk**|
||Examiner|Angela Harcourt|Hard Farm, Little Marsh Lane, Field Dalling,
Holt,
NR25 7LL|
||Bank|Barclays Business
Banking|Online|
## **Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)**
## **Working Committee**
Trustees
Lead for Communications, Media Relations and Website – Sue Wharfe Administrator – Elizabeth Brett Representatives from: Poppy Café – Maureen Buckey Clients and Carers / Lead for Carers & Networking – Helen Banham
## **Exemptions from disclosure**
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
All disclosed
## **Other optional information**
18
## **Declarations**
**The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.**
**Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:**
**Signature(s)** David Sidgwick **Full name(s)** Claire Roberts **Position (eg Secretary,** Chair Treasurer **Chair, etc) Date** 18th June 2026
19
Holt & District Dementia Support Annual Report 19th June 2025 Registered Charity No. 1179793
20
|**BALANCE SHEET**
**AS AT 31 MARCH 2026**
**31.03.25**
**£**
**ASSETS**
**Current assets**
763
Barclays Community Account
9,289
Barclays Business Premium Account
20,500
CCLA Charities Deposit Fund
28
Cash in hand
**£30,580**
**FUNDS AND RESERVES**
**GENERAL FUND**
Balance brought forward
4,756
Add: Surplus for the year
**RISK RESERVE**
24,500
Balance brought forward
Add: Interest received
**POPPY LUNCH FUND**
Balance brought forward
1,324
Less: Deficit for the year
**£30,580**|**31.03.26**
**£**
**£**
1,250.95
10,159.09
21,316.63
28.26
32,754.93
**£32,754.93**
4,756.08
2,311.44
7,067.52
24,500.30
816.33
25,316.63
1,324.26
953.48
370.78
**£32,754.93**|
|---|---|
**Registered charity number: 1179793**
## **HOLT & DISTRICT DEMENTIA SUPPORT**
## **GENERAL FUND**
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT**
|**2025**
£
5,754
6,207
11,961|**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026**
£
**RECEIPTS**
**General income**
4,201
Donations at Poppy Café
465
Home Visiting Service donations
305
Gift Aid
30
Sale of disabled toilet keys
500
CCLA Deposit Fund interest
253
Barclays Deposit Account interest
0
Legacy - Rita Stephenson
0
Easter Raffle
**One-off donations:**
0
North Norfolk Walkers
0
Clare Christmas (London Marathon)
0
Quiz Night Roughton
0
Nikki Blundell
0
Holt Retail Limited
0
Kelly Williamson
0
Nicola Stevens
0
Friends of Gresham Church
1,735
Katherine Shepheard
260
Other donations
172
Blue Sky Leisure
660
Food for thought
200
Campbell Welsh
100
Holt Society
306
Gresham's School
850
Charities Trust for Yorkshire Building Society
100
Tom James
640
Charity Event, North Walsham
242
East of England Co-op
350
Festive Holt
150
Holt W.I.
250
W.I. Noreaster Group
192
Collection Boxes
Balances carried forward|**2026**
£
£
5,986.56
1,284.14
175.37
25.00
0.00
120.04
200.00
740.00
8,531.11
926.00
312.04
190.00
97.60
100.00
175.00
244.00
185.44
462.06
575.59
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
3,267.73
11,798.84|
|---|---|---|
## **HOLT & DISTRICT DEMENTIA SUPPORT**
## **GENERAL FUND**
## **RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNT (CONTINUED)**
|**2025**
**£**
11,961
1,101
13,062
5,378
1,513
215
5,956|**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026**
**2026**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
Balances brought forward
11,798.84
**Donations in memory of:**
0
David Thomson
162.39
0
Derek Dooley
5.00
0
Carole Blundell
48.80
0
Tony Reynolds
20.00
150
John Curry
0.00
485
Gillian Waters
0.00
170
Mary Price
0.00
250
Tony Webster
0.00
46
Thomas Waits
0.00
236.19
12,035.03
**PAYMENTS**
**Poppy Café expenditure**
3,558
Meeting room hire
4,269.00
1,297
Refreshments
1,335.45
162
Crafts, games and books
28.00
361
Volunteer's mileage & parking
321.75
5,954.20
**Home Visiting Service expenditure**
Volunteers' mileage
1,188.23
**Poppy Friends expenditure**
208
Space Hire
144.00
7
Refreshments
39.89
183.89
**General expenditure**
300
Website costs
315.59
422
Insurance
420.91
234
Stamps, Stationery, printer ink and paper
242.15
180
DBS checks
132.00
53
Gifts
39.89
504
Meeting costs
546.23
7
Training costs
3.15
84
Christmas presents clients and carers
385.52
1,784
Balances carried forward
2,085.44
7,326.32
12,035.03|
|---|---|
## **HOLT & DISTRICT DEMENTIA SUPPORT**
## **GENERAL FUND**
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT (CONTINUED)**
|**2025**
£
5,956
3,567
**£2,389**
**2025**
£
800
1,891
**£1,091**|**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026**
£
£
1,784
Balances brought forward
2,085.44
**General expenditure (continued)**
384
Leaflets
68.00
12
Cards
23.07
19
Disabled toilet keys
4.99
1,315
10th Anniversary costs.
0.00
47
Outing costs
73.20
6
Laminating pouches
0.00
0
Raffle tickets
60.00
0
Laptop repairs
69.60
0
Sundries
12.97
**Surplus for the year**
**HOLT & DISTRICT DEMENTIA SUPPORT**
**POPPY LUNCH FUND**
**RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026**
£
**RECEIPTS**
800
Takings
0
Donations
**PAYMENTS**
1,505
Food costs
360
Hire of Parish Hall
0
Mileage and parking
26
Other costs
**Deficit for the year**|**2026**
£
£
7,326.32
12,035.03
2,397.27
9,723.59
**£2,311.44**
**2026**
£
1,125.00
48.50
1,173.50
1,649.08
430.00
46.21
1.69
2,126.98
**£953.48**|
|---|---|---|
## **HOLT & DISTRICT DEMENTIA SUPPORT**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT**
I confirm the accounts were presented, ready for examination.
In connection with my examination, no material matter has come to my attention to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: Angela Harcourt
Address: Hard Farm, Field Dalling, NR25 7LL
Date: 25/05/2026
**Registered charity number: 1179793**