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2025-09-30-accounts

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER 2025

The Talk About Trust, Pavilion in the Park, St John Way, Poundbury, Dorchester DT1 2FG England and Wales charity number: 1186202 Scotland charity number: SCO50360

SECTION 1

Trustees Annual Report

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THE TALK ABOUT TRUST

REFERENCE AND ADMINSTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS

TRUSTEES

Jackie Sonner BA (Hons) PGCE (Chair) David Cox Stephen Foster Richard Mangnall JP FCILA FInst.D Victoria McDonaugh MA (Hons) PGCE Andrew Morse BSc Hons Patrick Myers MSc MA BSc PGCert Health and Wellbeing Keith Newton ACA Dr Lara Jayne Wear MB BS BSc DCH (SA) MRCGP Sophie Whitcombe PGCE Cantab Alison Winsborough BMus PGCE

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Steve Morton

BANKERS

The Co-Operative Bank Business Direct PO Box 250 Skelmersdale WN8 6WT

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

S J Hough FCA Edwards and Keeping Limited Chartered Accountants Unity Chambers 34 High East Street Dorchester Dorset DT1 1HA

FOUNDER

Helena Conibear

CHARITY REGISTERED NUMBER

1186202 England & Wales SC050360 Scotland

REGISTERED OFFICE

Pavilion in the Park St John Way Poundbury Dorchester Dorset DT1 2FG

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THE TALK ABOUT TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025

The trustees submit their annual report and financial statements of the Talk About Trust for the year ended 30 September 2025.

The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.

PUBLIC BENEFIT

The trustees confirm that to the best of their ability they have consistently complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on the public benefit published by the Commission in exercising their powers or duties.

with the Charity Commission for England & Wales on the same date (Reg. No. 1186202) and the Scottish Charity Regulator on 31 July 2020 (SC050360). In January 2024, the charity changed its name to the Talk About Trust and is now governed by a new constitution dated 5th February 2024.

Historical Annual Reports and Accounts have been removed by the Charities Commission from their website but remain available to view at talkabouttrust.org/about/policiestrustee-reports-funding/

TRUSTEE APPOINTMENT

Trustees are appointed by the management committee and serve a period of three years at which time they resign by rotation and can offer themselves for re-election.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

GOVERNING DOCUMENT

The Alcohol Education Trust was originally a ‘Trust’ governed by a Constitution drawn up on 18 October 2010 and registered with the Charity Commission for England & Wales on 2 November 2010 (Reg. No. 1138775) and the Scottish Charity Regulator on 21 June 2018 (Reg No. SC048482). With effect from 1st April 2020, the Alcohol Education Trust changed its legal status from a ‘Trust’ to a ‘Charitable Incorporated Organisation’ (CIO) and it became governed by a constitution dated 6th November 2019 and registered

THE MANAGEMENT TEAM & TRUSTEES

The board of trustees meets 4-5 times a year. The Chief Executive runs the charity with support from the Founder, one full time employee and four part-time employees (Northern Manager, the London & South East Manager, the Schools Coordinator and the Finance & Governance Manager and Assistant), and five other part-time selfemployed staff. Five people are based regionally in different parts of the UK ensuring schools have local support for training and parent sessions.

THE TALK ABOUT TRUST TEAM

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Trustees
Helena Steve
Conibear Morton
Founder CEO
Kathryn Karen Sarah Boyle Amy Alisa Julie
Arnott-Gent Perryman Midlands, Hebben-Wadey Christie Sutton
Northern Midlands, South South & West London and Scotland Finance and
Manager & West Manager Regional South-East Manager Governance
Trainer Manager Manager
Kate Alison Kerry Naomi
Hooper Rees Smith Jones
Schools Web Manager Community Finance and
Coordinator and Engagement Governance
Publishing Manager Assistant
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TRUSTEES

JACKIE SONNER, CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

Jackie recently retired as Deputy Head teacher at a large Primary Federation in Weymouth. Her responsibilities included staff recruitment and training, curriculum design and implementation and safeguarding. As the Designated Safeguarding lead Jackie witnessed the devastating impact on children and their families where there is misuse of alcohol and other substances, and worked with a range of professionals from Health, Social Care and other agencies to provide considered and effective early intervention. In previous roles in 2 other Dorset schools Jackie gained additional expertise in PSHE and Early Years education. As such, she observed the effects of adult role models and peer pressure on even the youngest children in school and understands the need for high quality education in all aspects of PSHE from the start. Since retiring, Jackie has sought to maintain links with education and become involved in her local community volunteering at a local Dorchester school and at the PIPs holiday club for local children and is a school governor with link responsibilities for safeguarding.

ANDREW MORSE, PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND PIPS DIRECTOR

Andrew recently retired from the Royal Navy after 35 years as an officer in the Fleet Air Arm flying and instructing on the Lynx helicopter and simulators before transferring into Programme/Project/ Requirements Management in 2004. He brings a range of skills to the TALK ABOUT Trust including project development and management, an understanding of evaluation, training, support and infrastructure, plus time, budget and cost management skills. Andy continues to work part-time as a Reservist in the field of procurement and programme management for the Wildcat helicopter. Having served in the RN and as a father of two, he has an excellent understanding of the need for life skills education to ensure young people are able to make more informed responsible choices about alcohol.

KEITH NEWTON, FINANCE AND PIP DIRECTOR

Keith is a member of the Australian Institute of Chartered Accountants. In a career of 33 years at Accenture he worked as a global management consultant specialising in strategic and technology consulting for large scale private and public sector organisations working in Sydney, Chicago, Seoul and Hong Kong. He is a company director, an investor, and advisor to a number of UK and international businesses and charities. He is currently Chairman of the West Country Branch of the Britain-Australia Society (BAS); a Director of the National BritainAustralia Society; a trustee of the BAS Education Trust – BASET; and an advisor to the board of an English public school having previously served as a Member of the Board and Chairmen of the Finance and General Purpose committee. He serves as a charity trustee with a specialty in finance.

DAVID COX, FUNDRAISING & MARKETING

David retired as the Chief Executive of The Benevolent charity (now named The Drinks Trust) at the end of 2018, a role he took up in April 2013. The Drinks Trust supports current and past employees of the UK drinks trade with practical, emotional and financial help when faced with a variety of difficult circumstances, including serious illness, disability, issues with stress or depression, with debt or any family crisis such as a seriously ill partner or child. David has built a deep understanding of issues concerning alcohol and the importance of early intervention and alcohol education. David is a Liveryman of three City Livery Companies and brings a wealth of skills to The TALK ABOUT Trust in governance, fund raising and management.

VICTORIA MCDONAUGH, HR

Victoria was Head of History and Head of Year with a responsibility for PSHE in a large comprehensive in Cricklewood, London. She was a governor of Bryanston School and was High Sheriff of Dorset in 2009/10.

RICHARD MANGNALL, COMPLIANCE AND POLICIES

Richard lives in Dorset but spent most of his professional life in London where he is a Freeman of the City. He practised for over 40 years as a Chartered Loss Adjuster, dealing with a variety of insurance losses including fine art, movie production, advertising and contingency. He is a Fellow and Past President of the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters.

In parallel with this, he sat on the Westminster Bench (then located at Bow Street & Horseferry Road) latterly becoming Bench Chair for 4 years. He is a past Trustee of the Inner London Magistrates’ Courts Poor Box Charity which assists offenders with rehabilitation. On leaving London, he sat on the Guildford Bench and then, upon moving to Shropshire, on the Telford Bench.

He is currently a member of the Dorset PCC’s Panel monitoring out of court disposals by Dorset Police. In this latter capacity and during his time on the Bench he has been all too well aware of the part played by alcohol in offending, particularly among young people, and the need for rehabilitating outcomes.

ALISON WINSBOROUGH, RESOURCES, SAFEGUARDING, FRAMEWORK & IMPLEMENTATION

Alison has strong experience of delivering PSE, previously as Head of PSE and Citizenship at the Sir John Colfox School and currently as Head of Citizenship and Head of Sixth Form at the Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy.

Alison has worked with an abundance of outside agencies such as AA, SSCT, Safer partnerships, healthcare professionals, Ansbury and other local stakeholders. She is currently Designated Safeguarding Lead for the 6th form and part of the Academy’s Safeguarding Team. She has 3 young children.

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PATRICK MYERS, STRATEGY, COMPLIANCE AND FUNDRAISING

Patrick has been working in Children’s Services for 25 years. In the NHS, University sector and local government he has been an advocate of relational based practice in the way in which services interact with families. Most recently working on the Government programme to Reducing Parental Conflict, his previous roles have included the National Coordinator of National Evaluation of Sure Start, early years development lead, right the way through to his role as an Assistant Director of Children’s Services in Dorset.

Currently he is working for a National Charity Thrive at Five and is seconded into Stoke on Trent City Council working on a programme called Family Matters. He lives in Dorchester with his wife and youngest son.

DR LARA JAYNE WEAR, MEDICAL CONTENT AND SAFEGUARDING

Trained at Imperial College London including a BSc in Physiology, qualifying in 2007. Lara moved on to hospital rotations at Frimley Park, Surrey and Brighton, Sussex. She lectured in Anatomy at Brighton Medical School before moving to Cape Town where she specialised in Paediatrics and gained the Diploma in Child Health in 2011. Lara decided to pursue her career in General Practice from this point and enrolled in the Wessex GP training programme which brought her to Dorchester, Dorset in 2012. She completed her GP specialist training in 2015 and has been working as a GP in Dorset since this time, becoming a GP Partner at The Prince of Wales Surgery, Poundbury in 2019.

STEPHEN FOSTER, LEGAL AND HR

Stephen is Head of the Divorce and Family partner team at Stewarts Law. In the Legal 500 2016, Stephen is recommended for his “pragmatism and gravitas” and his reputation as “a strong leader who can manage any situation or individual and steer things to a successful outcome”. Chambers describes him as “a great lateral thinker” and Stephen is named as one of the top 10 high asset family lawyers in Spear’s Family Law Index.

SOPHIE WHITCOMBE, STRATEGY, INCLUSION AND RESOURCES, FRAMEWORK AND IMPLEMENTATION

Sophie graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2020 with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. Prior to this, she earned an undergraduate degree with Honours in Philosophy from the University of Sheffield in 2018. She is an experienced secondary PSHE and Religious Studies teacher, passionate about evidencebased pedagogy. In her previous role, Sophie served as a Lead Practitioner in Teaching and Learning and A-level subject lead.

Sophie has extensive experience in training teachers to deliver educational resources. She has also worked directly with students, facilitating workshops that encourage open discussions on substance use, peer pressure, and mental health. Her approach is grounded in creating safe, supportive learning environments where students feel empowered to make informed choices.

Sophie worked for the Talk About Trust as London & South East Regional Trainer and Youth Outreach Manager for the academic year 2024-2025. Sophie now works in the homeless sector, working directly with people experiencing substance misuse.

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Vicky McDonaugh, Chair of Trustees outgoing

It is humbling to reflect on what we have achieved as a small, focused charity over the last 15 years, with a simple mission to ensure that every child across the UK has free access to evidenced, effective and engaging drug education. By intervening early, we seek to improve both the health outcomes and life chances of

young people across Britain. As such, our team of 10 dynamos have done a wonderful job covering the country in 2025, helping to keep young people safe. Sadly, with ketamine, solvent and inhalant as well as nicotine use on the increase, our work is all the more important.

Pleasingly, 2025 has seen an expansion and deepening of our work in Scotland, Dorset, Bristol, Cheshire and North Yorkshire, for example. We thrive on working in partnership with a shared vision, such as with the NHS in Glasgow and Clyde, Inverclyde Health and Social Care and Inverclyde Council in Inverclyde and Police and Crime Commissioners in Dorset and North Yorks as well as Crime Beat in Cheshire.

On average, we support 1,000 settings a year and some 500,000 children and young people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. This year we won

the Education Resource Awards for the best non ICT resources for drugs and nicotine education and two best resource awards from Teach Secondary. We were also awarded CPD accreditation for our training modules and we won The King’s Foundation award for outstanding contribution to community. Our founder continues to be a sought after expert on panels, at conferences, for consultants and academic partnerships. All of the above not only makes us very proud, but is evidence of the quality of our staff, commitment and programmes.

Pavilion in The Park, our café, community hub and office, continues to thrive at the heart of our community, as well as contributing core funds to The TALK ABOUT Trust way beyond all expectations. Providing diversionary activities through the 20 or so clubs and groups that operate from our building is a wonderful addition to our mission and goals, which bring pleasure to so many of all ages and abilities.

I am so pleased to be handing the baton of Chair to a fellow teacher who understands the needs of early intervention health education so thoroughly. I will continue as a Trustee and will enjoy slightly less responsibility, knowing the Charity is in great hands, with our Founder as well as our new CEO and Chair.

Victoria McDonaugh MA PGCE

Jackie Sonner, Chair of Trustees incoming

My aim as incoming Chair is to ensure that the board of trustees maintains focus on our charity’s mission, always ensuring that the young people we work with are at the heart of our decision making. It will also be vital for us to support our new CEO and Founder through the transitional period and beyond. We will need to help develop and pursue a

strategic direction whilst building upon the many successes of the first 15 years work of our fabulous charity. In particular, we will be focused on improving our digital platforms, including e-learning, website

evolution and generally making sure that we are where young people are in terms of extending our reach into all types of media. We also need to monitor our new ventures into the primary sector and the ever increasing range of programmes that our regional teams are involved in. In essence, the trustees will need to ensure we keep doing what we do well, but also have the capacity to stay up-to-date with new issues, able to adapt our programmes and support accordingly. I look forward to leading our inspiring team in delivering these aims as we look ahead to the next five years and beyond.

Jackie Sonner BA (Hons) PGCE

Read more about our Chair and Trustees here.

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Steve Morton, CEO

It was with a great deal of anticipation that I joined The TALK ABOUT Trust as CEO in September 2025. I was already hugely impressed with the reputation and national reach of this small, but highly impactful organisation, and its holistic approach to harm prevention and child protection reminded me of my ten years at the NSPCC, way back in the early part of the century. This is an organisation which intervenes powerfully to make everyone aware of their responsibilities to keep children and young people safe from the risks of drugs and alcohol and provides the means to do so, supporting teachers, youth workers, parents, even the police, but most importantly the young people themselves.

I am, frankly, in awe of what Helena has achieved in her 15 years at the helm, and over my first few weeks I have also been delighted to learn what a talented, committed and passionate team of Talk About trainers she has assembled. Some have been working for The TALK ABOUT Trust for many years, all have extensive experience, whether it be teaching or youth work. Behind the scenes, we have another long-serving team of experienced, and equally passionate, finance, administration, community engagement and web publishing staff. We also have a wonderful team at our PiP Café, whose work provides such vital income to help us achieve our vision. Meanwhile, our trustees give us their time, their wise counsel and their constructive challenge. Collectively, everyone has had a massive impact on the life chances of thousands of young people.

New CEOs like to make their mark, and I’m no different, but the platform on which I’m able to build is a very stable one, there is nothing broken to fix. I’ve found astonishing depth and breadth of reach in places like Glasgow and Dorset and many examples of what an agile, innovative, horizon scanning organisation can

achieve. The future is more of the same, more young people empowered to make the right decisions, more trusted adults confident in their ability and their knowledge to share our essential information, more safety nets created across the UK.

We will continue to provide teachers, parents and youth professionals with the most up to date resources and training and will strive to find more visionary funders, so that we can continue to provide this free of charge wherever possible.

We will continue to go where the need is greatest, identifying the vulnerable young people who can so often fall through the cracks in a system which needs to be more joined up. Young people face barriers to inclusion through factors such as disability, language, culture, sexuality, poverty or trauma, characteristics and experiences which can be multipliers of risk. We will overcome these barriers through continuing to create bespoke resources and training, developed in partnership with specialist organisations, guided by the experiences of young people.

We will continue to listen to the voices of those young people, through our direct work and through our online presence, which we intend to rapidly evolve. We will be where young people need us most and amplify their voices as we campaign for system change. But, we won’t make our calls to action alone. Our culture of collaboration with partner organisations will ensure the right ears hear what we have to say.

So, I look forward to many years working alongside Helena and the whole team. Years which I am confident will see us consolidate on what has gone before, safeguarding the futures of many more children and young people.

Steve Morton

Read more about our TALK ABOUT Trust Team here.

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THE TALK ABOUT TRUST THEORY OF CHANGE

SERVICE USERS

ACTIVITIES

SHORT TERM OUTCOMES

LONG TERM OUTCOMES

MISSION

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OUR VISION

WHO WE ARE

The TALK ABOUT Trust work is built around three pillars: supporting young people, their parents and carers and the professionals who work with them:

Early intervention and prevention approaches for children and young people

Ensuring we equip young people with the knowledge and life skills to make safer choices before any potential problems begin. This primary goal has been enhanced with targeted work for children most vulnerable to alcohol and drug misuse, plus harm reduction approaches for older teenagers and young adults including support on cannabis and vaping.

Supporting teachers and youth professionals with everything they need to deliver effective and engaging alcohol and drug education (training and resources)

Evidence shows that trusted adults who know the children well are best equipped to deliver health education. The TALK ABOUT Trust therefore provides workshops, training, online and face-to-face support and resources for teachers, youth workers, health professionals and those working dayto-day with 8 to 25 year-olds of all abilities and backgrounds. This is both an affordable and sustainable model as those trained are then confident and equipped to use positive life skill approaches and can cascade their learning to others.

Empower parents and carers

Parents and carers are the key suppliers of alcohol to young people (70%) and play an essential part in setting boundaries and being good role models. These ‘tough love’ skills delay the age that young people drink or use other substances and the amount that they drink or experiment. The TALK ABOUT Trust therefore facilitates workshops and seminars and has a dedicated web area for parents and carers, with advice varying from the law, the physical and mental effects of early alcohol use to hosting parties.

WHAT WE DO

Intervene early

We aim to reach children before they begin drinking or experimenting with vaping or drugs and help them work out why it makes sense to wait until they are older (if they choose to drink) and how early and heavy drinking or substance use increases their risk of injury, accidents, health harms, grooming, exploitation and assault and makes them more vulnerable to others. We use evidenced approaches to build young people’s knowledge, resilience and life skills, helping them make more responsible, informed choices as they encounter alcohol and other substances. A new key focus is working with younger children to raise awareness of vaping, online grooming and county lines.

Harm reduction

As young adults begin to navigate the world of parties, pubs, clubs, festivals and independence, we equip them with the knowledge, awareness and strategies needed to stay safer around alcohol and drugs. We have specific programmes addressing spiking and safer nights out as well as how alcohol and substance use affects consent and increases other vulnerabilities.

Train the workforce

We train teachers and professionals to deliver evidence-based, interactive and enjoyable alcohol and drug awareness to children and young people of different abilities and backgrounds in a variety of settings. This includes schools, special schools, pupil referral units, alternative education, sports and youth clubs, school nurses, the police and youth justice teams.

Improve learning and life chances

Our interactive activity-based and award-winning Talk About Alcohol programme for schools with additional elements for SEN settings is proven to enhance knowledge and significantly delay the age that teenagers choose to drink whole drinks, so reducing harms and improving health outcomes. We have also applied our knowledge and resilience approaches to vaping, cannabis, ketamine and other substance education for all abilities and youth settings. We focus our support in regions where alcohol and drug related harms are highest and have targeted

approaches for those most vulnerable to alcohol and drug misuse, such as care experienced children and victims of childhood trauma.

Sustainable, affordable legacy

The teachers and youth professionals that we equip with the knowledge, skills and resources to support young people ongoing around alcohol, cannabis and vaping become our ambassadors and cascade their learning to others. This means our programmes cost under £1 per young person. We continue to mentor those we train with new and updated resources, provide professional development and ongoing phone/email support via our highly experienced and regionally based staff.

Strengthen role models and boundary setting

We build parental confidence, knowledge and skills to talk and support their children around alcohol, vaping, cannabis and other illicit substances. We encourage parents and carers to be good role models, to set and stick to boundaries, to monitor their children and to understand the risks associated with underage drinking and experimentation, particularly in unsupervised settings.

Provide diversionary activities

We encourage and facilitate diversionary activities for young people that build community cohesion and so help reduce anti-social behaviour, crime and the onset of drinking and substance use.

Provide engaging evidenced based information, workshops and online resources for young people

Lecturing, scare mongering and ‘just say no ‘ messages are proven to be ineffective in changing young peoples’ attitudes and behaviours to alcohol and drug use.

The TALK ABOUT Trust uses highly evaluated discussion-based activities, rehearsal strategies and interactive approaches with young people in a variety of settings both face to face and online that build young people’s decision-making skills, resilience and ability to resist peer pressure and so make informed, safer choices.

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MISSION

To keep young people safe around alcohol and drugs, improve life chances and reduce negative risk taking. We support teachers, parents, carers, community leaders and those under 25.

OUR GOALS

CORE OBJECTIVES

SUPPORT CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

SUPPORT SCHOOLS AND ORGANISATIONS

EMPOWER PARENTS AND CARERS

ENHANCE COMMUNITY COHESION

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Keeping young people safe around alcohol & other substances

15 YEARS

2009

Helena Conibear and a group of Head Teachers, PSHE leads and Health Educators make the decision that in

the absence of early intervention and preventative alcohol education in schools, in the light of increasing under age alcohol use and binge drinking, an evidenced school based programme is needed.

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2010
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2010

The Alcohol Education Trust is registered as a charity and its first part time administrator established. Talk About Alcohol, based on best practice from EUDAP Unplugged and SHARP from Australia is trialled and rolled out to 300 schools.

2011-15

2013

Introduce a tailored programme for children who are neuro diverse, using pictures, colours and stories. Neuro diverse young people are 4 x more likely to live with substance misuse or dependency.

2013

2016

Awarded 3/3 for effectiveness 2016 and 5/6 for quality of evaluation by CAYT and IFS 2013. Joint host 1st Alcohol and Drugs Conference with Mentor.

The Talk About Alcohol programme is evaluated by The National Foundation For Educational Research and found to significantly reduce the uptake of consuming whole drinks (by 14%) an effect that got stronger as teenagers got older and was equally true for ethnically diverse young people. The findings in a study from UCL Institute of Behaviour Change were reflected in areas of high deprivation where alcohol related harms were highest.

2016

2015

Launch The Talk About Alcohol website.

2017

Launch the Talk About Alcohol, Cannabis and Vaping Games and Activities Pack for alternative settings.

2018

2020

Extend target top age to 25 and develop bespoke programme for vulnerable young adults at risk of homelessness or not in education, employment or training, covering alcohol and cannabis.

2025

Roll out of DANE resources, nationally.

2016

Move into Scotland, with a new Scotland Manager and Scotland specific resources.

2018

Receive GSK Kings Fund Health Impact award.

Selected by EIF as top 80 most effective programmes for early intervention globally.

2018/19

Employ regional coordinators for the North and the South West and Midlands.

2017

2020

2017

Finalist for Charity Times Best small charity of the year.

Develop six ready to deliver lesson plans for alcohol.

Selected as promising practice by European Platform for Investing in Children.

2021

2021

Drink Spiking campaign launched and evidence given at House of Commons Inquiry.

We open our first proper office, café and community hub, Pavilion in the Park, Poundbury (during lockdown!).

2021

2023

HRH visits and officially opens Pavilion in the Park.

We change our name to The Talk About Trust to reflect teaching alcohol, drugs and nicotine.

2020

Begin working with older teenagers as they prepare to leave school, empowering them to make safer choices.

2020

2022 Launch of young adult facing website life-stuff.org

2023

2024

Developed, pilot, triall and launched Drugs, alcohol and nicotine education (DANE).

2025

Win Teach Secondary best school resource.

Host our 15th Anniversary Alcohol and Drugs Conference.

2025

Win Education Resource Awards for best non ICT Resources for KS3 Drug Alcohol and Nicotine RSHE Resources.

2024

2024

Helena receives an Honorary Doctorate from Bournemouth Develop vaping awareness and University. vulnerability programme for Primary schools.

2024

2025

Launch County Lines, NOS and Ketamine training modules

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2025
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Awarded CPD accreditation for training modules.

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WHY ARE WE NEEDED?

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

The problems

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Our solutions

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SCHOOLS AND YOUTH PROFESSIONALS

The problems

Our solutions

COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES

The problems

Our solutions

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SUMMARY OF THE YEAR

Helena Conibear, Founder

After 15 years at the helm of our wonderful charity, I very much look forward to stepping back to a more part time role as Founder in 2026 and am thrilled to welcome our new CEO, Steve Morton to our dedicated team of staff, trustees and volunteers.

I would also like to say a very personal and heartfelt thank you to all the amazing individuals who helped organise, sponsor or took part in our 15th anniversary celebrations during 2025. Our two fundraising events raised some £32,000 for The TALK ABOUT Trust – and incredible amount for us to be able to dedicate to our work and ensuring that we can continue to keep our drug education free for young people, their parents and the professionals who support them, ongoing.

A huge thank you too, to Vicky who has now retired as our Chair. As a co founder, she has been a constant support offering wise counsel and always there at our key milestones and a true ambassador for our work. When Vicky and I sat around a kitchen table in 2009 with other teachers and professionals and decided to take the best drug education programmes from the EU and Australia and adapt them for UK schools to help address the growing binge drinking and virtual drinking culture that was at its height in the UK at that time, we could not have imagined where we would be as a charity today. Our goal, with us all as volunteers and with one part time paid administrator, was and remains to ensure that every young person has the knowledge, skills and resilience to make safer life choices. We set out to raise the age of teen drinking from age 13, to reduce alcohol related harms and improve life chances. We are very proud that on our watch underage drinking has more than halved, binge drinking and alcohol related harms and under 18 hospital admissions have all declined significantly.

Over the last decade youth behaviours and the risks facing them have changed markedly. The first substance

of experimentation is now nicotine, through the advent of vaping. Cannabis, through its strength and availability, has grown to be the substance leading to most harm among our children. 87% of the 16,000 teens seeking support for substance treatment are dependent on cannabis (second is alcohol at 36%).

More recently ketamine use has risen alarmingly, as has the use of solvents and inhalants, with our children being bombarded with marketing and advertising for illicit substances via their phones and tablets.

Most shockingly a recent report from the Youth Endowment Fund found that in a survey of nearly 11,000 children aged 13 to 17 one in nine said they had been approached to either sell drugs, transport drugs, or to store weapons, drugs or money in the last 12 months. Over a quarter of those approached went through with it - the equivalent of 120,000 teenagers in England and Wales.

So, in order to support teenagers and to provide them with the knowledge, skills and resilience they need to recognise risk and potential exploitation, our charity, The TALK ABOUT Trust has evolved to now support children from age 8 through to age 25, of every ability and background and in every setting, for often the most vulnerable are not in school or mainstream education. We have extended our resources, training, websites, advice to include all of the above and this year have enhanced our impact and reach in the following ways:

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DRUG ALCOHOL AND NICOTINE EDUCATION RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO ALL SECONDARY SCHOOLS ACROSS ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND FREE OF CHARGE

A suite of interactive drug education lessons, fully mapped to RSHE requirements, covering choices, the Law, drugs and their effects, classification and county lines were made freely available to all secondary school settings this year.

The lesson plans are supported with downloadable resources, films, bitesize activities, implementation guidance, teacher training and student workshops. The trial and pilot of the resources were evaluated by UCL and Bournemouth University Masters students and showed an increase in knowledge and a lower intention to experiment with or to try drugs.

The universal programme was possible thanks to the support from The Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner. Every Head Teacher and secondary school across Dorset (via the Coastal Alliance of School Heads – CASH and Dorset Head Teachers) was given access to the online resources with training and student workshops, embedding the programme over two years. Please the teacher guidance online here.

ENHANCED BITE SIZE RESOURCES AND WORKSHOP DEVELOPMENT ON KETAMINE, MDMA AND SOLVENTS Due to a steep rise in ketamine use and teen hospitalisations, we have developed and rolled out an assembly and workshop for teenagers to raise awareness of ketamine and its potency the lifelong health effects, including bladder and kidney damage.

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Ketamine Ketamine is a Class B drug , which means it’s
(Special K/ Vitamin K, Ket, Super K) illegal to have personally, to give away or sell.
What is it? Possession can result in up to 5 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.
A Dissociative and sedative Supplying someone else,
Short term effects feeling, unable to move, confusion, agitation –disconnected from reality, memory loss : numbness, chilled, loss of even friends, can result in up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.
Ketamine can•• increase heart ratemake someone feel sick when high is dangerous and illegal.Like drink-driving, driving
Long term making it painful to wee, can lead to incontinence it is linked to serious bladder damage ketaminetalktofrank.com/drug/
and leaks. Regular use is linked to stomach
cramps and other organ damage including to the
brain and kidneys. Abuse can lead to a decline in
mental health and memory loss. Worrying rise in ketamine use and
availability in Dorset
Worrying rise in ketamine use and availability in Dorset
----- End of picture text -----

Use of solvents and inhalants, which are cheap and freely available has also risen steeply this year, this can include some 2,000 mainly household products (including NOS), hence we have released fact sheets and on line resources to raise awareness and to upskill teachers and professionals.

COUNTY LINES AND ONLINE GROOMING

Working closely with two specialist organisations, Get Safe Online and Escape Line (county lines specialist organisation), we have developed a comprehensive training module on online safety and on recognising the signs of grooming and county line involvement. We have an hour of powerful testimony from a brave escapee of ‘lived experience’ recorded with a victim of child exploitation recruited at age 8. We have a lesson to complement the training called ‘Where’s The Harm?’ and a range of pictures and stories to use with primary age children.

VAPING, NICOTINE POUCHES AND SPICE IN VAPES

The biggest issue for schools continues to be vaping, SNUS or nicotine pouches and how to support pupils and reduce supply and use. Of particular concern has been Professor Chris Pudney’s testing of vapes and e liquids, finding that one in eight tested from schools contained the zombie drug, Spice. The ‘giving of vapes’ to very young children by older teenagers and the risks of county line recruitment and child exploitation is very high, as is the easy availability of vapes and other substances online and via social media and gaming platforms.

We are working both locally and nationally to try and address these huge issues. Other concerns are that synthetic cannabis, THC, and other toxins are being added to e liquids and vapes without the knowledge of the young person. 84% of schools believe vaping is an issue (Source NASWUT).

Do you believe vaping by pupils in school or on school premises is an issue om your school

We now have a large range of resources, lessons, fact sheets, myth busters and online resources on vaping, nicotine pouches for ages 8 – 25. The lessons also cover other nicotine products such as shisha, cigarettes and illicit vapes. There is a specially commissioned animation by a Leeds graduate and animator, ‘Vape Radpuff’, as well as discussion-based elements on how vapes are marketed and deliberately targeted to young people. We’ve also filmed some great discussions and opinion pieces with young people on their views and attitudes to use as conversation starters with other young people, as well as with professionals such as dentists and toxicologists.

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This is

----- Start of picture text -----
How do you spot THC and Spice in vapes?
complemented A liquid added to refillable vapes. Many different brands can be used. Not all refillable vapes contain spice. Spice
by teacher implementation Unlabelled bottle of liquid Often a coloured liquid (red, green, blue, purple, pink) Liquid cost - £5-10, refillable pen cost - £10-20 – This visual guide is based on research from the It is intended to give professionals a way to visually triage whether an e-cigarette (‘vape’) potentially contains a controlled drug. The University of Bath .
visual guide is not exhaustive and is indicative only. References to
specific commercial products are based on lab -findings and
guidance and marketing material from the individual brands. cannot be used as confirmation. Visual identification
training, plus a booklet for older Refillable vape Direct refill, or takes pods/cartridges–
students on how to
Example
support someone pods/carts
who is trying to cut
down or stop vaping.
----- End of picture text -----

Finally, after collaborating with The King’s Trust and Hampshire Fire Brigade, we also highlight fire hazards of using vapes in our resources, as well as the ecological and environmental impact.

NICOTINE POUCHES

To help tackle the shocking increase in SNUS (nicotine pouch) use, especially among sporty young men over the last year, we have recorded a suite of short awareness films with a specialist dentist on the oral impact of nicotine

use. At present, nicotine levels are not regulated and pouches can be given, sold or marketed to young people. They are openly promoted by influencers and sports people. Young people are not aware that nicotine levels can be the equivalent of 10 cigarettes per pouch, nor their effect on oral health or the heart.

Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS. The resources cover smoking and vaping as well as training for teachers covering P2 to S4. We have loved working closely with pupils across the age range both to inform and refine the content. The resources can be viewed here.

We now look forward to providing a suitably adapted programme for the use in the third sector during 2026.

PRIMARY SCHOOL RESOURCES ON VAPING

COMMISSIONED FOR ALL DORSET PRIMARY SETTINGS

Post pilot in Dorset with 6 schools, with an invaluable advisory council of 8 head teachers guiding the work, we have now completed age-appropriate resources including games and activities, which look at what vapes contain, explains nicotine levels and the effects of nicotine on the brain, lungs and heart and on the environment. Currently only available to Dorset schools, we look forward to making the resources, games and activities freely available to all primary schools from autumn 2026.

SPIKING

COMMISSIONED VAPING AND SMOKING RESOURCES FOR ALL SCHOOLS ACROSS GREATER GLASGOW AND CLYDE

It has been a huge pleasure and a mammoth task to pilot, trial and develop a suite of bespoke lesson plans, films and resources for both primary and secondary schools across the region for

Our outreach to raise awareness of Spiking among 16 to 25-year-olds has almost doubled this year as we provided posters, awareness cards and talks/stands to some 140 Universities, Colleges and 6th forms. Together with methanol poisoning, spiking is now detailed in RHSE guidance which is a welcome step. It’s been a huge pleasure to support freshers’ weeks and to provide talks and specialist lectures at FE Colleges and Universities across the country.

It has been useful to be a member of the Home Office panels that address spiking and has worked towards a standalone offence for spiking. We provide an SMS messaging service - a text messaging service highlighting how victims of spiking can obtain support. This is to support staff in emergency

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departments and at sexual health clinics following our training of staff. This easy share leads to Crime Stoppers, the police UK app, Victim support and to Sexual Assault Referral centres, as well as highlighting the Samaritans and Rape Crisis. (See lifestuff.org).

DRUG AND ALCOHOL EDUCATION CONFERENCE FOR PROFESSIONALS AT BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY JUNE 18TH 2025

Every two years we host a national drug and alcohol education conference in a different geographical region. This, our fifth, was kindly hosted by Bournemouth University. The conference aimed to help ensure that all professionals working with young people are equipped with the most recent facts and figures, an understanding of best practice and the evidence base, and resources to enable the delivery of age and ability appropriate drug and alcohol education.

A range of expert speakers, including Dr David Regis from the School Health Education Unit, Professor McAlaney from Bournemouth University, Escape Line, Face2Face and David Sidwick, Joint National Lead for drugs and alcohol at the APPC, provided valuable insights into the current issues, developments and programmes in the field.

The day equipped delegates with the confidence, knowledge and resources to teach evidenced drug and alcohol education and provide an understanding of the context and scale of the ever-changing issues facing young people.

The hands-on CPD training workshops demonstrated how best to support young people in building their knowledge, resilience and life skills that will help them to make safer choices.

Delegates walked away with resources which will enable them to plan, deliver and evaluate their PSHE scheme of work on drugs, alcohol and nicotine education. The resources are equally relevant for professionals working with young people in non-school settings and, although the focus is on alcohol, nicotine and drugs, the interactive workshops showcased skills, games and activities that are applicable to all PSHE and health education.

120 health educators, teachers, youth leaders and drug and alcohol practitioners attended our day of speakers covering county lines, vaping, drugs on social media, neuro diverse approaches for young people, followed by CPD workshops chaired by The Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, Professor Michael Dooley. It was a much valued, highly evaluated and successful day. You can view presentations here.

CPD ACCREDITATION FOR TALK ABOUT ALCOHOL TRAINING

2025 has also seen us invest in becoming an accredited CPD provider. This is further endorsement of the quality of our training provided both face to face and online to professionals. Our Drug Alcohol and Nicotine training for teachers (3½ hours), our training for professionals supporting vulnerable 16 to 25- year-olds (3 hours) and our Talk About Alcohol training (2 hours) are currently approved, with more to come.

In addition, we have won two Teach Secondary Awards, including best free resource across all subjects and amazing recognition from the Education Resource Awards for the best secondary school resource for RSE!

ERA - Best Teach Secondary - secondary resource Best free resource for RSE

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PAVILION IN THE PARK AND OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Pavilion in The Park (PiP) our office community hub and café continues to thrive at the heart of the Poundbury community. PiP not only allows us to deliver diversionary activities for young people and cohesion in the local community, but provides our charity with a valued income stream, covering a high proportion of our core funding needs and reducing the pressure on us as a charity in a tough fund raising environment.

Helena Conibear Founder of The TALK ABOUT Trust and Pavilion in The Park (PiP) with PiP trustees, volunteers and staff with The Kings Foundation Building a Legacy outstanding contribution to community award

We achieved a long term ambition in 2025 with the launch of the Poundbury Youth Club in partnership with Dorset Youth Community Centre. Following a pilot, this has proved a huge success with local young people who love the Great Field and our café environment. We now host some 20 clubs and groups – from chess and table top games to a senior social café to holiday clubs, after school art and teen hang out days.

outreach programme and community events continue to grow and thrive. This is only possible through the amazing grant funding support that we receive from local charities and organisations which enables us to employ Kerry Smith, our Community Engagement Manager on a part-time basis and to continue to put on events for free. We’ve created a unique community asset supporting local families, and people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, sparking joy, belonging and cohesion within Poundbury, Dorchester and our surrounding villages.

who live here or in the local villages around. Consultation with residents and local school children also showed they wanted PiP to be eco friendly, to offer good value refreshments, shelter and supervision of the planned park to ensure it would be a safe and welcoming community space. We’re proud to say that with more than 20 clubs and groups running from PiP, from the weekly park run, to the digital drop in, the senior social, teen hang out, youth club and holiday clubs we are delivering on that vision thanks to the wonderful volunteers, partners and organisations as well as the staff at PiP that make it not only possible, but a joy to provide.’

KING’S AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITY

In recognition of our community outreach, we were absolutely thrilled to have been awarded The King’s Foundation’s ‘Building a Legacy’ outstanding contribution to community award for 2025. The award recognises one organisation a year that has been created in a new development and has brought cohesion, bonding and created a place where people feel welcomed and want to be.

Helena Conibear, Founder of The TALK ABOUT Trust

We are so grateful to local organisations, businesses and charities who make our community outreach possible.

‘ We were delighted to award the President’s Award this year to PiP for their outstanding work in the heart of the community. This is the only award with a financial contribution and we very much hope that both the award and contribution will allow the charity to have even greater impact and transform more lives in the future.’

Ben Bolgar MVO, Director of The King’s Foundation

‘PiP is the embodiment of what can happen when you bring people together to brainstorm what a new community needs. At Poundbury it was a space that was inclusive offering free events and clubs for everyone of all ages, incomes and abilities

With the support of our dedicated Club Leaders, committed volunteers, and the passionate team at PiPs, our

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OUR 15TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS AND THANK YOU

A huge number of volunteers, trustees, staff, sponsors, donors, our speakers, hosts and guests made our 15th anniversary events such a huge success this year. We are immensely grateful and we had such a wonderful opportunity to share our story, impact, reach and the difference that we make day to day to the lives of young people. We look forward to our thank you event at The House of Lords this Spring.

Without our patrons, those who hold events or raise money

OUR IMPACT AND REACH

talkaboutalcohol.org

Life-stuff.org

for us, grant givers, individual donors, partners and sponsors we would be unable to ensure that every child in England and Scotland has access to quality assured drug education, giving them the knowledge, skills and resilience to make safer choices.

Thank you!

Helena Conibear, Founder

To receive regular update, please sign up for our regular newsletter.

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RESOURCE DISTRIBUTION & REACH

Kate Hooper, schools and youth organisation coordinator

It’s been such an exciting year for TALK ABOUT Trust with our 15th anniversary celebrations, welcoming a new CEO and the development of lots of new resources!

We have supported just over 1,000 settings across the UK with hard copies or downloads of our resources.

As always, the range of settings supported was hugely varied and includes school nursing teams, youth justice teams, councils, police, the NHS and football clubs as well as a wide variety of mainstream schools, independent schools, special schools, alternative provision and pupil referral units.

We have seen a decline in use of our hard copy resources (Games and Activities Boxes, 16+ Boxes and Teacher Workbooks) and a move to our huge range of wonderful online resources, games, fact sheets and guidance, curated to age, ability, sector and topic on our extensive website www. talkaboutrust.org – a reflection of the demand for e learning and digital resources.

We have several new resources introduced this year including the Drugs, Alcohol and Nicotine Education suite of resources, modules on County Lines and interactive vaping resources for primary schools.

We are seeing huge rise in use of our online games, quizzes and myth busters, in both educational and non-educational settings.

Our fantastic regional team have been involved in an amazing 628 engagements this year reaching 1,054 settings across England and Scotland. This included 250 training workshops, parent talks, 113 sessions for young people and 259 other engagements. In addition to all types of schools, settings supported include universities, youth charities, police, parent groups, NHS, councils and Public Health.

Based on responses from 681 of those who have received TAA training from us, our average rating for both our training and our resources was 9/10 overall again this year, which was great to hear.

Other findings showed:

Based on the response of 273 respondents who received 16+ session from us

It’s always wonderful to see so many positive comments from those who have attended training and examples of these from this year have included:

“Fantastic training! Feel equipped to discuss with young people now I know the legalities around the topic.”

“Great trainer, very informative session.”

“ Thank you. This website, training and resources will have a positive impact on my key work sessions and ultimately the young people I work with.”

“Well presented with valuable life experiences.”

“Informative and good interactions with all attendees.”

When downloading our resources, we ask people to tell us how they heard about us. Over a quarter of respondents heard about us via a recommendation, which is wonderful. 32% of those downloading our resources asked for further help such as personalised advice, further resources and training sessions.

HARD COPY RESOURCE DISTRIBUTION BY REGION

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We have continued our important work around spiking this year and this has included providing 140 colleges and universities with our anti-spiking posters and awareness cards, training, student sessions and support. We know that these are hugely appreciated by the settings receiving them, especially around Freshers’ week.

TAT DOWNLOADS BY REGION

(Data based on information gathered from 758 downloads of lesson plans and resources).

HOW DID PEOPLE HEAR ABOUT US?

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REPORTS FROM OUR SPECIALIST TRAINERS

Our regionally based staff work to support our three key pillars of:

Supporting and engaging children and young adults

Supporting and training teachers and health professionals

Empowering parents and carers and to protect young people

This helps fulfil our goals to

Our small band of regionally based staff, Kathryn (The North), Karen and Sarah (Midlands and The South), Amy (London and the South-East) and Ailsa (Scotland), provide Drug, Alcohol and Nicotine Education (DANE) for young people, training for teachers and youth professionals and workshops for parents and carers nationally.

This year we trained over 2,000 teachers and professionals working with young people of all abilities and backgrounds Teachers and health professionals are given an insight into activities and approaches that inspire young people to learn through enjoyment – by providing evidenced but fun activities, ‘bottom up’ materials that build resilience, self-esteem, encourage working in groups, role play and ‘rehearsal strategies’. The TALK ABOUT Trust takes a positive engaging approach that does not attempt to induce shock or stigma, but focuses on what young people can do to be healthy, stay safe, enjoy, make a positive contribution and achieve physical and mental wellbeing.

By engaging younger people BEFORE they begin drinking, vaping, smoking or experimenting with substances in an unsupervised environment, we ensure that children and young people think about the consequences of short-term decisions. Our programmes develop the skills and knowledge needed to make informed choices about when, if and how much to drink as they reach the legal drinking age and the short and long term consequences of substance use. Following training, those trained are fully supported online via talkabouttrust.org with a fun learning zone for teenagers talkaboutalcohol.com, with regular updates and newsletters.

6th formers and students are supported with a comprehensive wellbeing hub life-stuff.org

Having regionally based staff also ensures that the TALK ABOUT Trust reaches more young people directly in different settings and can effectively target the geographical areas where substance-related harms for under 25s are highest. We delivered workshops, lessons and assemblies to children in 113 schools, plus many other youth settings this year. Our regional staff also help train young health champions, students studying health and social care as part of their outreaches to ensure peer mentors are engaging and knowledgeable. Using data from the indices of deprivation as well as substance treatment statistics for Under 18’s and hospital admissions for U18s in England and Scotland, we focus our resource on young people in areas that need our support most as well as all areas of Scotland where alcohol and drug related deaths are nearly twice those in England.

Parents and carers are also supported locally by our specialist coordinators around ‘tough love’ parenting skills, setting boundaries, the law and how to keep their children safe around alcohol. Research shows that unless parents/ carers are good role models, set boundaries and know where their children are and who they are with, any efforts by schools/ other organisations to reduce risk taking, including underage drinking and substance use are limited. Parents/ carers are also the key suppliers of alcohol to those under the age of 18. The TALK ABOUT Trust specialists engage parents and carers via school and the community. We also have a dedicated web area for parents on www. talkabouttrust.org

To learn more about our ambassadors and staff click here.

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Kathryn Arnott-Gent, Northern Manager

It’s been an incredible year, with around 150 workshops, and training sessions provided, including a diverse mix of teacher and staff training, direct workshops for pupils and older students, and health events. Much of our work has focused on key issues such as staying safe, county lines, spiking, and vaping, with growing demand for sessions on illicit vapes and other nicotine products such as pouches.

Alongside delivering training and supporting young people, I’ve been busy developing new bitesize learning resources covering topics such as ketamine, county lines, energy drinks, solvents and nitrous oxide. I’ve also been busy working towards our professional accreditation through the CPD Standards Office, and I’m delighted to share that we now have three fully accredited courses, our 16+ Alcohol, Cannabis and Vaping resource, the Drug, Alcohol & Nicotine Education (DANE) resource for secondary schools, and our Talk About Alcohol resource for secondary school!

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT - SECONDARY

Examples include the beautiful Ysgol Dyffryn School in Wales, delivering three sessions to their Sixth Form on the topic of spiking — covering alcohol, needle, and vape spiking. The day was a great success, with staff noting a strong student response after the session, especially around vape spiking, which many had not heard of before, and the issue of illegal vapes. At Lytham High School, 300 Year 10 students participated in an interactive workshop on alcohol awareness and personal safety. Similarly, 200 Year 10 students at Filey High School attended two sessions exploring alcohol use and vaping. 400 students across Years 12 and 13 at Allerton High School in Leeds took part in sessions focusing on staying safe, spiking awareness, and methanol poisoning.

A fantastic session was also delivered at Cardinal Langley High School for students in Years 7–10. There was a constant stream of students throughout the day, with many engaging in valuable one-to-one conversations. What stood out most was that most of the young people reported that they had never tried vaping or alcohol.

It was also a pleasure to return to Ripon Grammar School to deliver our annual staying safe around alcohol session to over 200 Year 12 students. The students are always so engaged, enthusiastic, and keen to take part in discussions and activities it’s a real pleasure to deliver to them. “The TALK ABOUT Trust were brilliant on Friday for our P16. - please pass on my thanks to Kathryn as well, as she was absolutely brilliant.” (Allerton High School Leeds)

FOOTBALL CLUBS

Outreach this year included supporting Wigan Athletic as hosts of the Premier Kicks Regional Tournament. The event, held over the Easter break, brought together Year 11 students from clubs including Manchester United, Manchester City, Salford FC, Rochdale FC, Stockport FC, and, of course, hosts Wigan Athletic. Each team had a 20 minute session on vaping, nicotine pouches and alcohol. Activities included using beer goggles for a penalty shootout activity — a fun and engaging way to demonstrate the effects of alcohol impairment. There was some shock at how significantly alcohol can affect coordination, which lead to some great conversations about alcohol tolerance and unit awareness. A brilliant day with excellent engagement from all young people

“Wigan Athletic Community Trust has worked closely with Kathryn and the Talk Education Trust over the past year. During this partnership, Kathryn has delivered high-quality training and provided valuable resources for our coaches to utilise across community programmes.

In addition, young people from Community Club Organisations (CCOs) across Greater Manchester participated in an engaging, informative, and enjoyable workshop at the Premier League Charitable Fund Regional Qualifier that we hosted in Wigan. The workshop with 14 to16-yearoldsfocused on raising awareness around vaping, tobacco, and alcohol.

The feedback received was overwhelmingly positive, and we are now exploring opportunities to integrate similar workshops into future Trust events and other departmental initiatives.” Rachel Wood, Youth Engagement manager, Wigan Athletic.

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OLDER STUDENTS

Engagement with older students across colleges, universities, and youth organisations has continued to grow this year, reaching thousands of young people in further and higher education. Sessions delivered across the University of York, York College, Liverpool Hope University, the University of Chester, Leeds Aviation College, Askham Bryan College, Reaseheath and Craven College provided valuable opportunities to discuss key topics such as spiking, alcohol awareness, vaping, and other substances.

What has stood out most from these conversations is the clear and lasting impact they can have. Two particular highlights were a student proudly showing they had thrown away their illicit vape after attending a workshop a few months earlier, and another student handing Kathyrn a letter explaining how our previous chat from earlier event had made a huge difference to their alcohol use — they had almost halved their intake since we last spoke.

“On behalf of everyone at Craven College, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks for taking the time to come in and support our students through your training sessions, talks, and participation in our fairs.

Your willingness to share your expertise, insight, and real-world experience makes a genuine difference to our learners. Many of our students have expressed how valuable and inspiring they found your sessions, and it’s clear that your involvement has helped broaden their understanding of future pathways and opportunities.

We truly appreciate the energy, kindness, and professionalism you brought to each interaction. Partnerships like this enrich our college community, and we are incredibly grateful for your ongoing support”. Rosemary Simpson, Student Service Manager, Craven College

“On behalf of everyone at York College, we want to extend our thanks for your support at our Well-Being Festival this week. It was truly a pleasure to host you and learn more about the valuable services you provide. There were many positive interactions with our students, which was great to see”.

I was also delighted to be invited to attend to speak on my very first podcast which will be available for students to listen

to attending Liverpool Hope University. The discussion was with the President of the Students Union covering alcohol units, staying safe around substances, knowing your boundaries and how to support someone giving up nicotine.

STAFF TRAINING

Training teachers and staff who support younger and more vulnerable young people remains a vital part of our work. Research shows that trusted adults are best placed to deliver sessions on sensitive topics, and I am pleased to report that this year I have delivered training across the North of England to youth services, secondary schools, sports clubs, children’s homes, and third-sector organisations.

In addition to sessions

focused on our highly evaluated resources, we have provided staff awareness sessions to enhance understanding of issues such as County Lines, ketamine, and NOS, as well as more recent bite-sized sessions on identifying illicit vapes containing THC and Spice. Evaluation feedback has been extremely positive, demonstrating significant increases in knowledge — in some cases, knowledge rose from a score of 2 prior to the session to 10 afterwards.

We continue to extend our thanks to A Wilderness Way for commissioning us to deliver monthly sessions to their staff, focusing on our Alcohol and Cannabis resources, with around 50 staff attending each month.

“The Universal Youth Services in Sheffield City Council undertook training around alcohol with TALK ABOUT Trust. We found this very useful and that the training and resources provided us with up-to-date information. The interactive night club was a particularly useful tool that we can then use with young people. Kathryn was very engaging. Big thank you!” (Sheffield Youth Services)

“I thought this session was absolutely amazing, excellent resources and delivery and genuinely super informative”. Thank you (Family Action Stockton) “Brilliant piece of training.” (A Wilderness Way)

I would like to highlight the fantastic work we have delivered in Rochdale this year. With the support of Rochdale Healthy Schools, we have been able to coordinate a comprehensive programme of staff training across secondary schools, PRUs, the 0–18 school nurse service, and the youth service.

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STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

I was delighted to attend and support the Rochdale Young Health Activists Event on two separate occasions. Students in Years 8–12, completing their Level 2 Young Health Activist qualification, they had to research important health messages and asked insightful questions throughout the session.

I also had the pleasure of attending Rochdale Youth Club’s International Women’s Day event, where I delivered three workshops for girls focusing on staying safe around alcohol. The day was brilliant, and the students were fully engaged in the alcohol clock and unit-pouring activities.

Finally, it was a pleasure to attend the Year 10 parent session at Matthew Moss High School, and I look forward to continuing to support these events over the coming months.

“ A really great session Kathryn. Looking forward to the next sessions and to future work with our Pru and youth service”. (Rochdale Healthy Schools) ”It was a really useful training session and I will be using the activities in my sessions”. (Rochdale Youth Service).

CHESHIRE

With support from Cheshire Crimebeat, we’ve delivered both staff and student sessions across the county, including Reaseheath College and Chester University.

Staff training covered County Lines and illicit vapes, while student wellbeing sessions focused mainly on alcohol, and spiking. At Chester University’s Wellfest, it was refreshing to see that alcohol use was low, with students enjoying walks with friends, social clubs, and meals out, and only a handful reported vaping. Cheshire West & Chester Special Guardians have also received resources and training and we look forward to further work with Cheshire Lives, Cheshire East Youth Support, and Friends for Leisure.

SAFER ROSSENDALE

Organisations across Rossendale, including cafes, bars and family centres have received spiking training including the roles and responsibilities of venues, signs of spiking, what to do, how to help the

victim, how to help the police – and how to report and support. It has been an amazing year in the North, addressing and

responding to key emerging issues including, spiking, vaping, alcohol, and drug awareness. Some of the impact of these sessions has been inspiring, and is at the heart of why we do what we do - young people making positive changes in their behaviour, while we have also seen a huge increase in staff confidence and knowledge. It’s clear that our resources, training, and workshops are making a real difference in communities across the North of England.

Kathyrn is excited to continue building on this work, expanding our reach, further developing new resources, and exploring innovative ways to engage young people and staff.

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Midlands and West Outreach, Karen Perryman and Sarah Boyle

It has been wonderful to welcome Sarah to strengthen our delivery team across Dorset, Midlands and The South West this year, enabling us to deliver our new programme for Primary schools and our continued in depth focus on drug education across Dorset as

well as a new in depth support for youth settings across Bristol, for example. Thanks to funding received and partnerships built, we are making a real difference, helping to keep young people safe around alcohol and other substances.

Highlights of our varied, rewarding and impactful work include

TEACHER TRAINING

(Using our Talk About Alcohol Teacher workbook which incorporates six readymade lesson plans for time poor teachers).

YOUNG PEOPLE’S SESSIONS

Through interactive workshops and assemblies, we have had the privilege of engaging with thousands of students across the region communicating social norms messages and harm reduction/ resilience strategies both face to face and virtually. The participation and enthusiasm of students demonstrate the positive impact we have on young people helping to reduce negative risk taking.

All Saints School, Weymouth

What a great time we’ve had at All Saints Academy, Budmouth and Atlantic Academy, Blandford School, Lychett, Sherborne School, and John Henry Newman, Birmingham to name but a few.

The ability to be able to react to arising problems is a key strength of the TALK ABOUT Trust. Ketamine was becoming a growing problem in Weymouth. All Secondary schools in the area were visited and assemblies highlighting the risks took place.

Blandford School

We have trained not only teachers but safeguarding, pastoral and support staff to use resources which work equally well with one to one, in small or large groups.

“Very enjoyable and full of useful information. Eye opening and full of useful resources and tips to use. Trainer – Karen – was excellent. Thank you.”

Weymouth College

“Really informative session, the interactive elements of breaking up the session with videos and getting us to think about statistics etc was a good way to maintain interest.” Shirebrook Academy

John Henry Newman School, Birmingham

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ATTENDANCE AT STUDENT DAYS

Interacting with students at events such as Freshers’ Fairs and Wellbeing Weeks is a favourite part of our work, especially in raising awareness of spiking of all kinds. They are always so receptive to the messages we communicate and surprised at unit measures and nicotine levels in vapes and pouches.

Cannington College Strode College

Bournemouth University

WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

Our resources have been developed to ensure that young people of all abilities are kept safe around alcohol and other substances. What a buzz, working with YMCA, Chatterboxes youth club in Bournemouth. The young people were absolutely amazing - so engaged and their participation was phenomenal.

“It was so wonderful to see all the young people so engaged with your presentation. Thank you so much.”

Chatterboxes, Bournemouth

All 40 plus staff at Mountjoy Special School received training in the use of our resources for vaping, cannabis and ketamine.

“THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! It was very informative and will be so helpful in giving our young people the correct information,” Mountjoy Special School

Mountjoy Special School

WORKING WITH PUPIL REFERRAL UNITS AND ALTERNATIVE PROVIDERS

Ensuring that we reach extra vulnerable young people is key to what we do. We were lucky enough to work with Compass Pupil Referral Unit in Weymouth and Future Roots, Sherborne.

Future Roots, Sherborne

TRAINING YOUTH PROFESSIONALS AND THOSE THAT WORK WITH YOUNG PEOPLE

Lots of these type of training sessions have taken place throughout the region. Here’s some of the feedback in their own words.

“I am able to talk to my teens about their knowledge and experience.”

“Brilliant session, taking so much away from this.”

“The facts and figures information on the issues will really help inform young people of the real facts.”

“Great session and so much usable information that can be adjusted for young people.”

Dorset youth training days

WORKING WITH COUNCILS, HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND THE POLICE

We have run several training courses open to all Dorset Council Children’s Services Employees.

“Karen was a wonderful teacher and kept us engaged throughout the training, asking us questions to gauge our knowledge and answering any we presented her with. Overall an enjoyable and educational experience!” Dorset Council Children’s Services Vaping Training Session

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Lots of work has been carried out across Derbyshire with training around alcohol, cannabis and vaping open to anyone working or volunteering with 11 to 25-year-olds.

“Fantastic session. The interactive resources, demonstrations through questioning and the interactive discussion were all very helpful and informative.” Derbyshire County Council

Training school nurses and community health services in the use of our resources enables these professionals to have meaningful, informed discussions with young people.

Vape training team

“Really useful. Thank you. I didn’t know vapes could be spiked.” Derbyshire Community Health Services (Health visitor)

With anecdotal evidence that alcohol is a factor in 70%+ of contact with the police, we work with schools liaison and community safety teams across the region. Created in Dorset,

thanks to funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner, our award winning secondary school Drug, Alcohol and Nicotine Education resources are helping immensely to help reduce young people’s negative risk taking.

PARENTS AND CARERS

Work with parents and carers is a vital part of our work. “I feel confident in my new knowledge and the resources supplied during the session to talk to young people about alcohol and get them thinking about the choices they make.” Dorset Council Foster Carer

“I will be able to talk to young people in my care with more confidence and knowledge.” Foster Carer

PRIMARY SCHOOL VAPING PROJECT

Following an approach from Primary School Headteachers in Dorset, we have developed a suite of resources around vaping for Years 3 – 6 thanks to Local Alliance Group funding. It is a huge pleasure to work so closely in partnership with local school children and Head Teachers across the County to ensure what we produce is piloted, trialled and really makes an impactful difference, informed by pupil needs,

abilities and addressing the pressure they face both in person and online.

The Prince of Wales School, Dorchester

LOCAL ALLIANCE GROUPS

In Dorset, we work closely with all six Local Alliance Groups and even feature in their information video!

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Sarah Boyle Midlands, South and West Regional Trainer

Since I joined the Trust in March 2025 it has been a time of growth, collaboration, and meaningful conversations for me personally and for the charity. Through partnerships with schools, colleges, youth services, and community organisations, I have aimed to create safe spaces where young people and

professionals can have open, honest conversations about the issues that currently matter. From vaping and spiking awareness to mental health and festival safety, alcohol and drug understanding. My work has reached diverse audiences and sparked important dialogue across Dorset and beyond.

Key Highlights have included

Dorset Council Youth Training Day – Lytchett Minster School: training Youth workers in how to best use our resources and informing them of the ever-changing landscape regarding the drug and nicotine market.

Ferndown Upper School and QE School Staff Training) : Empowering school staff with tools to have effective conversations with students through the use of our suite of resources.

Piloting Year 6 Vaping Materials: Collaborated with multiple schools — Baden Powell & St Peter’s Junior School, Bincombe Valley Primary, St Mark’s C of E Primary (Talbot Village), and St Mary’s C of E Primary (Bridport). Feedback was also gathered with heads at a meeting held at Prince of Wales Primary (Dorchester) to refine resources for future roll outs. I loved the opportunity of being able to use the resources directly with classes of Year 5 and Year 6 children. It proved to me how valuable early intervention prevention is, particularly regarding vaping as it is marketed to children through social media platforms.

“The assembly, delivered by The TALK ABOUT Trust, about the dangers and harms of vaping was delivered to our cohort of 180 children. The assembly was informative and pitched well for the year group. The children learnt about the harms and peer pressures of vapes and this was pertinent due to their transition to secondary school. The workshop was delivered to each class of 30 in a more personal setting which allowed the children to ask questions with greater detail. This workshop also allowed the children to reflect on the courage to stand up for what they believe in.“ Mr Dan Tompson, Year 6 Lead

Sixth form assembly on spiking and festival awareness:

Delivered in the summer term, equipping students with practical knowledge and safety strategies at QE School in Wimborne. A positive experience seeing older students engage with practical advice that could keep them safe.

o Freshers’ Fairs: Connected with students at Falmouth Marine College, St Austell College, and Bournemouth University . These events sparked open and honest conversations, helping me to understand student perspectives and strengthen trust. I loved the open, honest conversations that students were willing to have and Lunchtime stand at Southampton it gave me such an insight College into what this generation of young people are facing on a daily basis.

Daylesford Academy, Solihull

A Fresher’s fair at Falmouth Marine College in Cornwall

IMPACT & REFLECTION

Looking back, what stands out to me most is the diversity of the people I’ve been able to work with. Every session reinforced for me that young people want to talk — they just need safe, respectful spaces to do it. Being part of creating those spaces has been an absolute highlight of my year. I would like to keep creating opportunities for those raw, honest, and sometimes challenging conversations that can make such a difference.

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London, South and East Outreach, Amy Hebben Wadley

We were sad to see Sophie move on this year, but happily she has joined us as a Trustee. She has been an amazing lead in developing our Primary vaping resources as well as our LGBTQ+ focus groups and sessions, ensuring our support in preventing drug and alcohol related harms is always appropriate and tailored to the needs of those we work with.

Amy Hebben-Wadey who is our new member of staff covering London and the South East. You can contact Amy if you would like to book any training sessions via amy@talkabouttrust.org.

Amy is a teacher with 18 years’ experience as a subject lead of Art and DT, English, PSHE and History and as head of year. She also

worked in TV production, advertising, and media before training as a teacher.

We have supported 155 settings across London and the SE with resources and provided 45 training or student engagement in the last 12 months, from Herts, to Kent, Essex, across Sussex and Greater London We support some groups of schools year on year, such as Barnet Healthy schools, East Sussex Schools, Campden Learning, The Harris Academies and Military Preparation Colleges (MPCT). It’s been very pleasing to support 15 special education needs settings such as Meadow High School, Brent Knoll Schools, Your Healthcare CIC, Elm Court School and The Harlington School.

Our geographical reach to schools across London embracing all drug alcohol and nicotine topics as well as spiking and preparing for transition has increased widely to Wandsworth STCG, Riverside school. Bromley High, The Grey Coat School, Hampton School, Orleans Park School, Sydenham High School, Rivers Academy, London Academy of Excellence, Atam Academy, King’s College School of Maths, Henrietta Barnett School, Charter School, Saffron Valley School and Kensington Park School, for example. It’s been pleasing to work in depth with settings supporting particularly vulnerable students, such as The Capitol College Group this year with student workshops.

We have held whole staff teacher and pastoral care staff training sessions for Hampton school and The London Academy of Excellence, for example, and a seminar on how to make drug education interactive, engaging and effective for 137 schools across London. It was also an honour to raise awareness of early intervention and prevention in averting young people from the criminal justice system with the High Sheriff’s Association, with regional leads on probation, youth offending teams, a prison governor, chief constables, magistrates and judges culminating in a reception at the Old Bailey. This builds huge cooperation and understanding across policing, courts, probation, targeted youth workers and the education sector.

LEIGH STATIONERS’ ACADEMY

The TALK ABOUT Trust delivered an in-person training session at Leigh Stationers’ Academy for Year 8 and 9 tutors. The focus of the session was

on vaping and alcohol, with a strong emphasis on understanding peer pressure and legal boundaries around substance use. The training was designed to support the school’s long-term PSHE curriculum at Key Stage 3. Tutors were provided with practical tools and knowledge to help them facilitate meaningful and

informed discussions during their PSHE lessons. The session was well received and the resources are now being used as part of the school’s regular teaching.

SOUTH THAMES COLLEGE GROUP

The TALK ABOUT Trust was pleased to provide CPD for Student Services teams across South Thames College Group, including Merton College, Kingston College, Carshalton College, and South Thames College. The training addressed current trends and risks associated with vaping, THC, nitrous oxide (NOS), and ketamine.

EALING YOUTH JUSTICE SERVICE

A CPD session on vaping was delivered by the TALK ABOUT Trust to staff at the Ealing Youth Justice Service. The training highlighted key legislation, health implications, and social trends. One of the most surprising findings for participants was the data showing that the majority of young people do not vape regularly, which helped to challenge common misconceptions. Staff responded positively, particularly appreciating the video content, and noted they felt better equipped to support young people going forward. One attendee remarked, “Fantastic training! Feel equipped to discuss with young people now I know the legislation/legalities.”

THE TALKABOUT TRUST, TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2025 | 32

CROYDON DROP-IN CENTRE

The Drop-in Centre offers counselling services for young people and frequently collaborates with secondary schools in the local area. The staff team brought great energy and curiosity to the cpd session. They engaged fully in the session and responded enthusiastically to the resources provided, supporting their ongoing commitment to young people in both clinical and school settings.

EXAMPLES OF SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE

Kingston College

The TALK ABOUT Trust took part in the “Be Safe” fair at Kingston College, where an information stall was set up to engage students on the topics of alcohol and vaping. Students were invited to take part in interactive conversations, including a spinning wheel true-or-false game that helped spark discussions around cannabis and vaping myths. Additionally, the team used Drink Aware cups to visually demonstrate alcohol units and discuss safe drinking practices. The session was well attended and prompted many thoughtful questions.

Westminster Kingsway College

A workshop on vaping and alcohol was delivered to students at Westminster Kingsway College. The sessions included interactive elements such as the alcohol-clock game, which the students found both entertaining and educational.

Rutlish School

At Rutlish School, we delivered a targeted vaping session to a Year 9 tutor group involved in a social justice initiative. The students demonstrated a high level of engagement, asking insightful questions and taking detailed notes.

Sister System

The TALK ABOUT Trust delivered a one-to-one session on alcohol and vaping through the Sister System, working with a young person and her “big sister” mentor. The session allowed for in-depth discussion around substance use, particularly focused on vaping.

Southbank College

At Southbank College’s Clapham Campus, the TALK ABOUT Trust delivered a workshop on vaping to a group of curious and engaged students. The conversation naturally turned toward the legal status of various vaping products, and students were eager to clarify the boundaries between legal and illegal use. The session prompted thoughtful dialogue and was supported by college staff throughout.

Southbank College’s Nine Elms campus followed. The session was part of a wider initiative aimed at encouraging student-led social justice projects. The workshop provided practical information on vaping and substance use and was tailored to support both the immediate learning goals of the students and the longer-term aims of their social advocacy work.

Merton College

Four workshops were delivered by the TALK ABOUT Trust at Merton College, focused on vaping and THC. Each workshop was attended by support staff, who were keen to observe the sessions as part of their own training. These staff members plan to deliver similar sessions independently in the future, extending the reach of the work beyond the initial audience.

Carshalton College

The TALK ABOUT Trust facilitated several workshops at Carshalton College, similar to those delivered at Merton. The sessions were attended by students from the Beauty, Sports & Physical Activity, and Carpentry departments. Students asked informed questions about the health risks and legal aspects of vaping. The support staff present played an active role in the discussions, helping to foster a supportive and open learning environment.

UCL Behaviour Change and King’s College, London Masters student lectures

Lecturing to the leaders of the future in public health and psychology is always a huge pleasure, both face to face with Masters Students on the Behaviour Change programme at UCL and via a recorded lecture for King’s College London Masters students for the first time this year.

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LGBTQ+ INCLUSION WORK

Free2be Youth Group (29 December 2024)

The TALK ABOUT Trust organised a focus group with Free2be’s LGBTQ+ youth group, where a range of engaging tools such as the vaping emoji quiz, alcohol unit cards, and Drink Aware cups were used to facilitate conversations. Discussions focused on the health risks of illegal vapes, binge drinking, and the developmental impact of substance use on young people. The team also explored

healthier alternatives to substance use and encouraged young people to consider positive coping strategies.

Workshops at the Mosaic Trust

Two interactive workshops were delivered to LGBTQ+ young people through the Mosaic Trust. These sessions covered topics including alcohol and vaping, peer pressure, and building resilience. Participants were highly engaged and appreciated the honest and inclusive approach. Feedback included positive remarks such as: “didn’t shame, had honest conversations with creative activities,” which reinforced the value of a non-judgmental and youth-led approach to harm reduction education.

LGBT+ Focus Group

We facilitated a focus group with LGBTQ+ young people to gather insight into their experiences and needs around substance use. The young people noted that substance use was often described as a coping mechanism for bullying, lack of family support, and broader social stigma. Many referenced the lack of LGBTQ+ role models - particularly for trans and non-binary individuals - and described a sense of isolation.

Alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis were commonly used for escapism, while drugs such as ketamine and LSD were seen as more accessible to wealthier young people. Trends such as Charli XCX’s “Brat Summer” and celebrity endorsements like Troye Sivan for Smirnoff were cited as examples of how substance use is glamorised in queer spaces. Participants expressed concern about the lack of accessible mental health or substance-related support. They described barriers including oversubscribed CAMHS services, lack of

continuity with GPs, and a fear of police involvement. The group strongly advocated for harm reduction education, practical firstaid knowledge, and crisis response guidance. They also called for more peer-led, LGBTQ+-specific support structures, such as mentoring schemes and community groups.

----- Start of picture text -----
Vaping and the Law
To buy cigarettes, pouches, e-cigarettes and vaping
It is illegal for retailers to sell cigarettes, pouches, E-Cigarettes or E-Liquids to anyone under 18Nicotine-free disposables can be sold legally to under 18s (except in Scotland), however, many retailers will only sell vapes to over the age of 18. liquids a person must be 18 or over and be able to prove it.It’s also illegal for adults to buy vapes for anyone under 18 (proxy purchasing). Legal nicotine products like pouches, vapes and e liquids have health warning labels covering 1/3rd of the pack. It will be an illegal product or clearly labelled nicotine-free if there isn’t a health warning on the packaging.
All nicotine products in the UK must comply with safety laws to ensure they don’t pose a risk to health and safety, but 25% of vapes traded in the UK are illegal and when tested contain harmful substances such as Spice or THC. Vaping, like cigarettes are restricted in certain places and situations. Most public transport, planes, healthcare facilities, schools and colleges have a ban The maximum legal nicotine strength of an e-liquid is 20mg/ml and E-cigarette tanks are limited to 2ml size. Bottles of e-liquid containing nicotine cannot legally be larger than 10ml. Any product exceeding these quantities will be illegal and there’s no way of knowing what’s in it.
on all nicotine products like vapes. Many employers choose to ban vaping inside offices and shared spaces because of the effect on others.
TRUE OR FALSE EMOJI QUIZ - VAPING QUESTIONS
1. Vaping is less 6. Scientists are sure
harmful than smoking that there are no
long-term risks from
vaping
2. Most vapes contain 7. Second-hand
nicotine vapour is not as
harmful as second-
hand smoke
3. Vaping can 8. There are
help someone quit currently no laws in
smoking the UK around who
can vape
----- End of picture text -----

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Ailsa Christie, Scotland Manager

This year marked a period of growth for The TALK ABOUT Trust in Scotland. Through positive relationships with schools, youth organisations, community teams and public health partners, the TALK ABOUT Trust in Scotland has empowered educators and support workers to engage in open, honest and practical conversations about alcohol, vaping, cannabis and emerging substance risks.

Driven by a commitment to prevention and harm reduction, the work across Scotland has combined training, resource development and direct delivery with young people.

THE TALK ABOUT TRUST IN SCOTLAND AT A GLANCE

partnerships with national organisations and local authorities.

BUILDING CAPACITY THROUGH OUR TALK ABOUT TRUST TRAINING SESSIONS

This year saw strong demand for The TALK ABOUT Trust’s training across Scotland. Staff in schools, youth work, social care, employability projects and community support services took part in core sessions on:

EXPANDING REACH IN EDUCATION AND YOUTH SECTORS

In 2024 – 2025 we worked with over 100 schools, alternative learning settings and youth services. We supported:

Action for Children Glasgow staff taking part in our 16- 25 yrs toolkit training

TALK ABOUT Trust training with Street League in Paisley, January 2025

DIRECT ENGAGEMENT WITH YOUNG PEOPLE

Alongside professional training for trusted adults, this year marked a meaningful expansion in direct work with young people.

Pilot projects included:

These sessions helped young people explore real-world decisions around substances,

wellbeing and peer influence in a safe and respectful space. Also serving as opportunity to ensure our work holds the voice of young people at the centre. Youth Futures Team, Glasgow City Council at the King’s Trust Building

YOUTH VOICE SHAPING RESOURCES

Young people have been central to The TALK ABOUT Trust’s development in Scotland. Two major co-production projects shaped new educational resources:

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Young people described the sessions as “honest”, “helpful” and “realistic”, and reported feeling more confident supporting peers.

Rolling out training across Clackmannanshire Student Support Service Staff Team

STRONG PARTNERSHIP WORKING

Partnership has been central to our successes. Collaborative working has grown with:

These partnerships have enabled wider delivery access and built momentum towards improving substance education in Scotland.

Focus Groups across Greater Glasgow and Clyde, March 2025

SUMMARY OF OUR TRAINING EVALUATIONS

In Scotland last year we reached 347 participants across a wide range of organisations. Feedback from participants was extremely positive, with an overall training session rating of 9.44/10 and resource quality rating of 9.24/10.

Almost all participants stated they would recommend the training to others , highlighting both its relevance and practical value.

Importantly, the training demonstrated a significant impact on learner knowledge and confidence . Across before-and-after measures, participants reported:

The training approach – combining current evidence with realistic case examples and adaptable classroom materials – was consistently praised as engaging, accessible and immediately useful . Common themes in feedback highlighted Ailsa’s clarity of delivery, subject expertise and responsiveness to participant questions.

Feedback highlighted Ailsa’s ability to balance honesty about risks with a supportive, young person-led approach . Many noted that this helped challenge stigma and myths while maintaining empathy and trust. Feedback from school staff shared that they plan to embed updated PSE content on vaping and alcohol following training. Participants highlighted using The TALK ABOUT Trust resources directly in lessons. With the pastoral team at Lenzie Academy in

With the pastoral team at Lenzie Academy in East Dunbartonshire Council

TESTIMONIALS FROM PARTICIPANTS

“Great day, looking forward to developing our PSE course with this included.”

“I just wanted to say a massive thank you for delivering your session for us yesterday! It was absolutely brilliant and you managed to keep all of the Modern Apprentice’s engaged and captivated throughout. The range of topics was so diverse and I found I came away with lots of new knowledge, especially on pouches!”

“Great training and resources – practical, realistic and very usable with young people.”

“Ailsa was brilliant – knowledgeable, non-judgemental and really easy to learn from.”

“Alisa was great and very informative, engaging and helpful. She was great at leading activities and checking in”

“Really useful training that will help me deliver more confidently to young people.” “Very informative training – I came away with practical ideas and resources I can use straight away.”

“Excellent training, delivered so well, really interesting topics, much needed for our service users.”

Enable Works, Motherwell

OUR LEARNINGS

This year highlighted:

We are grateful to every school, youth organisation, guidance team, community worker, health partner and young person

who made this work

possible. Together, we have not only delivered training – we have built understanding and strengthened ways of working with young people that has real future impact.

North Ayrshire’s Youth Work Modern Apprentices Team, August 2025

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TREASURER’S REPORT AND FINANCIAL REVIEW

Julie Sutton - FINANCE, HR and Governance Manager

We welcomed our new CEO Steve Morton in September 2025 and our previous CEO, Helena Conibear, will remain with the charity and move into a new Founder role. We worked to expand our range of resources in 2025 to meet the evolving needs and challenges faced by young people around substance use. We completed the development of a new suite of drug, alcohol & nicotine resources (DANE) for secondary schools and are now providing these resources and teacher training across both Dorset and the UK. In response to the increasing use of vapes and other nicotine substances by young people, we developed vaping resources and training for primary schools in Dorset and for primary & secondary schools across Glasgow, Clyde & Inverclyde. We amended our charitable objective during the year to extend our age range down to 8 (from 11) to enable us to work with primary schools for the first time to provide this much needed vaping support.

We continue to provide our existing resources across England & Scotland:

We aim to support teachers and youth professionals with training, developing the knowledge, skills and resilience of children and young people to enable them to make safer choices and supporting parents and carers through our network of highly experienced regionally based staff.

Locally, we run a variety of very successful community activities and diversionary activities for young people from the Pavilion in the Park in Poundbury.

Income for the year amounted to £364,893 (up 7% on last year) and expenditure amounted to £314,882 (up 10% on last year).

INCOME 2024-25

Incoming restricted funds during the year amounted to £188,695.

EXPENDITURE 2024-25

Expenditure from restricted funds during the year amounted to £181,989.

RESTRICTED EXPENDITURE 2024-25

This was principally expended on:

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Incoming general funds amounted to £176,198. This included an impressive £96k from PiP Café (up £12.5k) comprising a donation from their 2024 profits of £69,100, rental of £8,000 plus a contribution of £6,818 towards the shared costs of the Pavilion and £12,213 for shared staff costs.

Gross expenditure from general funds during the year amounted to £225,122 with the majority funding our central staff and school and regional co-ordinators (plus their associated travel costs) of £180,817, office expenses and associated ground rent for the Pavilion £17,880, printing and postage of resources of £3,878, IT & Software £2,556, accountancy & other professional fees £2,535, Community Fundraising expenses of £4,191, other costs £5,378 and depreciation of £7,887.

This was offset by the cost recovery of £31,244 for resources and £69,325 for staff costs, both relating to the delivery of fully funded training & resources as part of our project work.

We celebrated the 15th anniversary of the charity with a ‘Gardeners Delight’ fundraising event in June 2025 which yielded a surplus of just over £12k (after associated costs) and a 2nd event took place in October 2025 with a celebratory 15th anniversary dinner at ‘Minterne’ yielding a further £19k towards our 2025-26 income.

We delivered two NHS Vaping projects during the year providing one-off commissioning income of £45k. Our bi-annual conference and the contribution to our resources & training by organisations (schools, youth and sports clubs are supported free of charge) generated £16,984 and we generated £3,970 from the hire of the community room and £586 commission on arts and crafts sold in the cafe for local artists and other donated items. We offered CPD accredited training and resources for the first time in 2025 generating a small income of £894 which we hope to build on in 2026. This brought our total sales figure to £22,435. Our partnership with Dorchester Town Council remains strong and their annual contribution towards the provision of public toilets at the Pavilion was £4.8k to include a share of the water rates and toilet repairs/maintenance.

Our SJP investment saw continued good growth in 2025, providing an unrealised gain of £11,223 for the year and the return on our savings accounts increased to £12.5k.

Our reserves at the 30th September 2025, comprised £51,660 in the CEO Succession Reserve - £8.3k was spent on the CEO Recruitment during the year and we expect the balance to be released over the next 2 years to cover the increased costs of the combined CEO/Founder roles. We also have £69,978 in our Pavilion Maintenance Fund for future repairs/replacement of the Pavilion Building. After placing these designated funds aside and adjusting for Stock, Fixed Assets & our investment in Pip Café, our balance of ‘Free Reserves’ at the year-end was £310,598 providing 14 months cover for our gross budgeted operating costs of £264,947 which is in line with our reserves policy.

Our budgeted costs for next year are £376k, being an increase of 19% on 2024-25 costs. This is partly due to increased costs for our combined CEO & Founder roles and partly due to the fluctuation in our planned project work, which varies from year to year depending on availability of funding. Our focus for 2026 is to create a long term development and funding strategy, building on our successful delivery model to reach more children and young people. With the launch of the DANE and Primary Vaping programmes we expect to continue to reach more schools whilst developing new drug resources and training for primary schools. A digital communications review will ensure we continue to have a strong online connection with young people and the trusted adults who support them.

PIP CAFÉ

The charity runs PiP Café via a trading subsidiary called Pavilion in the Park (PiPs) Ltd. Café trading continued to exceed expectations this year with turnover for the year being £320k (up 16% on last year). Our gross profit was £235k and expenditure amounted to £148k resulting in an operating profit of £87k (an impressive 28% increase on last year).

For 2025-26, we have budgeted sales at £328k (up 2.5% versus 2024-25) and we expect a trading profit of £84k being slightly under the 2024-25 figure reflecting the additional increases expected in the minimum wage and national insurance. Our reliance on the weather continues to have a big impact on both turnover and staffing and the flexibility or our workforce is key as the café manager constantly reviews staffing levels to balance the variations in trade from day to day.

PiP Café continues to make a significant contribution to the charity. In addition to the taxable profits which are donated to the charity, there is also an annual rental of £8k and a contribution towards the shared Pavilion costs and shared staff costs.

‘The total contribution received by TAT over the last few years has risen from £30k in 2021-22 to £81k then £84k then £96k in 2022-23, 2023-24 & 2024-25 respectively.

We expect the contribution to increase further to £113k in 2025-26.

PiP Café provides an invaluable income stream for our work with young people across the UK, contributing over 75% of our net core operating costs last year and it continues to provide an incredible return on the original investment.

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YOUNG PEOPLE’S VULNERABILITES FOR ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE RELATED HARMS

The complexity of the task:

KEY TALK ABOUT TRUST INTERVENTION POINTS:

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AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

BETTER SOCIETY AWARDS 2024

TEACH SECONDARY AWARDS 2024

Highly commended SEN resource

ERA Best secondary resource for RSE

TEACH SECONDARY AWARDS 2024 Winner - best free resource

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE NOW! 2022 Finalist for best early intervention awards

A JOINED UP APPROACH

REDUCING ALCOHOL AND OTHER SUBSTANCE RELATED HARMS

Ensuring young people learn to stay safe around alcohol and other substances

Support children And young people

Support schools and organisations

Empower parents And carers

Quality assurance measures

Focus areas

THE TALKABOUT TRUST, TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2025 | 40

IMPACT AND OUTCOMES

INDEPENDENT EVALUATION OF OUR IMPACT, FIDELITY AND EFFECTIVENESS

The Talk About Alcohol programme is selected as best practice by:

EARLY INTERVENTION FOUNDATION

EUROPEAN PLATFORM FOR INVESTMENT IN CHILDREN PROMISING PRACTICE

NCVO CHARITY ETHICAL PRINCIPLES

The trustees carried out their annual review of the NCVO Charity Ethical Principles which provide a framework for the ethical execution of charitable purpose and help guide decision-making and development of policies and procedures. The trustees report that they are confident that the charity is upholding the Guiding Principles to put Beneficiaries First, act with Integrity and Openness & protect everybody’s Right to be Safe.

DATA MATURITY

The TALK ABOUT Trust recently used the Data Orchard SelfAssessment tool to update the status of our Data Maturity. We were delighted that our average score across seven themes had increased over the last 3 years from 3.8 to 4.1. Our main focus for improvement will be developing more training for our staff and trustees.

Unaware Emerging Learning Developing Mastering

Uses

Data

Analysis Leadership

Culture

Tools

Skills

The TALK ABOUT Trust strictly incorporates the principles of evidenced Health Education which are detailed in the International Standards on Drug Use Prevention (unodc.org).

The standards clearly define the Characteristics of programmes for prevention education based on social competence and influence deemed to be associated with efficacy and/or effectiveness based on expert consultation. Namely:

Approaches are detailed which are associated with lack of efficacy and/or effectiveness or with adverse effects based on expert consultation which we emphatically avoid;

The principles below from CEOP are also embraced. icmec.org/wp-content/ uploads/2017/03/Key-Principlesof-Effective-Prevention-EducationCEOP-UK.pdf

The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on the 23rd February 2026 and signed on its behalf by: Jackie Sonner

__________ Date: 23/02/2026

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SECTION 2 Accounts

Charity registration number: 1186202

THE TALK ABOUT TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025

Chartered Accountants

THE TALK ABOUT TRUST

CONTENTS

Reference and Administrative Details 1
Independent Examiner's Report 2
Statement of Financial Activities 3
Balance Sheet 4
Notes to the Financial Statements 5 to 16

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

THE TALK ABOUT TRUST

Chairman Jacqueline Sonner BAHons PGCE, Chair of Trustees
Trustees Jacqueline Sonner BAHons PGCE, Chair of Trustees
Victoria McDonaugh MA (Hons) PGCE
David Cox
Stephen Foster
Andrew Morse BSc Hons
Keith Newton ACA
Dr Lara Jayne Wear MB BS BSc DCH (SA) MRCGP
Alison Winsborough BMus PGCE
Richard Mangnall JP FCILA FInst.D
Patrick Myers MSc MA BSc PG Cert Health & Wellbeing
Sophie Whitcombe PGCE CANTAB
Senior Management / Steve Morton, Chief Executive
Leadership Team Helena Conibear, Founder
Charity Registration Number 1186202
Principal Office Pavilion in the Park
St John Way
Poundbury
Dorchester
Dorset
DT1 2FG
Independent Examiner S J Hough FCA
Edwards and Keeping Limited
Chartered Accountants
Unity Chambers
34 High East Street
Dorchester
Dorset
DT1 1HA
Bankers The Co-operative Bank
P O Box 250
Skelmerdale
WN8 6WT

THE TALK ABOUT TRUST

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE TALK ABOUT TRUST

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Talk About Trust for the year ended 30 September 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of The Talk About Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 (the ‘2005 Act’), the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). You are satisfied that your charity is not required by charity law to be audited and have chosen instead to have an independent examination.

I report in respect of my examination of the The Talk About Trust's accounts carried out under section 44 (1)(c) of the 2005 Act and section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed the requirements of Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

Since The Talk About Trust has prepared its accounts on an accruals basis and is also registered in Scotland your examiner must be a member of a body listed in Regulation 11(2) of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.

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:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of The Talk About Trust as required by section 44 (1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and section 130 of the 2011 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements Regulation 8 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and 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.

S J Hough FCA Edwards and Keeping Limited Chartered Accountants

Unity Chambers 34 High East Street Dorchester Dorset DT1 1HA

25 February 2026

THE TALK ABOUT TRUST

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025

Note
Income and Endowments
from:
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
3
Other trading activities
4
Investment income
5
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities
6
Total expenditure
Gain/(loss) on investment
assets
12
Net income
Gross transfers between
funds
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
18		 Unrestricted
£
99,623
42,390
21,696
12,489
176,198
(4,191)
(128,702)
(132,893)
11,223
54,528
(275)
54,253
674,045
728,298		 Restricted
£
142,932
45,763
-
-
188,695
-
(181,989)
(181,989)
-
6,706
275
6,981
181,644
188,625		 Total
2025
£
242,555
88,153
21,696
12,489
364,893
(4,191)
(310,691)
(314,882)
11,223
61,234
-
61,234
855,689
916,923		 Total
2024
£
294,771
34,385
8,721
4,155
342,032
(14,659)
(271,753)
(286,412)
11,184
66,804
-
66,804
788,885
855,689

All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for 2024 is shown in note 18.

THE TALK ABOUT TRUST

(CHARITY COMMISSION REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1186202) (OSCR REGISTRATION NUMBER SC050360) BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2025

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
11
Investments
12
Current assets
Stocks
13
Debtors
14
Cash at bank and in hand
15
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
16
Net current assets
Net assets
Funds of the charity:
Restricted income funds
Restricted funds
18
Unrestricted income funds
Unrestricted funds
Total funds
18		 2025
£
262,311
129,576
391,887
8,750
43,138
523,659
575,547
(50,511)
525,036
916,923
188,625
728,298
916,923		 2024
£
270,199
118,353
388,552
12,673
24,389
453,643
490,705
(23,568)
467,137
855,689
181,644
674,045
855,689

The financial statements on pages 3 to 16 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 23 February 2026 and signed on their behalf by:

Jacqueline Sonner BAHons PGCE Chair of Trustees

THE TALK ABOUT TRUST NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025

1 Accounting policies

Statement of compliance

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the second edition of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

Basis of preparation

The Talk About Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.

Going concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

Income and endowments

Voluntary income including donations, gifts, legacies and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Donations and legacies

Donations and legacies are recognised on a receivable basis when receipt is probable and the amount can be reliably measured.

Grants receivable

Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released.

Deferred income

Deferred income represents amounts received for future periods and is released to incoming resources in the period for which, it has been received. Such income is only deferred when:

Investment income

Dividends are recognised once the dividend has been declared and notification has been received of the dividend due.

Expenditure

All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.

THE TALK ABOUT TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025 (CONTINUED)

Charitable activities

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Support costs

Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources, for example, allocating property costs by floor areas, or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage.

Government grants

Government grants are recognised based on the accrual model and are measured at the fair value of the asset received or receivable. Grants are classified as relating either to revenue or to assets. Grants relating to revenue are recognised in income over the period in which the related costs are recognised. Grants relating to assets are recognised over the expected useful life of the asset. Where part of a grant relating to an asset is deferred, it is recognised as deferred income.

Taxation

The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

Tangible fixed assets

Individual fixed assets costing £1,000 or more are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses. However, the Trustees may consider capitalising lower cost items where appropriate,

Depreciation and amortisation

Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:

Asset class Depreciation method and rate Over the minimum period of the lease Leasehold Buildings straight line Fixtures and Fittings 20% reducing balance

Fixed asset investments

Fixed asset investments, other than programme related investments, are included at market value at the balance sheet date. Realised gains and losses on investments are calculated as the difference between sales proceeds and their market value at the start of the year, or their subsequent cost, and are charged or credited to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period of disposal.

Unrealised gains and losses represent the movement in market values during the year and are credited or charged to the Statement of Financial Activities based on the market value at the year end.

Unlisted investments, including the investment in the subsidiary are measured at cost less provision for impairment as the fair value cannot be measured reliably.

Stock

Stock is valued at the lower of cost and estimated selling price.

THE TALK ABOUT TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025 (CONTINUED)

Trade debtors

Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business.

Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

Trade creditors

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities.

Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Fund structure

Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds set aside for specific purposes at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.

2 Income from donations and legacies

Unrestricted

Donations and grants;
Grants and charitable
donations
Donation from subsidary of
2023/24 profits
Other donations
Government grants		 General
£
26,466
69,100
525
3,532
99,623		 Restricted
£
127,544
-
-
15,388
142,932		 Total
2025
£
154,010
69,100
525
18,920
242,555		 Total
2024
£
187,694
57,139
21,000
28,938
294,771

Included in grants for 2024-25 is £15k from the Garfield Weston Foundation for core costs and £1,188 from the Dorset Council Holiday and Activities Food Program to support the provision of Holiday Kids Clubs.

THE TALK ABOUT TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025 (CONTINUED)

3 Income from charitable activities

Unrestricted

General
£
Miscellaneous sales and hire
income
42,390
Commissioning income
-
42,390
4
Income from other trading activities
Community fundraising
Property rental income (PIP Cafe)		 Restricted
£
660
45,103
45,763
Unrestricted
funds
General
£
13,696
8,000
21,696		 Total
2025
£
43,050
45,103
88,153
Total
2025
£
13,696
8,000
21,696		 Total
2024
£
34,385
-
34,385
Total
2024
£
721
8,000
8,721

5 Investment income

Interest receivable and similar income;
Interest receivable on bank deposits
Total for 2025
Total for 2024		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
12,489
12,489
4,155		 Total
funds
£
12,489
12,489
4,155

THE TALK ABOUT TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025 (CONTINUED)

6 Expenditure on charitable activities

Unrestricted

Note
Staff costs
8
Pavilion ground rent
Office expenses
Computer software
and maintenance
Printing, postage and
stationery
Travel and
subsistence
Advertising
Legal and
professional fees
Sundry expenses
Resource allocation
Pavilion Event cost
Bad debts written off
Recruitment fees
Independent
Examiner’s
remuneration
9
Depreciation		 General
£
Designated
£
174,152
-
4,284
-
13,596
-
2,556
-
4,006
-
6,665
-
447
-
525
-
4,553
-
(100,569)
-
-
-
250
-
-
8,340
2,010
-
7,887
-
120,362
8,340		 Restricted
£
54,420
-
15
498
5,760
11,402
165
3,833
575
100,569
4,752
-
-
-
-
181,989		 Total
2025
£
228,572
4,284
13,611
3,054
9,766
18,067
612
4,358
5,128
-
4,752
250
8,340
2,010
7,887
310,691		 Total
2024
£
197,854
4,440
14,964
2,582
18,051
12,194
1,264
4,449
1,961
-
4,046
-
-
1,920
8,028
271,753

The Resource allocation total of £100,569 consists £69,326 staff costs and £31,244 other costs. Included in expenditure on charitable activities are governance costs of £30,628 (2024 £27,768).

7 Trustees remuneration and expenses

During the year the charity made the following transactions with trustees:

David Cox

£754 (2024: £429) of expenses were reimbursed to David Cox during the year.

The expenses were reimbursement of travel expenses incurred.

No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.

No trustees have received any other benefits from the charity during the year.

THE TALK ABOUT TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025 (CONTINUED)

8 Staff costs

The aggregate costs were as follows:

Staff costs during the year were:
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs
Self-employed contractors		 2025
£
154,098
7,110
3,544
164,752
63,820
228,572		 2024
£
165,132
7,450
3,339
175,921
36,592
212,513

The monthly average number of persons (including senior management / leadership team) employed by the charity during the year (head count) was as follows:

All persons employed 2025
No
6		 2024
No
8

No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year

9 Independent examiner's remuneration

Other fees to examiners
Examination-related assurance services
All other services		 2025
£
1,244
766
2,010		 2024
£
1,188
732
1,920

10 Taxation

The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.

THE TALK ABOUT TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025 (CONTINUED)

11 Tangible fixed assets

Cost
At 1 October 2024
At 30 September 2025
Depreciation
At 1 October 2024
Charge for the year
At 30 September 2025
Net book value
At 30 September 2025
At 30 September 2024		 Land and
buildings
£
293,031
293,031
25,640
7,326
32,966
260,065
267,391		 Furniture and
equipment
£
6,302
6,302
3,494
562
4,056
2,246
2,808		 Total
£
299,333
299,333
29,134
7,888
37,022
262,311
270,199

Included within the net book value of land and buildings above is £Nil (2024 - £Nil) in respect of freehold land and buildings and £260,065 (2024 - £267,391) in respect of leaseholds.

12 Fixed asset investments

12 Fixed asset investments
Shares in group undertakings and participating interests
Other investments		 2025
£
25,000
104,576
129,576		 2024
£
25,000
93,353
118,353

Shares in group undertakings and participating interests

Cost
At 1 October 2024
At 30 September 2025
Net book value
At 30 September 2025
At 30 September 2024		 Subsidiary
undertakings
£
25,000
25,000
25,000
25,000		 Total
£
25,000
25,000
25,000
25,000

THE TALK ABOUT TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025 (CONTINUED)

Other investments

Cost or Valuation
At 1 October 2024
Revaluation
At 30 September 2025
Net book value
At 30 September 2025
At 30 September 2024		 Unit Trust
investment
£
93,353
11,223
104,576
104,576
93,353		 Total
£
93,353
11,223
104,576
104,576
93,353

Details of undertakings

Details of the investments in which the charity holds 20% or more of the nominal value of any class of share capital are as follows:

Country of Proportion of voting Principal
Undertaking incorporation Holding rights and shares held activity
2025
2024
Subsidiary undertakings
The Pavilion in the
Park (PIPS) Ltd
St John Way,
Poundbury,
Dorchester, DT1 2FG		 England & Wales Ordinary 100%
100%		 Running
cafe
Pavilion
the Park		 the
at
in

Subsidiaries

The profit for the financial period of The Pavilion in the Park (PIPS) Ltd was £86,917 (2024 - £67,682) and the aggregate amount of capital and reserves at the end of the period was £120,257 (2024 - £102,440).

THE TALK ABOUT TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025 (CONTINUED)

13 Stock
Stocks
14 Debtors
Trade debtors
Due from group undertakings
Prepayments
Accrued income
Other debtors
15 Cash and cash equivalents
Cash on hand
Cash at bank
16 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Other taxation and social security
Accruals
Deferred income
Deferred income at 1 October 2024
Resources deferred in the period
Amounts released from previous periods
Deferred income at 30 September 2025		 2025
£
8,750
2025
£
13,360
20,366
3,125
5,007
1,280
43,138
2025
£
4,610
519,049
523,659
2025
£
11,007
2,152
2,152
35,200
50,511		 2024
£
12,673
2024
£
646
20,463
-
3,280
-
24,389
2024
£
1,065
452,578
453,643
2024
£
9,262
-
6,806
7,500
23,568
2025
£
7,500
35,200
(7,500)
35,200

17 Commitments

Lease commitments

The Talk About Trust leases land from His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales for a 60 year period from 1 April 2021 with a rent starting from 1 April 2022 at £3,000pa, index linked each year.

THE TALK ABOUT TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025 (CONTINUED)

18 Funds

Unrestricted
General
General funds
Designated
CEO Succession
Reserve
Pavilion
Maintenance Fund
Total unrestricted
Restricted
Dorset
16+
Scotland
SEN/LAC
PiPs space
16+ Scotland
L&SE
16+ NYORKS
DANE
16+ Scotland YAF
LAG East
LAG North
LAG West
MS & W New
16+ Spiking
Cheshire
Hampshire
Inverclyde Vaping
G&C Vaping
PS Vaping
Total restricted
Total funds		 Balance
at
1 October
2024
£
551,393
60,000
62,652
122,652
674,045
7,173
25,194
15,994
22,640
24,911
18,987
23,375
1,276
17,948
10,064
1,500
580
750
11,252
-
-
-
-
-
-
181,644
855,689		 Incoming
resources
£
176,198
-
-
-
176,198
5,000
22,000
14,550
10,000
13,181
-
23,110
-
4,500
23,351
-
-
-
1,000
-
4,000
5,000
6,000
39,103
17,900
188,695
364,893		 Resources
expended
£
(124,553)
(8,340)
-
(8,340)
(132,893)
(9,122)
(13,453)
(16,980)
(15,199)
(15,298)
(6,000)
(21,598)
(1,276)
(15,503)
(11,354)
-
-
-
(12,527)
(6,808)
(1,359)
-
(4,295)
(19,965)
(11,252)
(181,989)
(314,882)		 Transfers
£
Other
recognised
gains/(losses)
£
(7,601)
11,223
-
-
7,326
-
7,326
-
(275)
11,223
-
-
(6,808)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
275
-
6,808
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
275
-
-
11,223		 Balance
at
30
September
2025
£
606,660
51,660
69,978
121,638
728,298
3,051
26,933
13,564
17,441
22,794
12,987
24,887
-
6,945
22,061
1,500
580
750
-
-
2,641
5,000
1,705
19,138
6,648
188,625
916,923

THE TALK ABOUT TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025 (CONTINUED)

Unrestricted funds
General
General funds
Designated
CEO Succession
Reserve
Pavilion
Maintenance Fund
Total unrestricted
funds
Restricted
Dorset
16+
Midland & South
West
Scotland
SEN/LAC
PiPs space
16+ Scotland
Humber
L&SE
16+ NYORKS
DANE
16+ Scotland YAF
LAG East
LAG North
LAG West
MS & W New
Total restricted
funds
Total funds		 Balance
at
1 October
2023
£
508,468
60,000
55,326
115,326
623,794
9,561
39,467
5,712
27,266
7,887
19,174
25,173
2,938
5,658
10,408
11,847
-
-
-
-
-
165,091
788,885		 Incoming
resources
£
170,827
-
-
-
170,827
7,800
3,252
-
-
24,250
19,776
12,085
-
41,850
-
18,825
20,617
1,500
1,100
750
19,400
171,205
342,032		 Resources
expended
£
(131,744)
-
-
-
(131,744)
(10,188)
(17,525)
(5,746)
(11,272)
(9,497)
(14,039)
(18,271)
(2,920)
(24,133)
(9,132)
(12,724)
(10,553)
-
(520)
-
(8,148)
(154,668)
(286,412)		 Transfers
£
Other
recognised
gains/(losses)
£
(7,342)
11,184
-
-
7,326
-
7,326
-
(16)
11,184
-
-
-
-
34
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(18)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
16
-
-
11,184		 Balance
at
30
September
2024
£
551,393
60,000
62,652
122,652
674,045
7,173
25,194
-
15,994
22,640
24,911
18,987
-
23,375
1,276
17,948
10,064
1,500
580
750
11,252
181,644
855,689

THE TALK ABOUT TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025 (CONTINUED)

The specific purposes for which the funds are to be applied are as follows:

Designated funds:

The CEO Succession Fund currently stands at £51,660. Our new CEO was appointed in September 2025 and the existing CEO has moved to a part-time founder role. The Trustees will review the fund at the end of the probationary period for the new CEO and will then make a decision on the release of funds.

Pavilion Maintenance Fund - £69,978 is held in a designated fund for future Pavilion maintenance costs.

19 Analysis of net assets between funds

Tangible fixed assets
Fixed asset investments
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets
Tangible fixed assets
Fixed asset investments
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets		 Unrestricted funds
General
£
Designated
£
262,311
-
129,576
-
236,940
121,638
(22,167)
-
606,660
121,638
Unrestricted funds
General
£
Designated
£
270,199
-
118,353
-
174,623
122,652
(11,782)
-
551,393
122,652		 Restricted
funds
£
-
-
216,969
(28,344)
188,625
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
193,430
(11,786)
181,644		 Total funds
at 30
September
2025
£
262,311
129,576
575,547
(50,511)
916,923
Total funds
at 30
September
2024
£
270,199
118,353
490,705
(23,568)
855,689

20 Related party transactions

During the year the charity made the following related party transactions:

Pavilion in the Park (PIPS) Ltd

(Pavilion in the Park (PIPS) Ltd is a wholly owned trading subsidiary of The Talk About Trust) During the year, expenses relating to the Pavilion in the Park are shared between The Talk About Trust and Pavilion in the Park (PIPS) Ltd. At the balance sheet date the amount due from Pavilion in the Park (PIPS) Ltd was £20,366 (2024 - £20,463).

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