Hidden Needs Trust (HNT)
Charity Number 1187246
Trustees Annual Report
For the period: 01/01/2025 to 31/12/2025
Trustees and Governance:
Rachel Goodfellow – Founder and chair of trustees.
Jane Wood and Laurance Lagrue. In addition, one volunteer working in a supporting role.
The charity operates as a CIO with a constitution as it’s governing document which is reviewed annually with supporting policies in regards conflicting interests, risk management, safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries etc are and take due regard to the Charity Commissions guidance especially on the public benefit.
Elected trustees serve a three-year period. Replacement or additional trustees are appointed by the board of trustees on a majority vote basis.
Any trustee can call a meeting of trustees, in addition to its annual meeting.
Objective:
As a CIO Hidden Needs Trust (HNT) charitable objective is for the public benefit for the relief of the needs of children with Special Educational Needs (SEN), young people under the age of 25 with learning difficulties, their families, carers, and specialist educational providers that support them in Dorset and Somerset.
Activities Summary
During 2025 HNT supported its local town market as well as supporting other markets/fetes etc when feasible, providing a good promotion as well as a source of income. The donations of goods to help support those within HNT’s objective group again continued to grow on previous years so much so that HNT was able to share donations with other local charitable organisations who’s aims reflect HNT’s, thus helping to provide support within HNT’s target area and still be able to give support to its local needs. Donations come in various forms from books, toys to household goods and all household items must have relevant safety Kite Mark labels/PAT certificates.
Christmas again brought another dimension to the support HNT can give, our annual involvement with a local school spread as the head now has another local school under his care. Children’s presents being sourced from early autumn, gift bags courtesy of a local stationers all joined others in supporting the schools Christmas appeal. An appeal for Christmas trees (artificial) plus decorations was positive these HNT was able to pass on to most in need. This year also saw HNT get together a limited number of food hampers via good support from others.
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During 2025 HNT started running a monthly market in the local town hall, the aim was to boost finance and awareness, however it did not meet our satisfaction despite good support from traders, which calls for a review in early 2026.
HNT is always proactive in supporting in other ways with Rachel Goodfellow being able to give advice and support where needed, being a central point for any issues which families and young people were facing all helps. Rachel continued to ensure that awareness of the Trust was maintained via social media platforms, and through direct contact with other charitable organisations and continued interlinking with other small local charitable organisations which that also support those within the HNT framework building a network of contacts in different fields. HNT was also pleased to be approached and able help a local appeal for donations to help support of the people of Ukraine.
In January 2026 HNT’s “Take That” concert featuring tribute band Let It Shine at a local entertainment venue will bring an evening out for many. Through 2025 HNT has strived to obtain sponsors in order to purchase tickets which are donated to local SEND facilities/schools as well as families that fall within the SEND catchment.
The above gives an outline of HNT’s main activities, but they are not restricted to.
Finance:
Funds carried over from previous year (2024) £3575
Total receipts at year end (2025) totalled £2260
Outgoings (2025) totalled £3908
Year-end balance (2025) £1780
All figures rounded to the nearest pound. Year-end balance carried forward includes any restricted funds which are from specific donations relating to main fund-raising campaigns and are in support of HNT’s Grant Program.
Online donations through HNTs website are via a secure link to Charities Aid Foundation and PayPal. Other donation options are welcomed via bank transfer and cheque.
Annual operating costs of around £1400 relate to website, insurance, general administration, promotional costs and general expenses are covered via general income i.e. donations/income raised from various sources. The indoor market costs being covered by the market income. HNT’s concert finances to be recovered in early 2026 following the January concert.
The charity has no investments, assets and does not lease or own property.
Grants:
Whilst HNT aims to give financial support via grants to those within its objectives where possible, the decision was taken to not issue financial grants for the year 2025 but to reconsider how financial support can be given looking forward.
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Future Aims:
To continue giving help and support where necessary locally whilst making new connections and linking with others to help provided a better support network.
Additional information:
Registered address; Halfway House Farm, Yeovil Road, Sherborne Dorset DT9 4PX
Email: hnt.sen@btinternet.com
Phone: 07516 288571
Website: www.hiddenneedstrust.org
Bank: NatWest
Insurers: Birnbeck Insurance Services, Western-Super-Mare, Somerset BS22 6HQ
Signed on behalf of the trustees:
Signature:
Name: Rachel Goodfellow
Position: Founder and Chair of Trustees
Dated: 30/09/2025
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– HNT Financial Statement Jan 1st/Dec 31st 2025
All finances rounded to nearest pound
Opening Balance: 3575.00
Income:
| Income: | |
|---|---|
| Collections | 1010.00 |
| Direct Donations, | 282.00 |
| Donations via CAF and PayPal | 173.00 |
| Gift Aid | 2.00 |
| Indoor Market income – HNT Concert ticket donations | 7894.00 |
Total Income: 9361.00
Expenditure:
| Expenditure: | |
|---|---|
| Events – HNT Concert - Fundraising | 4956.00 |
| Indoor Market | 4469.00 |
| Insurance: Public Liability,Trustees PL,Employers Liability |
600.00 |
| Website: GoDaddyPlatform,SSL Certificate,Domain Costs |
355.00 |
| Promotional - Admin Costs | 194.00 |
| Expenses, Misc costs | 582.00 |
Total Expenditure: 11156.00
Closing Balance: 1780.00
All finances rounded to nearest pound.
CAF – Charities Aid Foundation