2024-12-31-accounts - Out Together

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 01/01/2024 Period start date To 31/12/2024 Period end date

Charity name: Out Together

Charity registration number: 1188461

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	To promote social inclusion for the public benefit by working with people who are socially excluded on the grounds of their age and sexual orientation (in particular, elderly people who identify as LGBT+) to relieve their needs and assist them to integrate into society.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	•Regular social events, digital inclusion sessions, and befriending services. •Partnerships with local businesses and organisations to support LGBTQ+ seniors. •Fundraising events and grant applications to support ongoing activities.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	The trustees have had due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers

Other

Achievements and Performance

		SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.		Para 1.20	Achievements and Performance – 2024 During 2024,_Out Together_consolidated its position as a leading intergenerational LGBTQ+ charity in Yorkshire, overcoming barriers to strengthening community engagement, developing new partnerships, and improving long-term sustainability through fundraising, governance, and digital innovation. The trustees are pleased to report the following key achievements.
			Fundraising and Partnerships A£25,000 donation from the Mike Potter Estateand the support of the estate executors opened the opportunity to connect with the rural LGBTQ+ community in Yorkshire and potentially beyond, beginning with an Open Farm Day. The donation provided the essential investment to establish the charity’s new communications system, built on Mailchimp. The upgrade has enabled more effective member engagement, improved data reporting, and a professionalised approach to communications management. The charity’s third_All Out Together Ball_was a major success, raising£16,000— double the previous year’s total — with more than220 guestsin attendance. The event was sponsored byWeightmans, andMach Recruitment, who also provided an additional£14,000in funding to support the charity’s growth and operations. Our_Partners in Pride_who supported the event includedEvri,Squire Patton Boggs,PWC, Yorkshire Garden Centre Group,Walker Morris, andLeeds Pride, whose collective support significantly enhanced the charity’s visibility and network across the region.

Out Together also continued to pursue grant funding from multiple sources to diversify its income and secure sustainability for the years ahead.

Operational Delivery

Existing regional social hubs in Leeds and Huddersfield , continued to thrive, providing inclusive and welcoming spaces for social connection, wellbeing, and peer support. Plans to extend the model in 2025 to two new locations – Hebden Bridge and Bingley - were initiated. Club Out Together ran regular networking meetings with the support of corporate partner hosts, while the Telefriending Service , relaunched in partnership with Sky’s Time To Care Team , provided one-to-one support for over ten members experiencing isolation. Attendance grew across regular activities including Sunday lunches , Thursday Playhouse events , and a variety of ad hoc events such as theatre visits, museum trips, local walks, and the Printworks Lunch Club . The year concluded with a Christmas party for over 70 members , supported by Gordons LLP , who generously donated hampers for attendees. While progress was made in understanding our impact, the absence of robust data collection systems limited our ability to capture detailed metrics. Administrative tasks, including managing subsidised meal bookings and member contributions, also added to the team’s workload. These needs would be addressed as part of a technology review for 2025.

Digital Inclusion and Innovation One of the most significant barriers our community faces is the difficulty of acquiring and sustaining the digital skills essential for independence and social participation. Digital access and connectivity remained a major focus throughout 2024. With funding of £9,300 from Cognizant , the charity launched a weekly Digital Inclusion Programme to improve

members’ confidence and skills in using technology. The programme content was based on initial and ongoing surveys of members’ needs. These regular surveys also recorded members improved confidence with digital tools. Five tablets were distributed or lent to members, and a six-week training course was delivered, later extended to maintain engagement and welcome new participants. Further support from Amazon (£500) enabled the purchase of additional equipment. Staffing and Volunteering Volunteer engagement expanded significantly during the year, supported by new corporate volunteering partnerships with Sky , First Direct , and Amazon . This transition has been highly successful, enabling the charity to deliver more targeted and relevant communications to its growing membership base. Ant Warren joined us initially as a volunteer to develop digital inclusion and then became employed part-time for two days per week. He played an instrumental role in delivering digital inclusion and technology support, as well as overseeing the rollout of the new Mailchimpbased communications system . This transition has markedly improved internal communications, provided the foundation for improved data collection and enabled the charity to deliver more targeted and relevant communications to its growing membership base. A dedicated Ball Fundraising Committee also played a vital role in the successful planning and delivery of the 2024 All Out Together Ball , ensuring professional event management and maximising income generation. Governance and Strategic Development

			The trustees continued to strengthen governance structures throughout the year. Key policies were reviewed and updated, including a revisedCode of Conduct for Volunteersand refreshed document management procedures. With guidance from theCranfield Trust, the charity began the process of developing the Trustee Board. Three new trustees – Sophie Linley, Perry Law and Sam Glenister-Batey – joined the board, each sharing our vision and bringing skills needed to develop future strategy. A formal Trustee induction session was held in September. In line with longer term goals, the board began developing leadership succession arrangements. The Chair,Tim Gittins, announced his intention to step down from the role in 2025, continuing as Treasurer to provide continuity in financial oversight during a transition to new leadership. This proactive approach ensures stability as the charity prepares for its next phase of growth.
			Financial Review and Reserves Policy
			Financial Overview During 2024,_Out Together_strengthened its financial position, achieving total income of £84,678and expenditure of£69,385, resulting in a closing balance of approximately£35,000 (January 2025). Average monthly operating expenditure was between £4,500 and £5,000, reflecting controlled costs and strong budget management while expanding programmes and staffing. Key income sources included: • TheAll Out Together Ball, which raised £16,000(double the previous year’s total);

			• The£25,000 donation from the Mike Potter Estate, which funded the charity’s upgraded communications system based on Mailchimp; • A£14,000 sponsorship and donation from Mach Recruitment; • Contributions from corporate and community partners including Evri, Squire Patton Boggs, PWC, Yorkshire Garden Centre Group, Walker Morris, Leeds Pride, and Gordons LLP. Expenditure was focused on charitable activities — including digital inclusion, community outreach, and member events — as well as investment in systems and staff to improve operational capacity and governance.
			Reserves Policy The trustees aim to maintain unrestricted reserves equivalent to approximatelytwo to three months of core operating costs(around £10,000–£15,000) to ensure stability and continuity of services. At the year end, the unrestricted reserves exceeded the target minimum, allowing investment in long-term infrastructure improvements. All reserves are held in cash in the charity’s bank account, and there were no restricted funds at year end.
			Going Concern The trustees consider the charity to be in a sound financial position, with sufficient reserves and a strong pipeline of fundraising activity to sustain operations through 2025. There are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
			Summary 2024 marked a year of progress and consolidation for_Out Together_. With growing membership, thriving hubs, improved communications systems,and strengthened

governance, the charity is well positioned to	governance, the charity is well positioned to
deliver greater impact, expand its reach, and
continue its mission of creating
intergenerational connection across the
LGBTQ+ community in 2025 and beyond.
2025 Plan:
•	Grow fundraising events and expand
	Partners in Pride.
•	Strengthen grant applications for core
	funding.
•	Expand hub activities and Club Out
	Together events.
•	Double Telefriending clients and
	volunteers.
•	Broaden digital inclusion and social
	events.
•	Recruit and train more volunteers,
	expand staff roles as funding allows.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:


Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41
Other

Financial Review

Review of the charity’s Para 1.21 financial position at the end of the period Statement explaining the Para 1.22 policy for holding reserves stating why they are held Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 Reasons for holding zero Para 1.22 reserves Details of fund materially in Para 1.24 deficit Explanation of any Para 1.23 uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:


The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Trust deed
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	CIO
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	Trustees pursuant to Charity’s governing document

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:


Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Para 1.51
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Out Together
Other name the charity uses	Friends of Dorothy (previous name)
Registered charity number	1188461
Charity’s principal address	19 Church Lane, Bardsey, Leeds, LS17 9DH

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any)
Perry Law	Co-Chair/trustee	From 17 October 2024 (Co-chair from July 2025)	Trustees pursuant to Charity’s governing document
Sam Glenister-Baty	Trustee	From 17 October 2024	Trustees pursuant to Charity’s governing document
Sophie Linley	Co-Chair/trustee	From 10 September 2024 (Co-chair from July 2025)	Trustees pursuant to Charity’s governing document
Antony Ball	Trustee	From 18 August 2022	Trustees pursuant to Charity’s governing document
Katie Robinson	Trustee	From 22 January 2020	Trustees pursuant to Charity’s governing document
Timothy Paul Gittins	Treasurer/trustee	From 22 January 2020 (Chair until July 2025. Treasurer from July 2025)	Trustees pursuant to Charity’s governing document

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets held in this capacity

Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of	Name	Address
adviser

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) ABall Full name(s) Antony Ball Position (eg Secretary, Secretary Chair, etc) Date 31/10/2025

	OUT TOGETHER	OUT TOGETHER	OUT TOGETHER	OUT TOGETHER	CC16a
	For the period from	01/01/2024 Period start date	To

Section A Receipts and payments
A1 Receipts	Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ 26,722 56,043 - - - - - - 82,765 - - - 82,765 17,088 1,976 3,371 34,177 10,860 67,472 - - - 67,472 15,293 - 24,544 39,837	Restricted funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	Endowment funds to the nearest £	Total funds to the nearest £	Last year to the nearest £
FUND RAISING EVENT	26,722		- - - - - - - - -	26,722 56,043 - - - - - - 82,765	17,556
GRANTS AND DONATIONS	56,043				50,124
	-
	-
	-
	-
	-
	-
*Sub total*(Gross income for AR)	82,765				67,680

A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table).
	-		- - -	- - -
	-
*Sub total*	-
*Total receipts* A3 Payments				82,765
			-		67,680

Direct cost of charitable activities	17,088		- - - - - - - -	17,088 1,976 3,371 34,177 10,860 - - 67,472	18,679
Administration	1,976				5,616
Communications and PR	3,371				7,051
Consultancy	34,177				25,350
Costs of Fundraisingevent	10,860				9,557


**Sub total **	67,472				66,253

A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table)
	-		- - -	- - -
	-
**Sub total **	-
*Total payments* *Net of receipts/(payments)* A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end *Cash funds this year end*				67,472
			-		66,253

	15,293		-	15,293	1,427
	-		- -	- 24,544
	24,544				23,117
	39,837		-	39,837	24,544

CCXX R1 accounts (SS)

31/10/2025

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at	Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at	the end of the period
Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets CCXX R2 t SS	Signature Details Details CAF BANK Details Details *Total cash funds* (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details ~~2~~	Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 39,838 - - - - 39,838 - Agreement Error OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - - - - Print Name TimothyGittins	Endowment funds to nearest £
			-
			-
			-
			-
			OK
			Endowment funds to nearest £
			-
			-
			-
			-
			-
			-
			Current value (optional)
			-
			-
			-
			-
			-
			Current value (optional)
			-
			-
			-
			-
			-
			-
			-
			-
			-
			When due (optional)






			Date of approval
			30/10/2024
			31/10/2025

CCXX R2 accounts (SS)

31/10/2025

~~2~~

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees/ Charity Name members of Out Together (formerly Friends of Dorothy)

On accounts for the year 31 December 2024 Charity no 1188461 ended (if any) Set out on pages CC16a (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/12/2024 .
Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”) .

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention (other than that disclosed below *) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.

Signed: Date: 29/10/2025 Name: Mr Charles Dunning ACA CTA Relevant professional Chartered Accountant and tax advisor. qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: 32 Coronation Avenue, Normanton, WF6 2LW

October 2018

IER

Section B Disclosure

Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).

Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .

None.

October 2018

IER