Dulwich & District u3a: Trustees’ annual report for year ended 31 March 2025.
At the AGM last year, Keith Ball became our Treasurer, taking over from Ruth Colvin. Danny Friedman was elected as a new Trustee and took over the role of Membership Secretary from Jane Coupe. Tim Pagan (Chair) and Christine Hensby (Secretary) and Caroline Knapp (Trustee) were reelected. Finola Stack was co-opted to the Committee as our Safeguarding Officer in February 2025, and stands for election at this year’s AGM.
During 2024–25, our monthly members’ meetings have been very well attended. We enjoyed a 10[th] Anniversary Summer Party at Bell House, a festive quiz in Dulwich village and a festive lunch at the Dulwich & Sydenham Hill Golf Club in December. We conducted an extensive member survey, to which we received nearly 300 replies. The Committee is working on producing an action plan in response to points raised by members in the survey.
A revised Convenors’ Handbook is being drafted, and a Members’ Directory will be going to print shortly. The Committee currently have four active subcommittees. Firstly, the Inclusion and Diversity Subcommittee (SCID), secondly, our Membership Survey Action Subcommittee, thirdly, our new Website Review Subcommittee, and fourthly, the Finance Subcommittee. All have been busy devising improvements to member services. The Committee is functioning very well with 12 enthusiastic and hard-working Trustees.
In November we ran a joint workshop with volunteers at Bell House on the topic of ‘Downsizing’, which proved a real success. Another joint workshop on the subject of ‘Artificial Intelligence’ took place last month. Again, it was deemed a success by those who attended. During the year, we developed a new digital newsletter, which has now been launched. Moving to a digital format has streamlined production and made it easier for members to access the newsletter across a range of devices. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Di Deudney who, over the past ten years, has designed and produced the artwork for our previous newsletter with great dedication and enthusiasm.
For in-person meetings, Rosebery Lodge continues to be a valuable facility, and we are grateful to Southwark Council for allowing us to use it and to Diana McInnes for overseeing access to it. At the end of March
W
2025, our membership stood at over 830, which is up on last year. We also have 100 interest groups and over 90 convenors. We continue to be a thriving organisation. Efforts to increase the diversity of our membership are continuing, but understandably word of mouth seems to be the main source of new members. Our financial position remains strong, and the Trustees decided to maintain the level of subscription at £10 for another year.
During the year, our long-standing Catering Lead, Jenny Thomas, stood down and we welcomed new joint Catering Leads, Sue Fabian and Sandra Tait to the role. We extend our thanks to Jenny for the many years she has organised the teas for our monthly meetings. Huge thanks also to our subcommittee members, catering team members, convenors and the newsletter and publishing teams for all the valuable work they do. Dulwich & District u3a owes its continued existence to the dedication and hard work of our volunteers, whose contributions ensure the organisation continues to thrive.
W
Dulwich & District U3A
Treasurer's report to the Annual General Meeting on 20 May 2025
The Accounts Summary attached shows the results of Dulwich & District u3a’s activities in the year to 31 March 2025. The deficit of £4,918 was planned to reduce the amount of funds held by our u3a. It was felt these should be at the level of a year’s expenditure, which they are now much nearer - £18,553 funds compared with total expenditure last year of £16,390. So, subscriptions for last year were reduced to £10 from £15; in mid-year a plan was also created whereby groups received grants to cover purchase of specific items, not running costs, which would enhance or expand that group’s activities. Over £1,500 has been provided to date.
As funds are still higher than desired (and membership is also increasing) it was decided to continue the lower subscription levels through the current year; however, this may not carry on, as costs are generally increasing.
Currently over 90% of the funds are held in deposit accounts; the fixed term deposit was originally for one year and matured in November 2024; it was replaced by another for six months with interest at 2.91%. This was felt advisable as there was uncertainty as to when these funds might be needed; also, a better rate might be secured this month.
Due to past experience, the Gift Aid refund was budgeted to arrive after the year-end, but in the event, that for 2023/24 was received in March 2025. The 2024/25 refund will be requested later this year.
The accounts have been checked by an independent examiner with no links to Dulwich & District u3a, who has signed them off as satisfactory.
Keith Ball Treasurer 27 May 2025
Income and Expenditure 1 April - 31 March
2024125 2023124
| Receipts | ||
|---|---|---|
| 7,98 | ||
| Membership | 9 | 10,890 |
| Membership next year | 189 | 30 |
| Savings interest | 455 | 173 |
| Donations | 560 | 680 |
| Group suspense | 8 | -24 |
| Gift Aid | 2,271 | 4,283 |
| 11,47 | ||
| Total | 2 | 16,032 |
| Payments | ||
| Group fnancial support & | ||
| equipment | 1,634 | 141 |
| Gifts & prizes | 14 | 157 |
| Festive lunch | 533 | 410 |
| Software licences | 1,299 | 1,531 |
| Open meeting expenses | 274 | 709 |
| Postage & stationery | 252 | 263 |
| Printing & distribution | 3,979 | 198 |
| Publicity | 0 | 7 |
| Room hire | 1,455 | 1,465 |
| Rosebery Lodge expenses & | 1,332 | 447 |
| catering | ||
| Subscription (capitation) | 2,896 | 2,876 |
| Sundries | 295 | 12 |
| TAM magazines | 2,428 | 1,979 |
| Total | 16,390 | 10,195 |
| Net Income | -4,918 | 5,837 |
| Funds brought forward | 23,47 | 17,634 |
| 1 | ||
| Funds carried forward | 18,55 | 23,471 |
| 3 | ||
| Balance Sheet | ||
| Current account - Lloyds | 403 | 4,776 |
| Deposit account - Lloyds | 8,150 | 8,695 |
| Fixed term deposit, Lloyds | 10,00 | |
| Bank | 0 | 10,000 |
| 18,55 | 23,471 | |
| 3 |