
## **My Discombobulated Brain** 

**Registered Charity, No: 1189039** 

**Trustees’ Annual Report & Statement of Financial Activity** 

**for the Period Ended 31 December 2024** 

## **Trustees** 

Rogan Allport Charlotte Ross Joanne Norton 

Mary McDonagh 

Shaun Shaw 

_My Discombobulated Brain:  Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements FY24_ 

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## **Trustees’ Annual Report & Statement of Financial Activity for the Period Ended 31 December 2024** 

|||**Contents**||
|---|---|---|---|
|1|Reference and Administration Details||3|
||1.1|My Discombobulated Brain 1189039|3|
||1.2|Charity’s Address|3|
||1.3|Names of the Trustees Who Manage the Charity|3|
||1.4|Names of Advisors & Senior Members of Staff|3|
||1.5|Bank|3|
|2|Structure, Governance & Management||3|
||2.1|Type of Governing Document|3|
||2.2|Charitable Objects|3|
||2.3|Trustee Selection Methods|4|
|3|Activities||4|
||3.1|Statutory Declaration|4|
|4|Achievements & Performance||4|
||4.1|Outputs and Outcomes for the Charity’s Beneficiaries|4|
||4.2|How the Public Have Benefitted|5|
||4.3|Contributing to Activities Run by Other Organisations|5|
||4.4|Trustee Development|5|
|5|Financial Review||5|
||5.1|Details of Any Funds Materially in Deficit|5|
||5.2|Policy on Reserves|5|
||5.3|Principal Sources of Funding and Outgoings|5|
||5.4|Remuneration of Trustees|5|
||5.5|Financial Status|6|
||5.6|Statutory Statements on Liabilities|6|
|6|Statement of Financial Activity||6|
||6.1|Receipts & Payments Accounts Independent Examiner’s Report on the Accounts|6|
||6.2|Receipts & Payments Accounts for the Financial Period Ended 31 December 2024|7|
||6.3|Approval of the Board of Trustees|8|



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# **Trustees Annual Report & Statement of Financial Activity for the Period Ended 31 December 2024** 

## **1 Reference and Administration Details** 

## **1.1 My Discombobulated Brain 1189039** 

The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registration no: 1189039, registered with the Charity Commission on 14 April 2020. 

The charity is registered with HM Revenue & Customs. 

## **1.2 Charity’s Address** 

30 Woodruff Way, Thornhill, CARDIFF, CF14 9FP 

- e-mail:   info@mydiscombobulatedbrain.com 

website:   mydiscombobulatedbrain.com 

## **1.3 Names of the Trustees Who Manage the Charity** 

||**_Role_**|**_Appointed_**|**_Resigned_**|**_Resigned_**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Joanne Norton|Chair|_23 April 2021_|||
|David Williams||_14 April 2020_|_20 January 2022_||
|_Mary McDonagh_|_Treasurer_|_26 March 2024_|||
|_David Ainsworth_||_14 April 2020_||_01 June 2021_|
|_Rogan Allport_||_14 April 2020_|||
|_Hannah Stracy_||_14 April 2020_||_26 June 2020_|
|_Matthew Gallivan_||_14 April 2020_|_21_|_January 2021_|
|_Charlotte Hopkins_||_20 October 2020_|_20 October 2023_||
|_Charlotte Ross_||_22 November 2023_|||
|_Tom Hall_||_23 April 2021_|_23 April 2024_||
|Shaun Shaw||26 March 2024|||



## **1.4 Names of Advisors & Senior Members of Staff** 

Laura Jane Dernie, Founder and CEO 

## **1.5 Bank** 

NatWest Bank, Caerphilly Branch, 19 Cardiff Road, Caerphilly, CF83 1WF 

## **2 Structure, Governance & Management** 

## **2.1 Type of Governing Document** 

Constitution – based on the Charity Commission’s model governing document for Foundation Charitable Incorporated Organisations. 

## **2.2 Charitable Objects** 

As defined in My Discombobulated Brain’s Constitution (Governing Document): 

_The charity’s objects (“objects”) are:_ 

_For the public benefit, the preservation and protection of good mental health through the gathering_ 

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_and sharing of information; the running of drop-in sessions and partnering with like-minded charities and individuals; promoting services offered by local and national organisations by raising awareness via social media platforms to ensure that vulnerable and affected individuals can access services during times of mental distress; providing training and educational literature and workshops to increase awareness and visibility surrounding mental health problems and providing suitable materials, support networks and guidance._ 

## **2.3 Trustee Selection Methods** 

There must be at least three charity trustees.   The maximum number of trustees is 12. 

In accordance with the Constitution, trustees are appointed or re-appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. 

In appointing trustees due consideration is given to ensuring that the trustees have, between them, the skills and experience necessary to manage the charity effectively and in accordance with charity law. 

## **3 Activities** 

## **3.1 Statutory Declaration** 

The Trustees of My Discombobulated Brain confirm that they have paid due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit in deciding what activities the charity should undertake. 

## **4 Achievements & Performance** 

## **4.1 Outputs and Outcomes for the Charity’s Beneficiaries** 

For the public benefit, the preservation and protection of good mental health through the gathering and sharing of information; the running of drop-in sessions and partnering with likeminded charities and individuals; promoting services offered by local and national organisations by raising awareness via social media platforms to ensure that vulnerable and affected individuals can access services during times of mental distress; providing training and educational literature and workshops to increase awareness and visibility surrounding mental health problems and providing suitable materials, support networks and guidance. 

Laura Jane Dernie was prompted to set up the charity following her personal experience watching someone she loved go through mental health issues and the stigma that goes alongside it. 

The CEO is furthering the charitable purposes with the following projects: 

- A Podcast which discusses mental health issues and interviews people on their approach to mental wellness 

- Lesson plans/lesson packs that are ready to be distributed to schools to help educate school children on critical aspects of mental health and awareness, discussing Mental Health, Stigma and related issues, in line with the national curriculum. 

- A geo-location App for diversification into other sectors and organisations. 

- Partnerships with organisations such as Newport County AFC to share the charity’s purpose and offer support sessions. 

- Working with Festivals providing wellbeing for festival goers as well as mental health support 

- Working with businesses to provide Mental Health First Aid, Mental Health Awareness Training and supporting HR teams with these changes. 

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These are currently delivered by the charity's founder with the support of the trustees, using their own links and networks. As the charity scales up, further volunteer opportunities will be investigated as well as, eventually, employing individuals, in particular the CEO. 

## **4.2 How the Public Have Benefitted** 

All the activities noted above are for the public benefit with regards to the preservation and protection of good mental health, in line with the Charity’s Objects. 

## **4.3 Contributing to Activities Run by Other Organisations** 

The Charity did not contribute to activities run by other organisations during the period. 

## **4.4 Trustee Development** 

Trustees are encouraged to participate in development opportunities as and when appropriate. 

## **5 Financial Review** 

## **5.1 Details of Any Funds Materially in Deficit** 

The Charity has no funds which are materially in deficit. 

## **5.2 Policy on Reserves** 

The Charity’s policy on reserves is to generate and maintain a balance which is sufficient: 

- a) to preserve the financial viability of the Charity in the event that unforeseen and/or unavoidable circumstance precipitate a short-term fall in its income; 

- b) to enable the Charity, in the interests of meeting its objectives, to undertake from time to time new and innovative projects on a pilot basis to ascertain the viability and potential benefits of such activities as a precursor to securing the external funding necessary to maintain such projects on an on-going basis. 

For these purposes the Charity will endeavour to generate and maintain reserves which are at least 50% of its annual turnover. 

## **5.3 Principal Sources of Funding and Outgoings** 

Principal sources of Funding include Grants, training support and Charitable Donations. 

Principal Outgoings during the period included: 

- IT & Website Costs; 

- Office Space & Storage costs; 

- Insurance; 

- Advertising & Design Costs; 

- Video Conferencing; 

- Fundraising Platform Costs; 

- Project costs 

## **5.4 Remuneration of Trustees** 

All Trustees act in a voluntary capacity and receive no remuneration or other material benefits from their services to the Charity. 

Out-of-pocket expenses, necessarily and reasonably incurred by Trustees in promoting the purposes of the Charity, are reimbursed at cost. 

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## **5.5 Financial Status** 

Though modest, My Discombobulated Brain’s current resources from unrestricted donations and grants are sufficient to meet its outgoings for at least the next year. 

All the indications are that this will remain the case for the foreseeable future. 

## **5.6 Statutory Statements on Liabilities** 

The Trustees declare that: 

✔ The charity has given no guarantees where potential liability under the guarantee is outstanding at the date of this statement; 

- ✔ The charity has no debt outstanding at the date of this statement which is owed by the CIO and which is secured by an express charge on any assets of the CIO; 

Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf, 


Name and Position: M McDonagh Trustee Date: 15/05/2025 

## **6 Statement of Financial Activity** 

## **6.1 Receipts & Payments Accounts Independent Examiner’s Report on the Accounts** 

As the Charity’s gross income is less than £25,000 for the period, and as the charity is not incorporated under the Companies Act, there is no requirement for independent examination of the Accounts. 

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## **6.2 Receipts & Payments Accounts for the Financial Period Ended 31 December 2024** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
 Receipts and payments<br>Unrestricted  Restricted  Endowment<br>Total funds Last year<br>funds funds funds<br> to the nearest<br>to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £<br>£<br>Receipts<br>Grants                                 -                                -                                  -                                  -                       13,112<br>Training                           750                            750                              -<br>Fundraising                           120                                -                                  -                              120                          286<br>Sub total                           870                                -                                  -                              870                     13,398<br>Asset and investment sales<br>NIL                                 -                                  -                                  -                                -                                  -<br>Sub total                                  -                                  -                                  -                                -                                  -<br>Total receipts                    870                         -                         -                            870               13,398<br>Payments<br>Project Management                       1,236                                -                                  -                           1,236                       7,599<br>Office Rental                        1,473                                -                                  -                           1,473                       1,057<br>Training                           425                                -                                  -                              425                             58<br>Insurance                           270                                -                                  -                              270                          270<br>IT & Website                          679                                -                                  -                              679                      1,252<br>Printing and Stationary                           167                              -<br>Other costs                           141                            141                          911<br>Event costs                           788                            788                              -<br>Advertising                           678                                -                                  -                              678                          966<br>Sub total                        5,857                                -                                  -                           5,857                     12,113<br>Asset and investment<br>purchases<br>                                -                                  -                                  -                                -<br>Sub total                                 -                                  -                                  -                                -                                  -<br>Total payments                 5,857                         -                         -                         5,857               12,113<br>Net of receipts/(payments) -               4,987                       -                         -   -               4,987                 1,285<br>Transfers between funds                        -                       -                        -                                  -                        -<br>Cash funds last year end                  7,186                       -                        -                    7,186                 5,901<br>Cash funds this year end                 2,199                       -                         -                   2,199                 7,186<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


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## **Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
Unrestricted  Restricted  Endowment<br>Categories  Details   funds  funds  funds<br>to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £<br>Cash funds  Bank Account                         2,199                                -                         2,199<br>                              -                                  -                                -<br>                              -                                  -                                -<br> Total cash funds                   2,199                       -                   2,199<br>Unrestricted  Restricted  Endowment<br>funds  funds  funds<br>Details to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £<br>Other monetary assets  NIL                                -                                  -                                -<br>Fund to which<br>Details asset belongs Cost Current value<br>Investment assets  NIL                                -                                -<br>Fund to which<br>Details asset belongs Cost  Current value<br>Assets retained for the   NIL                                -                                -<br>charity’s own use<br>Fund to which  Amount due  When due<br>Details liability relates<br>Liabilities  NIL                                -<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


## **6.3 Approval of the Board of Trustees** 

The Trustees declare that they have approved the above Annual Report & Statement of Financial Activity. 

Signed on behalf of the Trustees. 


Name and Position: Mary McDonagh Trustee 

Date: 15/05/2025 

## **6.4 Notes to the Accounts** 

- a) Accounting Policies 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 Section 133, using the Receipts and Payments basis available to small charities and the charity’s own Simple Accounts Spreadsheet. 

- b) Reimbursement of Out-of-Pocket Expenses Out-of-pocket expenses incurred necessarily, reasonably, and incidentally in the course the charity’s activities are reimbursed at cost. 

No Trustees received any reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses in the financial year. 

- c) Salaries & Professional Fees 

No trustee receives any payments for the services they provide to the charity. In the current financial year the charity employed no staff or external contractors. 

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- d) Fixed Assets 

The charity has not purchased or disposed of any fixed assets in the financial year. 

- e) Creditors & Debtors Cheques for goods or services purchased, or invoices for goods or services delivered, which are issued prior to the end of the financial year but not appearing in the end of financial year bank statements are reported as outstanding creditors or debtors, respectively. 

- f) Rounding Discrepancies 

All amounts are recorded to the penny, but in these accounts are shown as rounded to the nearest pound.   This can occasionally result in a total apparently not being the sum of its constituent amounts.   All individual amounts, and their totals, are nevertheless correct. 

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