2025-03-31-accounts - Palz UK

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PALZ UK Accounts For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

PALZ UK Reference and Administrative Details

Charity Name PALZ UK Charity Number 1190292 Principal Address Yew Tree Cottage Longnor Shrewsbury SY5 7PP Trustees Elizabeth Andree Holdsworth Catherine Olivia Balmforth Slater Christine Kendall Katrina Eleanor Hall Accountant Community Accounting Services Ltd 7 Napoleon Drive Shrewsbury SY3 5PH

Trustees' Report of PALZ UK on the Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

Structure, Governance and Management

The charity is registered with the Charity Commission and is run in accordance with the Constitution adopted on 8 July 2020 as amended on 18 October 2024.

PALZ UK is led and managed by volunteer trustees. Currently there are 4 but the charity is seeking to recruit more. The PALZ Shropshire branch group is managed by a separate committee of 4 volunteers and assisted by a further 3 volunteers at the meetings. There are no paid staff.

The charity is not part of an umbrella group.

The charity was inspired by, is based on a similar model to, and has an informal affiliation with PALZ Global based in Australia but remains independent.

Trustee selection methods

New trustees are appointed by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees and individuals are selected having regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO.

We have a written procedure for the induction of trustees and all trustees are encouraged to attend relevant on-line training courses

The trustees have been provided with access to the Public Benefit Guides produced by the Charity Commission and have regard to that guidance.

Objectives and Activities

For the public benefit, the relief and assistance of people who are now living with Alzheimer's (or dementia from other causes), by offering a social environment of peer support and mental challenge which will provide self-respect, confidence, mental stimulation and involvement to those who attend and their supporters.

We support our community through:

The provision of meetings which provide the opportunity for discussion and socialising between participants in the early stages of a dementia diagnosis and their supporters in Shropshire. Six of these annual meetings include a talk by a high calibre speaker and, on alternative months, an opportunity to just meet and socialise
The provision of follow up visits or social activities depending on the preferences of participants as we develop.
● Providing an opportunity for participants and their supporters to re-experience the intellectually stimulating environment they once shared and to make connections and friendships with others in a similar situation.
Working with a range of local and national organisations to promote awareness of the provision; to identify those that may benefit; and to facilitate referral pathways and learn from each other.
Seeking opportunities for setting up groups in other areas in order to expand the provision throughout the UK.

The provision is aimed at all people with early dementia. We have an inclusive approach, welcoming all people who wish to attend and who may benefit from the provision.

We do not replicate activities for people with advanced dementia or people who would prefer a health/care/church setting for whom existing excellent services are available.

PALZ UK focuses not on the disease but on the person who had an active, interesting life before being diagnosed with dementia.

PALZ UK is not just for people with dementia - it is a dementia friendly activity that everyone can enjoy.

Contributions made by Volunteers

PALZ UK does not currently have any paid staff and all work is carried out by volunteers. It is estimated that approximately 400 to 500 hours per month are provided by way of:

Management of the charity
Organising meetings
Promoting the charity to potential referrers
Communicating with and supporting participants and their supporters

Trustees' Report of PALZ UK

on the Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Achievements and Performance in the year

We provide hands on support for participants including:

6 meetings of the Shropshire PALZ group with a speaker
6 social Shropshire PALZ group meetings on alternative months
Regular contact with participants by phone and email to notify of meetings
Regular meetings of the Shropshire committee
Inviting interested parties from the dementia services to attend meetings of the Shropshire PALZ group to see how successful they are
Identifying charitable trusts to approach for funding and preparing and submitting funding applications
Receiving donations in recognition of the excellent work done by PALZ UK from participants at meetings and from the funeral of one participant who passed away during the year
● Further raising awareness of PALZ via engagement with dementia services countrywide in areas including Bristol, Chester, Chingford, Warrington and North Yorkshire; meetings with volunteers and service providers throughout Shropshire; adding interested parties to our contact list and regularly updating them on the success of the group; emailing television and radio stations; and distribution of leaflets throughout the country. In each case we promoted the benefit PALZ provides to those with dementia and their supporters
● Continuing to promote contact with and canvass the support of people in Shropshire whose positions could help promote PALZ including welcoming a wide range of speakers
Attendance at county-wide dementia events and thus further raising awareness
Continuing to be a recommended service under the Social Subscribing Scheme
Increasing the number of participants and supporters attending the meetings of the Shropshire group
Reviewing our trustees’ skills set and seeking to identify potential new trustees for the organisation
Continuing to recruit volunteers to assist with the running of the Shropshire group

The difference we made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries during this period can be summed up in the words of a participant and a supporter.

Participant

Since my diagnosis with Alzheimers 18 months ago I have found it almost impossible to find any group that did not involve jigsaws, crafts, or singing, none of which I was interested in participating in. It was in discussion on this very subject with my consultant when she said that she had heard of PALZ and gave me the contact details.

What a breathe of fresh air. I am considered to be intelligent. I am considered to be interested in furthering my general knowledge. I am considered to be interested in meeting other people who are like-minded.

All those I have spoken to, some of whom have Alzheimers and some of whom are supporters have all seemed to be interested in me as a person rather than an Alzheimers patient.

On arrival, even at my first meeting, I felt warmly welcomed into this group and safe in the knowledge that Alzheimers was fully understood and acknowledged - thank you.

Supporter

Both my husband and I from the very first meeting felt very comfortable being with such lovely folk, because we are all there for the same reason it is easy to talk to each other without feeling the need to give a long explanation. As a carer it is all too easy to begin to speak on behalf of the person you are caring for as their memory fails them. At PALZ it was so refreshing to relax with like-minded people. The format of our meetings is great and we have had excellent speakers on many interesting subjects.

What attracted us to PALZ?

We heard through our solicitor that this group was being set up, at the time my husband’s condition was much better than today. It was the type of group which appealed to him, having trained as a Marine Engineer and then as a lecturer in Further Education he was able to meet others with the same interests, many of whom had been in positions of responsibility. It certainly made him feel he was not alone and he enjoyed the companionship.

We are so grateful to PALZ and all of you who have given so much of your time to help those who have this condition we know as Alzheimers

We continue to provide dignity and respect to bright people who just happen to have dementia.

We have continued to receive steady funding throughout the year, sufficient to cover running expenses and provide a fund for on-going expansion.

The support we continued to provide is appreciated by participants and their supporters as shown above.

Financial Review

The charity’s financial position is healthy and, as all work is currently carried out by volunteers, overheads remain small.

Trustees' Report of PALZ UK on the Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Reserves Policy

Overheads currently run at a very low level, and we hold more than sufficient cash in our current bank account to cover these for at least the next 6 months. During the year we opened a 95 Day Notice Bank Account to earn interest on funds held for future activities. We will continue to monitor the use of funds and advise trustees at each general meeting whether funds are sufficient for PALZ UK to continue to operate.

Principal source of funds

The principal sources of funding are:

Local grants
Individual private and business donors
Trusts

Risk Review

A detailed risk assessment has been carried out and is formally reviewed regularly and considered informally at each general meeting and updated accordingly.

The most significant risks identified during this period were:

Failure to set up any further groups (in addition to the Shropshire group) but discussions are taking place with interested parties in a number of different areas
Potential loss of the key trustee (the Chair) and this is being addressed by an active policy of identifying and seeking to recruit more trustees with the relevant skills to ensure the future of PALZ UK

Declaration

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

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Elizabeth Andree Holdsworth Chairman

Date

Independent Examiner's Report to the Management Committee of PALZ UK on the Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Basis of independent examiner’s report

We report on the accounts of PALZ UK for the year ended 31 March 2025.

The Group's officers are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Group's officers consider that an audit is not required for this year and that an independent examination is needed.

It is our responsibility to:

examine the accounts
to follow the general directions for the conduct of an independent examination
to state whether particular matters have come to our attention.

Basis of independent examiner’s statement

Our examination was carried out in accordance with general directions for an independent examination. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the committee and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as a committee concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently we do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with our examination, no matter has come to our attention:

which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements • to keep appropriate accounting records; and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with applicable financial reporting standards

have not been met; or

to which, in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Community Accounting Services Ltd 7 Napoleon Drive Shrewsbury SY3 5PH

Date: 23/01/2026

PALZ UK Income & Expenditure Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Income Donations Other income Total Income Expenditure Running costs Insurance Accountancy Speakers Printing & stationery Website costs Computer costs Venue hire Refreshments Travel Sundry Total Expenses Transfer Between Funds Net Incoming Resources Fund balance brought forward at 1 April 2024 Fund Balance Carried Forward at 31 March 2025 Net Incoming Resources Before Transfers	Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds 2025 2025 2025 £ £ £ 2,682 - 2,682 232 - 232 2,914 - 2,914 202 - 202 325 - 325 65 - 65 606 - 606 197 - 197 34 - 34 1,070 - 1,070 287 - 287 91 - 91 87 - 87 2,964 - 2,964 (50) - (50) - - - (50) - (50) 8,970 - 8,970 8,920 - 8,920	Total Funds 2024 £ 2,887 37
		2,924
		196 325 50 225 180 32 900 361 - 266
		2,535
		389 -
		389
		8,581
		8,970

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities.

PALZ UK Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025

Note Current Assets Bank Net Assets Represented by Funds Unrestricted fund Restricted funds	£ £ 8,920 8,920 8,920 8,920 - 8,920 2025	£ £ 8,970 8,970 8,970 8,970 - 8,970 2024	£ £ 8,970 8,970 8,970 8,970 - 8,970 2024

			8,970 -
			8,970

The Trustees approve the accounts which comprise of the SOFA, the Balance Sheet and the related notes and acknowledge their responsibility for the accounts, including the appropriateness of the applicable financial reporting framework, and for providing Community Accounting Services Ltd with all information and explanations necessary for their compilation.

Elizabeth Andree Holdsworth Chairman Date