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2025-03-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1 April 2024 To 31 March 2025

Charity name: Mersey Care NHS FT Charitable Fund

Charity registration number: 1191576

Objectives and Activities

SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document		 Para 1.17 Charitable purposes relating to the
general or specific purposes, including
population health, mental health and
suicide prevention, of Mersey Care NHS
Foundation Trust for the benefit of users
of services managed by Mersey Care NHS
Foundation Trust and staff involved in the
provision of those services, for all or any
charitable purpose or purposes relating to
the National Health Service
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
To provide amenities to service users
and carers of Mersey Care NHS
Foundation Trust

To provide amenities to staff of Mersey
Care NHS Foundation Trust

To provide amenities to volunteers of
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust

To provide support to the promotion of
suicide prevention

General Charitable Purposes
Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit		 Para 1.18 The Corporate Trustee has had regard to
the guidance produced by the Charity
Commission on Public Benefit.

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


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

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 During 2024/25, the Charity consolidated
it’s position in the second year of active
fundraising, organising various events
whilst increasing awareness of the
Charity and it’s aims both internally and
to the wider public.
The final tranches of NHS Charities
Together Stage 3 Covid-19 Recovery
Funding grant totalling £79,276 were
received in 2024/25.
An updated Charity Fundraising Strategy
was produced for 2024/25 and an
Operational Plan developed to support the
delivery of the Charity’s objectives.
Part of this strategy was to work with
Trust operational colleagues to identify
how various legacy funds could be
utilised and to then rationalise the number
and value of unspent funds to ensure
these funds could be more appropriately
utilised going forward rather than being
allowed to accumulate.
Following discussions with Bridgewater
Community Healthcare NHS Foundation
Trust it was agreed the Charity would
cease acting as an umbrella charity for
Bridgewater at the end of March 2025.
Total cash receipts were £122,948, as
follows:

NHS Charities Together Stage 3 Covid-
19 Recovery Grants - £79,276

Pilkington Charity Grant - £4,000

Income from Events - £20,684

Donations - £17,252

Dividends & Interest - £1,736
Total cash payments were £370,630 as
follows:

Charitable Activities - £136,246

Fundraising - £14,307

Governance -£14,777

Charity Team - £105,737Charitable Activities (23/24) - £99,563

Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:		 Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:		 Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against
objectives set		 Para 1.41 N/A
Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives
set		 Para 1.41 N/A
Investment performance
against objectives		 Para 1.41 The investment policy requires that all
monies, apart from working capital, be
invested in securities to maximise the
overall return consistent with an
acceptable level of risk. The performance
of the investments is continually
monitored and reported on an annual
basis in relationship to other common
investment funds.
Other N/A

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period		 Para 1.21 At the end of the reporting period the
Charity held total funds of £80,530 of
which £19,179 was classed as
unrestricted and £61,351 was restricted
as per the wishes of the donors or as per
grant awards.
Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held		 Para 1.22 In accordance with Charity Commission
guidance, the Corporate Trustee (“the
Trustee”) has developed a reserves policy
to establish the level of reserves that is
appropriate to the Charity and ensure
compliance with the Trustee’s legal duty
to apply charity funds within a reasonable
time of receiving them.
It is the Trustee’s determination to
demonstrate prudent stewardship of the
Charity and to ensure that the level of
reserves is appropriate to the Charity’s
circumstances.
From experience the Trustee would
expect to spend at the same level as
income is received taking one year with
another. However, it is intended to
establish and maintain reserves (namely
the “Unrestricted funds”) to ensure
current or anticipated expenses are met
from the funds should there be any major
adverse fluctuations in income received.
Reserves will be identified to a maximum

level equivalent to approximately 6 months expenditure. Should the amount rise beyond this level action will be taken to expend funds in accordance with the charity’s objects. Reserves will not be permitted to fall below a level equivalent to three months expenditure. However, in the unlikely event of this happening the Trustee may withhold from distribution such amounts of income and credit them to the reserve funds. Unrealised gains on investments will not be included in income to be distributed to unrestricted funds. The level of reserves will be monitored on a monthly basis to ensure compliance with the above limits. The Trustee will formally review this policy every two years.

Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 The £19,179 unrestricted funds held as at
31 March 2025 are held in reserves.
Reasons for holding zero
reserves		 Para 1.22 N/A
Details of fund materially in
deficit		 Para 1.24 N/A
Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern		 Para 1.23 N/A

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
The Charity’s principal sources of income
are grants awarded by NHS Charities
Together, grants from other bodies,
fundraising events and activities and
general donations.
Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted		 Para 1.46 N/A
A description of the principal
risks facing the charity		 Para 1.46 The Charity’s main source of income to in
2024/25 was once again NHS Charities
Together Covid-19 grants, however the
final tranche of this funding was received
in March 2025. Grant applications from
other sources form a significant part of
the Charity’s Fundraising Strategy going
forward, however these are not

guaranteed. The Charity will continue to be dependent upon the goodwill of service users and members of the public for donations and engagement with fundraising activities, however it is recognised we are a relatively new charity entering a very competitive area with many established charities. The unique nature of our Zero Suicide Awareness (ZSA) programme along with our position as one of the largest mental health trusts is one of the key strengths of the Charity in attracting support. 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 NHS Trust Body
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 Mersey Care NHS FT Board of Directors
acting as Corporate Trustee

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 Mersey Care NHS FT’s Board of Directors,
acting as Corporate Trustee, has formally
constituted a Charitable Funds Committee
consisting of Executive and Non-
Executive Directors. The Charitable Funds
Committee has delegated powers to
oversee the management and operation of
charitable funds.
Relationship with any
related parties		 Para 1.51 During 2024/25, Bridgewater Community
Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust utilised
the remaining balance of their funds. The
Mersey Care Charity ceased to manage
funds on behalf of Bridgewater on 31
March 2025.
Other N/A

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust Charitable Fund
Other name the charity uses Mersey Cares, Zero Suicide Alliance, Life Rooms
Registered charity number 1191576
Charity’s principal address Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
Trust Headquarters
V7 Building
Kings Business Park
Prescot
Merseyside
L34 1PJ

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 Trustee name
Mersey Care NHS
Foundation Trust (as
Corporate Trustee)		 Office (if any) Dates acted if not for
whole year		 Name of person (or body) entitled
to appoint trustee (ifany)

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

Director name
Rosie Cooper Non-Executive Chair
Gerry O’Keeffe Non-Executive Director To 30 April 2025
Nick Williams Non-Executive Director To 30 April 2025
Scott Etherington Non-Executive Director
Iain Buchan Non-Executive Director
Nicola Haywood-Cleverly Non-Executive Director
Maureen Whilby Non-Executive Director
Liz Roden Non-Executive Director From 9 May 2024
Debora McLaughlin Non-Executive Director From 13 September 2024
Marie Boles Non-Executive Director
Michael Parkin Non-Executive Director From 18 June 2025
Joe Rafferty Chief Executive Officer To 31 October 2024
Trish Bennett Chief Executive (Designate) From 1 November 2024
Elaine Darbyshire Chief Communication,
Inclusion and Estates
Officer		 To 30 September 2024
Louise Edwards Chief Strategy,
Commissioning and
Partnerships Officer		 To 28 June 2024
Amanda Oates Chief People and Culture
Officer		 To 20 May 2025
Rob Collins Chief Finance Officer
Noir Thomas Chief Medical Officer
Jenny Hurst Chief Nurse From 1 March 2025
Sean Leahy Interim Chief People and
Culture Officer		 From 1 May 2025
Lee Taylor Chief Delivery Officer From 1 January 2025
Steven Christian Chief Strategy, Planning
and Partnerships Officer		 From 13 September 2025

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
N/A

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity

Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for N/A 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

Investment BlackRock Fund PO Box 545
Fund
Manager		 Managers
Limited		 Darlington
DL1 9TQ

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

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

N/A

Other optional information

N/A

Declarations

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

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s)

Full name(s) Rob Collins

Position (eg Secretary, Chief Finance Officer Chair, etc)

Date 22/1/2026

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust Charity

1191576

Receipts and payments accounts

CC16a

For the period Period start date Period end date To from 4/1/2024 3/31/2025

Section A Receipts and payments

Section A Receipts and payments
A1 Receipts
VoluntaryReceipts
19,731
Grants Received
-
Dividends & Interest Received
1,736
Transfer from NWB Charity
-
-
-
-
-
21,467
-
-
Sub total -
Total receipts 21,467
A3 Payments
Charitable Activities
RaisingFunds
14,307
Governance Costs
14,777
CharityTeam
72,493
Transfer to MC Trust(23/24 Creditor)
-
-
-
-
-
Sub total 101,577
-
-
Sub total -
Total payments 101,577
Net of receipts/(payments) - 80,110
A5 Transfers between funds
-
A6 Cash funds last year end
99,289
Cash funds this year end 19,179
Unrestricted
funds
to the nearest £
Sub total(Gross income for AR)
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)		 to the nearest £
18,205
83,276
-
-
-
-
-
-
101,481
-
-
-
101,481
136,246
-
-
33,243
99,564
-
-
-
-
269,053
-
-
-
269,053
- 167,572
-
228,923
61,351
Restricted
funds		 to the nearest £
Endowment
funds		 Total funds
to the nearest £
37,936
83,276
1,736
-
-
-
-
-
122,948
-
-
-
122,948
136,246
14,307
14,777
105,736
99,564
-
-
-
-
370,630
-
-
-
370,630
- 247,682
-
328,212
80,530		 Last year
to the nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 37,936 19,307
83,276 175,723
1,736 3,195
- 37,301
- -
- -
- -
- -
122,948 235,526
-
-
-		 -
- -
- -
- 122,948 235,526
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 136,246 47,102
14,307 21,374
14,777 1,107
105,736 -
99,564 -
- -
- -
- -
- -
370,630 69,583
-
-
-		 -
-
- -
- 370,630 69,583
- 167,572 -
-
-
-		 - 247,682 165,943
- - -
228,923 328,212 162,269
61,351 80,530 328,212

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

Categories
B1 Cash funds
B2 Other monetary assets
B3 Investment assets
B5 Liabilities
B4 Assets retained for the
charity’s own use
Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees		 Details
Mersey Care Bank Account
NWB Bank Account
Details
Details
BLK Charities UK Equity Fund A Inc
BLK Charities UK Bond Fund A Inc
Details
Details
Signature
Total cash funds
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
Owed to Charity in respect of donations
banked in Mersey Care NHS FT bank
account, to be transferred.
Owed to Mersey Care NHS FT in respect of
goods & services purchased for the Charity
via the Trust		 to nearest £
to nearest £
19,179
61,351
-
-
-
-
19,179
61,351
OK
OK
to nearest £
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Cost (optional)
Unresticted
-
Unresticted
-
-
-
-
Cost (optional)
U/R
4,065
-
-
-
-
U/R
23,794
-
-
Print Name
Rob Collins
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Fund to which
asset belongs
Fund to which
asset belongs
Fund to which
liability relates
Amount due
(optional)		 to nearest £
Endowment
funds
-
-
-
-
OK
to nearest £
Endowment
funds
-
-
-
-
-
-
Current value
(optional)
61,042
7,225
-
-
-
Current value
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
When due
(optional)
Date of
approval
Rob Collins 1/22/2026

Independent Examiners Report to the Trustee of Merseycare NHS FT Charitable Trust

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

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

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

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

Mark Heaton FCCA FCIE KM Chartered Accountants 1[st] Floor, Block C, The Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley BB11 1JG

22[nd] January 2026