2025-07-01-accounts - Axe Valley Men's Shed

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From: 2[nd] July 2024 To: 1[st] July 2025

Charity name: Axe Valley Men’s Shed

Charity registration number: 1191653

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The main purpose of the Axe Valley Men’s Shed is to promote social inclusion and improve mental health and wellbeing for the public benefit. By reducing the risk to men, within Axbridge, Cheddar, Wedmore and surrounding villages and communities within Somerset, from becoming socially excluded. Relieving the needs of those people who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society through the provision of facilities in which they can meet jointly or individually to undertake creative, physical or recreational activities, learn or pass on skills and knowledge and support each other socially. This includes supporting people who have suffered trauma through physical & mental illness, bereavement, heath shielding or any other issue which has led to a level of exclusion. Definition of Socially Excluded: For the purpose of this clause 'socially excluded' means being excluded from society, or parts of society, as a result of one of more of the following factors: unemployment; financial hardship; youth or old age; ill health (physical or mental); substance abuse or dependency including alcohol and drugs; discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, disability, ethnic origin, religion, belief, creed, sexual orientation or gender re-assignment; poor educational or skills attainment; relationship and family breakdown; poor housing (that is housing that does not meet basic habitable standards; crime (either as a victim of crime or as an offender rehabilitating 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	Our main activities our centred around two specific sites, a ‘Men’s shed’ and an outdoor activities site, where co-ordinated activities are provided that help us achieve our objectives. Our activities include, social meeting sessions, workshop-based activities making and building things, art classes, music and modelling clubs, gardening activities and health and wellbeing sessions provided by healthcare professionals or specialists. We get involved in local community projects as volunteers or to make

		things for use within our local area, working in partnership with local organisations. Volunteers also contribute to the running, maintenance and renovation of our sites.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	All trustees have considered the guidance on public benefit and work to ensure that all we do meets these aims.

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

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	There is currently no policy on grant making as we do not make grants to other organisations, groups or individuals. As we mature as an organisation we will consider and form a policy should we be in a position to be able to make grants to others. This was our position over the last three years and it has not changed during 2024/25.
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	We do not have an investment policy as we are not currently in a position where we have capital that would benefit from investment. This has also not changed since our last report and continues to be our position during 2024/25. It is unlikely that we will have sufficient capital to consider either social investments or grants in the next 5 years as any available capital will be invested in refurbishment and development of our new premises.
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	This is the first full reporting period where we have been present in the new, long-term home for Axe Valley Men’s Shed. For the 24/25 period the main contribution from volunteer’s both physically and financially has been completing this move and delivering a variety of small works on site to lightly refurbish both the interior and secure the exterior of the building, which is now safe, secure, comfortable and fit for purpose for our current activities. We are now at a stable point where the building is open and functional to enable us to deliver our services going forward. This was vital for the sustainability of the charity and could not have been achieved without the enormous contributions that volunteers have made with their time, dedication and support. With our new site being unoccupied for many years the volunteers continued their work after our initial move in date of December 23 with ongoing, cleaning, painting, decorating, site clearance, repairs and making fit the main building and workshop for weekly use. We have installed security, heating and opened and restored previously boarded up doors and windows. This was all organised and assisted by volunteers throughout this reporting period as we gradually expanded and built on our previous regular activities returning to similar levels at our previous site before Dec 23.

We have re-established the majority of our previous activities including breakfast at our Wednesday open session, photography club, art club, modelling club, tai-chi, and music club. Surpassing previous levels in 23/24 (95 activity sessions, 1200 attendances) up to 114 activity sessions and 1300 attendances during the 24/25 reporting year. 100% of our services, community initiatives and activities have been delivered by volunteers, or received funding by local community groups.

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	Our main achievements during this reporting period: We have delivered the 2ndphase of our new accommodation project undertaking work to enhance, the safety, security and comfort of the Axbridge Old station site building and workshop; including:  Upgrading of electrics and wiring for building and workshop to modern standards.  Installation of heating  Refurbishing windows and replacing, or installing glass, when windows were re- opened.  Installation of CCTV system  Exterior security lighting.  New access gates We have spent £22k this year to further enhance our new long-term home, acquired in the previous reporting year. The safety and security of the building being our first priority as these were areas neglected under former ownership and protects our investments to date. Removing the ‘boarded up’ appearance of the main station building enhancing the site for both the atheistic appeal to the local community and us alike. Installing heating was another necessity and made the premises more comfortable and usable for Menshed activities and is a must when opening up availability to the wider community. This relatively modest financial outlay is reflective of the contribution by our volunteers and the local community who have also realised a benefit by contributing their time and money, regarding us very much as a worthy cause.

We maintained our membership levels, volunteer base and our outreach within our target group and local community who have all benefitted by our move to Axbridge Old Station. We continue to receive positive feedback within our local community enhanced by our new location, as we have in effect saved a local at risk historical building and secured it for community use, ensuring its survival. This is turn continues to raise the profile of Men’s Sheds and their objectives. Achieved self-sustainability for the first time ever, meaning that we can exist and run the charity without reliance on grants and donations to meet our running costs. However, we still seek these to continue the capital works required for the next phase of our refurbishment project. We continue to contribute to local initiatives though volunteer help and services from our workshop. Giving shed members a real sense of contribution to local community projects and further developing our outreach across the communities that these benefit. During this year we have run 114 activity sessions with just over 1300 attendances. This has been the highest level of activity and services that we have provided in our new location and helps us meet our overall aims and objectives for men as a men’s shed. This activity and the benefit it brings is our main objective as a Charity. This year has been a positive consolidation year and has set the building blocks for increased activity in 25/26 and ensured that we can continue to deliver the benefits as set out in our statement of purpose.

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	We did not set a specific target for fundraising this year, having exceeded expectations in all previous years: 21/22 (£8.4k); 22/23 (£11.7k); 23/24 (£25.6k). A lot of our financial needs for this year were unknown pending detailed assessments of our premises and the subsequent tendering work required to compile costs needed to set any targets. We had ring fenced funding from last year to cover Phase 2 of our refurbishment programme, to including installation of key

		items that enhance the site (heating, electrical safety and security) and were required as a priority over wider plans to refurbish the exterior of the building and refurbish in keeping with a site of historical interest. These were all delivered within the ring fenced budgets from the previous year and negated the need to have a specific target to achieve in 24/25. However, challenges in the current financial climate and finding suitable funding streams where we were eligible, and could apply, meant that we had difficulty in securing any grants during this year. Our actual performance during 24/25 was the lowest in the last 4 year period as we raised £8.1k in total from grants. Despite an equal number of grant applications.
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41	Axe Valley Men’s Shed do not have any investments.
Other

Financial Review

Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	The Charity continues to be in a healthy position during 24/25. With our key achievement being financial self-sufficiency. Our day to day running costs, the costs of running our premises, utilities and insurances being equal to our self-generated funds gained from memberships, activities and sales, all non- reliant on external funding or grants. This is a milestone for the charity as this has been a target since we were formed in 2019 and essential for the long-term viability of the Menshed. In a challenging financial environment where grants and funding cannot be guaranteed, this has mitigated a risk long held by the trustees. Because of this current environment and the lack of external funding this year, financial growth has not happened. Our total turnover for this accounting period is slightly reduced at £34.4k down from £36.9k in 23/24. This was expected and has not held the charity back, or placed any financial risk upon us, other than progressing some of the bigger elements of refurbishment work that are required. We will continue to make funding bids for Capital works specifically for these during the next reporting year. In terms of our normal activities, these have

		increased this year after a reduction during 23/24 during the planning, preparation and delivery of our move of premises. We are now undertaking the level of activity, for our members and beneficiaries, that is equal to the levels delivered pre-move. Income from these activities and over £17k of donations has given us a total income of £34.4k which has covered all our financial needs for this year, delivered self-funded improvements and enabled us to maintain heathy reserves and ring fence money for items that we’ll deliver in 25/26 regardless of external funding. In summary, despite an environment of reduced funding opportunities, for small organisations and charities, delivering the services we do, the Axe Valley Menshed finances are in a healthy, stable and sustainable position.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	Reserves are held to ensure we can meet our commitments for ongoing premises costs and project/activity commitments. Certain grants/funds are ring fenced for the specific projects or activities that they were applied for and granted.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£29k held in bank account at end of reporting period. The majority of this was ring fenced for specific activities. Our reserves policy sets a £4k reserve specifically to cover unforeseen running costs, or non-project/activity related costs. This is held as contingency to enable essential running costs activity or fund unplanned, unforeseen or emergency non- project expenditure. The majority of ring-fenced project money is reserved for expenditure on renovation, or capital works activity, for which it was granted. This money can only be spent on the areas that it’s funding source dictated.
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	N/A
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	We had no deficit during this period.
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	There was no concern about the charity continuing as a going concern during this period.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

			Donations
			Jack Todd Bequest
The charity’s principal			Somerset Community Foundation
sources of funds (including	Para 1.47
any fundraising)
		These	have been our principle funding
		sources during this reporting year.

We have been extremely fortunate to have received large donations this year and formed a relationship with the Jack Todd Bequest who have funded specific activities. The Somerset Community

		Foundation provided the only traditional funding grant we received this year.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46	We do not currently make investments and therefore do not have a policy.
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	The main risk identified during 23/24 reporting year was lack of permanent, long- term site, this has now been fully mitigated with the long-term lease secured for our current site. The charity being in occupation since Dec 23, guaranteeing 99 years of security. This risk will now be removed for future reporting. Other risks have been identified and are regularly reviewed although these do not place risk on the charity as a going concern or its viability long term. These risks are mainly obstacles and blockers to the ongoing renovation and refurbishment of our premises. Our top 3 are as follows: 1. Securing capital funding 2. Capability and availability of volunteers. 3. Securing of contractors to deliver capital works within suitable time frame.
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Our constitution
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	From the 6thOctober 2020 Axe Valley Men’s Shed are a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (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	Within the Axe Valley Men’s Shed constitution all committee members are elected at our AGM. Full Committee members are trustees, with a designated role, such as Secretary, Treasurer, etc, others may be elected or appointed by the committee to co-ordinate specific activities or projects but not as full committee members or trustees. This is reviewed annually. Committee membership can be reviewed for exceptional circumstances via an EGM.

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	Axe Valley Men’s Shed
Other name the charity uses
Registered charity number	1191653
Charity’s principal address	Millstream Cottage, Crossmoor Road, Axbridge, BS26 2DY

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 (ifany)
John Douglas Ryves	Funding & Governance Officer	Till 12thDecember 2024	Committee/Members
Andrew Kenneth Laken	Chairman		Committee/Members
Bernard Cook			Committee/Members
Stuart Graeme Berwick	Treasurer		Committee/Members
Thomas Clive Jenkins	Secretary		Committee/Members
Stephen Staples	Membership Secretary	Till 12thNovember 2024	Committee/Members

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name N/A

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

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

N/A

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

N/A

Other optional information

Declarations

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

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Andy Laken Signature(s) Stuart Berwick Andy Laken Full name(s) Stuart Berwick Position (eg Secretary, Treasurer Chairman Chair, etc) Date 15/10/2025

Registered number: CE024035

AXE VALLEY MEN'S SHED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 1 JULY 2025

Neil's Data Consultancy Ltd

Axe Valley Men's Shed Contents

	Page
Company Information	1
Accountant's Report	2
Income and Expenditure Account	3
Balance Sheet	4
The following pages do not form part of the statutory accounts:
Detailed Income and Expenditure Account	5

Axe Valley Men's Shed Company Information For The Year Ended 1 July 2025

Trustees Mr Stuart Berwick Mr Andrew Laken Mr Thomas Jenkins Mr Bernard Cook Company Number CE024035 Registered Office Old Station Building Axbridge Somerset BS26 2BP Accountants Neil's Data Consultancy Ltd 96 Drove Road Weston-Super-Mare North Somerset BS23 3NW

Page 1

Axe Valley Men's Shed Accountant's Report For The Year Ended 1 July 2025

In order to assist you to fulfil your duties under the Companies Act 2006, we have prepared for your approval the financial statements of Axe Valley Men's Shed for the year ended 1 July 2024 which comprise the Profit and Loss Account, the Balance Sheet, and the related notes from the company's accounting records and from information and explanations you have given us.

As a practising member firm of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, we are subject to its ethical and other professional requirements which are detailed at http://www.cimaglobal.com.

This report is made solely to the Trustees of Axe Valley Men's Shed in accordance with our terms of engagement. Our work has been undertaken solely to prepare for your approval the financial statements of Axe Valley Men's Shed and state those matters that we have agreed to state to the Trustees of Axe Valley Men's Shed in this report in accordance with the requirements of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants as detailed at http://www.cimaglobal.com. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and its director for our work or for this report.

It is your duty to ensure that Axe Valley Men's Shed has kept adequate accounting records and to prepare statutory financial statements that give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of Axe Valley Men's Shed . You consider that Axe Valley Men's Shed is exempt from the statutory audit requirement for the year.

We have not been instructed to carry out an audit or a review of the financial statements of Axe Valley Men's Shed . For this reason, we have not verified the accuracy or completeness of the accounting records or information and explanations you have given to us and we do not, therefore, express any opinion on the statutory financial statements.

06/10/2025 Neil's Data Consultancy Ltd 96 Drove Road Weston-Super-Mare North Somerset BS23 3NW

Page 2

Axe Valley Men's Shed Income and Expenditure Account For The Year Ended 1 July 2025

TURNOVER Cost of raw materials and consumables Staff costs Depreciation and other amounts written off assets Other charges NET SURPLUS	2025 £ 34,406 (13,700 ) (631 ) (2,667 ) (9,676 ) 7,732	2024 £ 36,944 (10,644 ) (966 ) (658 ) (16,406 )
		8,270

Page 3

Axe Valley Men's Shed Balance Sheet As At 1 July 2025

Fixed assets Current assets Prepayments and accrued income NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES NET ASSETS RESERVES	2025 £ 8,000 29,050 91	2024 £ 1,975 27,351 83
	29,141	27,434
	37,141	29,409
	37,141	29,409
	37,141	29,409

Notes

1. General Information

Axe Valley Men's Shed is a registered Charity in England & Wales, registered charity number CE024035 . The registered office is: Millstream Cottage, Crossmoor Road, Axbridge, Somerset, BS26 2DY.

For the year ending 1 July 2025 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the micro-entity provisions. On behalf of the board

Mr Stuart Berwick Trustee 06/10/2025

Page 4

Axe Valley Men's Shed Detailed Income and Expenditure Account For The Year Ended 1 July 2025

2025 £ £ 26,306 8,100 34,406 13,700 (13,700) 142 489 (631) 2,667 (2,667) 240 851 1,936 333 3,120 218 2,452 997 74 694 1,278 218 39 95 251 6,316 (9,676) 7,732	2025 £ £ 26,306 8,100 34,406 13,700 (13,700) 142 489 (631) 2,667 (2,667) 240 851 1,936 333 3,120 218 2,452 997 74 694 1,278 218 39 95 251 6,316 (9,676) 7,732	2024 £ £ 11,352 25,592 36,944 10,644 (10,644) 279 687 (966) 658 (658) 1,823 8,190 1,179 146 9,515 534 1,920 890 4 562 - 1,118 - 10 30 5,068 (16,406) 8,270	2024 £ £ 11,352 25,592 36,944 10,644 (10,644) 279 687 (966) 658 (658) 1,823 8,190 1,179 146 9,515 534 1,920 890 4 562 - 1,118 - 10 30 5,068 (16,406) 8,270
13,700 142 489		10,644 279 687
2,667 240 851 1,936 333		658 1,823 8,190 1,179 146
3,120		9,515
218 2,452 997 74 694 1,278 218 39 95 251		534 1,920 890 4 562 - 1,118 - 10 30
6,316		5,068

	7,732		8,270

Page 5

Registered number: CE024035

AXE VALLEY MEN'S SHED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 1 JULY 2025

Neil's Data Consultancy Ltd

Axe Valley Men's Shed Contents

	Page
Company Information	1
Accountant's Report	2
Income and Expenditure Account	3
Balance Sheet	4
The following pages do not form part of the statutory accounts:
Detailed Income and Expenditure Account	5

Axe Valley Men's Shed Company Information For The Year Ended 1 July 2025

Page 1

Axe Valley Men's Shed Accountant's Report For The Year Ended 1 July 2025

As a practising member firm of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, we are subject to its ethical and other professional requirements which are detailed at http://www.cimaglobal.com.

06/10/2025 Neil's Data Consultancy Ltd 96 Drove Road Weston-Super-Mare North Somerset BS23 3NW

Page 2

Axe Valley Men's Shed Income and Expenditure Account For The Year Ended 1 July 2025

TURNOVER Cost of raw materials and consumables Staff costs Depreciation and other amounts written off assets Other charges NET SURPLUS	2025 £ 34,406 (13,700 ) (631 ) (2,667 ) (9,676 ) 7,732	2024 £ 36,944 (10,644 ) (966 ) (658 ) (16,406 )
		8,270

Page 3

Axe Valley Men's Shed Balance Sheet As At 1 July 2025

Fixed assets Current assets Prepayments and accrued income NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES NET ASSETS RESERVES	2025 £ 8,000 29,050 91	2024 £ 1,975 27,351 83
	29,141	27,434
	37,141	29,409
	37,141	29,409
	37,141	29,409

Notes

1. General Information

Axe Valley Men's Shed is a registered Charity in England & Wales, registered charity number CE024035 . The registered office is: Millstream Cottage, Crossmoor Road, Axbridge, Somerset, BS26 2DY.

For the year ending 1 July 2025 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the micro-entity provisions. On behalf of the board

Mr Stuart Berwick Trustee 06/10/2025

Page 4

Axe Valley Men's Shed Detailed Income and Expenditure Account For The Year Ended 1 July 2025

2025 £ £ 26,306 8,100 34,406 13,700 (13,700) 142 489 (631) 2,667 (2,667) 240 851 1,936 333 3,120 218 2,452 997 74 694 1,278 218 39 95 251 6,316 (9,676) 7,732	2025 £ £ 26,306 8,100 34,406 13,700 (13,700) 142 489 (631) 2,667 (2,667) 240 851 1,936 333 3,120 218 2,452 997 74 694 1,278 218 39 95 251 6,316 (9,676) 7,732	2024 £ £ 11,352 25,592 36,944 10,644 (10,644) 279 687 (966) 658 (658) 1,823 8,190 1,179 146 9,515 534 1,920 890 4 562 - 1,118 - 10 30 5,068 (16,406) 8,270	2024 £ £ 11,352 25,592 36,944 10,644 (10,644) 279 687 (966) 658 (658) 1,823 8,190 1,179 146 9,515 534 1,920 890 4 562 - 1,118 - 10 30 5,068 (16,406) 8,270
13,700 142 489		10,644 279 687
2,667 240 851 1,936 333		658 1,823 8,190 1,179 146
3,120		9,515
218 2,452 997 74 694 1,278 218 39 95 251		534 1,920 890 4 562 - 1,118 - 10 30
6,316		5,068

	7,732		8,270

Page 5