Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1st April 2024 To 31 March 2025 Charity name: Sew Marvellous Charity Makes
Charity registration number: 1193196
Objectives and Activities
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
THE RELIEF OF THOSE IN NEED, BY REASON OF YOUTH, AGE, ILL-HEALTH, DISABILITY OR SOCIAL OR ECONOMIC DISADVANTAGE BY PROMOTING, FACILITATING AND ENABLING INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP PARTICIPATION IN VOLUNTARY SEWING AND CRAFT PROJECTS FOR AND ON BEHALF OF CHARITIES, COMMUNITY GROUPS AND THE NHS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, IN ORDER TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF ITEMS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF SUCH PEOPLE. |
| 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. |
Sew Marvellous Charity Makes Brum is a collection of volunteers who make items for charities. We run workshops and do individual sewing activities. During 2024 and 2025 we made items for charities in Birmingham and surrounding areas, including: Baby Aid Birmingham Womens Aid RSPCA Acorns Children’s Hospice Queen Elizabeth Hospital Oncology Department SAIF Homes, Rubery Swop Shop Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer Birmingham AIDS and HIV Memorial |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
I can confirm that we have acknowledged and followed the guidance from the Charity Commission on public benefit. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
This is not applicable to Sew Marvellous Charity Makes
| Policy on grant making | |
|---|---|
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
This is not applicable to Sew Marvellous Charity Makes |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
During the period of 2024/2025, the sewing groups have been hard at work crafting items made from wool, fabric and textiles to benefit multiple charities, as outlined above. We are incredibly grateful for their time and expertise in making the items, and the charities that have received the items are grateful for their contributions. During the year our volunteers made thousands of items for charity, however our form responses are not complete (something we wish to change for 2025-2026 and logged items totalled 1039 We believe this number to be higher and are working on a new process for logging completed items. |
| Other | This is not applicable |
Achievements and Performance
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.
Each item was made from upcycled and salvaged clothing, bedding and donated fabric and made by volunteers who donated their time for free. Sew Marvellous provided the sewing group with labels, storage of fabrics and provided wool, knitting needles and crochet hooks to the volunteers. We also helped to spread the word by writing and sharing social media posts, displaying the projects and contacting charities directly to verify project status, credibility and quantity of items needed. We also arrange delivery of the items made through a network of volunteers.
Financial Review
| Financial Review | |
|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Sew Marvellous has not been actively fundraising during this period but has retained a small amount of money in the bank (<£1000) to pay for items such as branded labels for the volunteers to attach to larger items. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
See above |
| Amount of reserves held | See above |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
See above |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
See above |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
See above |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Sew Marvellous does not actively fundraise at this time, we are reliant on the donations of fabrics and materials to provide resources for our volunteers to make items for charity. As such, we do not have any major sources of funds with the exception of a few donations made by individuals wanting to support our cause which we use for purchasing labels and materials where needed, the majority of the items owned by the charity are fabrics donated by other organisations or by individuals. |
|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
We do not invest money at present |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Since lockdown ended, there has been a decline in the number of people actively volunteering to make items for charity, however we are looking at ways to engage the crafting community, including repair workshops, crafternoons, evening sewing groups and more in the coming year. |
| Other | |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
N/A |
|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
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 |
This year our trustees remained the same and are as follows: Topsy Hughes Elissa Renouf Lou Heywood Sue Sharpe Marcelle Porteous (founder) Meetings are held regularly with the other trustees, and we have been meeting once per quarter to ensure that the charity is being run according with the constitution. Our AGM was held on 10 January 2026 and volunteers from our charity attended this online meeting. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees Not Applicable The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works During the period April 2024 to March 2025, Sew Marvellous has been making items for charities based in and around South Birmingham. Charities we have supported include: Baby Aid Birmingham Womens Aid RSPCA Acorns Children’s Hospice Queen Elizabeth Hospital Oncology Department SAIF Homes, Rubery Swop Shop Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer Birmingham AIDS and HIV Memorial Relationship with any related parties Not Applicable Other |
|
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Not Applicable |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
During the period April 2024 to March 2025, Sew Marvellous has been making items for charities based in and around South Birmingham. Charities we have supported include: Baby Aid Birmingham Womens Aid RSPCA Acorns Children’s Hospice Queen Elizabeth Hospital Oncology Department SAIF Homes, Rubery Swop Shop Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer Birmingham AIDS and HIV Memorial |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Not Applicable |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Sew Marvellous Charity Makes |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
Registered charity number |
1193196 |
| Charity’s principal address | 39 Peacock Road Kings Heath B13 0NZ |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year Nam e of pers on (or body ) entitl ed to appo int trust ee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marcelle Porteous | |||
| Sue Sharp | Appointed 2024 | ||
| (Anna)TopsyHughes | Appointed 2024 | ||
| Lou Heywood | Appointed 2024 | ||
| Elissa Renouf | Appointed 2024 | ||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
| Description of the assets held in this capacity |
Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects |
Not applicable |
| Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets |
Not applicable |
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Type of adviser Name Address |
Type of adviser Name Address |
Type of adviser Name Address |
Type of adviser Name Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) | |||
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
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) Marcelle Porteous Position (eg Secretary, Chair Chair, etc) Date 31 January 2026
Sew Marvellous Charity Makes 1193196 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period 01/04/2024 To 31/03/2025 from Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted Endowment Restricted funds Total funds Last year funds funds to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ A1 Receipts
| Sew Marvellous Charity Makes 1193196 CC16a Receipts and payments accounts For the period from 01/04/2024 To 31/03/2025 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ A1 Receipts |
Sew Marvellous Charity Makes 1193196 CC16a Receipts and payments accounts For the period from 01/04/2024 To 31/03/2025 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ A1 Receipts |
Sew Marvellous Charity Makes 1193196 CC16a Receipts and payments accounts For the period from 01/04/2024 To 31/03/2025 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ A1 Receipts |
Sew Marvellous Charity Makes 1193196 CC16a Receipts and payments accounts For the period from 01/04/2024 To 31/03/2025 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ A1 Receipts |
Sew Marvellous Charity Makes 1193196 CC16a Receipts and payments accounts For the period from 01/04/2024 To 31/03/2025 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ A1 Receipts |
Sew Marvellous Charity Makes 1193196 CC16a Receipts and payments accounts For the period from 01/04/2024 To 31/03/2025 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ A1 Receipts |
CC16a |
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| Sub total(Gross income for AR) - -- A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
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| Amazon - Grosgrain Tape for Drip Bags | - 78- |
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| Sub total - 157- A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
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| Sub total - -- Total payments - 157- Net of receipts/(payments) - 157- A5 Transfers between funds - -- A6 Cash funds last year end - 914- Cash funds this year end - 757- |
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| Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Categories Details Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ B1 Cash funds Cash in bank as at 31 March 2026 - 757- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- Total cash funds - 757- - -- - -- (agree balances with receipts and payments account (s)) OK OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Details to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ |
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted funds Endowment
Categories Details funds funds
to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
B1 Cash funds Cash in bank as at 31 March 2026 757 - -
- - -
- - -
Total cash funds 757 - -
(agree balances with receipts and payments account
(s)) OK OK OK
Unrestricted Restricted funds Endowment
funds funds
Details to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
----- End of picture text -----
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
1/31/2026
1
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| Details | Fund to which asset belongs |
Cost (optional) | Current value (optional) |
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| Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees |
Signature | Name | Date of approval | |||||||||
| M Porteous | Marcelle Porteous | 31/01/2026 | ||||||||||
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
1/31/2026
2