## **THE LIFE MATTERS CHARITY** 

(Registered Charity No. 1193469) 

## **Trustees’ Annual Report & Accounts** 

**For the year ended 30 April 2026** 

## **1. Objectives and Activities** 

The Life Matters Charity exists to support children and young people affected by suicide ideation, self-harm, and mental health crisis. The charity provides early intervention, emotional support, safeguarding-focused services, and signposting to appropriate professional services. 

The charity’s core aims are: 

- To provide safe and accessible mental health support for children and young people 

- To deliver early intervention and prevention services 

- To promote emotional wellbeing and resilience 

- To work collaboratively with safeguarding agencies and partners 

- To ensure children are heard, supported, and protected 

The charity recognises safeguarding as central to all its activities and adopts a zero-tolerance approach to abuse or neglect. 

## **2. Governance and Management** 

The charity is governed by a Board of Trustees responsible for ensuring compliance with its governing document, charity law, and regulatory requirements. 

The Board provides strategic oversight and ensures the charity delivers its objectives effectively. 

Day-to-day operations are delegated to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), who is also the founder of the charity. The CEO is responsible for operational management and leads the staff team in line with trustee-approved strategy. 

## **Structure:** 

- Board of Trustees (shared governance and oversight) 

- Chief Executive Officer (CEO / Founder) 



- Finance Manager 

- Marketing Manager 

- Charity Executive Officer 

- Administration Staff 

- Casual Staff (5) 

- Self-Employed Contractors (3) 

- Volunteers (6) 

- Children’s Mental Health Ambassadors 

The Board of Trustees holds collective responsibility for governance, safeguarding oversight, and strategic decision-making. All trustees share equal responsibility for board decisions. 

Conflicts of interest are formally declared, recorded, and managed in accordance with policy and good governance practice. 

## **3. Risk Management and Conflicts of Interest** 

The charity maintains a structured approach to risk management. Risks are identified, assessed, and reviewed regularly by trustees, with appropriate controls in place to mitigate financial, operational, reputational, and safeguarding risks. 

Conflicts of interest are declared and managed transparently. Trustees ensure all decisions are made in the best interests of the charity. 

## **4. Safeguarding** 

The Life Matters Charity is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and the charity adopts a zero-tolerance approach to abuse or neglect. 

The charity follows safeguarding policies, procedures, and escalation pathways set by the relevant Local Authority Safeguarding Children Partnership and operates in line with statutory safeguarding frameworks. 

All safeguarding concerns are reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), who liaises with local authority safeguarding services where required. 

## **Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)** 

**Mary Brockwell** 

Email: office@thelifematters.co.uk Phone: 07760 464294 



## **Deputy Safeguarding Responsibility** 

Deputy safeguarding responsibility is held collectively by all trustees, who provide oversight and ensure appropriate escalation of safeguarding concerns. 

The DSL is responsible for safeguarding case management, referrals, training oversight, and record keeping. 

The charity follows safe recruitment practices including DBS checks, references, induction, and safeguarding training for all staff, volunteers, and trustees. 

## **5. Partnerships and Licensed Programmes** 

The charity holds a licensed agreement to use the **A Child’s Voice model** , a trademarked programme used to support fundraising and delivery of services for children and young people. The programme is used in accordance with licensing requirements. 

## **6. Financial Review** 

- Opening balance: £8,805.22 

- Total income: £6,590.86 

- Total expenditure: £4,590.49 

- Closing balance: £10,805.59 

Funds were used to support service delivery, operational costs, and development of charitable programmes. 

## **7. Volunteers** 

The charity is supported by 6 volunteers who assist in delivering services and supporting operational activities. 

## **8. Future Plans** 

The charity aims to: 

- Expand mental health support services for children and young people 

- Strengthen safeguarding and referral pathways 

- Increase outreach and awareness programmes 



- Develop sustainable funding streams 

- Grow the Children’s Mental Health Ambassador programme 

## **9. Trustees** 

- Ian Chappell – Chair of Trustees (appointed 13 June 2026) 

- Mason Brockwell – Trustee 

- Mary Brockwell – Trustee 

- Ivon Whitmore – Trustee 

- Recruiting additional trustee (in progress) 

## **10. Trustee Approval** 

The Trustees approve the Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 April 2026. 

Approved by the Board of Trustees on: **6 June 2026** 

Signed on behalf of the Trustees: 

- **Ivon Whitmore** – Trustee 

- **Mason Brockwell** – Trustee 

- **Mary Brockwell** – Trustee 

Date: **06.06.2026**