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2025-05-31-accounts

Charity registration number: 1194377

Eight Bells for Mental Health

Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the Year Ended 31 May 2025

Eight Bells for Mental Health

Contents (continued)

Reference and Administrative Details 1
Trustees' Report 2 to 6
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities 7
Independent Examiner's Report 8
Statement of Financial Activities 9
Balance Sheet 10
Notes to the Financial Statements 11 to 16

Eight Bells for Mental Health

Reference and Administrative Details

Chair G A Norman (appointed 18 October 2021) Treasurer H J Phillips (appointed 1 January 2018) Trustees: S M Masters (appointed 1 June 2017) (resigned 27 March 2025) S Gillespie (appointed 18 October 2021) M Houston (appointed 18 October 2021) V Murricane (appointed 1 May 2021) (deceased 16 February 2026) J Turner (appointed 1 May 2021) D Walter (appointed 2 July 2025) P Jackson (appointed 23 April 2025) S Montague (appointed 23 April 2025) Charity Registration Number 1194377 Principal Office Broadway House 4-8 The Broadway Northbrook Street Newbury Berkshire RG14 1BA Independent Examiner UHY Ross Brooke Chartered Accountants 16 Murdock Road Dorcan Swindon SN3 5HY

Page 1

Eight Bells for Mental Health

Trustees' Report

The trustees present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 May 2025.

Objectives and activities

Objects and aims

To relieve the needs of adults whose lives are affected by mental health issues in West Berkshire (mainly in Newbury, Thatcham, Hungerford and surrounding areas).

In particular by:

Fundraising disclosures

We hold no investments other than funds within our bank account.

We hold a primary bank account for all of our charitable activities.

We encourage donations via The Good Exchange – operated by Greenham Trust where donations can be eligible for match-funding depending on the project or through other reputable fundraising platforms.

With no formal funding, we are entirely dependent on our own fundraising activities to cover the charity's costs.

Over the past few years, we have seen the costs rise significantly, and as such we have a dedicated team who look after all our fundraising initiatives.

As part of our fundraising initiatives, we seek grants from external bodies to help support the running of the charity.

Page 2

Eight Bells for Mental Health

Trustees' Report (continued)

Public benefit

The charity operates a Drop-in centre for members thrice weekly on Mondays, Thursdays and Friday at 1 Highfield Avenue, Newbury, Berkshire.

The charity has a Charity Manager and Administrator, who works at the Registered office Broadway House, The Broadway, Newbury, Berkshire. Two part-time Coordinators and other volunteers help to run the Drop-in centre and to supervise the sessions and operational activities.

The drop-in centre is member-led and provides a safe and friendly environment where members meet for friendship and support and participate in wellbeing activities such as art and craft sessions, exercise classes, cooking and gardening and receive advocacy and counselling support.

Members prepare and cook lunch for themselves and those who attend. Members are level 2 trained in food hygiene.

In respect of all these activities, the trustees have had due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

The coordinators are available for one-to-one meetings with members to provide advocacy and support.

In addition, Members plan and arrange recreational day trips away from the Drop-in centre. Each trip is accompanied by an activity leader and subject to a risk assessment. The trips are covered by our insurance.

The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

Grant making policies

We do not make grants to either individuals or bodies and therefore we do not encourage or seek applications for grants.

Use of volunteers

We are supported by a small, dedicated team of volunteers who offer peer support and assist with various projects and activities at our support sessions. We have a dedicated volunteer counsellor. They also provide valuable support during trips and activities away from the centre. They help to create a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Page 3

Eight Bells for Mental Health

Trustees' Report (continued)

Achievements and performance

Over the year our membership grew to 118 registered members. Many of our members are referred to us through GP Surgeries, Community Mental Health Team, Social Prescribers, West Berkshire Council and other charities. However, as our reputation continues to grow, new people attend as a result of word of mouth and self-referral. We also support the patients of Thornford Park hospital in their recovery and rehabilitation.

We provided 148 sessions and saw 4200 members sign into the sessions available. We supplied 510 subsidised meals. We provided 80 hours of free counselling. We have provided a free weekly art therapy class where 225 have attended during the course of the year.

Regular activities available over the year covered a wide range of wellbeing support. Activities were free and well attended. This included cookery classes, with level 2 food hygiene training, yoga, inclusive multi sports, gardening club, Access Barrs therapy, knitting/crochet group, flower arranging and trips to the theatre including the panto.

We celebrated special occasions - Easter, Halloween and Christmas with a range of themed activities, food and games, continuing to build the sense of belonging, community and friendship.

Partnership support included a range of topics from a range of organisations. We had regular outreach from Citizen Advice and the Samaritans. With other partners including:

Members take a lead in raising awareness, reducing stigma and aiding their recovery through a range of activities. They organised day trips to a butterfly farm, the seaside and Christmas market. They represented Eight Bells at Carers rights day, SNG clean up days, Pride, and a member sang at the Mayor's concert. They give back to the charity through their own fundraising through organising and operating street collections, sponsored events such as sponsored walks, raffles, coffee mornings with cake sales and tombola stalls, raising vital funds towards the running of the charity. The focus of this highlights Mental Health Awareness Week in May and World Mental Health Day in October. The members host open days as a way of thanking our funders and supporters.

We offer advocacy to support our members with issues such as debt, housing, employment, volunteering, bereavement and health. We make referrals to the Crisis Team, Community Mental Health Team, Food bank and other organisations and charities. We have made strong and meaningful partnerships across the sector.

Last year was particularity difficult as we had to temporarily move from our beloved home at short notice. We secured a short term venue while the Meeting House undertook a refurbishment.This was a particularity difficult time for our members, but we continued to provide the service uninterrupted and navigated this successfully.

And finally, we were awarded a silver gilt for our raised beds at Lock Island as part of Newbury in bloom. We were nominated for Newbury Town Council civic award and was a finalist for charity of the year Newbury Weekly News, Best in Business awards 2025.

Page 4

Eight Bells for Mental Health

Trustees' Report (continued)

Financial review

In the past financial year, the Charity has continued to see a steady increase in membership and referrals, while at the same time an ever increasing cost to deliver the same services to the members. This is adding additional pressures on current finances and fund raising.

During the year the Charity has increased its fund-raising efforts with a number of different projects through the Greenham Trust, as well as other sources of funding. The Charity was able to secure match funding through The Greenham Trust and The Big Give fundraising platforms. In the past 12 months we have seen added pressure on securing funding, with many other charities in a similar situation.

The Charity had reserves of £35,430 at the 31 May 2025, and this financial buffer can sustain operations for 6 months, even with no further funding received.

The level of funding this year is a direct outcome of the amazing efforts of the members, staff, volunteers and the board of trustees. We continue to actively seek additional funding opportunities to support the ever-increasing demand on the charity.

Policy on reserves

We have ensured we comply with the Charity Commission’s policy of maintaining a minimum of 3 months general reserves. £35,430 of reserves are held at 31 May 2025.

Principal funding sources

We continue bidding directly to major national grant-making bodies,

We have a strong positive relationship with Greenham Trust who support local charities and organisations for the benefit of the people in West Berkshire and North Hampshire. Local grant funders and local businesses can donate via Greenham Trust’s Good Exchange.

The Good Exchange is a vehicle for funders to identify grant applications that meet specific criteria which they may then fund or partially fund. Some grants made in this way through the Good Exchange may be offered match-funding and benefit from gift aid. Evaluation reports are submitted to the Good Exchange to evidence how such grants are used by the Charity. We currently have a 3-year core-funding project on the Good Exchange up to March 2025.

Funders such as local town councils, The Lions, Rotary and local businesses use the Good Exchange to make payments and grants.

Other sources of funds are:

Members fund raising:- street collections, sponsored events, quiz nights, raffles, coffee mornings with cake sales and tombola stalls. This all generates further income and is managed by the members themselves.

Unsolicited donations from individuals, businesses and other sources like bequests also contribute greatly to the funds.

Investment policy and objectives

The charity has no investments.

Page 5

Eight Bells for Mental Health

Trustees' Report (continued)

Structure, governance and management

Nature of governing document

Governing document and constitution approved and adopted in 2021 by trustees of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Amendments to the constitution were approved by members at the AGM in February 2024.

Induction and training of trustees

Membership:

Membership of Eight Bells is free and is available to anyone of 18 or over, who is resident in West Berkshire or North Hampshire, and is subject to them completing and signing up to our membership form and code of conduct. Membership is not open to those younger than 18 years.

Disclosures:

The charity employs two part-time coordinators, who are at the centre on each of the three days it is open. Volunteers who assist the charity at the centre are subject to reference checks. Eight Bells follows the Government guidance for DBS checks for Volunteers. As we do not carry out a regulated activity, there is no requirement for standard or enhanced DBS checks.

Equal opportunities:

Eight Bells adopts an equal opportunities policy for membership and where a member referral is from a registered care provider it reserves the right to request a personal risk assessment before the member attends the centre and, in some circumstances may require the prospective member to be accompanied by their carer.

Organisational structure

The charity became a Charitable incorporated Organisation (CIO) 7th May 2021.

We have a Board of Trustees comprising the Chair, the Treasurer and 6 other trustees, of which three are member Trustees. The Board of Trustees holds an AGM within 15 months of the last meeting where the members are invited to ask questions of the trustees.

Separately, the members elect their own management team that help to support the day-to-day activities at the centre. This management team is re-elected every 12 months and any full member is welcome to put their name forward.

The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on .................... and signed on its behalf by:

......................................... H J Phillips Treasurer

Page 6

Eight Bells for Mental Health

Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with the United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and applicable law and regulations.

The law applicable to charities requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, and the provisions of the constitution. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Approved by the trustees of the charity on .................... and signed on its behalf by:

......................................... H J Phillips Treasurer

Page 7

Eight Bells for Mental Health

Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Eight Bells for Mental Health

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Eight Bells for Mental Health for the year ended 31 May 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of Eight Bells for Mental Health 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 Eight Bells for Mental Health's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 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 material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of Eight Bells for Mental Health as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

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.

...................................... Kerry Hawkins FCCA UHY Ross Brooke Chartered Accountants

16 Murdock Road Dorcan Swindon SN3 5HY

Date:.............................

Page 8

Eight Bells for Mental Health

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 May 2025

Note
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies
Total income
2
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
4
Other expenditure
3
Total expenditure
Net expenditure
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
11
Note
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies
Total income
2
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
4
Other expenditure
3
Total expenditure
Net expenditure
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
11		 Unrestricted
funds
£
101,147
101,147
(80,624)
(30,316)
(110,940)
(9,793)
(9,793)
45,223
35,430
Unrestricted
funds
£
76,423
76,423
(75,414)
(23,457)
(98,871)
(22,448)
(22,448)
67,671
45,223		 Total
2025
£
101,147
101,147
(80,624)
(30,316)
(110,940)
(9,793)
(9,793)
45,223
35,430
Total
2024
£
76,423
76,423
(75,414)
(23,457)
(98,871)
(22,448)
(22,448)
67,671
45,223

All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for 2024 is shown in note 11.

The notes on pages 11 to 16 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 9

Eight Bells for Mental Health

(Registration number: 1194377) Balance Sheet as at 31 May 2025

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
8
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand
9
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
10
Net current assets
Net assets
Funds of the charity:
Unrestricted income funds
Unrestricted funds
Total funds
11		 2025
£
116
40,267
(4,953)
35,314
35,430
35,430
35,430		 2024
£
260
50,127
(5,164)
44,963
45,223
45,223
45,223

The financial statements on pages 9 to 16 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on .................... and signed on their behalf by:

......................................... H J Phillips Governor

The notes on pages 11 to 16 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 10

Eight Bells for Mental Health

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 May 2025

1 Accounting policies

Statement of compliance

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the second edition of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

Basis of preparation

Eight Bells for Mental Health meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.

Going concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

Income and endowments

Voluntary income including donations, gifts, legacies and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Donations and legacies

Donations and legacies are recognised on a receivable basis when receipt is probable and the amount can be reliably measured.

Grants receivable

Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released.

Donated services and facilities

Where services or facilities are provided to the charity as a donation that would normally be purchased from our suppliers, this benefit is included in the financial statements at it's fair value unless it's fair value cannot be realiably measured, then at the cost to the donor or the resale value of goods that are to be sold.

Expenditure

All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.

Governance costs

These include the costs attributable to the charity’s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit, strategic management and trustees meetings and reimbursed expenses.

Page 11

Eight Bells for Mental Health

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 May 2025 (continued)

Tangible fixed assets

Individual fixed assets costing £200.00 or more are initially recorded at cost.

Depreciation and amortisation

Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:

Asset class Depreciation method and rate Computer equipment 3 years straight line

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

Fund structure

Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.

2 Income from donations and legacies

Donations and legacies;
Donations from individuals
Grants, including capital grants;
Grants from other charities
Fundraising		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
47,085
49,194
4,868
101,147		 Total
2025
£
47,085
49,194
4,868
101,147		 Total
2024
£
32,937
43,486
-
76,423

Page 12

Eight Bells for Mental Health

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 May 2025 (continued)

3 Analysis of resources expended

Independent examiner fees
IT software support
Art/Yoga/CBT courses
Member events
Insurance
Telephone
Computer software costs
Printing, postage and stationery
Sundry expenses
Gifts
Travel and subsistence
Advertising
Bank charges
Depreciation off office equipment
Payroll costs
Volunteer training
Rent and meeting room hire
Accountancy
Catering expenses
Professional fees		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
1,250
-
5,022
1,669
767
1,573
219
547
1,314
106
763
930
240
319
645
516
13,076
1,360
-
-
30,316		 Total
2025
£
1,250
-
5,022
1,669
767
1,573
219
547
1,314
106
763
930
240
319
645
516
13,076
1,360
-
-
30,316		 Total
2024
£
1,140
370
2,659
1,135
752
2,116
711
868
-
77
761
841
240
422
578
278
7,583
1,350
963
613
23,457

4 Charitable activities

Charitable activities

Wages and salaries - support costs
Employers NIC - support costs
Staff pensions		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
77,238
850
2,536
80,624		 Total
2025
£
77,238
850
2,536
80,624		 Total
2024
£
73,497
-
1,917
75,414

Page 13

Eight Bells for Mental Health

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 May 2025 (continued)

5 Trustees remuneration and expenses

During the year the charity made the following transactions with trustees:

H J Phillips

£1,532 (2024: £175) of expenses were reimbursed to H J Phillips during the year.

No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.

No trustees have received any other benefits from the charity during the year.

6 Staff costs

The monthly average number of persons (including senior management / leadership team) employed by the charity during the year expressed as full time equivalents was as follows:

2025 2024
No No
Number of staff 4 4

No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year

7 Taxation

The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.

Page 14

Eight Bells for Mental Health

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 May 2025 (continued)

8 Tangible fixed assets

Cost
At 1 June 2024
Additions
At 31 May 2025
Depreciation
At 1 June 2024
Charge for the year
At 31 May 2025
Net book value
At 31 May 2025
At 31 May 2024
9
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash at bank
10 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Other taxation and social security
Pension contributions unpaid
Accruals		 Furniture and
equipment
£
1,265
175
1,440
1,005
319
1,324
116
260
2025
£
40,267
2025
£
657
386
3,910
4,953		 Furniture and
equipment
£
1,265
175
1,440
1,005
319
1,324
116
260
2025
£
40,267
2025
£
657
386
3,910
4,953		 Total
£
1,265
175
1,440
1,005
319
1,324
116
260
2024
£
50,127
1,440
1,005
319
1,324
116
260
2025
£
40,267
2025
£
657
386
3,910
4,953
2024
£
560
386
4,218
5,164

Page 15

Eight Bells for Mental Health

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 May 2025 (continued)

11 Funds
Balance at 1
June 2024
£
Unrestricted funds
General
General
45,223
Balance at 1
June 2023
£
Unrestricted funds
General
General
67,671
12 Analysis of net assets between funds
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets		 Incoming
resources
£
101,146
Incoming
resources
£
76,423		 Resources
expended
£
(110,939)
Resources
expended
£
(98,871)
Unrestricted
funds
General
£
116
40,267
(4,953)
35,430
Unrestricted
funds
General
£
260
50,127
(5,164)
45,223		 Balance at 31
May 2025
£
35,430
Balance at 31
May 2024
£
45,223
Total funds at
31 May
2025
£
116
40,267
(4,953)
35,430
Total funds at
31 May
2024
£
260
50,127
(5,164)
45,223

Page 16

Virtual Cabinet Portal Digital Signatures

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Signature 1

Signed by Hugo Phillips using authentication code PiV2M1EuSXdxLmk3 at IP address 2.223.175.32, on 2026/03/25 12:43:31 Z.

Hugo Phillips's e-mail address is: accounts@eightbellsnewbury.co.uk.