
## **Trustees' Annual Report for the period** 

Period start date Period end date Day Month Year Day Month Year **From** 28 09 2021 **To** 31 03 2022 

## Section A                        Reference and administration details 

**Charity name** BRCA+ Chat 

**Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any)** 1195944 

**Charity's principal address** 49 Station Road 

Polegate East Sussex **Postcode BN26 6EA** 

## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** 

|1<br>2<br>3<br>4<br>5<br>6<br>7<br>8<br>9<br>10<br>11<br>12<br>13<br>14<br>15<br>16<br>17<br>18<br>19<br>20|**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for whole**<br>**year **|**Name of person (or body) entitled**<br>**to appoint trustee (ifany)**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||Christen Williams|Chair|||
||Janine Duncan||15 January2021 to date||
||Alex Williams||||
||Kate Biles||||
||Eleanor Howie||||
||Lisa Bancroft||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||



## **Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)** 

**Name Dates acted if not for whole year** 

**TAR** 

March **2012** 

1 



## **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)** 

**Type of adviser Name Address** 

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

## **Section B              Structure, governance and management** 

## **Description of the charity’s trusts** 

Type of governing document 

Constitution adopted 28 September 2021 

- (eg. trust deed, constitution) 

CIO Foundation (Registered 28 September 2021) How the charity is constituted 

- (eg. trust, association, company) 

Trustees are appointed or reappointed by resolution passed at a properly Trustee selection methods convened meeting of the charity trustees (eg. appointed by, elected by) 

## **Additional governance issues (Optional information)** 

You **may choose** to include additional information, where relevant, about: 

- policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees; 

- the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works; 

- relationship with any related parties; 

- trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them. 

## **Section C                    Objectives and activities** 

The objects of the charity are: 

**Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document** 

- Providing emotional, mental and practical support for those affected by BRCA and other gene mutations within the United Kingdom 

- Providing education in the United Kingdom on arising out of or pertaining to BRCA and other gene mutations 

- Creating awareness and campaigning around issues arising out of 

**TAR** 

March **2012** 

2 



or pertaining to BRCA and other gene mutations including, but not limited to, better access to genetic testing within the United Kingdom 

In planning our objectives for the period between 28 September 2021 and 31 March 2022 we kept in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit at our Trustee meetings. 

The main activities were as follows: 

- **Providing emotional, mental and practical support for those affected by a BRCA gene mutation within the United Kingdom** 

We have been developing a supportive community network of individuals affected by a BRCA (or similar) gene mutation to facilitate peer support and the sharing of lived experiences. This is supported by relevant resources on our website and social media channels. **Summary of the main activities undertaken for the** • **Providing education in the United Kingdom on living with public benefit in relation to BRCA gene mutations these objects (include within this section the statutory** Our focus has been on establishing a series of educational livestreamed **declaration that trustees have** sessions to educate the general public and those affected by a BRCA **had regard to the guidance** (and similar gene mutations) on issues directly relevant to them and their **issued by the Charity** experiences. We utilise our website and social media presence to further **Commission on public** disseminate this information. **benefit)** 

Most of our work in this area in the relevant period has drawn directly on previvors to highlight the reality of gene mutations for those living with them. 

These activities benefit those affected by BRCA (and similar) gene mutations by providing education and emotional support on issues relevant to this group. We support anyone over the age of 16 with a BRCA or other similar gene mutation, those undergoing or considering genetic testing and their family and friends. We also welcome anyone who works with this groups, i.e. medical professionals, counsellors and volunteers. 

## **Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)** 

**TAR** 

March **2012** 

3 



N/A 

You **may choose** to include further statements, where relevant, about: 

- policy on grantmaking; 

- policy programme related investment; 

- contribution made by volunteers. 

## Section D                      Achievements and performance 

**TAR** 

March **2012** 

4 



## Section D                      Achievements and erformance p 

## **Peer support** 

**Summary of the main achievements of the charity** We have created a community of “BRCA buds” who share their lived **during the year** experiences. Feedback has been positive: “I had an amazing family who were so supportive but I really wanted to talk to people in a similar situation as myself. I saw the BRCA+ Chat [Instagram] story about finding a BRCA bud […]. We talked about our families, our boobs, the operations and then just talked about life! […] It’s been so fantastic to meet some amazing people in a great community all through different stages in the BRCA journey.” 

## **Live streamed educational sessions** 

In March 2022 we held out first live streamed educational session which addressed nipple sparing vs nipple losing mastectomies as this is an important choice that many of our beneficiaries will face. 

This session was well attended and received positive feedback including the following: 

- “this has been super lovely and […] thank you for sharing all of this! Definitely will be attending the next one, pleasure make sure there are more.” 

- “this has been so helpful” 

- “Thank you that was so helpful, really appreciate it” 

## **Social media and website resources** 

We have built an engaged social media following across our social media channels. This is one way in which we share educational resources. Our social media posts have addressed topics such as: 

- Practical advice i.e. what to take to hospital on the day of surgery 

- Emotional support i.e. self-care ideas for difficult days 

We have created resources accessible via our website. This includes an educational blog and topics covered within the relevant period include: 

- Becoming the mother of a BRCA mutant 

- Yes, I had preventative surgeries. No, I was not prepared 

- Dear Future Me 

- Ovarian cancer – knowledge is power 

An important resource that we have developed is our Mastectomy Gallery which features images of women who have had mastectomies and have had varies forms of reconstructive surgery or have not had reconstruction at all. Our beneficiaries report that this helps them to understand their options. We have received positive feedback: • “I showed my surgeon your whole gallery […] and he was so impressed by you guys doing this. 

**TAR** 

March **2012** 

5 



Section D                      Achievements and erformance p 

- “Your mastectomy gallery has been a huge help with making decisions on specifics with my surgery and has helped to prepare me for what I am about to go through.” 

We have also created and launched an e-mail newsletter in March 2022. This is used to engage with our community and signpost subscribers to relevant resources. 

## **Fundraising** 

In February 2022 we were supported by a fundraiser who ran a halfmarathon in order to raise funds for BRCA+ Chat. The final sum raised was £508.35. 

**TAR** 

March **2012** 

6 



## **Section E                    Financial review** 

Cash at bank at 31.03.2022 was £6,878.35 in unrestricted funds. 

**Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves** We currently hold funds to cover costs that may be payable on dissolution of the charity. 

**Details of any funds materially** Not applicable. **in deficit** 

## **Further financial review details (Optional information)** 

You **may choose** to include additional information, where relevant about: 

Our main source of funds in the relevant period has been donations. 

- the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising); 

- how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity; 

- investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted. 

## **Section F                     Other optional information** 

## **Future plans** 

The coming year will see a continued emphasis on developing the following: 

- Community of “BRCA Buds” – events and facilitated peer support / sharing of lived experiences 

- Education – creation and dissemination of relevant resources including via our newsletter, website and social channels 

- Educational events with relevant expert speakers 

## **Section G                    Declaration** 

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

## **Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees** 

**Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc)** 

**Date** 


**TAR** 

March **2012** 

7 




**Charity Name No (if any) BRCA+ Chat 1195944 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period** Period start date Period end date **To from** 28.09.2021 31.03.2022 

## **Section A Receipts and payments** 

|**A1 Receipts**|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**to the nearest      £**<br>**6,878**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**6,878**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br> **6,878**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br> **-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br> **-**<br>**-**<br>**6,878**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**6,878**|**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**to the nearest £**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**|**Endowment**<br>**funds**<br>**to the nearest £**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**|**Total funds**<br>**to the nearest £**<br>**6,878**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**6,878**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**6,878**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**6,878**|**Total funds**<br>**to the nearest £**<br>**6,878**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**6,878**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**6,878**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**6,878**|**Last year**<br>**to the nearest £**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Donations|**6,878**|||||**-**|
||**-**|||||**-**|
||**-**|||||**-**|
||**-**|||||**-**|
||**-**|||||**-**|
||**-**|||||**-**|
||**-**|||||**-**|
||**-**|||||**-**|
|**_Sub total_**_(Gross income for_<br>_AR)_|**6,878**|||||**-**|
||||||||
|**A2 Asset and investment sales,**<br>**(see table).**|||||||
||**-**||||||
||**-**<br>|||||**-**|
|~~**_Sub total_**~~|**-**|||||**-**|
|**_Total receipts_ **<br>**A3 Payments**|||||||
|||||||**-**|
||||||||
||**-**|||||**-**|
||**-**|||||**-**|
||**-**|||||**-**|
||**-**|||||**-**|
||**-**|||||**-**|
||**-**|||||**-**|
||**-**|||||**-**|
||**-**|||||**-**|
||**-**|||||**-**|
|**_Sub total_ **|**-**|||||**-**|
||||||||
|**A4 Asset and investment**<br>**purchases, (see table)**|||||||
||**-**||||||
||**-**||||||
|**_Sub total_ **|**-**|||||**-**|
|**_Total payments_**<br>**_Net of receipts/(payments)_**<br>**A5 Transfers between funds**<br>**A6 Cash funds last year end**<br>**_Cash funds this year end_**|||||||
|||||||**-**|
||||||||
||**6,878**|**-**|**-**|**6,878**||**-**|
||**-**|**-**|**-**|**-**||**-**|
||**-**|**-**|**-**|**-**||**-**|
||**6,878**|**-**|**-**|**6,878**||**-**|



CCXX R1 accounts (SS) 

30/01/2023 

1 



|**Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period**|**Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period**|**Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period**||
|---|---|---|---|
|**Categories**<br>Signed by one or two trustees on<br>behalf of all the trustees<br>**B5 Liabilities**<br>**B3 Investment assets**<br>**B2 Other monetary assets**<br>**B4 Assets retained for the**<br>**charity’s own use**<br>**B1 Cash funds**|**Details**<br>**Details**<br>**_Total cash funds_**<br>(agree balances with receipts and payments<br>account(s))<br>Cash at bank<br>**Details**<br>**Details**<br>**Details**<br>Signature|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**to nearest £**<br>**to nearest £**<br>**6,878**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**6,878**<br>**-**<br>OK<br>OK<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**to nearest £**<br>**to nearest £**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**Fund to which**<br>**asset belongs**<br>**Cost (optional)**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**Fund to which**<br>**asset belongs**<br>**Cost (optional)**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**Fund to which**<br>**liability relates**<br>**Amount due**<br>**(optional)**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>Print Name<br>Eleanor Howie|**Endowment**<br>**funds**<br>**to nearest £**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||OK|
||||**Endowment**<br>**funds**<br>**to nearest £**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**Current value**<br>**(optional)**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**Current value**<br>**(optional)**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**When due**<br>**(optional)**|
|||||
|||||
|||||
|||||
|||||
|||||
||||Date of<br>approval|
|||Eleanor Howie||
|||||



CCXX R2 accounts (SS) 

30/01/2023 

2 

