Trustees’ annual report for the period
Period start date 01 09 2 0 2 3 Period end date 31 08 2 0 2 4 Charity name Dance Creative Charity No 1 1 9 6 3 0 9 (if any)
Objectives and Activities
SORP reference Summary of the Para 1.17 purposes of the charity as To advance the arts for the public benefit by the promotion in set out in its governing particular, but not exclusively, of the art of dance. document Our vision is to: Change lives through dance, for people living across Oxfordshire and beyond Our mission is to: Deliver dance projects, classes and productions that:
● are creative, innovative, and best practice ● enhance people’s health and well-being ● care for people’s physical and emotional needs
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connect people and communities
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raise awareness of issues
In order to achieve our vision and mission, we aim to:
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Create opportunities for everyone to experience the benefits of dance
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Specialise in working with older people, developing and sharing our expertise with others
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Offer opportunities for everyone to improve health and wellbeing through dance, including others with health needs such
Charity Accounts templates – Trustees’ annual report for the period
August 2024
| as dementia, Parkinson’s disease, long-term health conditions, and mental health issues ● Be a voice for individuals and communities who may feel less visible to society, raising awareness of issues which need bringing to the forefront of people’s recognition and understanding, and championing and celebrating the people who are affected by them ● Offer a creative and empowering approach to dance which draws on people’s individual stories, building and nurturing relationships and social confidence, reducing social isolation and loneliness, supporting family connections, and creating opportunities for people of all ages to dance together ● Bring dance to people who may ordinarily be prevented from participating because of financial, social, age or physical and emotional barriers, including those living in care homes and supported living ● Place the people we work with at the heart of everything we do, listening to their expertise, advice and experience, and working in close collaboration with other organizations and individuals so that our work is fully embedded in local communities and agendas |
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| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular,the activities, projects or servicesidentified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Our aims for 2023-24 were to: 1) Develop our organization 2) Increase participation in dance across Oxfordshire, especially amongst older adults aged 65+, including those from at risk or vulnerable groups. We delivered these aims through the following activities: 1) Organizational Development A) Capacity Building i. Growing and developing our team– we recruited 3 new Assistant Dance Artists and supported 1 Assistant Artist to step up to the role of Lead Artist for our online and Witney groups. This means we have almost doubled our team of artists, assistant artists and volunteers delivering and supporting our Dance for |
Charity Accounts templates – Trustees’ annual report for the period
August 2024
Life project, from 5 in December 2024 to a total of 9. This has enabled us to have greater capacity to sustain and develop the county-wide program and has freed up the Artistic Director to oversee and manage the program, develop the organisation and fundraise. We have also planned regular team training/planning days for 2024-25, where we will be able to share ideas and develop practice. ii. Developing the Board of Trustees – we recruited a new Chair of the Board of Trustees who will be officially appointed in September 2024 after a period of mentoring with Oxfordshire Mentors. The Chair’s first priority will be to expand our existing Board by assessing skills/knowledge gaps and recruiting additional members, including a new Treasurer. B) Developing partnerships and infrastructure We consolidated strong working relationships with Dance Oxford (Oxford City Council), Mumo Creative and The Mill Arts Centre through establishing regular cross-county Celebrating Age through Dance network meetings, with a focus on a funding application to Arts Council England for a cross-county showcase and professional development project for artists and volunteers. C) Fundraising In addition to Year 2 grant funding from the Reaching Communities program (The Community Fund), we received grants from Oxfordshire Community Foundation to enable us to support the Oxford based group Silver Shakers and incorporate it into our Dance for Life program me, and from Bicester Village to support the Bicester and online Dance for Life groups. We also planned fundraising activities for Year 3 of the Reaching Communities program, including submitting applications to Arts Council England (see above), and Sport England to support the Dance for Life program. 2) Artistic Programmed i) Dance for Life Oxfordshire We expanded our flagship, county-wide program me of Creative Dance Hubs (weekly dance class followed by social time with refreshments) across the county, with the Silver Shakers group in Wood Farm, Oxford, run initially as a joint pilot
Charity Accounts templates – Trustees’ annual report for the period
August 2024
project with Oxford City Council, becoming part of our regular Dance for Life programme. This means that we now have 5 regular hubs serving each local authority district within the county – South and Vale (Abingdon), West (Witney), Oxford (Wood Farm), and Cherwell (Bicester). We also developed our relationship with Age UK Oxfordshire and county-wide local authorities, participating in a number of local events in Didcot, Abingdon and Bicester, and working with local social prescribing teams to introduce more isolated and vulnerable older communities to the Dance for Life programme. This was particularly successful in Bicester and led to a growth in participant numbers; we aim to develop these partnerships further, in other local authority areas in 24-25. We also continued to distribute our Home Dance packs as a way of encouraging more isolated/housebound adults to engage in dance within their own homes. ii) Dance Projects a) Outreach sessions - we ran a number of dance taster and information sessions at a number of locations across the county, including: Abingdon Health Fest (September 2023); Langford Village Community Association, Bicester (March 2024); Age UK Mental Health and Well-being Market, Bicester (April 2024); Museum of Oxford workshop, Botley (June 2024); Clean Slate project in Bicester (July 2024); Didcot Garden Party (August 2024). b) Abingdon Community Hospital project (February – March 2024) – we received additional funding from the Vale of White Horse District Council to run a 6-week dance project for older residents in Abingdon Community Hospital, as part of their rehabilitation programme. We also distributed our home packs to project participants and other residents at the hospital as part of their discharge packages. c) Waterside Court Care Home, Wallingford (January – July 2024) – we delivered regular sessions for residents of Waterside Court,
Charity Accounts templates – Trustees’ annual report for the period
August 2024
| supported by care home staff. Participants included those living with dementia, and we used the multi-sensory props from our home dance packs as a way of engaging with residents who found verbal communication a challenge. d) Situating Ecologies project, Oxford(July – August 2024) – in partnership with Modern Art Oxford, participants from our Silver Shakers project in Oxford took part in a number of summer workshops, public showcase and intergenerational workshop, exploring the themes of seen/unseen, storytelling and ageism through dance. e) Swan Lake trip, Oxford(February 2024) – 50 older adult participants from across our county-wide Dance for Life programme took part in a group outing to see Swan Lake at the New Theatre in Oxford. Themes and ideas from the ballet were explored with all our participants in classes during Spring 24. |
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| Statement confirming whether thetrustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para1.18 | The trustees regularly review the guidance. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference |
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| Policy on grant making | Para1.38 | n/a |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para1.38 | n/a |
| Contribution made by volunteers | Para1.38 | The Dance for Life program is strengthened and enhanced by our regular volunteers who have been supporting groups across the county since the program’s inception in 2016. The volunteer’s role is to provide one to one support for vulnerable participants e.g. adapting movements for people with mobility issues, or acting as a 'buddy' for people with confidence/anxiety challenges. They also coordinate the social/refreshment time following class - a vital part of the project for developing peer support/friendships. Our volunteersperform this role with unwavering |
Charity Accounts templates – Trustees’ annual report for the period
August 2024
| patience, kindness and good humor and have created a strong bond of trust with the participants - as peers, they often share issues/ideas with volunteers which are fed back to management, championing their needs. Our volunteer in for the Bicester Dance for Life group also organizes additional cultural/social activities, e.g. cinema trips/afternoon tea parties, attending events as group representative, and is constantly seeking ways to offer both the participants and the company further support, attending meetings, offering ideas and working with the Artistic Director during a period of Board development. She is the glue which holds the Bicester group together and her kind, positive and committed presence has made a huge impact on the way participants feel included, welcomed and heard – crucial in a society where ageism is prevalent and older communities’ voices are often unheard. She says, “Every class is doing each person so much good, both physically and mentally. We have seen participants return after breaks from class, for different reasons in their lives, but they say that the desire to feel their bodies moving creatively with increasing stability and strength again, remains a goal. They also appreciate the laughter, fun and company of others in this joyful activity. The Dance Creative teachers plan and evaluate their classes together and this year the volunteers have taken part in meetings with the team when planning overall strategies, they are developing, such as a large intergroup presentation. This means we hear the direction and activities they are hoping to achieve and being included in the preparation and being well informed makes this role even more stimulating. I feel lucky to be part of this group as well as a helpful member of societyin this role.” |
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| Other | Our new Assistant Dance Artist in Bicester and Abingdon explains what her new role means for her: “Following my first full term with Dance Creative I have thoroughly enjoyed working with both the staff and participants. The preparation and choreography keep my creative brain active and allows me to incorporate my passion for arts for health in to my career. The highlights are seeing |
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| how fulfilled the participants are and how much joy | ||
| they get out of these sessions. The social aspect both in the dance work and the cup of tea after is |
Charity Accounts templates – Trustees’ annual report for the period
August 2024
incredibly valuable. Many a time I have had a participant come up to me and say that they weren't sure if they wanted to come to class today but they feel great having done it. One participant has booked a taxi in advance for their sessions because they can be inclined to stay in bed but they know how good they will feel once they have done the class. It's an honor to be part of it.”
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Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference |
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| 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. |
Para1.20 | Measuring against our objectives and impact indicators for 2023-4 (see Para 1.41 below), our key achievements were: 1. Increased participation in dance for older adults (aged 65+) across Oxfordshire – 6% increase in regular participation during the year. 2. Increased the total number of older adults from vulnerable and at-risk groups engaging in dance in Oxfordshire – 57% of regular participants have a disability or long-term health condition; 21% live in areas of income deprivation. 3. Developed a cross-county network of organizations which deliver dance for older adults. 4. Artist and participant feedback has evidenced that the project is meeting participant need, improving physical and mental wellbeing, and building community. Our Lead Dance Artist for the Silver Shakers group in Oxford, explains what difference the project has made to the lives of participants: “The Silver Shakers class has positively impacted the lives of its participants in myriad ways. Firstly, members have enjoyed the immense physical benefits that dancing brings. Regularly dancing and engaging in movement practice builds core strength, balance, flexibility and cardiovascular endurance. The proven benefits that dancing has in the areas of posture, mobility and coordination go a long way towards building and maintaining physical confidence. Furthermore, the Silver Shakers dance classes are completely accessible, |
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and my specialism in inclusive practice means they are geared towards members of every physicality (disabled and non-disabled), abilities and fitness levels. All movement can be done within an individual’s range of motion and at their own pace, while seated or standing. Alongside the physical benefits, Silver Shakers has provided a healthy and rewarding mental workout for the participants. Continuing to learn, prioritising different types of brain use and engaging in creative activities all promote healthy brain function for people over 50. Silver Shakers provides a creative outlet, in which participants have space to engage in abstract thought and respond in individual ways. Creative endeavours such as this engage cognitive stimulation, and have proven benefits towards mental agility, sharpness and focus. Another major positive aspect to come out of the dance classes is the social interaction and sense of being part of a community. For example, over the past year, two members of the group have experienced bereavement of their lifelong spouses. I was moved to see the extent to which the group supported both these individuals emotionally as they processed this profound loss. Certain members emerged as uniquely placed to offer support, as they had experienced similar bereavements themselves in previous years, and therefore had informed approaches in supporting those experiencing bereavement. Silver Shakers also has six members who have serious long-term illnesses, for whom the group serves as a contact point and social support hub. They regularly receive peer support throughout their health journeys,
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with Silver Shakers remaining inclusive and accessible to them at all times. The Silver Shakers dance classes have also had a tangible positive effect on the wider community. We had the privilege of being the first group to use the Bullingdon Community Association since it reopened in January 2023. Since then, our members have gone on to frequent other clubs that use the space and some have gone on to spread the word about what these groups are doing. Representatives from other organisations such as Age UK and Modern Art Oxford have also come in to speak with our members, demonstrating the potential the shared space has for cross pollination of projects and ideas.” A regular participant of the Silver Shakers group says: “I have been a member of Silver Shakers since early 2023, enjoying the regular meetings and trips, and making friends within this friendly, sociable group. I originally came to the class to stay as active as I could and to try out a local dance group. The class helped me to stay active, but after a year I became seriously ill and that’s when some of its additional benefits became even more apparent. The gentle warm up exercise that Jane had taught me became invaluable, helping me to start moving each day and giving me the motivation to keep active. And as I struggled with muscle weakness, I was able to use the exercises Jane taught me to regain my strength and rebuild muscle tone. Although my initial aim had been to keep active, I hadn’t realised how important and beneficial that would become. I was able to use the gentle warm-up exercises to help get me moving at
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home and to regain my strength. I was able to rebuild muscle tone through simple and familiar movement and use the resistance bands we’d been gifted to gradually regain normal mobility. It’s an area of my life where I could regain control and was instrumental in rebuilding my confidence too. I’ve really enjoyed learning how an older, less active person can participate in creative movement, both in the class and through visits to other performances which have been arranged for us. I wish we could share that message with more people. I’ve also found the social support the group has given me very important, especially during my prolonged illness. During my long illness the group has continued to give wonderful support. When I feel well enough, I call into the sessions and enjoy the chat, warmth and kindness of the group, and I love being part of it despite my absences. It’s become a very important part of my support network and gives me the motivation to get well enough to re-join the group as a regular attendee. “ Participants from across all the Dance for Life groups highlight the positive impact on their mental health, with 52% of respondents to the annual evaluation questionnaire saying that the classes improved their mood, stating that they felt ‘happier’, ‘exhilarated’, ‘energized’ and ‘better’ after coming to class: “It’s fun here - with all the girls. Gets us out to meet more people. Thank you all ”, “Enjoy every session – laughter good for us”’ “I have enjoyed the camaraderie of the class” “Friendship and chat important afterwards”, and
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“It has been a great way to make friends”. When asked the question, ‘What has changed for you since taking part in the project?’, as well as improvements in physical strength, balance, and mobility, there was a noticeable number of responses about improved mood and increased happiness, with participants stating that they: “Always feel happier after”, “Always feel good, energized after class”, “Feel better when I come to class”, “Improved mood - gave me a reason to get up and out”, “I feel much happier and exhilarated”, and “Attending these classes always loosens me up and brightens the day”. Many people commented on the ‘balance’ between dance, creativity and exercise, saying that the project is “Chance to do exercise in a fun way”, “Different from just fitness class”, and that they enjoyed “The variation of the music, dances and exercises”. 100% of responding participants said that the project was meeting their needs, whether they were physical or mental health, creative or social needs.
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference
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| Achievements against objectives set | Para1.41 | Measuring the above impact against our |
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| objectives and performance indicators for 2023-4, | ||
| we surpassed our targets in each key area: | ||
| 1) Increase the total number of older adults (aged 65+) engaging in regular dance activity by 5% year on year, with a target of100participants in Year 1, and engage50additional people in dance each year either as audiences or home pack recipients 36% annual increasein participation in our regular Dance for Life program from 2022-23 110participants in the regular Dance for Life program, with an additional 71 participants taking part in other workshops and projects, bringing the total number to 181 participants during the year 150 Dance Home packswere distributed 94%of Dance for Life participants areaged 65+ 208 regular sessionswere held during the year, and we delivered an additional15 sessionsfor projects, workshops and taster sessions across the county 50 participantsfrom all our Dance for Life groups attended a performance to see Swan Lake in Oxford in February 2024. 36 participants aged 65+from Oxford took part in the Situating Ecologies project in Summer 2024, run in partnership with Modern Art Oxford. |
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| 2) Increase the total number of older adults from | ||
| vulnerable and at-risk groups engaging in dance | ||
| activities by 5% year on year, with a target of15 | ||
| adults from these groups in Year 1.Vulnerable or | ||
| at-risk groups include those who: | ||
| i) live with a disability, impairment or long-term | ||
| health condition |
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| ii) are socially isolated or lonely, and/or | ||
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| iii) live in areas of income deprivation | ||
| 57%of regular participants in the Dance for Life program me have a disability, impairment and/or a long-term health condition 21%of regular participants live in areas of income deprivation (e.g. the Wood Farm estate in Oxford and West Bicester) 26% of people who responded to the annual evaluation questionnaire said that their main aim for joining the classes was to meet more people and make new friends.1participant stated that their main reason for taking part was‘loneliness’ 3) Develop of a cross-county network of organisations and individuals who support dance for older adults, with a target of 3 organisations within the network in Year 1, aiming to meet at least twice per year for networking meetings. We ran4 network meetingsfor older adults’ dance across Oxfordshire with 3 partners - Dancing Oxford(Oxford City Council), MuMo Creative, and The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury We worked on afunding application to Arts Council Englandto co-ordinate a cross-county showcase of older adults’ dance as part of the Dancing Oxford Festival (with the theme of Celebrating Age), offer training and mentoring to local artists and volunteers, and expand the network into a county-wide steering group to include participant representatives and other organisations. |
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| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para1.41 | The charity continues to achieve the activities it sets out to do in accordance to the objectives set. |
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| Investment performance against objectives |
Para1.41 | The charity invests in accordance with its mission statement. |
| Other |
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Financial Review
| SORP reference |
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| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para1.21 | As per the filed accounts. Dance Creative has met its financial obligations. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para1.22 | Holding a reserve, ensuring running costs can be met and all other funds are ring fenced and allocated to spend on the charitable activities. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para1.22 | £11,497 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves | Para1.22 | n/a |
| Details of fund materially in deficit | Para1.24 | n/a |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a goingconcern |
Para1.23 | n/a |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference |
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| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para1.47 | Grants and donations |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para1.46 | n/a |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para1.46 | n/a |
| Other |
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Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: | ||
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| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para1.25 | Articles of Association |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g. unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para1.25 | Limited by Guarantee |
| 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 |
Para1.25 | Elected by board vote |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference |
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| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para1.51 | |
| The charity’s organizational structure and any wider network with which the charityworks |
Para1.51 | |
| Relationship with any related parties | Para1.51 | |
| Other |
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Reference and Administrative details
DANCE CREATIVE Charity name Other name the charity uses Registered charity number 119309 Charity’s principal address DANCE CREATIVE 149 RAVENCROFT BICESTER OXON OX266YF
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
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Trusteename | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any) |
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| D L Newton | ||||
| Paula Har | ||||
| Victoria Andrews | ||||
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Reference and Administrative details (cont)
Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name Donna Newton Paula Har Victoria Andrews
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year |
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Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this n/a capacity Name and objects of the charity n/a on whose behalf the assets are held and how these falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe n/a custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
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
Charity Accounts templates – Trustees’ annual report 31 08 2024
1501 Declarations The trus18es declare that they have approved the twslees, report above. Signed on behalf of the charity's Irustees Fullname1sl4xefOXfr 4PKrZ Position (e.g. Secretary, Chair, etc.) Date Charity Accounts templates- Truslee$' annual report 3108 2024
Charity Number 119309
DANICE CREATIVE
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024
| INCOME Fees and Donations Gift Aid Grants EXPENDITURE Artists Fees Filming Training Administration and Management Costs Venue Hire Insurance Music Licence Bank Charges Travel Sundries NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) OF INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
2024 2023 £ £ 11,676 9,662 81 530 54,328 13,357 66,085 23,549 46,411 19,209 - - - - 2,110 3,687 2,512 2,700 524 370 312 277 101 77 256 95 569 551 52,795 26,966 13,290 (3,417) 11,497 (1,793) |
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Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees/Members of Dance Creative
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31st August 2024, which are set out on pages 1 to 2.
Respective responsibilities of the trustees and members
As trustees of Dance Creative you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the trustees and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair view”, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
have not been met; or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Daniel Ottaway FMAAT
13[th] May 2025