Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1[st] April 2024 to 31[st] March 2025
Charity name: Brighter Futures Yorkshire
Charity registration number: 1200756
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The objects for which the organisa2on is established are, within the area of North Yorkshire: 1) To enable and empower everyone experiencing mental health challenges to live with, manage and recover from their condi2on. 2) To relieve the needs of people with mental health condi2ons by working to increase the understanding of mental health and mental health challenges by gathering and sharing informa2on and working to raise awareness, promote understanding and challenge s2gma and discrimina2on. |
| 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. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
We provide a range of peer support services for people who experience mental health issues reducing social isola2on and encouraging individuals to share experiences and approaches to the management of mental illness. We have achieved this by delivering a weekly one-and-a- half-hour peer support group, a weekly two- hour crea2ve arts group. We have also organised day trips for par2cipants across the local region as well as an annual holiday. We have also worked with a range of other local organisa2ons sharing informa2on on our services and developing best prac2ce. These include Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Founda2on Trust, The Na2onal Trust, North Yorkshire Youth, Selby District Associa2on of Voluntary Services, North Yorkshire Council, and local GP surgeries. We receive and make referrals to and from Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Founda2on Trust, our local Crisis Service and GP surgeries. We also signpost to third sector organisa2ons includingRethink, the |
| Samaritans and for young people Papyrus and Shout. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The charity trustees confrm that they have complied with the duty in sec2on 4 of the Chari2es Act 2006 to have due regard to the public beneft guidance published by the Charity Commission. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | The charity has two occasional volunteers who contribute to the delivery of ArtWell sessions. The trustees would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the volunteers. |
| Other |
Achievements and Performance
SORP reference
Summary of the main Para 1.20 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.
Despite limited funds and 2me, we have con2nued to run and facilitate our weekly peer support group. This has provided a suppor2ve space where par2cipants can build friendships and then explore any mental health issues that they may be experiencing. We have developed a posi2ve rela2onship with venue owners who con2nue to support the group and work of the charity. We con2nue to meet in a local café which provides a good balance between feeling included in the local community and maintaining privacy. This has helped our par2cipants to feel included in society and has also helped to challenge some of the s2gma around mental ill health.
ArtWell, our weekly crea2ve group has con2nued to operate and engages par2cipants in a wide range of varied crea2ve ac2vi2es. These ac2vi2es are delivered free to all par2cipants something which we are proud to be able to do despite the rising costs of materials. Delivered on Saturday mornings in the local Ci2zens Advice office, the group provides a more in2mate and confiden2al space for challenging topics to be explored amongst peers in a supported way.
We have enjoyed a variety of day trips for par2cipants across the local region as well as an annual holiday to Shropshire. These have been a fabulous success enabling par2cipants who are oXen reliant on benefits to enjoy a holiday break. The charity has been able to make small financial contribu2ons to subsidise the cost of the holidays making them affordable for all par2cipants. These have and remain a highlight of the year and help to strengthen the peer rela2onships of par2cipants and subsequently the efficacy of our weekly support groups. We have con2nued to develop links with a range of other local organisa2ons sharing informa2on on our services and developing best prac2ce. These include Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Founda2on Trust, Selby District Associa2on of Voluntary Services, North Yorkshire Council, and local GP surgeries. Following the success of Picture Posi2ve in 2024, we are hoping to be able to deliver a further project exploring place and wellbeing during 2025. We have received and make referrals to and from Tees, Esk and
Wear Valleys NHS Founda2on Trust, our local Crisis Service and GP prac2ces.
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Para 1.41 Achievements against objectives set
Para 1.41 Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set
Para 1.41 Investment performance against objectives Other
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | £---- restricted funds £---- unrestricted funds £---- total funds |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The charity aims to hold a reserve of £500 to cover the cost of insurance and email hos2ng. This will allow the charity to con2nue to func2on for approximately 12 months in the event of a loss of any other income. Given this event the charity would be able to sustain its core func2on of providing a weekly peer support group as this is delivered in a way that incurs no addi2onal costs. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £500 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | No defcits |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | The trustees are confdent that the charity is solvent and able to con2nue to deliver its objec2ves |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) Para 1.47 Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted Para 1.46 Para 1.46 A description of the principal risks facing the charity
Other Expenditure Categories
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | CIO – Founda2on Model Cons2tu2on whose only vo2ng members are its charity trustees |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g. unincorporated association,CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Charitable Incorporated Organisa2on (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 |
Para 1.25 | Open adver2sement and interview process for all trustees leading to recommenda2on to the board. In selec2ng individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the efec2ve administra2on of the CIO. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | The charity trustees will make available to each new charity trustee, on or before his or her frst appointment: (a) a copy of the current version of the cons2tu2on; and (b) a copy of the CIO’s latest Trustees’ Annual Report and statement of accounts |
|
|---|---|---|---|
Para 1.51
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works Relationship with any related parties Para 1.51 Other
Reference and Administrative details
| Charityname | Brighter Futures Yorkshire |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charitynumber | 1200756 |
| Charity’s principal address | 16 Lockton Court Church Fenton Tadcaster LS24 9UT |
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 |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Bennej | Chair | |||
| Lisa Healy | ||||
| Colin Wajs | ||||
Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name nil
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
|---|---|---|
| nil | ||
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others Description of the assets No assets held in this capacity Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for N/A safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
----- Start of picture text -----
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address
adviser
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
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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) Robert Bennej Position (eg Secretary, Chair Chair, etc) Date 30[th] December 2025
NB. Please see addi2onal Chair’s Report, included below
Chair’s report
Summary of Ac4vi4es and Achievements
In the 2024 / 25 year the charity has directly delivered
-
A weekly peer support group
-
A weekly crea2ve group ‘ArtWell’
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Day trips to local ajrac2ons including trips to the coast
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An annual holiday
Financial Review
In the 2024 / 25 year income was £1652 (2023 / 24: £6993) and expenditure was £2181 (2023 / 24: £8308) resul2ng in a net loss of £529 (2023 / 24: -£1315) and year end cash funds of £968.
In the 2024 / 2025 year the charity was awarded new grants by North Yorkshire County Council Stronger Communi2es Fund
Grant income was £1000 (2023 / 2024: £5622).
The net loss is therefore ajributable to reduced grant income and the higher costs associated with increasing levels of ac2vity.
Unrestricted year end funds have fallen to £936 (2023 / 24: £1497).
The charity’s ac2vi2es enable and empower everyone experiencing mental health challenges to live with, manage and recover from their condi2on. We work to relieve the needs of people with mental health condi2ons by increase the understanding of mental health and mental health challenges by gathering and sharing informa2on and working to raise awareness, promote understanding and challenge s2gma and discrimina2on. We build confidence, lessen social isola2on and provide skills for people with mental ill-health. In 2024 / 2025 our ac2vi2es have been ajended by 12 individuals.
Governance and Management
The charity is a CIO governed by its governing document. In 2024 / 25 no new trustees have been appointed and none have resigned. Trustees have a broad range of skills, mee2ngs are held monthly with a mee2ng in June designated as the Annual General Mee2ng.
The charity has up to date and regularly reviewed policies on safeguarding, GDPR, volunteering and Equality and Diversity.
In 2024 / 2025 the charity has maintained its website and run social media accounts on facebook, and Instagram.
Thank You
The trustees would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the hard work of the charity’s volunteers. We are grateful to all the funding organisa2ons and individuals who have supported the charity in all its valuable work throughout the year.
Outlook
The charity is well posi2oned to con2nue to deliver its charitable objec2ves over coming years. The weekly support group and ArtWell are expected to maintain their size with poten2al for further growth.
Financially the charity will focus on con2nuing to diversify income streams and increasing income from grants, trusts and income from delivery of bespoke projects. Costs will remain as low as possible.
Charity Name No (if any) Brighter Futures Yorkshire 1 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a
For the period Period start date Period end date To from 01/04/2024 31/03/2025
Section A Receipts and payments
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ - 652 - - - - - 652 - - - 652 |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ - - - 1 000 - - - - 1 000 - - - 1 000 |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Total funds to the nearest £ - 652 - 1 000 - - - - 1 652 - - - 1 652 |
Last year to the nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donations and legacies | - | - | |||
| Donations byindividuals | 652 | 1 371 | |||
| Charitable activities | - | - | |||
| North Yorkshire Council Stronger Communities Grant |
- | ||||
| Performance relatedgrant | - | 3 500 | |||
| Payment for Services | - | 2 122 | |||
| - | - | ||||
| - | - | ||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
652 | 6 993 | |||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
|||||
| - | - | ||||
| - | - | ||||
| Sub total | - | - | |||
| Total receipts | |||||
| 652 | 1 000 | - | 1 652 | 6 993 |
| A3 Payments | - - 504 - - - - - - - - - 213 363 - - 93 - 40 1 213 - - - 1 213 - 561 - 1 497 936 |
- 968 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 968 - - - 968 32 - - 32 |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
- 968 504 - - 213 363 - - 93 - 40 2 181 - - - 2 181 - 529 |
- 968 504 - - 213 363 - - 93 - 40 2 181 - - - 2 181 - 529 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charitable Activities | - | - | ||||
| ArtWell Project | - | 1 135 | ||||
| 2024 Annual Brighter Futures Holiday | 504 | 252 | ||||
| Citizens Advice Peer Support Group | - | 22 | ||||
| Payment to Trustee to deliver Citizens Advice Peer Support Group |
- |
640 | ||||
| Make a Smile Youth GroupProject | - | 245 | ||||
| Payment to Trustee to deliver Make a Smile Youth GroupProject |
- |
90 | ||||
| Picture Positive Project | - | 1 808 | ||||
| Payment to Trustee to deliver Picture Positive Project |
- |
1 260 | ||||
| 2023 Annual Brighter Futures Holiday | - | 1 164 | ||||
| Other | - | - | ||||
| Trustee Expenses | - | 110 | ||||
| Mobilephone,email hosting | 213 | 461 | ||||
| Insurance | 363 | 554 | ||||
| AccountancyFees | - | 207 | ||||
| SundryPost Office Fees | - | 8 | ||||
| Refreshments & Hospitality | 93 | 208 | ||||
| Zoom Computer Software Subscription | - | 144 | ||||
| Computer Software Subscription | 40 | - | ||||
| **Sub total ** | 1 213 | 8 308 | ||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| **Sub total ** | - | - | ||||
| Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
||||||
| 8 308 | ||||||
| - 561 | 32 | - | - 529 | - 1 315 | ||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 1 497 | - | - | 1 497 | - | ||
| 936 | 32 | - | 968 | - 1 315 |
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
1
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets |
Signature R Bennett N/A Details Bank Account Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) N/A Details Details N/A Details N/A |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 936 32 - - - - 936 32 OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - - - - Print Name R Bennett |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| OK | |||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ |
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| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
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| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
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| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| When due (optional) |
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| Date of approval |
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| R Bennett | R Bennett | 18/01/2026 | |
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
2