Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1st January 2025 To 31 December 2025
Charity name: The Shed at Top Barn
Charity registration number: 1201135
Objectives and Activities
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document
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.
To promote social inclusion for the public benefit of people, in particular but not exclusively older people, living in Worcester and the surrounding area, by preventing them from becoming socially excluded, relieving the needs of those people who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society through the provision of premises in which they can meet and jointly or individually undertake and share creative, physical or recreational activities of their choice, learn or pass on skills and knowledge, and support each other socially.
Membership decreased slightly at the start of the year due to some members moving out of the area and some due to ill health. During the course of the year 5 new members joined including our first lady member, increasing the membership to 18 by the end of 2025. The membership was finally beginning to grow Trustees were invited to give a talk about the activities of the mens shed to the local Rotary club. During our AGM in March, 2 trustees retired and stood for reelection, no nominations were received for new trustees.
The main project during 2025 building an outside covered decking area to provide better access to the social meeting room for members with mobility issues and wheelchair use. This was partially fund by way of a grant of £1000 from Worcester County Council Wellbeing project. There were many other personal projects produced by members, bird boxes, bird tables and repairs to furniture etc. Additional dust extraction was added to the workshop.
In November 2025, a devastating fire completely destroyed the workshop, tools and equipment. Insurance covered our loss of contents and our landlords insurance covered the building loss. December saw our first Christmas lunch meeting held in a local pub and was attended by the whole membership. During this month one of our trustees resigned and left the membership
2026 will be a year of starting again and hopefully building a new workshop.
Statement confirming whether the Yes it has been noted trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit
Achievements and Performance
The Shed has provided the opportunity for social interaction for Summary of the main achievements men who have come from within 10 miles of Top Barn, Worcester. of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has The members have made improvements to the premises, such as made to the circumstances of its installing a dust extraction system and improving accessibility for beneficiaries and any wider benefits disabled people. to society as a whole. The sheds trustees have engaged with the local council Rural Communities Officer to raise awareness of the Shed’ presence and activities in the area. A presentation was given to the local Rotary Club to promote the Men’s Shed movement raising the importance for men’s mental health
Financial Review
| Financial Review | |
|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial | The year ended with a large increase in our finances due to |
| position at the end of the period | receiving payment from our insurers for losses from the fire. |
| Statement explaining the policy for | There is no policy concerning reserves. |
| holding reserves stating why they | |
| are held | |
| Amount of reserves held | None |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves | There is money in the account to cover foreseeable needs |
| Details of fund materially in deficit | N/a |
| Explanation of any uncertainties | N/a |
| about the charity continuing as a | |
| going concern |
Additional information (optional)
The Charity’s principal sources of funds Income source is mainly contributions from members via annual (Including any fundraising) subscriptions. Income is also via product sales and a number of small donations.
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: | |
|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
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 |
Election by members at AGM, or by cooption.Term of office defined in Constitution. |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | The Shed at Top Barn |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | N/a |
| Registered charity number | 1201135 |
| Charity’s principal address | Good Soil Trust, Top Barn Farm, Worcester Road Holt Heath Worcestershire WR6 6NH |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 2 3 4 5 |
Eric Whittaker | Secretary, Treasurer | ||
| Barry Johnson | ||||
| Roger Mason | ||||
| David Spencer | ||||
| John Francis |
Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved - NONE
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity - NONE
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others - NONE
Exemptions from disclosure - NONE
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
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) Eric James Whittaker
Position (eg Secretary & Treasurer Secretary, Chair, etc)
Date 30/05/2026
THE SHED AT TOP BARN 1201135 Recel ts and ments accounts CC16a For the perlod from 111125 12131125 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted fvnds Restricted funds Totsl funds Last year to the nearost£ to th# nearest £ tothe neaMt£ to the n•ar•*t£ Recelpts Membership fees Session Fees 796.66 804.00 135.00 687.50 150.00 7.750.01 10.323.17 796.66 804.00 135.00 687.50 1,150.00 7.750.01 11.323.17 838.. 856:. 674.. 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,000.00 0.00 1,000.00 Donations Sales 612.. Grants Misc. Sub total (Gr08s inGOfng forARJ 2,980., Asset and Investment sales Sale of assets Sale of investments Sub total 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00: o.oo', .'Total rncolpts 10.323.17 1.000.00 11.323.17 2,979.50; ,' Payments '. Rent, Insuran ,' Repairs & Renewals ,' Materials & consumables .'Workshop Maintenance etc. .' Electriaty ,' Refreshments & d84ning .'Admir71Stationery '.SubscriplK)ns 1.395.45 153.11 70.19 1,155.07 0.00 88.91 0.00 30.00 0.00 57.85 0.00 0.00 0.00 697.92 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 697.92 1,395.4S 153.11 70.19 1,852.99 0.00 88.91 0.00 30.00 0.00 57.85 3,648.50 1.395.45:. 41.97.. 535.58.. 3336.. 0.00., 7.74 30.00.; 512.42,: 000 ,' Healih & Safety el¢. Sub tolal 2.950.58 2,605.82.. ',Asset and Investment purchases .' Hand and powerTools1>£251 .'Workshop machines Sub total 5.99 0.00 5.99 0.00 0.00 0.00 5.99 0.00 5.99 4389.; 0.00;, 43.89;, '.Totsl payments 2.956.57 697.92 3.654A9 2.649.71 .. Ngt of r8ceiptsl(paymentsl ',TrAnsfers behveen funds 7,366.60 0.00 2,014.52 9,381.12 302.08 0.00 0.00 7.668.68 329.79 '. Cash funds last year end ', Cash funds thls year end 1,684.73 2,014.52, 302.08 9,683.20
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period .Categoiies Unrestrfctod funds Restrlcted funds Totsl current Peri¢xl Last year Cash funds Current account to neamt£ to noare8t£ to tho nearost£ to the n•arest £ 9,363.60 0.00 17.52 9,381.12 302.08 0.00 9.665.68 0.00 17.52 9.683.20 2,014.52, 0.00;, 0.00:. 2,014.52;, Cash Total cash funds 302.08 Ie b8latKBs %*ith rerepts and Parts arcowll51} ' Other monetary assets Stockslgoods for sale Debtors 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 o.oo'. "Investment assets 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 o.oo', Assets retalnod for the Shad's "own use Bsjildings Large items of machinery Bandsaw .Power tools '.Hand tools 2,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,000.00 0.00: Llabllitles Trade creditors 'Accrued expenses 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00,. '.SFgned by one or two tru$te•s on .'bohalf of all th• trustees Dale of approval Signature Print Name