Talks With MS Trustees, Annual Report For the Year Ended 31 January 2025 1. Reference and Administrative Details Charity Name: Talks With MS Charity Règistration Number: 1201569 Reglstered Address: 23 Joselyn Close, Middl8S8x EN3 6GE Trustees In Offlce During the Year: Terri-Louise Brown (Founder & Trustee) Joseph Brown Yolande Brown Sab'tisha Louise Gordon 2. Structure, Governance and Management Talks With MS is a registered charity governed by a Board of Trustees who hold ultimate responsibility for the strategic directton, financial stewardship, legal compliance, safeguarding, and overall govemance of the organisation. The Trustees meet regularly throughout the year to review performance, approve strategic priorFties, oversee financial management. and ensure the charity operates in line with Charity Commission requirements and relevant legislation. The charity is registered with the Fundraising Regulator, demonstrating its commitment to best practi, transparency, and ethical fundraising in lin8 With the Code of Fundraising Practice. This registration provides reassurance to donors, partners, and the wider public that fundraising activity is carried out responsibly and with accountability. Talks Wth MS is also registsred with tho Sunflower Lanyard scheme, refiecting the charity's commitment to improving visibility, recognition, and support for people with hidden disabilities. This registration supports the charity's wid8r advocacy work around invisible conditions and accessibility. and reinforces its values-18d approach to inclusion. Trustee recruitm8nt is carried out through community nthorks, professional referrals, and open calls, with a focus on lived experien, diversity, and skills-based governance. The
Board seeks a balance of trustees with experience in disability advocacy, safeguarding, finance, risk management, and community engagement. All new trustees re1ve a strudured induction. including an overview of the charity's mission, strategic objectives, safeguarding responsibilities, financial controls, conflicts of interest, risk management, and governance prosses. Trustees are supported with ongoing leaming and sector updates to ensure good governance and compliance. 3. Objectives and Public Benefit Charitable Objectives Talks With MS exists to empower, connect, and support people living with Multiple Sclerosis IMS) and hidden disabilities. The charity aims to redu isolation, improve aCsS to peer support, increase understanding of MS and hidden disabilities, and advocate for accessibility and inclusion across society, workplaces, and public services. The charity's work is rooted in lived experien and community-led design. ensuring that services and programmes reflect the real needs of people navigating diagnosis. fluctuating symptoms, mobility challenges, fatigue, mental health impacts. and the social barriers associated with hidden disabilities. Public Benefit The Trustees confirm that they have had due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. The charity delivers public benefit by creating aCSsible, inclusive spaces for support and connection-, improving wellbeing., reducing loneliness., empowering individuals to self-advocate- and raising awareness of MS and hidden disabilities through education and storytelling. Activities are open to the public and designed to create positive social impact. 4. Achievements and Performance Community Engagement and Peer Support During the 202412025 reporting period, Talks With MS delivered eight community and research events, engaging just under 400 participants across a combination of in-person and virtual formats. These events provided safe, accessible spaces for individuals living with MS to share eXperienS, aCsS emotional support, and build communtty connections. Feedback from participants highlighted improved wellbeing, reduced feelings of isolation, and incr8ased confidence in navigating life with MS.
The charity's peer matchlng support model conts-nued to play a ntral role in ils impact. Individuals were matched with peers based on shared symptoms, similar life stages, and comparable medication or treatment joumeys. This tailored, lived-experience approach enabled more meaningful support relationships, particularly benefiting those newly diagnosed or experiencing progression or change in their condition. Awareness, Education and Advocacy Throughout the year, Talks Wilh MS delivered MS awareness and acSsibl11tY education through talks, panels, and community discussions. The charity supported individuals to navigate disclosure in workplaces, advocate for reasonable adjustments, and challenge stigma surrounding invisible symptoms. These activities contributed to wider understanding of MS and hidden disabilities among community partners, employers, and allies. The Empowennent Awards A major milestone during the year was the curation of The Empowemient Awards, a disability-led awards programme designed to celebrate leadership, representation. and impact across the disability communty. The awards were the first of their kind to include.. An Assistance Dogs category, recognising the essential role of assistan animals in enabling independence. safety, and dignFty An Additional Needs Personality category, celebrating individuals raising visibility and driving change for people with additional needs The Empowerment Awards provided both a platform for recognition and a vehicle for fundraising and awaren8ss aligned with the charity's mission. Wellbeing and Legacy Impact While no ovemight retreat was delivered during the 202412025 reporting period, the Trustees continue to see meaningful long-term impact from the charity's overnight wellbeing retreat delivered in 2023. Feedback from participants indicates lasting benefits in confidence, connection, and emotional wellb8ing. Trust8es remain committed to reintroducing similar restorative experiences in future years, subject to funding. The charity also delivered community-led fundraising activity, including a fundraising football match, which raised awareness and generated unrestricted funds to support core servIs. 5. Financial Review For the year ended 31 January 2025.. Total Income: £10,751.74 Total Expenditure: £10,338.29
The charity recorded a small operating surplus The charity holds no debt and is not in any active repayment plans The charity does not hold any custodian funds The charity did not receive any major funding during this reporting period. Income was generated primarily through community fundraising. events, small grants, and individual donations. Trustees recognise the financia5 vulnerability of this income profile and continue to prioritise income diversrfication, partnership development, and sustainable funding strategies. Reserves remain modest and are reviewed regularly to balance financial sustainability with th8 d81ivery of charitable activities. 6. Principal Risks and Uncertainties The Trustees maintain an active rssk register and review organisational risks on a regular basis. The principal risks identified during the year include.. Funding Risk: Reliance on small-scale fundraisin9 and donations presents sustsinabilty challenges. Trustees are mitigating this risk through funding strategy development. grant applications, and partnership outreach. Operational Capaclty Risk: Growing demand for community support places pressure on limited staff and volunteer capacity. Trustees manage this risk through prioritisation, partnership working, and ongoing review of delivery models. Safgguarding Risk: As a disability-based charity working with vulnerable adults. safeguarding remains a critical responsibility. Robust safeguarding policies, reporting procedures, and trustee oversight are in place. Reputational and Compliance Risk: Public-facing advocacy and fundraising activity require strong governan. Registration with the Fundraising Regulator and adherence to the Code of Fundraising Practi fomi part of the charity's mitigation strategy to protect public trust and reputation. 7. Safeguarding Safeguarding is embedded across all areas of the charity's work. Talks With MS maintains a Safeguarding Policy specifically designed lor work with vulnerable adults, including people with disabilities and hidden conditions. Safeguarding procedures are applied across volunteering, speaker engagemenl, events. partnerships. and online community spaces.
Trustees r8C8ive safeguarding updates and provide active oversight to ensure safe, inclusive practice. 8. Plans for Future Periods In the coming year, Trustees will focus on strengthening the charily's sustainability and deepening impact. Priorities include expanding peer support and community reach,. securing sustainable, multi-year funding-, growing the scale and visibility of The Empowement Awards,. strengthening governan, risk management, and Complian frameworks; and embedding accessibility and inclusion across all activities and partnetships. The charity will also continue to build on its registrations with the Fundraising Regulator and the Sunflower Lanyard scheme to strengthen trust, visibility of hidden disabililies, and ethical fundraising practice. 9. Statement of Trustees, Responsibilities The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Annual Report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and UK accounting standards. They are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records, safeguarding the assets of the charity, and taking reasona& Steps to prevent and detect fraud and irregularities. 10. Approval Approved by the Board of Trustees and signed on its behalf.. Name: Terri-Louise Brown Role: Founder & Trustee Signature: Date: D2
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLANO AND WALES Talks Wlth M.S. 1201569 Recei ts and 3110112024 ments accounts 3110112025 CC16a For the perlod from Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted Endowment fund5 Tolal funds funds Last year tvth• ne•rnJt to th• •rt£ oth•n•arns1£ tolho near••t£ to the nearest £ A1 Receipts Donaiuns. le cTes and Fundraisin Èvents. e Communty EvBntTIGkets Charikble aGbvth5 r&nL% ffies. 4180 1.431 1,539 602 S.180 129 3.240 1,514 2,302 urnble Sub total(Grossincom8 fo AR) 10.752 A2 Asset and Investment sales. Iseetablel. Sub tota Totalrecelpts 19 A3 Payments FuTh1raislng costs ltradiw aCtiVe$l Costs of GharEtaWe aGtivilie5 Voluni*r Expgnses Venue Hire Subscripbons Marketiny-stalk)nAiry, exhiblllons 435 1,672 1.500 3.500 312 781J 4,987 1542 4,150 1,009 5,680 312 2.920 Sub total 10 A4 Asset and investment purcha585. (see lable) Sub total Totalpayments Netof recwpts/(paynFants) A5 Transf8rs belwgonfunds A6 Ca8h fund8 last year end Cash funds this yoar end 41 41 41 41 Ji CCXX R1 accthjnts ISSI
Unrestrlctsd funds to nearqst £ R•strictsd fund5 to nfrareot £ Endowmen¢ funds Categorlos D•talls Total cèsh funds s}} ¢X Unre5trl¢t•d fvnds R•strlcted funds Endowment funds to llqAr•Bt £ to nearest £ to noarest£ Detalls B2 Other monetsry assets Signed ty onoor tsDtru5tee5 on b8haW of ailthe INst888 Date of Signature Print Name approval T•rrioUl$e Brown 1610212026 Joseph Brown 1610212026 CCXX R2 accountslS81 16102r2026