Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 6[th] April 2024 Period start date To 31[st] March 2025 Period end date
Charity name: Friends Together Crook
Charity registration number: 1201793
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | Our charity aims to promote social inclusion by preventing social exclusion and assisting individuals to integrate into society. In the past year, we have focused on providing services, activities, and support to empower marginalized groups and community connections. This report highlights our achievements, financial activities, and plans for the future. |
| 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 |
Our charity exists to promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing social exclusion and assisting individuals to integrate into society. This year, we delivered a range of creative and community- focused activities, alongside organized trips, to achieve our mission. Key activities Singing Workshops and Performances by Guest Singers We organized regular singing workshops and invited guest singers to perform for and with our participants. Simple Chair Exercises for Well-being To promote physical activity in an accessible way, we conducted regular chair-based exercise sessions. |
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Art Workshops and Creative Projects
Our art activities gave individuals the
opportunity to express themselves, such as
painting drawing and creative projects.
Dance and Movement Sessions
Dancing to live singers, to engage in light,
fun, and inclusive movement activities.
Trips Out and Cultural Experiences
We organized trips to local attractions,
including museums, theatres and parks.
These outings provided participants with
opportunities to experience new
environments.
Through these programs, we can directly
engaged up to 100 individuals per week,
providing them with opportunities for
creative expression, physical activity, and
social interaction. By combining arts,
entertainment, exercise, and community
engagement, our charity has made
meaningful strides in reducing isolation and
promoting social inclusion for those who are
most at risk
Statement confirming Para 1.18 The trustees confirm that they have had
whether the trustees have regard to the guidance issued by the Charity
had regard to the Commission on public benefit when
guidance issued by the planning the charity’s activities and
Charity Commission on
delivering its objectives. All programs and
public benefit
initiatives undertaken during the year were
designed to further the charity’s aim of
promoting social inclusion, ensuring that the
benefits provided were accessible to the
public and targeted at those at risk of social
exclusion.
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Achievements and Performance
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SORP reference
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| Achievements and Performance | Achievements and Performance | Achievements and Performance |
|---|---|---|
| SORP reference | ||
| 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. |
Para 1.20 | Over the past year, our charity has made significant strides in promoting social inclusion and improving the lives of our beneficiaries through creative, physical, and community-focused activities. Key achievements and their impact include: Improved Well-being and Social Connection Through our singers, workshops, performances, we brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds to share the joy of music. These activities reduced loneliness and fostered meaningful connections among participants, helping them feel part of a supportive community. Enhanced Physical and Mental Health Our chair-based exercise sessions and dance classes provided an accessible way for participants to stay active, particularly for those with limited mobility. Regular participation improved their physical fitness, boosted mental well-being, and created a sense of routine and accomplishment. Increased Confidence and Creative Expression Art workshops offered beneficiaries the opportunity to explore their creativity, express themselves, and develop new skills. Participants reported increased self-esteem and pride in their work, with some projects displayed in local exhibitions, helping to foster a sense of achievement and community recognition. |
Broadened Horizons through Trips Out Organized trips to cultural and recreational destinations allowed participants to engage with new experiences and environments. These outings provided a break from isolation, encouraged social interaction, and inspired personal growth. Wider Benefits to Society Our work has not only transformed the lives of our beneficiaries but has also contributed to the community by fostering inclusion, reducing isolation, and promoting shared cultural experiences. The friendships and support networks formed through our programs have empowered participants to engage more actively in their communities, strengthening the social fabric as a whole. The positive changes in the circumstances of our beneficiaries highlight the value of our mission and the ongoing need for our work.
Financial Review
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Review of the charity’s Para 1.21 At the end of the reporting period, the
financial position at the end charity’s financial position remains stable,
of the period with total income of £33,095 (2024:
£42,747), total expenditure of £37,167
(2024: £30,839) and a deficit of £4,071
(2024: surplus of £11,908). The charity
continues to operate within its budget, and
we have maintained a careful approach to
managing our funds, ensuring that resources
are directed towards achieving our charitable
objectives.
Statement explaining the Para 1.22 Reserves provide financial security, enabling the
policy for holding reserves charity to meet its obligations and maintain
stating why they are held operations without disruption. The charity aims
to hold sufficient reserves to cover [e.g., three to
six months of operational expenses], allowing
for smooth service delivery and stability.
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 £34,408
Reasons for holding zero Para 1.22 N/A
reserves
Details of fund materially in Para 1.24 N/A
deficit
Explanation of any Para 1.23 The trustees have reviewed the charity’s
uncertainties about the financial position and future funding
charity continuing as a going prospects and acknowledge certain
concern uncertainties regarding its ability to continue
as a going concern. These uncertainties
include potential reductions in grant funding
and increased operational costs.
To address these challenges, the trustees are
actively seeking new funding opportunities,
exploring cost-saving measures, and
engaging with stakeholders to ensure the
charity’s long-term sustainability. The
trustees remain committed to taking the
necessary steps to safeguard the charity’s
operations and ensure it can continue to
deliver its vital services.
Trustees Remuneration and During the period, the charity paid Eunice
Expenses. Smith (Trustee) remuneration of £1,000 for
bookkeeping and secretarial services and
expenses of £45 for reimbursement of
telephone costs. These payments were
authorised by the other trustees.
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Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
The charity operates under atrust deed, which outlines its charitable purposes, governance structure, and operational procedures. The trust deed is the formal governing document that guides all activities and decisions made by the trustees. |
|
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | As above |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | The charity is constituted as an unincorporated association. This means that the charity does not have a separate legal identity distinct from its trustees, and the trustees are personally responsible for managingthe charity’s assets and activities. |
| 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 | Trustees are selected based on [e.g., election, appointment, etc.]. According to our governing document, trustees are [e.g., elected by members at the annual general meeting (AGM) |
Reference and Administrative details
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Charity name Friends Together Crook
Other name the charity uses
Registered charity number 1201793
Charity’s principal address 18 Victoria Avenue
Crook
Co Durham
DL15 9DB
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Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
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Dates acted if not for whole Name of person (or body) entitled
Trustee name Office (if any)
year to appoint trustee (if any)
1 Eunice May Smith Chairperson
2 Pauline Dobson
3 Lindsey Ann Stores
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– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
| Description of the assets held in this capacity |
The charity holds the following assets in its capacity as custodian on behalf ofFriends Together Crook The charity holds tangible assets such as equipment for entertainment, and other physical items raffle and bingo prizes and includes funds held in designated bank accounts |
|---|---|
| Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects |
Friends Together Charity work in promoting social inclusion. The custodian charity ensures that the assets are appropriately managed and used for the benefit of the specified charity, in accordance with both its own and the other charity’s objectives. |
| Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets |
The charity has implemented clear arrangements to ensure the safe custody and proper segregation of these assets from its own resources. The assets are held in separate bank accounts, physical storage locations metal secure container, and secure digital platforms that are exclusively designated for the use ofFriends Together Crook Charity .Access to these assets is restricted to authorized personnel, and the assets are regularly reviewed and monitored to ensure they are being used in accordance with the intended charitable purposes. Additionally, the charity’s accounting and financial systems maintain strict segregation of these assets from its own funds. Regular audits are conducted to confirm that the assets are secure and are being used appropriately, as per the guidelines set by both the custodian charity. |
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) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date |
|
|---|---|
| Eunice May Smith | |
Chairperson |
|
| 18/02/2026 | |
| 18/02/2026 |
Friends Together Crook 1201793 CC16a Receipts and payments accounts For the period from 06-Apr-24 To 31-Mar-25
Section A Receipts and payments
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Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total
Last year
funds funds funds funds
to the nearest to the to the nearest
to the nearest £ to the nearest £
£ nearest £ £
A1 Receipts
Grants Funding - 14,180 - 14,180 29,059
Raffles / Games 3,288 - - 3,288 3,658
Summer Fayre - - - - -
Christmas Fayre - - - - -
Christmas Meal Deposit - - - - -
Theatre Deposits - - - - -
Ticket Refunds - - - - 608
Donations 10,249 - - 10,249 3,104
Subscriptions 5,378 - - 5,378 6,308
Bank interest received - - - - 10
Sub total (Gross income for AR) 18,915 14,180 - 33,095 42,747
A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table).
- - - -
- - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total receipts 18,915 14,180 - 33,095 42,747
A3 Payments
Trips / Taxis 3,106 - - 3,106 6,285
Crafts and Miscellaneous 1,053 - - 1,053 1,950
DBS Checks 67 - - 67 89
Raffle Prizes 1,375 - - 1,375 1,729
Christmas Meal Out 2,180 - - 2,180 1,641
Christmas Gifts 1,306 - - 1,306 -
Flowers/ Birthday /Anniversary 615 - - 615 -
Hall Rent 3,335 - - 3,335 2,385
Refreshments 6,942 - - 6,942 7,185
Days Out 3,600 - - 3,600 269
Training 57 - - 57 -
Founder Wages 1,000 - - 1,000 -
Founder Expenses 45 - - 45 -
Accountancy 1,620 - - 1,620 -
Bingo 1,785 - - 1,785 1,796
Entertainment 5,954 - - 5,954 5,930
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Insurance 112 - - 112 106
Uniforms 566 - - 566 550
Donations 33 - - 33 84
Sub total [ 34,751 ] - - 34,751 29,999
A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table)
Plant and Equipment 2,416 - - 2,416 840
Sub total [ 2,416 ] - - 2,416 840
Total payments 37,167 - - 37,167 30,839
Net of receipts/(payments) - 18,251 14,180 - - 4,071 11,908
A5 Transfers between funds - - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 38,479 - - 38,479 26,571
Cash funds this year end 20,228 14,180 - 34,408 38,479
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Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | Unrestricted | Unrestricted | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | Restrict | Endowment | |||||||||
| ed | funds | funds | |||||||||
| to | nearest £ | to | nearest | to | nearest £ | ||||||
| £ | |||||||||||
| 19,718 | 14,180 | - | |||||||||
| 510 | - | - | |||||||||
| - | |||||||||||
| 20,228 | 14,180 | - | |||||||||
| OK | OK | OK | |||||||||
| Unrestricted | |||||||||||
| funds | Restrict | Endowment | |||||||||
| ed | funds | funds | |||||||||
| to | nearest £ | to | nearest | to | nearest £ | ||||||
| £ | |||||||||||
| - | - | - | |||||||||
| - | - | - | |||||||||
| - | - | - | |||||||||
| - | - | - | |||||||||
| - | - | - | |||||||||
| - | - | - |
| Unrestricted funds |
Restrict ed funds |
Endowment funds |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Categories B2 Other monetary assets B1 Cash funds B3 Investment assets |
Details Bank Current Account Cash Account Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details |
to nearest £ 19,718 510 20,228 OK Unrestricted funds to nearest £ - - - - - - |
to nearest £ 14,180 - 14,180 OK Restrict ed funds to nearest £ - - - - - - |
to nearest £ - - - |
| - | ||||
| OK | ||||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - - - - |
||||
| Fund to which asset belongs |
Cost (optional) - - - - - |
Current value (optional) - - - - - |
B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use
B5 Liabilities
Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees
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Fund to which Cost Current value
Details asset belongs (optional) (optional)
Plant and Equipment Unrestricted 3,256 -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
Fund to which Amount When due
liability relates due (optional)
Details (optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Date of
Signature Print Name
approval
Mrs E M Smith 18/02/2026
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9
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ Charity Name members of Friends Together Crook On accounts for the year 31[st] March 2025 Charity no 1201793 ended (if any) Set out on pages 1 - 2 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
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Respective The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts.
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responsibilities of The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year
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trustees and examiner under section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the 1993 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 43 of the 1993 Act,
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 43(7)(b) of the 1993 Act, and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
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Basis of independent My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given examiner’s statement by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity 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 the 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.
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Independent In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention
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examiner's statement 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 41 of the 1993 Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 1993 Act
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have not been met ; or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
| Signed: Name: Relevant professional qualification(s) or body |
Date: | 18/02/2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Azets Audit Services | ||
| Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW) |
Address Bede House, 3 Belmont Business Park, Durham, DH1 1TW
6
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Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material problems.
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
7
April 2009
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