2025-03-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report

From 1[st] April 2024 to 31[st] March 2025

Charity name: The Camden Town Shed CIO Charity registration number: 1201864

1. Objectives and Activities:

	SORP ref
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	From governing document: The objects of the CIO are to promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing people from becoming socially isolated, relieving the needs of those people who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society.
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	From governing document: Camden Town Shed is a volunteer-run workshop space that enables people to come together around practical projects of their own choice, principally in woodwork & ceramics. It is a social facility with a practical bias.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	The Trustees can confirm that we are aware of the guidance and have taken it into account when making decisions to which the guidance is relevant.

1A. Additional information (optional):

	SORP ref
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	We do not make grants.
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	We do not make any social investments of a financial nature. We support other local charities and community groups through offering craft courses and practical help for their projects.
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	We rely entirely on volunteers to govern and direct the charity, maintain our equipment, and supervise our members’ activities to ensure we operate in a safe manner. We are therefore highly dependent upon the goodwill of these unpaid staff which, if salaried, would make the enterprise unaffordable. (Note the exception is one part-time, but grant-funded, position to manage our referral program for those members needing a higher level of supervision).

2. Achievements and Performance:

	SORP ref
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	Although this is only our second report as a CIO, the Camden Town Shed continues to operate much as it has done for over a decade as an unincorporated charity. Our simplest measure of success is our continued operation at close to our maximum safe capacity. Indeed, for several months we had a waiting list to join. We have welcomed 21 new members over the year and average daily attendance has increased slightly to 10.2 people. In order that we don’t turn anyone away, we are trying to increase capacity by limiting members to one day per week and opening Wednesdays whenever a supervisor is available. The number of days open increased slightly from 189 to 200 due to ad-hoc Wednesdays. ********** Our members have produced many great pieces of woodwork and ceramics both for themselves and the local community, but we exist primarily to improve mental health and create a support network for our members. Our end-of-year survey of members, generated much positive feedback such as the following quotations: “It’s beginning to feel like home to me” (51) “Many thanks for the opportunity to freewheel making items out of clay. I’m very grateful for this, thanks.” (78) “I feel good finding fulfillment and camaraderie with like-minded souls” (67) "The shed has provided me with meaningful activity and a supportive community, at a time that I am suffering a great deal of trauma and anxiety. Had it not been for the shed, I honestly don't know where I'd be right now." (Withheld) “A calm place to escape from the numerous pressures of modern life… leading to improved mental health.” (67)

We continue to have a diverse membership which is representative of our local community, The majority of our membership is male but we welcome female members. The imbalance is to be expected given the nature of our primarily woodworking facilities. Without going into personal details, we have members with a wide range of physical and mental health conditions for whom we provide a safe and stimulating diversion. Through having some very skilled members and our great facilities, we are able to challenge and stimulate our members towards increasing their skill levels and sense of achievement. There is much research now that shows the benefits of pursuing rewarding activities to one’s mental health. Some individuals, with no previous experience, have revealed true hidden talents and are now able to teach others. ******** We continue to be contacted by local health agencies for referral of potential new members for our supervised program which operates twice weekly. We are grateful to our volunteers who assist in these sessions and really make a difference to the lives of these attendees, who have suffered some misfortune or disadvantage. Last year, we supported 32 referred individuals and had contact with 20 different health agencies or interested organisations. ********* We are very proud that most of our projects use recycled materials and have partnered with a second manufacturer to take away and use their wood offcuts that would otherwise be wasted. We have sourced logs from local trees that have been cut down, work with a partner that takes down temporary exhibitions and found lots of unwanted furniture – all of which we can upcycle.

As well as members working on their own individual projects, we continue to support our local community by: 1. Helping our neighbours with their DIY tasks 2. Running off-site courses such as birdbox making 3. Being part of the annual London ‘Repair Day’ 4. Working with students on their undergraduate and PhD projects 5. Small projects for the Maiden Lane Community Centre in which we operate 6. Taking part in community fairs We have become a channel for people looking for a home for the tool kits of their deceased relatives. We have processed many such donations over the last year and forwarded them to Work Aid, based in Chesham, who compile sets of tools and send them onto to their training schools in Africa. We have a close working relationship with the UK Men’s Shed Association, who support similar sheds all over the country. Being in Central London, we host many official visitors and are proud to showcase what our shed has achieved to external influencers and potential donors at a national level. We hosted the Diageo CEO, leaders of several funding trusts and been used for filming on projects related to men’s health. We also have frequent international delegations visit (Korea, China & Taiwan most recently) as they are interested in replicating our operation in their home countries. Our founder was awarded a Life Presidency and our shed singled out for its contribution at a ceremony at the Speaker’s House, Palace of Westminster. Therefore, we the Trustees consider the above activities undertaken by the Shed to further our charitable purposes for the public benefit and have complied with the duty in section 4 of the 2006 Act to have due regard to guidance published by the Commission.

2A. Additional information (optional):

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41	In our last Trustees Annual review following our successful conversion from being unincorporated to CIO status, we had the following aims: 1. Invest in better machinery that is safer to operate and easier to maintain – Completed - three major machine tools replaced and many power tools 2. Increase our members’ skill levels and challenge them in new areas Ongoing – bowl turning course completed and sharpening course planned 3. Improve how we communicate with our membership Completed – new emailing application with privacy protection and easy surveys etc. for existing members. New social media site promoting our shed to a wider audience. 4. Build and enhance our safety supervisor's capability and capacity. Ongoing – Appropriate First Aid certification for all Supervisors and upgraded our FA supplies. Aims for the next reporting year include: 1. Refresh our policies and procedures, particularly safeguarding and financial controls. 2. Partnering with other sheds and similar local agencies. 3. Reduce the workload on Trustees by engaging members to take on delegated responsibilities in non-legal areas.
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41	No explicit fundraising objectives have been set. Instead, the Trustees regularly review the financial health of the charity to ensure that our planned expenditure can be met by our fundraising through member donations.
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41	No investment objectives have been set.

3. Financial Review:

Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	The charity is in a healthy financial position at the end of March 2025. We are very grateful to HS2 for a grant for replacing worn-out machinery with much better and safer models. Groundworks/HS2 also funded an extra year of our referral program which will now end in September 2025. Even with a further one-off donation of £4,000, we had a shortfall of nearly £3,000 between membership income and costs in 24/25. Going forward without this financial support, we expect our costs to significantly exceed our membership donations. Income from commissions make a significant contribution but not enough to cover the increased workshop hire charges and general cost growth. Hence, the Trustees expect our bank reserve will be drawn down in the coming years to supplement this shortfall. We will also spend funds on improving the quality of materials & equipment in the workshop to benefit our members. Finally, we will continue to offer highly subsidised/free access to our facilities to those who can least afford it.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	There remains a key risk of losing our existing workshop space for which we have no tenancy rights. We intend to keep a long-term reserve of three years’ running costs in case there is a need to find and transfer to new premises.
Reserves held	Para 1.22	We have historically aimed to hold reserves of three year’s running costs, which based on our latest accounts, totals £72,000. Our current cash position is £84,362 but we have since lost several of our major donors that help build up this sum. We anticipate an annual shortfall of between £2,500 and £12,500 depending on the cuts we make. We can therefore afford this annual shortfall for the next couple of years from reserves, after which we will need to find more donors/grants or reduce our costs if we are to maintain the reserve.
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	N/A
Details of fund materially in deficit.	Para 1.24	N/A

Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern.	Para 1.23	N/A

3A. Additional information (optional):

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	- One-off grants (although none are anticipated going forward). - Member donations, many with Gift Aid. - Funds raised from community projects, craft sales and commissions.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted.	Para 1.46
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	Loss of premises. Loss of skilled volunteers.

4. Structure, Governance and Management:

Description of charity’s trusts:		None
Type of governing document	Para 1.25	CIO Foundation Model Constitution
How is the charity constituted?	Para 1.25	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	The board of trustees to select and appoint trustees to fill vacancies or close gaps in trustee experience which is required to deliver our charitable objects.

4A. Additional information (optional):

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees.	Para 1.51	In accordance with our constitution and collective discussions to determine the most appropriate intervention to remedy any knowledge or competencydeficiencies.

The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works.	Para 1.51	The CIO is governed by the Trustees. There are approximately 115 Associate (non-voting) Members who are also beneficiaries of the CIO.
Relationship with any related parties.	Para 1.51	We are affiliated to UK Men’s Shed Association.

5. Reference and Administrative details:

Charity name	The Camden Town Shed CIO
Other name the charity uses	N/A
Registered charity number	1201864
Charity’s principal address	Maiden Lane Community Centre St Paul's Crescent London NW1 9XZ

6. 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
Carl Hughes	Chair	N/A	N/A
Alan Alison	Treasurer	N/A	N/A
Calvin Mason	Secretary	N/A	N/A
Mark Albery	N/A	N/A	N/A
N/A

7. Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others:

Description of the assets held in this capacity	N/A
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects	N/A
Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets	N/A

8. Exemptions from disclosure:

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details:

N/A

Other optional information

N/A

9. Declaration:

The Trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:

Signature	Carl Hughes
Full Name	Carl Hughes
Position	Chair
Date	12/9/25

	0 00		0 00		0 00		0 00		0 00
	90 189 92		3 861 00		94 050 92		92 190 43		1 860 49
	Signature		Name		Date
	356 68
025/2026
	10 100 00		Shortfall on receipt		paid in next year

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts +•• Section A Independent Examinerfs Report Roport to the trustsesl members of The Camden Town Shed On accounts lor the yèar ended 31 st March 2025 Charity no (if any) 1201864 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above ¢harty (Ihe Trust.) ft)r the year ended R88ponsibillti•s and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of rèport of the accounls in accordance wrth the requirements of the Chanties Act 2011 rthe Acf). I report in respect of my examination of the Tru$t'$ accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my èxamination, I have followed th8 applicable Directions given by the Chanty Commission under seth'on 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attention l in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent oxaminor's statsment I have no concems and have com8 across no other matters in connection wrth the examination to which attention should be dravm in order to enable proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the wonys in the brackets rf they do not apply. Slgned: Dats: Za2< Namo: Sandeep Dhingra Relevant professional qualifjcationls) or body (if anyl: CEO Factentry (UK) Ltd Address: 23 Harcourt Street London W1H4HJ IER October 2018

Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of con￿rn (see CC32, Independent examination of chanty accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examinor wish•s to dl$¢loso. IER October 2018