Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1[st] April 2024 Period start date To Period end date 31[st] March 2025
Charity name: Respite for Veterans
Charity registration number: 1203236
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | For the public benefit, to relieve the needs of UK service and ex-service personnel with disabilities or who have sustained injuries in service (and by extension their families and carers) in particular by the provision and assisting in the provision of respite facilities and experiences designed to aid and facilitate in their physical and mental recovery |
| 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 |
The main activities remain the provision of respite opportunities for eligible beneficiaries, either through direct fundraising, or facilities provided by third parties. Several respite breaks have been provided; however, they have been donated with no financial cost to the charity. The cost of providing these benefits has been £0. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The trustees of Respite for Veterans CIO present their annual return and accounts for the year ending 31st March 2025 and confirm they comply with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011, the trust deed, and the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers
COMPANY CONFIDENTIAL
Other
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 | Our continued priority has been building a strong foundation for future growth, and delivery of meaningful benefits to our beneficiaries. In this time, we have invested our efforts in the following foundation areas: ▪ Establishing formal governance controls and processes. ▪ Contacting and building relationships with other Veterans charities (Building a trusted network that would benefit beneficiaries). ▪ Researching fundraising methods and challenges, including development of applicable policies etc. ▪Slowly growing the number of registered beneficiaries. ▪Investigating opportunities to veterans and their families at a Cotswold holiday resort. The feedback is that this has improved mental wellbeing and stronger family relationships in a safe and fully supported environment. ▪Using partner feedback to help guide future strategy and direction. This foundation work has, albeit slowly, helped the charity understand the challenges we face in difficult times, particularly regarding fundraising. In our next financial period, we will expect to significantly increase our fundraising activities and start delivering a steady flow of respite opportunities to our beneficiaries and their families. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
COMPANY CONFIDENTIAL
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
COMPANY CONFIDENTIAL
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Given that this is the first year for the charity, and the focus has been on building strong foundations and identifying beneficiaries, there has been minimal fundraising and expenditure. The current financial position is as follows: - ▪ Total Income:- £0 ▪ Total Expenditure: - £269 ▪ Breakdown of income sources: - • Bank Interest: £0.00 • Trustee Donations: £0 • External Donations: £0 ▪ Breakdown of expenditure by activity: - • Bank Charges: £50 ▪ Investments: - £0 ▪ Grants Received: - £0 ▪ Fundraising activities- £0 ▪ Total Value of Assets- £0 ▪ Total Value of Liabilities- £0 |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The amount required to sustain the charity over the next 12 months aligns to our policy requirement to retain reserves that are “Sufficient to sustain minimal operational viability for a period of no less than one whole financial reporting period”, including where “Our forecasts for levels of income for the current and future years, taking into account the reliability of each source of income and the prospects for developing new income sources”. The reserve levels will be assessed frequently throughout the reporting period to ensure they remain adequate. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £250 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | None |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | The charityis aware of global economic influences and the challenges this puts on small charity funding. The risk is that we are unable to grow and meet the needs and expectations of our beneficiaries. However, this is why we have deliberately taken steps to adopt a longer-term approach, ensuring we build strong foundations and understanding what funding options would work best for us. We will mitigate this risk through steady growth and ensuring we do not overcommit both financial and in terms of beneficiary expectations. |
COMPANY CONFIDENTIAL
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including Para 1.47 any fundraising) Investment policy and objectives including any Para 1.46 social investment policy adopted A description of the principal Para 1.46 risks facing the charity Other
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | A Charity Constitution registered with the UK Charities Commission |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Charitable Incorporated Organisation whose only voting members are its charity trustees. |
| 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 in accordance with the Charites constitution and the Charity Commissions ‘Finding new trustees (CC30) guidance. In selecting individuals for appointment as a charity trustee, the charity trustees do so regarding the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO. Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed [for a term of [Three years [by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. |
COMPANY CONFIDENTIAL
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’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Respite for Veterans |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | N/A |
| Registered charitynumber | 1203236 |
| Charity’s principal address | 74 Billacombe Road, Plymouth, Devon, PL9 7EX |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Damian Lyons | Chairman | Damian Lyons, Chairman | ||
| Paul Knight | Trustee | Damian Lyons, Chairman | ||
| David Grieves | Trustee | Damian Lyons, Chairman | ||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name N/A
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | ||
COMPANY CONFIDENTIAL
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets N/A 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)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
N/A
Other optional information
None
COMPANY CONFIDENTIAL
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Damian J Lyons Full name(s) Damian Joseph Lyons Position (eg Secretary, Chairman Chair, etc) Date 24th February 2026
COMPANY CONFIDENTIAL