## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period** ## **From Period start date To Period end date: 01 October 2024 - 30th September 2025** ## **Charity name: Sensing Friends Charity registration number: 1205207** ## **Objectives and Activities** ||
SORP reference|| |---|---|---| |Summary of the purposes
of the charity as set out in
its governing document|Para 1.17|The promotion of social inclusion for the
public benefit among children and young
people aged between 8 and 25 residing in
London and Sussex who are socially
excluded from society, or parts of society, As
a result of physical sensory loss,
neurological divergence, trauma, PTSD and
anxiety, relieving their needs and assisting
them to integrate into society, in particular
but not exclusively by providing counselling,
Therapy and group activities in a safe
environment designed to support them and
enable them to build confidence, increase
self-esteem and develop social and life skills
which help to increase their capacities and
capabilities and maximise their potential.| |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|●
One to one counselling - 12 to 16
week blocks. Long term counselling
where appropriate.
●
Online groups - ( seasonal)
●
Circle Of Friendship- Monthly
(seasonal)
●
Out and About - Monthly (seasonal)
●
Sanctuary @ the plot - Quarterly
●
Friendly Fridays - Weekly (seasonal)| |Statement confirming
whether the trustees
have had regard to the
guidance issued by the
Charity
Commission on public
benefit|Para 1.18|The trustees were presented with the
guidance on public benefit issues by the
charity commission on 12th February 2026| ## **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: ||SORP reference|| |---|---|---| |Policy on grant making|Para 1.38|N/A| |Policy on social
investment including
program related
investment|Para 1.38|N/A| |Contribution made free by
volunteers|Para 1.38|N/A| |Other||N/A| ## **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|In 2025, Sensing Friends continued to provide
therapeutic, peer-based and nature-based
emotional support to young people (up to age 25)
with sensory needs across the South East. Our
work focused on reducing isolation, strengthening
friendships and improving emotional wellbeing
through counselling, in-person and online peer
support, and community-based activities.
Demand for services remained high throughout
the year. We prioritised young people
experiencing anxiety, trauma, social isolation and
sensory overwhelm, while maintaining a strong
commitment to young-person-led, ethical
practice.
**Main Activities and Achievements**
**Peer Support and Group Work**
We delivered consistent and accessible support
across multiple strands:| |||●
**Circle of Friendship**supported
approximately 12–15 young people
through longer, nature-based therapeutic
sessions.
●
**Friendly Fridays**supported
approximately 20–25 individual young
people through weekly in-person
wellbeing groups.
●
**Online peer support**engaged 15–18
young people, ensuring accessibility
during illness, anxiety or adverse
weather.
●
**Out & About sessions**supported 10–14
young people to build confidence in
community settings.
Young people described Friendly Fridays as a
“bookmark to the week” — a predictable, safe
space to decompress after school or college. The
allotment environment (Plot 97) was frequently
described as calming, inclusive and
community-building.
**Counselling**
In 2025:
●
68 young people were contacted from
the waiting list
●
32 attended initial assessments
●
22 began one-to-one counselling
Sessions were 50 minutes in length, with up to 12
sessions offered, extendable where clinically
appropriate.
We maintained strong ethical practice by
affirming that counselling is most effective when a
young person actively chooses to engage. Where
counselling was not appropriate, alternative
group-based support was offered. Waiting lists
were actively managed through check-ins and
interim support.| |---|---|---| ## **Impact on Beneficiaries** Through our services, young people experienced: - Reduced isolation and increased sense of belonging - Improved emotional regulation and expression - Greater confidence in social and community settings - Access to trusted adults outside of school and family We observed growing peer connections, with older young people offering informal support and guidance to newer members. Several expressed interest in future mentoring roles, informing plans for progression pathways. ## **Wider Public Benefit** Sensing Friends contributes to wider society by: - Providing early intervention and preventative mental health support - Reducing escalation to crisis-level services - ● Supporting community cohesion and inclusion for neurodivergent young people, young refugees and those with sensory needs. - Offering safe, relational spaces that strengthen resilience and independence ## **Governance and Sustainability** In 2025, the charity began an organisational restructure to ensure long-term sustainability, leadership clarity and staff wellbeing, while protecting its low power distance, egalitarian and feminist approach. **Plans for 2026 governance and sustainability involve restructuring of general management and the overall roles such organisational leads and administrative leads providing clearer direction of leadership while maintaining low distance power ethos .** |**Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:|**Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:|**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|/| |Investment
performance against
objectives|Para 1.41|N/A| |Other||On a service delivery level, as well as our
continued delivery of existing services, our aim is
to set up level 2,3 and 4 Mentoring training
qualifications delivered through Sensing Friends,
for our young beneficiaries who wish to continued
their post 16 studies with Sensing Friends.| |**Financial Review**||| |Review of the charity’s
financial position at the
end of the period|Para 1.21|Two Important key areas regarding
Sensing Friends financial review.
**September 24-25 Accounts**… still
being finalised through Quickbooks,
nearly complete.| |||**Feb 2025 -Jan 2026 and TNL end of**
**year funding review.**This is now
complete please see link below with
final figures.
Final Budget Template Sensing
Friends Including Variation Agreed
2025.xlsx| |---|---|---| |Statement explaining
the policy for holding
reserves stating why
they are held|Para 1.22|In order for Sensing Friends to be financially
viable, and to be able to maintain vital
services to its beneficiaries in the long term,
it needs to have a reserve of funds to cover
any shortfall of funds. The reserve funds are
primarily for the following purposes
1. Reserve funds can be used to continue
the essential support already started, that
the beneficiaries need for Sensing Friends
to continue, and can benefit from in the
following year.
2. This reserve funding will only be used
while in the interim of applying for funding to
funders for the service the beneficiaries
need.
3.If and when we are successful in gaining
the funding for a particular service then any
reserve funding that has been used in the
interim will be refunded to the reserves fund.
4. Reserve funds can be used to cover
the cost of any additional vital expenses,
that if not utilised would otherwise put the
work and support sensing friends provide
to its beneficiaries in jeopardy.| |Amount of reserves held|Para 1.22|| |Reasons for holding
zero reserves|Para 1.22|N/A| |Details of fund materially
in deficit|Para 1.24|N/A| Explanation of any Para 1.23 **N/A** uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern ## **Additional information (optional)** |**Additional information (optional)**|**Additional information (optional)**|**Additional information (optional)**| |---|---|---| |You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:||| |The charity’s principal
sources of funds
(including any
fundraising)|Para 1.47|The Big Lottery Reaching Community Fund| |Investment policy and
Objectives
including
any social investment
policy adopted|Para 1.46|N/A| |A description of the
principal risks facing the
charity|Para 1.46|N/A| |Other||/| ## **Structure, Governance and Management** |||| |---|---|---| |Description of charity’s
trusts:||N/A| |Type of governing
document(trust deed,
royal charter)|Para 1.25|Constitution Document| |How is the charity
constituted?
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)|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 members of the charity trustees may at
any time decide to appoint a new charity
trustee, whether in place of a charity trustee
who has retired or been removed in
accordance with clause [15] (Retirement and
removal of charity trustees). The members
must be in agreement with this and the new
trustee or re-appointed trustees, will be
appointed by the members.| |||| ## **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|Sensing Friends operates as a CIO –
Charitable Incorporated Organisation and
received charity status in 2023.| |Relationship with any
related parties|Para 1.51|_-_
_At present Sensing Friends works_
_closely at times with other local key_
_charities and local authorities. One of_
_our main sources of referrals comes_
_from the NHS- Child and Adolescent_
_Mental Health Services (CAMHS). As_
_in previous years, CAMHS continues_
_to refer to us the referrals it receives_
_that it does not have capacity to take_
_up at present._
_-_
_We also continue to work with_
_Hummingbirds, Sight Support_
_Worthing (SSW), Blatchington Court_
_trust and The Green Well Being_
_Alliance, as other local charities that_
_support a similar group of the_
_community._
_-_
_Whilst this year we have found it_
_harder at times to work directly with_
_these organisation on joint ventures,_
_due to our own limits of capacity with_
_our high demand of referrals, we aim_
_to continue our connections with_
_these organisations in 2025 along_
_with trying to forge ties with other_
_local organisation such as Team_
_Dominica and SupaJam who_
_currently provide educational support_
_and employment next steps support_
_for teenagers with sensory needs,_
_which aligns well with our objective to_
_provide life skills support, including_
_possible apprenticeship and career_
_support for our young service users._| |Other||| |||| ## **Reference and Administrative details** |Charity name|Sensing Friends| |---|---| |Other name the charity
uses|N/A| |Registered charity number|**1205207**| |Charity’s principal address|13 Hollingbury Rise,
Brighton
BN1 7HH| ||| ## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** |||||| |---|---|---|---|---| ||**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for**|**Name of person (or body)**| ||||**whole year**|**entitled to appoint trustee (if**| |||||**any)**| ||Tara Dutton|N/A|March 2023 - Present|N/A| ||Peter Bowley|N/A|2017 - Present|N/A| ||Moira Vincent|N/A|September 2019 -|N/A| ||||Present|| ||Sophie Stone|N/A|March 2023 - Present|N/A| – 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** ## **Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others** Description of the **N/A** assets 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 **N/A** for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets ## **Additional information (optional)** ## **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)** **Name Address Type of adviser** ## **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** **N/A** ## **Declarations** **The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.** **Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees - Date 22/07/2026** **Signature(s)** **Full name(s) Tara Dutton - Chair** ## **CHARITY REGISTERED NUMBER:1205207** ## **SENSING FRIENDS** **TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025** ## **CHURCHILL ROSE** **CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS AND TAX ADVISERS 7 BELL YARD LONDON WC2A 2JR** **SENSING FRIENDS** ## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION** |**Registered Charity Number:**
1205207|**Registered Charity Number:**
1205207| |---|---| |**Chairman:**
Tara Marie Dutton|| |**Treasurer:**
Peter Bowley|| |**Trustees:**
Tara Marie Dutton|| ||Sophie Stapleton| ||Moira Vincent| ||Peter Bowley| |**Registered Office:**
13 Hollingbury Rise|| ||Brighton| ||BN1 7HH| |**Accountants:**
Churchill Rose|| ||Chartered Accountants and Tax advisers| ||7 Bell Yard| ||London| ||WC2A 2JR| **SENSING FRIENDS** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025** ## **CONTENTS** |**Page**|**Page**| |---|---| |Trustee’s report|1| |Charity - Examiners report|2| |Balance sheet|4| |Statement of financial activities|5| |Schedule of funds|6| |Notes|7| Page 1 **SENSING FRIENDS** ## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025** The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" issued in 2005 in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity. ## **Structure, Governance and Management** The charity is governed by its Articles of Association of 13 October 2023 ## **Objectives and activities** The principal activity of the charity continues to be that of providing emotional support through therapeutic peer support groups, creative expression groups and one to one counselling support, to any young person aged 8 - 25 experiencing any form of physical or emotional disability or additional needs. The charities aids in the promotion of social inclusion for the public benefit among children and young people aged between 8 and 25 residing in London and Sussex who are socially excluded from society, or parts of society, As a result of physical sensory loss, neurological divergence, trauma, PTSD and anxiety, relieving their needs and assisting them to integrate into society, in particular but not exclusively by providing counselling, Therapy and group activities in a safe environment designed to support them and enable them to build confidence, increase self-esteem and develop social and life skills which help to increase their capacities and capabilities and maximise their potential. ## **Summary of the main achievements of the charity** During 2025, Sensing Friends provided specialist emotional wellbeing, friendship and counselling support to over 80 young people with sensory needs across the South East. Our Circle of Friendship programme supported approximately 12–15 young people through longer, nature-based group sessions, while Friendly Fridays provided weekly peer support sessions from April to December, supporting 20–25 young people, with regular attendance of 4–10 participants each week. Community-based “Out and About” activities engaged 10–14 young people, and online peer support reached 15–18 young people, ensuring continuity of connection during periods of illness, anxiety and transition. Across all programmes, young people reported reduced isolation, increased confidence, improved emotional expression, stronger friendships and a greater sense of belonging. Counselling provision was expanded during the year, with 68 young people contacted from the waiting list, 32 initial assessments completed and 22 young people commencing counselling. The organisation further enhanced its therapeutic offer through the use of Plot 97 allotment as a nature-based wellbeing space, combining counselling, gardening and creative activities. Young people’s feedback directly informed future service development, while strong financial management enabled the charity to deliver services below budget and invest in plans to strengthen sustainability, trauma-informed practice and organisational resilience. Looking ahead, Sensing Friends aims to build on these achievements by strengthening its leadership structure, expanding support for parents and carers, enhancing trauma-informed practice through additional specialist training, and securing funding for a new mentoring programme. This programme will create opportunities for former participants with lived experience to become paid mentors, providing positive role models while supporting pathways into skills development, employment and community participation. Throughout this growth, the charity remains committed to its values-led, relationship-based approach and to ensuring that young people continue to shape the services they receive ## **Financial review** The total restricted income received in the year was £99,992. This was received in two separate grants from the Big Lottery Fund. There was an underspend of the Big Lottery Fund in the year. The surplus funds are to be reallocated in agreement with the Big Lottery Fund. All of the grant was used and will be used as restricted income, in line with the terms of the grant. Page 2 The unrestricted income received in the year was Nil. The Brought forward unrestricted fund was used in its entirety on unrestricted spend in the year. Approved by the trustees on 30 June 2026 signed on its behalf by: ..................................................... Tara Marie Dutton Trustee ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT** ## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF SENSING FRIENDS** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025** I report on the accounts which are set out on pages 3 to 8 ## **Respective responsibilities of the** The trustees who are also directors of the company for the purpose of company law are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to: Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act; follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act); and state whether particular matters have come to my attention. ## **Basis of independent examiner's report** My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given 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 you as 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. ## **Independent examiner's statement** I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or 3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or 4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102). I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Page 2 ........................................ Dated:30 June 2026 Churchill Rose Chartered Accountants and Tax advisers 7 Bell Yard London WC2A 2JR Page 2 ## **SENSING FRIENDS** ## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025** |**Rest'd**
**Total**
**Total**|**Rest'd**
**Total**
**Total**| |---|---| |**Unrest'd**
**Income**
**Funds**
**Funds**|| |**Funds**
**Funds**
**2026**
**2025**|| |**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**|| |**Incoming resources**
Incoming Resources from
generated funds:
Voluntary income
27
99,878
99,905
96,292|| |**––––––**
**––––––**
**––––––**
**––––––**|| |**Total incoming resources**
27
99,878
99,905
96,292|| |**––––––**
**––––––**
**––––––**
**––––––**|| |**Resources expended**
Costs of generating funds
0
19,611
19,611
10,870|| |Charitable activities
2,607
63,745
66,352
41,399|| |Governance costs
126
8,089
8,215
8,904|| |**––––––**
**––––––**
**––––––**
**––––––**|| |**Total resources expended**
2,733
91,445
94,178
61,173|| |**––––––**
**––––––**
**––––––**
**––––––**|| |**Net movement in funds**
(2,706)|8,433
5,727
35,119| |**Total funds brought forward**
£ 2,988
£56,876
£59,864
24,746|| |**––––––**
**––––––**
**––––––**
**––––––**|| |**Total funds carried forward**
£ 282
£65,309
£65,591
£59,865|| |**––––––**
**––––––**
**––––––**
**––––––**|| Details of Incoming resources and resources used are given in the notes to the financial statements. Page 5 ## **SENSING FRIENDS** ## **BALANCE SHEET** ## **AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2025** |**Note**
**2026**
**2025**|**Note**
**2026**
**2025**|**Note**
**2026**
**2025**|**Note**
**2026**
**2025**|**Note**
**2026**
**2025**|**Note**
**2026**
**2025**| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**|||||| |**Tangible fixed assets**|||||| |Tangible assets|4|100
150|||| |**Current assets**|||||| |Bank Accounts|66,187
60,410||||| |**––––––**
**––––––**|||||| |66,187
60,410|||||| |**Creditors**|||||| |Amounts falling due within|||||| |one year|5|696
695|||| |**––––––**
**––––––**|||||| |**Net current assets**
65,491
59,715|||||| |**––––––**
**––––––**|||||| |**Total assets less current liabilities**
65,591
59,865|||||| |**––––––**
**––––––**|||||| |**Net assets**
£65,591
£59,865|||||| |**––––––**
**––––––**|||||| |**Capital funds**|||||| |Restricted funds|65,309
56,876||||| |Unrestricted funds|282
2,989||||| |**––––––**
**––––––**|||||| |**Total funds**
£65,591
£59,865|||||| |**––––––**
**––––––**|||||| Approved by the trustees on 30 June 2026 and signed on its behalf. ................................................... Tara Marie Dutton The annexed notes form part of these financial statements. Page 5 **SENSING FRIENDS** ## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES** ## **DETAILED ANALYSIS OF MOVEMENTS IN FUNDS** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025** |**2026**
**2025**|**2026**
**2025**|**2026**
**2025**|**2026**
**2025**|**2026**
**2025**| |---|---|---|---|---| |**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**||||| |**General Fund**||||| |Balance B/fwd|2,988
5,058|||| |Deficit for the year
(2,706)||(2,069)||| |**––––––**
**––––––**||||| |282
2,989||||| |**Restricted Income Fund**||||| |Opening Balance|56,876
19,688|||| |Income from donations and legacies|99,878
94,267|||| |Office/General Administrative Expenses|(8,272)|(2,545)||| |Administrative freelance cost|(11,339)|(8,325)||| |Room and travel costs|(4,626)|(4,778)||| |Charitable freelance costs|(59,119)|(35,383)||| |Other charitable costs|(8,089)|(6,048)||| |**––––––**
**––––––**||||| |65,309
56,876||||| |**––––––**
**––––––**||||| |**Total funds at 30 September 2025**
£65,591
£59,865||||| |**––––––**
**––––––**||||| Page 6 **SENSING FRIENDS** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025** ## 1. **Accounting policies** The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS102), the charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice. The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical convention (modified to include certain items at fair value). The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest pound. The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years unless otherwise stated. ## **Incoming resources** All incoming resources are included in the SOFA when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. ## **Funds structure** Where there is a restriction on the purpose to which a fund may be put, the fund is classified a restricted fund. Restricted funds are those where the donor has provided for the donation to be spent in furtherance of a specified charitable purpose. ## **Resources expended** All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with use of the resources. ## **Charitable activities** Costs of charitable activities comprise all costs incurred in the pursuit of the charitable objects of the charity. ## **Tangible fixed assets and depreciation** Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows: Plant and Machinery - 25% per annum of cost ## 2. **Turnover** All incoming resources are included in the SOFA when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. Page 7 **SENSING FRIENDS** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** (Continued) ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025** ## 3. **Operating loss** **----- Start of picture text -----**
|||||| |---|---|---|---|---| |2025|2024| |£|£| |This is stated after charging:| |Accountancy|696|696| |Depreciation of owned assets|50|50| |––––––|––––––| |4.|Incoming resources| |Rest'd| |Unrest'd|Income|Total|Total| |Funds|Funds|Funds|Funds| |2025|2025|2025|2024| |£|£|£|£| |Voluntary Income| |Donations|27|0|27|2,025| |Income from donations and legacies|0|99,878|99,878|94,267| |––––––|––––––|––––––|––––––| |27|99,878|99,905|96,292| |––––––|––––––|––––––|––––––| **----- End of picture text -----**
## 4. **Tangible fixed assets** **----- Start of picture text -----**
||| |---|---| |Plant| |and| |Machinery| |£| |Cost:| |At 1 October 2024|200| |–––| |At 30 September 2025|200| |–––| |Depreciation:| |At 1 October 2024|50| |Charge for the year|50| |–––| |At 30 September 2025|100| |–––| |Net book value:| |At 30 September 2025|£100| |–––| |At 30 September 2024|£150| |–––| **----- End of picture text -----**
**SENSING FRIENDS** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** (Continued) ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025** ## 5. **Creditors** |Amounts falling due within one year:-||| |---|---|---| ||**2025**
**2024**|| ||**£**
**£**|| |Accruals And Deferred Income
696
695||| ||**–––––**
**–––––**|| ||£ 696
£ 695|| ||**–––––**
**–––––**|| ## **CHARITY REGISTERED NUMBER:1205207** ## **SENSING FRIENDS** **TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025** ## **CHURCHILL ROSE** **CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS AND TAX ADVISERS 7 BELL YARD LONDON WC2A 2JR** **SENSING FRIENDS** ## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION** |**Registered Charity Number:**
1205207|**Registered Charity Number:**
1205207| |---|---| |**Chairman:**
Tara Marie Dutton|| |**Treasurer:**
Peter Bowley|| |**Trustees:**
Tara Marie Dutton|| ||Sophie Stapleton| ||Moira Vincent| ||Peter Bowley| |**Registered Office:**
13 Hollingbury Rise|| ||Brighton| ||BN1 7HH| |**Accountants:**
Churchill Rose|| ||Chartered Accountants and Tax advisers| ||7 Bell Yard| ||London| ||WC2A 2JR| **SENSING FRIENDS** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025** ## **CONTENTS** |**Page**|**Page**| |---|---| |Trustee’s report|1| |Charity - Examiners report|2| |Balance sheet|4| |Statement of financial activities|5| |Schedule of funds|6| |Notes|7| Page 1 **SENSING FRIENDS** ## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025** The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" issued in 2005 in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity. ## **Structure, Governance and Management** The charity is governed by its Articles of Association of 13 October 2023 ## **Objectives and activities** The principal activity of the charity continues to be that of providing emotional support through therapeutic peer support groups, creative expression groups and one to one counselling support, to any young person aged 8 - 25 experiencing any form of physical or emotional disability or additional needs. The charities aids in the promotion of social inclusion for the public benefit among children and young people aged between 8 and 25 residing in London and Sussex who are socially excluded from society, or parts of society, As a result of physical sensory loss, neurological divergence, trauma, PTSD and anxiety, relieving their needs and assisting them to integrate into society, in particular but not exclusively by providing counselling, Therapy and group activities in a safe environment designed to support them and enable them to build confidence, increase self-esteem and develop social and life skills which help to increase their capacities and capabilities and maximise their potential. ## **Summary of the main achievements of the charity** During 2025, Sensing Friends provided specialist emotional wellbeing, friendship and counselling support to over 80 young people with sensory needs across the South East. Our Circle of Friendship programme supported approximately 12–15 young people through longer, nature-based group sessions, while Friendly Fridays provided weekly peer support sessions from April to December, supporting 20–25 young people, with regular attendance of 4–10 participants each week. Community-based “Out and About” activities engaged 10–14 young people, and online peer support reached 15–18 young people, ensuring continuity of connection during periods of illness, anxiety and transition. Across all programmes, young people reported reduced isolation, increased confidence, improved emotional expression, stronger friendships and a greater sense of belonging. Counselling provision was expanded during the year, with 68 young people contacted from the waiting list, 32 initial assessments completed and 22 young people commencing counselling. The organisation further enhanced its therapeutic offer through the use of Plot 97 allotment as a nature-based wellbeing space, combining counselling, gardening and creative activities. Young people’s feedback directly informed future service development, while strong financial management enabled the charity to deliver services below budget and invest in plans to strengthen sustainability, trauma-informed practice and organisational resilience. Looking ahead, Sensing Friends aims to build on these achievements by strengthening its leadership structure, expanding support for parents and carers, enhancing trauma-informed practice through additional specialist training, and securing funding for a new mentoring programme. This programme will create opportunities for former participants with lived experience to become paid mentors, providing positive role models while supporting pathways into skills development, employment and community participation. Throughout this growth, the charity remains committed to its values-led, relationship-based approach and to ensuring that young people continue to shape the services they receive ## **Financial review** The total restricted income received in the year was £99,992. This was received in two separate grants from the Big Lottery Fund. There was an underspend of the Big Lottery Fund in the year. The surplus funds are to be reallocated in agreement with the Big Lottery Fund. All of the grant was used and will be used as restricted income, in line with the terms of the grant. Page 2 The unrestricted income received in the year was Nil. The Brought forward unrestricted fund was used in its entirety on unrestricted spend in the year. Approved by the trustees on 30 June 2026 signed on its behalf by: ..................................................... Tara Marie Dutton Trustee ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT** ## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF SENSING FRIENDS** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025** I report on the accounts which are set out on pages 3 to 8 ## **Respective responsibilities of the** The trustees who are also directors of the company for the purpose of company law are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to: Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act; follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act); and state whether particular matters have come to my attention. ## **Basis of independent examiner's report** My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given 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 you as 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. ## **Independent examiner's statement** I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or 3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or 4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102). I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Page 2 ........................................ Dated:30 June 2026 Churchill Rose Chartered Accountants and Tax advisers 7 Bell Yard London WC2A 2JR Page 2 ## **SENSING FRIENDS** ## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025** |**Rest'd**
**Total**
**Total**|**Rest'd**
**Total**
**Total**| |---|---| |**Unrest'd**
**Income**
**Funds**
**Funds**|| |**Funds**
**Funds**
**2026**
**2025**|| |**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**|| |**Incoming resources**
Incoming Resources from
generated funds:
Voluntary income
27
99,878
99,905
96,292|| |**––––––**
**––––––**
**––––––**
**––––––**|| |**Total incoming resources**
27
99,878
99,905
96,292|| |**––––––**
**––––––**
**––––––**
**––––––**|| |**Resources expended**
Costs of generating funds
0
19,611
19,611
10,870|| |Charitable activities
2,607
63,745
66,352
41,399|| |Governance costs
126
8,089
8,215
8,904|| |**––––––**
**––––––**
**––––––**
**––––––**|| |**Total resources expended**
2,733
91,445
94,178
61,173|| |**––––––**
**––––––**
**––––––**
**––––––**|| |**Net movement in funds**
(2,706)|8,433
5,727
35,119| |**Total funds brought forward**
£ 2,988
£56,876
£59,864
24,746|| |**––––––**
**––––––**
**––––––**
**––––––**|| |**Total funds carried forward**
£ 282
£65,309
£65,591
£59,865|| |**––––––**
**––––––**
**––––––**
**––––––**|| Details of Incoming resources and resources used are given in the notes to the financial statements. Page 5 ## **SENSING FRIENDS** ## **BALANCE SHEET** ## **AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2025** |**Note**
**2026**
**2025**|**Note**
**2026**
**2025**|**Note**
**2026**
**2025**|**Note**
**2026**
**2025**|**Note**
**2026**
**2025**|**Note**
**2026**
**2025**| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**|||||| |**Tangible fixed assets**|||||| |Tangible assets|4|100
150|||| |**Current assets**|||||| |Bank Accounts|66,187
60,410||||| |**––––––**
**––––––**|||||| |66,187
60,410|||||| |**Creditors**|||||| |Amounts falling due within|||||| |one year|5|696
695|||| |**––––––**
**––––––**|||||| |**Net current assets**
65,491
59,715|||||| |**––––––**
**––––––**|||||| |**Total assets less current liabilities**
65,591
59,865|||||| |**––––––**
**––––––**|||||| |**Net assets**
£65,591
£59,865|||||| |**––––––**
**––––––**|||||| |**Capital funds**|||||| |Restricted funds|65,309
56,876||||| |Unrestricted funds|282
2,989||||| |**––––––**
**––––––**|||||| |**Total funds**
£65,591
£59,865|||||| |**––––––**
**––––––**|||||| Approved by the trustees on 30 June 2026 and signed on its behalf. ................................................... Tara Marie Dutton The annexed notes form part of these financial statements. Page 5 **SENSING FRIENDS** ## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES** ## **DETAILED ANALYSIS OF MOVEMENTS IN FUNDS** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025** |**2026**
**2025**|**2026**
**2025**|**2026**
**2025**|**2026**
**2025**|**2026**
**2025**| |---|---|---|---|---| |**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**||||| |**General Fund**||||| |Balance B/fwd|2,988
5,058|||| |Deficit for the year
(2,706)||(2,069)||| |**––––––**
**––––––**||||| |282
2,989||||| |**Restricted Income Fund**||||| |Opening Balance|56,876
19,688|||| |Income from donations and legacies|99,878
94,267|||| |Office/General Administrative Expenses|(8,272)|(2,545)||| |Administrative freelance cost|(11,339)|(8,325)||| |Room and travel costs|(4,626)|(4,778)||| |Charitable freelance costs|(59,119)|(35,383)||| |Other charitable costs|(8,089)|(6,048)||| |**––––––**
**––––––**||||| |65,309
56,876||||| |**––––––**
**––––––**||||| |**Total funds at 30 September 2025**
£65,591
£59,865||||| |**––––––**
**––––––**||||| Page 6 **SENSING FRIENDS** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025** ## 1. **Accounting policies** The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS102), the charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice. The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical convention (modified to include certain items at fair value). The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest pound. The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years unless otherwise stated. ## **Incoming resources** All incoming resources are included in the SOFA when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. ## **Funds structure** Where there is a restriction on the purpose to which a fund may be put, the fund is classified a restricted fund. Restricted funds are those where the donor has provided for the donation to be spent in furtherance of a specified charitable purpose. ## **Resources expended** All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with use of the resources. ## **Charitable activities** Costs of charitable activities comprise all costs incurred in the pursuit of the charitable objects of the charity. ## **Tangible fixed assets and depreciation** Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows: Plant and Machinery - 25% per annum of cost ## 2. **Turnover** All incoming resources are included in the SOFA when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. Page 7 **SENSING FRIENDS** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** (Continued) ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025** ## 3. **Operating loss** **----- Start of picture text -----**
|||||| |---|---|---|---|---| |2025|2024| |£|£| |This is stated after charging:| |Accountancy|696|696| |Depreciation of owned assets|50|50| |––––––|––––––| |4.|Incoming resources| |Rest'd| |Unrest'd|Income|Total|Total| |Funds|Funds|Funds|Funds| |2025|2025|2025|2024| |£|£|£|£| |Voluntary Income| |Donations|27|0|27|2,025| |Income from donations and legacies|0|99,878|99,878|94,267| |––––––|––––––|––––––|––––––| |27|99,878|99,905|96,292| |––––––|––––––|––––––|––––––| **----- End of picture text -----**
## 4. **Tangible fixed assets** **----- Start of picture text -----**
||| |---|---| |Plant| |and| |Machinery| |£| |Cost:| |At 1 October 2024|200| |–––| |At 30 September 2025|200| |–––| |Depreciation:| |At 1 October 2024|50| |Charge for the year|50| |–––| |At 30 September 2025|100| |–––| |Net book value:| |At 30 September 2025|£100| |–––| |At 30 September 2024|£150| |–––| **----- End of picture text -----**
**SENSING FRIENDS** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** (Continued) ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025** ## 5. **Creditors** |Amounts falling due within one year:-||| |---|---|---| ||**2025**
**2024**|| ||**£**
**£**|| |Accruals And Deferred Income
696
695||| ||**–––––**
**–––––**|| ||£ 696
£ 695|| ||**–––––**
**–––––**||