# **Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statement for the year ending 31st March 2025 Charity number: 1206869** **Legal and Administrative Inform** Charity Number: 1206869 Registered Offices: 5 Brayford Square, London, E1 0SG Trustees: Heather Opie (chair) Chloe Dixon Phil Marley Carly Moosah Helen Addis ## **Trustees Annual Report** The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. ## Trustee Recruitment and Induction The charity is administered by a Board of Trustees who meet quarterly. Trustees are appointed for a term of three years. The trustees have a range of skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of Cancer in Common. There must be at least three charity trustees. If the number falls below this minimum, the remaining trustee or trustees may act only to call a meeting of the charity trustees, or appoint a new charity trustee Cancer in Common benefits from the contribution of volunteers who run events and otherwise provide support and services towards the events. All volunteers must undertake a Disclosure and Baring Service (DBS) Check and must comply with the Safeguarding Policy. We are extremely grateful to the invaluable contribution of these individuals. ## Objectives and Activities The charity’s objects are “for the public benefit to promote the relief of adults over 18 who have, or who have had, cancer within the UK by the provision of social events to reduce isolation and facilitate peer support.” We do this by providing free, fun and accessible events for people with cancer or in remission to meet, socialise and create support networks in an informal setting. ## Public Beneft The Trustees confirm that they have had regard to the Charity Commission Guidance on public benefit in directing the work of the charity. ## **Summary of the main achievements** Cancer in Common hosted twelve events across the reporting year, expanding our coverage across the country to Leeds, Guildford, Folkestone, London, Bath, Worcester and Chichester. As we have expanded this geographic reach, we are delighted to be working alongside a range of fantastic volunteers who have planned and hosted their own events. Over the year, the desire for the kind of events that Cancer in Common hosts, and the current lack of provision has become clear. The feedback that we have received from attendees has been incredibly positive. Through online reviews and testimonials, we have been delighted to hear individuals stories about making connections and how this has positively impacted their lives. Testimonials have included: _I was so scared walking in on my own yesterday, big thanks to Anna for buying me a drink and everyone for being so friendly!_ _Quite extraordinary being in a room full of people who you can talk to so openly about cancer stuff but also just shake it off and have a dance!_ _What an amazing afternoon!! I felt so seen and supported and got to meet so many wonderful women in real life that I'd met on social media as well as many new friends._ _Cancer in Common has quite literally given me my social life back. It's hard enough to plan outings with treatment and symptoms but it's also really difficult doing it with friends who don't really understand. Cancer in Common is a room full of people who GET IT! Wigs off, menopausal crew getting fresh air outside, pure laughter and joy. And what's more, I walked away with friends who I now see regularly!_ _Before attending the Cancer in Common event, I was quite nervous. The nerves melted away the minute / walked through the door and was greeted by Chloe's smiley face and a hug. I got to meet so many amazing people and many who I follow on Instagram so meeting them in person was fab. It was such a heart warming event with so many amazing people all in one room. if there is another event in the future, I will be attending._ ## Inclusion The ethos of Cancer in Common is that it is open to everyone who has cancer or is in remission. Our experiences this year have shown that there are some demographics who are more proactive at seeking out community events. We want to make sure all our events are welcoming and inclusive to everyone. To achieve this, we have partnered with Future Dreams House to host regular events in central London which are quieter and more laidback. Feedback on this has been extremely positive and we have an ongoing relationship with Future Dreams to host up to 3 events annually at their House. As our events have been primarily attended by women this year, we have partnered with Cancer Lads which is a small non-profit organisation aimed at young men to support them with their experiences of cancer. We were delighted to co-host our first mens event in March 2025 and we hope to continue this partnership into the next year. Looking ahead, we are very keen to expand the reach and diversity of attendees to Cancer in Common events by recruiting more volunteers to host events in more towns and cities, and by increasing our marketing capability to target new participants. Our network of volunteers is critical to the success of Cancer in Common this year. We would not be able to operate without the magnificent volunteers who run our events. A particular thanks to: - Heather Sawyer - Michelle Clatworthy Dee Swales Gemma Duff Ashley Smith Juliet Fielder - Georgi Welch Jo Knight Melissa Golding Fiona Carrington Sharon McLoughlin Within our first year of official operation, we have dedicated a significant amount of time to marketing the charity and building its online presence. This has included investing in an official website, creating leaflets and posters, building an online presence on Facebook, TikTok and Linkedin in addition to our primary presence on Instagram. ## Key Risks The trustees conduct an annual review of the risks to the charity, which agrees actions to mitigate any risks identified, or minimise any potential impact if those risks materialise. Key risks include: - insufficient means to meet the costs of the charity, which is mitigated by strong financial management and a robust reserves policy. - A safeguarding incident at one of our events, which is mitigated volunteers must undertake a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Check and must comply with the Safeguarding Policy. ## Reserves Policy Cancer in Common is committed to ensuring its long-term financial sustainability while continuing to achieve its charitable objectives. This Reserves Policy outlines the charity’s approach to managing its reserves to provide a buffer against unexpected financial challenges, ensure the continuity of services, and protect against cash flow fluctuations. The charity aims to maintain a minimum level of unrestricted reserves that is equivalent to12 months of operating costs. This will allow Cancer in Common to cover day-to-day running costs in the event of a temporary shortfall in income or delay in funding. The reserve level will be reviewed annually, taking into account the charity’s financial situation, potential risks, and future plans. Any decision to adjust the reserves level will be made by the Board of Trustees. ## Our Supporters Cancer in Common has benefitted from generous corporate support in this reporting year. We are very grateful to the ongoing support from Insurance With, notably Fiona Macrae, Head of Client Engagement, who has been generous with her financial support and personal commitment to Cancer in Common. Sincere thanks to the following companies who have supported our charitable activities and fundraising this reporting year. With thanks to: Boho Betty, Celtic Contracts, MCS, Construction Logistics Group, Arcade Tiling Ltd, TMJ Interiors, City Concepts, John F. Hunt, Arena Electrical Services Ltd, KVA Drat Textiles, Design Integration Ltd, Diverse Managed Solutions, Phoenix Me, Ragdale Hall Spa and Foresight Capital Management. Paul and Caroline Roe and Tony McGetrick made particularly generous personal contributions, for which we are extremely grateful. Thanks to numerous other donors, particularly those from the cancer community who have supported our events having attended them. Declaration The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees Full name: Heather Opie Position: Chair of Trustees Date: 12[th] September 2025 Financial Report CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Receipts and payments accounts CC16a To 01NrI￿a Section A Receipts and payments Total fvnd• ty) lh• n•w••¢ £ t• tr* n••rn•¢ I fA) Its Mw••¢£ lo th• n••rf••t e t• th• n••M•t £ A1 Recol ts 31,292 Sub total(Gross income fo AR) 31.292 31,292 1.389 As••t and Invmknent e table). Sub total Total rncdp 31.292 A3Pa moni• harftable A(*vth• undraisin marbC• 1.07J Sub tota A880t and Inve8im•nt urcha8•8, (sw tab￿ Sub tota Total paymen Net of rncdpt81(paym•nts AS Trnn•f•r• ￿tw•on fund• A6 Ca•h fund• la•t y•ar •nd Cash fund8 thls y•ar en 17 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unmtrlct•d nd* RMtrIGt•d fur nMr••l t to DMrn•t £ to n••rMt £ B1 Cash funds 17,484 17.4B4 17.484 1•9r•• bd•nc•• r•c•ipts and plyments *CCOUntlill fund• lund• to rmrn•t £ to n••r••l £ lo n••r••t £ B2 Other monotary a880ts Fund to whl¢h Co•t Curr•nt Yalu• lomlon•ll B3 Inv••lm•nt a8s0t8 Fund trj whkh Co•t f+2Ptbor•l) v*ly• loMlon•ll 84 A88ets retalned for the charity'• own use Fund to whl¢h l￿bIlKY rnknt•• Amount d loMlon•ll l¢)pWon•D B5 Llabi1Stle8 aaa Signed by one or tsvo trustees on behalf ol all the trustees Sl3n•bJr• Lkn of •pwov•l IrKlependent Examlner's Report to the Trustees of Canor In Common I report on my examinatlon of the accounts of Cancer In Common (the Charity) for the year ended 31 March 2025. Thls report Is made solely to the Charlty's trustees, as a body, In accordance wlth the Charities Art 2011. My work has been undertaken so that I ml8ht state to the Charity's trustees those matters l am required to state to them In an independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Charity's trustees as a body, for any work, for thi5 report, or ft)r the opinions I have formed. Responslbllltles and basls of report As the Charity's trustees, you are responslble for the preparatlon of the accounts In accordance wlth the requlrements of the Charltles Act 2011 ("the Act"). You consider that an audlt Is not required for the year under section 144 (2) of the Art and that an Independent examination is needed. It Is my responsibllity to: examlne the accounts under sectlon 145 of the Act. follow the procedures lald down In general Dlrectlons 8lven by the Charlty Commisslon under sectlon 145(5)(b) of the Act; and to state whether partlcular matters have come to my attentlon. Basls of the IrKlependent examlnerfs report My examinatlon wa5 carrled out In accordance wlth the general D1￿ctionS given by the Charlty Commlssion. An examination includes a revlew of the accountln8 records kept by the Charlty and a comparison of the accounts presented wlth those records. It also includes conslderatlon of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanatlon5 from you as trustees concernin8 any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be requlred In an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and falr view, and the report is Ilmited to those matter5 set out in the ststement below. Independent examlner's statement In connectlon with my examination no matter has corne to my attentlon: whlch glves me reasonable cause to belleve that In ary materlal respect the requlrements to keep accountlng records in accordance wlth sectlon 130 of the Act; and to prepare accounts which accord wlth the accountlng record5 and comply wlth the accounting requlrements of the Act have not been met, or to whlch, In my oplnlon, attentlon should be drawn in order to enable a proper understandlng of the accounts to be reached. TEJAV Trevor James FCA IKhA FCIE Dormer Cottage Old Broyle Road West Broyle Chichester West Sussex P019 3PR 6 September 2025