## **Cancer in Common** ## **Charity number: 1206869** ## **Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statement for the year ending 31[st] March 2026** Legal and Administrative Information 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 2026. ## 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 Barring Service (DBS) check and must comply with the Safeguarding Policy. We are extremely grateful to the invaluable contribution from these individuals. ## Objectives and Activities The charities 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 aim to 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 has hosted fourteen events across the reporting year. This includes our first events in Edinburgh, Belfast and Wales, meaning we are now providing services in all regions in the UK. We have also diversified our event offers to include workshops and exclusive cinema events. As we have expanded this geographic reach, we are delighted to be working alongside an ever increasing group 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 love Cancer In Common._ _There isn’t a charity like it._ _It’s a safe space filled with incredible people who’ve been through tough cancer journeys and still show up with wisdom, love, and support._ _I always leave feeling wrapped in warmth and reminded that everything is going to be OK. Then the music starts, we dance, and the room fills with joy. I arrived alone at my first event and left with new friends. At a time when I felt incredibly alone, C.I.C made all the difference._ _Now I arrive ready for friendship, laughter, and dancing._ _Will you join us?_ _Ami_ _When i 1st heard of cancer in common i thought this is amazing!! As it got to the day i was a bit anxious. I wasn’t sure what to expect if i’m honest. When i arrived all i felt was acceptance and love. It was great to be around people that got what it felt like going through this journey. My family and friends had been so supportive but just didn’t get it like people at cancer in common. Although we were all at different parts of our journey it didn’t matter. We talked, laughed, drank, and danced the afternoon away. I felt alive again!!_ ## _Charlie_ _When Chloe first told me about Cancer in Common, I was overjoyed - not just for her, but for the entire cancer community. After the first event, I knew she’d created something truly special: a safe space for people navigating an incredibly difficult time, where for a few hours they could feel normal, socialise and make new friends._ _Being asked to become an ambassador genuinely touched me. It told me the charity trusted me to protect and honour everything they’d already built and to help grow it further. I’m incredibly proud of that role. I love every aspect of it — the human connection, the camaraderie, the community. It’s very special._ ## _Melissa_ _I first heard of CiC through the joint event they held with Cancer Lads, seeking to bring more men into the fold. That first gathering was small, but it gave a few of us enough confidence to come to a full fat CiC event later in the year - we were still totally outnumbered but it was such a welcoming, happy and warm environment. Feels odd that we were all having drinks whilst laughing and joking about cancer but what a way to normalise our experiences and make some wonderful friends along the way. Will definitely be along again, and bringing a few more shy lads along to encourage participation! As so many have said, cancer is the worst way to meet the best people, and CiC proves that!_ _Alex_ _I went to my first cancer in common event on my own_ _I was not feeling great & didn’t know what to expect._ _It was just amazing._ _The best party celebrating people with cancer I danced laughed and made meany new friends._ _I now look forward to the CIC events and bring my sisters along too as one was diagnosed and they join in the fun too._ _Thank you for bringing such a special experience to us dealing with such a horrible diagnosis_ _Gloria_ ## 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. We have diversified the type of events that we run to include life coaching, art workshops and cinema events. Over the next year we will continue to expand and differentiate our offer across the country. 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: - ➢ Angie Andrew - ➢ Dee Swales - ➢ Denika Davey - ➢ Fiona Carrington - ➢ Mary Jones - ➢ Sophie Zenosos - ➢ Mia Davies - ➢ Kate Rasmussen - ➢ Debbi Poacher - ➢ Sarah Wills - ➢ Maria Elliot - ➢ Natasha Loveridge - ➢ Claire Murphy - ➢ Michelle Clatworthy - ➢ Dee Swales - ➢ Gemma Duff - ➢ Georgi Welch - ➢ Jo Knight - ➢ Melissa Golding - ➢ Sharon McLoughlin ## 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 Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) 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. Bex Middleton from Boho Betty who kindly allocated the proceeds of ‘Nicky’s Bracelet’ to Cancer in Common from January 2025. We are also grateful to Suzy Crow from Let Us Pretend who has donated her time and a lot of glitter in supporting our events. Sincere thanks to the following companies who have supported our charitable activities and fundraising this reporting year. With thanks to Antioxi, TMJ Interiors and Insurance With for sponsoring our fundraising event. 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** **Signature(s)** _Heather Opie_ **Full name(s)** Heather Opie **Position** Chair of Trustees **Date** 16/07/2026 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLANO ANO WALES p Loninion R•c4lpts l￿d pyrn•nkn XeQUbtt• CC16• For th• p•rfod To OiA)4rd025 31JD312026 Seclion A Recei 15 and pa tnen15 Un￿sITic￿d Restrlcl•d Endowm￿￿1 Jnds funds funds lo noaro•t to r*wrq•t lo lo th• lo now••t Tolal fvn¢J5 Last ye8r A1 RK•lp 29,332 31.292 b thiel(Gross incom for AR) 2•,J32 2•,332 31392 2 A86et and imiestmènt sale6. 32 A3P chwlla￿e AGtriIi88 FuThYr8 Govemance 11.317 13.601 1.019 9,114 9,905 1.078 13.601 1,01• Sub ioia A86el and imiestmont urch•￿•, oee ¢able Sub toil N•1 of rect￿¥tS1paY￿￿￿tr AS Transfer8 b8t**en fvnd• A6 Cash fvnd• I￿1 ONI Cash fund8 1th"s ￿ en 3.315 17 404 5¢¢iiM B 3tai•m•rtl ol and Il*b¥llDM atth& •nd ol Its Re•1￿1•d End¢Ywm•ni funds to £ lo £ lo £ 81 C••h fwKI• Zfl,799 20,799 (y b8￿NCeS *llh fecws and •nd* dj Deiolli to £ B2 Olh*r *••t• Fund to t*hhch Co•t Currn•l ¥•1 )n Fund to ••l b•kx Co*t D•t*ll• tlonal 84 Ast+l* rè*￿￿*d fot th• ch*liy'• Fund to ¥Jlb4ch rtrl*kn• Whèn du• D•tsi 85 sIgna￿ prtnt Namè ioval H*tsrOp'• Hèath•rOp8 18K17f2016 Trevor James FCA DChA FCIE Dormer Cottag• Old Broyle Road West Broyle Chichester West Sussex P019 3PR 01243 780334 07802 832611 tr•vore ames ahoo.co.uk 28 May 2026 The Trustees CarKer In Common 5 Blayf￿d Squar8 London E1 OSG Dear Truste85 I have ccwnpleted my Ind8pendeTrt Examination of your R8c8iNs and PayTh8nts Accounts for the y8ar 8nded 31 March 2026. I cl￿fiM7 thal I indop8ndènt and hav8 had no conflicts of interest. No maiter has come to my attenti￿ which gives reasonable cause to bélieve that in any materk?I respect Ihe rèquirements to keep accounting ￿ordS in aCc￿danCe with s8Ction 130 01 the Charrti66 Act 2011: and to prepare a receitls and payments accounl which ￿)rd ¥vith Ihe accounts.ng records and corryly with the aCC￿nting fewir8m8nts of the Charities Acl 2011 have not b88n met: or io which in my opinion. all￿n￿n should b6 drawn in order to enable a rrfoper und8rstanding of the accounts to be reached. You have apFKOV8d the ar£ounts and I hav8 Ihefefore sign8d my rwt. I have rK+ speafic CoM￿ntS C￿ r￿0mmandat￿1S relat&J to ts charity's finanu rnanager￿nt. Onc8 a￿n I would like to expr8ss my tr￿(*S lo Heath8r OEMe for h8r help and ccq>èrats'on Ihrwtybout my 8xamination. Finally I should draw to w)ur atten11.￿ that an IrMJep6nd6nl Ekwnlnation doos not provid8 al the eVid8Th(￿ that would be required in an a￿11. Yours sif￿r81Y TEJ8+ Trevor James FCA DChA FCIE