2025-05-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 18[th] Dec 2023 Period start date To 31[st] May 2025 Period end date

Charity name: The Aveley Men`s Shed

Charity registration number: 1209630

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The objects of the Aveley Men`s Shed CIO is to promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing people, in particular older men, within Aveley and the surrounding area (within Thurrock District), from becoming socially excluded, relieving the needs of those people who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society through the provision of facilities in which they can meet jointly or individually to undertake creative, physical or recreational activities, learn or pass on skills and knowledge and support each other socially. For the purpose of this clause 'socially excluded' means being excluded from society, or parts of society, as a result of one of more of the following factors: unemployment; financial hardship; youth or old age; ill health (physical or mental).
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 Aveley Men`s Shed operates primarily as a wood-working space where members participate in various activities including: making items out of wood and similar materials, restoration of old furniture, undertaking repairs as part of commissions that come in from outside the shed from the local community and other similarly related activities. These activities are undertaken by members individually and as part of collaborations/team-work which encourages strong co-creation and social interaction, as well as enabling members to utilise their individual skill sets. Overall, this creates a positive environment

		that fosters a sense of belonging and purpose within the membership base, which inn tur has profoundly positive effects on member`s physical and mental health.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	As a registered CIO, The Trustees of the Aveley Mens Shed have setup and continue<br>to manage the running of the charity in line<br>with its established charitable purpose<br>(Object statement) set out in its governing<br>document, as well as in line with all guidance<br>provided by the Charity Commission. Any<br>and all decisions made by the trustees are<br>done so with the aim to further charitys purpose and with its members best interests considered at all times.

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 by volunteers	Para 1.38	In terms of the context of The Aveley Mens<br>Shed, the volunteers are effectively all of the<br>members of the shed – both trustees (who<br>are not paid employees, and the members<br>who attend the shed.<br>The Aveley Mens Shed exists and runs by the individual contributions of its members in a collaborative manner. These members possess various skills that they gained from their careers, employment and life experience previous to becoming members of the shed. Below are some examples of this (names have been replaced with first letter of name to protect the identities of individuals in line with good GDPR governance); D:A 90 year old man who spent his working life as a signwriter and has now taken on the task of overseeing the stock type and storage all our paint and finishing products and the finishing of painted projects. B:Who prior to retirement was an IT Technician has now taken on the role of in- house IT management and problem solver.

G: Who was a safety Officer in the Merchant Navy has now taken on the task of our Fire and safety officer and tasked himself with completing and staying on top of all our risk assessment paperwork. M: who was an Office worker has taken on the task of funding locator and the management of keeping records for any and all funding applications etc. 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	To date The Aveley Mens Shed has<br>completed a number of commissions and a<br>lot of small in-house projects<br>These activities have been open for shed<br>members to actively participate in<br>individually and/or as part of collaborations<br>and team-work which encourages strong co-<br>creation and social interaction, as well as<br>enabling members to utilise their individual<br>skill sets.<br>Overall, this creates a positive environment<br>within the shed that fosters a sense of<br>belonging and purpose within the<br>membership base, which in turn has<br>profoundly positive effects on members physical and mental health. Furthermore, these commissions that are taken on from the community outside the shed are examples how the existence of the Aveley Men`s Shed is acting as a strong community asset that benefits the wider community and demonstrates a strong connection between the shed and the local area. Examples of commissions and in-house projects below; -Bird Boxes, Various size and shape Planters. -Restoration of a memorial Board. -Bell Ringers storage Box. -Restoration of an antique chest of Draws.

-Refurbishment of a flat Trolley and Sack Barrow from old Railway Station. -Built a Large Steam Locomotive & Carriage Planter on Tracks. -Building and bringing together a Pantry Project for the local council constructing Counter Worktops, Menu Board, Serving counter Facia, Table Storage Art Boards and cladding and Nook Chair for the Reading / Sensory Room. Large illuminated Basket storage Rack. -Artists Easel & Picture Board for Wedding engagement Guests, The Aveley Men`s Shed is always looking at various ideas for different projects for the members to build and to learn skills from and to utilise their problem-solving skills.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41	N/A - The Aveley Mens Shed has not set<br>any objectives around achievements, but as<br>per the information provided within this<br>annual report there have been many<br>successes around the provision of a positive<br>social space for its members, positive<br>contributions from its members and positive<br>interactions with the wider local community<br>through the commission work and repairs<br>that The Aveley Mens Shed charity has undertaken and completed (please refer to all other sections for more information).
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41	N/A - The Aveley Men`s Shed has not set any objectives around fundraising as this is not part of its charitable purpose.
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41	N/A - The Aveley Men`s Shed does not undertake any investment actions as this is not part of its charitable purpose.
Other

Financial Review

Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	Since the setup of The Aveley Mens Shed,<br>the charity remains in a fairly strong position<br>from the initial local council start up fund and<br>our main donator - LG Parkways - who<br>helped The Aveley Mens Shed secure our workshop machinery with a one-off grant fund, which is used by the members in each and every session that runs. With the membership fees and shed session fees collected from members, the shed remains able to cover its running costs comfortably and the trustees have no major concerns around finances at this time. Furthermore, looking for funding opportunities is always underway and The Aveley Mens Shed is currently applying to<br>the Lower Thames Community Fund.<br>Running costs are further supported by The<br>Aveley Mens Shed sourcing a donation of materials and items from a local timber company and also from Tamdown Construction who donated a lot of out timber stock. - This helps reduce and at times eliminate the need for purchasing wood materials needed for projects and commissions etc.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	The Aveley Men`s Shed trustees adopt a policy of holding and ringfencing £1000 for Insurances, First Aid training and Equipment and use as an emergency situation fund to cover us for eventualities beyond our control.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	A minimum of £1000 is held and ringfenced as reserves to ensure the ongoing continuation of the Aveley Men`s Shed.
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	Currently the Aveley Men`s Shed trustees have no major concerns around its ability to continue operating under the current financial circumstances.

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 Aveley Mens Shed primarily receives<br>funds from annual membership fees,<br>sessional attendance fees, donations and<br>funding applied for.<br>The Aveley Mens Shed does have future plans for a craft and tool fair event to raise some funds which would bolster the running

		of the shed and enable other purchases such as new equipment as the running costs are primarily covered by the Membership and session fees of our members so additional funds would be helpful.
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	Currently the Aveley Men`s Shed trustees consider there to be no major risks that pose a threat to its ability to continue operating under the current financial circumstances.
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Association CIO Model
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	The Aveley Men`s Shed is a fully registered CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
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 for the Aveley Mens Shed are<br>selected in line with the stipulations laid out<br>in the Aveley mens Shed governing constitution document, and as a CIO that uses the association model this means that the charity has members who are separate from the trustees. Those members have the power to appoint (and remove) trustees. And new trustees are appointed at AGM meetings.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements	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	Any and all new trustees are provided with a copy of the Aveley men`s Shed constitution document for them to familiarise themself with, they are also provided with access to the central file location for all of the charities critical documents such as policies and procedures, health & safety risk assessments and are encouraged to visit the Cahrity Commission website to read the charity trustee guidance contained there. Furthermore, the other existing trustees will guide any new trustees in the ways that things should be done and are on hand to provide any support and advice needed.
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51	The Aveley mens Shed is part of the Essex<br>Shed Network (ESN) from which it is able to<br>receive support in the form of advice around<br>all matters relating to governance and allows<br>the Aveley Mens Shed to be part of and join any networking events and training opportunities that the ESN offers (First Aud Training, PAT test training and regular Essex shed social events). This enables the Aveley Mens Shed to<br>remain connected with the wider network of<br>Mens sheds in the Essex County and share ideas / get information and advice from other sheds and shedders.
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51	See above.

Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	The Aveley Men`s Shed
Other name the charity uses	N/A
Registered charitynumber	1209630
Charity’s principal address	Stifford Pumping Station, Davey Down Riverside Park, Back Lane, North Stifford, Gray,s RM16 5UL

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any)
	Alan Marks	Chair
	Peter O`Rourke	Trustee
	Sue Hewer	Trustee
	Christopher John Brown	Trustee
	Christopher Reid	Trustee

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

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 Name Address 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

Declarations

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

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date
	Alan Marks
	Chair
	23rdMarch 2026 (23.03.26)
	23rdMarch 2026 (23.03.26)

Monthly Summary

2024	Paid In Total	Paid Out Total	Monetary Donations Received inc materials	Membership Fees Weekly Seession Fees Materials Purchases	Membership Fees Weekly Seession Fees Materials Purchases	Membership Fees Weekly Seession Fees Materials Purchases	Tooling Purchases	All other Purchases End of Month Balance	All other Purchases End of Month Balance
January	£1,000.00	£517.13	£1,000.00	£0.00	£0.00	£0.00	£25.14	£491.99	£482.87
February	£50.00	£474.33	£0.00	£50.00	£0.00	£214.10	£200.00	£60.23	£58.54
March	£152.50	£68.02	£0.00	£90.00	£62.50	£19.77	£24.25	£24.00	£143.02
April	£490.20	£43.43	£435.00	£0.00	£40.20	£30.00	£0.00	£13.43	£589.79
May	£1,105.50	£293.35	£1,000.00	£20.00	£85.50	£0.00	£272.59	£20.76	£1,401.94
June	£77.50	£218.09	£0.00	£10.00	£67.50	£92.40	£80.49	£44.12	£1,261.35
July	£59.50	£90.51	£0.00	£0.00	£59.50	£60.02	£0.00	£30.49	£1,230.34
August	£57.50	£104.77	£0.00	£0.00	£57.50	£36.84	£65.95	£1.98	£1,183.07
September	£88.00	£199.56	£40.00	£0.00	£48.00	£0.00	£94.96	£104.60	£1,071.51
October	£119.00	£397.76	£0.00	£20.00	£99.00	£0.00	£365.80	£31.96	£792.75
November	£80.00	£104.78	£0.00	£0.00	£80.00	£132.90	£10.95	£65.71	£767.97
December	£27.50	£3.47	£0.00	£0.00	£27.50	£0.00	£0.00	£3.47	£792.00
2025	Paid In Total	Paid Out Total	Monetary Donations Received inc materials	Membership Fees Weekly Seession Fees Materials Purchases			Tooling Purchases	All other Purchases End of Month Balance
January	£190.00	£45.64	£70.00	£90.00		£0.00	£0.00	£45.64	£936.36
February	£120.89	£802.70	£30.89	£10.00	£80.00	£0.00	£111.03	£691.67	£252.55
March	£33.50	£46.09	£0.00	£0.00	£33.50	£0.00	£0.00	£46.09	£231.07
April	£79.50	£105.02	£0.00	£0.00	£79.50	£42.75	£44.95	£17.32	£205.55
May	£204.00	£86.10	£0.00	£60.00	£144.00	£62.17	£0.00	£23.93	£323.45