## **Trustees’ Annual Report** ## **Happy to Chat** For the period [From: **09/09/2024** To: **31/03/2025** ] ## **1. Reference and Administrative Details** **Charity name:** Happy to Chat ## **Charity number:** 1209938 **Registered address:** 4 The Pines, Sunbury-on-Thames, TW16 6HT ## **Trustees during the reporting period** Suraksha Gupta, Christina Victor, Ming-yao Jen ## **Structure, governance and management** Happy to Chat is governed by a Board of Trustees who are responsible for the strategic direction, governance, and oversight of the charity. Trustees meet periodically and operate in accordance with the charity’s governing document. All trustees act on a voluntary basis and receive no remuneration for their role. ## **2. Objectives and Activities** ## **Charitable purposes** Happy to Chat exists to promote social connection and reduce social isolation, particularly among older adults and other groups at risk of loneliness, by encouraging meaningful conversations in everyday settings. The charity aims to foster inclusive, supportive communities through low-cost, scalable, and evidence-based approaches to social interaction. ## **Public benefit** The trustees confirm that they have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when exercising their powers and duties throughout the reporting period. The charity’s purposes are intended to benefit the public by supporting mental wellbeing, social inclusion, and community cohesion. In particular, Happy to Chat seeks to benefit individuals who may experience reduced social contact due to age, life transitions, or social circumstances. ## **3. Review of Activities and Achievements** ## **Activities during the reporting period** During the reporting period, Happy to Chat did not deliver charitable “chatty” events or fundraising activities. This was primarily due to capacity constraints, as all trustees were balancing significant professional commitments alongside their trustee responsibilities. The trustees carefully considered how best to advance the charity’s purposes during this period and agreed that it was important to focus on foundational and strategic work to ensure that future activities are effective, ethical, and sustainable. ## **Preparatory and developmental work** Although no public-facing events were delivered, trustees remained actively engaged in progressing the charity’s mission through the following activities: - refining the charity’s mission, values, and strategic priorities; - consolidating the research and evidence base underpinning the Happy to Chat approach; - developing partnerships with academic, community, and policy stakeholders; - exploring appropriate delivery models and safeguarding considerations for future activities; and - considering funding, governance, and operational requirements to support future growth. The trustees believe that this period of preparation was necessary to ensure that future activities will deliver meaningful public benefit and align with the charity’s long-term objectives. ## **4. Plans for Future Periods** The trustees recognise the importance of translating the charity’s aims into direct public-facing activity. In the forthcoming reporting period, Happy to Chat intends to prioritise: - the delivery of pilot community-based initiatives designed to encourage meaningful conversations; - partnership working with local organisations, universities, and community groups; - fundraising and funding applications to support charitable delivery; and - continued development of governance, safeguarding, and evaluation processes. The trustees are committed to ensuring that future activities are inclusive, ethical, and responsive to the needs of beneficiaries. ## **5. Financial Review** During the reporting period, the charity did not undertake fundraising activities and did not generate significant income or expenditure. The trustees continue to monitor the charity’s financial position and will ensure that appropriate financial controls are in place as activities commence. The charity aims to operate prudently and to seek funding that aligns with its charitable objectives and values. ## **6. Risk Management** The trustees regularly consider the major risks facing the charity. During the reporting period, key risks identified included limited trustee capacity and the risk of commencing activities without adequate infrastructure or safeguarding arrangements. To mitigate these risks, trustees agreed to prioritise strategic planning, partnership development, and governance preparation before launching public-facing activities. This approach reflects the trustees’ commitment to responsible management and public benefit. ## **7. Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities** The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and Charity Commission guidance. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and for taking reasonable steps to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities. ## **Approved by the Board of Trustees on:** 14/01/2026 ## **Signed on behalf of the trustees by:** Dorothy Yen [Chair of Trustees] ## **Charity Commission – CC16** ## **Receipts and Payments Accounts** **Charity name Happy to Chat** ## **Charity number** 1209938 ## **Reporting period** From: **09/09/2024** To: **31/03/2025** ## **Receipts and Payments Account** ## **Unrestricted Funds** ## **Receipts** **Description Amount (£)** Voluntary donations 140 **Total receipts 140** ## **Payments** **Description Amount (£)** Charitable activities 0 Governance and administration 0 Fundraising costs 0 **Total payments 0** ## **Net receipts/(payments)** ## **Amount (£)** Net movement in funds **140** ## **Statement of Assets and Liabilities** At the end of the reporting period ## **Assets Amount (£)** Cash at bank and in hand 140 **Total assets 140** ## **Liabilities Amount (£)** Creditors and accruals 0 **Total liabilities 0** ## **Net assets / funds** ## **Amount (£)** Unrestricted funds 140 Restricted funds 0 **Total funds 140** ## **Notes to the Accounts** 1. These accounts have been prepared on a **receipts and payments basis** in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and Charity Commission guidance for small charities. 2. The charity received £140 in voluntary donations during the reporting period. 3. No fundraising events were held, and no grant income was received. 4. The charity did not incur any material expenditure during the reporting period. 5. All funds held at the end of the period are unrestricted. 6. The charity did not employ staff, and trustees received no remuneration or - expenses. ## **Declaration** The trustees declare that these accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and applicable Charity Commission guidance. Approved by the trustees on: **Date:** 14/01/2026 Signed on behalf of the trustees: Name: ___________________________ Position: Chair of Trustees / Trustee