## **Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts** **The Lampstand Group Charity number:** 1210162 **Reporting period:** September 2024 – September 2025 ## **Trustees’ Annual Report** **Reference and Administrative Details** **Registered charity name:** The Lampstand Group **Charity number:** 1210162 **Trustees:** - Lisa Russell - Jennifer Hebert - Sophie Louise Bumphrey The trustees are responsible for the governance and strategic direction of the charity. ## **Structure, Governance and Management** The Lampstand Group is governed by a board of three trustees who meet regularly to oversee the charity’s activities, financial management, safeguarding arrangements, and strategic development. The charity operates in accordance with its governing document and Charity Commission guidance. Policies including safeguarding, data protection, financial controls, and risk management have been developed and reviewed during the reporting period. **Objects and Public Benefit** The Lampstand Group exists to support people with lived experience of domestic abuse, with a focus on emotional wellbeing, recovery, community connection, and empowerment. The trustees confirm that they have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and believe that the charity’s activities during the period provided clear public benefit. ## **Activities Undertaken During the Period** During the reporting period, The Lampstand Group focused on foundational development and early-stage delivery. The charity does not currently deliver housing or accommodation. Key activities included: - Delivery of art-based therapeutic support for people with lived experience of domestic abuse - Hiring community rooms to deliver support sessions and engagement activity - Development of trauma-informed approaches and safeguarding frameworks - Community engagement and awareness-raising work - Partnership building with local and regional organisations - Investment in staff and volunteer training to ensure safe and effective practice The charity hired rooms on a sessional basis and does not own or lease premises. ## **Achievements and Performance** Key achievements during the period include: - Supporting up to 26 people with lived experience of domestic abuse through early-stage support and engagement activity - Investment in professional development, including accredited IDVA training, SafeLivesinformed service management training, and domestic abuse practitioner training delivered in partnership with the local authority - Investment in emotional wellbeing resources, including a therapy dog, to support engagement and trauma-informed practice - Purchase of exhibition and outreach equipment to support community engagement - Development of leaflets, marketing materials, and a charity website to improve accessibility and awareness - Production of a call-to-action film addressing violence against women and girls, which has received over 1,700 views and continues to grow - Representation at local and national awareness events, including White Ribbon activity and participation in a Violence Against Women and Girls platform ## **Volunteers and Founder Contribution** The charity is currently delivered through trustee leadership and voluntary contribution. During the reporting period, the Founder contributed significant time on a voluntary basis, alongside substantial voluntary contributions from the Chair, other trustees, and a close family member who supports the charity in a voluntary capacity. This collective contribution included governance development, safeguarding oversight, training, partnership engagement, programme development, community engagement, and strategic planning. Additional volunteers supported administration, outreach, and programme preparation. Volunteer contributions were essential to the charity’s development during its first year of operation. ## **Financial Review** During the reporting period, the charity had: - **Income:** £23,000 - **Expenditure:** £15,000 Funds were applied towards programme delivery costs, room hire, training, professional development, safeguarding and insurance costs, outreach activity, marketing, and governance expenses. At the end of the reporting period, the charity held unrestricted reserves of approximately **£8,000** . These funds are retained to support continuity, sustainability, and planned development. The charity does not currently have a formal reserves policy; however, trustees actively monitor cash flow and financial risk. ## **Plans for Future Periods** The trustees are exploring appropriate future opportunities to strengthen community-based support and improve accessibility for people with lived experience of domestic abuse. Any future developments will be subject to funding, feasibility, safeguarding considerations, and risk assessment, and will be progressed in a way that prioritises safety, sustainability, and wellbeing. ## **Risk Management** The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, including financial sustainability, safeguarding, and capacity. Systems and controls are in place to mitigate these risks, and policies are reviewed regularly. ## **Trustees’ Declaration** The trustees declare that they have approved this Trustees’ Annual Report and confirm that it complies with charity law and reporting requirements. Signed on behalf of the trustees: Name: JENNIFER HEBERT Role: Trustee Date: 4[TH] FEBRUARY 2026 ## **Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities** **Accounts** The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards. ## **Basis of Preparation** The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis in accordance with Charity Commission guidance for charities with income below the statutory threshold. Receipts and Payments Account ## **Receipts** Donations, grants and fundraising income: £23,000 Total receipts: £23,000 ## **Payments** - Programme delivery and support costs - Room hire - Training and professional development - Safeguarding and professional membership fees - Public liability insurance - Fuel and travel expenses - Outreach, website and marketing costs - Governance and administration costs **Total payments:** £15,000 ## **Net Movement in Funds** - Net surplus for the period **:** £8,000 ## **Statement of Assets and Liabilities** At the end of the reporting period: - Cash at bank and in hand: £8,000 - Fixed assets: Nil - Liabilities: Nil ## **Funds** All funds held at the end of the reporting period were unrestricted. ## **Notes to the Accounts** 1. The charity does not own or lease premises and hires rooms on a sessional basis. 2. The charity does not employ paid staff. 3. Trustees received no remuneration or personal benefit during the reporting period. 4. No trustee expenses were paid during the reporting period. 5. Expenditure includes reasonable subsistence, accommodation, fuel, and travel costs incurred in connection with charity meetings, training, governance, and programme - development. ## **Independent Examination** The charity’s income is below the threshold requiring an audit or independent examination. No independent examination has been carried out for this reporting period. ## **Trustees’ Approval of the Accounts** The trustees approve these accounts and confirm that they give a true and fair view of the charity’s financial position for the period ended 30 September 2025. Signed on behalf of the trustees: Name: JENNIFER HEBERT Role: TRUSTEE Date: 4[TH] FEBRUARY 2026