ROBINSON’S RETREAT AND RELIEF CHARITIES
(SAMUEL ROBINSON’S CHARITIES)
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 November 2025
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ROBINSON’S RETREAT AND RELIEF CHARITIES
Charity Commission No. 222700
TRUSTEES
| Name Elizabeth Lawson, KC, LLB David Porter, BA, MBA Lyn Hopkins Roger Hughes, CA Anthony Alderman, ACII Howard Brown, FCA Trevitt Steggles (Appointed 29/05/25) |
Denomination U.R.C. Baptist U.R.C. Baptist U.R.C. Baptist U.R.C |
Appointed |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 1996 1999 1999 2004 2010 2025 |
In addition, Peter Young (Congregational) was appointed on 29/05/2025, but died on 12/12/2025.
The Trustees are (in respect of the Relief Charity only) a corporation by the name of The Incorporated Trustees of Robinson’s Trust for Independent and Baptist Ministers
| Secretary for Grants Miss E. A. Lawson 113 Vesage Court 8A Leather Lane London EC1N 7RF |
Treasurer H R Brown, FCA 35 Mospey Crescent Epsom KT17 4NA |
|---|---|
Investment Managers
Charles Stanley & Co. Ltd Ropemaker Place 25 Ropemaker Street London EC2Y 9LY
Bankers
Examiner
Unity Trust Bank plc Four Brindleyplace Birmingham B1 2JB
Miriam Hickson CTA FCA JCS Accountants Ltd 5 Robin Hood Lane Sutton Surrey SM1 2SW
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ROBINSON’S RETREAT AND RELIEF CHARITIES
CONSTITUTION OF THE CHARITIES
The Robinson’s Trust for Ministers’ Widows was created in 1812 by Samuel Robinson for the benefit of widows of Pastors or Ministers of Independent and Baptist Churches resident in the British Isles. The Robinson’s Relief Trust was created in 1833 under Samuel Robinson’s Will for the benefit of Independent and Baptist Ministers, either married men or widowers, resident in England and Wales. In 1986 a scheme was approved for the two charities to be administered together under the title of Robinson’s Retreat and Relief Charities. The Trust Deed requires the Trustees to apply the income in relieving need either generally or individually by making grants of money or providing or paying for items, services or facilities calculated to reduce the need, hardship or distress of beneficiaries.
The body of Trustees consists, when complete, of eight competent persons of whom at the time of their respective appointments four shall be Elders or Deacons of Churches of the United Reformed Church, one shall be an Elder or a Deacon of a non-uniting Congregational Church and three shall be Elders or Deacons of Baptist Churches.
Trustees are required to hold at least one meeting in each year, to be held on or as near as possible to 8[th] June, being the anniversary of the birthday of the Founder, Samuel Robinson. Clause 25 of the Trust Deed gives permission for the costs of the anniversary dinner to be charged against the income of the Trust.
TRUSTEES’ REPORT
The Trustees present their report for the year ended 30 November 2025.
The Trustees met during the year and considered the level of grants to be paid in the financial year in the light of the economic outlook and taking into account the permission granted by the Charity Commission in July 2021 for the Charity to expend up to £100,000 of Permanent Endowment in order to maintain the level of grants to beneficiaries. They decided to maintain individual grants at the same level as the previous year.
The results for the year set out below show that investment income amounted to £115,375 (2023/24-£110,654). Individual grants were made to 28 beneficiaries totalling £112,000 (2023/24 – 30 totalling £119,992) during the year, ranging from £1,500 to £6,000. As a result, there was a surplus of £1,637 (2023/24- deficit £10,922) on Revenue Account for the year. The deficit in the previous year was set against the Permanent Endowments, as permitted by the Charity Commission’s ruling referred to above. The surplus for the current year is carried forward on Revenue Reserve. We record, with grateful thanks, the work undertaken by Elizabeth Lawson and her fellow trustees, who are appointed in accordance with clause 20 of the Trust Deed, in the assessment and distribution of these grants.
The administration expenses continue to be very low, as all tasks are performed by the Trustees, who receive no remuneration, nor are they reimbursed expenses.
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ROBINSON’S RETREAT AND RELIEF CHARITIES
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued)
It is the policy of the Trustees to balance the objectives of the investments between growth in the permanent endowments and the need for revenue income to fund grants. It is the Trustees’ intention to distribute the revenue account fully, taking one year with another.
The Trustees of Samuel Robinson’s Charities endeavour to avoid investing in companies with more than a minimal proportion of their income derived from alcohol, tobacco, pornography or arms. They recognise, however, that it is not always easy to identify all the activities of multinational companies or their subsidiaries and that from time to time they may inadvertently make an investment which breaches this policy. They believe that it is possible to maintain this policy without breaching their primary obligation to obtain the best return on their investments for the benefit of those whom the Charities were established to serve.
Following the decision to place the assets of both Trusts with one Investment Manager, Charles Stanley & Co Ltd, the Trustees merged the asset accounts. As at 1 June 2010, the value of the assets in the two trusts was split in the proportions Retreat 47.09%, Relief 52.91% and it was decided that these proportions should be regarded as permanent unless there was a significant change in circumstances. Chas. Stanley deal with the portfolio on a discretionary basis on a medium/low risk with balanced objectives between capital growth and income. During the year, the value of the portfolio under management increased by £162,272 to £3,466,820, after allowing for a withdrawal of £15,000 from the portfolio to fund working capital. Global Equity markets enjoyed a buoyant year as inflation concerns began to subside, and corporate earnings proved relatively robust. The US Federal Reserve cut interest rates at its September, October and December 2025 meetings, amid soft jobs market data. In the UK, the Bank of England reduced interest rates by a further quarter percentage point at their December meeting, having reduced interest rates by a quarter percentage point in February, May and August 2025. Equity markets recovered from low levels witnessed in April following US President Trump’s announcement of an aggressive overhaul of US trade policy, deploying a “reciprocal tariff” strategy to pressure trading partners into bilateral deals. The trade strategy continues to cause tensions worldwide and appeared to escalate with China until President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in South Korea in October, which led to a series of announcements on closer trade ties. The FTSE 100 had one its best periods since 2009, although the performance of mid-cap stocks was more mixed on domestic growth worries. US Equites extended gains of the previous year as technology stocks continued to dominate, with artificial intelligence optimism driving indices, and Eurozone equities posted mixed but positive returns.
When planning the Charities’ activities, the Trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. The beneficiaries are defined by the trust deed, and are those in need, hardship or distress.
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ROBINSON’S RETREAT AND RELIEF CHARITIES
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued)
Trustees’ responsibilities
Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Trust and of the profit or loss for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Trust will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Trust and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Trust and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
H R Brown Trustee Date 23 March 2026
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ROBINSON’S RETREAT AND RELIEF CHARITIES STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the year ended 30 November 2025
| Total 2024 £ 109,555 1,099 110,654 70,300 31,492 7,700 10,500 119,992 156 300 1,128 1,584 121,576 (10,922) 247,096 (18,836) 217,338 - 3,129,669 3,347,007 |
Income Income from Listed Investments Interest Expenditure Grants to Ministers and Widows Baptist (18) Congregational (6) United Reformed Church (2) Other (2) Expenses Legal and other expenses Founder’s Birthday Dinner Examiner’s Fee Revenue Surplus for year Capital appreciation in year Investment management fees Net Income Transfer between Funds (note) Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Retreat Relief Total Revenue Charity Charity2025 £ 112,042 3,333 115,375 115,375 69,500 26,600 8,400 7,500 112,000 112,000 176 380 1,182 1,738 1,738 113,738 113,738 1,637 1,637 92,466 103,895 196,361 (8,989) (10,099) (19,088) 1,637 83,477 93,796 178,910 - - - - -1,589,018 1,757,989 3,347,007 1,637 1,672,495 1,851,785 3,525,917 |
|---|---|---|
Note: The deficit of £10,922 in the previous year on Revenue Reserve was set against the Permanent Endowments, as permitted by the Charity Commission’s ruling in July 2021, for the Charity to expend up to £100,000 of Permanent Endowment in order to maintain the level of grants to beneficiaries. The current year produced a surplus, thus at 30 November 2025, £42,496 had been so expended.
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ROBINSON’S RETREAT AND RELIEF CHARITIES
BALANCE SHEET AT 30 NOVEMBER 2025
ASSETS
| 2024 | Notes | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| 3,210,737 | Listed Investments 4 3,322,990 | |
| 93,810 | Cash at brokers Capital Account 4 | 143,830 |
| 5,879 | Income Account | 4,717 |
| 36,581 | Bank balances | 54,380 |
| £3,347,007 | £3,525,917 | |
| REPRESENTING: | ||
| 1,589,018 | Permanent Endowment of Retreat Charity 1,672,495 | |
| 1,757,989 | Permanent Endowment of Relief Charity 1,851,785 | |
| - | Revenue Account | 1,637 |
| £3,347,007 | Total Funds £3,525,917 | |
| 23 March 2026 | ||
| H R Brown | Trustee_D Porter_Trustee |
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ROBINSON’S RETREAT AND RELIEF CHARITIES
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 November 2025
- Accounting policies
Accounting convention. The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified for the inclusion of listed investments at market value. They have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Charities’ Statement of Recommended Practice 2019 (Charities SORP (FRS 102).
Income from investments, mainly dividends, is recognised when received by brokers.
Grants payable are charged to income in the year in which the grant is approved.
Listed investments are shown at market value.
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Charitable activities. The Trustees regard all resources expended to be for the single purpose of the Charities. The charity is a public benefit entity.
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Related parties. There were no related party transactions during the year.
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Listed Investments and cash at brokers
Movements for the year are:
| Movements for the year are: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Listed | Cash | ||
| Investments | at brokers | Total | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Balance at 1 December 2024 | 3,210,737 | 93,810 |
3,304,547 |
| Investment management fees | - | (19,088) | (19,088) |
| Additions in the year | 196,188 | (196,188) | - |
| Disposals in the year | (280,296) | 280,296 |
- |
| Cash withdrawn from portfolio | (15,000) | (15,000) | |
| Appreciation for year -realised | 35,521 | - | 35,521 |
| Appreciation for year -unrealised | 160,840 | - | 160,840 |
| Balance at 30 November 2025 | 3,322,990 | 143,830 | 3,466,820 |
| Included in the balance at 30 November 2025 are unrealised gains of: | |||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Retreat Charity | 495,287 | 463,950 | |
| Relief Charity | 556,502 | 521,292 | |
| Total | £1,051,789 | £985,242 |
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Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Robinson’s Retreat and Relief Charities
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 30 November 2025 which are set out on pages 6 to 8.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Report) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Miriam Hickson
Miriam Hickson CTA FCA JCS Accountants Ltd 5 Robin Hood Lane Sutton Surrey SM1 2SW
Date: 7 April 2026
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