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Annual Report

of the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous Great Britain 2024

2024

The Preamble of Alcoholics Anonymous Introduction

Chairperson of the Board

Personnel – Retirements; resignations; appointments

Report of the Trustees

Financial Statements

Members of the General Service Board

Auditors; Bankers; Solicitors; Investment Managers

The Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous

The Preamble

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.

There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions.

AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

© Copyright the AA Grapevine Inc. 1947

Annual Report | 2024

Annual Report of the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous (Great Britain) Limited

1 October 2023- 30 September 2024

Introduction

Chairperson’s Introduction to Annual Report

It is an honour to present this year’s Annual Report on behalf of the General Service Board (GSB) of Alcoholics Anonymous Great Britain.

The purpose of the GSB is to support the Fellowship in Great Britain and from English-speaking meetings in Continental Europe in its primary purpose – that of carrying the message of recovery from alcoholism to all who seek its help, to those associated with alcohol problems, and to the public at large. The charity is also concerned with the proper governance of its affairs and the most effective use of its finances. In this, we adhere to the requirements of the Charity Commission, the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous, and the Concepts for Great Britain, and for World Service. Our annual report aims to show how the charity has worked towards these aims in the last year.

Our Trustees, selected from our Regions, in addition to corporate governance, implement Board policy, conference recommendations and are responsible for the various Board disciplines. Additionally, we have at present three non-alcoholic trustees (NATs) on our Board. Our NATs provide immeasurable assistance in adding balance to the Board, and work hard to help inform the public about our message without the constraints of anonymity. They also serve on various Board SCs.

Unfortunately, again his year we have had vacancies for both categories of Trustee. We also had the sad loss of Tom Fox, a NAT who had just taken on the position of Vice Chair. His efforts in so many areas, both within his core activity in Prisons and Public Information (PI), and wise counsel across almost all our disciplines, are sadly missed. We also had the resignation of another NAT, for whom the time commitment was incompatible with his work role. Of course, these vacancies mean an increased workload for all other trustees, and I thank them for stepping into the breaches. We do offer attendance at Region Assemblies where there is no local Trustee and hope that this will encourage nominations.

Our annual Conference in April was held in York. Although delegates were given the opportunity to participate online, rather than face to face, none chose that option. Conference Steering Committee and the staff of the General Service Office (GSO) gave us a stimulating and unifying experience, for which many thanks. New films and literature items were approved and are being used by the Fellowship, as well as important direction given to the GSB. We presented a new alcoholic Trustee to Conference and expect to present four NATs and an alcoholic Trustee in April 2025. The GSB will be younger, and more diverse than ever before.

GSB Subcommittees now embrace fully the available technology with a comfortable balance of in person and online meetings. Hybrid participation is possible when meetings are held in York at the GSO.

Our three service offices are all available to the Fellowship for service meetings, while a weekly recovery meeting is now established at GSO in York. The Southern Service Office in London relocated during the year and now offers a wider range of literature as well as useful meeting space. The Northern Service Office in Glasgow hosts many service meetings.

Major projects realised during the year include our new website, which is attracting greater traffic than before and benefits from a home page focus on still-suffering alcoholics who are making their first contact with our Fellowship. Our National Telephones development activity has been frustrated by the chosen supplier being unable to implement a promised new system, but a new solution is being sought. The Fellowship, through its service officers, is using the NICE recommendations to great effect.

The GSB Inclusivity Committee is concentrating on three core areas: Race Today, LGBTQIA+ and Accessibility. The Conference-approved Safeguarding recommendations are being used by groups and Intergroups and a forum for shared experience from service position holders has been established.

The Development Fund has contributed to International Literature and to World Service Meeting Funds. Trustees have participated in the General Service Conferences of several European countries, and later shared experience in their disciplines, which has been very helpful.

Our trustee delegates to the World Service Meeting (WSM) were gratified by the reception given to AAGB’s ‘family look’ literature, and the appreciation expressed by other national structures for the AAGB’s ‘leadership’ on inclusivity and safeguarding. The “Plain Language Big Book (A Tool for Reading Alcoholics Anonymous)” was launched during the WSM and proved an instant success, with 42,000 copies sold in the first 24 hours.

All the National Conventions happened during the year and were much appreciated by attendees, with several newcomers welcomed to our Fellowship. Many thanks to the organising committees. Similarly, our three parliamentary events, in Westminster, Holyrood and at the Senedd all took place and continue to explain our message to those in political power.

Thank you for having allowed me to be of service.

Justin Tunstall Chair of Trustees

4 Annual Report | 2024

GSB Personnel

Trustees who departed from the Board this year:

Tom Fox deceased 14th May 2024

The following retired:

Stevie Smith Clive Kilmartin Charles Roberts Barbara Owen Henry Lowe

The following trustees were appointed to the Board:

Angela Sheridan Maxine Jefferies Anthony Stephens Carmel George

Report of the Trustees

The primary purpose of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is to pass the message of recovery from alcoholism to those who seek help, making that information available to professionals, the media and the public. The General Service Board (GSB) of Alcoholics Anonymous Great Britain works to support the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous and to raise awareness of AA’s message of recovery.

Our Tradition of Self Support, underpinned by the Alcoholics Anonymous (Dispositions) Act of 1986, ensures that AA is supported solely through the voluntary contributions of members. The charity continues to achieve a stable financial position and has been able to undertake initiatives that the Fellowship of AA has requested.

Each trustee takes responsibility for a particular area of work within the Board activities, all of which are geared towards raising awareness of all that AA can offer those who seek help. The trustees stay abreast of developments and co-operate with the authorities in these professional areas by communicating on a regular basis, attending conferences and exhibitions and by developing projects for each professional body.

AA Service News (AASN): is the Board’s Service Information and update newsletter that has expanded to 52 pages and is sent quarterly to 4000+ groups in print and to 2000 digitally plus intergroups and regions at no cost. AA Service News is also on the AAGB website, with back issues in the website Document Library. It includes:

Conference questions and recommendations in the winter and summer editions
Regular messages from the General Secretary
Board meeting bullet points
Job adverts for Subcommittees
Parliamentary events across Great Britain
Updates on special projects such as the British Big Book, and new website project
Requests for inputs into new AA pamphlets and literature
Articles on Service; sharing experience on benefits to the individual and the Fellowship

The Archive Sub Committee met four times during the past year two online and two at the general service office. We continue to invite the AA archivist at the Borthwick institutes and some other staff members to the subcommittee meetings as it is proving to be informative and productive.

The section in the AA structural handbook “A Brief History of AA in Great Britain” was updated and accepted by conference 2024 with a few minor alterations.

The subcommittee continues to overhaul the existing and created new AA archivists supporting literature. Literature to be looked at in the coming year includes audio recordings, archive displays and cataloguing/storing of digital archives.

In September members of the subcommittee gave an online presentation outlining the process of collecting archives at the general service office, cataloguing and storing of archives at the Borthwick Institute. This was well received, and some more are planned for the coming year.

The archive network meeting was held on the 20th and 21st of September 2024. A total of 21 members attended 12 in person and 9 online. Those giving presentations included Emma Hollis, Alcoholics Anonymous Great Britain Archivist her work at the Borthwick institutes, Martin B (Fellowship Archivist) on recording old timers, Charles C on archiving cataloguing.

The Armed Services Sub Committee: met four times this year twice online and twice at GSO. Of the 16 regions, 6 have regional Armed Service Liaison Officers in post. Of the 128 intergroups, 46 have Armed Service Liaison Officers in post The SC continues in its role to support the Armed Service Liaison officers and regional armed service liaison officers. New family-style presentations are being developed, and national awarenessraising for Armed Services Support Organisations has taken place. The SC continues to maintain the Armed Services 12-step list which is on Google document and is available for telephone responders. The SC continues to update the existing Armed Services literature. It would like to create a new armed services pamphlet and is actively seeking armed service members to contribute to this. Unfortunately, we have had insufficient responses to take this project forward.

6 Annual Report | 2024

British Big Book Working Group: Conference 2024 recommended to the Board that a British Big Book be created for publication which included personal stories from Great Britain and English-Speaking Continental Europe, thereby providing us with a Big Book for AAGB that contains new, relevant and inclusive stories, making it contemporary to our Fellowship. It would also include the current Preamble, forewords, Doctors Opinion, first 164 pages, pioneer stories and appendices. The British Big Book (B3) project Working Group has been set up to deliver this and meets monthly online. A call for stories from the fellowship is in the Winter edition of AA Service News. The aim is to deliver the British Big Book to Conference no later than 2028.

The Employment Sub Committee: The SC has presented to Network Rail, Premier Foods, and as Chair we gave a presentation to members of the Welsh Senedd in November 2024. At our yearly Regional Liaison Meeting, outcomes included a project to refresh our presentation material for employers to be approved by Conference 2025 and asking PI & Ecomms SC for guidance on LinkedIn. Conference 2024 approved the new internal facing the Employment Liaison Officer leaflet.

The First Response Online Sub Committee (FROSC): is responsible for the administration of our two online services: Chat Now and the Online Response Service (ORS) which are live chat and email services. We successfully worked to attract more members to join the services by attending the Northern National and Southern National Conventions, and the Northeast Regional Forum and we will be holding an online workshop on Saturday 7th June 2025.

We have updated training guides for Chat Now and ORS including guidance on responding to enquiries from minors and any safeguarding issues. We have streamlined the application process and introduced a new job description and application form. All current responders have now undertaken DBS checks, and we continue to screen chats and emails to ensure that we fulfil our safeguarding responsibilities.

In the past, the two services have operated independently of each other, and the SC has made great progress in bringing them together to simplify all our procedures and enable each service to share experiences and learn from each other.

Health Sub Committee: Barbara O and Kieran M, Trustees for Health, presented at Conference 2024 on the revised National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guidance for treating people with Alcohol Use Disorders. The Guidance – called Quality Standard (QS) 11 - recognises 12-step fellowship programmes as effective ways of “maintaining abstinence” in their words – ‘staying stopped’ in ours.

NICE addresses QS11 to Health and Social Care, and also Criminal Justice, professionals in England and Wales. It underpins QS11 with 5 Quality Statements – which managers may or may not interpret as performance measures. We believe this opens doors for members doing Health service. Since Conference 2024, the Health SC has approached The Samaritans’ headquarters about including AA contacts in its Directory of Resources.

Conference 2024 approved a new Guide for Health Liaison Officers. With thanks to the Literature SC for proofreading, and GSO staff for design, it is now available from the online Shop (product code 3071). We have published online articles for professionals and written briefings about the NICE Guidance for members doing service in the Health and Criminal Justice disciplines. We are updating health liaison resources on the website and filestore.

The Annual Regional and Intergroup Health Liaison Officers (HLOs) met in September sharing their experience, particularly on the formal Safeguarding protocols in the health service which do protect members but may place an added cost with DBS checks and other measures. These issues will be addressed with further insights, information and assistance given at the Heath Seminar on 27 September 2025.

Inclusivity Committee: At the beginning of the year the Board set up the Diversity Group which with discussion morphed into the Inclusivity Committee (IC) which is Trustee led to oversee different working groups (WG) to explore different aspects of what Inclusivity means/does for us in AA. These are the Race2Day WG, the LGBTQIA+WG and the Accessibility WG. The Race 2Day WG has been working for 2 years following a Question for Conference in 2021 and one of their new projects is a ‘History Project’. The aim of this is to gather stories from ‘People of Colour’ members who have been in the fellowship a long time to those who are new. To be published in all our media outlets even including our new revamped website. The LGBTQIA+ WG, formed after Conference 2024 asked for a rewrite of the ‘LGBT Voices’ Pamphlet. And the Accessibility WG encompasses the breadth of the fellowship, from older people to members with Long-term mental health conditions, Motor or Mobility issues like wheelchair users, Hearing difficulties and the need for sign language. These are some of the

demographics the Accessibility WG will be taking a considered look at in a very exciting 2025.

Literature Sub Committee: Conference 2024 approved changes and additions to the AA Service and Structure handbooks. Each handbook now has a new glossary of terms, to make them more accessible. New Literature revisions/new leaflets include ‘Health Liaison Officers’, ‘Employment Officers’ and the ‘Little Book’ was reviewed and extended to provide members with a meeting-in-a-pocket/key texts often referred to and read from the ‘Big Book’. It’s referenced now as ‘Little Book 2’.

New pamphlets produced were ‘Pamphlet on ‘AA as a resource for Criminal Justice Professionals’ & ‘DOES ANYONE ELSE LOOK LIKE ME IN ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS’

Literature for Conference 2025 include revisions to the Service handbook & Structure handbook, 2 new leaflets and two revisions to existing leaflets. The SC updated its ‘Literature Design Guide’, for use by the committee.

Northern National Convention (NNC): The 48th National Northern Convention took place at the Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, in March 2024. 1101 tickets were sold this year, an increase of 14% from the previous year, and is highest attendance over the last 20 years. The programme included a Regional Archives presentation, Chat Now and On-line Response, Yellow Brick Road Recovery Banner, a Service meeting presented by a Non-Alcoholic Trustee on behalf of the Health GSB SC, an Old-timer meeting, Disco Friday and Saturday evening, a quiet room, AA approved Literature stand, raffle, Al-anon participation, and AA related films were shown in the cinema. The raffle income and Tradition 7 contributions were down slightly compared to 2023.

The theme for 2025 is “A New Beginning” and will take place on Thursday 27th - Sunday 30th March 2025. The 50th National Northern Convention will take place in 2026 and the committee has already started preparing for this.

Scottish Nation Convention (SNC): The 67th Scottish National Convention, Queens Hall, Dunoon 26th to 28th April 2024. The SNC website https://scottishnationalconvention.co.uk/ aided with planning and event management. The convention had its regular meetings hosted by each Scottish Region, as well as a Young Persons and Old Timers meetings. More meetings were ‘open’ this year to encourage attendance by our nonalcoholic friends. The Saturday night meeting included an Al Anon speaker. An Al Anon meeting room was also provided. The ‘service area’ was represented with Roundabout, National Telephones & FROSC and Probation / Criminal Justice.

The Committee AGM took place in July. Although the convention was not fully self-supporting, primarily due to a reduction in registrations, tradition 7 Contributions were up from the previous year to £1552.36. The Scottish Regional Chairs present reviewed the TOR and accounts and encouraged the committee to look at cost saving and increasing attendance numbers. The Committee have taken this onboard reducing various costs and have been working effectively, meeting online with one in person meeting planned prior to the convention.

The 68th Scottish National Convention 9th to 11th May 2025 at The Queens Hall, Dunoon.

Welsh National Convention (WNC): The Welsh Convention was held at the Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells from the 30th May to 1st June 2024. There were 197 attendees.

Platform speaker meetings were held over the weekend along with a Welsh speaker meeting on the Saturday afternoon with simultaneous translation into English via headsets. There was entertainment on the Friday evening with musicians and a disco and raffle were enjoyed on the Saturday evening. Marathon come and go meetings were run alongside the above. The Sunday morning spiritual service was held in both English and Welsh with a choir of our Welsh speaking members leading Calon Lan (pure heart).

The WNC will take place at the Metropole hotel Llandrindod Wells 30th May to 1st June 2025. The theme is Love and Gratitude. There will be information about Young People and Telephone discipline and fliers have been circulated.

Southern National Convention: The Southern National Convention took place on the 20th - 22nd September at Sand Bay Holiday Park in Weston Super Mare. Attendance peaked at 800 people with 628 people staying on site and a further 172 weekend or day visitors.

A full programme of Fellowship activities was held over the weekend with live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights. There was also the option to stay on-site for a further night and enjoy additional Fellowship. The First Response Online SC hosted a workshop on Saturday afternoon which was well received.

8 Annual Report | 2024

After two years of uncertainty the Convention is self-supporting. There is a sufficient prudent reserve to plan for the 2025 Convention. The 2025 Convention will be the 50th Southern National Convention and approximately 400 bookings have already been taken by the end of December 2024.

National Telephone Sub Committee: Conference 2021 requested a review of the national telephone service, or the 0800 number which is a call distribution system and has no function as a helpline, which is done by the local groups. The SC recommended Gamma Communications to take over the call distribution from BT. Unfortunately, Gamma was not able to deliver the product it had promised us. It was decided to revisit another provider with whom we are now in the process of talking to ensure they can meet the requirements. We hope to present something at the next Conference.

The Scottish Parliament: Due to problems in finding an MSP to sponsor this event in 2024, there was no event at Holyrood in 2024. However, for 2025 Marie McNair, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie will sponsor the event, titled: Dispelling the Myth: What do you know about AA? for Wednesday 12 March 2025 in the Fleming Room in Holyrood. The event will include a presentation by the Fellowship Archivist as well as another member of the fellowship.

Senedd Assembly: Our annual presentation at the Senedd was hosted by Peredur Owen Griffiths MS on 28th November who also spoke at the event. There were 2 speakers from AA in Wales and a presentation by the Trustee for Employment. The next presentation will be in November 2025.

The Westminster Parliamentary Event: took place at Portcullis House on May 21st and was sponsored by Rachael Maskell MP for York. 56 professionals attended with Mike Trace of the Forward Trust and Richard Scullion from the Met Police speaking in addition to 2 AA Speakers. 52 / 56 attendees gave feedback: 100% said that they would recommend the presentation to another professional and would recommend AA to a still suffering alcoholic and 10 said they would like to attend an open meeting. The 2025 event will take place June 3rd in the Cholmondeley Room and is hosted by Lord Cameron of Dillington.

PI & Ecomms: 2024 saw the launch of the new National Website, requested by Conference 2022. The website was presented to Conference in April and launched on the 13th of May. The contribution of the late Tom Fox to the completion of this project is recognised and will not be forgotten.

Initial web traffic spiked significantly before dropping back slightly. Traffic in the first six months has been consistently higher than the same period last year. Analytics show visitor numbers and amount of time visitors spend on site, trending steadily upwards.

Microsite usage has increased driven by the ease of use of the WordPress Content Management System. Each Region and Intergroup has the option to manage their own “website within a website” and present local service information.

Mention must also be made of Web Development Agency, Castigate IT, who continue to provide intuitive, consistent and professional support for the website.

A team is now in place to continue website updates, manage requests from the Fellowship and monitor site performance, leveraging the flexibility and functionality inherent in a website built on WordPress.

The first series of ads for the “National Ad Campaign” was launched in the first week of July and created quite a stir, triggering enquires from interested parties in England and Scotland and as far afield as Scandinavia. The second, and much longer, advertising period runs from Boxing Day 2024 to the end of January 2025 and an even bigger response is expected.

In August, the SC hosted the first combined Regional PILO and RECLO liaison meeting in York with both disciplines represented in roughly equal numbers. Feedback was positive and we plan to continue with the combined approach in 2025.

A direct outcome of the Liaison meeting has been extending the communication Group on Workplace to include both disciplines. This has facilitated more collaboration and co-operation, to share resources and carry the message of recovery to professionals and the general public.

Literature work has included updating the Hints and Tips for Internet Safety card and reviewing Chapters 1 and 3

in the AA Service Handbook before passing them on to the Literature SC. An Image Bank has been established at GSO holding royalty free images for use in AA Publications and by others doing service.

Prison Sub Committee: The SC met had a busy and fruitful 2024 with members from England, Scotland, Wales and Continental European Region (CER). It is busy creating a list of AA prison meetings to be updated by liaison officers and putting it into the document library in the form of a map. Beyond the Bars quarterly publication is now on its 2nd edition in its new form and is in the document library. The committee also created A Prison Sponsors pack for Conference 2025 and will be working on updating the prison chapter for our Service handbook for conference 2026.

The meeting of Scottish prison sponsors held in Perth in March 2024 was attended by around 20 members. Ian Whitehead, Deputy Director of Scottish Prisons spoke on how AA is needed and well received within most of the prisons.

The Prison and Probation SCs joint liaison meeting in July with presentations, one from HMPPS. Bulgaria AA invited AAGB to its seminar on 26th/27th September to speak about AA and prisons in the UK and assist in the development of service which we were delighted to accept.

The Probation Sub Committee (SC) has had another productive and busy year. Figures from our website show that between December 2023 and December 2024, the number of AA groups offering the chit system increased from 603 to 718.

Conference 2024 approved the new leaflet produced by the SC ‘AA as a Resource for Criminal Justice Professionals’ now available on our website. The previous leaflet has now been discontinued.

In May the SC delivered a national workshop online for Liaison Officers and members interested in this area of service. Over 55 members were in attendance and requested that this is run annually.

Our co-operation with HMPPS Recovery Focussed Approved Premises continued and in June we gave the first ever online Alcoholics Anonymous Awareness presentation to all 105 Approved Premises in England and Wales for staff and residents. This was not only a first for AA but also the Approved Premises. LOs and SC members are continuing to give presentations to Recovery Focussed Approved Premises.

In September we were invited to present to the HMPPS Health & Justice Leads at their Quarterly National Meeting online. Our presentation included information about the NICE guidance, gave an overview of the service Alcoholics Anonymous provides.

The SC has been cooperating with other disciplines giving Chit presentations to Prison LOs at the Scottish Zonal meeting, and online to the Armed Services SC. We have been approached by developing overseas AA structures interested in Probation/CJS service.

Our efforts in Scotland have been invigorated by new members joining the SC and they have been working with Intergroups and Regions to engage with the Scottish Social Work Departments across the country, the Scottish Courts and the Alcohol Court in Glasgow. We planned this strategy with Tom Fox, former GSB Vice Chair and NAT, who we sadly miss. Criminal Justice professionals were invited to and attended the Westminster Parliamentary event.

The Probation SC continues to review its content on the GB website and develop resources for Liaison Officers.

Roundabout: 2024 began with Roundabout’s first price increase for 23 years, doubling from £1 to £2, and its rationale was explained in print, in person at the Roundabout Liaison Officer and by many emails and conversations. The SC itself had a busy year attending 12 conventions which raised awareness of the magazine, obtained articles and interviews and shares from them, as well as encouraging new Subscriptions to the Scottish magazine. It is also a way of attracting people into Service. As well as meeting online three times the SC met face to face for a Workshop in Pitlochry. The SC completed an induction course for the new members of the SC, updated the Terms of Reference and its style Sheet for the Proofreaders. Roundabout now has 7 members on the SC. At the Prison Sponsors Workshop in Perth where the speaker was Ian Whitehouse, Deputy Director of Prisons we heard from Prison Sponsors and heard how Roundabout helps facilitate sharing the message of AA in Prisons.

10 Annual Report | 2024

Share Sub Committee: In January this year the new pricing came into effect. It was quite a complicated switch over, taking into account prepaid Subscriptions, and the Fellowship has been very supportive of the changes that have taken place this year. We had some teething problems while we tried to work out the best way to accommodate the accessibility guidelines alongside suggestions from our regular Subscribers. The Share team also produced artwork for new Banners, Bookmarks and Wallet Cards.

We also have a new role on the Share team ‘Share Liaison Officers Coordinator’. This will help to bridge the gap between the SLO’s and the Editorial team.

Survey Sub Committee: The General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous (Great Britain [GSB GB]) Limited have conducted a survey of the Fellowship every five years since 1972. The intention of these surveys is to learn more about the Fellowship in GB and Continental Europe so that AA’s message of recovery may be disseminated more effectively to the still suffering alcoholic, thus helping us to fulfil our primary purpose. The Survey SC was established as a separate SC tasked to deliver the 2020 Survey. Previously the Survey was delivered by the PI SC. Due to Covid and lockdown, the 2020 survey was delivered online for the first time. The decision to continue the survey online has been agreed using what was learned in 2020 to improve the content and method of communication to the Fellowship and increase engagement. The results of the 2020 survey were reported to Conference 2021 and the committee produced an infographic leaflet for the fellowship and to be used as a public information outreach tool. The committee are currently finalising the content of the questionnaire and the timeline including communication to the fellowship. The survey will be launched in 2025 and the final results will be reported to Conference 2026.

The 28th World Service Meeting: ‘The Three Legacies in Our Digital Era: Our Great Responsibility to the Alcoholic Being Born Today’.

The 28th World Service Meeting took place in New York from 27th to 31st October 2024 and was attended by delegates from 38 countries, including Great Britain (and Continental Europe). Presentations from various countries included ‘AA in a Virtual World’, ‘Finding Balance Between Innovations and Traditions’, ‘Expressing Our Gratitude Through Service’ and ‘Country to Country Sponsorship.’ There were also presentations on the International Literature Fund, the World Service Meeting Fund, and Licensing and Translation of literature.

The meeting included workshops covering topics such as ‘The Seventh Tradition: Self-Supporting in the Digital Era’ and ‘Online Groups in the World: Here to Stay’ which provided an opportunity for delegates to share experience on the ways in which their structures are adapting to the increase in online meetings.

Much of the discussion throughout the week focused on how we can best utilise the technology now available to us to carry the message of recovery to the still suffering alcoholic, whilst also being mindful of the challenges that these innovations may present.

The service structures around the world vary greatly in terms of their size and how long they have been established, which meant that delegates had a wonderful opportunity to learn from each other, share experience, and offer support. The overwhelming feeling of unity and our shared purpose was a powerful and inspiring experience, and it is clear that Alcoholics Anonymous truly is a global Fellowship.

The Young People’s Sub Committee (YPSC) Roadshow in Glasgow in May 2024, was attended by approximately 60 people. Presentations included topics such as the history of the YPLO role, sponsoring into service, experience of being a member of the YPSC and how it can lead on to other service positions, and the role of Conference. The next Roadshow is in Birmingham on 21st June 2025.

Based on discussion at the Glasgow Roadshow, and at our annual meeting, the SC will be putting together some safeguarding guidance for YPLO’s when they are visiting schools, youth clubs and other outside agencies. We will be reaching out to YPLO’s for their experience in putting this together.

We are also working on a newsletter containing shares about the various initiatives and projects being undertaken by YPLO’s across the country. The idea is for the newsletter to hopefully act as inspiration for serving officers, and also to share with the wider Fellowship the work that is being done by Young People.

12 Annual Report | 2024

Financial Statement for 2023-2024 Annual Report

Annual Report Introduction

The Fellowship across AAGB has seen a reduction in its financial position compared to 2022-23. This is due to continued increases in costs, because of economic pressures felt across the country and a number of conference approved projects impacting our expenditure this year. There has also been a reduction in contributions from the fellowship. Whilst this has been offset from increased income from publications, this has led to increased publication costs. Our reserves our below our Warrant 2 reserves level at the end of the financial year.

Investments

Our investments continue to be managed by Churches, Charities & Local Authorities (CCLA) which is an ethical company. During the year the charity received an income of £44,210 from our investments.

Overall picture

Our Total Income for the year is £1,830,465 compared to £1,769,948 in 2022-23, an increase of £60,517. This is largely because of an increase in income from publications, offset against a reduction in contribution income.

Our Total Expenditure for the year, inclusive of Restricted funds of £22,958 is £2,063,690 compared to £1,871,836 in 2022-23, an increase of £191,854. This is a result of continued increases in day-to-day operations because of economic difficulties. Several conference approved projects have also taken place this year resulting in increased costs.

This leaves an operating deficit for the year of £233,225 before gains on investments. Our net gains on investments for 2023-24 is £120,236.

Taking our net gain on investments our final surplus/deficit for the year is £112,989 down by £25,725 on the previous year.

Based on expenditure from our unrestricted funds (£2,040,732), our Prudent Reserve target for 2024-25 is £2,550,915. Our Free reserves calculated by taking unrestricted funds (2,253,633) less fixed asset (£2,195) and stock balances (£147,945) equals £2,204,300. This leaves a Warranty 2 deficit of £346,615.

Literature

Income from the sale of literature amounted to £852,724. This represents an increase from the previous year’s total of £785,768.

The literature costs realised £335,628 compared to £323,396 in 2022-23

General Service Office

General Service Office Including Northern Service Office (NSO) and Southern Service Office (SSO) All three offices have continued to operate with a full complement of staff. Our staff have continued to split their time between working from home and in the offices. This arrangement has continued to work well. In the summer of 2024, the Southern Service Office moved to new premises due to an expiring lease

The above figures are detailed in the following pages of this Annual Report.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR PERIOD ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER 2024 BALANCE SHEET

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted Funds 2024 Total Funds £ 2023 Total
Funds £ £ Funds £
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible Assets 2,195 1,521
Investments 1,239,179 1,118,943
1,241,374 1,120,464
CURRENT
ASSETS
Stocks 147,945 195,673
Debtors 100,886 96,579
1,096,453 1,307,938
Cash at Bank
1,345,284 1,600,190
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due (63,025) (84,032)
within one year
TOTAL ASSETS
Less Current 1,282,259 1,516,158
Liabilities
NET ASSETS 2,523,633 2,636,622
CHARITY FUNDS
Unrestricted Funds 2,354,440 2,493,809
Restricted Funds 169,193 142,813
2,523,633 2,636,622
----- End of picture text -----

This information has the approval of the auditors and audited by BHP Accountants and delivered to the Registrar of Companies.

14 Annual Report | 2024

Statement of Financial Activities

(Incorporating Income & Expenditure Account) for year ended 30th September 2024

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted 2024 Total 2023 Total
Funds £ Funds £ Funds £ Funds £
INCOME RESOURCES
Income & Endowments from
Donations & Legacies 933,531 940,583
Other Trading Activities 852,724 785,768
Investment Income 44,210 43,597
Total Income 1,830,465 1,769,948
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising Funds 894,917 828,164
Charitable Activities 1,168,773 1,043,672
Total Expenditure 2,063,690 1,871,836
Net Gains on Investments 120,236 14,624
Net income / (Expenditure) (112,989) (87,264)
RECONCILIATION of
FUNDS
Total funds brought forward 2,636,622 2,723,886
Total funds carried forward 2,523,633 2,636,622
----- End of picture text -----

Continuing Operations

All incoming resources and resources expended arise from continuing activities NOTES to the FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the YEAR ENDED 30th SEPTEMBER 2024

----- Start of picture text -----
Donations & Legacies 2024 £ 2023 £
Fellowship Contributions 880,372 889,430
Gift Aid 25,695 24,277
National Convention Contributions 11,624 8,050
Conference and 75th Contributions 15,840 18,826
933,531 940,583
OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES 2024£ 2023£
Sales of Literature 852,724 785,768
Literature is sold at surplus to assist in support of the Primary Purpose
INVESTMENT INCOME 2024£ 2023£
Fixed Asset Income 35,057 34,496
Deposit Account Income 9,153 9,101
44,210 43,597
EXPENDITURE – RAISING FUNDS 2024£ 2023£
Purchase of Literature 335,628 323,396
Staff Costs 71,800 64,264
Premises Costs 45,284 40,809
Office Expenses 140,404 130,336
Public Information & Publication Costs 68,582 37,326
Conference & 75th Convention Costs 94,155 77,666
Website 40,945 41,471
Irrecoverable VAT 67,686 53,478
Financial Expenses 23,254 19,001
General Expenses 7,179 10,417
Provision written off old stock [1] - 30,000
894,917 828,164
----- End of picture text -----

Notes to accompany the Figures above

1Written off old Stock relates to old literature items that Auditors found difficult to value. This information has the approval of the auditors and audited by BHP Accountants and delivered to the Registrar of Companies.

16 Annual Report | 2024

Charitable Activities - Other Fellowship Services	2024£ 2023£
Staff Costs	368,366 334,172
Premises Costs	86,644 76,292
Offce Expenses	40,391 43,301
General Expenses	127,163 75,323
	622,564 529,088

Governance Costs	2024£ 2023£
Trustee Expenses	51,673 58,168
Professional Expenses	35,445 45,447
	87,118 103,615

Management Costs Staff Costs Premises Costs Offce Expenses Financial Expenses General Expenses	2024£ 2023£ 272,844 244,202 67,173 59,782 41,335 49,287 60 60 77,679 57,638
	459,091 410,969

This information has the approval of the auditors and audited by BHP Accountants and delivered to the Registrar of Companies.

Members of the General Service Board

Holly Alexander Ranjana Bell Tim Barker Charon Bourke Andrina Cassidy John Coady Jo Faul Carmel George Emma Gipson Maxine Jefferies Zelma Kesans Hamish McSwan Kieran Moriarty Levey Patocs Angela Sheridan Anthony Stephens Gretchen Swisher Justin Tunstall

Ranjan Bhattacharyya

Auditors

BHP Chartered Accountants

Rievaulx House 1 St Mary’s Court Blossom Street York YO24 1AH

General Secretary

Bankers

HSBC Plc

13 Parliament Street York YO1 8XS

Solicitors Wrigleys Solicitors LPP

19 Cookridge Street Leeds LS2 EAG

Investment Managers

CCLA Fund Managers Ltd Senator House 85 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4ET

Registered Charity Nos:

226745 (England and Wales) SCO38023 (Scotland)

18 Annual Report | 2024

The Twelve Traditions

Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon AA unity
For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority – a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking.
Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or AA as a whole.
Each group has but one primary purpose – to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
An AA group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the AA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
Every AA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions
Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever non-professional, but our service centres may employ special workers.
AA as such, ought never be organised; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never to be drawn into public controversy.
Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

Registered number: 00587316 Charity number: 226745/SCO38023

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

	Page
Reference and administrative details of the charity, its Trustees and advisers	1 - 2
Chair's statement	3 - 4
Trustees' report	5 - 19
Independent auditors' report on the financial statements	20 - 23
Statement of financial activities	24
Balance sheet	25
Statement of cash flows	26
Notes to the financial statements	27 - 44

Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

Trustees	Justin Tunstall,Chair
	HollyAlexander
	Ranjana Bell
	Tim Barker
	Charon Bourke
	Andrina Cassidy
	John Coady
	Joanna Faul
	Carmel George(appointed 14 April 2024)
	Emma Gipson
	Maxine Jefferies(appointed 14 April 2024)
	Zelma Kesans
	Malcolm McSwan
	Dr Kieran Moriarty
	Levente Patocs
	Angela Sheridan(appointed 14 April 2024)
	AnthonyStephens(appointed 14 April 2024)
	Gretchen Swisher
	Thomas Fox(deceased 14 May2024)
	Clive Kilmartin(resigned 14 April 2024)
	HenryLowe(resigned 17 June 2024)
	Barbara Owen(resigned 14 April 2024)
	Charles Roberts(resigned 14 April 2024)
	Stephen Smith(resigned 14 April 2024)

Company registered number 00587316 Charity registered number 226745/SCO38023 Registered office 10 Toft Street York YO1 6JT General secretary Ranjan Bhattacharyya Key management personnel R Bhattacharyya - General Secretary M Tervet - Management Accountant J Pryke - General Service Board Administrator A M Smith - Northern Service Office Administrator S Smyth - Conference Co-ordinator, IT & Technical Manager S Wright - Office Manager E Lane - Southern Service Office Administrator

Page 1

Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

Independent auditors	BHP LLP
	Rievaulx House
	1 St Mary's Court
	York
	YO24 1AH
Bankers	HSBC Plc
	13 Parliament Street
	York
	YO1 8XS
Solicitors	Wrigleys Solicitors LLP
	3rd Floor
	3 Wellington Place
	Leeds
	LS1 4AP
Investment managers	CCLA Fund Managers Ltd
	Senator House
	85 Queen Victoria Street
	London
	EC4V 4ET

Page 2

Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

CHAIR'S STATEMENT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

It is an honour to present this year’s Annual Report on behalf of the General Service Board (GSB) of Alcoholics Anonymous Great Britain.

Our Trustees, selected from our Regions, in addition to corporate governance, implement Board policy, conference recommendations and are responsible for the various Board disciplines. Additionally, we have at present three nonalcoholic trustees (NATs) on our Board. Our NATs provide immeasurable assistance in adding balance to the Board, and work hard to help inform the public about our message without the constraints of anonymity. They also serve on various Board SCs.

Unfortunately, again this year we have had vacancies for both categories of Trustee. We also had the sad loss of Tom Fox, a NAT who had just taken on the position of Vice Chair. His efforts in so many areas, both within his core activity in Prisons and Public Information (PI), and wise counsel across almost all our disciplines, are sadly missed. We also had the resignation of another NAT, for whom the time commitment was incompatible with his work role. Of course, these vacancies mean an increased workload for all other trustees, and I thank them for stepping into the breaches. We do offer attendance at Region Assemblies where there is no local Trustee and hope that this will encourage nominations.

GSB Subcommittees now embrace fully the available technology with a comfortable balance of in person and online meetings. Hybrid participation is possible when meetings are held in York at the GSO.

Page 3

Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

CHAIR'S STATEMENT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

Thank you for having allowed me to be of service.

Justin Tunstall

Signer ID: VFOJ7S24XD... Chair Date: 13/02/2025 GMT

Page 4

Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

The Trustees present their annual report together with the audited financial statements of the charity for the 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2024. The Annual Report serves the purposes of both a Trustees' report and a directors' report under company law. The Trustees confirm that the Annual Report and financial statements of the charitable company comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charitable company's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019).

Since the charity qualifies as small under section 382 of the Companies Act 2006, the Strategic Report required of medium and large companies under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Report) Regulations 2013 has been omitted.

Objectives and activities

a. Policies and objectives

The Charitable Company's main objective is to assist alcoholics to overcome their addiction to alcohol and maintain sobriety. To achieve that aim the Charitable Company;

serves the Fellowship known as Alcoholics Anonymous in such of its work of assisting alcoholics to achieve sobriety as is of a charitable nature
publishes and distributing books, pamphlets and other literature relating to alcoholism
explains the work of the Company to the General Public through the media,
holds net monies accruing to the Charitable Company pending application to the purposes of the Charitable Company.

In these ways the Charitable Company supports independent local groups established to uphold the primary objective of the Charitable Company.

b. Volunteers

The charitable company does use volunteers to deliver its services.

c. Main activities undertaken to further the charity's purposes for the public benefit

The Charitable Company's aims and achievements are set out within this report. The activities set out in this report have been undertaken to further the Charitable Company's charitable purposes for the Public Benefit. The Trustees have complied with their duty under Section 17(5) of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to Public Benefit guidance published by the Charities Commission and the Trustees have paid due regard to this guidance in deciding what activities the Charitable Company should undertake.

Page 5

Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

Achievements and performance

a. Main achievements of the charity

AA Service News (AASN): is the Board's Service Information and update newsletter that has expanded to 52 pages and is sent quarterly to 4,000+ groups in print and to 2,000 alcoholics digitally plus intergroups and regions at no cost, AA Service News is also on the AAGB website, with back issues in the website Document Library. It includes:

Conference questions and recommendations in the winter and summer editions respectively
Regular messages from the General Secretary
Board meeting bullet points
Job adverts for sub-committees
Parliamentary events across the UK
Updates on special projects such as the British Big Book, and new website project
Requests for inputs into new AA pamphlets and literature
Articles on Service; sharing experience on benefits to the individual and the Fellowship

The Archive Sub Committee met four times during the past year, two online and two at the general service office. We continue to invite the AA archivist at the Borthwick institutes and some other staff members to the subcommittee meetings as it is proving to be informative and productive.

The section in the AA structural handbook “A Brief History of AA in Great Britain” was updated and accepted by conference 2024 with a few minor alterations. The subcommittee continues to overhaul the existing and created new AA archivists supporting literature. Literature to be looked at in the coming year includes audio recordings, archive displays and cataloguing/storing of digital archives.

Page 6

Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

Achievements and performance (continued)

Armed Services Sub-Committee: met four times this year twice online and twice at GSO. Of the 16 regions, 6 have regional Armed Service Liaison Officers in post. Of the 128 intergroups, 46 have Armed Service Liaison Officers in post The SC continues in its role to support the Armed Service Liaison officers and regional armed service liaison officers. New family-style presentations are being developed, and national awareness-raising for Armed Services Support Organisations has taken place. The SC continues to maintain the Armed Services 12-step list which is on Google document and is available for telephone responders. The SC continues to update the existing Armed Services literature. It would like to create a new armed services pamphlet and is actively seeking armed service members to contribute to this. Unfortunately, we have had insufficient responses to take this project forward.

The Employment Subcommittee: The SC has presented to Network Rail, Premier Foods, and as Chair we gave a presentation to members of the Welsh Senedd in November 2024. At our yearly Regional Liaison Meeting, outcomes included a project to refresh our presentation material for employers to be approved by Conference 2025 and asking PI & Ecomms SC for guidance on LinkedIn. Conference 2024 approved the new internal facing the Employment Liaison Officer leaflet.

The First Response Online Subcommittee (FROSC): is responsible for the administration of our two online services: Chat Now and the Online Response Service (ORS) which are live chat and email services. We successfully worked to attract more members to join the services by attending the Northern National and Southern National Conventions, and the Northeast Regional Forum. And we will be holding an online workshop on Saturday 7 June 2025.

We have updated training guides for Chat Now and ORS including guidance on responding to enquiries from minors and any safeguarding issue. We have streamlined the application process and introduced a new job description and application form. All current responders have now undertaken DBS checks, and we continue to screen chats and emails to ensure that we fulfil our safeguarding responsibilities.

Health Subcommittee: Barbara O and Kieran M, Trustees for Health, presented at Conference 2024 on the revised National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guidance for treating people with Alcohol Use Disorders. The Guidance – called Quality Standard (QS) 11 - recognises 12-step fellowship programmes as effective ways of “maintaining abstinence” in their words – ‘staying stopped’ in ours.

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

Achievements and performance (continued)

Inclusivity Committee: At the beginning of the year the Board set up the Diversity Group which with discussion morphed into the Inclusivity Committee (IC) which is Trustee led to oversee different working groups (WG) to explore different aspects of what Inclusivity means/does for us in AA. These are the Race2Day WG, the LGBTQIA+WG and the Accessibility WG. The Race2Day WG has been working for 2 years following a Question for Conference in 2021 and one of their new projects is a ‘History Project’. The aim of this is to gather stories from ‘People of Colour’ members who have been in the fellowship a long time to those who are new. To be published in all our media outlets even including our new revamped website. The LGBTQIA+ WG, formed after Conference 2024 asked for a rewrite of the ‘LGBT Voices’ Pamphlet. And the Accessibility WG encompasses the breadth of the fellowship, from older people to members with Long-term mental health conditions, Motor or Mobility issues like wheelchair users, Hearing difficulties and the need for sign language. These are some of the demographics the Accessibility WG will be taking a considered look at in a very exciting 2025.

Literature Subcommittee: Conference 2024 approved changes and additions to the AA Service and Structure handbooks. Each handbook now has a new glossary of terms, to make them more accessible. New Literature revisions/new leaflets include ‘Health Liaison Officers’, ‘Employment Officers’ and the ‘Little Book’ was reviewed and extended to provide members with a meeting-in-a-pocket/key texts often referred to and read from the ‘Big Book’. It’s referenced now as ‘Little Book 2’.

New pamphlets produced were ‘Pamphlet on ‘AA as a resource for Criminal Justice Professionals’ & ‘DOES ANYONE ELSE LOOK LIKE ME IN ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS’

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

Achievements and performance (continued)

Scottish Nation Convention (SNC): The 67th Scottish National Convention, Queens Hall, Dunoon 26th to 28th April 2024. The SNC website https://scottishnationalconvention.co.uk/ aided with planning and event management. The convention had its regular meetings hosted by each Scottish Region, as well as a Young Persons and Old Timers meetings. More meetings were ‘open’ this year to encourage attendance by our non-alcoholic friends. The Saturday night meeting included an Al Anon speaker. An Al Anon meeting room was also provided. The ‘service area’ was represented with Roundabout, National Telephones & FROSC and Probation / Criminal Justice.

The 68th Scottish National Convention 9th to 11th May 2025 at The Queens Hall, Dunoon.

Welsh National Convention (WNC): The Welsh Convention was held at the Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells from the 30th May to 1st June 2024. There were 197 attendees. Platform speaker meetings were held over the weekend along with a Welsh speaker meeting on the Saturday afternoon with simultaneous translation into English via headsets. There was entertainment on the Friday evening with musicians and a disco and raffle were enjoyed on the Saturday evening. Marathon come and go meetings were run alongside the above. The Sunday morning spiritual service was held in both English and Welsh with a choir of our Welsh speaking members leading Calon Lan (pure heart).

National Telephone Subcommittee: Conference 2021 requested a review of the national telephone service, or the 0800 number which is a call distribution system and has no function as a helpline, which is done by the local groups. The SC recommended Gamma Communications to take over the call distribution from BT. Unfortunately, Gamma was not able to deliver the product it had promised us. It was decided to revisit another provider with whom we are now in the process of talking to ensure they can meet the requirements. We hope to present something at the next Conference.

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

Achievements and performance (continued)

Microsite usage has increased driven by the ease of use of the WordPress Content Management System. Mention must also be made of Web Development Agency, Castigate IT, who continue to provide intuitive, consistent and professional support for the website.

The first series of ads for the "National Ad Campaign" was launched in the first week of July and created quite a stir, triggering enquires from interested parties in England and Scotland and as far afield as Scandinavia. The second, and much longer, advertising period runs from Boxing Day 2024 to the end of January 2025 and an even bigger response is expected.

Literature work has included updating the Hints and Tips for Internet Safety card and reviewing Chapters 1 and 3 in the AA Service Handbook before passing them on to the Literature SC. An Image Bank has been established at GSO holding royalty free images for use in AA Publications and by others doing service.

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

Achievements and performance (continued)

Prison Subcommittee: The SC met had a busy and fruitful 2024 with members from England, Scotland, Wales and Continental European Region (CER). It is busy creating a list of AA prison meetings to be updated by liaison officers and putting it into the document library in the form of a map. Beyond the Bars quarterly publication is now on its 2nd edition in its new form and is in the document library. The committee also created A Prison Sponsors pack for Conference 2025 and will be working on updating the prison chapter for our Service handbook for conference 2026.

The Probation Subcommittee (SC) has had another productive and busy year. Figures from our website show that between December 2023 and December 2024, the number of AA groups offering the chit system increased from 603 to 718.

Conference 2024 approved the new leaflet produced by the SC ‘AA as a Resource for Criminal Justice Professionals’ now available on our website. The previous leaflet has now been discontinued.

In May the SC delivered a national workshop online for Liaison Officers and members interested in this area of service. Over 55 members were in attendance and requested that this is run annually.

The Probation SC continues to review its content on the GB website and develop resources for Liaison Officers.

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

Achievements and performance (continued)

Share Subcommittee: In January this year the new pricing came into effect. It was quite a complicated switch over, taking into account prepaid Subscriptions, and the Fellowship has been very supportive of the changes that have taken place this year. We had some teething problems while we tried to work out the best way to accommodate the accessibility guidelines alongside suggestions from our regular Subscribers. The Share team also produced artwork for new Banners, Bookmarks and Wallet Cards.

We also have a new role on the Share team ‘Share Liaison Officers Coordinator’. This will help to bridge the gap between the SLO’s and the Editorial team.

Survey Subcommittee: The General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous (Great Britain [GSB GB]) Limited have conducted a survey of the Fellowship every five years since 1972. The intention of these surveys is to learn more about the Fellowship in GB and Continental Europe so that AA’s message of recovery may be disseminated more effectively to the still suffering alcoholic, thus helping us to fulfil our primary purpose. The Survey SC was established as a separate SC tasked to deliver the 2020 Survey. Previously the Survey was delivered by the PI SC. Due to Covid and lockdown, the 2020 survey was delivered online for the first time. The decision to continue the survey online has been agreed using what was learned in 2020 to improve the content and method of communication to the Fellowship and increase engagement. The results of the 2020 survey were reported to Conference 2021 and the committee produced an infographic leaflet for the fellowship and to be used as a public information outreach tool. The committee are currently finalising the content of the questionnaire and the timeline including communication to the fellowship. The survey will be launched in 2025 and the final results will be reported to Conference 2026.

The 28th World Service Meeting: ‘The Three Legacies in Our Digital Era: Our Great Responsibility to the Alcoholic Being Born Today’.

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

Achievements and performance (continued)

The Young People’s Subcommittee (YPSC) Roadshow in Glasgow in May 2024, was attended by approximately 60 people. Presentations included topics such as the history of the YPLO role, sponsoring into service, experience of being a member of the YPSC and how it can lead on to other service positions, and the role of Conference. The next Roadshow is in Birmingham on 21st June 2025.

b. Investment policy and performance

The investment aim is to achieve steady growth of the capital over the medium term, by holding a proportion of investment funds in equity or equity-related investments, balanced by a substantial element of lower risk, stable investments of gilts or cash-based investments.

The Charity now holds 400,653 units in the Fund which on 30 September 2024 had a market value of 309.29p per unit. Giving the Charity investment a market value of £1,239,179. Due to the fluctuations within the Stock Market this value will vary week by week. Notwithstanding the sale of the units our investment should still provide the Charity with an estimated regular income of approximately £40,000 per annum.

Financial review

a. Introduction

The Fellowship across AAGB has continued to recover, along with the rest of Society, from the pandemic. I’m pleased to inform that the Charity’s finances have remained in a stable position despite additional pressures of high inflation with reserves slightly under our Warranty 2 Reserves Level.

b. Going concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

c. Reserves policy

The Trustees' have established a policy whereby reserves held by the Charity should exceed 1.25 years expenditure, which equates to approximately £2,579,613 (2023: £2,339,795). This is considered the minimum to ensure the continuation of the basic services to the Fellowship during times of economic stress. Total funds held at the year-end is £2,523,633 (2023: £2,636,622). Included in the total funds is a balance of restricted funds of £169,193 (2023: £142,813).

AAGB calculates free reserves held as £2,204,300 by taking unrestricted funds less fixed asset and stock balances. This is within £375,313 of the target level. Using Charity Commission guidance (CC19), free reserves can also be calculated by taking unrestricted funds less fixed assets arriving at a balance of £2,352,245, which is within £227,368 of the target level.

The GSB plan to utilise the funds which are currently surplus to basic requirements reserves by:

Absorbing the price increases in the production of literature, and where possible, reducing the price of some literature to make it more accessible to Members;
Maintaining the current level of subsidies, for example, absorbing any accommodation price increases that would otherwise result in increased Conference Delegate fees;
Funding approved projects without prioritisation, in spite of price rises;
Continuing to support the development of AA overseas by maintaining its level of contribution to the World Service Literature fund and responding positively to appeals from AAWS; and
Continuing to fulfil existing and additional services, as requested by the Fellowship.

d. Material investments policy

Our investments continue to be managed by Churches, Charities & Local Authorities (CCLA) which is an ethical company. During the year the charity received an income of £44,210 (2023: £43,597) from our investments.

e. Principal risks and uncertainties

The major risks to which the Charity is exposed have been identified by the Trustees, including financial, the traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous and our reputation. Based on the risk register, AAGB identifies its key risks as being around safeguarding, felowship anonymity breaches and falling income for contributions and publications. The Charity is a nonpolitical organisation and dealing with preservation of integrity is covered in the 12 Traditions of AA, detailed below.

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

Formal management control systems and procedures, operating policies and manual processes have been agreed and established as part of ongoing risk assessment, to mitigate risks. Mitigation of financial risk is further addressed by the policy of holding reserves, as detailed below.

Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon AA unity.
For our purpose there is but one ultimate authority - a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking.
Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or AA as a whole.
Each group has but one primary purpose - to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
An AA group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the AA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
Every AA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
AA should remain forever non-professional, but our service centres may employ special workers.
AA, as such, ought never be organised; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
AA has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

f. Financial risk management objectives and policies

Our risk management policy is to support the financial and reputational integrity of the charity by

a: maintaining our free reserves to the value of 1.25 x annual expenditure through a policy of apportioning our reserves by the approximate ratio of 50:25:25 (Investments. Cash, Deposits) and

b: upholding the reputation of the Charity by close adherence to the Charity Commission reporting guidelines on Safeguarding, by reporting to the Charity Commission any potential for reputational harm to the either the Charity or the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous which the Charity serves.

g. Principal funding

Income from the sale of literature amounted to £852,724. This represents an increase from the previous year’s total of £785,768.

The literature costs realised £335,628 compared to £323,396 in 2023.

Our Total Income for the year is £1,830,465.

Our Total Expenditure for the year is £2,063,690.

Our Net Expenditure for 2023-24 before gains on investments is £233,225.

Our Net Gains on Investments is £120,236.

Our Net Expenditure for the year is £112,989

Prudent Reserve is currently £2,579,613, which is defined as 1.25 year of expenditure.

General Service Office Including Northern Service Office (NSO) and Southern Service Office (SSO)

All three offices have continued to operate with a full complement of staff. Our staff have continued to split their time between working from home and in the offices. This arrangement has continued to work well.

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

The above figures are detailed in the following pages of this Annual Report.

Structure, governance and management

a. Constitution

The Charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

Governance - The Relationships between the Board and its Supporters and Consultation Mechanisms.

The Board is a Limited Company regulated by its Memorandum and Articles of Association as laid down in the Companies Acts. This instrument is a legal document which has bearing only on The General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous (Great Britain) Limited.

The Board serves the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous in Great Britain and, in common with other groups of Trusted Servants, depends upon the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous, Twelve Concepts for Service and the Charter of the General Service Conference to guide its policies.

Because the Board is a Charitable Company registered in England, Wales and Scotland these instruments must be appropriate to their application in Great Britain and written in language which makes it clear that the Board recognises its responsibilities under English and Scottish Law.

Alcoholics Anonymous (The Fellowship) is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are selfsupporting through our own contributions. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organisation or institution, does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses or opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

AA members meet as Groups which form elected, representative service bodies, Intergroups and Regions, whose purpose is to facilitate the carrying of the AA message by the groups to the still-suffering alcoholic. This service structure nominates persons for election to the General Service Board. The General Service Board serves the Fellowship by providing central services of various types and is a registered charity. The Groups, Intergroups and Regions are recognised by the Charity Commissioners as informal, autonomous "affiliated groups" which have no independent constitution. As such, they are not to be accountable to the General Service Board nor to the Charity Commission. The governance of Alcoholics Anonymous in Great Britain is based on the voluntary instruments; The Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous, Twelve Concepts for Service and the Charter of the General Service Conference. Consultation between the main Charity, the General Service Board, and its Supporters, the Groups, Intergroups and Regions of Alcoholics Anonymous in Great Britain takes place on a regular basis through service forums and workshops and an annual General Service Conference comprised of elected delegates from each of the Regions in Alcoholics Anonymous Great Britain and the Trustees of the Board.

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

Structure, governance and management (continued)

b. Methods of appointment or election of Trustees

Trustee appointments are made solely by the General Service Board - Trustees are nominated by Regional bodies of the Fellowship, interviewed by the Nominations Committee of the Board who recommend the candidate they feel is most suitable to the Board who consider the recommendation and decide on the appointment by vote, ratification of the Trustees takes place at our Annual Conference in April after which Trustees have full voting rights. The General Service Board reserves the right to revoke any appointment.

c. Organisational structure and decision-making policies

The Board of Trustees makes policy based on its own initiative and guidance by the annual conference of the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. This policy is executed via its General Service Office (and subsidiary offices the Northern Service Office and Southern Service Office) which is in charge of day to day operations.

d. Policies adopted for the induction and training of Trustees

Induction takes place prior to the General Service Board meeting after Trustee appointments and consists of a presentation to explain the responsibilities of being a Trustee plus documentation which includes 'The Good Trustee Guide'. Subsequently every trustee attends external trustee training.

e. Pay policy for key management personnel

The Directors consider the Board of Directors, who are also the Charity's Trustees, and the Senior Management Team comprise the Key Management Personnel of the Charity in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the Charity on a day to day basis. All Directors give of their time freely and no Director received any remuneration in the year. Details of Directors' expenses and related party transactions are disclosed in Note 29 to the Financial Statements.

The pay for the Senior Management Team is reviewed annually and normally increased in accordance with average earnings and CPI inflation. In view of the nature of the Charity, the Directors benchmark against pay levels in other organisations. The remuneration benchmark is above the mid-point of the range paid for similar roles adjusted for a weighting of up to 30% for any additional responsibilities. If recruitment has proven difficult in the recent past a market addition is also paid.

f. Related party relationships

The Charity serves the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous by taking guidance of goods and services to be rendered through its annual conference. It has no other relationships with any other charities and organisations in the pursuit of its charitable objectives.

g. Trustees' indemnities

There is no qualifying third party indemnity provision in force at the time of approval of the report or during the period, for the benefit of one or more directors.

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

Plans for future periods

Future plans of the charity include the following: -

review of existing and the issue of new literature including leaflets and pamphlets
holding conventions
committees continue to support various groups
continuing support through phone lines and email more details are noted above in the achievements and performance section.

Statement of Trustees' responsibilities

The Trustees (who are also the directors of the charity for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial . Under company law, the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

Disclosure of information to auditors

Each of the persons who are Trustees at the time when this Trustees' Report is approved has confirmed that:

so far as that Trustee is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charity's auditors are unaware, and
that Trustee has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a Trustee in order to be aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charity's auditors are aware of that information.

Auditors

The designated Trustees will propose a motion reappointing the auditors, BHP LLP, at a meeting of the Trustees.

Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees on and signed on their behalf by:

Signer ID: VFOJ7S24XD... Justin Tunstall Chair Date: 13/02/2025 GMT

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES AND MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

We have audited the financial statements of The General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous (Great Britain) Limited (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 30 September 2024, which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company’s affairs as at 30 September 2024, and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, The Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and Regulation 8 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the trustees' report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES AND MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED (CONTINUED)

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

the information given in the trustees' report, which includes the directors' report prepared for the purposes of company law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
the directors’ report included within the trustees' report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors’ report included within the trustees' report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
certain disclosures of trustees’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies’ regime and take advantage of the small companies’ exemptions in preparing the directors’ report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditor under Section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and under the Companies Act 2006 and report in accordance with the Acts and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES AND MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED (CONTINUED)

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

the engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively has the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
we identified the laws and regulations applicable to the charitable company through discussions with management and trustees, and from our knowledge and experience of this organisation;
we focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the charitable company, including the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, data protection, health and safety and employment laws;
we assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquires of management and trustees; and
identified laws and regulations were communicated within the audit team regularly and the team remained alert to instances of non compliance throughout the audit of the charitable company.

We assessed the susceptibility of the charitable company's financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:

making enquiries of management and trustees as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud; and
considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non compliance with laws and regulations.

To address the risks of fraud through management override of controls, we:

performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected variances;
tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions;
assessed whether judgments and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates set out in note 3 were indicative of potential bias; and investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions.

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:

agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;
reading the minutes of meetings of those charged with governance; and
enquiring of management as to actual and potential litigation and claims.

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES AND MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED (CONTINUED)

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the FRC's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and to the charitable company's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Regulation 10 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members and trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, and the Charitable Company's trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Signer ID: IPFNE7JEI6... Laura Masheder (Senior statutory auditor)

for and on behalf of

BHP LLP

Rievaulx House 1 St Mary's Court York YO24 1AH

Date: 14/02/2025 GMT

BHP LLP is eligible to act as an auditor in terms of Section 1212 of the Companies Act.

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

Note Income from: Donations and legacies 4 Publication income 5 Investments 6 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities - publications 7 Charitable activities - other activity 8 Total expenditure Net (expenditure)/income before net gains on investments Net gains on investments 15 Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Net movement in funds Total funds carried forward 21	Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 884,193 852,724 44,210 1,781,127 894,917 1,145,815 2,040,732 (259,605) 120,236 (139,369) 2,493,809 (139,369) 2,354,440	Restricted funds 2024 £ 49,338 - - 49,338 - 22,958 22,958 26,380 - 26,380 142,813 26,380 169,193	Total funds 2024 £ 933,531 852,724 44,210 1,830,465 894,917 1,168,773 2,063,690 (233,225) 120,236 (112,989) 2,636,622 (112,989) 2,523,633	Total funds 2023 £ 940,583 785,768 43,597 1,769,948 828,164 1,043,672 1,871,836 (101,888) 14,624 (87,264) 2,723,886 (87,264) 2,636,622

The Statement of financial activities complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006 and includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

REGISTERED NUMBER: 00587316

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 14 Investments 15 Current assets Stocks 16 Debtors 17 Investments 18 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 19 Net current assets Total net assets Charity funds Restricted funds 21 Unrestricted funds 21 Total funds	147,945 100,886 486,047 610,406 1,345,284 (63,025)	2024 £ 2,195 1,239,179 1,241,374 1,282,259 2,523,633 169,193 2,354,440 2,523,633	195,673 96,579 486,047 821,891 1,600,190 (84,032)	2023 £ 1,521 1,118,943
				1,120,464 1,516,158

				2,636,622
				142,813 2,493,809

				2,636,622

The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Signer ID: VFOJ7S24XD... Justin Tunstall Trustee Date: 13/02/2025 GMT

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
Note Cash flows from operating activities Net cash used in operating activities 24 Cash flows from investing activities Dividends, interests and rents from investments Purchase of tangible fixed assets Net cash provided by investing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 25	2024 £ (252,917) 44,210 (2,778) 41,432 (211,485) 821,891 610,406	2023 £ (34,665) 43,598 (1,027) 42,571 7,906 813,985 821,891

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

1. General information

The General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous (Great Britain) Limited is an incorporated charity registered in England and Wales. The charity is also registered in Scotland. The address of the registered office is given in the charity information on page1 of these financial statements. The nature of the charity's operations and activities are set out on page 2 of these financial statements and include assisting alcoholics to overcome their addiction to alcohol and maintain sobriety.

In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity.

2. Accounting policies

2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

The General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous (Great Britain) Limited meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

2.2 Going concern

As part of their assessment of the going concern basis of preparation, the trustees have considered the impact of current and recent events on the charity's activities and workforce, as well as the wider economy. The trustees are confident that they have in place plans to deal with any financial losses that may arise.

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charitable company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.3 Income

All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

Donations receivable for the general purpose of the charity are credited to unrestricted funds. Donations for purpose restricted by the wishes of the donor are taken to restricted funds where these wishes are legally binding on the trustees.

Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

Investment income is accounted for in the period in which the charity is entitled to receipt.

Other income is recognised in the period in which it is receivable and to the extent the goods have been provided or on completion of the service.

2.4 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

Expenditure on raising funds includes all expenditure incurred by the charity to raise funds for its charitable purposes and includes costs of all fundraising activities events and non-charitable trading.

Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.

2.5 Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.

2.6 Taxation

The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

Page 28

Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.7 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets costing £500 or more are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably.

Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost.

At each reporting date the charity assesses whether there is any indication of impairment. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is determined to be the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. An impairment loss is recognised where the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount.

Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives .

Depreciation is provided on the following basis:

Fixtures and fittings	-	25% per annum straight line
Computer equipment	-	33% per annum straight line

The assets' residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted prospectively if appropriate, or if there is an indication of a significant change since the last reporting date.

2.8 Investments

Fixed asset investments are a form of financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction cost and subsequently measured at fair value at the Balance Sheet date, unless the value cannot be measured reliably in which case it is measured at cost less impairment. Investment gains and losses, whether realised or unrealised, are combined and presented as ‘Gains/(Losses) on investments’ in the Statement of Financial Activities.

2.9 Stocks

Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value after making due allowance for obsolete and slow-moving stocks.

2.10 Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

2.11 Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

Page 29

Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.12 Liabilities and provisions

Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance Sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.

Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.

2.13 Financial instruments

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

2.14 Operating leases

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

2.15 Pensions

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the charity to the fund in respect of the year.

2.16 Fund accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

3. Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgment

Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Critical accounting estimates and assumptions:

The charity makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results.

There are no estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.

4. Income from donations and legacies

*Donations* Contributions Gift aid Conventions Conference contributions Total 2023	Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 831,034 25,695 11,624 15,840 884,193 909,254	Restricted funds 2024 £ 49,338 - - - 49,338 31,329	Total funds 2024 £ 880,372 25,695 11,624 15,840 933,531 940,583	Total funds 2023 £ 889,430 24,277 8,050 18,826
				940,583

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

5. Publication income

Sales of literature Total 2023	Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 852,724 785,768	Total funds 2024 £ 852,724 785,768	Total funds 2023 £ 785,768

The charity benefits from the input of volunteers who assist with the packing of quarterly newletters. In accordance with the Charities SORP, the economic contribution of volunteers is not recognised in the financial statements.

6. Investment income

Fixed asset investment income Deposit account interest Total 2023	Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 35,057 9,153 44,210 43,585	Restricted funds 2024 £ - - - 12	Total funds 2024 £ 35,057 9,153 44,210 43,597	Total funds 2023 £ 34,496 9,101
				43,597

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

7. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities - publications

Purchase of literature Premises costs Office expenses Public information and publication costs Conference costs Website Irrecoverable VAT Financial expenses General expenses Provision for write off of old literature Staff costs Total 2023	Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 335,628 45,284 140,404 68,582 94,155 40,945 67,686 23,254 7,179 - 71,800 894,917 828,164	Total funds 2024 £ 335,628 45,284 140,404 68,582 94,155 40,945 67,686 23,254 7,179 - 71,800 894,917 828,164	Total funds 2023 £ 323,396 40,809 130,336 37,326 77,666 41,471 53,478 19,001 10,417 30,000 64,264
			828,164

Page 33

Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

8. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities - other activity

Summary by fund type

Charitable activities Total 2023	Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 1,145,815 1,028,633	Restricted funds 2024 £ 22,958 15,039	Total 2024 £ 1,168,773 1,043,672	Total 2023 £ 1,043,672

9. Analysis of expenditure by activities

Charitable activities Total 2023	Activities undertaken directly 2024 £ 622,564 529,088	Support costs 2024 £ 546,209 514,584	Total funds 2024 £ 1,168,773 1,043,672	Total funds 2023 £ 1,043,672

Page 34

Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

9. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)

Analysis of direct costs

Staff costs Premises costs Office expenses General expenses Total 2023 Analysis of support costs Staff costs Premises costs Office expenses Financial expenses General expenses Governance costs (note 10) Total 2023	Activities 2024 £ 368,366 86,644 40,391 127,163 622,564 529,088 Activities 2024 £ 272,844 67,173 41,335 60 77,679 87,118 546,209 514,584	Total funds 2024 £ 368,366 86,644 40,391 127,163 622,564 529,088 Total funds 2024 £ 272,844 67,173 41,335 60 77,679 87,118 546,209 514,584	Total funds 2023 £ 334,172 76,292 43,301 75,323
			529,088
			Total funds 2023 £ 244,202 59,782 49,287 60 57,638 103,615
			514,584

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

10. Governance costs

Trustees' expenses Professional fees	2024 £ 51,673 35,445 87,118	2023 £ 58,168 45,447
		103,615

11. Net income/(expenditure)

	2024	2023
	£	£
*This is stated after charging:*
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets owned by the charity	2,104	2,942
Operating lease expenditure	176,996	108,813

12. Auditors' remuneration Fees payable to the charity's auditor for the audit of the charity's annual accounts Fees payable to the charity's auditor in respect of: All non-audit services not included above 13. Staff costs	2024 £ 14,175 1,325	2023 £ 13,580 1,270

Wages and salaries Social security costs Contribution to defined contribution pension schemes	2024 £ 597,386 53,203 62,421 713,010	2023 £ 536,824 51,357 54,457

		642,638

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

13. Staff costs (continued)

The average number of persons employed by the charity during the year was as follows:

Full-time staff Part-time staff	2024 No. 9 12 21	2023 No. 11 9 20

No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.

During the year the key management personnel's remuneration, including employers' pension and national insurance, totalled £357,477 (2023: £324,381). The key management personnel are listed on page 1.

14. Tangible fixed assets

*Cost or valuation* At 1 October 2023 Additions At 30 September 2024 *Depreciation* At 1 October 2023 Charge for the year At 30 September 2024 *Net book value* At 30 September 2024 At 30 September 2023	Fixtures and fittings £ 135,757 880 136,637 135,757 293 136,050 587 -	Computer equipment £ 40,405 1,898 42,303 38,884 1,811 40,695 1,608 1,521	Total £ 176,162 2,778
			178,940
			174,641 2,104
			176,745
			2,195
			1,521

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

15. Fixed asset investments *Cost or valuation* At 1 October 2023 Revaluations At 30 September 2024 *Net book value* At 30 September 2024 At 30 September 2023 The historical cost of the listed investments is £880,171 (2023: £880,171).	Listed investments £ 1,118,943 120,236
	1,239,179
	1,239,179
	1,118,943

16. Stocks Goods for resale 17. Debtors *Due within one year* Trade debtors Other debtors Prepayments	2024 £ 147,945 2024 £ 1,825 32,132 66,929 100,886	2023 £ 195,673 2023 £ 4,690 26,227 65,662 96,579

Page 38

Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

18. Current asset investments

	2024	2023
	£	£
Longer term deposits	486,047	486,047

Current asset investments comprise a reserve account with a 3 year notice period.

19. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors Other creditors Accruals and deferred income	2024 £ 23,605 5,583 33,837 63,025	2023 £ 43,867 2,320 37,845

		84,032

20. Deferred income

Deferred income at 1 October Income deferred during the year Amounts released from previous periods *Deferred income at 30 September*	2024 £ 15,036 16,517 (15,036) 16,517	2023 £ 11,471 15,036 (11,471)

		15,036

Deferred income includes amounts paid in advance for Share and Roundabout magazine subscription royalties.

Page 39

Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

21. Statement of funds

Statement of funds - current year

*Unrestricted funds* General Fund *Restricted funds* Development Fund European Service Meeting *Total of funds* Statement of funds - prior year *Unrestricted funds* General Fund *Restricted funds* Development Fund European Service Meeting *Total of funds*	Balance at 1 October 2023 £ 2,493,809 90,360 52,453 142,813 2,636,622 Balance at 1 October 2022 £ 2,597,375 68,702 57,809 126,511 2,723,886	Income £ 1,781,127 25,659 23,679 49,338 1,830,465 Income £ 1,738,607 25,973 5,368 31,341 1,769,948	Expenditure £ (2,040,732) (58) (22,900) (22,958) (2,063,690) Expenditure £ (1,856,797) (4,315) (10,724) (15,039) (1,871,836)	Gains/ (Losses) £ 120,236 - - - 120,236 Gains/ (Losses) £ 14,624 - - - 14,624	Balance at 30 September 2024 £ 2,354,440
					115,961 53,232
					169,193
					2,523,633
					Balance at 30 September 2023 £ 2,493,809
					90,360 52,453
					142,813
					2,636,622

Page 40

Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

21. Statement of funds (continued)

The Development fund relates to book royalties from the sale of The Big Book, As Bill Sees It and 12 Steps and 12 Traditions. Expenditure for the Development fund is subject to board approval and is used to help and support the establishment of the Fellowship abroad.

The primary purpose of the European Service Meeting fund is to carry the message to the alcoholic who still suffers, whoever he may be, whatever language he speaks. The European Service Meeting fund is administered by the charity and is currently self-supporting by contributions of those countries which attend the European Service Meeting.

22. Summary of funds

Summary of funds - current year

General funds Restricted funds Summary of funds - prior year General funds Restricted funds	Balance at 1 October 2023 £ 2,493,809 142,813 2,636,622 Balance at 1 October 2022 £ 2,597,375 126,511 2,723,886	Income £ 1,781,127 49,338 1,830,465 Income £ 1,738,607 31,341 1,769,948	Expenditure £ (2,040,732) (22,958) (2,063,690) Expenditure £ (1,856,797) (15,039) (1,871,836)	Gains/ (Losses) £ 120,236 - 120,236 Gains/ (Losses) £ 14,624 - 14,624	Balance at 30 September 2024 £ 2,354,440 169,193
					2,523,633
					Balance at 30 September 2023 £ 2,493,809 142,813
					2,636,622

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

23. Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds - current period

Tangible fixed assets Fixed asset investments Current assets Creditors due within one year *Total* Analysis of net assets between funds - prior period Tangible fixed assets Fixed asset investments Current assets Creditors due within one year *Total*	Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 2,195 1,239,179 1,176,091 (63,025) 2,354,440 Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 1,521 1,118,943 1,457,377 (84,032) 2,493,809	Restricted funds 2024 £ - - 169,193 - 169,193 Restricted funds 2023 £ - - 142,813 - 142,813	Total funds 2024 £ 2,195 1,239,179 1,345,284 (63,025) 2,523,633 Total funds 2023 £ 1,521 1,118,943 1,600,190 (84,032) 2,636,622

Page 42

Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

24. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities

Net expenditure for the period (as per Statement of Financial Activities) *Adjustments for:* Depreciation charges Gains on investments Dividends and interest from investments Decrease in stocks (Increase)/decrease in debtors (Decrease)/increase in creditors *Net cash used in operating activities* 25. Analysis of cash and cash equivalents Cash in hand *Total cash and cash equivalents* 26. Analysis of changes in net debt At 1 October 2023 £ Cash at bank and in hand 821,891 821,891	2024 £ (112,989) 2,104 (120,236) (44,210) 47,728 (4,307) (21,007) (252,917) 2024 £ 610,406 610,406 Cash flows £ (211,485) (211,485)	2023 £ (87,264) 2,942 (14,624) (43,598) 60,572 6,666 40,641 (34,665) 2023 £ 821,891 821,891 At 30 September 2024 £ 610,406 610,406

The charitable company had no debt in the current or previous financial year.

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

27. Pension commitments

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for its employees. The amount recognised as an expense in the period was £62,421 (2023: £54,457).

28. Operating lease commitments

At 30 September 2024 the charity had commitments to make future minimum lease payments under noncancellable operating leases as follows:

Not later than 1 year Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years Later than 5 years	2024 £ 244,080 611,864 287,514 1,143,458	2023 £ 238,580 639,960 208,498

		1,087,038

29. Related party transactions

Trustee remuneration and benefits

None of the trustees have been paid any remuneration or received any other benefits from an employment with their charity or a related entity.

Trustee expenses

Expenses amount to £51,673 were paid to all trustees and the Charity Secretary for expenses relating to travel, subsistence and accommodation whilst attending meetings and events on behalf of the general service board (2023: £62,420 to all trustees).

Trustee other related parties

There are no other related parties in the current or previous year.

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES AND MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

In our opinion the financial statements:

give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company’s affairs as at 30 September 2024, and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, The Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and Regulation 8 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006.

Basis for opinion

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

We have nothing to report in this regard.

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES AND MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED (CONTINUED)

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

the information given in the trustees' report, which includes the directors' report prepared for the purposes of company law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
the directors’ report included within the trustees' report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
certain disclosures of trustees’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies’ regime and take advantage of the small companies’ exemptions in preparing the directors’ report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.

Responsibilities of trustees

Auditor responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES AND MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED (CONTINUED)

the engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively has the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
we identified the laws and regulations applicable to the charitable company through discussions with management and trustees, and from our knowledge and experience of this organisation;
we focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the charitable company, including the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, data protection, health and safety and employment laws;
we assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquires of management and trustees; and
identified laws and regulations were communicated within the audit team regularly and the team remained alert to instances of non compliance throughout the audit of the charitable company.

We assessed the susceptibility of the charitable company's financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:

making enquiries of management and trustees as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud; and
considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non compliance with laws and regulations.

To address the risks of fraud through management override of controls, we:

performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected variances;
tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions;
assessed whether judgments and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates set out in note 3 were indicative of potential bias; and investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions.

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:

agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;
reading the minutes of meetings of those charged with governance; and
enquiring of management as to actual and potential litigation and claims.

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES AND MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED (CONTINUED)

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the FRC's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Use of our report

Signer ID: IPFNE7JEI6... Laura Masheder (Senior statutory auditor)

for and on behalf of

BHP LLP

Rievaulx House 1 St Mary's Court York YO24 1AH

Date: 14/02/2025 GMT

BHP LLP is eligible to act as an auditor in terms of Section 1212 of the Companies Act.

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Document ID: 3635dde59b6f1323c74642a4c72ad649de8d5ba0faf29c8fa95f2b341c72e941

Annual Report

CONTENTS

The Preamble

Annual Report of the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous (Great Britain) Limited

Introduction

Chairperson’s Introduction to Annual Report

GSB Personnel

Trustees who departed from the Board this year:

The following retired:

The following trustees were appointed to the Board:

Report of the Trustees

Financial Statement for 2023-2024 Annual Report

Annual Report Introduction

Investments

Overall picture

Literature

General Service Office

FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR PERIOD ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER 2024 BALANCE SHEET

Statement of Financial Activities

(Incorporating Income & Expenditure Account) for year ended 30th September 2024

Continuing Operations

All incoming resources and resources expended arise from continuing activities NOTES to the FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the YEAR ENDED 30th SEPTEMBER 2024

Notes to accompany the Figures above

Members of the General Service Board

Auditors

Bankers

Investment Managers

The Twelve Traditions

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

CONTENTS

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

CHAIR'S STATEMENT

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

CHAIR'S STATEMENT (CONTINUED)

Justin Tunstall

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT

Objectives and activities

a. Policies and objectives

b. Volunteers

c. Main activities undertaken to further the charity's purposes for the public benefit

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

Achievements and performance

a. Main achievements of the charity

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

Achievements and performance (continued)

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

Achievements and performance (continued)

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

Achievements and performance (continued)

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

Achievements and performance (continued)

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

Achievements and performance (continued)

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

Achievements and performance (continued)

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED