Shine Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 2024/25 Year ended 31st March 2025 







## Contents 

|~~Message from our Chair and CEO~~|~~3~~||~~Thank you~~||~~24~~|
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|~~Our impact~~|~~4~~||~~Income and expenditure 2024/25~~||~~26~~|
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|~~Our achievements in the year~~|~~5~~||~~Financial review~~||~~27~~|
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|~~Strategic Goal 1~~|~~6~~||~~Going concern and statement of public beneft ~~||~~30~~|
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|~~Strategic Goal 2~~|~~9~~||~~Reference and administration details~~||~~31~~|
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|~~Strategic Goal 3~~|~~12~~||~~Our commitment to quality fundraising~~||~~33~~|
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|~~Strategic Goal 4~~|~~16~~||~~Structure, Governance and Management~~||~~34~~|
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|~~Strategic Goal 5~~|~~17~~||~~Board integrity~~||~~34~~|
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|~~Strategic Goal 6~~|~~18~~||~~Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities~~||~~36~~|
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|~~Strategic Goal 7~~|~~19~~||~~Independent Auditor’s Report~~<br>|~~37 onwards~~||



2 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 




## Welcome from the Chair and CEO 

## We are proud to welcome you to Shine’s Annual Report for the year 2024/25. 

As the Chair and the CEO, we are delighted to share details of the remarkable strides Shine has made throughout the year to support our members, their families and professionals. From enhancing educational support for children to empowering young people and adults, our initiatives have made a significant impact on the lives of our members across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

## campaign for 

greater public awareness on how folic acid supplementation can help to reduce the chances of pregnancies being affected by anencephaly, a fatal condition, and spina bifida. 

Shine’s membership is at its highest ever, with over 14,500 babies, children, young people and adults living with hydrocephalus and/or spina bifida, and related conditions now registered with us. 

We have reviewed and consolidated initiatives such as the ‘Shall Wee Talk’ continence support programme, which has been reshaped to better cater to different age groups, and introduced the Shine STAR school awards, aimed at educating nursery and school staff about spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Our staff have also dedicated efforts to improve transition support for young people and worked with the NHS to establish more specialist clinics and access to better services across the nations. 

We cannot thank the teams across Shine enough for the work they do. Ably guided by our senior leadership and management teams, they have once again risen to the challenge of delivering quality advice and support as our membership numbers have continued to grow – from the frontline service teams and our specialist leads to income generation and finance, from our communication and data staff to HR and internal services, EVERYONE has played their part in making 2024/25 a success. 

Whilst we have continued to build on our strategic goals, ensuring that our services are tailored to meet the diverse needs of our members, we have also turned our focus to research and innovation, including a transformative new treatment, Non-Invasive Spinal Electrical Stimulation (NISE Stim), which promises a new era in neurorehabilitation for people living with spina bifida. Additionally, our focus on raising awareness and providing support for normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) has led to the development of a specialised service in Shine that addresses the unique challenges faced by individuals to get a diagnosis of NPH, the ensuing treatment and on-going support needed when living with the condition. 

Thanks must also go to the trustees, volunteers and supporters who make significant contributions to Shine, be they overseeing management and leadership of the charity, helping with day-to-day tasks such as admin or data checking, or fundraising and supporting us at the numerous events we are involved in throughout the year. 

As we look ahead to the coming years, Shine remains committed to making a positive impact on the lives of those we support. 

The success of our campaigns, including the mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid, marks a major milestone in our efforts to prevent neural tube defects. This achievement is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of our team and supporters. In the coming years, it is our intention to 

With our best wishes 



Joanne Williams, Chair 

Kate Steele, CEO 

Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 3 



## Our impact 

Shine is continually working towards our vision of a society where all those whose lives are affected by spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus, and associated conditions are empowered and enabled through choice and equality of opportunity”. 


**We welcomed 923 new members to Shine, bringing our overall membership to over 14,500 people!** 

**Last year, we provided one to one support to eo le 4,650 p p** 

We made a difference in the **following areas…** 

**Improving health and self-management** 

**Reducing isolation and building community** 

**1681** 

**1887 1887 people attended our events and engaged on our peer support forums.** 

**We helped 1681 people to improve their condition knowledge, and 1489 people to manage their condition better.** 

**3432** 

**1459 1459 enjoyed better health and wellbeing thanks to our support.** 

**We enabled 3432 people to enjoy more positive relationships in their lives, and 3497 to feel better connected to others.** 

## Enhancing access to **essential services…** 

**Our teams supported…** 




**478 people to have better access to education** 

**133 people 365 people to get better accommodation to to have improved suit their condition financial stability** 

**1632 people to access better care and support in their community** 

**We also empowered people with the knowledge and confidence to seek support themselves. As a result of our interventions,1878 people felt more confident to self-advocate** 

**87 people to get into work, or get the support they needed to stay in work for longer** 

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## Our achievements in the year 

## Consolidation 

When we launched the Corporate Plan in 2022, our ambition was to create a structure and investment plan, which would ensure we were able to provide tailored support, advice and guidance for all Shine members and their parents/families/carers, no matter their age, condition(s) or location. 

## Three years in, and we have achieved this! 

## For each ‘age and stage’ in our members’ lives, Shine offers: 

- 1-2-1 Support and Guidance: tailored to individual needs, and issues related to spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and associated conditions. 

- Online Events: regular online sessions for information sharing and community engagement. 

- Face-to-Face Events: regular in-person gatherings and attending conferences to foster community connections. 

- Regular updates: on a host of conditionrelated, and social information such as welfare and benefits, housing, staying active and social opportunities 

- Health Advice: sessions with our specialist health team to address concerns over physical health and mental well-being. 

options for independence, employment, staying and living well, finance and interests 

   - Support for Parents/Carers of babies, children and young people: WhatsApp groups and online sessions for parents to share experiences and receive support. 

   - Shine40Plus Group: a closed Facebook group for peer support and sharing experiences amongst our adult members over 40. 

   - Promoting Specialist Information and Resources: regular reminders and updates on available resources. 

   - Awareness Weeks: Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus 

   - and NPH Awareness Weeks to raise public awareness and share members’ stories. 

   - Shine services: 

- Clinic Attendance: regular presence at NHS clinics to support our adult members, children and their families, complementing the NHS teams by offering additional support on a range of topics, as well as helping to understand medical terminology and information 

- Educational Support: guidance on education and expectations of schools, understanding and support for children with spina bifida and hydrocephalus and shaping educational plans 

- Planning for the Future: helping people consider 


Shine Health Direct: a service providing urology amd stoma products to members, delivered in partnership with Bullen Healthcare. 



Legal Services: A partnership with leading law firms to offer legal advice and support. 

Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 5 



## Strategic Goal **1** 

## Enabling Babies and Children (0 to 12 years old) 

**members as of 31st March 2025** 

**children and families who received one-to-one support** 

Shine has been a tremendous support for us as parents, especially in the early days when we had no idea what to expect…” Parent of a young Shine member.’ 

## Transition 

It is important that our children with hydrocephalus and/or spina bifida, along with their families, have a positive experience of transitioning into new schools and environments, as they are more likely to feel connected, enjoy a sense of belonging and have a positive sense of social and emotional wellbeing, which allows them to learn and thrive. 

However, our experience shows that transition plans can be disjointed and, in some cases, nonexistent for babies and children living with 

hydrocephalus and/or spina bifida. 

The knock-on effect is a lack of understanding of the conditions, and the potential cognitive impacts, limited awareness of the 

needs of the individual child, and a lack of adjustments and adaptations to ensure the child can get the best out of their new school and the education it provides. 

We were, therefore, delighted to appoint Shine’s 

Education Officer in March 2024 to enhance our educational support. 12-months on, and in addition to more general education advice, Shine can consistently offer: 

- Anytime specialist 1-2-1 support for parent/ carers 

- Information tailored to key transition times in a child’s education 

- Guidance and help to complete ECHPs (England), Individual Learning Plans (Wales) and Personal Learning Plans (Northern Ireland) 

- Education newsletters 

- Shine STAR school awards to engage and educate nursery and school staff to have better understanding of the conditions and strategies to enhance the school experience 

Thank you to The Mackintosh Foundation and The Stockwell / Cliffe Charitable Trust for their support 

6 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 



Shine is an outstanding charity that has provided invaluable support to our school on our journey to achieving the SHINE School Award. Their guidance and assistance for both staff and parents have been truly (SENDCO, exceptional, making a significant impact every step of the way…” from school achieving the STAR Award) 


## Managing continence 

Most people living with spina bifida will have some degree of continence issues with the bowel, bladder, or both. Early understanding of the importance of continence care can be life-changing for those children who 

have continence issues. Selfmanagement leads to a growth in self-confidence and longer-term independence. 

An extensive review of our ‘Shall Wee Talk’ continence support programme informed a re- 

shape of the service, which is now run as a sixweek programme for different age groups, allowing the team to tailor information and language to the children’s ages and levels of understanding. Once completed, the children will graduate from the programme but continue to have access to specialist support. Their place remains secure in the group if they are not ready to move on. 

The difference just one session had on my son’s mental state was huge. To know he isn’t alone, that there are other boys like him, it was almost as if a visible weight was lifted from his shoulders.” 

Thank you to BBC Children in Need and John Horniman's Children's Trust for their support 

## Spinal Stimulation – a new era of treatment 

Shine has continued our ground-breaking research using Non-Invasive Spinal Electrical Stimulation (NISE Stim), which highlights a promising new era in neurorehabilitation. Developed in 2017 by Dr. Gad Alon and Gerti Motavalli, NISE Stim uses electrical impulses sent through electrodes placed over the spinal cord to stimulate sensory roots. This stimulation enhances neural connectivity within the spinal cord, impacting sensory, motor, and autonomic nervous systems. 

NISE Stim strengthens neural connections and induces muscle contractions, promoting neuroplasticity. It offers potential improvements in muscle health, metabolic function, bone strength, circulation, and wound healing. Clinical studies since the 1980s have shown its safety, with rare instances of skin irritation under electrode. 

The treatment is suitable for children with spina bifida and can begin as early as 8 weeks post-surgery. It is contraindicated for children with implanted electrical devices or uncontrolled epilepsy. The Shine NISE Stim Service, available in five locations across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, has seen positive outcomes 

in children and adults, including increased circulation, sensation, and muscle strength. 

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It is still early days, but this innovative approach marks a significant advancement in neuro rehabilitation, which we hope to see rolled out to benefit more people living with spina bifida across the UK. 

We truly believe that a combination of spinal 

stimulation therapy and regular physiotherapy has improved our daughter’s muscle tone and mobility, allowing her to do most of the things that any child of her age can do. With the help of Shine, we will continue to do spinal stimulation therapy to continue to help our daughter’s mobility… 

Our daughter has benefitted greatly from spinal stimulation therapy. Before we started, she had very limited sensation in the soles of her feet and her feet were in such a dorsi flex position that her toes were almost touching her shins. After a year of spinal stimulation, her sensation has improved dramatically. Whilst her foot positioning isn’t 100% correct it now sits in a 90-degree angle, allowing her to crawl, climb and walk with a kaye walker. 

## Member story 

At every spinal stimulation clinic we hold, we witness the real life impact this therapy has on children’s comfort, mobility, and independence. Recently, we saw a young man who had been following a tailored course of spinal stimulation aimed at strengthening the muscles in his trunk. 

This approach was chosen to reduce any worsening of his existing scoliosis (curvature of the spine) and to reduce how hard he is having to work in sitting due to weak core and trunk muscles. 

At his most recent appointment, we were thrilled to see that his independent sitting balance had improved when not wearing his back brace. Sitting with more stability has led to him feeling more confident when sitting and he is now working with his Occupational Therapist on learning independent dressing skills. 

Following review from his medical team, the need 

for a back brace may be reduced (currently he wears it 23 hours a day), and with it the need for surgery may be avoided. 

We would like to extend our thanks to the following for their support of our spinal stimulation work 

- ♥ Milles Charitable Foundation Limited 

- ♥ The Casey Trust 

- ♥ The Grace Trust 

- ♥ The Hamamelis Trust 

- ♥ Liam Fairhurst Foundation 

- ♥ The Vandervell Foundation 


## **Thank you for supporting our Little Stars:** 

- ♥ Baron Davenport’s Charity 

- ♥ The Charles S. French Charitable Trust 

- ♥ Eastern Counties Educational Trust Limited 

- ♥ Eleanor Rathbone Charitable Trust 

- ♥ The Peter Harrison Foundation 

- ♥ The Street Foundation 

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## Strategic Goal **2** 

Empowering Young People (13 to 25 years old) 

## **young people members** 

**young people who have received one-to-one support** 

Similar to initiatives in goal 1 but for different ages, our teams have worked to more directly connect and communicate with our 13 to 17 year old members, and our 18 to 25 year old members, 

encouraging them to take greater responsibility in advocating for themselves in accessing the services and support systems they want and need. 

I used to think I was weak, that my conditions meant I couldn’t do anything. Shine changed that.” (Teen member) 

## Influencing pathways for transition 

Improving transition support and access to services has been high on our agenda as experience tells us that there are large gaps in the system when young people reach the age of moving from children to adult health and other services. 

The right services and good transition pathways will help young people adapt to the changes and challenges that come with adulthood. Shine has been working with clinics and professionals to find opportunities to improve existing services and identify potential partnerships and projects to create more opportunities to smooth the way for young people to continue receiving the necessary and tailored support and care as they get older. 

We have also put a spotlight on transition in education. By combining the expertise, skills and 

knowledge of our Youth Voice and Engagement Officer and our Education Officer, we have successfully supported many of our youth members at distinct stages of their education journey. This work is also shaping our future strategy to meet the needs of the young people we work with. 

Before joining the teen socials, I never knew anybody with the same conditions as me. I was really worried at first about joining, but I cried with happiness after the first session because I no longer felt alone” (Teen member) 

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## Developing Shine’s services for Young People 

Shine’s Young People have been actively engaged in creating the framework for our young people’s support service, which includes peer interaction, support through websites and social media, resources, and a network of partner agencies for signposting. This approach ensures that the work we do is tailored to their needs and preferences, promotes independence, self-advocacy and builds a sense of community. 

I enjoyed being part of the video about school stresses. It was tough to talk about but it was good to have my voice heard. It was also nice to know I do not face these struggles alone. It was overwhelming to have so much in common with others after feeling alone with these issues for so long. It made me realise I am not the weirdo at school and other people struggle with the same things and it is down to my condition. 

## Innovative approaches to engagement and involvement 

Our young people have been engaged in steering the direction of the services they wish to receive from us. 

Drawing on their knowledge, experiences and needs, the groups have actively contributed to the development of co-produced e-newsletters, a toolkit to help with future planning and draft publications, the contents of which is relevant and resonates with their experiences, covering a range of topics including health updates, personal stories and practical advice. 

Bringing the groups together not only provides valuable insight and information, but also fosters a sense of community and belonging, which also addresses our strategic goal 4 ‘a connected community’. 

It’s part of being something bigger… knowing we are not alone…” 

10 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 



## Youth Work sessions 

Set up to engage, empower and educate, these online and face to face sessions have provided safe spaces for our young people to meet others of the same age share experiences and explore areas of interest or challenge together, often focusing on their health and wellbeing. 

It’s helped us face challenges that once felt overwhelming…” (Shine teen members’ feedback) 

## Member story – the difference Shine has made 

“One of the many stand out moments for us as parents was the response from Shine at the point of diagnosis, when we discovered our baby had spina bifida at the 20-week scan. Within 12 hours of us reaching out we received a response and within 4 day we had a face-to-face meeting with a member of the Shine Team. We have accessed a range of support over the years ranging from emotional support which has proved to be incredibly beneficial during challenging teenage years, vast input from Shines Specialist Health Team which has helped prepare Owain for independence, understand his disability and the confidence to manage his complex condition plus the importance of taking responsibility for his own health and wellbeing. Opportunities also for social interaction and develop friendships with other young people within the Shine community. 

The support that Shine has put in place to Owain, ourselves, and professionals has enabled Owain to get the best out of life. Confidence has grown and he has a new found passion for wheelchair racing 

he was recently been crowned Welsh Champion in the under 20 100M and 400 metre Wheelchair Racing. He has had a fantastic season and broken multiple club records at Newport Harrier Athletics in the T54 wheelchair racer category and has travelled across the country putting in some incredible performances, winning both the Cardiff and Swansea 10K races! He is aiming for the Paralympics in 2028. 

Owain has also just obtained his DofE Bronze award and Chief Scouts Platinum award and is due to return to his primary school and talk to pupils about accessing sport with a disability” 

Owain’s Mum and Dad 

We would like to thank the following organisations, who have supported us in our work with our young people: 

- ♥ Barnard Kenneth Hufton Charity 

- ♥ The Basil Death Trust 

- ♥ Sandra Charitable Trust 

Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 11 



## Strategic Goal **3** 

## Adults of All Ages 

## **adult members over 25** 

## **people who received one-to-one support** 

More than half Shine’s adult membership has hydrocephalus, or hydrocephalus and spina bifida. In both conditions, understanding physical and/or mental health and the need for earlier intervention can prevent the escalation of issues that quickly become complex and difficult to treat or manage. 

I can’t believe the timing of this call. I was feeling so low. It’s been so nice to talk to you, and I had no idea I could get all this support from Shine, thank you so much for calling me today…” 

## Our additional focus for adults has been on: 

## A new publication 


Based on Shine’s ‘1000 Voices’ research, ‘Understanding Spina Bifida in Adulthood’ gives a wide range of insights and expert information into aspects of health and well-being, to improve approaches for early intervention and prevention of health complications. 

## ‘Shine on …’ health series 

As part of our focus on improving selfmanagement for adults, Shine introduced and piloted two new online courses for people living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus. 

‘Shine on Pain’ and ‘Shine on Wellbeing’ are designed to run for small groups of members, with sessions taking place each week over several weeks to build knowledge and confidence in self-awareness and strategies for self-management. 

I would highly recommend this sort of course to anyone in my situation.  It was such a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, and I wish all the best to all the other participants…” (Feedback from group participant) 

12 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 



Adult spina bifida clinics The UK is still severely lacking in specialist spina bifida clinic provision for adults. This not only impacts access to the right services at the right time for adults living with the condition, but limits transition opportunities from child health to adult health services. We see so many fall through these gaps but know that, with the right statutory services in place, preventative medicine and healthcare can play a significant role in keeping our members in good health for longer. 

Shine continued to build links with NHS services across England and Wales and had discussions with hospitals and health boards to progress the establishment of clinics across the nations. Progress has been slow, but we are pleased to have had the opportunity to build links and start discussions which we are confident will move forward in the coming 12 months. 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
Member story<br>– Living with<br>spina bifida<br>“Living with<br>spina bifida in a<br>two-story house<br>was incredibly<br>difficult. My<br>bedroom and<br>bathroom were<br>upstairs, but my<br>mobility issues<br>made it impossible<br>to access them safely.<br>I slept in the living room<br>and used the kitchen sink to<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


wash. Every day felt like a struggle, and my home, which should have been a place of comfort, became a source of stress and frustration. That’s when Shine stepped in. 

From the start, Shine was more than just a support service - they were my advocates. Laura and the team worked tirelessly, making countless calls and sending emails to occupational therapists and housing officers. It wasn’t a quick process, but they never gave up. 

Thanks to their persistence, I’ve now moved into a fully accessible home. Everything is designed with my needs in mind - from the layout of the rooms to the front and back gardens. The lift I have in the hall which leads up to the landing is just fantastic! I can hang washing on the line, enjoy the outdoors, and even go to the shops in my power wheelchair, which Shine also helped me secure funding for. 

This move has completely transformed my life. I feel independent, safe, and empowered. 

I’m so grateful to Laura and everyone at Shine. Honestly, this has changed my life big time. I have a new lease of life!” 

## Help with housing 

A key issue for so many remains finding and keeping suitable and accessible housing. Whilst this is not unique to Shine, it is a must that we work to support and guide our members on this issue so that they can live independently, if they so wish, and be safe and comfortable in their homes. As well as up-to-date information and 1-2-1 support, our housing passport was reviewed and updated as a useful guide to finding the right accommodation for them and their families/dependents. 

Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 13 



## Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus 

In the past 2 years, Shine has seen a significant growth in members with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH). 

Whilst we don’t have any evidence to understand this increase in new members, anecdotally, more people are being diagnosed with the condition, and people are coming across Shine as the charity that delivers NPH-support services, via the website and information from NHS hospitals. 

Both suggest a growing awareness of the condition, and better understanding of symptoms for referral to specialists for investigation. 

To support this work, Shine introduced a new NPH Co-ordinator role in 2024, who has started to develop a specialist service to address the questions that so many ask, which commonly include: 

- Understanding NPH and treatment options 

- Continence concerns and support 

- Cognitive changes and the impact on daily life 

- Housing adaptations and home safety 

- Support for unpaid carers to access respite and assistance with receiving care assessments/care packages 

- Benefits for the person with NPH and their unpaid carer 

- Future Planning and Care Needs 

Links have been established with some lead neurosurgeons and NPH clinics across the country, to create referral systems, and increase awareness, provide information and direct support to individuals and their families. 

Shine’s first NPH awareness week took place in May 2024, with the next in May 2025. 



What is Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus? 

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a condition which mainly affects people over 60 years old. 

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is constantly produced and absorbed and flows through chambers within the brain (ventricles) and around the outside of the spinal cord. CSF protects the brain and spine, provides nutrients, and removes toxins. In NPH, the ventricles become enlarged by too much CSF building up, although the pressures inside the head are often found to be normal. 

Symptoms of NPH include difficulty walking, cognitive impairment/dementia, and urinary incontinence. The dementia-like symptoms are often confused with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s diseases, leading to NPH being missed/ 

misdiagnosed, but if picked up, NPH is a treatable and potentially reversible condition. 

Therefore, our work on raising awareness across the general public and health and care professionals is vital to getting timely diagnosis and treatment, both of which can lead to improved patient outcomes in NPH. 

Music legend Billy Joel (left) was diagnosed with NPH in 2025. 

14 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 



I live alone with no family or friends. The thought of having a shunt fitted was terrifying…you were so kind and reassuring explaining the procedure to me and the benefit it would bring to me. I cannot thank you enough.” (Member quote shared with Shine Support and Development Worker). 


## Member story 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
“SHINE came to my attention when I was initially  NPH, to try and manage the symptoms, which went<br>diagnosed with “Hydrocephalus” in  very well without complications and I am<br>February 2023 in my mid fifties and  currently recovering from that, but<br>looking for specialist support. benefiting from a reduction in<br>symptoms.<br>It seems I have had the<br>condition since birth,  I think its fair to say<br>and I’m aware  that the info and<br>hydrocephalus and  support SHINE<br>spina bifida are  provided to me<br>closely related  helped me<br>conditions. to realise I<br>had NPH in<br>Your colleague<br>combination<br>Francesca<br>with<br>Greaves<br>Hydrocephalus<br>provided<br>and work this<br>some excellent<br>through with the<br>support to me<br>Neuro Surgeon,<br>after my diagnosis<br>so I had the surgery<br>as I worked through<br>at hopefully an early<br>with relevant clinical<br>enough stage for it to<br>specialists including<br>make a difference in treating<br>a Neuro surgeon<br>the symptoms”.<br>whether I also had<br>normal pressure<br>members with<br>hydrocephalus<br>(NPH) and  Normal Pressure<br>therefore needed  Hydrocephalus<br>surgical treatment.<br>706<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


I ended up having a Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV) brain surgery in mid November 2024 after Surgeon agreed in September 2024 I most likely had early stage 

**people with NPH who received one-toone support** 

Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 15 



A Connected Community 

## Strategic Goal **4** 


## **people engaged with Shine’s social and peer support platforms** 

It’s helpful because it’s a community. So few people live the way that I and other Shine members do. Having a place - a refuge - to speak about experiences or simply be, is comforting. It’s also useful for answering questions about spina bifida that I wouldn’t have been able to easily obtain otherwise.” 

Shine’s membership continued to grow in 2024/25, and we introduced smarter ways of working to become more innovative and time-efficient to meet demand for our services. 

Worked with our members to produce new and updated information and resources 

**Improved data and development of our database** 

**Engaged people in helping to deliver our awareness weeks** 

Consulted with our membership on how we communicate and what they need most from us 

**Introduced regular, tailored and automated information by email** 

Started to review our website 

**Had support from volunteers in admin, fundraising and running groups and events** 

Moved our Together magazine to mostly digital distribution 

Successfully delivered our Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus and Folic Acid Awareness Weeks, and launched a new NPH Awareness Week 

**Informed our members more often of our events with dates and times well in advance** 

16 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 



## Strategic Goal **5** 

## Preventing Spina Bifida and Anencephaly 

It may appear that Shine’s work on primary prevention of spina bifida is at odds with how we value and celebrate the lives of all those living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus. However, it is crucial to recognise that spina bifida isn’t the only condition prevented by folic acid. Folic acid also prevents the nearly as common, and always fatal condition, anencephaly. 

Our goal of recommending folic acid is about making informed choices to increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy and a positive outcome for the baby. Preventing congenital conditions is not about devaluing anyone’s existence, it is about enhancing the quality of life for everyone, including future generations. 

## Mandatory fortification 

In November 2024, our campaign for mandatory fortification of flour became law at last! 

Our CEO provided a quote for the official government press release: 

After more than 30 years of campaigning, Shine can finally celebrate the introduction of this very important public health initiative.This move will mean that far fewer families will have to undergo the trauma of a potentially fatal or life-affecting diagnosis for an unborn baby. This is a major milestone, and we are so grateful to everyone who has played a part in getting this legislation over the line”. 

Shine had the opportunity to share our campaign experiences and lessons learnt on the international stage, participating in online sessions for the International Federation of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. 

## Supplementation 

Our Health team led on Shine’s ‘Folic for Life’ campaign, which raises awareness of the importance and need for women of child-bearing age to taking folic acid supplements to reduce the chances of a pregnancy being affected by a neural tube defect, and that they need to take folic acid supplements for at least 8 weeks before becoming pregnant, and for the first trimester of pregnancy. 

The work in 2024/25 focused on building our presence and engagement for the campaign via social media to spread the word as widely as possible. We were extremely grateful for the support we received from Vitabiotics for this work. 

We also met with Public Health Wales for guidance on developing a strategy to engage governments and public health agencies across England, Wales and NI in a sustainable campaign about folic acid supplementation. 



Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 17 



## Strategic Goal **6** 

## Changing Experiences of Pregnancies Affected by Neural Tube Defects 

## **people we supported with Pregnancy advice** 

Shine was there for support and information whenever my husband and I needed it. You helped us through that time of our lives where we felt very lost and had so many fears… 

## Pregnancy pathway 

Shine’s specialist health team take calls each week 

that antenatal services have discussed all the options for the pregnancy, including fetal surgery, with parentsto-be. 

from parents to be, who have had a diagnosis of an unborn baby with spina bifida, or from individuals and couples wanting to prepare for a next pregnancy. 

Part of our commitment to quality assurance for this service has been to meet with the Fetal Surgery Team commissioners and NHS service providers to share parents-to be/parents experiences and feedback of NHS prenatal services and the process for referrals to fetal surgery following diagnosis. 

The team piloted an internal pregnancy care pathway to introduce a consistent, quality-assured pregnancy advice service. Requests for support are responded to within 24 working hours, and importantly we check 


## Training and development for professionals 

Statistically, few health professionals will come across either spina bifida or hydrocephalus in their career. However, when they do, it is vital that they are aware of the conditions, possible prognosis and outcomes. This includes pre-natal diagnosis. 

Shine has continued to promote our free CPD-accredited online antenatal training to 

healthcare professionals, to develop this awareness, and have provided training directly to nursing and midwifery undergraduates in several universities. 

## Anencephaly support 

## Anencephaly is a neural tube defect. It is not 

particularly well-known, and unlike spina bifida, it is always fatal. 

Research suggests that circa 400 pregnancies[1] are affected by anencephaly each year. 

Shine has been supporting a growing number of parents, who have lost a baby to anencephaly, for several years. Some losses date back decades, yet the memories and heartache remain with people forever. 

In 2024/25, we welcomed 50 new members to our closed anencephaly support group, bringing the membership of bereaved parents and some grandparents of the group to 898. 

It is important that we can offer support and 

information for anyone who needs us. As well as our existing online, closed anencephaly support group, we have opened up the opportunity for those in our anencephaly support group to engage with Shine, in different ways, if they so choose. 

1. EUROCAT (2020): 5 per 10,000 = 1 in 2000 affected pregnancies [England & Wales]; ONS: 817,515 conceptions England & Wales in 2020 

18 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 



## Strategic Goal **7** 

A major step forward in the past 12 months has been the increasing involvement and support we have had from, and have provided to, health, social care, education and many other professionals. 

Closer working and partnerships aid Shine in quality-assuring the work we do, and the information we provide.  It also helps us to reach wider audiences, to raise vital awareness and educate others about the conditions and the impact on people’s lives. 

## Working with Professionals 

## **Support from professionals** 

## **Supporting professionals** 

## **Shine** 

- Launched our Health Advisory Panel, a team of experts who advise Shine’s Health team. 

- review and validate our information and resources. 

- Began working in collaboration with four local authorities to develop a CPD-accredited course for social workers. 

- Presented at major professional conferences in the UK and Europe. 

## **Shine** 

- Provided our free professional membership to 1,590 individuals from across Health, Care, Education and other professions. 

- Gave our professional members access to 5 CPD-accredited specialist courses 

- Offered research support through study participant and PPI recruitment, letters of support 

- Shared research findings via our research blog throughout the year. 

Society for Research into Hydrocephalus and Spina Bifida (SRHSB) – an overwhelming success for Shine Health! 

the scope of Shine’s activities”. 


This was such an honour for Shine, and well-deserved recognition of the incredible work the team are doing, led by Gill Yaz, Shine’s Head of Health. 

Welcoming eminent clinicians and scientists from across the world, the Society for Research into Hydrocephalus and Spina Bifida highlights the latest ‘knowledge, understanding and research into prevention, treatment and management of hydrocephalus and spina bifida’. 

SRHSB is where I’ve met the most important people in my professional life, had my 

questions answered with patience and generosity, had my enthusiasm fired, and had more support than I could have ever wished. In turn, I’ve used this 

In September 2024, Shine supported the society to deliver its international conference in Manchester. 

knowledge to inform members, parents, politicians, school staff, colleagues and other professionals, hopefully to make life with spina bifida or hydrocephalus a tiny bit easier. Gill Yaz, Shine’s Head of Health 

Shine’s Health team had the opportunity to present on a few of the innovative projects they are leading on (ageing with spina bifida; spinal stimulation; continence management; collaborating with professionals) which culminated in the team being collectively awarded the President’s Talk Prize for “outstanding talks capturing 

Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 19 



Being granted the opportunity to speak about our work to the Society was, as I said, the highlight of my career. For my team to be awarded the President’s Prize was an honour I’m still trying to process. I’m immensely proud of my team, and Shine’s wider community, and to have our work acknowledged this way is very, very special. But the partnerships and 

friendships forged at SRHSB have made it happen, and I’m truly grateful. Thank you so much.” 


Shine also had the honour of launching the very first Dr Richard Morgan Prize, set up in memory of the late Dr Richard Morgan, who devoted much of his life to changing lives for people 

living spina bifida and hydrocephalus through his holistic approach to better health management. 

## Hydrocephalus 

Often referred to as a hidden disability, most people (professionals; the workplace/employers; the general public) are not familiar with the condition, nor its effects. 

A key task for Shine over the past 12 months has been to gain even more insight into the experiences of our members of all ages, living with hydrocephalus, and to use these insights to educate and engage professionals to better understand what they can do to meet the needs, and wants, of those they come into contact with. 

## Research 

Shine has continued to be actively involved in a breadth of research, being undertaken nationally and internationally, which will further improve the lives and experiences of individuals with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, NPH and associated issues. 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
DNA<br>Here’s what we’re currently involved in...<br>Spinal  ICP changes  Global  Quality of Life<br>stimulation in eye veins Fortification Assessment Tool<br>Improvements in  Health inequalities in  Robotic mammography<br>antenatal services  children with spina bifida research<br>Fetoscopic vs Open  Ageing with  Cognitive effects  Antenatal<br>Fetal Surgery spina bifida of hydrocephalus counselling<br>Investigating early  Folate Controversy: exploring  Cognitive decline<br>signs of NPH at  public understanding of  patterns in people<br>memory clinics scientific information with spina bifida<br>Quality of life for those living with NPH  Pressure Sore Prevention<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


20 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 



## Campaigns 

Once again, Shine joined forces with other national charities and networks to add our members’ voices to issues that matter to them most. 

These included: 

- Promoting the importance of access to NHS screening programmes, and breaking down the barriers that limit access 

- Calling for improved continence services 

- Promoting the rights of people living with disabilities, and those who support them, through the Disabled Children’s Partnership and the Care and Support Alliance 

- Challenging welfare reforms through the Disability Benefits Consortium 

- Collecting shared experiences and lobbying through the Wales Neurological Alliance and Neurological Alliance England 

## International work - “Saving Lives!  Improving Futures” 

As well participation in conferences and webinars, Shine has continued its direct work with the Festus Fajemilo Foundation (FFF) in Nigeria. 

Activity included a visit to Nigeria in July 2024, to provide specialist training to Nigerian nurses to teach clean intermittent catheterisation, bowel washouts and good hygiene for improved continence care and management across the country. Even though the service is often delivered with the most basic equipment, it is making a dramatic difference. 

## Here’s how: 

- 266 babies, children, young people and adults in Nigeria have been supported by the programme 


- 89 nurses have been trained in continence care and management, learning the theory but also developing the practical skills 

- 9 hospitals are running regular continence clinics 

- FFF runs a regular clinic in Lagos, Nigeria’s biggest city. 

- An outreach programme  to bridge the gap between the families, communities and hospitals is now in place. 

We also secured a grant to fund successful shunt, and other surgery, for Nigerian children and young people. 

We are extremely proud of our partnership with FFF, and we hope to continue long into the future. There is still much more to do in a country with over 234 million people! 

Shine continued its membership of the International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. Our CEO had the opportunity to participate in member events and online webinars, promoting the importance of folic acid, and sharing lessons learnt from the successful campaign for fortification across the UK. 



Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 21 



## What’s next? 

Shine must continually evolve to meet the changing needs and expectations of its members and stakeholders. 

As societal issues, economic conditions, and technological advancements shift, Shine needs to continually adapt our strategies, services, and communication methods to remain relevant and effective. This evolution ensures that Shine can provide the most impactful support to our growing number of members, whether through updated programmes, enhanced resources, or innovative solutions. By staying attuned to the latest trends and feedback from our community, we can foster stronger relationships, increase engagement, and build trust, which are crucial for long-term success and sustainability. 

Financial stability is also critical. Diversifying funding sources, optimising operational efficiencies, and leveraging new fundraising techniques are essential to maintaining and growing financial health. As traditional funding streams fluctuate, Shine has started to explore alternative avenues such as digital campaigns, corporate partnerships, and other opportunities. Evolving and growing our income strategies will allow us to secure the necessary funds to expand our reach, innovate our services, and make a greater impact on our community. 

## Making an IMPACT! 

In the coming 12 months, we will continue to deliver our existing core services mentioned in this report. 

We will also ramp up our campaigning and influencing to improve the shape of services for people living with spina bifida, hydrocephalus and associated conditions to improve access and support to enable our members to get the right services at the right time. 

## Enhancing our offer to members 

- Continue to meet growing demand for Shine’s services 

- Consolidate and tailor services for different ages and conditions across our membership. 

- Undertake more research and gain greater insights 

- Develop and implement a hydrocephalus-specific strategy 

- Increase reach and engagement from individuals 

living with spina bifida, hydrocephalus or associated conditions from across the LGBTQ+ community and minority groups. 

- On-going campaigning on welfare reform and emerging issues • Open more volunteering opportunities with the launch of a new volunteering strategy 

Improving our specialist information and resources 

• Launch our new book: ‘Understanding Spina Bifida in Adulthood’ 

• Publish a ‘Young Person’s Guide’ and regular news updates covering all aspects of living with spina bifida/hydrocephalus 

22 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 




- Review and update Shine’s website for greater accessibility for all to our expert information 

- Digitalise new member packs 

- Increase the range of resources available through a variety of mediums 

- Introduce an independently assessed quality mark for Shine’s health information 

- Publish information and advice on emerging issues which may affect our members 

## Campaigning 

- Lobby public health agencies to promote the importance of folic acid supplementation 

- Respond to the Government’s green paper on welfare reforms 

- Contribute to national campaigns to improve services and pathways for people living with hydrocephalus 

- Launch our new professional engagement strategy 

- Grow our professional membership and tailor information, research and resources to specific areas of work 

- Work to improve patient access and support to pre-and post-natal surgery services. 

- Monitor the implementation of mandatory fortification. 

- Raise awareness of the symptoms and routes to diagnosis for normal pressure hydrocephalus. 

## Research and development 

- In addition to continuing to engage with the ongoing research projects, we plan to gather data and gain greater insights into 

- Shine members’ experiences of living with hydrocephalus. 

- The impact of welfare reform on people living with disabilities 

- Promoting greater awareness of the UK consensus guidelines for the delivery of unexpected news in obstetric ultrasound 

## International work 

## Working with professionals, representative bodies and statutory services 

- Increase Shine presence within NHS services across England and Wales. 

- Collaborate with clinics to develop and implement pathways for transition from child to adult services. 

- Call for nationally commissioned services and/or improved access to existing services for adults with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus. 

- Working with SBH Scotland and SBH Ireland to strengthen opportunities for joint working 

- Continuing partnership and links with international organisations 

- Develop a framework for other international organisations to use on learning from the continence care programme in Nigeria 

- Contribute to international conferences 

- Have member representation on the International Federation’s Ageing with Spina Bifida adult group. 

Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 23 




## Thank you 

Thank you to everyone who has supported Shine financially again this year. Everyone has a particular reason for choosing to support Shine. Mr Brian Marsh OBE, Chairman of the Marsh Charitable Trust tells us why the Trust continues to support Shine ... 


We are pleased to be able to support Shine once again, in a grant-making relationship which has spanned almost 40 years. At the MCT, we value long-term relationships with organisations we support through our grants programme, and we are pleased to be able to support the important work of Shine in this way. We recognise the important support that Shine provide to those who seek their support, and we are pleased to contribute towards the continuation of their work.” 

As always, we are extremely grateful to the thousands of individuals, companies, trusts and foundations and others who contribute vital funding which allows us to deliver the breadth of work we do. 

Put simply, Shine could not do everything we do without this amazing support from so many! 

The list is far too numerous to mention everyone, but we have highlighted just a few… 

## Corporates and Groups 

Integra Neurosciences – Codman Bullen Healthcare Davies and Partners 

Enable Law British Homing World Show of the Year 

Vitabiotics Ltd 

The Anderson Foundation Queen’s University Belfast 

## Individuals 

Simon Cresswell (Also Apex Foundation) 

Katie and Sarah Philipson and Terry Donnelly 

Adam Smith Alex Leo Andy Williams Bev Geary Patrick Stokes Phil Thompson Ryan Kelly Tom Stevenson 

Joe and Tara Smith 

Lucy Burgess Ryan Donnelly Stan Brown The Milton Family 

Louise, Georgia and Thea Evans and Jack Kendall 

Jon Clark Steve Joynes James Cadle Gemma and Michael Milner 

Heather Hughes 

Mark Timms Thomas McKeown Daniel Townsend Rhys Williams Kerrie Moult and Adam Williams Olivia Newton and Lewis Soames Nathan Adcock 

Val Conway Melissa Young David Trippett 

24 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 



## Trusts and Foundations 

Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust 

Apax Foundation Doris Field Charitable Trust G J W Turner Trust Hadrian Trust Homelands Charitable Trust Marsh Charitable Trust Medicash Foundation Michael Cornish Charitable Trust 

Oakdale Trust PF Charitable Trust 

Sir Donald and Lady Edna Wilson Charitable Trust Sir James Knott Trust 

The Basil Brown Charitable Trust 

The Belstead Ganzoni Charitable Settlement 

The Chandris Foundation The Chapple Trust 

The Davis-Rubens Charitable Trust 

The Douglas Compton James Charitable Trust 

## The Enkalon Foundation 

The Eric Stanton (Northampton) Trust The Eveson Trust The Fowler, Smith and Jones Trust 

The Frazer Trust 

The Gale Family Charity Trust The Garfield Weston Foundation The Geoffrey Watling Charity The Gerald Palmer Eling Trust The Gowling WLG (UK) Charitable Trust The Henry Smith Charity 

The J Reginald Corah Foundation Fund 

The Jones 1986 Charitable Trust The Joseph and Annie Cattle Trust 

The Karen June Thornton Charitable Trust The Lawson Trust 

The National Lottery Community Fund for England The National Lottery Community 

Fund for Northern Ireland 

The National Lottery Community Fund for Wales The Noble Charitable Trust 

The Norman Family Charitable Trust The Olive and Jesse Palmer Fund The Paul Bassham Charitable Trust The Peter Sowerby Foundation The Pierrepont Trust 

The Privy Purse charitable Trust The Rest-Harrow Trust 

The Roger and Douglas Turner Charitable Trust 

The Shanly Foundation 

The Simon Gibson Charitable Trust 

The Sir James Roll Charitable Trust 

The Theodore Maxxy Charitable Trust 

The Valentine Charitable Trust 

Wynn Foundation Limited 

Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation 

Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 25 



## Income and expenditure 2024/25 

## **Total Income** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
Donations<br>Trading<br>£846,660 activities<br>£592,850<br>Income<br>£2,466,856 Legacies<br>£347,013<br>Grants<br>£613,029 Investments<br>£67,304<br>Total Expenditure<br>£247,194<br>Raising funds<br>£295,037<br>£413,655<br>Young<br>people<br>Babies<br>and<br>children<br>Connecting our<br>Trading<br>community<br>Expenditure  activities<br>£581,338<br>£2,418,225 £342,792<br>Pregnancy support<br>Preventing  £56,412<br>spina bifida<br>£74,020 Transforming<br>services<br>Adults<br>£145,061<br>£262,716<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


26 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 



## Financial Review 

The table below provides a six-year financial summary, showing that we continue to deliver a robust financial position, as we seek to ensure long-term sustainability. 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
£000’s 2024/25 2023/24 2022/23 2021/22 2020/21 2019/20<br>Income £2,467 £2,155 £2,347 £1,894 £2,343 £2,192<br>Net movement in funds £10 -£65 £338 £171 £506 £113<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


Trustees approved the 2024/25 budget with a deficit of £180,766 intending to use reserves generated from the sale of 42 Park Road to invest in new services for our members. 

Shine reports an actual surplus of £9,645 (2023/24 £65,252 deficit), which consists of a £59,509 unrestricted deficit, a £64,406 designated surplus, and a £4,748 restricted surplus. 

Total income for 2024/25 was £2,466,856 (2023/24 £2,155,115). This is a 14% increase year on year, although the charity did receive one off donations of £159,522 from two local groups (Teeside ASBAH and Shine Surrey) which closed down. Therefore, excluding these closing funds income nonetheless increased by 7% with growth in legacies, grants and investment income being partially offset by a decrease in individual donations and trading activities. The largest element of our trading activity continues to be our virtual balloon races and although this income stream faces several challenges and continues to 

decline, nonetheless during the year 4,397 business supporters bought a balloon, many entering multiple races. 

Public donations from individuals (excluding legacies), corporates and community groups (excluding the two local groups) recorded an 8% decrease year on year and we believe the cost-of-living challenges faced by many individuals is a factor, nonetheless annual income remained higher than the 4 years before COVID19. 

The National Lottery community fund and other charitable trusts continue to fund an important part of Shine’s work and income from charitable trusts and foundations recorded the highest annual income in the last ten years. 

Legacies continue to be a major source of funding and were the highest value since 2020/21. We are incredibly grateful that people continue to remember us in their wills. 

Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 27 



As mentioned two local groups decided to close in 2024, with balances of funds being transferred to Shine, upon which trustees have created designated funds to support members in Surrey and the North East, these funds are reported in note 21 and in relation to the North East a new support and development worker based in Northumberland has been appointed. 

After many years of trading, our charity shop in Gorseinon closed its doors at Christmas. Trading conditions on the high street had worsened since the COVID pandemic and despite valiant efforts by the shop manager and volunteers we had been unable to maintain a financially viable shop, with some regret trustees agreed a managed closure, returning the property to the landlord. 

Trustees remain confident that Shine has a broad income base and provides sufficient staff resources to deliver sustainable income levels. 

## Expenditure 

Total expenditure in the year was £2,418,225 (2023/24 £2,274,459). Of this, expenditure on charitable activities increased by £118,297 (7.7%) to £1,661,788, representing 68.7% of total expenditure (67.9% in 2023/24). This reflects a conscious decision to invest in services with two new service staff positions created in the year. Expenditure on raising funds increased by a more modest amount of £25,469 to £756,447. 

A reduced level of staff turnover was experienced, with 9 leavers in the year (12 in 2023/24). Recruitment efforts have however been successful and staffing levels in Shine’s services increased during the year with 34 full-time equivalent posts compared to 31 in 2023/24. 

Shine is confident it remains an attractive organisation to work for and has active recruitment plans which aim to maintain service staffing levels in 2025/26. 

Under the accounting standard SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice) 2015, the full defined benefit pension deficit must be declared on the balance sheet. There was a 2024/25 actuarial loss of £38,477 (2023/24 gain of £1,382) and reflects the outcome of the 2023 triannual review. A payment plan to eliminate 

this deficit remains in place, and the charity remains confident that it will meet the required pension contributions from its projected income without impacting its planned level of charitable activity. Further pension details are shown in note 19 of the accounts. 

## Financial Reserves Policy 

Reserves are maintained at a level that enables the charity to manage financial risk and sustain services. Trustees have set a minimum free reserve to be held for the following purposes: 

- Statutory obligations. 

- Provide a 4-month commitment to our vulnerable members to wind up the affairs of the charity in an orderly fashion, in the advent that the trustees cease to be confident in Shine’s ability to continue. 

- Offset the risks of an unexpected shortfall in income and an adverse movement in the defined benefit pension scheme liability. 

- A working capital facility. 

The level of reserves required to meet these requirements is calculated to be £895,000. 

The free reserves position is reported to trustees as part of the monthly management accounts and quarterly forecasting. To set our free reserves target, trustees have sought to balance the needs of Shine’s members against financial risks. COVID19, the war in Ukraine and conflict in Gaza has demonstrated that our world is less certain than previously thought and our reserves target reflects this need for caution. 

At the year-end Shine held free reserves of £1,108,978, being general unrestricted funds excluding designated funds. This represents 6.2 months of committed expenditure cover, which is above the reserves target and has been boosted by the one-off sum realised from the sale of 42 Park Road in April 2022. 

To bring our reserves in line with our target the charity continues to utilise its reserves in a managed fashion investing in members’ futures and in addition to the new posts created in 2022 and 2023, the charity has 

28 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 



appointed a Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) & Dementia Coordinator, this is in response to an increase in members presenting this condition. Taken together, these changes have raised the service staff establishment to 34 FTE and compares to a pre COVID position of 27 FTE. 

Restricted reserves must be applied to the specific purpose(s) intended by the donor so do not form part of the free reserves. Funds totaled £119,700 at the year end and are planned to be expended in 2025/26. 

Designated funds have been established by trustees and are excluded from free reserves, these closed at £575,439 and consist of the following: 

- Funds for 3 additional Support and Development Workers in the Southwest, East Anglia and the North East – who will enhance the support we can provide to our members in more rural, isolated areas. This first position has been made possible by the generosity of the late Florence Bartle who kindly chose to remember Shine in her will. The last post has been made possible by the transfer of closing funds from Teeside ASBAH. 

- A fund to support our work in Gloucestershire – based on a legacy we have received. 

- A fund for a Deputy Health Manager. 

- A fund for an Education Officer. 

- A fund for a Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus & Dementia Coordinator. 

- A fund to support our specialist physiotherapy work. 

- A fund to support research and development. 

- A fund to support our digital development. 

Notwithstanding the existence of the above funds, unrestricted funds continue to be used to cover the costs of some new posts; notably the deputy health manager, education officer and the East Anglian support and development worker. 

## Investment Policy 

Under the governing document, the charity can make any investment the trustees see fit. R. C. Brown Investment Management plc are Shine’s investment managers with the remit to manage 

## the investments in line with the policy outlined below. 

Investments are held as part of the long-term reserves of Shine. The aim is that they should maintain their value and generate income for Shine. 

The portfolio must only be invested in assets with a balanced risk profile. This will include utilisation of pooled funds, which provide diversification of assets, and ensures that the risk of losing a single holding is minimised. 

- Investments may be held in a range of asset classes, including equities, corporate bonds, and gilts. 

- There will be no direct investment in ‘alternative’ investments such as hedge funds or derivatives. 

- There will be no direct investment in overseas equities. Any such investment must be made through pooled funds managed in the UK. 

The trustees have agreed that the funds should be invested in a broad, balanced portfolio. On the advice of our investment managers, Shine works towards ethical investments, yet decisions have to be balanced with the charity’s obligations for responsible investment to further our purpose and aims.. 

During the year R. C. Brown Investment Management plc continued to manage the Shine portfolio, funds performed below their benchmark, recording a 1.71% gain during 2024/25 versus the benchmark gain of 3.66 (ARC steady growth index), with earlier gains being partly offset by losses in the final quarter as markets responded adversely to US trade tariff announcements. 

Investments are held to support the reserves policy. 

## Risk Management and Internal Control 

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the identification and management of the major risks facing the charity. A Risk Register is maintained and shared annually with trustees (more frequently if a significant issue arises). Risk management at operational level is managed by the senior leadership team; major risks have been reviewed and systems established to manage these risks. 

Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 29 



Therefore, the risk register currently covers five strategic areas. 

## ~~**1. Governance & strategy**~~ 

~~**2. Income generation**~~ 

~~**3. Services**~~ 

~~**4. Finance**~~ 

~~**5. External infuences, including infation and the war in Ukraine**~~ 

~~**6. International work**~~ 

During the year there remains 1 red retained risk, which is members’ access to statutory services, and Shine continues to support our members and families with information and guidance on their rights, and 

avenues to access the services they need.  Shine continues to make structural and strategic changes to the organisation to mitigate these and other risks. 

## Going Concern and Statement of Public Benefit 

## Going Concern 

This report highlights Shine’s financial performance over the last six years, the level of reserves held, and the principal risks and uncertainties faced. The activities of the charity, its objectives, and the policies for managing its capital and financial risk are detailed in the Trustees’ Report. 

The budget for 2025/26 was prepared by senior leadership and approved by the trustees in March 2025. The expectation is that income levels can be increased as we continue to invest in fundraising resources. Expenditure levels will be allowed to increase in line with the expansion in service provision, therefore a total deficit of £240,123 is budgeted which includes a restricted deficit of £37,354 as funds received in prior periods are expended and a deficit of £202,769 across unrestricted and designated funds. 

We can do this because our reserves exceed the minimum level, the budget and its assumptions are reviewed against two key financial measures: 

- In-year cash flow 

- Free reserve cover 

reviewed at quarterly trustee meetings. Given the level of reserves and outlook, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future being at least twelve months from date of approval of these financial statements. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing financial statements. 

## Statement of Public Benefit 

The trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit, ‘Charities and Public Benefit’. 

Shine’s charitable objects are enshrined within its memorandum and articles, and as such trustees ensure that the charity’s activities are carried out for public benefit through its strategic goals. This report allows us to show how charitable funds are spent and the impact and benefits this has on the lives of people affected by spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus, and associated conditions. 

Management accounts are prepared by senior leadership and issued monthly to trustees; the current financial position and financial outlook are 

30 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 



## Reference and Administration Details 

## Royal Patron **HRH The Duchess of Gloucester GVCO** 

## Trustees 

The trustees of Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus, Information, Networking, Equality – SHINE are the charity’s trustees under charity law and directors of the charitable company and throughout the report are collectively referred to as the trustees. 

The trustees serving during the year were as follows: 

~~Professor Roger Bayston Michael Brown (Vice Chair) Jenny Goy (Hon. Treasurer) Surekha Kukadia Dr Richard Oakley Professor John Pickard CBE (appointed 4th December 2024) Joanne Sedgwick Joe Waggott Joanne Williams (Chair) Roanne Woodward (appointed 4th December 2024)~~ 

It is confirmed that none of the serving trustees had any beneficial interest in any contract with Shine in the year. 

~~Senior Leadership Team Chief Executive  Kate Steele Director of Services  Gill Valentine Director of Finance  Stephen Ellen~~ 

Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 31 



## Principal Professional Advisers 

**Auditors** Azets Audit Services Westpoint Lynchwood Peterborough PE2 6FZ **Bankers** The Co-operative Bank Plc PO Box 250 Skelmersdale WN8 6WT Insignis Cash Solutions St John’s Innovation Centre Cowley Road Cambridge CB4 0WS **Solicitors** Greenwoods GRM LLP Westpoint Lynchwood Peterborough PE2 6FZ **Investment Managers** R.C. Brown Investment Management PLC 1 The Square Temple Quay Bristol BS1 6DG **HR** Vero HR St James House Flaxley Road Kingston Park Peterborough PE2 9FT 

## Administrative Details 

The full name of the charity is spina bifida, hydrocephalus, information, networking, equality – SHINE. We are commonly known as SHINE. 

The registered charity number is 249338 (England and Wales) 

The company registration is 00877990 

Registered Office: SHINE, Unit 4, Minerva Business Park, Peterborough, PE2 6FT 

Telephone 01733 555988  •  Email firstcontact@shinecharity.org.uk  •  www.shinecharity.org.uk 

32 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 



## Our Commitment to Quality Fundraising 

Shine is registered with the Fundraising Regulator and proud to commit to the Regulator’s Fundraising Promise. 

We are committed to maintaining high standards of fundraising in line with the Code of Fundraising Practice: 

- We will be clear, honest, and open. 

- We will be respectful. 

- We will be fair and reasonable. 

- We will be accountable and responsible. 

Our approach to fundraising consists of: 

- marketing appeals to individuals who have already expressed an interest in Shine. 

- running charitable events for which participants raise money. 

- encouraging people to participate in other events to raise funds on our behalf. 

- community fundraising; and 

- soliciting donations from corporate partners, charitable trusts, and individual donors. 

We also encourage people to remember us in their will with a gift or legacy. 

We do not use third-party professional fundraising agencies. 

Where people or organisations raise funds in aid of Shine, we request they follow our standards. Shine’s fundraising team provides tools and resources to enable supporters to deliver fun, safe, and successful fundraising activities. The trustees are of the view that during the year to 31 March 2025 we have been compliant with these standards. 

Unfortunately, despite procedures in place Shine is aware of one instance in the year of the misappropriation of donations totalling £580 at an event hosted by a Shine supporter. 

To protect vulnerable people and other members of the public, Shine has a safeguarding policy, and our fundraising commitment is displayed on our website. We are careful to protect the personal data of supporters and give clear options to stop being contacted by us. 

As part of our compliance with the code of fundraising practice, we ensure our approach to fundraising is not unreasonably intrusive or persistent and does not aim to solicit donations by pressuring potential supporters. 

We take these steps to make sure people have a choice about whether to fundraise for Shine. 

Shine and our members are incredibly grateful for the continued dedication and support of our fundraisers. From everyone at Shine, thank you for your ongoing generosity. 


Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 33 



## Structure, Governance and Management 

## Structure 

Spina bifida, Hydrocephalus, Information, Networking, Equality – SHINE (Shine) is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (Registration No. 00877990) formed in 1966. Shine is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (Registration No. 249338). 

The charity owns the entire share capital of Shine (Trading) Limited, registered in England and Wales (No. 01031004). The consolidated accounts include Shine (Trading) Limited (see note 9). The principal activity of the company is to raise funds for charity. The board of directors of Shine trading meets separately and consists of the Chief Executive and two trustees. The trustees are not renumerated for this role. 

## Objects 

The charity’s objects are specifically restricted to the relief of persons who have spina bifida and/ or hydrocephalus or allied or related disorders by providing care, welfare, treatment, education, and integration into society. 

## Governance 

Shine is governed by Articles of Association, which were amended in 2018. 

## Organisational purpose 

Shine has a clear, sustainable corporate strategy for 2022 to 2027 consistent with the charity’s purpose and an evaluation and monitoring framework to monitor impact and measure outputs. 

Shine consults with a wide range of stakeholder groups to determine the priorities for the charity. 

## Leadership 

The trustee board is responsible for the charity’s governance and its subsidiary. 

## Board Integrity 

## Appointment of trustees 

New Articles of Association were adopted by special resolution in 2018 specifying that anyone willing to act as a trustee, and permitted by law to do so, may be 

appointed by the board of trustees. 

A trustee must be a natural person aged 16 years or older; the minimum number of trustees is 3, and the maximum is 16. Trustees are appointed for a term of 3 years; trustees are eligible for reappointment up to two subsequent terms (each of 3 years). No trustee can serve for more than 9 consecutive years unless the trustees consider it is in the best interests of the charity that a particular trustee should continue to serve. Professor Roger Bayston and Michael Brown continue to serve as trustees on this basis. 

## Trustee induction and training 

During the recruitment process, the skills and experience are considered with a concerted effort to ensure we are drawing from all sections of society. An initial interview is conducted by members of the senior leadership team. Candidates are then interviewed by a panel drawn from the board of trustees. 

This year we have appointed two new trustees, Professor John Pickard who amongst many honors is Emeritus Professor of Neurosurgery (Cambridge University) and brings to the board additional clinical expertise and extensive contacts within the NHS and wider international community; Roanne Woodward who is a young woman born with spina bifida and has firsthand experience of the challenges and triumphs faced by individuals with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. 

New trustees undergo an induction; they are fully appraised of the full range of Shine’s services, projects and campaigns and provided with relevant background literature. They receive awareness training, if required, on spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Depending on their specific skills and areas of expertise, they will be put in touch with relevant staff. 

Trustees are briefed on their legal obligations under charity and company law, the Articles of Association and the Board’s decision-making process. They are also informed about Shine’s Corporate Plan, key risks, recent financial performance, and prospects for the charity. 

Trustees do not receive any renumeration or financial benefit for acting as trustees of Shine; any expenses paid are disclosed in note 11 of the financial statements. 

## Decision making, risk and control 

The Board of Trustees is the governing body with overall 

34 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 



legal responsibility for the charity. The Board sets the strategic direction for Shine. It meets at least four times a year, either in person or virtually. 

The minutes of meetings are made available to all trustees on a timely basis. The board regularly reviews operational plans, budgets, performance, and Shine’s main risks. The day-to-day management of the charity is delegated to the Chief Executive, who reports to the Board. The Chief Executive is assisted in the day-to-day management by the senior leadership team. 

## Senior Staff Remuneration Policy 

The remuneration of senior staff is set by benchmarking with similar-sized charities, and the market rate required to attract the best people to the job. 

## Diversity and Inclusion 

Shine has a transparent recruitment process, advertising widely and looking at how we can attract a diverse pool of candidates. 

## Safeguarding 

Safeguarding policies and processes were reviewed and updated in 2024/25, and additional policies specifically focusing on online safety were introduced in June 2024 ensuring that we are continually improving our approaches to safeguarding, incorporating all updated legislation, and embracing current best practice to protect the welfare of our members, staff and volunteers. 

An annual safeguarding plan is agreed by trustees. The plan is prepared by the Director of Services, who is Designated Safeguarding Lead for the charity, in conjunction with Joanne Williams and Jenny Goy, who are trustee leads for safeguarding. 

Safeguarding training is provided for all staff, trustees, and volunteers. Incidents are reported, assessed, and enacted as appropriate with full consideration given to the requirement to report to the Charity Commission. 

## GDPR 

Extensive work was undertaken to ensure Shine’s ongoing compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We have a designated GDPR lead, and the data management action plan is reviewed by trustees annually. 

## Section 172 Statement 

The trustees must act in accordance with a set of general duties. These duties are laid out in s172 of the UK Companies Act 2006 which is summarised as follows: A 

Director of a Company must act in the that they consider, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the benefit of its members, and in doing so have regard to: 

- The consequences of any decision in the long term. The main purpose of our reserves policy is to ensure long-term financial sustainability. 

- The interests of the charity’s employees 

- The need to foster the charity’s business relationship with suppliers, customers, and others 

- The impact of the charity’s operations on the community and environment 

- The desirability of the charity’s maintaining a reputation for high standards of business 

- The need to act fairly between members of the charity. 

The trustees believe they have completed their duties under s172, taking care to balance competing interests for the overall good of the charity. 

## Related Parties 

The charity collaborates with several local associations. These are independent charities for spina bifida and hydrocephalus and collaboration which may cover a range of activities. The charity also works in partnership with many other bodies, voluntary, statutory, and international, in carrying out work to support service users, undertake research and disseminate information. 

## Volunteers 

In 2024/25, Shine had 58 registered volunteers (50 2023/24) to whom we remain eternally grateful and recorded 1,212 volunteered hours being a reduction versus 2023/24 (1,902 hours), reflected the closure of our one charity shop. The volunteering roles included: 

- Working in our charity shop (up to December) 

- Participating in the health advisory panel 

- Giving talks and representing Shine 

- Acting as peer support 

- Supporting our members to grow in confidence and address the challenges of living with the conditions. 

- Advising on the development of resources 

- Fulfilling the role of Shine ambassador 

- Fundraising 

- Supporting our local groups 

Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 35 



## Statement of trustees’ responsibilities 

The trustees (who are also directors of Spina bifida, Hydrocephalus, Information, Networking, Equality – SHINE), are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the situation of the charitable group and of the net income or expenditure of the group for the year. In preparing these financial statements the directors are required to: 

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently. 

- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. 

- state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and 

- 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 proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and the group and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. 

They are also responsible for safeguarding the charity and group’s assets and hence for taking reasonable steps to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities. 

## Statement as to disclosure of information to auditors 

As far as the trustees are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the group’s auditors are unaware. Additionally, the trustees have taken all the necessary steps that they ought to have taken as trustees to make themselves aware of all relevant audit information and to establish that the group’s auditors are aware of that information. 

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company’s website. 

Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 

## Appointment of Auditors 

The continued appointment of Azets Audit Services Limited was confirmed by the Board of Trustees on the 3rd December 2024. 

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006. 

By order of the Board of Trustees 


Joanne Williams Chair 4th September 2025 

36 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 



## **SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT** 

## **TO THE MEMBERS OF SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **Opinion** 

We have audited the financial statements of Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus, Information, Networking, Equality - SHINE (the ‘charity’) and it's subsidiary for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the Group Statement of Financial Activities, the Group and Parent Charitable Company Balance Sheets, the Group and Parent Charitable Company Cash Flow Statements and the notes to the financial statements, including a summary of 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 Group and Parent Charitable Company affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, 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. 

## **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's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements_ section of our report. We are independent of the Group and Parent 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 charity’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 annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. 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. 

Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 37 



**SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)** 

## **TO THE MEMBERS OF SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006** 

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

- the information given in the Trustees' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared, which includes the directors' report prepared for the purposes of company law, 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 Group and Parent 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 Trustees' report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report. 

## **Responsibilities of Trustees** 

As explained more fully in the statement of Trustees' responsibilities, the Trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purpose 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 Group and Parent 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's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements** 

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. 

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

38 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 



## **SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)** 

## **TO THE MEMBERS OF SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud** 

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above and on the Financial Reporting Council’s website, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. 

We obtain and update our understanding of the entity, its activities, its control environment, and likely future developments, including in relation to the legal and regulatory framework applicable and how the entity is complying with that framework. Based on this understanding, we identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. This includes consideration of the risk of acts by the entity that were contrary to applicable laws and regulations, including fraud. 

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, including fraud, we designed 

procedures which included: 

- Enquiry of management and those charged with governance around actual and potential litigation and claims as well as actual, suspected and alleged fraud; 

- Reviewing minutes of meetings of those charged with governance; 

- Assessing the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations considered to have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the entity through enquiry and inspection; 

- Reviewing financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations; 

- Performing audit work over the risk of management bias and override of controls, including testing of journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness, evaluating the business rationale of significant transactions outside the normal course of business and reviewing accounting estimates for indicators of potential bias. 

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 of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. 

This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with section 391 of the Companies Act 2014. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company’s members 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 company and the company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. 


**Mr Mark Jackson FCA DChA (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Azets Audit Services** 

15/09/2025 ......................... 

**Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditor** 

Westpoint Lynch Wood Peterborough Cambridgeshire United Kingdom PE2 6FZ 

Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 39 



**SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

## **Current financial year** 

|**Unrestricted**<br>**Designated**<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**funds**<br>**funds**<br>**2025**<br>**2025**<br>**2025**<br>**Notes**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**Income from:**<br>Donations and legacies<br>**3**<br>1,119,151<br>159,522<br>528,029<br>Other trading activities<br>**4**<br>592,850<br>-<br>-<br>Income from investments<br>**5**<br>67,304<br>-<br>-<br>**Total income**<br>1,779,305<br>159,522<br>528,029<br>**Expenditure on:**<br>Raising funds<br>**6**<br>756,447<br>-<br>-<br>Charitable activities<br>**7**<br>1,053,716<br>31,375<br>576,687<br>**Total resources expended**<br>1,810,163<br>31,375<br>576,687<br>Net gains/(losses) on investments<br>**12**<br>(509)<br>-<br>-<br>**Net outgoing resources before**<br>**transfers**<br>(31,367)<br>128,147<br>(48,658)<br>Gross transfers between funds<br>10,335<br>(63,741)<br>53,406<br>**Net (outgoing)/incoming resources**<br>(21,032)<br>64,406<br>4,748<br>**Other recognised gains and losses**<br>Actuarial loss on defined benefit<br>pension schemes<br>(38,477)<br>-<br>-<br>**Net movement in funds**<br>(59,509)<br>64,406<br>4,748<br>Fund balances at 1 April 2024<br>1,168,487<br>511,033<br>114,952<br>**Fund balances at 31 March 2025**<br>1,108,978<br>575,439<br>119,700|**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>1,806,702<br>592,850<br>67,304<br>2,466,856<br>756,447<br>1,661,778<br>2,418,225<br>(509)<br>48,122<br>-<br>48,122<br>(38,477)<br>9,645<br>1,794,472<br>1,804,117|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>1,478,934<br>635,710<br>40,471<br>2,155,115<br>730,978<br>1,543,481<br>2,274,459<br>55,474<br>(63,870)<br>-<br>(63,870)<br>(1,382)<br>(65,252)<br>1,859,724<br>1,794,472|
|---|---|---|



The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. 

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities. 

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006. 

40 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 



**SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED) INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

## **Prior financial year** 

|**Unrestricted**<br>**Designated**<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**funds**<br>**funds**<br>**2024**<br>**2024**<br>**2024**<br>**Notes**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**Income from:**<br>Donations and legacies<br>**3**<br>1,074,858<br>-<br>404,076<br>Other trading activities<br>**4**<br>635,710<br>-<br>-<br>Income from investments<br>**5**<br>40,471<br>-<br>-<br>**Total income**<br>1,751,039<br>-<br>404,076<br>**Expenditure on:**<br>Raising funds<br>**6**<br>730,978<br>-<br>-<br>Charitable activities<br>**7**<br>1,025,342<br>48,196<br>469,943<br>**Total resources expended**<br>1,756,320<br>48,196<br>469,943<br>Net gains/(losses) on investments<br>**12**<br>55,474<br>-<br>-<br>**Net outgoing resources before transfers**<br>50,193<br>(48,196)<br>(65,867)<br>Gross transfers between funds<br>(96,304)<br>72,500<br>23,804<br>**Net (outgoing)/incoming resources**<br>(46,111)<br>24,304<br>(42,063)<br>**Other recognised gains and losses**<br>Actuarial loss on defined benefit pension<br>schemes<br>(1,382)<br>-<br>-<br>**Net movement in funds**<br>(47,493)<br>24,304<br>(42,063)<br>Fund balances at 1 April 2023<br>1,215,980<br>486,729<br>157,015<br>**Fund balances at 31 March 2024**<br>1,168,487<br>511,033<br>114,952|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>1,478,934<br>635,710<br>40,471<br>2,155,115<br>730,978<br>1,543,481<br>2,274,459<br>55,474<br>(63,870)<br>-<br>(63,870)<br>(1,382)<br>(65,252)<br>1,859,724<br>1,794,472|
|---|---|



The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. 

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities. 

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006. 

Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 41 



**SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **BALANCE SHEETS** 

## _**AS AT 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

|**Notes**<br>**Fixed assets**<br>Investments<br>**15**<br>**Current assets**<br>Debtors<br>**17**<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>**Creditors: amounts falling due within**<br>**one year**<br>**18**<br>Net current assets<br>**Total assets less current liabilities**<br>**Net assets excluding pension liability**<br>**Defined benefit pension liability**<br>**19**<br>**Net assets**<br>**Income funds**<br>Restricted funds<br>**20**<br>Unrestricted funds-general<br>Designated funds<br>**21**<br>General unrestricted funds|**Group**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>847,083<br>265,165<br>905,322<br>1,170,487<br>(188,917)<br>981,570<br>1,828,653<br>1,828,653<br>(24,536)<br>1,804,117<br>119,700<br>575,439<br>1,108,978<br>1,684,417<br>1,804,117|**Charity**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>847,086<br>234,528<br>891,066<br>1,125,594<br>(167,011)<br>958,583<br>1,805,669<br>1,805,669<br>(24,536)<br>1,781,133<br>119,700<br>575,439<br>1,085,994<br>1,661,433<br>1,781,133|**Group**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>834,112<br>252,216<br>885,550<br>1,137,766<br>(177,406)<br>960,360<br>1,794,472<br>1,794,472<br>-<br>1,794,472<br>114,952<br>511,033<br>1,168,487<br>1,679,520<br>1,794,472|**Charity**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>834,115<br>217,594<br>870,690<br>1,088,284<br>(150,911)<br>937,373<br>1,771,488<br>1,771,488<br>-<br>1,771,488<br>114,952<br>511,033<br>1,145,503<br>1,656,536<br>1,771,488|
|---|---|---|---|---|



As permitted by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the charitable company has not presented its own statement of financial activities and related notes. The charitable company's surplus for the year was £9,645 (2024 - deficit for the year of £65,252). 

04/09/2025 

The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on ......................... and are signed on its behalf by: 

.............................. .............................. Mrs J Williams Mrs J Goy **Trustee Trustee Company Registration No. 00877990** 

42 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 



## **SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS** 

## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

|**Notes**<br>**Cash flows from operating activities**<br>Cash absorbed by operations<br>**26**<br>**Investing activities**<br>Interest and income from investments<br>**Net cash generated from investing**<br>**activities**<br>**Net cash used in financing activities**<br>**Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash**<br>**equivalents**<br>Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year<br>**Cash and cash equivalents at end of year**|**2025**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>(47,532)<br>67,304<br>67,304<br>-<br>19,772<br>885,550<br>905,322|**2024**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>(214,822)<br>40,471<br>40,471<br>-<br>(174,351)<br>1,059,901<br>885,550|
|---|---|---|



Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 43 



**SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

## **1 Accounting policies** 

## **Company information** 

Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus, Information, Networking, Equality - SHINE is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Unit 4, The Forum, Minerva Business Park, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE2 6FT, United Kingdom. 

## **1.1 Accounting convention** 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document,  the Companies Act 2006 and “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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2019). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102. 

The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn. 

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 £. 

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below. 

The consolidated accounts incorporate the results of the charity and of its wholly owned subsidiary. 

## **1.2 Going concern** 

At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. 

## **1.3 Charitable funds** 

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives unless the funds have been designated for other purposes. 

Designated funds comprise funds which have been set aside at the discretion of the Trustees for specific purposes. The purposes and uses of the designated funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements. 

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements. 

Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the charity. 

44 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 



**SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** 

## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

## **1 Accounting policies** 

## **(Continued)** 

## **1.4 Incoming resources** 

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received. 

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation. 

Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset. 

Gifts donated for resale are included as income when they are sold. No amounts are included in the financial statements for services donated by volunteers. 

Grant income is recognised according to the terms of each individual agreement. 

All other income is dealt with on an accruals basis. 

## **1.5 Resources expended** 

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 are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. 

Direct expenditure is analysed and charged to the department incurring the cost. Expenditure is included when incurred, the majority of costs being directly attributable to specific activities. Costs that can not be directly attributable to particular headings, are allocated to activities on a basis consistent with use of the resources. Premises and other overheads have been allocated on a head count basis. 

Fundraising costs are those incurred in seeking voluntary contributions and do not include the costs of disseminating information in support of chartable activities. 

Governance costs are those incurred in connection with the governance arrangements of the charity and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements. 

## **1.6 Cash and cash equivalents** 

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits repayable on demand and overdrafts. Deposits are repayable on demand if they are in practice available within 24 hours without a penalty. Liquid resources comprise assets held as a readily disposable store of value. 

Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 45 



**SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

## **1 Accounting policies** 

**(Continued)** 

## **1.7 Financial instruments** 

Financial instruments are recognised when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. 

Financial assets are offset, with the net amounts presented in the accounts when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously. 

## _**Basic financial assets**_ 

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised. 

## _**Basic financial liabilities**_ 

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised. 

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method. 

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. 

## _**Derecognition of financial liabilities**_ 

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled. 

## **1.8 Provisions** 

Provisions are recognised when the charity has a legal or constructive present obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that the charity will be required to settle that obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. 

The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the reporting end date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the amount expected to be required to settle the obligation is recognised at present value. When a provision is measured at present value, the unwinding of the discount is recognised as a finance cost in net income/(expenditure) in the period in which it arises. 

## **1.9 Employee benefits** 

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received. 

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee. 

46 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 



**SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

## **1 Accounting policies** 

**(Continued)** 

## **1.10 Retirement benefits** 

For employees choosing to participate, the charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme providing benefits additional to those from the State. The assets are held in a separately administered scheme. The pensions cost charge represents contributions payable by the company to the pension scheme in respect of the year. 

Previously, the charity were part of a separately administered defined benefit scheme and is still required to make contributions to fund a deficit in the scheme. 

The cost of providing benefits under defined benefit plans is determined separately for each plan using the projected unit credit method, and is based on actuarial advice. 

The net interest element is determined by multiplying the net defined benefit liability by the discount rate, taking into account any changes in the net defined benefit liability during the period as a result of contribution and benefit payments. The net interest is recognised in income/(expenditure) for the year. 

Remeasurement changes comprise actuarial gains and losses, the effect of the asset ceiling and the return on the net defined benefit liability excluding amounts included in net interest. These are recognised immediately in other recognised gains and losses in the period in which they occur and are not reclassified to income/ (expenditure) in subsequent periods. 

The net defined benefit pension asset or liability in the balance sheet comprises the total for each plan of the present value of the defined benefit obligation (using a discount rate based on high quality corporate bonds), less the fair value of plan assets out of which the obligations are to be settled directly. Fair value is based on market price information, and in the case of quoted securities is the published bid price. The value of a net pension benefit asset is limited to the amount that may be recovered either through reduced contributions or agreed refunds from the scheme. 

## **1.11 Leases** 

Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged as an expense on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease. 

## **2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements** 

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates. 

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods. 

Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 47 



**SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

## **3 Donations and legacies** 

|**Unrestricted**<br>**Designated**<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**funds**<br>**funds**<br>**2025**<br>**2025**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>Donations and gifts<br>687,138<br>159,522<br>-<br>Legacies receivable<br>347,013<br>-<br>-<br>Grants receivable<br>85,000<br>-<br>528,029<br>1,119,151<br>159,522<br>528,029<br>**For the year ended 31 March 2024**<br>1,074,858<br>-<br>404,076|**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>846,660<br>347,013<br>613,029<br>1,806,702|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>713,637<br>276,221<br>489,076|
|---|---|---|
|||1,478,934|
|||1,478,934|



48 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 



**SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

|**3**<br>**Donations and legacies**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Designated**<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**funds**<br>**funds**<br>**2025**<br>**2025**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**Donations and gifts**<br>Individuals<br>391,884<br>-<br>-<br>Trusts<br>174,140<br>-<br>-<br>Corporate donors<br>83,457<br>-<br>-<br>Local associations<br>-<br>159,522<br>-<br>Health Trusts<br>37,657<br>-<br>-<br>687,138<br>159,522<br>-<br>**Grants receivable for core activities**<br>National Lottery Community fund<br>Northern Ireland Shining Opportunities<br>-<br>-<br>99,974<br>National Lottery Community fund<br>Cymru People & Places<br>-<br>-<br>112,520<br>Early Intervention (Community lottery &<br>others)<br>-<br>-<br>185,927<br>Tropical Health and Education Trust<br>-<br>-<br>27,736<br>The Henry Smith Charity<br>60,000<br>-<br>-<br>Garfield Weston Foundation<br>25,000<br>-<br>-<br>Margaret Giffen Charitable Trust<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>BBC Children in Need<br>-<br>-<br>15,000<br>Peter Harrison Foundation<br>-<br>-<br>21,000<br>The Eveson Trust<br>-<br>-<br>12,500<br>Other<br>-<br>-<br>53,372<br>85,000<br>-<br>528,029<br>**4**<br>**Other trading activities**<br>Income of trading subsidiary<br>Donations sold through shops<br>Publications and attendance fees|**(Continued)**<br>**Total**<br>**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>391,884<br>425,059<br>174,140<br>164,609<br>83,457<br>85,928<br>159,522<br>3,089<br>37,657<br>34,952<br>846,660<br>713,637<br>99,974<br>97,696<br>112,520<br>57,867<br>185,927<br>172,174<br>27,736<br>39,329<br>60,000<br>60,000<br>25,000<br>25,000<br>-<br>5,000<br>15,000<br>-<br>21,000<br>-<br>12,500<br>-<br>53,372<br>32,010<br>613,029<br>489,076<br>**2025**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>579,800<br>608,455<br>12,413<br>25,913<br>637<br>1,342<br>592,850<br>635,710|**(Continued)**<br>**Total**<br>**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>391,884<br>425,059<br>174,140<br>164,609<br>83,457<br>85,928<br>159,522<br>3,089<br>37,657<br>34,952<br>846,660<br>713,637<br>99,974<br>97,696<br>112,520<br>57,867<br>185,927<br>172,174<br>27,736<br>39,329<br>60,000<br>60,000<br>25,000<br>25,000<br>-<br>5,000<br>15,000<br>-<br>21,000<br>-<br>12,500<br>-<br>53,372<br>32,010<br>613,029<br>489,076<br>**2025**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>579,800<br>608,455<br>12,413<br>25,913<br>637<br>1,342<br>592,850<br>635,710|
|---|---|---|
|||713,637|
|||97,696<br>57,867<br>172,174<br>39,329<br>60,000<br>25,000<br>5,000<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>32,010|
|||489,076|
|||**2024**<br>**£**<br>608,455<br>25,913<br>1,342|
|||635,710|



Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 49 



**SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

|**5**<br>**Income from investments**<br>Income from listed investments<br>Interest receivable|||
|---|---|---|
||**2025**<br>**£**<br>23,339<br>43,965<br>67,304|**2024**<br>**£**<br>22,279<br>18,192|
|||40,471|



50 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 



**SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

## **6 Raising funds** 

|Fundraising and publicity<br>Direct staff costs<br>Other fundraising direct costs<br>Support costs (see note 8)<br>Fundraising and publicity<br>**Shine**<br>**(Trading)**<br>**Limited**<br>**£**<br>Trading costs<br>Direct staff costs<br>205,646<br>Other direct operational costs<br>15,765<br>Support costs (see note 8)<br>84,044<br>Trading costs<br>305,455|**Shops**<br>**£**<br>18,354<br>4,745<br>14,238<br>37,337|**2025**<br>**£**<br>273,817<br>62,195<br>77,643<br>413,655<br>**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>224,000<br>20,510<br>98,282<br>342,792<br>756,447|**2024**<br>**£**<br>263,697<br>51,466<br>80,677|
|---|---|---|---|
||||395,840|
||||**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>223,816<br>21,702<br>89,620|
||||335,138|
||||730,978|



Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 51 



|**NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**<br>**_FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025_**|**7**<br>**Charitable activities**<br>**Enabling**<br>**babies and**<br>**children to**<br>**achieve**<br>**their**<br>**potential**<br>**Empowering**<br>**young**<br>**people**<br>**Adults of all**<br>**ages to have**<br>**choices and**<br>**opportunities**<br>**A connected**<br>**community**<br>**Preventing**<br>**Spina Bifida**<br>**Changing**<br>**experiences**<br>**of**<br>**pregnancies**<br>**Transforming**<br>**attitudes**<br>**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>Direct staff costs<br>227,354<br>190,486<br>202,447<br>447,976<br>57,040<br>43,471<br>111,783<br>1,280,557<br>1,173,433<br>Other direct costs<br>32,365<br>27,117<br>28,820<br>63,772<br>8,120<br>6,188<br>15,913<br>182,295<br>165,212<br>259,719<br>217,603<br>231,267<br>511,748<br>65,160<br>49,659<br>127,696<br>1,462,852<br>1,338,645<br>Share of support costs<br>(see note 8)<br>30,182<br>25,288<br>26,876<br>59,471<br>7,572<br>5,771<br>14,840<br>170,000<br>173,041<br>Share of governance<br>costs (see note 8)<br>5,136<br>4,303<br>4,573<br>10,119<br>1,288<br>982<br>2,525<br>28,926<br>31,795<br>295,037<br>247,194<br>262,716<br>581,338<br>74,020<br>56,412<br>145,061<br>1,661,778<br>1,543,481<br>**Analysis by fund**<br>Unrestricted funds - general<br>1,053,716<br>1,025,342<br>Unrestricted funds - designated<br>31,375<br>48,196<br>Restricted funds<br>576,687<br>469,943<br>1,661,778<br>1,543,481|
|---|---|



52 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 



## **SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

|**8**<br>**Support and governance costs**<br>**Fundraising**<br>**and publicity**<br>**Support costs**<br>**£**<br>Staff costs<br>18,480<br>IT costs<br>15,808<br>Premises costs<br>39,657<br>Other support costs<br>17,936<br>91,881|**Trading**<br>**costs**<br>**Charitable**<br>**activities**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>23,689<br>40,527<br>9,281<br>57,400<br>14,196<br>31,372<br>36,878<br>40,701<br>84,044<br>170,000|**2025**<br>**£**<br>82,696<br>82,489<br>85,225<br>95,515<br>345,925|**2024**<br>**£**<br>70,581<br>63,996<br>85,618<br>123,143|
|---|---|---|---|
||||343,338|



|**Governance costs**<br>Staff costs<br>Audit fees<br>Other governance costs|**2025**<br>**£**<br>12,971<br>15,214<br>741<br>28,926|**2024**<br>**£**<br>12,571<br>9,624<br>9,600|
|---|---|---|
|||31,795|



Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 53 



**SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

## **9 Commercial operations in trading subsidiary** 

The charity has one wholly owned trading subsidiary undertaking, Shine (Trading) Limited which sells balloons for virtual balloon races.  The company gift aids virtually all its taxable profits to Shine.  A summary of its trading results is shown below.  Audited accounts have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. 

||**2025**|**2024**|
|---|---|---|
|**Shine (Trading) Ltd Profit & Loss Account**|**£**|**£**|
|Turnover|579,800|608,455|
|Cost of sales|(193,867)|(192,036)|
|Gross profit|385,933|416,419|
|Administration expenses|(65,286)|(60,677)|
|Operating profit|320,647|355,742|
|Amount payable by gift aid to Shine|(320,647)|(355,742)|
|Profit on ordinary activities|-|-|
||**2025**|**2024**|
|**Shine (Trading) Ltd Balance Sheet**|**£**|**£**|
|Current assets|130,896|164,816|
|Current liabilities|(107,909)|(141,829)|
|Net current assets|22,987|22,987|
|Total net assets|22,987|22,987|
|Aggregate share capital and reserves|22,987|22,987|



54 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 



**SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

## **10 Employees** 

## **Number of employees** 

The average monthly number of full time equivalent employees during the year was: 

|Services<br>Fundraising and publicity<br>Shops<br>Administration<br>Shine (Trading) Limited<br>**Employment costs**<br>Wages and salaries<br>Redundancy costs<br>Social security costs<br>Other pension costs<br>Other staff related benefits<br>The number of employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more<br>were:<br>£80,001 - £90,000<br>£60,001 - £70,000|**2025**<br>**Number**<br>34<br>8<br>1<br>3<br>6<br>52<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>1,643,674<br>18,877<br>150,508<br>55,339<br>5,140<br>1,873,538<br>**2025**<br>**Number**<br>1<br>1|**2024**<br>**Number**<br>31<br>8<br>1<br>3<br>5|
|---|---|---|
|||48|
|||**2024**<br>**£**<br>1,545,971<br>1,000<br>141,548<br>51,324<br>4,283|
|||1,744,126|
|||**2024**<br>**Number**<br>1<br>1|
||||
|Pension contributions for higher paid employees were £12,475 (2024 - £10,465).|||



Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 55 



**SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

## **11 Trustees** 

None of the Trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year. 

In respect of attending meetings of committees, travel expenses amounting to £741 (2024 - £1,401) have been reimbursed to 5 (2024 - 4) members of the Board of Trustees. 

At the year end, £nil (2024 - £nil) of the above expenses are unpaid and included as a creditor. 

The accounts include a charge of £2,413 (2024 - £3,312) to provide the Trustees with indemnity insurance. 

## **12 Net gains/(losses) on investments** 

|**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>Revaluation of investments<br>(14,986)<br>Gain/(loss) on sale of investments<br>14,477<br>(509)|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>54,956<br>518|
|---|---|
||55,474|



## **13 Taxation** 

Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus, Information, Networking, Equality - SHINE is a registered charity. It only applies its funds in accordance with its charitable objectives, and is not trading with a view to making distributable profits, therefore corporation tax is not chargeable. 

The trading subsidiary has gifted its profits to Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus, Information, Networking, Equality - SHINE under Gift Aid therefore no corporation tax is payable 

56 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 



**SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

## **14 Tangible fixed assets** 

|**Equipment**<br>**Software**<br>**and website**<br>**Group**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**Cost**<br>At 1 April 2024<br>11,830<br>25,757<br>At 31 March 2025<br>11,830<br>25,757<br>**Depreciation and impairment**<br>At 1 April 2024<br>11,830<br>31,031<br>At 31 March 2025<br>11,830<br>31,031<br>**Equipment**<br>**Software**<br>**and website**<br>**Charity**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**Cost**<br>At 1 April 2024<br>9,191<br>18,728<br>At 31 March 2025<br>9,191<br>18,728<br>**Depreciation and impairment**<br>At 1 April 2024<br>9,191<br>18,728<br>At 31 March 2025<br>9,191<br>18,728<br>**Carrying amount**<br>At 31 March 2025<br>-<br>-<br>At 31 March 2024<br>-<br>-|**Total**<br>**£**<br>37,587|
|---|---|
||37,587|
||37,587|
||37,587|
||**Total**<br>**£**<br>27,919|
||27,919|
||27,919|
||27,919|
||-|
||-|



The charity owns a freehold interest in some land that is leased to another charity at a peppercorn rent and used in furtherance of the charitable objects.  The lease ends in 2084 and no value is included in the accounts for the property. 

## **15 Fixed asset investments** 

|Investments in subsidiaries<br>Listed investments|**Group**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>-<br>847,083<br>847,083|**Charity**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>3<br>847,083<br>847,086|**Group**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>-<br>834,112<br>834,112|**Charity**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>3<br>834,112|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||834,115|



Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 57 



**SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

|**15**<br>**Fixed asset investments**<br>**Movements in fixed asset investments**<br>**Group and Charity**<br>**Cost or valuation**<br>At 31 March 2024<br>Additions within portfolio<br>Disposals within portfolio<br>Valuation changes<br>Cash held for investment<br>At 31 March 2025<br>**16**<br>**Financial instruments**<br>**Carrying amount of financial assets**<br>Trade debtors<br>Accrued income<br>Amounts due from subsidiary undertakings<br>Bank and cash<br>Measured at cost<br>Fixed asset investments<br>Measured at market value<br>**Carrying amount of financial liabilities**<br>Trade creditors<br>Accruals and deferred income<br>Other creditors<br>Other taxation and social security<br>Measured at cost|**Group**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>120,631<br>39,299<br>-<br>905,322<br>1,065,252<br>847,083<br>847,083<br>25,268<br>87,127<br>31,091<br>45,431<br>188,917|**Charity**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>8,786<br>39,299<br>86,003<br>891,066<br>1,025,154<br>847,086<br>847,086<br>25,039<br>79,194<br>29,849<br>32,929<br>167,011|**(Continued)**<br>**2025**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>815,987<br>733,130<br>84,344<br>160,726<br>(63,496)<br>(148,394)<br>(11,906)<br>70,525<br>824,929<br>815,987<br>22,154<br>18,125<br>847,083<br>834,112<br>**Group**<br>**Charity**<br>**2024**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>156,621<br>10,890<br>58,234<br>58,234<br>-<br>115,334<br>885,550<br>870,690<br>1,100,405<br>1,055,148<br>834,112<br>834,115<br>834,112<br>834,115<br>9,299<br>9,142<br>83,383<br>76,797<br>32,710<br>31,662<br>52,014<br>33,310<br>177,406<br>150,911|
|---|---|---|---|



58 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 



**SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

|**17**<br>**Debtors**<br>**Amounts falling due within one year:**<br>Trade debtors<br>Amounts due from subsidiary undertakings<br>Prepayments and accrued income|**Group**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>120,631<br>-<br>144,534<br>265,165|**Charity**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>8,786<br>86,003<br>139,739<br>234,528|**Group**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>156,621<br>-<br>95,595<br>252,216|**Charity**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>10,890<br>115,334<br>91,370|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||217,594|



The net amount owed by the subsidiary includes amounts owing for gift aid receivable and payment for services provided. 

## **18 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year** 

|**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Other taxation and social security<br>Trade creditors<br>Other creditors<br>Accruals and deferred income|**Group**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>45,431<br>25,268<br>31,091<br>87,127<br>188,917|**Charity**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>32,929<br>25,039<br>29,849<br>79,194<br>167,011|**Group**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>52,014<br>9,299<br>32,710<br>83,383<br>177,406|**Charity**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>33,310<br>9,142<br>31,662<br>76,797|
|||||150,911|



Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 59 



**SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

## **19 Retirement benefit schemes** 

## **The Pensions Trust - The Growth Plan** 

SHINE participates in The Pension Trust's Growth Plan (The Plan), a multi-employer scheme which provides benefits to some 521 non-associated participating employers. The scheme is a defined benefit scheme in the UK. 

It is not possible for the charity to obtain sufficient information to enable it to account for the scheme as a defined benefit scheme. Therefore it accounts for the scheme as a defined contribution scheme. 

The scheme is subject to the funding legislation outlined in the Pensions Act 2004 which came into force on 30 December 2005. This, together with documents issued by the Pensions Regulator and Technical Actuarial Standards issued by the Financial Reporting Council, set out the framework for funding defined benefit occupational pension schemes in the UK. 

The scheme is classified as a 'last-man standing arrangement'. Therefore the charity is potentially liable for other participating employers' obligations if those employers are unable to meet their share of the scheme deficit following withdrawal from the scheme. Participating employers are legally required to meet their share of the scheme deficit on an annuity purchase basis on withdrawal from the scheme. 

A full actuarial valuation for the scheme was carried out at 30 September 2023. This actuarial valuation showed assets of £514.9m, liabilities of £531.0m and a deficit of £16.1m. To eliminate this funding shortfall, the trustees and the participating employers have agreed that additional contributions will be paid to the scheme as follows: 

## **Deficit contributions** 

From 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2028: 

£2,100,000 per annum (payable monthly) 

Unless a concession has been agreed with the Trustee the term to 31 March 2028 applies. 

Note that the scheme's previous valuation was carried out with an effective date of 30 September 2020. This valuation showed assets of £800.3m, liabilities of £831.9m and a deficit of £31.6m. To eliminate this funding shortfall, the Trustee asked the participating employers to pay additional contributions to the scheme as follows: 

## **Deficit contributions** 

From 1 April 2022 to 31 January 2025: 

£3,312,000 per annum (payable monthly and increasing by 3% each on 1st April) 

The recovery plan contributions are allocated to each participating employer in line with their estimated share of the Series 1 and Series 2 scheme liabilities. 

Where the scheme is in deficit and where the charity has agreed to a deficit funding arrangement the company recognises a liability for this obligation. The amount recognised is the net present value of the deficit reduction contributions payable under the agreement that relates to the deficit. The present value is calculated using the discount rate detailed in these disclosures. The unwinding of the discount rate is recognised as a finance cost. 

60 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 



**SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

|**19**<br>**Retirement benefit schemes**<br>**Present values of provision**<br>**31**<br>Present value of provision<br>An amount of £13,612 (2024 - £16,884) is included within short term<br>long term liabilities.<br>**Reconciliation of opening and closing provisions**|**(Continued)**<br>**March**<br>**2025**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>38,148<br>16,884<br>36,146<br>creditors and £24,536 (2024 - £Nil) in|
|---|---|



|**Reconciliation of opening and closing provisions**|||
|---|---|---|
||**Year**|**Year**|
||**Ending**|**Ending**|
||**31 March**|**31 March**|
||**2025**|**2024**|
|Provision at start of period|16,884|36,146|
|Unwinding of the discount factor (interest expense)|445|1,382|
|Deficit contribution paid|(17,214)|(20,657)|
|Remeasurements - impact of any change in assumptions|242|13|
|Provision at end of period|38,148|16,884|



## **Income and expenditure impact** 

|**Income and expenditure impact**|||
|---|---|---|
||**Year**|**Year**|
||**Ending**|**Ending**|
||**31 March**|**31 March**|
||**2025**|**2024**|
|Interest expense|445|1,382|
|Remeasurements - impact of any change in assumptions|242|13|
|Costs recognised in income and expenditure account|38,478|1,395|



Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 61 



**SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

## **19 Retirement benefit schemes** 

|**Retirement benefit schemes**|||**(Continued)**|
|---|---|---|---|
|**Assumptions**||||
||**31 March**|**31 March**|**31 March**|
||**2025**|**2024**|**2023**|
||**% per annum % per annum**||**% per annum**|
|Rate of discount|4.84|5.31|5.52|



The discount rates shown above are the equivalent single discount rates which, when used to discount the future recovery plan contributions due, would give the same results as using a full AA corporate bond yield curve to discount the same recovery plan contributions. 

The following schedule details the deficit contributions agreed between the company and the scheme at each year end period: 

## **Deficit contributions schedule** 

|Year|ending|**31**|**March**|**31**|**March**|**31**|**March**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||**2025**||**2024**||**2023**|
|Year|1||13,612||17,214||20,657|
|Year|2||13,612||-||17,214|
|Year|3||13,612||-||-|



The charity must recognise a liability measured as the present value of the contributions payable that arise from the deficit recovery agreement and the resulting expense in the income and expenditure account i.e. the unwinding of the discount rate as a finance cost in the period in which it arises. 

It is these contributions that have been used to derive the charity's balance sheet liability. 

The Plan is closed to new entrants and there were no active members of the scheme during the year. 

The Scheme has identified a potential issue in respect of the calculation of benefits paid and has instigated a review.  The outcome of the review is unknown and the potential financial impact of the review if an issue is identified is unknown.  A potential liability may arise, but no provision is included in these accounts as the amount cannot be quantified. 

62 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 



|**Restricted funds**|The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes:|**Movement in funds**<br>**Movement in funds**|**Balance at**<br>**Income**<br>**Expenditure**<br>**Transfers**<br>**Balance at**<br>**Income**<br>**Expenditure**<br>**Transfers**<br>**Balance at**|**1 April 2023**<br>**1 April 2024**<br>**31 March 2025**|**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**|National Lottery Community Fund – Early|intervention programme across England<br>79,559<br>172,174<br>(209,292)<br>8,070<br>50,511<br>185,927<br>(205,744)<br>7,227<br>37,921|National Lottery Community fund Northern|Ireland Shining Opportunities<br>35,064<br>97,696<br>(100,798)<br>-<br>31,962<br>99,974<br>(99,057)<br>(480)<br>32,399|International Projects: Continence care and|management project (Nigeria)<br>(1,570)<br>39,329<br>(28,234)<br>-<br>9,525<br>27,736<br>(36,427)<br>-<br>834|Coop Grant<br>2,118<br>-<br>(325)<br>-<br>1,793<br>-<br>(1,340)<br>-<br>453|National Lottery Community fund: Cymru|People & Places<br>-<br>57,867<br>(63,841)<br>14,154<br>8,180<br>112,520<br>(134,845)<br>26,958<br>12,813|National Lottery Community fund: Cymru|Shining lights<br>21,473<br>-<br>(23,053)<br>1,580<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-|Regional Projects "Here for you"<br>15,121<br>5,000<br>(15,122)<br>-<br>4,999<br>57,000<br>(48,362)<br>-<br>13,637|Welfare Grants<br>(2,090)<br>6,790<br>(4,685)<br>-<br>15<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>15|Support Groups<br>1,835<br>-<br>1,306<br>-<br>3,141<br>-<br>(188)<br>-<br>2,953|South West Country SDW<br>-<br>8,500<br>(8,500)<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-|NPH Coordinator<br>-<br>1,000<br>-<br>-<br>1,000<br>1,000<br>(2,000)<br>-<br>-|Spinal Stimulation<br>-<br>10,720<br>(6,894)<br>-<br>3,826<br>13,250<br>(32,769)<br>15,693<br>-|Margaret Giffen Charitable Trust - supporting|our work in Northamptonshire<br>5,505<br>5,000<br>(10,505)<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-|BBC Children in Need Continence Support<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>18,000<br>(14,245)<br>4,008<br>7,763|Awards for All Pain and Wellbeing<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>12,622<br>(1,710)<br>-<br>10,912|157,015<br>404,076<br>(469,943)<br>23,804<br>114,952<br>528,029<br>(576,687)<br>53,406<br>119,700|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**20**||||||||||||||||||||||||||||



Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 63 



**SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

## **21 Designated funds** 

The income funds of the charity include the following designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes: 

||**Balance at**|**Net**|**Balance at**|**Net**|**Balance at**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**1 April 2023**|**movement**|**1 April 2024**|**movement**|**31 March**|
||||||**2025**|
|**Group & Charity**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Interest in land and property and other||||||
|fixed assets|1,214|(1,214)|-|-|-|
|Florence Bartle fund|96,287|(28,876)|67,411|(32,680)|34,731|
|Services in Northern Ireland, Wales and||||||
|Gloucestershire|29,228|(16,881)|12,347|(5,628)|6,719|
|Digital development|25,000|-|25,000|-|25,000|
|Research|50,000|-|50,000|(19,577)|30,423|
|North East Service Fund|-|-|-|139,333|139,333|
|Surrey Service Fund|-|-|-|1,440|1,440|
|- East Anglian SDW|75,000|-|75,000|-|75,000|
|- Deputy Health Manager|135,000|-|135,000|(2,317)|132,683|
|- Education Officer|50,000|-|50,000|-|50,000|
|- Physio service (Spinal Stimulation)|25,000|(1,225)|23,775|(14,468)|9,307|
|- Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus|-|72,500|72,500|(1,697)|70,803|
||486,729|24,304|511,033|64,406|575,439|



The designated funds comprise: 

- the group and charity's interest in land and property and other fixed assets, net of the outstanding mortgage. 

- the Florence Bartle fund which is part of a legacy that is to be spent on the relief of Spina Bifida in Cornwall and the South West. 

- the services in Northern Ireland, Wales and Gloucestershire that is for work specifically in those areas. 

- the digital development fund that is to develop a long-term IT/digital strategy to aid in future-proofing Shine's approaches to technology and automation. 

- the research fund that is to improve access to health and care services in line with Shine's strategic goals. 

- the service funds that are to fund new posts as detailed above. 

- the North East and Surrey Service Funds are for work specifically in those areas. 

64 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 



||**Total**||**2024**|**£**|||834,112|960,360|-|1,794,472|||||834,115|937,373|-|1,771,488|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Restricted**|**funds**|**2024**|**£**|||-|114,952|-|114,952|||||-|114,952|-|114,952|
||**Designated**|**funds**|**2024**|**£**|||-|511,033|-|511,033|||||-|511,033|-|511,033|
||**Total**<br>**Unrestricted**|**funds**|**2025**<br>**2024**|**£**<br>**£**|||847,083<br>834,112|981,570<br>334,375|(24,536)<br>-|1,804,117<br>1,168,487|||||847,086<br>834,115|958,583<br>311,388|(24,536)<br>-|1,781,133<br>1,145,503|
||**Restricted**|**funds**|**2025**|**£**|||-|119,700|-|119,700|||||-|119,700|-|119,700|
||**Designated**|**funds**|**2025**|**£**|||-|575,439|-|575,439|||||-|575,439|-|575,439|
||**Unrestricted**|**funds**|**2025**|**£**|||847,083|286,431|(24,536)|1,108,978|||||847,086|263,444|(24,536)|1,085,994|
|**Analysis of net assets between funds**||||**Group**|Fund balances at 31 March 2025 are|represented by:|Investments|Current assets/(liabilities)|Provisions and pensions|||**Charity**|Fund balances at 31 March 2025 are|represented by:|Investments|Current assets/(liabilities)|Provisions and pensions||
|**22**|||||||||||||||||||



Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 65 



**SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

## **23 Operating lease commitments** 

## **Group and Charity** 

At the reporting end date the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows: 

|Within one year<br>Between two and five years|**2025**<br>**£**<br>45,460<br>28,783<br>74,243|**2024**<br>**£**<br>48,420<br>75,826|
|---|---|---|
|||124,246|



## **24 Related party transactions** 

## **Remuneration of key management personnel** 

The remuneration of key management personnel, who on a full time equivalent basis are the 2.6 (2024 - 2.6) members of the senior management team, is as follows. 

||**2025**|**2024**|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|
|Aggregate compensation including pension contributions|190,093|187,045|



## **Transactions with related parties** 

Owing to the nature of the charity's operations, some of the Trustees may themselves, or may have family members that access services from the charity. Consequently there will be transactions between those Trustees or their family members. These are on the same basis as other service users of the charity. 

## **25 Control** 

No one individual has overall control of the charity. 

66 **Shine** Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 



## **SPINA BIFIDA, HYDROCEPHALUS, INFORMATION, NETWORKING, EQUALITY - SHINE** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

|**26**<br>**Cash generated from operations**<br>Surplus/(deficit) for the year<br>Adjustments for:<br>Investment income recognised in statement of financial activities<br>Investment management fees recognised in statement of financial activities<br>Gain on disposal of investments<br>Fair value gains and losses on investments<br>Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets<br>Movements in working capital:<br>(Increase) in debtors<br>Increase/(decrease) in creditors<br>Increase/(decrease) in pension liability<br>**Cash absorbed by operations**<br>**27**<br>**Analysis of changes in net funds**<br>The group and charity had no debt during the year.|**2025**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>9,645<br>(65,252)<br>(67,304)<br>(40,471)<br>(9,854)<br>(9,014)<br>(14,477)<br>(518)<br>14,986<br>(54,956)<br>-<br>1,214<br>(12,949)<br>(7,016)<br>10,797<br>(19,547)<br>21,624<br>(19,262)<br>(47,532)<br>(214,822)|
|---|---|
|||



Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements **Shine** 67 




SHINE Registered Office Unit 4, Minerva Business Park, Peterborough, PE2 6FT Telephone 01733 555988 Email firstcontact@SHINEcharity.org.uk www.shinecharity.org.uk Charity number 249338, Company number 00877990