EXETER & DISTRICT KIDNEY PATIENTS ASSOCIATION 

## ACCOUNTS 

## YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2025 

|Contents|Page|
|---|---|
|Legal and administrative information|1|
|Trustees report|2-4|
|Independent examiners report|5|
|Receipts and payments account|6|
|Statement of assets and liabilities|7|
|Notes to the accounts|7|





1 

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION 

## EXETER & DISTRICT KIDNEY PATIENTS ASSOCIATION 

|Charity name|Exeter & District Kidney Patients Association|
|---|---|
|Also known as|EDKPA|
|Charity registration number|276981|
|Principal address|Linacre|
||Ridgeway Road|
||Torquay|
||TQ1 2HL|
|Trustees|Mr C Rolfe - Treasurer & Chairman|
||Mr R Holland - Vice Chairman|
||Mrs J Robbins - Secretary|
||Mr N Wood ( Deceased September 2025)|
||Mr D O'Sullivan|
||Mrs J Garry|
||Mr R Garry|
||Mrs A Smith (Deceased October 2025)|
||Mrs J Aplin (Resigned September 2025)|
|Accountants|Apsleys LLP|
||21 Bampton Street|
||Tiverton|
||EX16 6AA|





## 2 EXETER & DISTRICT KIDNEY PATIENTS ASSOCIATION TRUSTEES REPORT 

## YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2025 

The Trustees present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 28 February 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” (FRS 102) in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity. 

## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** 

## **Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document** 

The relief of persons who are suffering from disease or illness affecting the kidneys: especially for patients receiving treatment at the Exeter Kidney Unit and its satellites. 

## **Summary of the main activities in relation to these objectives** 

We provide renal patients, under the care of the Royal Devon University Hospital Renal Unit and its Satellite Units, with advice on welfare benefits and also direct financial help in cases of need. We publish items of interest on our website and newsletters. We have regular communication with the renal team and support patients and their families, through all stages of chronic renal disease, including pre-dialysis, dialysis, transplant and post-transplant; by helping hospital staff and funding of relevant equipment where the hospital is unable to do so. 

## **Public benefit** 

The Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and are satisfied that their purposes are justified under the Equality Act under the "Charity Exception" rule, which allows a charity to limit its benefits to people who have a shared protected characteristic, in this case the disability of chronic kidney failure (CKD). This restriction can be justified using Test A in that: 1. Our governing document restricts benefits to people with a shared protected characteristic, (disability of CKD) and 2. The benefits are provided in order to tackle a particular disadvantage or need linked to that protected characteristic. 

## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE** 

## **Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year** 

Establishment of a newly constituted EDKPA, moving from an Unincorporated Association to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, planned to begin operations on 1 March 2025. 

The trustees of the EDKPA considered that the existing constitution, set up in the early 1970s and last updated May 2001, had become outdated and unmanageable, as currently the yearly election of Trustees and all major decisions had to be voted on by the entire membership of (at the time) 330, with a minimum quorum required of 25 members for Annual General Meetings (AGM) and 33 (10%) members for Special General Meetings (SGM). This was extremely difficult to achieve, with a widespread membership made up largely of renal patients trying to manage their varying conditions and levels of illness. Post Covid lockdowns, we have seen a huge decline in the willingness of people to attend physical meetings, even if they are physically well enough. Indeed, willingness to “sign up” for anything significant at all. We also needed the freedom to use electronic meeting systems and appoint new Trustees more easily, when possible. 

It was considered that a change to a standard Charity Commission CIO would enable our Charity to more effectively continue with the important work of providing relief to persons who are suffering from disease or illness affecting the kidneys, in accordance with the existing constitution, by reducing the voting membership to just the active Trustees. 

A Special General Meeting was held on 9th June 2024 at which the members attending (exceeding the required quorum), agreed unanimously to change the existing unincorporated Association to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, with a new agreed constitution based on the Charity commission’s foundation model. Also, the transfer of all EDKPA assets, activities and liabilities to the new EDKPA CIO and closure of the EDKPA charity when all transfers are complete. 

This process is taking much longer than expected, so the two charities are currently existing side by side until the transfer is complete and the original charity can be officially closed. In practical terms, however, all decisions and operational matters were transferred to the new charity at close of business on 28 February 2025 and all assets and liabilities of this charity are vested in the new charity as the transfers are being completed in legal form. Similarly we are now in the process of revising our key policies to conform to our new CIO constitution. 

## The new EDKPA CIO was registered on 7th October 2024. No 1210374 

The trustees have continued in their work to provide relief to individuals suffering from kidney disease in all its forms, primarily where the patients are under the care of the Exeter kidney unit and its satellites, in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. We aim to be able to support all patients and their families in the area, but lines of communication remain a continued area of difficulty. The general regulations about privacy of data prevent the hospital sharing contact information with us. However, it remains a key objective, to increase our contact list as widely as possible and to encourage the hospital administration to make contact on our behalf for specific items of mutual benefit. 



3 

## EXETER & DISTRICT KIDNEY PATIENTS ASSOCIATION TRUSTEES REPORT 

## YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2025 

We continue to offer the first point of contact for patients when their kidney disease suddenly becomes a serious problem for them. We can provide a level of moral support and short-term financial help. After this we can assist with a more strategic approach to a person’s new life. Our website is continually updated to help “signpost” patients to useful knowledge. 

The impact of suffering kidney failure is not just a medical one. Many patients find their regular working life too much to continue with, leading to considerable financial upheaval at what is already a very difficult time. Therefore, probably the most important service we offer is paying for a dedicated advisor on social security benefits, at the Citizens Advice Bureau in Exeter. 

CAB obviously will help any member of the public with access to benefits and public services that they require. However, it can be quite a problem getting matters dealt with urgently and CAB has also lost key elements of Council funding. We pay CAB for a dedicated advisor providing at least one day per week for kidney patients. 

We continue to provide equipment to patients and to the hospital, to improve patient experience, and where the hospital is either not formally responsible or lacks the budget under currently increasing spending restrictions. Thus, we continue to provide blood pressure monitors, equipment to help PD patients at home, including the U-Drain system, which makes a significant improvement to their quality of life, and various other smaller items. In the hospital and satellite units we provide and update televisions and remotes as necessary, biscuits in the renal wards, and other items to help staff in their care of kidney patients, eg pens and notebooks for nurses. 

We also pay for specialised Nurse training course costs and travel expenses as needed for the Young Adult Nurse. 

We continue to support the Transplant Games. Transplantation has a very positive impact on most renal patients, but can also be quite difficult to recover from. The Transplant Games reflect a high level of patient success in recovery, which is an inspiration to many others. 

We continue to provide access to What’s App groups for home haemodialysis and home peritoneal dialysis patients and aim to set up a similar group for transplant patients. The What’s App groups provide a regulated forum for patients, who would otherwise be isolated, to discuss, share and resolve their treatment issues. 

We are trying to introduce a number of social events to overcome the sense of isolation experienced by patients on home therapies, who are spread across a wide geographic area, and to encourage patients in dialysis units to socialise. 

This year we held a very successful “Renal Ramble” at Exeter Quays, which brought both home therapy and in centre dialysis patients and their families together for a fund-raising walk, also helping to raise the profile of the charity with T-shirts being provided from an EDKPA gazebo on the quayside. Two well attended Christmas parties were also held in different centres within our area. Support for patient activities is always available but depends on demand and someone local to the event volunteering to run it. 

We are very grateful for each and every donation made to us. We do not conduct professional fund-raising activities, and therefore our ability to provide patient benefits in the long term is dependant on donations, many through our Just Giving platform, legacies, and help from other Charitable Trusts. Our basic level of income from investments is relatively small. 

We continue to be involved with “Patient Voice”, which is organised by the Southwest NHS region to make renal services in the area as efficient as possible and reflective of the needs of patients, not just meeting the expectations of the medical staff. We also work with other renal charities, as and when appropriate, to help our patients. 

During this year two of our trustees have also volunteered to attend monthly “Patient Education and Awareness” days run by the Exeter renal team to introduce pre-dialysis patients to a life on dialysis, to show how you can adapt your life to accommodate your treatment without letting it dominate your lifestyle. A very important introduction for patients who are extremely worried about moving onto dialysis, which will now continue to be run by the renal team. 

We continue to make financial grants where necessary to assist patients in difficulties. Emergency payments to support patient transport from home to the Exeter centre, where transport costs cannot be met from other sources in the hospital budget, are now relatively frequent. 

We will also assist patients hoping for a holiday but unable to afford one – in this connection we are grateful to the Chambercombe Trust for their assistance in setting up a small, dedicated fund for this purpose. 



4 

## EXETER & DISTRICT KIDNEY PATIENTS ASSOCIATION TRUSTEES REPORT 

## YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2025 

We also continue to try and recruit new trustees, but volunteers among younger adults are extremely hard to find and we do have concerns about the increasing age of trustees and their health issues, so we face the difficult decision of possibly hiring staff to enable our charity to efficiently function in future years. 

## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** 

## **Brief summary of the charity’s policy on reserves** 

There has been some further recovery in the investment markets, although they remain somewhat volatile. Our portfolio continues to recover since the prior year. We remain confident that continuing to hold, rather than sell and hold cash, is in our best long-term interests. The position continues to be reviewed on a regular basis at trustee meetings. 

We are continuing to increase our level of support to patients. Investments will be eaten into as the current financial situation continues. We are fortunate to benefit from many donations and legacies but may increase our fund-raising activities over the next year. We are confident of our financial ability to continue our work for the foreseeable future. Our reserves are in excess of immediate needs and we have been able to meet the demands made on our funds. However, our key source of income over the years has been legacies from patients and their family connections – an unpredictable and uneven flow of funds. 

During the year there was an excess of payments over receipts of £14,243 (2024: excess of payments over receipts of £31,501). 

## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** 

**Type of governing document** Constitution **How the charity is constituted** Association **Trustees selection method** Elected by members at AGM 

In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the charity. 

Every charity trustee must be a natural person and: 

- a)       A renal patient or carer, or person nominated in writing by a patient 

b) A parent or guardian of a child renal patient under the age of 16 

- c)      The spouse of a deceased patient 

No individual may be appointed as a charity trustee of the CIO: 

- a)       If he or she is under the age of 18 years; or 

- b) If he or she is disqualified from acting as a trustee by virtue of sections 178-180 of the Charities Act 2011 (or any statutory re-enactment or modification of that provision) 

No one is entitled to act as a charity trustee whether on appointment or on any re-appointment until he or she has expressly acknowledged, in whatever way the charity trustees decide, his or her acceptance of the office of charity trustee. 

## **Additional governance issues** 

The charity’s organisational structure 

Chairman of trustees: Christopher Derek Rolfe Vice chairman: Richard Paul Holland Treasurer: Christopher Derek Rolfe Secretary: Joanne Robbins 

This year marks the final retirement of Jean Aplin as a trustee, following a period where she has helped our Secretary, Joanne Robbins. We were also joined in 2024 by a young and inspirational trustee, Amy Smith, who has recently suddenly and sadly passed away. We have also recently lost Nick Wood, a longtime valued trustee. 

This report was approved by the Board on ………………….. and signed on their behalf 

…………………………………. …………………………………. MRS J ROBBINS MR C ROLFE SECRETARY CHAIRMAN AND TREASURER 



5 

## INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF 

## EXETER & DISTRICT KIDNEY PATIENTS ASSOCIATION 

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 5 April 2025 which are set out on pages 6 to 8. 

## **Responsibilities and basis of report** 

As the trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’). 

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. 

## **Independent examiner's statement** 

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 

1.      accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or 

2.      the accounts do not accord with those records 

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 

## **Apsleys LLP** 

**21 Bampton Street Tiverton Devon EX16 6AA** 

**Date:** 



## 6 

## EXETER & DISTRICT KIDNEY PATIENTS ASSOCIATION RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2025 

|RECEIPTS<br>Income receipts<br>Donations<br>Legacies and bequests<br>Charitable activities<br>Bank interest and dividends from investments<br>Proceeds from the sale of investment assets<br>Total receipts for the year<br>EXPENDITURE<br>Secretary’s salary<br>Citizens Advice Bureau<br>Equipment etc for use of hospitals and patients<br>Contributions to patients day to day lives, holidays etc<br>Nurses training and travel<br>Social functions and transplant games support<br>Patients Welfare Grants<br>Donations<br>Promotion<br>Bank charges and Just Giving fee<br>Printing, postage and stationery including leaflets etc<br>Accountancy<br>Legal fees<br>Insurance<br>Software<br>Phone<br>Secretarial expenses<br>Purchase of assets held for investment purposes<br>Net receipts (payments)<br>Transfer between funds<br>Net movement<br>Total cash funds as at 1 March 2024<br>Total cash funds as at 28 February 2025|Restricted<br>Funds<br>£<br>2,500|General<br>fund<br>£<br>10,381<br>9,600<br>2256<br>11,457|Designated<br>funds<br>£<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-|Year 2025<br>£<br>12,881<br>9,600<br>2,256<br>11,457<br>36,194<br>-<br>36,194<br>330<br>10,033<br>15,849<br>1,452<br>1,958<br>7,889<br>3,950<br>-<br>538<br>154<br>1,384<br>1,140<br>3,900<br>599<br>973<br>-<br>288<br>50,437<br>-<br>50,437<br>(14,243)<br>-<br>(14,243)<br>90,542<br>76,299|Period<br>2024<br>£<br>1,330<br>-<br>-<br>11,218|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||2,500|33,694<br>-|-<br>-||12,548<br>-|
||2,500|33,694|-||12,548|
||654|330<br>10,033<br>798<br>1,958<br>7,889<br>3,950<br>538<br>154<br>1,384<br>1,140<br>3,900<br>599<br>973<br>288|-<br>-<br>15,849<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-||3,300<br>9,556<br>26,312<br>205<br>-<br>1,870<br>-<br>83<br>100<br>-<br>328<br>1,080<br>-<br>419<br>360<br>399<br>37|
||654|33,934<br>-|15,849<br>-||44,049<br>-|
||654|33,934|15,849||44,049|
||1,846|(240)<br>4,151|(15,849)<br>(4,151)||(31,501)<br>-|
||1,846<br>-|3,911<br>50,542|20,000<br>-<br>40,000||(31,501)<br>122,043|
||1,846|54,453|20,000||90,542|





7 

## EXETER & DISTRICT KIDNEY PATIENTS ASSOCIATION STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 

## AS AT 28 FEBRUARY 2025 

|Note<br>FIXED ASSETS<br>Listed investments at market value<br>COIF<br>CURRENT ASSETS<br>Other debtors and prepayments<br>Bank and cash<br>CURRENT LIABILITIES<br>Creditors - accruals<br>TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES|2025<br>£<br>413,914<br>239<br>76,299<br>(1,150)<br>489,302|2024<br>£<br>408,425|
|---|---|---|
|||361|
|||90,542|
|||(1,000)|
|||498,328|



The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the trustees on ………………… 

and signed on their behalf by 

……………………………. 

C ROLFE CHAIRMAN AND TREASURER 



8 EXETER & DISTRICT KIDNEY PATIENTS ASSOCIATION 

## NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS 

## YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2025 

## 1. STAFF COSTS 

There was 0 employees (2024:1). No employee had emoluments over £60,000. 

## 2. DESIGNATED FUNDS 

|DESIGNATED FUNDS||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Kidney Care UK<br>Hospital equipment<br>Hospital post<br>Kidney Care UK<br>Hospital equipment<br>Hospital post|Balance at<br>01/03/24<br>£<br>20,000<br>-<br>20,000|Receipts<br>£<br>-<br>-<br>-|Expen-<br>diture<br>£<br>-<br>15,849<br>-|Transfers<br>£<br>(20,000)<br>35,849<br>(20,000)|Balance at<br>28/02/25<br>£<br>-<br>20,000<br>-|
||40,000|-|15,849|(4,151)|20,000|
||Balance at<br>06/04/23<br>£<br>20,000<br>25,000<br>20,000|Receipts<br>£<br>-<br>-|Expen-<br>diture<br>£<br>26,312|Transfers<br>£<br>1,312|Balance at<br>29/02/24<br>£<br>20,000<br>-<br>20,000|
||65,000|-|26,312|1,312|40,000|



Kidney Care UK -our joint venture with Kidney Care expired and the hospital post is no longer there so we decided to transfer closing balance for Hospital Equipment 

Hospital equipment - representing planned expenditure towards equipment in the hospital and in patients' homes 

Hospital post - representing planned expenditure towards a possible new hospital dietician/exercise officer 

## 3. RESTRICTED FUNDS 

|RESTRICTED FUNDS||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Chambercombe Trust|Balance at<br>01/03/24<br>£<br>-|Receipts<br>£<br>2,500|Expen-<br>diture<br>£<br>654|Transfers<br>£<br>-|Balance at<br>28/02/25<br>£<br>1,846|
||-|2,500|654|-|1,846|



Chambercombe Trust - grants received to help us to fund holiday expenses for kidney patients in need. 

## 4. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

During the year no payments were made to the trustees (2024: Nil) 

## 5. EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD 

On 1st March 2025 the charitable activities were transferred to a newly formed Charitable Incorporated Organisation of the same name (Charity number: 1210374).