REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 298853
Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025 for The Swindon U3A
The Swindon U3A
Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
Page Report of the Trustees 1 to 2 Independent Examiner's Report 3 Statement of Financial Activities 4 Balance Sheet 5 Notes to the Financial Statements 6 to 11
The Swindon U3A
Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025.
The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of
Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
The charity's objective is the advancement of education ,
and in particular the education of older people and those retired from full time work, by all means including associated activities conducive to learning and personal development in Swindon and surrounding district.
Swindon u3a is a member-led organisation, wholly run by Volunteers sharing their skills & knowledge.
An Open Day was held on 30 August 2025, with 45 Groups represented. It was extremely well attended. Throughout the year approximately 125 different groups operated across the area. The AGM took place on 11 November 24.
Public benefit
The Trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s Public Benefit guidance when exercising any powers or duties to which guidance is relevant.
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Apart from the approximately 125 different Groups which operated, a regular monthly meeting,
was held, usually with speakers giving talks on a variety of interesting topics.
This also gave members a chance to catch up with old friends & meet some new faces over a a cup of tea & biscuit.
A Summer and a Christmas party were also held. All these meetings were well attended.
A New Members Meeting was held in October 24.
This aimed to give a broad picture of what was available to each member & how
they could make the most of their membership.
The Travel & Concert Goers groups continued to arrange & organise their trips.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Financial position
At 31 August 2025 the charity had total funds of £ 67674
This financial year was that a surplus of £2736 was achieved a change of £4773 moving from a loss of £2007 in 2024. Large impacts were Gift Aid of £2650 with none recived in 2024 and interest received increasing to £2360 from£162 in 2024. Reserves policy
It is the trustees' policy to hold reserves amounting to at least 6 months expenditure to enable the organisation to continue to operate if its funding sources ceased. At 31 August 2025 the charity held free reserves of approximately £65,000; it is acknowledged that this figure is in excess of the required reserves (6 months expenditure being around £50,000). It is not proposed to create any specific reserves for expenditure in the year 2025-26.
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The Swindon U3A
Report of the Trustees(contd) for the Year Ended 31 Augut 2025
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust and and constitutes an unincorporated charity.
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
Potential Trustees are interviewed by experienced Trustees. Trustees are elected annually by members. Those joining after the AGM are co-opted by the Management Committee. An existing Trustee will mentor any new Trustee for 3 months.
The new Trustee will be directed towards all relevant Trustee guidance.
Risk management
The Trustees maintain a Risk Register, which is a working document.
Swindon u3a comes under the umbrella of the Third Age Trust, who provide Insurance and mandate certain Policies to be in place. They also run workshops/webinars which are helpful for the Trustees to enable them to fulfil their role and follow the correct guidance.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number 298853
Principal address
U3A Offices, Gorse Hill Community Centre
Chapel Street
Swindon SN2 8DA
| Chapel Street Swindon SN2 8DA |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Trustees | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year | Dates acted if not for whole year |
| Vince Williams | Chair | Elected by members | |
| Linda Young | Vice-chair | Elected by members | |
| Eric Hewitt | Treasurer | Elected by members | |
| Monica King | General Secretary | Elected by members | |
| David Todd | Elected by members | ||
| Madeleine G Brain | 29/07/25 - | Co-opted by Trustees | |
| Sylvia Alexander | 01/09/24 - 11/11/24 | Elected by members | |
| Chris Birch | 01/09/24 - 15/01/25 | Elected by members | |
| Sharon Finch | 01/09/24 - 30/04/25 | Elected by members | |
| Christopher Firth | 01/09/24 - 02/09/24 | Elected by members | |
| Jill Kelly | 01/09/24 - 11/11/24 | Elected by members | |
| Christopher Ockwell | 01/09/24 - 11/11 24 | Elected by members |
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 30th September 2025 and signed on its behalf
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Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Swindon U3A
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Swindon U3A (the Trust) for the year ended 31 August 2025..
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity 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 Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all 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:
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1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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2 the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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3 the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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 the accounts to be reached.
Monahans Chartered Accountants Hermes House Fire Fly Ave, Swindon Wiltshire SN2 2GA
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The Swindon U3A
Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | ||
| funds | funds | ||||
| Notes | £ | £ | |||
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM | |||||
| Donations and legacies | 2 | 20,065 | 20,065 | 17,034 | |
| Charitable activities | |||||
| Visits/theatre/groups | 5 | 43,489 | 40547 | 84,036 | 76,528 |
| Other trading activities | 3 | 739 | 739 | 662 | |
| Investment income | 4 | 2,352 | 8 | 2,360 | 162 |
| Total | 66,645 | 40,555 | 107,200 | 94,386 | |
| EXPENDITURE ON | |||||
| Charitable activities | 6 | 53,484 | 40611 | 94,095 | 86,161 |
| Support Functions | 7 | 9,537 | 117 | 9,654 | 9,407 |
| Other trading activities | 714 | 714 | 825 | ||
| Total | 63,735 | 40,728 | 104,463 | 96,393 | |
| NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | 2,693 | (173) | 2,737 | (2,007) | |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS | |||||
| Total funds brought forward | 62554 | 2384 | 64,938 | 66,945 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 65,247 | 2,211 | 67,675 | 64,938 |
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The Swindon U3A
Balance Sheet
31st August 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | ||
| funds | funds | ||||
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| CURRENT ASSETS | |||||
| Debtors | 9 | 757 | 757 | 637 | |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 99,888 | 2,211 | 102,099 | 88,622 | |
| CREDITORS | 100,645 | 2,211 | 102,856 | 89,258 | |
| Amounts falling due within one year | 10 | 35,182 | 35,182 | 24,321 | |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | 65,463 | 2,211 | 67,674 | 64,938 | |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT | |||||
| LIABILITIES | 65,463 | 2,211 | 67,674 | 64,938 | |
| NET ASSETS | 65,463 | 2,211 | 67,674 | 64,938 | |
| FUNDS | 11 | ||||
| Unrestricted funds | 65,463 | 65,463 | 62,554 | ||
| Restricted Funds | 2,211 | 2,211 | 2,384 | ||
| TOTAL FUNDS | 65,463 | 2,211 | 67,674 | 64,938 |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue
on 28 October 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:
E Hewitt Treasurer
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The Swindon U3A
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared
in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
The financial statements have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and 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 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) issued on 16 July 2014 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest pound.
There are no significant areas of judgements or key sources of estimation uncertainty.
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
Legal status
The charity is an unincorporated charity.
Financial reporting standard 102 - reduced disclosure exemptions
The charity has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemptions in preparing these financial statements, , as permitted by FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland': • the requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank. Donations are recognised on a receivable basis (where there are no performance related conditions), where it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, 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 accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Tangible fixed assets
Fixed assets costing more than £750 are capitalised at cost and depreciated, over the assets useful economic life , at 33% on straight line basis.
Debtors
Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
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The Swindon U3A
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued
for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account. In addition, there is a separate investment account with a one year fixed term, maturing in July 2026.
Expenditure
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for trade discounts due.
Financial instruments
The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
2 DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
| Gift aid Annual Subscriptions 3 OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES Third Age Magazine Donations 4 INVESTMENT INCOME Deposit Bond Current |
2025 2024 £ 2,675 0 17,390 17034 20,065 17,034 739 662 739 662 750 1560 46 50 116 2360 162 |
|---|---|
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The Swindon U3A
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued
for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
5 INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
| Activity Visits/theatre and concert Groups |
2025 2024 £ £ 40547 37124 43489 39404 84036 76528 |
|---|---|
6 CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS
| Capitation Fees Monthly Meeting Publicity Other group related meetings Visits/Theatre/Concert trips Groups-Hall hire Equipment |
6836 6544 1623 1762 558 308 81 56 40511 38374 44480 38949 6 168 94095 86161 |
|---|---|
7 SUPPORT COSTS
| Office and related IT/phone Bank Charges Independent Examiner |
5409 5525 2383 2110 1090 1076 772 696 9654 9407 |
|---|---|
8 TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 August 2025 nor for the year ended 31 August 2024
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 Aug 2025 nor for the year ended 31 Aug 2024.
Small gifts of £106 were made to former trustees which were fully covered by the trustees donation. This was the only donation made by trustees
Trustees are members of Swindon U3A and pay membership fees at arms length
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The Swindon U3A
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued
for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
2025 2024 £ £
9 DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Prepayments and accrued income 757 637
10 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
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Deferred income 30814 21821
Accrued expenses 3879 1699
Group Deposits 489 534
35182 24054
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Deferred income relates to member fees inclduing group charges, and trips for the 25/26 year
11 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
| Fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Unrestricted funds General Fund Restricted funds Trips Account General fund TOTAL FUNDS |
Unrestricte d Funds 98,669 (33,206) 65,463 |
2025 Restricted Funds Total Funds 0 3,429 102,098 (1,218) (34,424) 2,211 67,674 Net movement in funds Income Spend at 1.9.24 62,554 66,645 (63,736) 2,284 40,555 (40,628) 100 (100) 2,384 40,555 (40,728) 64,938 107,200 (104,464) |
2024 Total Funds 0 89,259 (24,321) 64,938 at 31.8.25 65,463 2,211 0 2,211 67,674 |
|---|---|---|---|
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The Swindon U3A
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued
for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
12 Impact of change to accruals accounting
The following table reconciles the opening fund balance as previously reported under the receipts and payments basis to those under the accruals basis as at 31 Aug 2025.
| Closing Balance (Receipts and Payments) Less Creditor Recognised: Deferred Income Refunds due Venue and other creditors Add Prepaid expenses Funds held on behalf of groups Now Reported to Charity Commission |
31/08/2025 31/08/2024 31/08/2023 Reported for 23/24 Reported for 22/23 102,099 88,622 101,724 (30,814) (21,821) (15,792) (18,495) (3,122) (1,329) (1,553) 1,375 (489) (534) (314) 67,673 64,938 66,945 |
|---|---|
13 RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 August 25
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The Swindon U3A
| Notes to the Financial Statementsfor the Year Ended 31 August 2025 - continued | Notes to the Financial Statementsfor the Year Ended 31 August 2025 - continued | Notes to the Financial Statementsfor the Year Ended 31 August 2025 - continued | Notes to the Financial Statementsfor the Year Ended 31 August 2025 - continued | Notes to the Financial Statementsfor the Year Ended 31 August 2025 - continued | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14a | Statement of Financial Activities | for the Year Ended | 31 August | 2024 | ||
| (Now based on accruals) | ||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |||
| funds | funds | |||||
| £ | £ | |||||
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS | FROM | |||||
| Donations and legacies | 17034 | 17,034 | 51249 | |||
| Charitable activities | 37,124 | 39,404 | 76,528 | 58149 | ||
| Other trading activities | 662 | 662 | 1213 | |||
| Investment income | 149 | 13 | 162 | 125 | ||
| Total | 54,969 | 39,417 | 94,386 | 110,736 | ||
| EXPENDITURE ON | ||||||
| Charitable activities | 47,787 | 38,374 | 86,161 | 101781 | ||
| Support Functions | 9,301 | 106 | 9,407 | 6890 | ||
| Other trading activities | 825 | 825 | ||||
| Total | 57,913 | 38,480 | 96,393 | 108,671 | ||
| NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | (2,944) | 937 | (2,007) | 2,065 | ||
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS | ||||||
| Total funds brought forward | 65,498 | 1,447 | 66,945 | 64,880 | ||
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 62,554 | 2,384 | 64,938 | 66,945 |
14b ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
| Fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Unrestricted funds General Fund Restricted funds Trips Account General fund TOTAL FUNDS |
2024 2023 Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds Total Funds 0 0 84,348 4,274 88,622 101,724 (21,794) (1,890) (23,684) (34,779) 62,554 2,384 64,938 66,945 Net movement in funds Income Spend at 1.9.23 at 31.8.24 65,498 54,969 (57,913) 62,554 1,447 39,417 (38,480) 2,384 0 1,447 39,417 (38,480) 2,384 66,945 94,386 (96,393) 64,938 |
|---|---|
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