Caring & Sharing Trust Registered Charlty Number327001 Caring & Sharing Trust Annual Report and Accounts 202412025 CARING & SHARING TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 202412025 LEGAL STATUS: REGISTERED CHARITY REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 327001 DATE OF REGISTRATION: NOVEMBER 1985 GOVERNING DOCUMENT: CONSTITUTION GOVERNING BODY: TRUSTEES (MANAGEMENT GROUP) AREA OF OPERATION: NATIONAL AIMS AND OBJECTIVES.. To provide "treatment, help andlor relief by any and every charitable means of those suffering from mental andlor physical disabilities. ADDRESS: COTTON'S FARMHOUSE 28 WHISTON ROAD COGENHOE NORTHAMTONSHIRE NN7 1NL TELEPHONE: 01604 891487 The above number is a 24 hour service although opening hours are from 9.00am to 5.00pm Mondays to Fridays. EMAIL: admin@cottonsfarmhouse.org WEB: wvrfw.cottonsfarmhouse.org Aims and Objectives The Trust's current main objective is to maintain the services that its Arts-based Day Centre offers to people with learning disabilities. Providing support for families in their role as carers also remains an important objective, especially with the UK in lockdown. In fulfilling these objectives, the Caring and Sharing Trust recognises its responsibilities in terms of safeguarding its beneficiaries and, to this end, has appropriate policies in place regarding recruitment of staff and volunteers as well as the general safeguarding of vulnerable adults and children. Annual Report and Accounts for 202412025 as approved on 3rd September 2025 Signed Lena Davis Trustee THE YEAR'S ACTIVITIES Arts Everywhere Once again, Caring and Sharing's Art Studio and Theatre-in-a-barn have ben a hive of activity with lots of art projects, drawing, painting, crafting, music, singing, and laughing. All of this has enabled people with learning disabilities to reap all the benefits which the Trust's arts-based therapy programmes have to offer. Over the years, dance has been one of the most popular activities at Cotton's Farmhouse and our Danny Brown took this to new heights when he took part in a Dancing with the Stars weekend and made some very special friends from BBC'S Strictly Come Dancing. Reaching out into the Community Over the year, Caring & Sharing continued to foster strong links with the local community. This is an important way of spreading awareness about learning disability and fostering acceptance and understanding in a world where these are often in short supply. As part of this, Caring and Sharing welcomed visits from the local Vicar and supporters from local businesses among many others. Patrons James Hartnell and Kelly Turner were regular visitors, often arriving in one of their vintage cars. Supporting Families and Carers Once again, this was an important area of work throughout the year with Caring And Sharing doing everything possible to support the needs of parents and carers. This service becomes even more crucial as parents themselves start to age, develop their own health issues, and maybe even require care in their own right. Maintaining close and frequent communication can make a real difference as well as providing a telephone help line. Providing Information Caring and Sharing has continued to operate the Northamptonshire learning Disability web site, northammptonshirelearningdisability.org which provides information on all sorts of services and opportunities which are on offer specifically for the families and cares of people with learning disabilities. Northomi)tonshire Learning Disability Resources foi people with learniiig disabdities - a Caill]8 & Sharillg Trust website TRUSTEES: C ORCHARD, L. DAVIS, I. HOLLAND Continuing Trustees have the power to appoint additional Trustees to a maximum of 9 Trustees in total. In addition, continuing Trustees shall appoint new trustees or a new trustee whenever the number of Trustees is reduced to less than 3. It is important for trustees to stay abreast of developments, and this is particularly important in a time of changing legislation. Fortunately, there is a wealth of information available, especially through the internet, provided by organisations like the Charity Commission. This has been used as the base of induction for any new trustees as well as issues specific to the Caring & Sharing Trust. Trustees work closely with senior staff within a management group which has responsibility for management and staffing issues including appointments and conditions. This group is also responsible for setting the broad direction of care programmes. ACCOUNTANTS: ANTHONISZ NEVILLE REGISTERED AUDITORS CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS ST 1 FLOOR 105- 111 EUSTON STREET LONDON NW12EW BANKERS: BARCLAYS BANK PLC ASHTON HOUSE BUSINESS CENTRE PO BOX 3261 497 SILBURY BOULEVARD MILTON KEYNES MK9 2ZU Financial Report The accounts for the year ended 3110312025 are attached to this report. Over the year, direct charitable expenditure amounted to almost 94 % of total expenditure and applied to the pursuance of the Trust's aims and objectives as set out in the body of this report. Once again, this demonstrates a high level of efficiency in terms of targeting resources where they do the most good. It has been another difficult year with the continuing 'cost of living crisis, in the UK. This has meant that costs have been steadily rising while raising money has become harder and harder. Facing risk: In previous years, the Caring & Sharing Trust has identified two potential areas of risk in the ability to pursue its charitable objectives. Firstly, the Trust has become increasingly reliant on local authority funding in recent years. While this has given a good deal of stability to the Trust's activities, it also represents potential financial vulnerability. This is exacerbated by the current threat of significant cuts in government expenditure both nationally and locally. In addition, the economic outlook in the UK makes it harder to make up any shortfalls by increasing voluntary income. Secondly, reductions in spending by local authorities along with cuts in sepiices could have a significant effect on the demand for Caring and Sharing's services, The move to give people with learning disabilities their own 'personal budgets, is likely to have a big impact on the nature of services provided throughout the care sector. The risks to property, fixtures and equipment, as well as public and employers liability, have also been assessed and adequate insurance policies put into place. Responding to risk: Policy for Reserves: In response to these areas of risk, the Caring & Sharing Trust has highlighted the importance of suitable reserves which play a key role in ensuring the continuity of serrfice which means so much to all the people with learning disabilities who benefit from those services. The importance of reserves is also significant in the Trust's ability to respond quickly to changing needs. With these factors in mind, the Caring & Sharing Trust has reviewed its policy for reserves which currently stand at the equivalent of 7 months operating costs. Over the coming year, the Trust aims to improve this position by reductions in expenditure as will as renewed fundraising efforts. Fundraising Policy. As well as a robust policy on reserves, The Caring & Sharing Trust continues to pursue an active fundraising policy, recognising the importance of developing independent sources of funding, donations, events, etc. Investments. The investment of reseries has been reviewed and, although the continuing low interest rates mean that investment income has been significantly reduced, the Trust considers that funds should be kept in the safest of financial institutions. With this in mind, reserves are maintained in an interest bearing account to maintain maximum flexibility. The Annual Report and Accounts have been produced in accordance with Charities SORP FRS 102 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 FOR CARING AND SHARING TRUST Registered Charity No . 327001 CARING AND SHARING TRUST INDEX TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Pages Statement of Trustees, Responsibilities Independent Examiner's Report Statement of Flnanclal Activitles Balance Sheet Statement of Cash Flows Notes to the Flnancial Statements 6.11 CARING AND SHARING TRUST FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 statement of Trustees. Responsibilities The trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees, annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accountin8 Standards FRS 102. The Law appllcable to charities In England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incomin8 resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing the f inancial statements, the trustees are required to: Select Sultable accounting policies and then apply them consistently,. observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP FR5 102 make judgements and estimate5 that are reasonable and prudent: state whether applicable accountlng Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements: prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it Is Inapproprlate to presume that the charity will continue in operation. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity IAccounts and Reports} Regulations and the provisions of the Trust deed. The trustees are responsible for Safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity's web51te in accordance with legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial Statements. ?¥cq/z5 Thi5 report wa5 approved by the trustees on........ and signed on their behalf by: L. Oavis Trustee Page 1 CARING AND SHARING Trusr FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 NiAR(JI 2025 I report on the acrthjnts of the tntst the year ended 31" March 2025 vthifh CthThpf￿ the statemert of FIr￿￿la1 Att￿t￿ the Balance 5heeL the ststement of Cash Fkws and related notes set out on page$ 3 to 11. The charitrfs trustees are fe4XXbyI)le for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity's trustee5 a￿lder that an au¢frt Is not required for thls year under section 144(2) of the Chafities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) aml that an independent exarnlnation is needed. It Is my respon51billty to: . e¥amine the 7lll Euston Street r4WI 2£¥tr' o¥loq125 CARING AND SHARING TRUST STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 UNRESTRICTED FUNDS RESTRICTED FUNDS TOTAL FUN05 TOTAL FUNDS INCOME AND ENDOWMNETS FROM Notes 202 24 Donations and legacies Other trading activities Income from investment5 22.480 557 125 22.480 557 50,038 125 119 Income from charitable activities 68,263 68,263 68,239 Total income and endownmenls 91,424 91,424 118.396 Expenditure on: Aaisin8 funds Charitable aciivities Total expenditure 11,080 194,498 205,578 11,080 194,498 205,578 10.115 181.812 191,927 Nei incomellexpenditurel 1114.154) 1114,154 73.531 Other 8ainsllosses Net movement In funds 1114,154) 1114.1541 73,531 Total funds brought forward 240.1)05 240,005 313,536 Total lunds tarffied fov•iard 125,851 125,851 240,005 There were no recognised 8ains or1055es for 2025 or 2024 other than Ihose included in the Statement of Flnancial Activities. Page 3 CARING & SHARING TRUST BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2025 UNRESTRICTED FUNDS RESTRICTED FUNDS TOTAL FUNDS TOTAL FUNDS FIXED ASSETS Notes 2025 2024 Fixtures & Equipment Computer Equipment Motor Vehicles 244 363 318 244 363 318 325 484 424 Total Flxed Assets 925 925 1,233 CURRENT ASSETS Investment - Hlgh Interest Deposit 8onk Current Account Community Bank Account Umbrella IOO Club - Bank Account 8u5ine55 Premium Account 8ank account 2 Debtors 1,208 1,208 1,190 13,025 49,555 13,025 49,555 26,562 159.555 5,037 43.43S 17,895 5,037 43,435 17,895 4,963 51,511 595 Total Current Assets 130,154 130,154 244,376 CURRENT LIA81UTIES Creditors fallin8 due within one year Deferred Income io 13 5.229 5,229 5,229 5,229 Net Curient Assets 124,925 124,925 238,772 TOTAL NET ASSETS 125,850 125,850 240.005 REPRESENTED BY Reserves Brought Forward Net Resources In Year 240,005 1114,1541 240,005 1114,154) 313,536 .73.531 RESERVES CARRIED FORWARD 125,851 125,851 240.005 The notes at pages 6 to 11 form part of these accounts. L. Davis Trustee Date-. 031o1zo¥ Page 4 CARING & SHARING TRUST STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 TOTAL FUNDS TOTAL FUNDS Notes 2025 024 Net Cash used in operating actlvlties 16 (131,180) (72,022) Cash flows from Investlng artlvlties: Purchase of tan8ible asset Finance c05t Finance income Net Cash provided by investin8 activitles 465 125 483 119 364 340 Cash flows from financin8 activities: Receipt of expendable endowment Net Cash provided by financing activitie5 Change In cash and ¢ash equivalents in the year {131.521J {72,386) Cash and cash equivalent brought forward 243,780 316.166 Cash and Cash equlvalents carried forward 112,259 243,780 Page 5 CARI•4G AND SHARING TRvsr NOTES TO THE FINANOAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 ACCOUNT114G POLICIES 1.1 8•5ts o1pryr•i￿n of icco rhe finènciil 5t•lernent5 hive been prepared on the èccruah basis undei the histoiKal cost convention and in accordance With ihe Chafi¢iÈs SOftP IFRS 1021 & FR5 102 and In accordènct wtth Ch4ntvès Act 2011 las amÈndÈd by the Chirities Att 20C61. The principal aCCaUnlin$ poI￿leS adopted In the preparat￿n of Ihe firtanci4l 51itemenis are as lollow5. 1.2 Goln¢eor**m The Trusiets tonsider rhil theie are DO material unctrtairiliei •boutthe tNst's abilityto ¢Mtlnue ¥5 4 iolni concern. 1.3 In¢omlN resourt¢s Dortotlons Income from don•tion5 •nd Ér•nts, includin¢ cawtal 8rants, is in¢￿￿ed in incomln8 resources when these are recei¥able. eitept as lolknw5'. When donors specify that donations •fid yants liven 10 the chariry must be used in future a£couniing periods. the Income Is deleTred untyl those periods. When donors Imp05e condlllons which hAve bttn lo bp fulfilled before the charfty beromes *niitled io us• such lfi¢ome. the Income is deletr¢d Ind noi Included In Incomin8 ie50urces untsi p¥t-condilion5 for use hèvt been mtt. When donors specify th•t dvnètions and ir3n15, Includin8 C•glt•l y•nts, are foi particular restrirted purp05e5. which do not •rncunt to prtrcoThdilions re¢iidiTht enttiltrnent5. rhi5 Income is Included In incornln8 iesources of resiritttd fvnds whe recei¥•blt. Interest 15 I￿luded when fecefvable by the ¢h•rity. 1.4 Debtorn: Oebior5 #ft meosuF?d al transaction piice and ale recoveiable wilhin one yeèr. 1.5 C*ih•nd ¢•ih •qulvil•rts'. Cash Is reprt5enied by ush ir% hand and dep051ts wr(h the finanoal Institutions re￿¥0￿e I￿rhOUl pen•lty ofi nottt•, l.* Rtto¥r¢•s •xp•nd•d AKources e¥pended are Included In ¢ht su¢¢m*nt ol Finanrial ACt￿ltIeS on •n •cuu•ls blsis. Int￿14¥* ol afiy VA7 whlch annvt be recovered, Cenaln QMF*ndlture15 dlroctly attrlbut•ble io spe¢ifi¢ •etr¥ilies and have been lficluded th￿* Cosi t•t*lOfies. Certaln othei cosu. which •re •ttribut•ble 10 mort ihan one activlty, are •pportwJned •¢r055 Cost caieiorles on the b•sis QI •rt tstim•te of the proportion ol time sp*ni by st•lf and other resources expanded which •ttribui•ble io those èctl¥llles. 1.7 P•n5k*fIc￿tr The ch•rlty m•les no contrlbution to a defined conti1￿110￿ pension itheme. i.¥ r•rylbl•fts•d •M•ts IndivN1u•l fixtd •95et5 pur£ha5ed lor ch•ilty wrposei ife t•piialised at C05t. T•n8ible fixed assets irt depreciated on a reducin8 bllartce basis ovei theii esiimèied useful lives as follow5. Annual Rat* FlxtUfè5 Iné fittin8S Motor vehi