Trustees’ Annual Report for the period: From 1 August 2024 to 31 July 2025
Charity name: WORCESTER AREA GROUP U3A
Charity registration number: 702588
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference |
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|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The advancement of education and, in particular, the education of older people and those who are retired from full-time work by all means, including associated activities conducive to learning and personal development in Worcester and its surrounding locality. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Education and transfer of skills occurs through shared learning, actively involving members to improve their knowledge, skills and wellbeing. Members may join a variety of interest groups, generally meeting fortnightly, offering a range of subjects facilitated by volunteers who give their time freely. Members may also participate in other learning opportunities offered by Third Age Trust, West Midlands u3a Region, and Cotswold u3a Link network. A members’ newsletter is published regularly throughout the year and circulated to members either in paper copy or by email. Worcester Area Group u3a supports an active programme of trips and events organised by interest groups and the Trustees for the benefit of members. Meetings open to all members are regularly held with speakers from a wide variety of backgrounds and interests. These meetings are open to older and retired members of the public in line with the charitable purpose of Worcester Area Group U3A. Information for members and the public is available from the Worcester Area Group u3a website. |
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| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The Trustees have regard of the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit in meeting the charitable Object of Worcester Area Group u3a to the benefit of members and in publicising its activities to the wider public of those no longer in full-time employment. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment Para 1.38 including program related investment Contribution made by Para 1.38 volunteers Other
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | Worcester Area Group u3a continues to serve the wider community and during 2024- 2025 it attracted 218 new members, This was a continued improvement over the previous year (193). Membership has grown (1,023 for all membership classes) coming closer to pre pandemic levels (circa 1,066). 113 groups covering a full range of activities and interests met over the year, a big increase due to ongoing popularity of Pickleball (2023-2024 – 102 groups). Concessionary membership was 4. Concessionary rates continue to be available and are publicised alongside membership information. Open meetings and introductory sessions are offered to potential members and new opportunities for publicising the work of Worcester Area Group u3a are actively sought. Supported by a group website and word of mouth, Worcester Area Group u3a holds an annual open day at which a large number of interest groups and activities are represented, and attends local shows to introduce our u3A to the wider public. |
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Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
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| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 |
Accounts are prepared on the basis of Receipts and Payments. Total income for the year was £71,380 (2023-24 was £53,890). Overall subscriptions increased by just over £7,000 due to membership growth and subscription increases. Donations and grant fell by just over £2.000. Events and trips expenditure increased by just over £7,000, matched by an increase in receipts from members. A net surplus of £132 was recorded for the year. Total funds at 31st July 2025 – represented by cash balances- amounted to £45,989. Worcester Area Group u3a regularly updates financial forecasts and takes account of these when setting subscription levels. We remain in a strong position, able to deal with any increase in costs resulting from the present economic climate and continue to support the cost of activities and the start-up of new Groups. |
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| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The General Reserves Policy is set at an amount equivalent to 3 months’ General Fund expenditure, excluding Third Age Trust and Independent Examiner fees, both of which are provided for in full. General Reserves exclude Trips & Events and Coxon legacy funds. Reserves are held to meet: day- to-day commitments in the face of unexpected fluctuations in income and expenditure; fees due retrospectively to Third Age Trust; and costs incurred in the event of the dissolution of Worcester Area Group U3A. Events and trips are expected to be self-financing and a contingency of £500 is held within the Events fund to cover unexpected shortfalls. There is no reserve policy for the Coxon legacy fund which is applied on direction of the Trustees for the benefit of the wider membership and which will close once the fund has been spent. |
| Amount of reserves held |
Para 1.22 | General funds amounted to £19,955 at the end of July 2025, compared to a minimum required by our reserves policy of £15,732. The balance of reserves is represented by the Events Fund (£6,797) and the Coxon Legacy Fund (£19,237). The Events Fund includes a £500 contingency. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal Para 1.47 sources of funds (including any fundraising) Investment policy and Para 1.46 objectives including any social investment policy adopted
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A description of the principal Para 1.46 risks facing the charity Other
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
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| Type of governing document | Para 1.25 | Constitution. |
| How is the charity constituted? |
Para 1.25 | Unincorporated association. |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | The Executive Committee consists of between 5 and 14 members: 4 honorary officers, and between 1 and 10 members elected at the Annual General Meeting. The Trustees may in addition appoint not more than 2 co-opted members who have full voting rights and tenure until the next Annual General Meeting. Vacancies on the Executive Committee of Trustees which arise through resignation or termination during the year can be filled from the membership and such an appointee completes the term of service of the member he or she is replacing and is eligible for re-election at the next Annual General Meeting. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures Para 1.51 adopted for the induction and training of trustees The charity’s organisational Para 1.51 structure and any wider network with which the charity works
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Relationship with any related Para 1.51 parties Other
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | WORCESTER AREA GROUP U3A |
| Other name the charity uses | Worcester u3a |
| Registered charity number | 702588 |
Charity’s principal address 40 Arundel Drive Worcester WR5 2HU
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
| Beryl CURTIS | Membership Secretary | To 26th March 2025 | |
| Pat DAVIS | Social Secretary | ||
| Adie DITCHBURN | Groups Co-ordinator |
To 26th March 2025 | |
| Fern LANGDON | Publicity & Development | ||
| Claire LUCAS | Web Editor | To 26th March 2025 | |
| Ann PATTERSON | Secretary | ||
| Helen RENDELL | Web Editor | From 26thMarch 2025 | |
| Jean ROBB | Treasurer | ||
| Christine SCOTT | Chair | From 26thMarch 2025 | |
| Debbie SPOONER | News Editor | To 26thMarch 2025 |
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| Membership Secretary | From 26thMarch 2025 | ||
| Stephen THORNEYCROFT |
Vice-chair | To 26th March 2025 | |
| Vice Chair & Groups Co-ordinator |
From 26thMarch 2025 | ||
| Stewart WHITE | |||
| Janet WILSON | Asst. Treasurer |
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address
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Appendix 2- Independent Examiner’s Report rer
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Members/Trustees of the University of the Third Age Worcester Area Group - Charity Number 0702588
REGISTERED CHARITY: 702588
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