Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1 January 2020 To 31 December 2020
Charity name: Sheffield University of the Third Age
Charity registration number: 703147
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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 Sheffield and its surroundinglocality |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identifiedinthe accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The above persons are provided with the tools and guidance to engage in activities conducive to the above including through self-help special interest groups. |
| 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 to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment Para 1.38 Contribution made by 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 | Sheffield U3A is a charity that continues to uphold the principals of the Third Age Trust. That is, in the main, to advance education, health and wellbeing to people not in gainful fulltime employment and who have reached their Third Age. We achieve this by supporting our members and facilitating like-minded members to form autonomous self-help groups to participate in their chosen activity. Sheffield U3A’s membership was stable in the year and remained at 2019’s record numbers of c 3,400. There are currently 223 groups, with new groups being advertised to members through our website and internal publications. We are still the largest of the 1,060 U3A’s in the country. Communication with members is of paramount importance and we have enhanced our new monthly electronic newsletter . In addition our longstanding methods : the regular magazine, Website, emails and the monthly Drop-in continue to do an excellent job. 2020 lockdown, as a result of the Covid 19 restrictions significantly reduced activity in the year and during the most severe lockdown periods weekly lectures were provided on Zoom. Volunteers play a vital part in ensuring the smooth operation of our U3A Our Website enables up-to-the-minute news to be posted. All groups can have their own page with news and messages for its members. The Web site is now accessible via www.su3a.org.uk. Subject to lockdown restrictions, a meeting room is available to groups in the Victoria Methodist Hall, Chapel Walk in the centre of the Sheffield. The room seats 18 and tea and coffee facilities. The cost remains at £10 per morning or afternoon session. Although currently suspended due to lockdown restrictions we will resurrect our Drop-in |
monthly sessions as soon as we can. Apart from the opportunity for a tea/coffee and biscuit they provide a meeting facility for new groups to develop and an opportunity for members to raise any matters. There is also a PC and mobile clinic. As reported in recent years, we have continued to develop closer working relationships with the Sheffield Universities and our members help with their research programs. The Shared Learning project has provided opportunities for our members to become involved in local and national projects . Sheffield U3A continues to thrive and provide the structure to enable varied activities for the wellbeing of members.
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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The Trustees consider that the financial position continues to be sound. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves statingwhy they areheld |
Para 1.22 | The Trustees seek to hold sufficient reserves to fund six months expenses |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | Reserves are currently in excess of six months expenses and the Trustees have reduced members’ subscriptions in order to lower reserves. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | Not Applicable |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | Not Applicable |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | The trustees consider that Sheffield U3A is a going concern |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including Para 1.47 any fundraising) Investment policy and objectives including any Para 1.46 social investment policy adopted A description of the principal Para 1.46 risks facing the charity Other
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Trust Deed |
| 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 | Election by members |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Sheffield University of the Third Age |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | Sheffield U3A |
| Registered charity number | 703147 |
| Charity’s principal address | 23 Blacka Moor Crescent Dore Sheffield S17 3GL |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B. Cave | Chair | Members – for all trustees | ||
| J. Graaf | ||||
| C. Jones | Treasurer | |||
| A. Harvey | Secretary | |||
| S. Williamson | Retired 15 July 2020 | |||
| C. Jordan | ||||
| P. Bartlett | Appointed 15 July 2020 | |||
| P. Long | Appointed 15 July 2020 | |||
| R. Cooper | Retired 15 July 2020 | |||
| M. Bower | ||||
| B. Lowe | ||||
| M. Manning | Resigned 24 January 2020 | |||
| M. Cave | Appointed 15 July 2020 | |||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name None
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | **Dates acted if not for whole year ** | |
|---|---|---|
| None | ||
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets None held in this capacity Name and objects of the Not Applicable charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for Not Applicable 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 Name Address adviser
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Not Applicable
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date |
||
|---|---|---|
| Christopher Jones | Brian Cave | |
Treasurer |
Chair | |
| 20 February 2021 | ||
| 20 February 2021 |
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
| Report to the trustees/ members of On accounts for the year ended Set out on pages |
Charity Name Sheffield University of the Third Age |
Charity Name Sheffield University of the Third Age |
Charity Name Sheffield University of the Third Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 December 2020 | Charity no (if any) |
703147 | |
| Attached PDF (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets) |
Report to the trustees/ members of
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31 December 2020. Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report 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 2011 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 which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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the accounts did 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 accounts to be reached.
Signed: Name: Fawthrop Williams Relevant professional Chartered Accountants qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: Causeway Head Road, Dore, Sheffield
Date: 26 February 2021
Oct 2018
IER
1
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
Oct 2018
IER
2