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Disclaimer
This guide provides general information about living
with brain injury to help support your discussions
with healthcare professionals.
We have made sure the content is as accurate as
possible and include best practice around brain injuries.
If you have any questions or concerns about the information in this guide,
please get professional or specialist advice.
This type of treatment helps us
understand the effects of a brain injury
on a person's cognitive, emotional,
physical and social skills. Our clinical
teams use a range of therapies to respond
to ongoing assessments of these skills,
including physiotherapy, psychological
therapy and occupational therapy.
We also have 32 services in the
community. Our dedicated teams of
specialists work closely with each person
with a brain injury to understand what they
want and why, and shape support.
From rehabilitation to long-term care, our
brain injury services help people to move
forward with their lives.
Annual
You can find out more about us at
Re brainkind.org. ort
p
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~~2024-25~~
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
The Disabilities Trust (Company Registration number: 02334589)(T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972).
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## Contents
|Contents||
|---|---|
|About Brainkind|3|
|A message from our Chief Executive|4|
|Welcome message from our Chair of Trustees|5|
|Our year in numbers|6|
|Our achievements|7|
|Our People|16|
|Organisational Learning|17|
|Looking to the Future|18|
|Trustees’ Annual Report|21|
|Financial review|22|
|Directors’ Report|29|
|Trustees’ responsibilities statement|39|
|Auditors’ Report|40|
|Financial Statements|44|
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
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## About Brainkind
We improve the lives of people with brain injuries and neurological conditions across the UK. Our two hospitals and 15 rehabilitation centres support people with brain injury, and neurological conditions to regain the skills they have lost through neurorehabilitation.
Brainkind’s dedicated teams of specialists work closely with each person with a brain injury and neurological conditions to understand what they need, and how their long-term support can be shaped.
Our clinical teams use a range of therapies to respond to ongoing assessments of these skills, including physiotherapy, psychological therapy and occupational therapy.
We also have 32 services in the This type of treatment helps us community. understand the effects of a brain injury
From rehabilitation to long-term care, on a person's cognitive, emotional, our brain injury and neurological condition physical and social skills. Our clinical services help people to move forward with teams use a range of therapies to respond their lives. to ongoing assessments of these skills,
including physiotherapy, psychological You can find out more about us at therapy and occupational therapy. brainkind.org.
We also have 32 services in the
community. Our dedicated teams of
specialists work closely with each person with a brain injury to understand what they
want and why, and shape support.
## Meet Damien
After experiencing a stroke aged just 41, Damien had difficulty speaking and understanding verbal and written information.
He often knew what he wanted to say, but the words would not come out. Damien also experienced changes in the sensation in his right hand.
As a specialist gearbox engineer for rally cars, From rehabilitation to long-term care, our he was determined to recover and go back brain injury services help people to move to work. Through his determination and our forward with their lives. specialist support, he was able to develop his communication skills and sensations in his You can find out more about us at hand and begin a return-to-work plan with his brainkind.org. Brainkind Occupational Therapist.
Step-by-step, he’s now returned to working eight hours a day, three days a week. He plans to increase this to four days soon. We’re delighted to have supported Damien to thrive after ~~experiencing his stroke.~~
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
3
## A message from our Chief Executive
The past year has been one of consolidation for our organisation, as we continued to embed our new identity as Brainkind and integrate new services into our organisation.
As the UK’s leading charity supporting people with brain injuries and neurological conditions, we have continued to strengthen our impact and reach those who need us most.
number one provider as ranked by LaingBussion based on CQC ratings. We continue to focus on the quality and safety of our services. In that spirit, we have invested in the recruitment of industry experts and in enhancing our digital tools.
None of this would be possible without our colleagues across the organisation. I want to express my deepest gratitude to them all for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to Brainkind and the people we support.
I am proud to say that we have supported more people than ever over the past year, despite the challenging financial climate across health and social care. Our teams have embodied our core values, showing great agility, resourcefulness, and courage as we have reviewed our models of care to meet the needs of both the people we support and our commissioning partners.
We have continued to work in partnership with the people we support, embedding our approach to co-production which you can read about later in this report. Their engagement is helping us ensure we continue to deliver a person-centred model of care. From their response to our survey, the people we support tell us that they like the care and support they receive. But we will always strive to be better.
Our quality of care remains higher than average and, for much of this past year, we have been the
Our colleagues’ wellbeing remains a top priority, and we’ve introduced more benefits and support to make Brainkind a great place to work. I’m also grateful to our supporters, partners, trustees, and volunteers, whose contributions have been instrumental in our continued success.
Looking ahead, we remain committed to putting the needs of those with brain injuries and neurological conditions at the heart of everything we do. We will continue to enhance our services, advocate for sector-wide change, and work together to achieve our goals.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we are Brainkind and we will continue to make a difference.
Irene Sobowale Chief Executive
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
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## A message from our Chair of Trustees
2024/25 was a challenging year for the Charity as we absorbed the government’s mandated costs whilst maintaining the quality of service delivery. The Board recognises the considerable strategic progress made by the Leadership Team with the embedding of our new Brainkind identity and focus on those with brain injuries and neurological conditions. Nevertheless, it was a year for consolidation and reorganisation and we want to thank all those who contributed.
Brainkind is highly rated by our commissioners and regulators for many reasons but our people are at the core.
To continue this transformation through 2026 and beyond we shall welcome a new Chief Executive to the team, continuing the good work alongside our board and leadership team with the focus of developing the next phase of our organisational strategy. We want to thank Irene for her twelve years of service to the organisation and steering the initial phase. We wish her well on her next appointment.
We are confident that Brainkind will remain relevant and critical to the provision of care for those who lives change in an instant - from complex needs to supported living. We aspire to enable each to thrive. We are excited by the opportunities and future partnerships that await. By increasing awareness we invite the wider community and policy setters to acknowledge the scale of the need and the critical role that we as a not-for-profit play.
As long standing trustees ended their terms, the Board also saw a transformation and renewal as we welcomed five new professionals to support the organisation with their expertise. We are volunteers dedicated to compassionately strengthening the durability and good governance of Brainkind. Our ambition is to have our incredibly important services reach and support those who could benefit. We are immensely proud of the personalised care, the rehabilitation programmes, the community of activities, and the ground breaking research that our valued staff have delivered.
Kathryn M. Greenberg Chair of the Board of Trustees
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
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## Our year in numbers
It’s been a busy and productive year for Brainkind. We’ve expanded our services, welcomed new colleagues and supported many people. Here are some of our highlights:
201 people were referred to the Linkworker service.
242 people were admitted to our services and 257 were discharged
86% rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’
86% of our services are now rated ‘good’, ‘outstanding’ or the equivalent rating, in England, Scotland and Wales.
753 supported
## 82%
58%
of people needed less supervision when they were discharged from our services
More than half of people who were discharged took part in more social activities when they arrived.
We provided innovative rehabilitation and ongoing care to 753 people in our brain injury and neurological care services.
## 85%
87%
76%
of people we supported said they were better on discharge.
Almost nine in ten people (87%) move to more independent accommodation following our support
of people in prison who engaged with the BIL Service reported an increased awareness of brain injury and how it might impact them.
100% of family members said they thought the person was better.
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
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Strategic Report 2024 – 25
## Our achievements
Building positive, specialist, co-produced, and sustainable services to reach as many people as possible.
## Brain injury services
Brainkind believes in providing positive, specialist and co-produced services, reaching as many people as possible.
## Our aims
- ✳ Increase occupancy and sustainability of services
- ✳ Develop pathways, from acute placements to community settings
- ✳ Seek enterprising partnerships and design bespoke services
## What we achieved
This year we focused on consolidation following the opening of our new hospital in York in early 2024 and our acquisition of a further three neurological services. Our priorities were integrating these new services and reviewing our models of care to meet the needs of the people we support and our partner agencies, enabling us to provide the highest quality of care.
Given the continuing challenging financial climate, particularly within health and social care, our teams have worked hard to ensure our services are sustainable whilst always focusing on the quality of care we provide.
We were proud to offer specialist services to 54% more people this year, helping 753 people thrive after brain injury and supporting them to begin a more independent life.
We continue to place safety and quality at the heart of care delivery. We are committed to the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF) and the underpinning positive safety culture within our organisation. We are now developing a robust plan in partnership with key stakeholders and will begin to make these changes in April 2026.
This enabled us to maintain our position as one of the top ranked large specialist adult care providers based on CQC ratings, holding the number one spot for eight months during 2024 – 2025.
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Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
## Strategic Report 2024 – 25
## Growing our services
Hospitals Neurological centres Residential homes Supported living
## Brainkind tops CQC ratings
We were pleased to announce in May 2025 that we had secured the top spot in the UK for our CQC (Care Quality Commission) ratings, in a league table comparing the largest, adult specialist care home providers. We achieved the highest ranking, with 86% of Brainkind services in England rated by CQC as either “good” or “outstanding” overall.
Quality has always been at the heart of Brainkind. Our values guide our approach to quality assurance, driving continuous improvement and delivering exceptional standards of care, support and treatment.
“ It’s an honour to be recognised. I am so lucky to have a fabulous team at Jane Percy House to work with every day, and we support such an amazing bunch of people”
Strategic Report 2024 – 25
Following nominations by the people we support, the team at Jane Percy House won Specialist Care Provider of the Year at the National Care Awards in November 2024.
Lindsey, Service Manager
## Co-production
This workshop explored what good personal care looks like and how poor personal care might feel. Everyone agreed it starts with what is important to and for the person. The workshop explored choice and control, what self-neglecting behaviour might look like, and how can it be understood. It also looked at cultural and gender-sensitive care, empathetic and warm communication, the language we use to describe our bodies, how to feel safe whilst experiencing personal care, and how the most intimate care needs to be understood.
## Working together with those we support.
The people who use our services remain our focus and they continue to be involved in a variety of ways through co-production.
Every year, we run a ‘tell us what you think’ survey with the people we support and their families. This year, 94% of the people we support agreed or strongly agreed that they like the care and support they receive. This was an increase from 2023’s survey.
Our commitment to digital innovation continues. We evolved our digital care record to enable the people we support to update their own care plans and history as well as their preferences in an ‘all about me’ section.
People we support in Hull worked alongside staff to develop and deliver a workshop to respond to peoples’ experience of personal care.
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Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
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Strategic Report 2024 – 25
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## Clinical services
Brainkind is committed to delivering leading edge clinical practice, continuously improving delivery for ourselves and others.
## Our aims
- ✳ Continuously refine and develop clinical expertise
- ✳ Build an energetic applied and clinical research programme
- ✳ Share our expertise and improve sector wide practice
## What we achieved
Our approach to neurorehabilitation helps people to thrive after a brain injury, or while living with a neurological condition. We expanded our referral criteria and supported more people this year, compared to the recent past, offering a wider range of care and treatment options. In hospitals
and neurological centres, we offer rehabilitation – helping people to regain lost skills or to find new ways of compensating for lost abilities.
We also provide long-term care in our residential homes and supported living services, offering specialist services for people with complex nursing needs, including palliative care. With experts including nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, speech and language therapists, and others, our teams provide the care and treatment a person needs to achieve their goals and thrive.
Implementing a new competency framework for therapists of all disciplines, including re-defining the roles of our therapy assistants
We developed a new set of competencies for Therapy Assistants, and an associated workbook designed to help them build the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively support rehabilitation programmes. Next steps for this initiative involve the review and development of additional learning materials to create a comprehensive suite of learning resources that can support consistent high-quality service delivery across the whole organisation.
This work is underpinned by the organisation’s continued commitment to the support and development of our clinical staff though our clinical leadership team. Clinical staff are key to delivering leading-edge clinical practice, including
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Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
Strategic Report 2024 – 25
supervision, training, and the ongoing development of leadership within the clinical team. Clinical vacancies and staff turnover figures are now substantially lower than in the previous four years, and we now have the depth of leadership to ensure the services have sustainable support.
Continuing use of clinical outcomes data to evaluate the effectiveness of our work and improve all of our services
We regularly collect data from our services to assess the impact that rehabilitation has for people with brain injuries. We look at two groups, people who have left our services, and those still using our services.
The outcome data continues to show that the majority of people (82%) need less supervision when they are discharged from our services, compared to when they arrived. And, importantly, the overwhelming majority (87%)
moved on to more independent accommodation following their rehabilitation. Other developments in our impact reporting include a pilot to extend the routine measurement of clinical outcomes to support services, and to trial measures inclusive of those who have severe communication difficulties.
## Sharing our clinical expertise with the wider community
Throughout 2024-25, we published eight articles in scientific journals. For example, in February 2025, we published a peer reviewed article describing the perspectives of rehabilitation professionals on the possible added benefits of psychological rehabilitation in combination with existing comprehensive rehabilitation in the scientific journal _Nordic Psychology_ . This helped to raise awareness of the positive impacts of psychological rehabilitation in combination with comprehensive rehabilitation, raised awareness of the psychosocial consequences of ABI, and demonstrated the importance of psychological
Brainkind: A guide to living with brain injury
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Strategic Report 2024 – 25
interventions as an integral addition to existing rehabilitation programmes.
A number of colleagues from our Clinical Leadership and Policy and Social Change teams also presented at two major international conferences which took place in Portugal, the NR-SIG-WFNR Conference in Coimbra and the Global Neuropsychology Congress in Porto. In addition to this, several members of our Clinical Leadership Team continue to contribute as ad-hoc peer reviewers for international research journals.
“ My team of support workers are the best team I’ve ever had, and I wouldn’t change them for the world” Brainkind Resident
These varying achievements ensured that we now have a highly skilled, stable team of clinicians, who are equipped with the leadership, talent, knowledge foundations, and clinical skills needed for future sustainability.
Our innovative, research-informed clinical pathways provide services for people from hospital to home, enabling us to support people to achieve the best outcomes following a brain injury. Increasingly, leading-edge clinical practice must also be affordable, to be accessible to more people in society. As a socially responsible organisation we recognise this.
Our clinical teams have demonstrated that they can meet this challenge, continuing to consistently achieve the same excellent outcomes as in previous years, despite the ongoing funding pressures impacting the sector as a whole.
Brainkind: A guide to living with brain injury
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Strategic Report 2024 – 25
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## Meet Maciej
Maciej used to travel back to Poland from Blackpool often. But a hypoxic brain injury affected his ability to communicate, speak English, and remember details about his family.
After the end of free movement, Brainkind helped Maciej apply for residency, however his lost ID meant he was not entitled to financial support. So Maciej was unable to maintain contact with his family.
Over the last two years, Team Leader Jackie and her colleagues dedicated themselves to reuniting them.
In November, Maciej flew to Poland where he reunited with his family for the first time in four years. Now, they stay in regular contact, while our team ~~continues to help Maciej~~ to live independently in one of our assisted living services.
They chased up his settlement application, obtained copies of his birth certificate, and applied for his passport. Meanwhile, our Speech and Language team helped Maciej rehabilitate his communication skills.
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
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Strategic Report 2024 – 25
## Drive Social Action around brain injury
Brainkind is committed to driving social action around brain injury, to ensure more people have their needs met in a way of their choosing.
## Our aims
- ✳ Amplify the voice of people with a brain injury
- ✳ Grow influencing and campaigning activities
- ✳ Define and build our fundraising approach
## What we achieved
## Strategic influence and policy engagement
We have made significant progress in influencing national policy and shaping the conversation around acquired brain injury (ABI). Despite political delays following the General Election, we remained actively engaged with the UK Acquired Brain Injury Forum (UKABIF) and other partners to advocate for the continuation of the ABI Strategy.
Collaboration has been central to our approach. We have built strong relationships with UKABIF, the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG), Women’s Aid, and the National Care Forum, among others. For instance, together with Women’s Aid and supported by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Nicole Jacobs, we integrated ABI-related questions into the On Track database.
## Research and thought leadership
Our Too Many to Count report continues to generate national and international engagement.
With over 290 downloads and interest from local authorities across England and Wales, the report has also reached audiences in Australia, Austria, Berlin, Catalonia, Chicago, Canada, New Zealand, and Ohio. We delivered nearly 50 presentations to stakeholders including domestic abuse services, local authorities, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), and voluntary sector organisations, reinforcing our position as a thought leader in the intersection of brain injury and domestic abuse.
The launch of _Complex Lives: Women, Brain Injury, and the Criminal Justice System in Wales_ in November 2024 marked a major milestone in understanding the challenges faced by women in this area. This work has been included in the evidence base for criminal justice commissioning across Wales, demonstrating our growing impact in shaping systems that support survivors of domestic abuse with brain injuries.
Our staff have received notable recognition for their advocacy. Our Brain Injury and Domestic Abuse Researcher and Policy Officer were both nominated as Blooming Strong Champions by Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse (STADA), celebrating their commitment to raising awareness of survivors living with brain injury.
This work is central to Brainkind’s mission to improve life after brain injury — not only through the services we deliver directly, but by shaping policy, professional practice, and public understanding at a national level.
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
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Strategic Report 2024 – 25
## Innovation and digital tools
We have been developing a web-based tool, Brainkind Adapt, to help professionals raise awareness and initiate conversations about brain injury in a domestic abuse context. The tool will be hosted on our website and accessible across all devices, offering guidance about how to adapt professional practice to meet individual needs. This innovation represents a major step forward in equipping frontline professionals with practical resources to support survivors.
## Fundraising and financial sustainability
The launch of our fundraising strategy and toolkit in March 2024 was a key step for the organisation.
By April 2025, fundraising income had risen and we had growth in support from companies and individuals. The Trustee fundraising working group began exploring high-net-worth fundraising, patrons, and ambassadors along with developing regular, in memory, and legacy giving.
## Impact
Over the past year, we have made exceptional progress across several areas — from policy influence and service delivery to fundraising and innovation. Despite external political challenges, we remained focused, adaptive, and impactful. Our work continues to shape national conversations, support survivors, and build sustainable models for growth.
These achievements reflect a year of strategic advancement, sector leadership, and meaningful change — positioning Brainkind as a driving force in the field of brain injury and social change.
## Delivering and expanding the Brain Injury Linkworker Service
One of our most tangible achievements has been the expansion of the Brain Injury Linkworker Service (BILS). The service has grown steadily, with four prisons taking part in a pilot across the South East, including HMP Send, HMP Bullingdon, HMP Grendon and Springhill, and HMP Isle of Wight. These services transitioned from implementation to full delivery between November and December 2024.
In early 2025, we began to implement a regional BILS across parts of the North West, reflecting growing national interest in the model. BILS continues to go from strength to strength in its long-term locations in HMPPS North and South Wales, with strong evidence of positive impact captured through a two-year evaluation.
The Linkworker Team was awarded Research Project of the Year at the Neuro-rehab Times (NRT) awards in December 2024 — a prestigious accolade that highlights the impact and innovation of the service.
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
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Strategic Report 2024 – 25
## Our people
## A great place to work Working together effectively
Our people are the heart of our organisation. By ensuring Brainkind is a great place to work, we can provide the best care and support to those who need it – together we are Brainkind!
Across Brainkind, our colleagues embody our values throughout their work every day – from recruitment to throughout their careers with us. This year, we launched a new values-led competency framework to support our leaders across the organisation. Through our annual and pulse surveys, as well as our colleague forums, we actively gather and listen to staff feedback. For example, this year, we updated our appraisal system, ‘being our best’, following valuable colleague feedback.
To further support our colleagues, we have enhanced our benefits. First, we introduced ‘wallet’, our pay drawdown facility enabling colleagues greater access over accessing their earned pay. Second, staff can now buy and sell annual leave. Third, we also now offer a health cash plan which includes preventative health benefits and financial support.
We continue to invest in our people and actively seek opportunities for their development through our talent pipeline. We offer apprenticeships across a range of professions from Maintenance to Cleaning and Hygiene and from Business Administration to Health and Social Care from
Levels 2 to 5. We also offer Clinical
Apprenticeships at Level 6. This year we had achievements in Adult Care and Operations Management and expect achievements in our new clinical and accountancy apprenticeships in 2026.
We celebrate the achievements of our colleagues throughout the year and at our annual recognising excellence awards event. These awards highlight some of the many achievements of our colleagues in line with our organisational values. We introduced two new awards this year to also recognise excellence in co-production and the significant contribution that our volunteers make to Brainkind to whom we are very grateful. At these awards, we also celebrate the many staff members who have achieved long service with Brainkind. This year, we had a group whose combined service counted over 100 years.
## Meet Jenny...
The recipient of our latest Chief Executive Award. Jenny has been with Brainkind for many years as a manager and, this year, was promoted to regional manager. Her team nominated her because they said: “Jenny has been super supportive and kind. It has really settled me into my role having someone like Jenny doing what she does. It has made me feel very welcome and connected to Brainkind.” Irene added:
## “ Jenny is a highly visible leader and ambassador for Brainkind.”
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
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## Strategic Report 2024 – 25 Organisational Learning
Brainkind has faced several challenges over the reporting period, including staff shortages, recruitment pressures, and difficulties in maintaining occupancy levels especially in neurological centres.
Market changes, such as shorter admission periods and more providers entering the sector, have increased competition and made it harder to achieve budgeted occupancy. We’ve learned that early planning and flexibility are essential.
Strong workforce planning and better recruitment strategies are needed to avoid service disruption. We’ve also seen the importance of reviewing our clinical structures to make sure services match commissioner demand. Finally, service integration projects have shown us the value of building in contingency plans and improving coordination across teams.
These lessons will help us stay competitive and deliver services more efficiently in the future.
Brainkind: A guide to living with brain injury
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Strategic Report 2024 – 25
## Looking to the future
## As we look ahead,
our commitment to growing our reach, providing leading clinical expertise, and driving social action remains at the heart of what we do – as does our focus on both our people and digital innovation – as we continue to deliver exceptional, person-centred care.
## How we will do this
We will continue to work with our partners, including commissioners and local councils, to review our services and how we can continue to improve. Our priority remains the needs of the people we support, and we know that there is demand for longer-term, complex care services which we are well-placed to deliver. At the core of all this, however, is financial sustainability. That’s why we continue to innovate and seek digital solutions to help make us more efficient and effective.
We will also continue to listen to our colleagues from across the organisation so that we continually improve in everything we do.
## 2. Deliver leading-edge clinical practice and thinking around brain injury, continuously improving delivery for ourselves and others.
## Our aims
- ✳ Refine and develop our clinical expertise
Brainkind’s success, and future, depends on the quality of our services. That can only be achieved by continuing to invest in our employees, infrastructure and facilities, and evolving our services to reflect the changing needs of the people we support and the wider sector. Our current strategy focusses on our four main priorities:
## 1. Build positive, specialist and co-produced sustainable services, reaching as many people as possible.
## Our aims
- ✳ Grow our brain injury service offering
- ✳ Increase occupancy and sustainability of services
- ✳ Develop pathways, from acute placements to community settings
- ✳ Seek enterprising partnerships and design bespoke services
- ✳ Build an energetic applied and clinical research programme
- ✳ Share our expertise and improve sector-wide practice
- ✳ Align clinical and thought leadership activity
## How we will do this
We will continue to use clinical outcomes data to evaluate the effectiveness of our work and improve all of our services. The breadth, and depth of clinical staff across the organisation will support Brainkind to develop and review models of good practice and to share these across the wider sector.
Brainkind’s commitment to research continues with a proposed expansion of the research group, supporting the ongoing development of links between both the applied and clinical research programmes.
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
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## Strategic Report 2024 – 25
## 3. Drive social action around brain injury and ensure that more people have their needs met, in a way of their choosing
## Our aims
- ✳ Grow influencing and campaigning strategies
- ✳ Amplify the voice of people with a brain injury
- ✳ Build our fundraising approach
## How we will do this
Our external affairs work will continue to position Brainkind as the UK’s leading charity dedicated to helping individuals thrive after a brain injury and other neurological conditions.
We will be launching a national influencing campaign, developing new areas of research, and growing our fundraising footprint which will deliver vital funds to enhance the care we deliver. This underpinned by prioritising the
development of enabling objectives, looking ahead for 2025 – 2026 Brainkind is focusing on supporting and enabling staff teams to be the best they can be.
## 4. Building a high-performance organisation – our people approach
## Our aims
- ✳ Enable and build talent, skills and expertise
- ✳ Develop our leadership capability
- ✳ Develop the best organisation design to respond to internal and external drivers
- ✳ Become an employer of choice
## How we will do this
Brainkind is a great place to work – our people tell us that! We want to showcase this so that others join us at Brainkind, where they can expect a supportive environment, good benefits, and career progression.
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
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Strategic Report 2024 – 25
## Meet Katie
## A passionate festival-goer and horse rider, Katie’s life changed when she suffered a serious accident.
Her horse escaped from the field and Katie was badly injured in the process. She was found on the ground an hour later before being rushed to hospital where she underwent emergency surgery and spent a month in a coma.
Over the past three years, Katie has learned to walk and talk again. With the support of her family, care staff, and therapies that tapped into her love of music, she has made remarkable progress.
“We’d have music videos up and Katie would be really fixated. With the words there, she would start singing along. At the time, she could say a few words. But it was hard to understand full sentences. With the singing, it just all came out and she would be able to sing along.”
With the support of her family and Brainkind, Katie has regained much of her independence. She can now dress herself, feed herself, make her own breakfast, and walk around with her frame.
Katie has also taken on new roles at Stagenhoe. She helps to run activity groups, such as leading the book club, and enjoys baking. She has even returned to a past passion by re-learning French.
One of the most rewarding parts of Katie’s journey was when she attended Glastonbury. With careful planning, we trained her husband Mark in safe transfers. Thanks to this, Katie was able to sleep in a tent, sit on the grass, and take part in activities she once thought impossible.
Now, Katie is working towards returning home. Her courage, determination, and the care she has received reflect Brainkind’s belief that life after brain injury should be a life well-lived.
For Katie, this means getting back to her family. With the support of Stagenhoe and Mark, she is on well on her way.
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Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
## Trustees’ Annual Report
The Trustees present their report and the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2025. The Trustees’ Annual Report constitutes the annual accounts and the Directors’ Report for Companies Act purposes.
These financial statements comply with the:
- ✳ Charities Act 2011 (as amended by Charities Act 2022)
- ✳ Companies Act 2006
- ✳ Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 (as amended by Charities (Regulation and Administration) (Scotland) Act 2023)
- ✳ Requirements of the Charity’s governing document
- ✳ Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP), applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
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## Financial review
## Summary
Brainkind had a £6.8m deficit in the year, this is a £2.5m increase from the previous year
Following a challenging year, driven by the Government’s mandated cost increases in National Living Wage and National Insurance as well as a period of consolidation from the previous year’s investments, we have been focusing on our long term financial sustainability which will continue into 2025/26. We are actively focusing on:
- ✳ Improving revenues by working to agree fee uplifts as well as working on aligning all current fees to fully reflect the costs incurred in providing our care
- ✳ Working to reduce our agency expenditure by improving recruitment and retention
- ✳ Increasing occupancy levels within our current services
In 2025 we saw a loss of £0.07 million (2024: gain of £1.2 million) in our financial investments.
The overall financial results have changed from the 2023/24 financial year to the 2024/25 financial year as follows:
- ✳ Total operating income increased from £61.1 million in 2024 to £74.9 million in 2025
- ✳ Total operating expenditure increased by £15.0 million from £66.7 million in 2024 to £81.7 million in 2025
- ✳ Total net assets of the Group on 31 May 2025 were £96.1 million, a decrease of £6.8 million from 31 May 2024.
- ✳ Investing in acquiring new services and continuing to invest to improve our existing services.
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Our investments were acquired in accordance with the powers available to the Trustees or by way of legacy. They are subject to an investment policy which is reviewed on an annual basis. The current policy delegates management of investments to investment managers within defined parameters. The Trustees also employ an independent investment consultant to assist with financial advice, select investment managers, as well as providing support to define the objectives that are set and monitor their performance.
The present investment managers for Brainkind are Rathbones Investment Management Limited and CCLA Fund Managers Limited. Each manager has specific investment objectives and a mandate in line with our investment strategy.
The overarching aim is to maximise returns whilst making sure the Charity’s liquidity requirements are met. The Trustees also set what asset
## Investments held by nominees
Our investments include:
- ✳ £2.5 million managed by Rathbone Investment Management Limited
- ✳ £5.7 million by CCLA Fund Managers Limited.
These investments are held on the Charity’s behalf.
## Investments
classes are permissible, the extent to which they are invested and the credit ratings in their selection.
We do not prescribe the nature of companies in which we invest through the stock market. The primary objective is to achieve optimal financial returns in order to deliver on our charitable objectives. In appointing investment managers, we have delegated ethically responsible investment so that we can best meet the needs of the people we support.
The value of the Charity’s investment portfolios at the end of May 2025 was £8.2 million (2024: £9.7 million). Dividend and investment income from our financial investments, including cash on deposit, was £0.3 million, a decrease from £0.6m in the prior year. Losses on our financial investments were £0.07 million in the year (2024: gains of (£1.2million), this was due to volatile markets. This performance met the Board’s objectives in relation to delivering returns.
For investments managed by Rathbone Investment Management Limited, UK investments are registered in the name of Rathbone Nominees Limited and overseas investments are deposited with The Bank of New York Mellon as nominee.
Our investments managed by CCLA Fund Managers Limited are held on our behalf in a COIF Charities Ethical Investment Fund and are valued at a mid-market price.
No other people acted as nominee for the Charity this year.
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## Reserves
As a charity, our aim is to maximise our impact and the rehabilitation, care and support that we are able to provide to people with brain injuries and neurological conditions. In order to do this, current reserves must be sufficient to meet the start-up costs of new services or the expansion of existing services, agreed by Trustees. Reserves must be sufficient to ensure our existing services are financially viable and mitigate the crystallisation of a financial and reputational risk identified on our corporate risk register.
The Trustees continue to review the level of reserves, with the consideration of the difficulties in maintaining funding levels. They incorporate this into the strategy, which is regularly monitored and modified, as appropriate.
The current total level reserves amount to £96.1m, (2024: £102.9m) £199k (2024: £106k) of which is restricted and £95.9m (2024: £102.8m) is unrestricted (including designated funds).
Of the £95.9m which is unrestricted £91.2m is tied up in fixed assets.
## Restricted reserves
## Unrestricted reserves
Unrestricted funds arise when no restrictions are in place for their use. Trustees are responsible for ensuring these funds are spent in line with the Charity’s objectives in a timely fashion.
The revaluation reserve represents the net gain or deficit that has been made on our investment portfolios.
Designated reserves are funds that the Trustees have set aside to reflect particular intentions for the use of those funds.
## Designated funds
The total designated funds are currently £82.9 million (2024: £85.3 million). Further details are as below:
Fixed assets of £82.9m (2024: £85.2m)
Tangible assets include £25.6m relating to the Brainkind Neurological Centre York and £11m relating to the services purchased from Sue Ryder in 2023/24.
Restricted funds arise as a result of specific stipulations as to how the funds may be used. This is often relating to a specific activity or grant that may fall over several years and therefore the balance carried forward at the year-end is committed for those activities.
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## General funds
The general unrestricted reserves of 12.98m (2024: £17.5m) is regarded as being the Charity’s level of free reserves.
annually and is an amount that Trustees considers appropriate and prudent to maintain as a buffer against the risks and challenges faced by the Charity.
The Charity has a target level of free reserves of £8 million and the Trustees consider that a minimum amount of immediately liquid reserves of £3 million is necessary. This is reviewed
Trustees consider the assets of each fund (including the revaluation reserve) are sufficient to meet current and future commitments.
## Funds held on behalf of others
This sum was held separately in identifiable bank accounts and was not included in the balance sheet.
At year end, Brainkind, as custodian Trustee, held a total sum of £233,000 in its bank accounts, compared to £245,000 at the end of the previous year.
## Payments to suppliers
Settlement terms are agreed with suppliers as part of our contracts with them. It is the Charity’s policy to pay in accordance with those terms.
The Board has reviewed the Charity’s activities and financial position, together with factors likely to affect our current strategy. After divesting our learning disability and autism services a few years ago to focus on brain injury rehabilitation and support, we have been investing our free cash in maintaining and developing our existing services.
With difficulties in both occupancy levels and staff shortages, which in turn is keeping agency costs high, we ended the financial year behind our budget by £4.2m.
Other creditors are paid in accordance with invoice terms.
## Going concern
The reductions in occupancy levels continue to be focused within a small number of key services, all of which are now undertaking work to improve their occupancy level.
Looking forward, we have strong plans in place to reduce the deficit and move to a surplus position over the next couple of financial years. We will continue to review these plans and take any necessary corrective actions to help to ensure this is the case.
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We have reviewed the reserve level, taking into account the impact of the agreed strategy to ensure that our reserves remain above the agreed level for the next five years.
The Board has concluded that the existing level of free reserves, available investment and cash balances, coupled with strong cost control and the continued implementation of our new strategy, is sufficient to ensure Brainkind has the resources to continue operating as a going concern, and to meet our obligations as they fall due.
We support people and organisations to donate to Brainkind by promoting individual and regular giving, event fundraising, legacies and corporate support.
Our local services also carry out fundraising activities to raise money for our hospitals, neurological and rehabilitation centres, residential homes, and supported living accommodation.
We send application forms, fundraising packs and merchandise, and keep in regular contact with fundraisers. We write to supporters to thank them for their fundraising.
We are committed to The Code of Fundraising Practice which sets the standards for fundraising carried out by all charitable institutions and third-party fundraisers in the UK.
## Going concern
Having regard to the above, the Trustees are satisfied that there are no material uncertainties around the decision to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing these financial statements.
## Fundraising
Brainkind is also an organisational member of the Institute of Fundraising, Fundraising Preference Service and Fundraising Regulator, as well as the Data & Marketing Association.
## Complaint handling
We have not received any complaints in relation to our fundraising and do not undertake any third-party fundraising.
## Safeguarding and vulnerable supporters
Our fundraising promise sets out our commitment to being honest, keeping contact details safe, and supporting donors. It also highlights our commitment to protecting vulnerable people and ensures that no donation is sought or gained from someone who may not have the capacity to make an informed or considered decision. This helps make sure supporters are not put under pressure to donate and know how to make a complaint.
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## Principal Risk Themes and Mitigations
The Charity regularly monitors and reviews its risks at both a strategic and operational level via a risk management system with a mature risk matrix to determine those risks meeting the threshold for Board reporting. The significant risks to Brainkind are regularly reviewed by the Leadership Team and the Audit and Risk Committee on behalf of the Board. The Board has ultimate responsibility for Brainkind’s principal organisational risks and the long-term consequence of decisions as well as the interests of all stakeholders.
## How principal risks are managed
The Board of Trustees (“the Board”) acknowledges its responsibility to ensure that the Charity’s risk management framework is effective.
The Board regularly reviews the Charity’s process for identifying, prioritising, escalating, and managing risks and, where applicable, the Charity’s system of internal controls to manage these risks. The Board reviews the effectiveness of the Charity’s approach to risk at least every year. The key principal organisational risks are set out below:
legislative changes (e.g. Employment Rights Bill 2025).
## Financial Sustainability and Sector Funding Pressures
## Mitigations
## Risk
- ✳ Enhanced recruitment and retention strategies
Persistent underfunding in the social care sector, rising operational costs, and financial pressures on local authorities and the NHS contribute to service deficits and threaten long-term sustainability.
- ✳ Strengthened onboarding, probation, and performance management
- ✳ Investment in staff wellbeing, engagement, and feedback mechanisms
## Mitigations
- ✳ Clear communication of expectations and career development pathways
- ✳ Proactive engagement with commissioners to align services with demand
- ✳ Investment in CRM systems to improve referral and occupancy visibility
## Cybersecurity and Data Protection
- ✳ Performance improvement plans and cost efficiency monitoring
## Risk
Increasingly sophisticated cyber threats pose risks to data integrity, service continuity, and regulatory compliance.
- ✳ Strong financial reserves support short to medium-term resilience
## Mitigations
## Workforce Recruitment, Retention and Wellbeing
- ✳ Cyber Essentials Plus certification achieved
- ✳ Ongoing investment in cybersecurity infrastructure and training
## Risk
National shortages of skilled care staff, high turnover, and the impact of sector-wide burnout and low pay, compounded by upcoming
- ✳ Diversification of third-party IT dependencies
- ✳ Regular audits and access control reviews
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## Principal Risk Themes and Mitigations
## Quality of Care and Patient Safety
## Business Continuity and Pandemic Preparedness
## Risk
## Risk
Potential medication errors, infection control failures, safeguarding concerns, and challenges in managing complex care needs.
The potential for future pandemics or other major disruptions remains a significant concern, particularly given the lessons from COVID-19.
## Mitigations
## Mitigations
- ✳ Comprehensive policies and procedures for clinical safety
- ✳ Ongoing monitoring of emerging public health risks
- ✳ Regular staff training and development
- ✳ Development of flexible service delivery models and contingency plans
- ✳ Regular review and audit of practices through internal quality assurance
- ✳ Integration of simulated business continuity scenarios into the business continuity planning process
- ✳ Strengthened safeguarding protocols and incident reporting systems
## Governance and Regulatory Compliance
## Environmental and Operational
## Risk
## Risk
Physical risks such as falls, unsafe facilities, and environmental hazards can impact both service users and staff.
Inadequate governance structures can lead to poor oversight, non-compliance with regulatory standards, and reputational damage.
## Mitigations
## Mitigations
- ✳ Regular health and safety audits
- ✳ Development of a robust clinical governance framework
- ✳ Maintenance of facilities and equipment
- ✳ Regular review of governance structures and meeting terms of reference
- ✳ Staff training in risk identification and response
- ✳ Continuous monitoring of compliance with CQC and other regulatory bodies
Where risks have been assessed as exceeding our corporate risk appetite, Brainkind has implemented an action plan to strengthen mitigations. Our reserves policy has been set with consideration of the potential impact of these elevated risks during the remediation period.
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## Directors’ Report
## Constitution
Memorandum and Articles of Association, which were last modified on 13 July 2020.
In 2023 The Disabilities Trust relaunched itself as Brainkind, our new brand and trading name. Our legal name remains The Disabilities Trust.
The Disabilities Trust owns two subsidiaries:
- ✳ The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust Limited which operates the activities of the Neurological Centre Lancashire and is governed under a separate board.
As a registered charity, The Disabilities Trust is regulated by the Charity Commission (England and Wales) and the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) in Scotland. The Charity is incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee and governed by a
- ✳ York House Ventures Limited, which is dormant.
## Public Benefit
purpose and activities are aligned. The Charity’s achievements and activities are discussed in full in the Strategic Report.
The principal beneficiaries of the work of Brainkind are people living with a brain injury, supported in a variety of settings, from hospitals to community. Secondary beneficiaries of the work of Brainkind are families, people living with a brain injury beyond our services and those in particular populations, including offenders and survivors of domestic abuse who are disproportionately affected by brain injury, and the general public via our campaigning, training and innovation work and bespoke services.
The Trustees have referred to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the aims and objectives and planning future activities. In particular, the Board considered how planned activities contribute to Brainkind’s aims and objectives. This includes:
- ✳ What we have achieved
- ✳ Outcomes of our work in the previous 12 months
Our research, policy and innovation work allows us to invest resources into improving the lives of people with a brain injury who may not have access to statutory-funded services. External grants support initiatives that would be difficult to attract mainstream or traditional sources of funding.
- ✳ Success of each aspect of our work
- ✳ Benefits to, and impact on, the people we support.
All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the Charity. Expenses claimed from the Charity are set out in Note 13 of the financial statements.
The Board of Trustees review the Charity’s aims and objectives each year to make sure our
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## Section 172 (1) statement
The Trustees as Directors of Brainkind, are aware of their duty under s.172 of the Companies Act 2006 to act in the way which they consider, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the success of the Company for the benefit of its members as a whole and, in doing so, to have regard (amongst other matters) to:
- ✳ The likely consequences of any decision in the long term
- ✳ The interests of the Company’s employees
- ✳ The need to foster the Company’s business relationships with suppliers, service users and others
- ✳ The impact of the Company’s operations on the community and environment
- ✳ The need to act fairly between members of the Company.
As a charitable company, the Directors of Brainkind promote the success of the Charity to achieve its charitable purposes:
To relieve the needs of people with developmental, learning, physical or acquired disabilities or conditions, in particular but not exclusively by the provision of care, special housing units, facilities and supported living services.
The Directors of Brainkind consider that they have fulfilled their duties in accordance with section 172(1) of the UK Companies Act 2006 and have acted in a way which is most likely to promote the success of the Charity for the benefit of its stakeholders as a whole in the following ways:
- ✳ The desirability of the Company maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct
## Communities
Brainkind works in partnership with communities, providing services for people with a brain injury and other neurological conditions, as well as through its campaigning work and research. The organisation works closely with Government partners, contributing to the imminent strategy on Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). We deliver training to staff within
## Engagement with stakeholders
As part of our annual cycle, we have produced a satisfaction survey for people who use our services. Over 80% of the people we support took part in the survey with contributions from
the prison services, helping them to recognise the signs of a brain injury. We are also carrying out new research into the prevalence of brain injury amongst domestic abuse survivors, to inform policy and practice in this area. We work in partnership with multiple organisations, including the NHS, commissioners, and other charities and voluntary membership organisations.
people across all of our services. The report will help inform how we improve delivery and develop our services, which ultimately enables us to focus on what’s important to and for people and shape the way we prioritise and improve the way we deliver services.
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The report will be made accessible to all people we support in a range of formats and our colleagues.
The stakeholder feedback process, which includes capturing compliments, concerns, complaints, and whistleblowing reports is continually reviewed and developed in response to feedback received.
We welcome this as it provides evidence of increased awareness and confidence in the feedback processes. We have continued to improve the process by enhancing colleagues’ abilities to identify, capture, investigate and respond effectively to improve stakeholders experience and support a customer focussed process. This provides assurance to the Executive/Senior Leadership Teams (SLT), and the Board as we continue to capture and monitor stakeholder views to identify themes and trends and respond to these effectively.
## Engagement with employees
The long-term success and performance of Brainkind is directly linked to the talent, skills and engagement of our colleagues, and we understand the importance of developing a high performing organisation through our people to benefit the people we support. We recognise the contribution of our dedicated workforce who work hard to support people with complex needs, and we continue to review and improve the experience our employees have working for Brainkind.
We want to ensure that our workforce is connected, and we aim to have a two-way dialogue with our people by keeping them appraised of what is happening across the organisation, as well as seeking their feedback and input on a variety of topics, from our new strategy to the culture we want to build.
The Trustees consider and discuss information from across the organisation to understand the impact of Brainkind’s operations and the interests and views of key stakeholders. The Trustees also review financial, clinical, and operational performance, as well as information covering areas such as key risks, quality assurance and regulatory compliance. This information is provided to the Board of Trustees through regular performance reports within meeting packs circulated in advance of each Board of Trustees meeting and via leadership team presentations.
The Board therefore possess an overview of the organisation’s engagement with stakeholders enabling them to comply collectively with their duties under section 172 of the Companies Act 2006.
This is done using a variety of channels, including team meetings, our magazine and newsletters, digital channels such as Connect - our intranet - and our Colleague Forum which enables us to seek the views of a cross section of our workforce who represent colleagues’ ideas and suggestions for improving Brainkind. Our annual employee engagement survey also provides people with the opportunity to have a voice and provide feedback on a range of topics.
Brainkind operates across England, Scotland and Wales so it is important that all colleagues feel connected. We use a range of online and face to face events, including CEO updates and our annual Managers’ Conference, to share the latest news, but also to engage colleagues in aspects of strategy, culture and delivery. We also engage colleagues in specific projects, alongside the people we support.
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performance reports on a number of people metrics to understand any workforce trends.
The Trustees receive regular qualitative and quantitative updates on employee matters from the Executive Director of People and Organisational Development including analysis received through the employee engagement surveys, regular EDI updates and quarterly
This provides the Board with assurance that there are effective mechanisms to link engagement and performance and the continued strength of Brainkind’s culture.
## Governance and decision making
The Charity is governed by a Board of Trustees which meets at least four times a year and is supported by several Board Committees to provide assurance and dedicated oversight to the matters for which is it responsible. As well as Board meetings, all Trustees are expected to contribute to those committees where their individual skills can be of most benefit, in discussion with the Chair. The Trustees have delegated the day-to-day management of the Charity to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who is supported by the leadership team in delivering the agreed strategic objectives.
Brainkind’s objective is to support people with a Brain Injury (BI) to lead their best lives. This objective is delivered, but not exclusively, through the provision of high-quality rehabilitation, care and support, specialised homes for people and community based supported living services.
Brainkind continues to adopt and apply the principles of the Code of Governance for larger charities, updated in December 2020 supporting the Board’s aim to develop high standards of governance.
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## The Trustees have several committees with specific areas of focus and who each review their scope and Terms of Reference annually:
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Committee Focus Members Meetings per year
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|||||
|---|---|---|---|
|Audit & Risk
Committee|• Internal Audit
• External Audit
• Annual Report & Accounts
• Financial compliance
• Internal controls
• Risk management
• Business Continuity|• Cara Bell (Chair)
• Nathan Windle
• Eve Castel
• Jordan Barry-Bayliss
• Kathryn Greenberg
• Richard Wilson (Chair
(until 15 May 2025)|4|
|Finance & Investment
Committee|• Financial performance
• Capital Investment
• Investment Fund management
• Reserves & cashfow
• Property & Estates
• Fundraising|• Eve Castel (Chair)
• Matt James
(until 8 October 2025)
• Tom Billington
(until 2 December 2025)
• Dr Annabel Bentley
• Kathryn Greenberg
• Cara Bell
• Richard Wilson
(until 15 May 2025)|4|
|Quality &
Governance
Committee|• Quality Assurance
• Clinical effectiveness
• User outcomes
• User experience and
engagement
• Safeguarding
• Regulatory reporting
and compliance
• Health & Safety
• Information governance
• Whistleblowing|• Dr Annabel Bentley
(Chair)
• Caroline Reid MBE
• Matt James
(until 8 October 2025)
• Britt Iversen
• Tom Billington
(until 2 December 2025)
• Cara Bell
• Kathryn Greenberg
• Stephen Waring
(until 2 December
2024)|4|
|Remunerations
& Nominations
Committee|• CEO & ELT remuneration
• Staff pay awards
• Employee benefts structures
• Board composition
• Trustee recruitment
• Succession planning|• Kathryn Greenberg
(Chair)
• Lynne Holmes
(SG Lead)
• Jordan Barry-Bayliss
• Caroline Reid MBE
• Stephen Waring
(until 2 December 2024)
• Richard Wilson
(until 15 May 2025)|3|
|Research
Development
Policy & Infuencing
Committee|• Clinical and applied research
• Research development
• Research governance
framework
• Partnership and funding
opportunities
• National and local
infuencing and campaigning
opportunities|• Professor Tom Warner
(Chair)
• Matt James
(until 8 October 2025)
• Britt Iversen
• Nathan Windle
• Monica Arino
• Kathryn Greenberg
• Stephen Waring
(until 2 December 2024)|3|
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33
## Trustee recruitment and term of office
Trustees are a critical resource and give their time freely in support of Brainkind. They are elected to the Board by Trustees for a term of three years. Each Trustee may serve an expected maximum of two terms. Recruitment of new Trustees is overseen by the Remuneration and Nominations Committee who undertake an open recruitment process, recommending new candidates for appointment when necessary and ensuring appropriate recruitment and succession plans are in place for elected Trustees.
Person Policy and declares any interests which are held within a register of interests, and which is monitored and updated on a regular basis and reviewed annually.
Once appointed, Trustees undertake a comprehensive onboarding and induction programme led by the Chair and CEO and take part in a colleague buddying system. New Trustees are provided with key information about Brainkind and its strategic objectives, corporate policies and copies of the Code of Governance for larger charities and the independent guidance from the Charity Commission, and other regulatory bodies on trustee duties.
On appointment, each Trustee agrees to comply with a Code of Conduct and the Fit and Proper
## Equality statement
be unseen. Brainkind’s EDI committee meets regularly to discuss and review Brainkind’s EDI agenda with the aim of making our organisation one that is fully inclusive, and which celebrates our diversity. There are a number of activities and actions that seek to encourage inclusivity and diversity across Brainkind, including being Disability Confident and a member of the Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion.
We are proud of our diverse workforce which reflects the breadth of people we support. We work with colleagues to support their wellbeing and managers to support their understanding of individual needs to ensure that we can empower colleagues in the workplace who may have, or develop, a disability, including those which may
## Remuneration policy
The Chief Executive is responsible for setting the remuneration packages for other ELT members, subject to a maximum increase of 10% (for over 10% the CEO requires Committee approval) of salary in any financial year. ELT remuneration packages are reviewed formally every two years to ensure they remain competitive with external benchmarks.
The Remuneration & Nominations Committee meet at least twice a year and is responsible for overseeing the Charity’s pay and reward structures, approving budgets for the annual pay uplifts for the workforce and to review the remuneration package for the CEO.
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## Trustees
Kathryn Greenberg (Chair)
Monica Arino
Jordan Barry-Bayliss
Cara Bell
Dr Annabel Bentley
Tom Billington _(until 2 December 2025)_
Eve Castel
Lynne Holmes
Britt Iversen
Matthew James _(until 8 October 2025)_
Caroline Reid MBE _(until 25 January 2026)_
Professor Tom Warner
Richard Wilson _(until 14 May 2025)_
Nathan Windle
Stephen Waring _(until 2 December 2024)_
## BIRT Trustees
The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Disabilities Trust trading as Brainkind.
Nicola Adamson _(until 27 January 2026)_
Michael Green
Richard Wilson _(until 18 June 2025)_
Irene Sobowale _(until 16th January 2026)_
Rudi Coetzer
Annabel Bentley
## Leadership Team
The Trustees have delegated the day-to-day management of the Charity to the Chief Executive Officer who appoints the Senior Leadership Team:
Claire Aylott _Head of Finance_
Vicki Bennett _Director of Operations (North)_
Jenny Bray _Head of People Business Partners, ER & Reward (until 4 April 2025)_
Naomi Carey _Executive Director of People and Organisational Development (until 6th February 2026)_
Helen Casson _Head of People Services Business Partn_ ering
Rudi Coetzer _Director of Research_
Keeley Cremona _Director of Brain Injury Operations (until 25 June 2025)_
Pieter Du Toit _Director of Clinical Services Director_
Judith Field _Head of Finance (until 31 March 2025)_
Graham Fisher _Director of Digital (until 31 March 2025)_
Clynton Hall _Executive Director Finance and Business_
Gail Hawthorne _General Counsel and Company Secretary._
Richard Jane _Director of External Affairs (until 5 May 2025)_
Sarah McHugh _Director of Operations (until 13 December 2024)_
Shelagh Murphy _Head of Quality Assurance, Compliance & Safeguarding_
Lee Richards _Director of Operations (South)_
Lynsey Robertson _Director of Business Development and Programme Management (until 17 January 2025)_
Irene Sobowale _Chief Executive Officer (until 16th January 2026)_
Emma Thayre _Head of Legal, Company Secretary and DPO (until 30 September 2024)_
Ayesha Trott _Executive Director Service Delivery_
Dale Ward _Head of Business Development_
Chris Walsh _Executive Director Service Delivery (until 13 December 2024)_
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## Streamlined energy and carbon reporting
year ending on or after 31 March 2020. It mandates that all large organisations must report on the operational energy consumption and associated emissions. The high-level breakdown is as follows:
## Energy consumption
Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) is the new legislative reporting requirement in the financial review for the
|2025
Gas
Electricity
Transport
Total|2025
Gas
Electricity
Transport
Total|2025
Gas
Electricity
Transport
Total|2025
Gas
Electricity
Transport
Total|2025
Gas
Electricity
Transport
Total|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|kWh|8,553,561|1,646,428|671,424|10,871,413|
|Mileage|||542,923|542,923|
|kgCO2e|1,564,959|291,417|89,774|1,946,152|
|tCO2e|1,564|291|90|1,945|
|2024
Gas
Electricity
Transport
Total|||||
|kWh|10,263,390|703,439|1,095,377|12,062,206|
|Mileage|||905,365|905,365|
|kgCO2e|1,877,174|145,647|115,312|2,138,133|
|tCO2e|1,877|146|115|2,138|
## Energy and associated carbon emissions
## Intensity metric
An intensity metric gives Brainkind an indicator of carbon performance based on an operational figure. In this case, we have used the number of people we support to indicate this performance with 506 people (2024: 473) we support emitting an average of 3,848.34 kgCO2e each (2024: 4,522.40, 7kgCO2e). This will be measured annually and compared against previous years. The 2023/2024 figures for energy and carbon emissions have been restated due to an error identified while preparing the 2024/2025 calculation. They have been restated in line with 2024/25 figures.
Brainkind’s total CO2 emission from grid electricity is 291 tCO2e (2024: 146 tCO2e) and 1,564 tCO2e (2024: 1,877 tCO2e) for emissions from natural gas. This is used for operational buildings and care homes. There were higher emissions over the winter months which is due to increased heating demands. Electricity usage has increased in 2025, however that was expected and due to the increase in services following the full year impact of the new services acquired the previous year.
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36
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2025 2024
**----- End of picture text -----**
|Number of people we support|506|473|
|---|---|---|
|kgCO2e|1,946,152|2,138,133|
|KgCO2e per person|3,848.34|4,522.40|
## Initiatives
## Energy sources
This section highlights energy and carbon improvement projects undertaken during the year and those that are currently underway:
We are measuring the scope one and two emissions. All energy data was collated by our main energy suppliers SSE and E.ON. Transport data and the number of people we support was collated internally. We obtained energy usage for a number of sites for cold and warm months. These figures were extrapolated over the year for all of our services. The number of people we support at each service was used as the basis for calculating the energy usage for services. Scope one: Transport and vehicles. Scope two: Electricity and gas supply.
Smart meters: In order to obtain an accurate and detailed picture of each building’s consumption, we are changing all of our meters to smart ones.
## Calculations
The following figures were used to convert energy to CO2 figures:
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Litre kWh Co2e
**----- End of picture text -----**
|Gas|N/A|1.00|0.18|
|---|---|---|---|
|Electricity|N/A|1.00|0.18|
|Petrol|2.07|9.49|0.22|
|Diesel|2.57|10.67|0.24|
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Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25 37
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## Legislative and administration information
## Legal name of the charity:
The Disabilities Trust
## Trading name:
Brainkind
## Company registration number:
02334589
## Country of incorporation:
United Kingdom
## Charity registration number:
England and Wales: 800797 Scotland: SCO38972
## Registered office:
First Floor, 32 Market Place, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 9NP
## Auditors:
Crowe U.K. LLP, 55 Ludgate Hill, London, EC4M 7JW
## Bankers:
Barclays Bank plc, Level 28, 1 Churchill Place, London, E14 5HP
## Solicitors:
DAC Beachcroft LLP,100 Fetter Lane, London, EC4A 1BN
Trowers & Hamlins LLP, 3 Bunhill Road, London, EC1Y 8YZ
## Investment Managers:
Rathbone Investment Management Limited, 8 Finsbury Circus, London, EC2M 7AZ
CCLA Investment Management, Senator House, 85 Queen Victoria St, London, EC4V 4ET
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
38
## Trustees’ responsibilities statement
The Trustees (who are also Directors of Brainkind for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law, the Trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law), including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Under company law, the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company of the incoming resources and application of resources for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
- ✳ Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently
- ✳ Observe the methods and principles set out in the Charities SORP (FRS 102)
- ✳ Make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent
- ✳ State whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material
- ✳ Prepare the financial statements on the going
concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and the provisions of the trust deed. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company 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 corporate and financial information included on the charitable company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
## Each of the Trustees confirm that:
- ✳ So far, as each Trustee is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company’s auditor is unaware
- ✳ The Trustees have each taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as Trustees in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charitable company’s auditor is aware of that information.
The Trustees’ Report (including the Strategic Report) has been approved by the Board of Trustees of Brainkind on 1st December 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Kathryn Greenberg, Chair of Trustee Board
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
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## Auditor’s Report
## Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of The Disabilities Trust (trading as Brainkind) (the ‘parent charitable company’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘group’) for the year ended 31 May 2025 which comprise the Consolidated statement of financial activities, the Consolidated balance sheet, the Charity balance sheet, the Consolidated statement of cash flows and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial
## Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the Group in accordance with the
## Conclusions to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we
Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members and the Trustees of The Disabilities Trust (trading as Brainkind)
Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
- ✳ Give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of the parent charitable company’s affairs as at 31 May 2025 and of the Group’s incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure for the year then ended
- ✳ Have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice
- ✳ Have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006
ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Group’s or the parent charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
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Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Trustees with respect to going concern are
## Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report other than the financial statements and our Auditors’ Report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the Annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is
## Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
## Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the group and parent charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees Report including the Strategic Report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
described in the relevant sections of the report.
materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
- ✳ The information given in the Trustees’ Report including the Strategic Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements.
- ✳ The Trustees’ Report and the Strategic Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
- ✳ The parent charitable company has not kept adequate and sufficient accounting records, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
- ✳ The parent charitable company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
- ✳ Certain disclosures of Trustees’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
- ✳ We have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
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## Responsibilities of Trustees
As explained more fully in the Trustees Responsibilities Statement, the Trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
## Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditors’ Report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed here:
We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks within which the group
In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the Group’s and the parent charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the Group or the parent charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
and parent charitable company operates, focusing on those laws and regulations that have a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The laws and regulations we considered in this context were the Companies Act 2006 and The Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, together with the Charities SORP (FRS102) 2019. We assessed the required compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our audit procedures on the related financial statement items.
In addition, we considered provisions of other laws and regulations that do not have a direct effect on the financial statements but compliance with which might be fundamental to the group and parent charitable company’s ability to operate or to avoid a material penalty. We also considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the group and parent charitable company for fraud. The laws and regulations we considered in this context for the UK operations were CQC Regulations for service providers and managers, taxation legislation, employment legislation and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
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Auditing standards limit the required audit procedures to identify non-compliance with these laws and regulations to enquiry of the Trustees and other management and inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.
We identified the greatest risk of material impact on the financial statements from irregularities, including fraud, to be in the following areas: timing of recognition of contract income; recording the impact of the CQC regulatory review and the override of controls by management, including posting of unusual journals; inappropriate treatment of non-routine transactions and areas of estimation uncertainty.
Our audit procedures to respond to these risks included enquiries of management and the Audit & Risk Committee about their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities, sample testing on the posting of journals, reviewing accounting estimates for biases, reviewing regulatory correspondence with the Charity Commission and reading regulatory reports and minutes of meetings of those charged with governance.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance.
The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Auditor’s report.
## Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the group and parent charitable company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditors’ Report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the group and parent charitable company and its members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Dipesh Chhatralia Senior Statutory Auditor For and on behalf of Crowe U.K. LLP Statutory Auditor London
20 February 2026
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
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This type of treatment helps us understand the effects of a brain injury on a person's cognitive, emotional, physical and social skills. Our clinical teams use a range of therapies to respond to ongoing assessments of these skills, Financial including physiotherapy, psychological therapy and occupational therapy. We also have 32 services in the Statements community. Our dedicated teams of
specialists work closely with each person
with a brain injury to understand what they
want and why, and shape support. For the year ended 31 May 2025 From rehabilitation to long-term care, our brain injury services help people to move forward with their lives.
You can find out more about us at brainkind.org.
Brainkind: A guide to living with brain injuryBrainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
**44** 44
## Consolidated statement of financial activities (incorporating income and expenditure account)
## For the year ended 31 May 2025
|||||2025|||2024|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Income from:|||Unrestricted Funds|Restricted|Funds|Total Funds|Total Funds £|
|||Note|£000||£000|£000|£000|
|Donations and legacies||4|27||94|121|187|
|Charitable activities||5|73,420||-|73,420|60,080|
|Investments||6|282||-|282|610|
|Other income||7|1,105||-|1,105|263|
|Total income|||74,834||94|74,928|61,140|
|Expenditure on:||||||||
|Raising funds||8|159||-|159|113|
|Charitable activities||9|81,508||-|81,508|66,601|
|Total expenditure|||81,667||-|81,667|66,714|
|Net (expenditure)||||||||
|before net (losses)/gains|||(6,833)||94|(6,739)|(5,574)|
|on investments||||||||
|Net (losses)/gains
on investments|||(66)||-|(66)|1,248|
|Net (expenditure)
carried forward|||(6,899)||94|(6,805)|(4,326)|
|Transfers between funds||22|-||-|-||
|Net movement in funds|||(6,899)||94|(6,805)|(4,326)|
|Reconciliation of funds:||||||||
|Total funds brought
forward|||102,810||106|102,916|107,242|
|Net movement in funds|||(6,899)||94|(6,805)|(4,326)|
|Total funds carried
forward|||95,911||200|96,111|102,916|
The Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. The notes on pages 49 – 73 form part of these financial statements.
The Disabilities Trust (T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972)
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
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## Consolidated balance sheet
|As at 31 May 2025||||||2025||||2024|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||Note||£000||£000||£000||£000|
|Fixed assets|||||||||||
|Intangible fxed assets||14||-||2,045||-||1,871|
|Tangible assets||15||-||80,885||-||83,394|
|Investments||17||-||8,213||-||9,687|
|Investment property||16||-||50||-||50|
|||||-||91,193||-||95,002|
|Current assets:|||||||||||
|Debtors||18||11,726||-||15,010||-|
|Cash at bank and in hand||||4,017||-||3,067||-|
|||||15,743||-||18,077||-|
|Creditors:
Amounts falling due within one year||19||(10,004)||-||(9,500)||-|
|Net current assets:||||-||5,739||-||8,577|
|Total assets less current liabilities||||-||96,932||-||103,579|
|Provisions for liabilities||20||-||(821)||-||(663)|
|Total net assets||||-||96,111||-||102,916|
|Charity funds|||||||||||
|Restricted funds||22||-||200||-||106|
|Unrestricted funds||22||-||95,911||-||102,810|
|Total funds||||-||96,111||-||102,916|
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.
The notes on pages 49 – 73 form part of these financial statements.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Trustees on 1st December 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Kathryn Greenberg, Chair of Trustee Board
Company number: 02334589
The Disabilities Trust (T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972)
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
46
## Charity balance sheet
|As at 31 May 2025||||||2025||||2024|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||Note||£000||£000||£000||£000|
|Fixed assets|||||||||||
|Intangible fxed assets||14||||2,045||||1,871|
|Tangible assets||15||||80,844||||83,359|
|Investments||17||||8,213||||9,687|
|Investment property||16||||50||||50|
|||||||91,152||||94,967|
|Current assets:|||||||||||
|Debtors||18||11,646||||14,960|||
|Cash at bank and in hand||||4,015||||3,067|||
|||||15,661||||18,027|||
|Creditors:
Amounts falling due within one year||19||(9,511)||||(9,271)|||
|Net current assets:||||||6,150||||8,756|
|Total assets less current liabilities||||||97,302||||103,723|
|Provisions for liabilities||20||||(821)||||(663)|
|Total net assets||||||96,481||||103,060|
|Charity funds|||||||||||
|Restricted funds||||||10||||10|
|Unrestricted funds||||||96,471||||103,050|
|Total funds||||||96,481||||103,060|
The Charity’s net movement in funds for the year was £(6,579k) 2024 - £(4,182k).
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements. The notes on pages 49 – 73 form part of these financial statements.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Trustees on 1st December 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Kathryn Greenberg, Chair of Trustee Board
Company number: 02334589
The Disabilities Trust (T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972)
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
47
## Consolidated statement of cash flows
## For the year ended 31 May 2025
||||2025||2024|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||Note|£000||£000|
|Cash fows from operating activities||||||
|Net cash used in operating activities||24|847||(8,023)|
|Cash fows from investing activities||||||
|Dividends, interests and rents from investments|||282||610|
|Proceeds from the sale of tangible fxed assets|||-||4|
|Purchase of intangible assets|||(698)||(471)|
|Purchase of tangible fxed assets|||(888)||(11,500)|
|Proceeds from sale of investments|||1,787||19,121|
|Purchase of investments|||(340)||(8,116)|
|Movement in cash within investment portfolio|||-||10,500|
|Purchase of neurological care division of Sue Ryder|||-||(11,614)|
|Net cash acquired on purchase of Sue Ryder care division|||-||58|
|Net cash provided/(used in) by investing activities|||143||(1,408)|
|Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year|||990||(9,431)|
|Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year|||3,109||12,540|
|Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year||25|4,099||3,109|
The Disabilities Trust (T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972)
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
48
## 1. General information
## 2.2. Going concern
The Board has reviewed the Charity’s activities and financial position, together with factors likely to affect our current strategy. We have invested in acquiring neurorehabilitation services and continuing to invest in our existing services.
The Disabilities Trust trading as Brainkind (02334589) is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. The Charity registration number is 800797.
It was understood that the financial results for the 2024/25 financial year would fluctuate as we progressed through the different strategy phases.
The Charity is also registered with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator. The Charity registration number is SC038972.
With difficulties in both occupancy levels and labour costs, as staff shortages continued to limit admissions in some services, as well as keeping agency costs high, we ended the financial year behind budget.
The registered office is 32 Market Place, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 9NP.
## 2. Accounting policies
The reductions in occupancy levels continue to be focused within a small number of key services, all of which are now undertaking work to improve their occupancy level.
## 2.1. Basis of preparation of financial statements
The financial statements 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), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Looking forward, a detailed five-year forecast and recovery plan was undertaken, in line with the proposed plan, outlining how we plan to reduce the deficit to and move to a surplus within that period.
We have reviewed the reserve level, taking into account the impact of the agreed strategy to ensure that our reserves remain above the agreed level for the next five years. Within this review, we have looked at a low and high scenario of the impact on the reserves once all agreed and proposed investments / divestments are undertaken.
The Disabilities Trust (trading as Brainkind) meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
The Board has concluded that the existing level of free reserves, available investment and cash balances, coupled with strong cost control and the implementation of our new strategy, are sufficient to ensure Brainkind has the resources to continue operating as a going concern, and to meet our obligations as they fall due. Having regard to the above, the Trustees are satisfied that there are no material uncertainties around the decision to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing these financial statements.
The Consolidated statement of financial activities (SOFA) and Consolidated balance sheet consolidate the financial statements of the Charity and its subsidiary undertaking. The results of the subsidiary are consolidated on a line by line basis.
The Charity has taken advantage of the exemption allowed under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not presented its own Statement of financial activities in these financial statements.
The Disabilities Trust (T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972)
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
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## Charitable activities
## 2.3. Income
Voluntary income including donations, gifts, legacies and grants, is recognised where there is entitlement, probability of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability. Such income is only deferred when:
These are the costs involved in activities where the aim is the objectives of the Charity. They include direct costs, support costs and governance costs as detailed below.
## Direct costs
- ✳ The donor specified that the grant or donation must only be used in future accounting periods, or
These include the cost of direct service delivery including all staff and other directly attributable costs.
- ✳ the donor has imposed conditions which must be met before the Charity has unconditional entitlement.
## Support costs
Support costs include the costs of the central support office functions such as central management, financial administration, human resources, information systems and finance costs. They have generally been allocated to cost categories on the basis of staff costs and staff numbers, which, in turn, is judged to allocate costs on a reasonable basis consistent with the activity’s use.
The following specific policies apply to certain categories of income:
- ✳ Income from fees is recognised as services are provided. Any amount received in advance of services being provided is included as deferred income. The majority of our funding is received from local authorities.
## Governance costs
Governance costs include those incurred in the governance of the Charity and its assets and are primarily associated with constitutional and statutory requirements.
- ✳ Donated goods or services are included in the financial statements at an estimate based on the value of the donation to the Charity.
- ✳ Grants are included in the statement of financial activities when the conditions for receipt have been complied with.
## 2.5. Interest receivable
- ✳ Investment income is included in the statement of financial activities when receivable, including recoverable tax.
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Group; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.
## 2.4. Expenditure
Expenditure has been charged to the statement of financial activities on an accrual basis. Costs are shown inclusive of any related value added tax.
## 2.6. Intangible fixed assets and amortisation
Intangible fixed assets represent development costs capitalised in accordance with FRS 102. These are stated at historical cost and amortised on a straight line basis over their useful lives (four years).
Expenditure categories noted below are analysed in the various notes to the financial statements:
## Raising funds
Goodwill is amortised on a straight line basis over its useful life of 10 years.
Costs of raising funds are the costs incurred in attracting voluntary income.
The Disabilities Trust (T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972)
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50
Negative goodwill is assessed annual for impairment and amortisation, amortisation is credited to the profit and loss account in the periods in which the non-monetary assets acquired are recovered.
an ongoing basis are measured at fair value annually with any change recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities. The valuations are estimated by appropriately qualified professional valuers. No depreciation or amortisation is provided in respect of freehold or leasehold investment properties.
Amortisation is recognised in the statement of financial activities under expenditure on charitable activities.
## Investment funds:
Investments are stated in the balance sheet using the mid-price at market value. All realised and unrealised gains and losses are taken to the statement of financial activities and are reflected in “(losses) / gains” on investment assets”. Realised gains and losses are calculated as the difference between market value at the beginning of the year and sale proceeds. Unrealised gains are derived from movement in market value during the year.
## 2.7. Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Tangible fixed assets are capitalised at cost at the acquisition date.
Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost less their residual value over their estimated useful lives of all tangible fixed assets other than freehold land by equal annual installments over their expected useful lives.
Investments in subsidiaries are valued at cost less provision for impairment.
Depreciation is provided on the following bases:
## Freehold buildings - 2% per annum
Short leasehold improvements - over period of lease Motor vehicles - 33.3% per annum on high mileage vehicles and 15% per annum on people carriers Fixtures and fittings - 15% per annum Computer equipment - 25% per annum
## 2.9. Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the transaction amount, net of trade discounts and are reduced by amounts which are not considered to be recoverable.
No depreciation is provided on freehold land.
Impairment reviews are only carried out if there is an indication that the recoverable amount of a tangible fixed asset is below its net book value.
## 2.10. Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and 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.
Properties under construction are stated at cost. Cost comprises directly attributable costs and borrowing costs. Such properties are not depreciated until they are reclassified after completion.
There is a de minimis capitalisation limit of £5,000.
## 2.11. Current asset investments
Current asset investments include investment funds which are held for resale or pending their sale and cash on deposit with a maturity date of less than one year held for short-term investment purposes rather than cashflow. Current asset investment funds are stated in the balance sheet using the mid-price at market value.
## 2.8. Investments
## Investment properties:
Investment properties for which fair value can be measured reliably without undue cost or effort on
The Disabilities Trust (T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972)
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
51
## 2.15. Operating leases
All realised and unrealised gains and losses are taken to the statement of financial activities and are reflected in “(losses)/gains on investment assets”. Realised gains and losses are calculated as the difference between market value at the beginning of the year and sale proceeds. Unrealised gains are derived from movement in market value during the year.
Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Consolidated statement of financial activities on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
## 2.16. Pensions
The Group operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the Group to the fund in respect of the year.
## 2.12. Creditors
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 any trade discounts due.
## 2.17. Fund accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Group and which have not been designated for other purposes.
## 2.13. Employee benefits
Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Short-term employee benefits and contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as an expense in the period in which they are earned.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Group for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Redundancy costs are recognised as an expense in the period in which the Charity becomes irrevocably committed to incurring the costs and the main features of the plans have been announced to affected employees.
Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.
## 2.14. Foreign currency
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date. Exchange differences are included in the consolidated statement of financial activities for the period in which they are incurred.
The Disabilities Trust (T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972)
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
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## 3. Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement
## Payroll accruals
Payroll accruals have been provided in these financial statements as the compensation owed to employees to the end of the period, plus any payroll taxes related to those unpaid wages.
In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees have made the following judgements:
The May payroll is used and any salaries for the month of May are removed (because these are actuals) along with any backpay, stakeholder or oneoff payments are removed, leaving those elements that would be characteristic of the May pay. These are divided by 31 and multiplied by 26 days which were the remaining days after the cut-off date. A provision is made for National Insurance and Pension.
## Impairment
The determination of whether there are any indicators of impairment applicable to the Charity’s tangible assets. Factors taken into consideration in reaching such a decision include the economic viability and expected future financial performance of the asset and where it is a component of a larger cash generating service, the viability and expected future performance of that service.
## Provision for bad and doubtful debts
To determine an appropriate level of bad and doubtful debt provision, we regularly review the total level of debt, age of debts and known risks that may impact recoverability, both for individual debts and for total amounts owed by funders.
## Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets, other than investment properties, are depreciated over their useful lives taking into account residual values, where appropriate. The actual lives of the assets and residual values are assessed annually and may vary depending on a number of factors. In reassessing asset lives, factors such as technological innovation, product life cycles and maintenance programmes are taken into account. Residual value assessments consider issues such as future market conditions, the remaining life of the asset and projected disposal values.
## Dilapidation provisions
Dilapidation provisions have been provided in these financial statements to reflect the Charity’s estimate of repair costs which will need to be carried out when returning leased properties back to their original state. The provisions are based on the average provision required for each property leased.
The Disabilities Trust (T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972)
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
53
## 4. Income from donations and legacies
## For the year ended 31 May 2025
|||2025 Unrestricted funds||2025 Restricted funds||2025 Total|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||£000||£000||£000|
|Other donations and gifts||27||94||121|
|Grants||-||-||-|
|Total 2025||27||94||121|
|||2024 Unrestricted funds||2024 Restricted funds||2024 Total|
|||£000||£000||£000|
|Other donations and gifts||40||77||117|
|Grants||12||58||70|
|Total 2024||52||135||187|
The Disabilities Trust (T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972)
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
54
## 5. Income from charitable activities
## For the year ended 31 May 2025
|||2025 Unrestricted funds||2025 Total|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||£000||£000|
|Physical disabilities||7,960||7,960|
|Brain injury||49,639||49,639|
|Community services||9,493||9,493|
|Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust||6,328||6,328|
|Total 2025||73,420||73,420|
|||2024 Unrestricted funds||2024 Total|
|||£000||£000|
|Physical disabilities||7,501||7,501|
|Brain injury||40,379||40,379|
|Community services||9,134||9,134|
|Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust||3,066||3,066|
|Total 2024||60,080||60,080|
The Disabilities Trust (T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972)
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
55
## 6. Investment income
|6. Investment income||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||2025 Unrestricted funds||2025 Total|
||||£000||£000|
|Dividend income from listed investments|||117||117|
|Bank deposit interest receivable|||165||165|
|Total 2025|||282||282|
||||2024 Unrestricted funds||2024 Total|
||||£000||£000|
|Dividend income from listed investments|||288||288|
|Bank deposit interest receivable|||322||322|
|Total 2024|||610||610|
|||||||
|7. Other incoming sources||||||
||||2025 Unrestricted funds||2025 Total|
||||£000||£000|
|Other income|||1,103||1,103|
|Surplus on sale of fxed assets|||2||2|
|Total 2025|||1,105||1,105|
||||2024 Unrestricted funds||2024 Total|
||||£000||£000|
|Other income|||259||259|
|Surplus on sale of fxed assets|||4||4|
|Total 2024|||263||263|
The Disabilities Trust (T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972)
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
56
## 8. Expenditure on raising funds
|||2025 Unrestricted funds||2025 Restricted funds||2025 Total|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||£000||£000||£000|
|Fundraising costs||137||-||137|
|Investment management costs||22||-||22|
|Total 2025||159||-||159|
|||2024 Unrestricted funds||2024 Restricted funds||2024 Total|
|||£000||£000||£000|
|Fundraising costs||59||-||59|
|Investment management costs||54||-||54|
|Total 2024||113||-||113|
The Disabilities Trust (T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972)
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
57
## 9. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities
|||2025 Unrestricted funds||2025 Restricted funds||2025 Total|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||£000||£000||£000|
|Physical disabilities||8,895||-||8,895|
|Brain injury||57,458||-||57,458|
|Community services||7,903||-||7,903|
|The Brainkind Foundation||708||-||708|
|Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust||6,544||-||6,544|
|Total 2025||81,508||-||81,508|
|||2024 Unrestricted funds||2024 Restricted funds||2024 Total|
|||£000||£000||£000|
|Physical disabilities||8,102||143||8,245|
|Brain injury||40,914||-||40,914|
|Community services||10,380||-||10,380|
|The Brainkind Foundation||398||-||398|
|Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust||6,664||-||6,664|
|Total 2024||66,458||143||66,601|
The Disabilities Trust (T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972)
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
58
## 10. Analysis of expenditure by activities
|||Activities undertaken directly 2025||Support costs 2025||Total|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||£000||£000||£000|
|Physical disabilities||7,631||1,264||8,895|
|Brain injury||50,018||7,439||57,457|
|Community services||6,393||1,510||7,903|
|The Brainkind Foundation||614||96||710|
|Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust||5,375||1,168||6,543|
|Total 2025||70,031||11,477||81,508|
|||Activities undertaken directly 2024||Support costs 2024||Total|
|||£000||£000||£000|
|Physical disabilities||6,863||1,383||8,246|
|Brain injury||33,955||6,959||40,914|
|Community services||8,614||1,765||10,379|
|The Brainkind Foundation||331||68||399|
|Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust||5,530||1,133||6,663|
|Total 2024||55,293||11,308||66,601|
The Disabilities Trust (T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972)
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
59
## Analysis of support costs
|2025||Physical
disabilities||Brain injury||Community
services|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||£000||£000||£000|
|Staff and training||568||3,341||678|
|Other||666||3,918||795|
|Governance||31||180||37|
|Total 2025||1,265||7,439||1,510|
|2025||The Brainkind
Foundation||Brain Injury
Rehabilitation
Trust||Total|
|||£000||£000||£000|
|Staff and training||43||525||5,154|
|Other||50||615||6,044|
|Governance||2||28||279|
|Total 2025||95||1,168||11,477|
|2024||Physical
disabilities||Brain injury||Community
services|
|||£000||£000||£000|
|Staff and training||707||3,557||902|
|Other||665||3,345||849|
|Governance||11||57||14|
|Total 2024||1,383||6,959||1,765|
|2024||The Brainkind
Foundation||Brain Injury
Rehabilitation
Trust||Total|
|||£000||£000||£000|
|Staff and training||34||579||5,779|
|Other||33||545||5,437|
|Governance||1||9||92|
|Total 2024||68||1,133||11,308|
The Disabilities Trust (T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972)
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
60
## 11. Auditor’s remuneration
Auditors remuneration for statutory audit services after Taxation.
|||2025||2024|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||£000||£000|
|- Parent||73||59|
|- Subsidiaries||4||-|
|Taxation compliance services - Albert Goodman LLP||37||9|
|All assurance services not included above||8||1|
## 12. Staff costs
|12. Staff costs|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||Group 2025||Group 2024||Charity 2025||Charity 2024|
|||£000||£000||£000||£000|
|Wages and salaries||45,250||37,992||40,826||35,862|
|Social security costs||4,879||3,570||4,433||3,369|
|Contribution to defned contribution pension schemes||2,043||1,738||1,909||1,689|
|Other employee benefts||2,533||69||2,393||69|
|Payments made to independent third parties for the
provision of staff||8,335||7,555||7,746||7,220|
|Total||63,040||50,924||57,307||48,209|
Payments made to independent third parties for providing staff are costs incurred as a result of staff vacancies and cover being required while recruitment takes place. They also include costs arising of finding cover while staff are on holiday or off sick.
Included within wages and salaries are redundancy and termination payments of £31k (2024: £101k). These payments were made in light of a review of the resources required to deliver our five-year strategy.
The average number of persons employed by the Charity during the year was as follows:
|||Group|2025||Group|2024||Charity|2025||Charity|2024|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||No.|||No.|||No.|||No.|
|Provision of care|||1,576|||1,418|||1,423|||1,271|
|Support|||224|||211|||205|||194|
|Total|||1,800|||1,629|||1,628|||1,465|
The Disabilities Trust (T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972)
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
61
The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was:
|||Group 2025||Group 2024|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||No.||No.|
|In the band £60,001 - £70,000||14||8|
|In the band £70,001 - £80,000||7||7|
|In the band £80,001 - £90,000||5||5|
|In the band £90,001 - £100,000||2||2|
|In the band £100,001 - £110,000||1||2|
|In the band £110,001 - £120,000||2||3|
|In the band £120,001 - £130,000||2||1|
|In the band £130,001 - £140,000||-||1|
|In the band £140,001 - £150,000||1||-|
|In the band £150,001 - £160,000||-||-|
|In the band £160,001 - £220,000||-||-|
|In the band £220,001 - £230,000||1||1|
The Trustees consider that, along with themselves, members of the Senior Leadership Team (who are listed in the Trustees’ Report) are the Charity’s key management personnel. The total amount of employee benefits paid to members of the Senior Leadership Team in respect of their services to Brainkind (including remuneration, employer’s pension contributions, employers National Insurance and other benefits) was £1,533,902 (2024: £1,569,311) for the Charity.
## 13. Information regarding Trustees
No Trustees received any form of remuneration during the year (2024: Nil). Travel Expenses of £1,825 (2024: £1,426) were reimbursed to four Trustees during the year (2024: 3).
The cost of Trustees’ meetings amounted to £Nil (2024: £Nil) in the year.
During the year, we spent £19,200 on recruitment and retainer fees (2024: £Nil) as a result of a Board recruitment phase for five new Trustees (2024: no new Trustees).
The Trustees have used funds of the Charity to purchase Directors and Office Liability and Corporate Legal Liability Insurance at a cost of £5,010 (2024: £4,384).
The Disabilities Trust (T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972)
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
62
## 14. Intangible assets
## Group
|Group|||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||Software work
in progress||Computer
software||Goodwill||Negative
goodwill||Total|
|Cost||£000||£000||£000||£000||£000|
|At 1 June 2024||397||4,759||555||(21)||5,690|
|Additions||698||-||-||-||698|
|Disposals||-||-||-||-||-|
|Revaluations||-||-||-||-||-|
|Transfers between classes||(1,095)||1,095||-||-||-|
|At 31 May 2025||-||5,854||555||(21)||6,388|
|Amortisation||-||-||-||-||-|
|At 1 June 2024||-||3,784||56||(21)||3,819|
|Charge for the year||-||496||28||-||524|
|Impairment charge||-||-||-||-||-|
|At 31 May 2025||-||4,280||84||(21)||4,343|
|Net book value||-||-||-||-||-|
|At 31 May 2025||-||1,574||471||-||2,045|
|At 31 May 2024||397||975||499||-||1,871|
## Charity
|||Software work
in progress||Computer
software||Goodwill||Total|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Cost||£000||£000||£000||£000|
|At 1 June 2024||397||4,759||555||5,711|
|Additions||698||-||-||698|
|Disposals||-||-||-||-|
|Revaluations||-||-||-||-|
|Transfers between classes||(1,095)||1,095||-||-|
|At 31 May 2025||-||5,854||555||6,409|
|Amortisation||-||-||-||-|
|At 1 June 2024||-||3,784||56||3,840|
|Charge for the year||-||496||28||524|
|Impairment charge||-||-||-||-|
|At 31 May 2025||-||4,280||84||4,364|
|Net book value||-||-||-||-|
|At 31 May 2025||-||1,574||471||2,045|
|At 31 May 2024||397||975||499||1,871|
The Disabilities Trust (T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972)
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
63
## 15. Tangible fixed assets
## Group
|Group|||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||Freehold
property||Short leasehold
improvements||Motor vehicles||Fixtures
and fttings||Computer
equipment||Total|
|Cost or valuation||£000||£000||£000||£000||£000||£000|
|At 1 June 2024||94,161||130||201||8,690||1,481||104,663|
|Additions||-||-||-||775||113||888|
|On acquisition of subsidiaries||-||-||-||-||-||-|
|Disposals||(969)||-||(32)||(383)||-||(1,384)|
|Transfers between classes||-||-||-||-||-||-|
|At 31 May 2025||93,192||130||169||9,082||1,594||104,167|
|Depreciation|||||||||||||
|At 1 June 2024||15,980||130||127||4,269||763||21,269|
|Charge for the year||1,246||-||17||827||284||2,374|
|On disposals||(109)||-||(32)||(220)||-||(361)|
|At 31 May 2025||17,117||130||112||4,876||1,047||23,282|
|Net book value|||||||||||||
|At 31 May 2025||76,075||-||57||4,206||547||80,885|
|At 31 May 2024||78,181||-||74||4,421||718||83,394|
## Charity
|Charity|||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||Freehold
property||Short leasehold
improvements||Motor vehicles||Fixtures
and fttings||Computer
equipment||Total|
|Cost or valuation||£000||£000||£000||£000||£000||£000|
|At 1 June 2024||94,161||130||200||8,652||1,481||104,624|
|Additions||-||-||-||761||-||761|
|On acquisition of subsidiaries||-||-||-||-||-||-|
|Disposals||(969)||-||(32)||(383)||-||(1,384)|
|Transfers between classes||-||-||-||-||113||113|
|At 31 May 2025||93,192||130||168||9,030||1,594||104,114|
|Depreciation|||||||||||||
|At 1 June 2024||15,980||130||127||4,265||763||21,265|
|Charge for the year||1,246||-||17||821||284||2,368|
|On disposals||(109)||-||(32)||(222)||-||(363)|
|At 31 May 2025||17,117||130||112||4,864||1,047||23,270|
|Net book value|||||||||||||
|At 31 May 2025||76,075||-||56||4,166||547||80,844|
|At 31 May 2024||78,181||-||73||4,387||718||83,359|
The Disabilities Trust (T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972)
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
64
## 16. Investment property
## Group and Charity
|Freehold investment property||£000|
|---|---|---|
|Valuation|||
|At 1 June 2024||50|
|At 31 May 2025||50|
## 17. Fixed asset investments
## Group and Charity
|Group and Charity|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||Listed
investments||Cash on
deposit||Total|
|||£000||£000||£000|
|Cost or valuation|||||||
|At 1 June 2024||9,644||43||9,687|
|Additions||340||-||340|
|Disposals||(1,787)||-||(1,787)|
|Net gains||(66)||-||(66)|
|Movement in cash held as part of investment portfolio||-||39||39|
|At 31 May 2025||8,131||82||8,213|
|Net book value|||||||
|At 31 May 2025||8,131||82||8,213|
|At 31 May 2024||9,644||43||9,687|
## Investment portfolio
|Investment portfolio||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||2025|||2024|
|Investment portfolio||£000|||£000|
|Market value||||||
|Listed securities||6,144|||7,502|
|Fixed interest investments||688|||661|
|Infrastructure, alternatives and operating assets||646|||829|
|Other||528|||523|
|Cash and Near Cash||207|||172|
|Total||8,213|||9,687|
The Disabilities Trust (T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972)
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
65
## Principal subsidiaries
The following were subsidiary undertakings of the Charity:
|Names||Company
number||Registered offce or principal place
of business||Principal activity|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust
Limited (‘BIRT’’)||02863860||First Floor, 32 Market Place, Burgess
Hill, West Sussex, RH15 9NP||Residential care and social work
activities for the elderly and disabled|
|York House Ventures Limited (‘YHV’)||04735561||First Floor, 32 Market Place, Burgess
Hill, West Sussex, RH15 9NP||Dormant|
The financial results of the subsidiaries for the year were:
|Names||Income £000||Expenditure £000||Proft/(Loss)
for the year £000||Net liabilities £000|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust Limited
(‘BIRT’’)||6,331||(6,555)||(224)||(371)|
During the year expenses of £Nil (2024 - £Nil) were recharged by the Charity to BIRT. At the year end BIRT owed £691k (2024: £1,316).
## 18. Debtors
|||Group 2025||Group 2024||Charity 2025||Charity 2024|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||£000||£000||£000||£000|
|Due within one year|||||||||
|Trade debtors||10,259||13,477||9,703||12,206|
|Amounts owed by group undertakings||-||-||524||1,316|
|Other debtors||428||203||404||131|
|Prepayments and accrued income||1,039||1,330||1,015||1,307|
|Total||11,726||15,010||11,646||14,960|
The Disabilities Trust (T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972)
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
66
## 19. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
|||Group 2025||Group 2024||Charity 2025||Charity 2024|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||£000||£000||£000||£000|
|Bank overdrafts||-||1,331||-||1,326|
|Trade creditors||1,310||1,681||1,098||1,614|
|Other taxation and social security||3,564||1,008||3,527||1,008|
|Other creditors||1,495||1,157||1,565||1,156|
|Accruals and deferred income||3,635||4,323||3,321||4,167|
|Total||10,004||9,500||9,511||9,271|
Accruals and deferred income include deferred income for 2025 and 2024, as follows:
|||Group 2025||Group 2024||Charity 2025||Charity 2024|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||£000||£000||£000||£000|
|Fees received for care to be provided
after 31 May 2025||2,194||900||156||897|
|Deferred grants||164||164||164||164|
|Total||2,358||1,064||320||1,061|
The deferred income, income invoiced prior to the 31st May 2025 in respect of June 2025 will be credited to the 2026 Statement of Financial Activities.
Accruals and other creditors include pension contributions of £263,528 (2024: £177,000).
## 20. Provisions
Group and Charity
|20. Provisions
Group and Charity|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||Dilapidations provision||Retentions provision||Total|
|||£000||£000||£000|
|At 1 June 2025||376||287||663|
|Additions||159||31||190|
|Amounts used||-||(32)||(32)|
|At 31 May 2025||535||286||821|
The Disabilities Trust (T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972)
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
67
## 21. Statement of funds
Current year
|Current year|||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||Balance at
1 June 2024||Income||Expenditure||Transfers
in/out||Gains/
(Losses)||Balance at
31 May 2025|
|||£000||£000||£000||£000||£000||£000|
|Designated funds|||||||||||||
|Investment in intangible and
tangible fxed assets||85,267||-||-||(2,337)||-||82,930|
|Unrestricted funds||17,543||74,834||(81,667)||2,337||(66)||12,981|
|Total Unrestricted funds||102,810||74,834||(81,667)||-||(66)||95,911|
|Restricted funds||106||94||-||-||-||200|
|Total of funds||102,916||74,928||(81,667)||-||(66)||96,111|
## Designated fund
## Restricted fund
The purpose of the designated funds is explained in the accounting policies.
Restricted funds are comprised of grants and donations made covering projects for spend at services.
The investment in intangible and tangible fixed assets represents funds spent on capitalised assets, as disclosed in notes 14 and 15.
The transfers shown above are as follows:
- Transfers from fixed asset general fund to unrestricted general funds - £2,337k
- (2024: £4,321k)
- Transfers from Brainkind Neurological Centre
- in York (formerly “Investment in Chocolate Works”)
- designated fund to fixed asset designated
- fund - £0 (2024: £5,204k)
- Transfers from restricted funds to unrestricted
- general funds of amounts not restricted in nature
- of £0 (2024 – £113k)
The Disabilities Trust (T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972)
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
68
## Statement of funds - prior year
|||Balance at
1 June 2023||Income||Expenditure||Transfers
in/out||Gains/
(Losses)||Balance at
31 May 2024|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||£000||£000||£000||£000||£000||£000|
|Unrestricted funds||-||-||-||-||-||-|
|Designated funds||64,313||-||-||20,954||-||85,267|
|Investment in intangible and
tangible fxed assets||5,204||-||-||(5,204)||-||-|
|Investment in Brainkind|||||||||||||
|Neurological Centre in York
(formerly “Investment in||17,000||-||-||(17,000)||-||-|
|Chocolate Works”)|||||||||||||
|Investment in neurological
rehabilitation services||86,517||-||-||(1,250)||-||85,267|
|General funds - all funds||20,449||61,005||(66,571)||1,412||1,248||17,543|
|Total Unrestricted funds||106,966||61,005||(66,571)||162||1,248||102,810|
|Restricted Funds - all funds||276||135||(143)||(162)||-||106|
|Total of funds||107,242||61,140||(66,714)||-||1,248||102,916|
## 22. Summary of funds
Current year
|Current year|||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||Balance at
1 June 2024||Income|Expenditure||Transfers
in/out||Gains/
(Losses)||Balance at
31 May 2025|
||£000||£000|£000||£000||£000||£000|
|Designated funds|85,267||-|-||(2,337)||-||82,930|
|General funds|17,543||74,834|81,667||2,337||(66)||12,981|
|Restricted funds|106||94|-||-||-||200|
|Total|102,916||74,928|81,667||-||(66)||96,111|
Prior year
|Prior year||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||Balance at
1 June 2023||Income||Expenditure||Transfers
in/out||Gains/
(Losses)||Balance at
31 May 2024|
||£000||£000||£000||£000||£000||£000|
|Designated funds|86,517||-||-||(1,250)||-||85,267|
|General funds|20,449||61,005||(66,571)||1,412||1,248||17,543|
|Restricted funds|276||135||(143)||(162)||-||106|
|Total|107,242||61,140||(66,714)||-||1,248||102,916|
The Disabilities Trust (T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972)
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
69
## 23. Analysis of net assets between funds
|Current period||2025 Unrestricted funds||2025 Restricted funds||2025 Total|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||£000||£000||£000|
|Tangible fxed assets||80,885||-||80,885|
|Intangible fxed assets||2,045||-||2,045|
|Fixed asset investments||8,213||-||8,213|
|Investment property||50||-||50|
|Current assets||15,543||200||15,743|
|Creditors due within one year||(10,004)||-||(10,004)|
|Provisions for liabilities
and charges||(821)||-||(821)|
|Total 2025||95,911||200||96,111|
|Prior period||2024 Unrestricted funds||2024 Restricted funds||2024 Total|
|||£000||£000||£000|
|Tangible fxed assets||83,394||-||83,394|
|Intangible fxed assets||1,871||-||1,871|
|Fixed asset investments||9,687||-||9,687|
|Investment property||50||-||50|
|Current assets||17,971||106||18,077|
|Creditors due within one year||(9,500)||-||(9,500)|
|Provisions for liabilities
and charges||(663)||-||(663)|
|Total 2024||102,810||106||102,916|
The Disabilities Trust (T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972)
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
70
## 24. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities
|||Group 2025||Group 2024|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||£000||£000|
|Net expenditure for the period
(as per Statement of Financial Activities)||(6,805)||(4,326)|
|Adjustments for:|||||
|Depreciation charges||2,898||2,530|
|Losses/(gains) on investments||66||(1,248)|
|Dividends, interests and rents from investments||(282)||(610)|
|Loss on the sale of fxed assets||1,024||21|
|Decrease in debtors||3,284||(5,761)|
|Increase in creditors||504||1,669|
|Increase/(decrease) in provisions||158||(298)|
|Net cash used in operating activities||847||(8,023)|
## 25. Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
|||Group 2025||Group 2024|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||£000||£000|
|Cash in hand||4,017||3,067|
|Cash held in investments||82||42|
|Total cash and cash equivalents||4,099||3,109|
The Disabilities Trust (T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972)
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
71
## 26. Analysis of changes in net debt
|||At 1 June 2024||Cash fows||At 31 May 2025|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||£000||£000|||
|Cash at bank and in hand||3,067||950||4,017|
|Bank overdrafts repayable on demand||(1,661)||1,661||-|
## 27. Capital commitments
|||Group 2025||Group 2024||Charity 2025||Charity 2024|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||£000||£000||£000||£000|
|Contracted for but not provided in|||||||||
|these fnancial statements||-||-||-||-|
## 28. Pension commitments
The Charity makes payments to individual employees’ personal pension plans. There is also a defined contribution pension scheme for the benefit of employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Charity in an independently administered fund.
There were no prepaid contributions at either the beginning or the end of the financial year.
Contributions amounted to £2,027,616 (2024: £1,689,000) during the year of which £263,528 (2024: £222,000) had not been paid at the year end.
## 29. Funds held as custodian Trustees
At the year end, the Charity held monies totalling £233,000 (2024: £245,000) on behalf of its clients. These monies are not included within the balance sheet and are held separately in clearly identifiable bank accounts.
The Disabilities Trust (T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972)
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
72
## 30. Operating lease commitments
At 31 May 2025 the Group and the Charity had commitments to make future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:
|||Group 2025||Group 2024||Charity 2025||Charity 2024|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||£000||£000||£000||£000|
|Not later than one year||342||258||342||258|
|Later than one year and not later than
fve years||187||148||187||148|
|Total||529||406||529||406|
The following lease payments have been recognised as an expense in the Statement of financial activities:
|||Group|2025||Group|2024||Company|2025||Charity|2024|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||£000|||£000|||£000|||£000|
|Operating lease charges|||784|||1,058|||780|||1,035|
## 31. Related party transactions
Information regarding Trustees transactions and balances have been disclosed separately in note 13. Transactions and balances with the subsidiary company, Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust, are disclosed in note 17.
There were no other related party transactions in the year.
## 32. Post Balance sheet events
On 31 October 2025 the decision was made by the Board of Trustees to close The Chantry service in Ipswich. Despite our best efforts, the service remains financially and operationally unsustainable. This has been communicated to all stakeholders including employees.
Brainkind is working with the local authorities and ICB’s as part of this transition. The current planned date of closure is the 30 April 2026. Costs are unknown at this stage.
The Disabilities Trust (T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972)
Brainkind: Annual Report 2024-25
73
## About Brainkind
We are the UK’s leading charity helping people to thrive after a brain injury and to live with other neurological conditions.
Our services include neurological centres, rehabilitation and supported living. We provide innovative, personalised and compassionate rehabilitation and ongoing support to people with brain injuries and other neurological conditions.
Find out more at brainkind.org
Brainkind, 32 Market Place, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 9NP Email info@brainkind.org Tel 01444 239123
The Disabilities Trust (T/A) Brainkind is a registered charity in England and Wales (800797) and in Scotland (SC038972). A company limited by guarantee 2334589. © 2025 Brainkind.