The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and "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)".
Our charitable purposes are to promote relief for people living with pain and those caring for them and promote the preservation and protection of their physical and mental health. Our objectives are to alleviate pain and suffering and to empower people to live a full life despite pain.
Our central activities are to inform and support.
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We do so through a variety of media platforms:
our website provides news and information as well as a hub for accessing our other services and signposting to local support
our podcast, Airing Pain, features the experiences of those living with everyday pain and interviews with top, internationally recognised experts
our magazine, Pain Matters, is authored by pain experts and people living with pain, and explores the latest ideas and advice about pain
our Self-Management Navigator Tool helps patients and professionals work together to improve life with pain
our range of social media profiles allows us to keep our followers up to speed with all news
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We also provide spaces where people can feel safe and understood:
our helpline is staffed by trained volunteers who provide information, reassurance or just a listening ear to people wanting to talk about their own pain or that of a family member or friend
our online community on HealthUnlocked offers a place for people in pain to connect with each other
our education sessions are delivered by educators with lived experience
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More broadly, we conduct and participate in research providing insight into the state of pain management services and the experiences of people in pain. We work with similarly minded organisations to raise awareness of pain and advocate for improvements in pain education and pain management provision.
People are suffering. We’re offering solutions
At Pain Concern we step forward to embrace our pain community – those with pain, and those who care for them (friends, family, health and care professionals) – hoping to achieve a world where pain is better understood and does not stop people living the life they choose to live. Here is some of our progress towards that vision.
Celebrating 30 years of publishing and podcasting
Everything we’ve learned about transforming life with pain distilled into three groundbreaking resources
Education, education, education
Pain Matters issue 89. Guest editors Lyn Watson and Lyndsay McLean have gathered and updated our most important publications to create a Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Life with Pain. A compendium of information you’ll return to again and again, it’s free to read at pocketmags.com/pain-matters-magazine (print copies are also available). Our thanks go to the Edinburgh & Lothian Trust Fund for an award that made this possible.
Airing Pain episode 150. Our award-winning producer, Paul Evans, visits a pain education session to see how people’s lives are being transformed through learning about pain and its management.
Pain Education videos. Paul has also created a series of short promotional videos about pain education. Two are for display screens in waiting areas: one for NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, the other for wider use. As well as advertising the sessions, we will use them to educate health and care professionals.
Contributors
‘I’m a huge advocate for health services collaborating with third sector organisations and people with lived experience’ – Lyn Watson, guest editor of Pain Matters
‘The best thing that happened to me is not that my pain has got better. I still have the same pain, but I manage it a lot better through education so that I’m in control of the pain instead of the pain being in control of me’ – pain educator, Airing Pain 150
‘When people come to the sessions, they've often not had much success managing their pain… you find many start to become more open, more receptive, more hopeful’ – pain educator, Pain Education video
What they said
‘A participant told us, ”I really wanted to attend, so I put £20 aside for taxis out of my benefits.” We gave her a lift home and she chatted about her life, her family and living in a deprived area in a high-rise tenement with chronic pain. She reminded me why we do this’ – John Finch, Pain Concern trustee
‘I’m really looking forward to the session. I found out about it via the Airing Pain podcast, and I found that so helpful’ – Airing Pain listener
‘A great summary of the most important aspects of pain education and pain management strategies. Brilliant’ – Pain Matters reader
Manage your healthcare appointments: The Self-Management Navigator Tool
An award-winning, interactive document for managing healthcare appointments to focus on what matters to you
Patients and professionals work together to improve life with pain
Recognised by NICE
Internationally respected
What they said
‘One thing Pain Concern should be justly proud of is the Navigator Tool. We use this in our clinic and people find it enormously helpful in getting the most out of an appointment’ – Dr Cathy Price, consultant in pain medicine, chair of Pain Concern
‘It’s a revelation using something like this’ – person living with pain
Magazines
Informed self-management
We receive a wealth of contributions from around the world by healthcare professionals, social scientists, researchers and people living with pain.
Recent issues support evidence-based self-care and explore societal factors influencing pain, suggesting ways of achieving positive change.
Not wanting to lose anything, by going digital we can extend special issues to 28 pages (almost twice the usual size!).
Impact
Smartphone friendly
Bumper size
Subscriptions run from only £1.75/issue, and give access to the digital back catalogue
Non-subscribers may access 2 free issues, including Our Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Life with Pain
An audio option transforms each issue into a podcast
Print copies remain available
Our contributors
‘Health inequalities do not arise by chance nor are they an inevitable consequence of society. They are often the result of political decisions, and can therefore be reduced and removed. It is up to all of us, individually and collectively, to do this – for the benefit of everyone’ – guest editors Cassandra Macgregor and Blair H. Smith
‘It was like I was asking for their own money, it was like I didn’t deserve it’ – Billy Nugent, contributor who lives with pain, about PIP assessment
‘Pain is influenced by all aspects of life. Pain Matters covers a multitude of approaches and activities that can help us be active participants in our health and wellbeing, aiding our management of pain’ – guest editors Dr Cathy Stannard and Chris Davis
‘Art and pain go hand in hand. I’ve always said I’m self-medicating: art is what I do to work through the pain and disengage from it’ – Jason Wilsher-Mills, artist and creator of the Jason and the Adventure of 254 exhibition, which is now touring the UK
What they said
‘There is so much information in this magazine. Compassion and protecting wellbeing is vital – I’m going to try the neurographic art’
‘I found the assertive responses to being told that pain is all in the mind particularly helpful’
‘The section on reducing medication was helpful and relevant as it’s something I am considering at the moment’
Airing Pain
Podcasts – radio – transcripts
Drawing on over 30 years’ experience of working with the BBC, award-winning producer Paul Evans brings considerations of audience, language, content and structure when creating a programme. The result is 150 podcasts that provide clear, accurate and up-to-date information, bridging the gap between professional and public education.
British Pain Society and Faculty of Pain Medicine
Many Airing Pain podcasts are produced in partnership with the British Pain Society (BPS), who invite Paul to interview internationally recognised experts, researchers and people with pain at their scientific meetings. We also value the recognition of the Faculty of Pain Medicine, who award medical professionals Continuing Professional Development credits when they listen to and reflect on Airing Pain episodes.
Contributors
‘In IBS the very latest research suggests that actually it’s a localised allergy specific to the gut’ – Professor David Bulmer, associate professor, University of Cambridge, #146
‘Autism affected how I felt the pain, how I reported the pain and how I accepted a doctor telling me “There’s nothing wrong with you, go away”’ – Ren Martin, learning disability nurse who has autism, #148
‘We know that children – human children, rodent children – are much more sensitive to pain’ – Gareth Hathway, professor of neuroscience, University of Nottingham, #149
Impact
1100 listeners every month
600 transcriptions downloaded every month
Broadcasts available on the HM Prison radio and on Able Radio, a broadcaster at the heart of the disabled community
The BPS awarded Paul Evans an Honorary Membership in recognition of his contribution to the alleviation of pain
What they said
‘Your podcast is a great learning tool for me as a clinician and an excellent resource for those living with pain’ – regular listener, Dr John O’Sullivan, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital
‘It is easy to slip into the role of patient and give up our agency. It was great that this was discussed in #145’ – listener
‘In #149, the discussion on how childhood experiences can influence outcomes later in life was particularly compelling’ – Des Quinn, chair of Fibromyalgia Action UK
Helpline
Someone to turn to when there’s nowhere to turn
Helpliners with lived experience of pain provide information, support and empathy
What they said
‘I don’t know how to put into words how much the helpline call meant this morning’ – caller
‘Thank you.’ – caller
Impact
200 callers helped every month
Helplines Partnership provides training and set standards
Clinically led supervision
Online Community on HealthUnlocked
You’re never alone with pain – peer support since 2010
Where people can connect and feel understood
Gives us direct insight into the challenges people are facing, keeping our work focused on key issues
‘A safe space for people to share their pain stories and an outlet for both frustration and humour’ – online community coordinator
Impact
Every month
1,600 active members
280 new posts
150 new members
The 2-hour Pain Education Session
Learn more about pain and what you can do for yourself
For anyone who has had pain for over 12 weeks
Produced through a unique partnership with the NHS
Delivered by educators with lived experience
What they said
‘Made me feel so much less isolated’ – participant
‘I’ve come away with realistic action points that might make my life a little easier’ – participant
‘Collaborative working with people experiencing persistent pain at its centre’ – Lyn Watson, chair of the Pain Education Steering Group and national lead clinician for the Scottish Government
Impact
Regular steering group meetings and supervision sessions
42 education sessions delivered
A collaboration across 5 health boards
99% of participants would recommend
Dr Cassandra Macgregor’s evaluation will be published very soon
Mindfulness sessions
Learning to live with pain and emotions one moment at a time
Online taster sessions and courses led by mindfulness teacher Cath Ashby
‘I am amazed at how it has improved my mental health and ability to cope with pain’ – participant
Website, news and social media
Meeting our pain community
Where we
Say who we are, who we work with and how we deliver our mission
Share everything we know about navigating life with pain
Celebrate volunteers and fundraisers, explaining how you, too, can support us
Marked 2025’s Global Pain Awareness Month with a new online hub of tools and resources
Impact
We have 10.5K followers across our social media platforms
Every month
17K visit our pages
900 download our support resources
2000 receive our news
Volunteers, supporters, fundraisers
When pain becomes purpose
The Rt. Hon Lord Provost Robert Aldridge visited our office to celebrate Heather Wallace winning the 2024 Inspiring Volunteer Award, inviting her to the 2025 Garden Party at The Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Volunteer Edinburgh’s 2025 Inspiring Awards honoured 2 volunteers: Marjorie Fisher, for her contributions to our social media and website operations, and Urszula Sadecka, for her contributions to our bookkeeping.
What they said
‘It’s a real privilege to fundraise for such a great cause’ – Professor Cormac Ryan, London Marathon runner
‘I am very admiring of the work Pain Concern do for my patients. This is a small way of me giving back’ – Dr Deepak Ravindran, London Landmarks Half Marathon runner
Shaping our future
Pain Concern hosted Jennie Minto, MSP and Minister for Public Health and Women's Health in Scotland, and key chronic pain stakeholders at our office. A united commitment emerged to prioritise chronic pain in government policy, ensuring the voices of those affected shape future services and decision-making.
We’ve attended meetings of the British Pain Society (BPS), North British Pain Association (NBPA) and Scottish Pain and Research Community (SPaRC). We delivered a presentation on the patients’ perspective at the Chronic Pain Neurotechnology Network (CPNN+), and helped set up the Scottish Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) in Pain Research, attending its inaugural meeting hosted by SPaRC and NHS Research Scotland (NRS).
Impact
‘Including people living with pain in your research can change its trajectory’ – Ian Taverner, chair of the Public Advisory Group of the Consortium to Research Individual, Interpersonal and Social Influences in Pain (CRIISP), in Airing Pain #147
Improving care
We’ve played an active role in working groups dedicated to improving support for people living with pain. Through the Scottish Government’s Chronic Pain Prescribing Guideline, the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) and the development of a Pain Education Hub for healthcare professionals, we’re helping shape better-informed, more compassionate care across the UK.
Local community action continues, including library drop-ins, events hosted by the DWP and by industry, and Community Appointment Days for Chronic Pain by the Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership and NHS Grampian.
Driving change
Pain is the world’s leading cause of disability and poor health. We support the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)’s annual campaign to raise awareness and drive change. In 2026, they will tackle Neuropathic Pain. There’s much to do…
The trustees are confident that the charity will continue its activities on a going-concern basis, and accordingly the accounts have been prepared on that basis.
Policy on reserves
The trustees’ policy is to maintain sufficient reserves to cover between 3 and 6 months’ worth of general expenditure. The trustees are confident that the charity had, at the balance sheet date, general reserves sufficient for three months’ operation.
Risks
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate the major risks. The charity is a member of SAFEcic who provide expert advice on how to attain the highest levels of safeguarding. The charity maintains a Risk Register that is reviewed regularly.
Pain Concern is a charitable company limited by guarantee and not having share capital. The charitable purposes, powers and administration arrangements are set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year were:
Trustees are appointed by members at the AGM; in addition, the trustees have limited powers to co-opt trustees to fill vacancies that materialise during the year.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report on the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 10 to 19.
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006, and they consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1)(a) to (c) of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section44(1)(c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to our attention.
My examination was carried out in accordance with the Statement of Standards for Reporting Accountants and Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 44(1)(a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations; and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of Regulation 8 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities;
have not been met or
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The financial statements were approved by the trustees on
Pain Concern is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in Scotland. The registered office is 62 - 66 Newcraighall Road, Fort Kinnaird, Edinburgh, EH15 3HS.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and “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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, [modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value]. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going-concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Expenditure is recognised when a liability is incurred.
Charitable activities include expenditure associated with the staging of productions and include both direct and support costs relating to these activities.
Governance costs include those incurred in the governance of the charity and its assets and are primarily associated with constitutional and statutory requirements.
Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to the charitable activity on a basis consistent with their use.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Core funding
Sale of goods
Performance-related grants
Fees
Direct costs
Marketing
Other costs
Travel
Overheads
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).