1. Introduction
As Chairperson of the Pendragon Community Trust, I am pleased to present our annual statement for 2025. The Trust continues to provide essential support and services to children and adults with profound learning disabilities across North Yorkshire. Our Multi-Sensory Centre in Northallerton remains a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment where individuals can access a wide range of sensory experiences and therapeutic activities designed to enhance well-being, development, and quality of life.
2. Service Development
Throughout the year, Trustees and staff have remained committed to the Trust's core objective of delivering high-quality specialist sensory provision. We have continued to develop our activities and resources to ensure that service users and their families benefit from a stimulating and supportive environment. The positive feedback we receive from those who use the centre reinforces the importance of the services we provide and the difference they make in the local community.
3. Organisational and Technology Improvements
During 2025, we continued to build upon the technology improvements introduced in previous years. The Trust has further developed its use of digital systems to support governance, administration, communication, and service delivery. These developments have improved operational efficiency and enabled us to engage more effectively with service users, families, staff, and Trustees while maintaining appropriate standards of information security.
4. Financial and Operational Review
The Trust has continued to manage its resources responsibly throughout the year. As with many charitable organisations, maintaining sustainable funding remains a key priority. We are grateful to our supporters, fundraisers, volunteers, donors, and partner organisations whose continued generosity helps us provide vital services. Their support enables us to keep services accessible while maintaining the high standards expected by those who rely on our centre. We continue to receive support from individual donors, alongside grant funding from organisations that share and support our work, for which we are extremely grateful.
We would like to acknowledge the exceptional contribution of the Pendragon 10K Team, whose dedication and hard work in organising the annual Northallerton 10K Run continue to make it one of the Trust's most important fundraising activities. The event has become a valued fixture in the local community and plays a significant role in supporting the Trust's annual budget. We are extremely grateful to the volunteers, participants, sponsors, and supporters whose efforts help ensure the continued success of the event and make a meaningful contribution to the financial sustainability of Pendragon.
5. Looking Forward
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all Trustees, staff, volunteers, supporters, and families for their dedication and commitment during the year. We also extend our sincere thanks and best wishes to Kate Ross on her retirement, and recognise her valuable contributions and support during her time with us.
Our focus in the year ahead is to continue developing Pendragon as a centre of excellence for specialist sensory provision. We will further enhance the experiences available within the centre and continue to utilise technology to strengthen the management of the Trust and improve communication with those who use our services. Through these efforts, we remain committed to delivering the highest quality support for children and adults with profound learning disabilities.
The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 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).
The Pendragon Community Trust has established a local non-residential facility for people with special needs. The trust has constructed a purpose built sensory centre to provide stimulation to those with profound learning difficulties, which opened in July 2016.
The trustees and staff work together to develop the charity's strategic plan, from which priorities are set and specific work plans devised. Throughout this process the trustees have regard to the charity commission's guidance on public benefit and ensure that all services meet those criteria.
The Pendragon Community Trust aims to provide a quality day service for those with more profound learning disabilities which is focused on a Sensory Centre that provides a stimulating range of therapeutic and developmental activities and support for both adults and children by creating a spiritual, caring, stimulating and inspiring environment in which the beneficiaries and their carers can live rich and fulfilling lives.
Public benefit statement
The Centre has now over 5,000 individuals who have used the facility since it was opened in July 2016. They come from as far as Hartlepool in the North to Wakefield in the South. The ratio between adult and children with special needs who attend the Centre is 3:7.
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
Bookings of the Sensory Room and income derived from functions remained similar to the previous year. Donations make up the remainder of income resources, and have increased this year due to more one off donations being received. The Trustees acknowledge the positive effect of the 10K Northallerton run on both incoming resources and publicity for the charity, this is expected to continue going forwards as the event grows in future years.
The charity generated income in the year of £198,282 (2024 - £127,143) and incurred expenditure of £172,220 (2024 - £176,566), resulting in net income reported of £26,062 (2024 - net expenditure of £49,423).
As at 31 December 2025 the charity's total funds amounted to £486,268 (2024 - £460,206). Cash reserves were £199,142 as at the year-end (2024 - £203,730).
The usual policy set by the trustees is for reserves to be set at an equivalent to 6 months of operating expenses, with a target of 24 months. The amount is calculated using the forecast budget expenditure for the financial year ahead. The trustees believe that this would enable the trust to continue its core services and obligations in the event of a sudden loss of funding. Free reserves accumulated in excess of the minimum can be used at the discretion of the trustees for the development of the trust. The policy is reviewed annually.
Financial risk management
The directors have reviewed the major strategic, business and operational risks which the company faces and confirms that systems have been established to enable regular reports to be produced so that the necessary steps can be taken to mitigate those risks. Rigorous control of actual expenditure against budgeted costs are reviewed at each trustees meeting with a view to controlling any overspend.
The charity is a company limited by guarantee without share capital and is therefore governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purpose of charity law under the company's Articles. The minimum number of trustees is three (2024: 3). Trustees are recruited through a variety of sources and means but mainly due to the extensive contacts and networks of the office of the trustees. A role description has been prepared for those interested in becoming a trustee.
None of the Trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the Trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.
When a potential trustee is identified, the Board of Trustees will then meet with the individual to discuss the role further. The individual will be briefed on the work of the trust, shown relevant foundation paperwork (ie Memorandum of Association) and taken to see the project to learn more. Following this the candidate will be invited to attend part of a trustees' meeting. If the trustees are in agreement, then the candidate will be formally offered the role and asked to consider becoming a trustee. If they accept, they will then be fully appointed at the next trustees' meeting. A process of induction then follows as the individual begins to get involved in the work of the Trust, making us of their unique skills and relevant networks.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of The Pendragon Community Trust for the year ended 31 December 2025.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the 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 statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.
The Pendragon Community Trust is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Unit 15 Omega Business Village, Thurston Road, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL6 2NL.
Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "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 charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
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. 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.
Grant income is recognised when receivable except when the donor imposes conditions which have yet to be fulfilled before the charity becomes entitled to use such income.
Income from room bookings are recognised in the period in which the booking occurs.
Deferred income represents amounts received for future periods and is released to incoming resources in the period for which it has been received. Such income is only deferred when either the donor specifies that the grant or donation must only be used in future periods, or the donor has imposed conditions which must be met before the charity has an unconditional entitlement.
Where the charity organises an event to be undertaken in a future period, any income relating to that event is carried forward until the period in which the event is undertaken.
Investment income, in the form of investment interest, is recognised when receivable by the charity.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Governance costs include the costs attributable to the charity's compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including Independent Examination/audit, strategic management and trustees' meetings and reimbursed expenses.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost 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.
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.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
Sensory room bookings
Property costs and repairs
Office costs
Governance costs
Governance costs include fees payable to the independent examiner of £2,190 (2024: £2,100) for the preparation and independent examination of the accounts, as well as £679 (2024: £671) for other services.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The trust holds a 1,000 year lease on the unit having paid £120,000 rental premium. A yearly rent of £1 per annum is payable. The lease elapses in 3005.
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.
During the year a total of £44,229 was received for the redevelopment of the Sue Kerfoot Room, this was fully expended, and capitalised during the year.
A donation of £1,000 was received from the Anne Baker Bursary Fund to fund sessions for people who can't afford them, this was yet to be spent at the year end.
Several donations were received for specific fixed asset additions for the Centre. £1,000 was received for the purchase of a coffee machine, and £545 was received for the purchase of a wheel projector, both of which were purchased in the year.
Transfers in the year primarily relate to expenditure on assets which are subsequently transferred to the unrestricted fund as the conditions of the grant or donation have been met.
During the year donations of £11,344 were received from 2 trustees (or persons connected to them). These donations were made without any conditions attached. Software costs of £2,531 were incurred on behalf of the charity by Fry Family Office Limited, a company in which Jonathan Fry is a director, this has been treated as an unconditional donation.