MAKING SENSE CIO
Creative workshops, training and resources for care sector. Our projects focus on support for care staff working with Adults with learning disabilities in care settings and on supporting those working with people living with dementia.We also work with galleries providing early development workshop sessions for babies and toddlers and their grownups
Objects
TO PROMOTE SOCIAL INCLUSION FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT BY PREVENTING PEOPLE FROM BECOMING SOCIALLY EXCLUDED, RELIEVING THE NEEDS OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE SOCIALLY EXCLUDED AND ASSISTING THEM TO INTEGRATE INTO SOCIETY, IN PARTICULAR BY PROVIDING CREATIVE WORKSHOPS, TRAINING AND MATERIALS FOR CARE STAFF TO ENABLE THEM TO LEAD SENSORY ART SESSIONS, AND SUPPORT TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO THE CREATIVE ARTS.FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS CLAUSE ‘SOCIALLY EXCLUDED’ MEANS BEING EXCLUDED FROM SOCIETY, OR PARTS OF SOCIETY, AS A RESULT OF ONE OF MORE OF THE FOLLOWING FACTORS: YOUTH, OLD AGE, PHYSICAL OR MENTAL DISABILITY.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that expenditure exceeded income in the year due to the timing of grant income receipt, resulting in a net decrease in total funds. The charity holds unrestricted reserves of £17,198, which is below its stated policy target of three months of operating expenditure (approximately £15,000, though the text notes reserves are 'sufficient to cover some three months' while holding £17,198 unrestricted, the policy target is explicitly stated as 'some three months of operating expenditure currently amounting to £15,000'). The trustees confirm the charity remains a going concern based on the pipeline of grant applications and direct income forecasts.
What the accounts disclose
“The CIO has agreed its Financial Reserves policy and holds reserves sufficient to cover some three months of operating expenditure currently amounting to £15,000.” — page 8
Policies the charity declares
- Conflicting interests
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Safeguarding policy and procedures
- Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
- Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
Trustees
- Anthony Sean Farnsworthchair
- Alan David Griffiths
- Caroline Gavin
- John Andrew Rostron
- MAGGIE SHEPPARD
- RUTH JAMES
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £104k | £156k |
| 31/03/2024 | £143k | £58k |
Common questions
Is MAKING SENSE CIO financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that expenditure exceeded income in the year due to the timing of grant income receipt, resulting in a net decrease in total funds. The charity holds unrestricted reserves of £17,198, which is below its stated policy target of three months of operating expenditure (approximately £15,000, though the text notes reserves are 'sufficient to cover some three months' while holding £17,198 unrestricted, the policy target is explicitly stated as 'some three months of operating expenditure currently amounting to £15,000'). The trustees confirm the charity remains a going concern based on the pipeline of grant applications and direct income forecasts. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds MAKING SENSE CIO?
Funders whose own accounts filings name MAKING SENSE CIO as a grant recipient include COMMUNITY & VOLUNTARY SUPPORT CONWY.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMMUNITY & VOLUNTARY SUPPORT CONWY | FY2024 | £46k | |
| COMMUNITY & VOLUNTARY SUPPORT CONWY | FY2024 | £16k |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 27/06/2014 | £11k | "Who went to Pentre Dwr School?" |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE EDWARD GOSTLING FOUNDATION | 1 | £260k |
| AKO FOUNDATION | 1 | £128k |
| THE GRANT FOUNDATION | 1 | £75k |
| THE WILL CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £12k |
| BERKSHIRE NURSES AND RELIEF IN SICKNESS TRUST | 1 | £10k |
| THE SENECA TRUST | 1 | £10k |
| Wokingham United Charities | 1 | £7k |
| THE J G GRAVES CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £6k |
Charities like this
- JENNYRUTH WORKSHOPS LTD
- LANCASHIRE FIRST CIO
- Younger People With Dementia CIO
- MULTI AGENCY INTERNATIONAL TRAINING AND SUPPORT
- ORDINARY LIFE PROJECT ASSOCIATION
- WORTHWHILE OCCUPATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL KRAFTS LIMITED
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAKING SENSE CIO | £104k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| JENNYRUTH WORKSHOPS LTD | £561k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| LANCASHIRE FIRST CIO | £154k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| Younger People With Dementia CIO | £933k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| MULTI AGENCY INTERNATIONAL TRAINING AND SUPPORT | £118k | — | 0 | within | — | no doubt |
| ORDINARY LIFE PROJECT ASSOCIATION | £2.1m | £70,001 - £80,000 | 1 | unclear | — | noted |