HERTFORDSHIRE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS THERAPY CENTRE LTD

Registered charity 299524 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register · also known as NORTH HERTS FRIENDS OF ARMS LIMITED

Provides therapies, support and advice to people anywhere in England, especially in Hertfordshire and surrounding counties, affected by Multiple Sclerosis or any other Neurological Condition or other symptoms or conditions. Therapies include Physiotherapy, Exercise, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Counselling, Massage, Yoga and Dietary advice.

Objects

1.1 TO AID AND IMPROVE FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT IN THE AREA OF BENEFIT THE CONDITION OF THOSE SUFFERING FROM MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS BY ANY LAWFUL MEANS INCLUDING ANY OF THE FOLLOWING MEANS:-(A) BY BRINGING TOGETHER PERSONS SUFFERING FROM MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND PERSONS INTERESTED IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS;(B) BY PROVIDING ADVICE, GUIDANCE AND MORAL AND PRACTICAL SUPPORT FOR PERSONS SUFFERING FROM MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS;(C) BY PROVIDING THERAPY (INCLUDING HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY) FOR PERSONS SUFFERING FROM MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS OR OTHER SYMPTOMS OR CONDITIONS.

Area of benefit: SEE OBJECTS

The charity’s charitable objects and area of benefit, quoted from its governing document as held on the Charity Commission register.

Causes: The Advancement Of Health Or Saving Of Lives · Disability · website · Get email alerts

Latest income

£96k

Latest spending

£136k

Registered

1988

Accounts read

FY2024

Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts

The accounts state that the charity made an operating deficit of £76,593 in 2023 and a smaller deficit in 2024, though unrestricted reserves reached £638,523. The trustees note that the margin of facilities over requirements is not large and there is inherent uncertainty regarding the continuation of loan facilities. The charity is currently seeking new premises and expanding its oxygen therapy services to improve financial sustainability.

Automated summary of the FY2024 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.

What the accounts disclose

Reserves policy: three and six month’s expenditure (held: £639k)

“It is the policy of the charitable company that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure.” — page 6

Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Going concern: noted by the trustees or auditor

“However, the margin of facilities over requirements is not large and, inherently there can be no certainty in relation to these matters. On this basis, the trustees consider it appropriate to prepare the accounts on the going concern basis.” — page 13

Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Payments to trustees: The daughter of one of the Trustees was employed by the charity. The total gross salary paid to them during the year was £1,965.

“During the year, the daughter of ane of the Trustees was employed by the charity. The total gross salary paid to them during the year was £1,965.” — page 17

Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Related-party transaction: The daughter of one of the Trustees was employed by the charity. The total gross salary paid to them during the year was £1,965.

“During the year, the daughter of ane of the Trustees was employed by the charity. The total gross salary paid to them during the year was £1,965.” — page 17

Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts independently examined (not a full audit). Discloses 5 of 6 completeness components.

Policies the charity declares

In its annual return the charity told the Commission that it has the policies listed below. This is self-declared: it is not verified by the Commission or by this site, and it is not evidence of how a policy works in practice.

Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
Campaigns and political activity policy and procedures
Complaints handling
Complaints policy and procedures
Conflicting interests
Engaging external speakers at charity events policy and procedures
Financial reserves policy and procedures
Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
Internal risk management policy and procedures
Investing charity funds policy and procedures
Investment
Paying staff
Risk management
Safeguarding policy and procedures
Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
Social media policy and procedures
Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
Trustee expenses policy and procedures
Volunteer management

Public profiles (found on the charity’s own website): facebook · instagram

Trustees · trustee networks

Andrew John Coulthard
RICHARD HUGH WALTON GREENER
Robert Burchell

Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).

Operates in: Throughout England

Income and spending

Financial year end	Income	Spending
31/12/2024	£96k	£136k
31/12/2023	£380k	£168k
31/12/2022	£130k	£144k
31/12/2021	£134k	£133k
31/12/2020	£110k	£137k

Common questions

Is HERTFORDSHIRE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS THERAPY CENTRE LTD financially healthy?

Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that the charity made an operating deficit of £76,593 in 2023 and a smaller deficit in 2024, though unrestricted reserves reached £638,523. The trustees note that the margin of facilities over requirements is not large and there is inherent uncertainty regarding the continuation of loan facilities. The charity is currently seeking new premises and expanding its oxygen therapy services to improve financial sustainability. Its FY2024 accounts were independently examined.

Government & lottery funding

Grants to this charity published as open data by government and lottery funders (360Giving).

Funder	Date	Amount	Purpose
The National Lottery Community Fund	11/01/2017	£10k	The Life Gym
The National Lottery Community Fund	01/07/2015	£10k	The Oxygen For Cancer Project
The National Lottery Community Fund	23/10/2006	£7k	promotional DVD & 5,000 3-fold promotional leaflets