THE TORCH ASSOCIATION

Registered charity 515527 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register

The relief of illness and suffering of all disabled persons resident in a defined local area of Tynedale and beyond by providing, managing and maintaining a Centre for recreation or other leisure time occupation and in particular by providing facilities for competitive and non- competitive sports.

Objects

The Objects of the Association shall be to provide relief and support for individuals, of all ages, who have disabilities or special needs and who live within or are visitors to the counties of Northumberland, Durham, Tyne and Wear, Cumbria and Tees Valley (with special reference to the former local government district of Tynedale), by the provision of a safe environment, namely the Torch Centre, where those with or without disabilities or special needs can meet and enjoy a range of leisure and recreational activities aimed at promoting social integration and wellbeing

Area of benefit: SEE OBJECT

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

Causes: General Charitable Purposes · Disability · Amateur Sport · Other Charitable Purposes · website · Get email alerts

Financial health, per its FY2026 accounts

The accounts state that the charity reported a deficit of £12,020 for the year ended 31st March 2026, primarily driven by £10,858 in building depreciation. Per the trustees' report, unrestricted free reserves were held at £138,577, which the trustees confirmed complied with their policy target of £14,000. The organization remains in a stable financial position despite a challenging income environment and rising utility costs.

Automated summary of the FY2026 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.

What the accounts disclose

Accounts independently examined (not a full audit). Discloses 3 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
• Complaints handling
• Complaints policy and procedures
• Financial reserves policy and procedures
• Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
• Internal risk management policy and procedures
• 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

Public fundraising profile: JustGiving — The Torch Centre (matched by registered charity number).

Funders the charity credits

Named as funders/supporters on the charity’s own website (the charity’s claim, distinct from accounts-verified grants).

• Coop Local Community Fund — “We are delighted to be part of the Coop Local Community Fund this year!” (source page)

Trustees · trustee networks

• Brian Wood Masseychair · trustee of 2 other charities
• Anne Margaret Francis
• Dr Howard Forrest
• JENNIFER BRYONY GIBSON
• JOHN DAVID LAW ROBINSON

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

Operates in: Cumbria · Gateshead · Newcastle Upon Tyne City · North Tyneside · Northumberland · South Tyneside · Sunderland

Income and spending

Common questions

Government & lottery funding

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