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2025-04-30-accounts

SOFT UK

Accounts – 30th April 2025

SOFT UK

Charity number: 1002918

Accounts – 30 April 2025

INDEX

SOFT UK

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 30th April 2025

The Trustees of SOFT UK are pleased to present their annual report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30th April 2025 and confirm they comply with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011, the SOFT UK trust deed and the Charities SORP (FRS 102).

The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and complies with the Charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (second edition) and Financial Reporting Standard FRS 102.

Reference and Administration Details

The charity’s name is Soft UK.

Charity Registration Number: 1002918 OSCR: SC043341 Registered Address: 11 Newlands Road Uddington Glasgow G71 5QP Solicitors: Anthony Collins Solicitors, Birmingham Bankers: HSBC, Ross-on-Wye

Trustees

The Trustees and officers who served during the year and since the year end were as follows: Mrs J Fowler (Chair) Dr D Rees Mrs L Petrie Mrs E Egan (Treasurer) Dr A Pearson Mr G Glendinning (Resigned October 2024) Mrs D Kadum Mr C O’Toole (Appointed May 2024) Mrs S Wilson (Resigned February 2025) Mrs B Wirth Mr L Crofton (Appointed May 2025)

Objects and Activities

SOFT UK operates under a Trust Deed dated 26th April 1991, updated by means of a Deed of Variation in 2011 and 2018 which includes the regulations for appointment of trustees.

The principle aims and objectives of SOFT UK are to provide support, assistance and information to families having a child with a chromosome abnormality, specifically Edwards’ Syndrome (Trisomy 18) or Patau’s Syndrome (Trisomy 13) and their related disorders of partial Trisomy, Mosaicism and Deletions.

SOFT UK provides information and support at all stages of the trisomy experience - following a prenatal higher chance screening result or prenatal diagnosis (irrespective of the families’ decision making regarding their pregnancy), post-natal diagnosis, care of a living child, bereavement following the loss of a child or ending a pregnancy. With the objective that families feel supported and connected at whatever point they are in their Trisomy experience.

Families can share their experiences through the SOFT UK website, newsletter, social media groups, podcasts, SOFT UK YouTube channel regular family days, and other events. Support is offered to all members of the family, including siblings of the affected child, for as long as is required. This may be delivered via our trained support volunteers who offer peer support, accessed via our Support Service or via our virtual meetings and social media groups. All support services are provided free of charge.

SOFT UK

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 30th April 2025

Objects and Activities (continued)

For more than 30 years, SOFT UK has built networks with many professionals, including healthcare professionals, geneticists, social care workers and hospice staff. Our information is evidence based and experiential. Developed in collaboration with our professional advisors and our community of families, it is always given to enhance the advice of clinical teams who care for individual families. In line with our charitable mission, we do not offer medical advice. Through our association with, and membership of complimentary organisations, including Genetic Alliance UK, Together for Short Lives, Rare Disease networks, Antenatal Results and Choices (ARC), Children’s Hospices, the Fetal Anomaly Screening Programmes of Public Health England, Wales and NHS Scotland, we seek to advocate on behalf of our families, improve services for all affected families and raise awareness of Patau’s and Edwards’ Syndromes and their associated conditions.

The SOFT UK website social media accounts and our YouTube channel provides families and healthcare professionals access to our information and sources of support, including downloadable information resources, films, podcasts, research and links to other relevant websites.

Key elements of support for families is provided via our Support Service, accessed via email, a dedicated helpline or our social media channels. The Support Service is provided by a team of dedicated, trained volunteers. Families can be referred to the service by healthcare professionals or can self-refer. Our volunteers, all of whom are parents with experience of Trisomy themselves, offer support, empathy, evidence-based information resources and signposting to sources of support appropriate to individual families.

Support can also be accessed via a range of closed Families Facebook groups where families can obtain peer support and shared experience from others who have the lived experience of trisomy. A regular programme of themed virtual calls is run via an online platform.

Written information is provided via booklets available in print or electronic copy, developed with medical professional advisors, who use their expertise to support SOFT UK in its objectives.

E-Newsletters are produced at least twice per year. These newsletters provide an opportunity for our families to share their experiences and personal stories as well as being an additional source of information.

Achievements and Performance

Community Engagement:

SOFT UK Podcast Series Continued with our own podcast releases of family stories.

Family Events Increased our presence across the UK, hosting a number of regional events:

Events filmed and shared online, in order to expand participation to those unable to attend in person.

Facebook Support Groups Continuing to grow and monitor our Facebook support groups.

Campaigns ‘Symbols of Love’ campaign to support Baby Loss Awareness Week. The symbols of love were created with the help of our community, asking for the symbols that represented their children, with further options to support engagement of children.

SOFT UK ‘Change The Narrative ‘Campaign launched. A series of videos filmed with ‘Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice’ capturing the day to day running of the hospice, their teams, and the families who have used the hospice. The series aimed to change the narrative of hospice care from something that is perceived to be a sad and negative experience of end of live care, to something more hopeful and powerful.

SOFT UK

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

for the year ended 30th April 2025 ( Continued)

Achievements and Performance (continued)

Health Professional and External Engagement:

Rarebinars: Face to face Rarebinar event with guest speaker Lucy McKay from Medics For Rare Diseases hosted in conjunction with the England Family Event

NHS Pregnancy Screening Programmes Continue to work with Public Health England, NHS Scotland and NHS Wales in support of their evaluation of the NIPT addition to the prenatal screening programmes.

Collaborating in specific research project run by NHS Wales to evaluate parent screening information.

Medics for Rare Diseases Participation in ‘Recommendation Writing Workshop’ delivering a guide on healthcare professional awareness of rare diseases to Department of Health and Social Care.

SANDS TOPFA Network (Scotland) Presentation to medical professionals about the support provided by SOFT UK.

Beacons Rare Event networking event.

Beacons Rare Diseases Staff member attended a filming event with Beacon to share her own personal experience of Trisomy 13 and her work with SOFT UK.

NHS Inform (Scotland) Editor for web page on conditions of trisomy 13 and 18.

ARC Northern Ireland Collaborate in support of their research into antenatal screening in Northern Ireland, seeking feedback from SOFT community to shape the future pathways for families.

Staffing:

Trisomy Advocate role (2[nd] year) Role concluded.

Regional Engagement Officer Northern Ireland Funding achieved and recruitment underway, with expected appointment at the end of 2025. This is a new role aiming to help build better support networks and support health care teams across Northern Ireland.

Database:

Database management tool Monday.com has been embedded across the organisation, in particular enhancing the monitoring of our support service.

Website:

The website continues to evolve, with new resources being added on a regular basis. The website allows for us to identify search terms that people are searching for, and map where they then land on our website. This has aided us in writing new resources to better match their search query, driving the value of the information we have.

This year we have engaged with 38950 people and reached 844868 people through our social media and website.

Fundraising:

Annual fundraising target has been achieved during the year

Finance Group continues to meet regularly to review detail of finances. Clear budgeting in place and fundraising plan developed annually.

SOFT UK

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

for the year ended 30th April 2025 ( Continued)

Achievements and Performance (continued)

Future Developments

The charity continues the current strategy of maintaining and developing SOFT UK as the organisation of first contact for families and healthcare professionals working with families affected by Patau’s or Edwards’ syndromes. The primary focus of which will continue to be directing families to the best information and support for them and their circumstance. And increasing awareness of Patau’s and Edwards’ syndromes within health professionals and the public.

Our future plans will be influenced by, and in line with the needs of families affected by Patau’s and Edwards’ syndromes, as expressed by family user feedback and research findings. Developments will be financed from grant income achieved for specific projects, fundraising and donation income and our reserves. The Trustees will maintain an equitable balance ensuring our current families benefit whilst, at the same time, ensuring a sound infrastructure and financial base are preserved for future families needs.

Future Planned Development Projects include:

Delivering the objectives set out in our current Forward Strategy and creating opportunity to review and refresh medium to long-term goals:

Campaign ‘ Blue Sky Thinking Project’ The aim of this campaign is to seek community feedback about initiatives, resources, or offerings SOFT UK could provide, making use of funding reserves or seeking grant funding. Identifying specific projects which will demonstrate measurable benefit for families and our wider community.

Fundraising Continued focus to be placed on fundraising. Developing a clear annual fundraising plan which includes grant applications for specific projects and support for individual fundraisers.

Website rollout will continue to ensure our support is easily accessible to families and healthcare professionals. Focus on improving and updating the About SOFT section of the website to ensure it reflects our evolving and expanding role.

Support Service build on the expanding committed support volunteer team to ensure an engaged and effective peer support offering for all new families making contact with SOFT UK

Financial Review

The total income for the year was £69,838 (2024: £80,300) and total expenditure for the year was £66,507 (2024: £54,936) leaving a surplus of £3,331 for the year.

Reserves Policy

SOFT UK has a reserves policy which requires it to hold a minimum of 12 months running costs. This is to ensure that the charity has sufficient funds to meet employment responsibilities, pay outstanding creditors and ensure stakeholder commitments are dealt with in a managed way, should the charity cease to be viable going concern.

For the year 2024-25 the reserves required are at a level of £70k

The Reserves Policy is reviewed annually by the Board of Trustees.

Structure, Governance and Management

The Charity is constituted by way of a Trust Deed dated 26th April 1991, updated by means of a Deed of Variation in 2011 and 2018, is registered with the Charity Commission under Number 1002918. The Trust Deed regularises the informal arrangements which had been in force since 22nd June 1990.

SOFT UK

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

for the year ended 30th April 2025 ( Continued)

Structure, Governance and Management (continued)

SOFT UK is a cross border charity and registered with OSCR the Scottish Charity Regulator under the Number SC043341. As a cross border charity SOFT UK operates under the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006.

SOFT UK is governed by its Trustee board, which is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organisation and the policy of the charity. The Trustees carry the ultimate responsibility for the conduct of SOFT UK and for ensuring that the charity satisfies its legal and contractual obligations. Trustees meet quarterly as a minimum.

The Trustee Board requires breadth and depth of experience to carry out is duties effectively. New Trustees are appointed by the existing Board of Trustees, interview and selection being undertaken by a minimum of 3 Trustees, including the Chair. When recruiting new trustees, the essential attribute is an empathy and understanding for families affected by Edwards’ and Patau’s syndromes. We advertise via our own networks and invite appropriate professionals to consider joining our Board. Where possible we consider that the skills of the Board should comprise the following:

SOFT UK employs three permanent members of staff, all of whom work on a part time basis. A Charity Director, who is responsible for the leadership and operational activities of the charity. A Communications Officer, to support the communications of the charity. An Engagement Officer, who is responsible for ensuring effective engagement with our community. A fixed term (2yr) Trisomy Advocate post was appointed to in 2022, with a contract end in early 2025.

The Trustee Board delegates operational responsibilities for the charity to the Charity Director, who works under the supervision of the Trustees. The Director, Engagement Officer and Communications Officer are supported by a small group of volunteers.

SOFT UK receives the majority of its funds via fundraising activities, donations and grant funding. The charity’s activities expose it to a number of financial risks. The management of these risks is governed by the charity’s policies approved by the board of trustees, which provide written principles and practices of financial management of the charities finances. The Board of Trustees has overall responsibility for finances and financial risk management. A Finance subcommittee of the Board provide detailed, regular review of finances, reporting into the Board.

Approved by the trustees on 16th November 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

J Fowler

………………………………….. Trustee

Uddington, Glasgow

SOFT UK

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Soft UK for the year ended 30th April 2025.

Responsibilities and Basis of Report

As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

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 accounts to be reached.

A P Williams FCCA CTA A J Carter & Co Limited Chartered Certified Accountants

22b High Street Witney Oxon OX28 6RB

19th December 2025

SOFT UK

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

(including an income and expenditure account) for the year ended 30th April 2025

Note
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
Investments
4
Total incoming resources
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
5
Total expenditure
Net income/(expenditure) and net
movement in funds for the year
Transfer between funds
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
2025
£
£
£
52,519
14,700
67,219
2,619
-
2,619
55,138
14,700
69,838
59,217
7,290
66,507
59,217
7,290
66,507
(4,079)
7,410
3,331
(1,124)
1,124
-
(5,203)
8,534
3,331
122,131
22,402
144,533
£116,928
£30,936
£147,864		 Total
Funds
2024
£
78,033
2,267
80,300
54,936
54,936
25,364
-
25,364
119,169
£144,533

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derives from continuing activities.

The notes on pages 9 to 13 form part of these financial statements

SOFT UK

BALANCE SHEET as at 30th April 2025

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
Total fixed assets
Current assets
Debtors
10
Cash at bank and in hand
Total current assets
Liabilities
Creditors falling due within one year
11
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Creditors:falling due after more than 1 year
Provisions for liabilities
Total net assets
13
The funds of the Charity
Restricted income funds
13
Unrestricted income funds
13
Revaluation reserve
Total unrestricted funds
Total charity funds		 2025
£
-
-
561
148,368
148,929
1,065
147,864
147,864
-
£147,864
30,936
116,928
-
116,928
£147,864		 2024
£
-
-
2,880
142,603
145,483
950
144,533
144,533
-
£144,533
22,402
122,131
-
122,131
£144,533

These accounts were approved by the Trustees and authorised for issue on: 16th November 2025 and are signed on their behalf by:

J Fowler ............................................. Trustee

The notes on pages 9 to 13 form part of these financial statements

SOFT UK

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

for the year ended 30th April 2025

1. Accounting Policies

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgments and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

a) Basis of Preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the second edition of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

b) Public Benefit Entity

Soft UK meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102.

The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Items of income are recognised and included in the accounts when all of the following criteria are met:

Income received in advance of a specific performance or provision of other specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.

e) Donated Services and Facilities

Donated services or facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with a donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the Charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. On receipt, donated services and facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the Charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

SOFT UK

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

for the year ended 30th April 2025 (continued)

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

2. Legal Status of the Charity

The Charity is constituted by way of a Trust Deed dated 26 April 1991, updated by means of a Deed of Variation in 2011 and 2018, is registered with the Charity Commission under number 1002918. Soft UK is a cross border charity and registered with OSCR the Scottish Charity Regulator under number SC043341.

3. Income from donations

Gifts and donations 2025
£
67,219
£67,219		 2024
£
78,033
£78,033

Of the £67,219 received in 2025 (2024: £78,033) £14,700 was restricted funds (2024: £23,321 and £52,519 (2024: £54,712) unrestricted funds.

4. Investment income

All of the Charity investment income arises from money held in a HSBC bank account.

SOFT UK

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

for the year ended 30th April 2025 (continued)

5. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

Events
Insurance
Salaries
Travel and conference meetings
Computer and internet
Miscellaneous
Subscriptions
Bank fees
Professional fees
Governance costs
Total		 Unrestricted Restricted
2025
Total
£
£
£
5,829
-
5,829
230
-
230
43,061
7,290
50,351
7,518
-
7,518
303
-
303
-
-
-
851
-
851
63
-
63
432
-
432
930
-
930
£59,217
£7,290 £66,507		 2024
Total
£
-
230
38,402
12,764
215
868
1,103
84
340
930
£54,936

6. Net income/(expenditure) for the year

This is stated after charging:
Independent examiner's fee
7.
Analysis of staff costs and trustee remuneration and expenses
Salaries and wages
Pension costs		 2025
£
930
2025
£
49,776
575
£50,351		 2024
£
930
2024
£
37,965
437
£38,402

No employees had emoluments in excess of £60,000 (2024: Nil).

No charity trustees were paid or received any other benefits from employment with the charity in the year (2024 £Nil) neither were they reimbursed expenses during the year (2024: £Nil). No charity trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity (2024: £Nil).

8. Staff numbers

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

2025 2024
Number Number
3 3

SOFT UK

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

for the year ended 30th April 2025 (continued)

9. Corporation tax

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.

10. Debtors

PAYE
Prepayments		 2025
£
561
-
£561		 2024
£
2,880
-
£2,880

11. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Accounts payable
PAYE
Accruals		 2025
£
-
-
1,065
£1,065		 2024
£
-
-
950
£950

12. Analysis of net assets between funds

Cash at bank and in hand
Other net current assets/(liabilities)
Creditors of more than one year
Total		 General
Designated
Restricted
Fund
Funds
Funds
Total
£
£
£
£
117,432
-
30,936
148,368
(504)
-
-
(504)
-
-
-
-
£116,928
£-
£30,936
£147,864

13. Analysis of charitable funds

Analysis of movements in restricted funds

Family Events
Trisomy Advocate Fund
Total		 Balance
Incoming
Resources
Funds
01.05.2024
resources
expended
Transfers
30.04.2025
£
£
£
£
£
16,236
14,700
-
-
30,936
6,166
-
(7,290)
1,124
-
£22,402
£14,700
£(7,290)
£1,124
£30,936

SOFT UK

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

for the year ended 30th April 2025 (continued)

13. Analysis of charitable funds (continued)

Analysis of movements in unrestricted funds

General fund
Total		 Balance
Incoming
Resources
Funds
01.05.2024
resources
expended
Transfers
30.04.2025
£
£
£
£
£
122,131
55,138
(59,217)
(1,124)
116,928
£122,131
£55,138 £(59,217)
£(1,124)
£116,928

Name of unrestricted fund Description, nature and purposes of the fund

General fund

The 'free reserves' after allowing for all designated funds.