IPSWICH OPPORTUNITY GROUP ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
HELD ON 6[th] OCTOBER 2025 at the SALVATION ARMY HALL, WOODBRIDGE ROAD
Present: Cheryl King, Val Howe, Chris Futter, Anne Green, Sandra Davy, Jacqui Cawkwell-East, Bryony Goodchild, Rachel Hill, Maura Flatman, Chris Southwell, Claire Rush, Nicola Murdoch,
Apologies: Liz Boyle, Andrea Pittock, Anna Davies, Robert Crozier, Carina Sewell, Sanchia Brandreth, Gemma Knipe, Stephanie Newton, Clare Brook, Louise Harman, Clara Jacobs, Barbara Hughes, Anna Hughes
The notes from the previous AGM were proposed as a true record by Sandra Davy and seconded by Val Howe.
Matters Arising
Nothing arising.
Policies
No changes to policies, reviewed and new logo being applied to documents. New website will require cyber security policy. Chris Southwell (SCC- AU) offered template policy.
Chairpersons Report – Sandra Davy
This is my first year as Chair and I would like to thank all the trustees for their help and support. We have a very strong committee and all meetings have been able to go ahead as planned. A new logo has been designed and we have been working hard on a new website which should go live in January. Special thanks to Louise and Chris for their hard work.
There have been ups and downs throughout the year. Highlights have included seeing the children thrive and move onto successful school placements. Another highlight particularly for me was seeing every child contribute to the painting of our Hare for the St Elizabeth Trail. Introduction of Sensory Stories by Nicola Murdoch have been a success.
The staff and volunteers have, as always given their “All” to support the children and their families. Thanks to everyone for providing such a happy welcoming atmosphere in every session. Caroline Cummings has moved on and we are fortunate to have appointed Gemma Knipe.
The downs have been unsuccessful bids to Children in Need and the NHS pathway bid. Both involved very detailed bids. But we are in a better financial position than this time last year and other Grant applications have been successful. Thanks to Activities Unlimited (AU) for their continued support. However, ongoing fundraising continues to be priority.
There have been no safeguarding issues this year and staff volunteers and Trustees have all completed safeguarding training.
Numbers attending some sessions are low. This has become an issue since school placements now start at the beginning of the Autumn term rather all year round. Hopefully, through our contacts, leaflets and the new website, this issue will be resolved. Ideally, we would like to appoint a parent liaison worker but this will be dependent upon adequate funding.
Treasurers Report - Bryony Goodchild
Total Income: £50,088.08 Total Expenditure: £28,553.99 Closing Balance at Year End: £31,194.08
Our financial year up from April 2024 until March 2025 was a much healthier financial year than the previous one, with our income exceeding our expenditure by £21,534.09. This figure combined with the surplus brought forward from last year of £9,659.99 left us with an opening balance for our current financial year of £31,194.08.
I would like to thank Activities Unlimited for their ongoing support, and for helping us with extra funds when we were in need. I would also like to thank all our donors listed in your account packs.
We have been successful in several of our grant applications, and again you can see these listed in your account packs.
We have had a number of fundraisers and are very grateful to everyone who contributed in any way.
Finally, I’d like to thank Anna Hughes for examining our accounts again. She has indicated that she is happy to continue to do so but that at some time in the future she is planning to pass on the role to her son who is also an accountant.
Any questions
No questions or concerns raised.
Acceptance of Accounts
The accounts were proposed as a true record by Bryony Goodchild and seconded by Claire Rush.
Co-ordinators Report
I feel that I have managed to step back a bit this year thanks to the support of the staff, volunteers, and Trustees. Thank you to Nic who has taken on the role of Lead Playleader. Sessions are running smoothly, the team work so well together even though we have had another change of playleader, Caroline left in May and Gemma joined us in June but it seems like she has been with us longer as she has fitted in so well!
Thank you to all the staff and volunteers for planning and running such successful sessions. Feedback from parents is very positive. The music therapy sessions in October/November were very popular. Also, the Hare that we were able to decorate for the Hospice trail thanks to Greater Anglia sponsorship was a great group activity.
Thank you also to the Trustees who have taken some of the admin tasks on, helping with reducing my involvement and not feeling so overwhelmed with admin. Next aim is to get the new website set up which will be fantastic!
Resignation of current committee
Nomination and Election of Officers and Committee
The nomination of officers is as follows: Chairperson - Sandra Davy Proposed by Cheryl King Seconded by Claire Rush
Vice Chairperson – Chris Futter Proposed by Claire Rush Seconded by Rachel Hill
Treasurer – Bryony Goodchild Proposed by Sandra Davy Seconded by Jacqui Cawkwell-East
Secretary - Jacqui Cawkwell-East Proposed by Claire Rush Seconded by Val Howe
Committee Members
Louise Harman Clara Jacobs Maura Flatman Stephanie Newton Claire Rush Anne Green Val Howe
Proposed by Rachel Hill Seconded by Sandra Davy
Any Other Business
Chris Southwell AU – offered to advertise Trustee roles and promotion of fundraisers on their social media. Also, opportunity to apply for capital funding for equipment and additional storage (subject to SA approval).
Update on Activities Unlimited offer from Chris Southwell – parent, sibling and provider training. Upgraded holiday accommodation in Fritton.
Claire Rush to update leaflet now logo is finalised.
Discussions around referral routes – Framlingham and Bergholt Wards at Ipswich Hospital, Facebook support groups.
Date of next AGM:
Monday 5[th] October 2026 – 7.30pm
Date of next committee meeting:
Monday 17[th] November 2025 – 9.30am
IPSWICH OPPORTUNllY GROUP
Statement of Receipts and Payments for the year ended 31 March 2025
| 2024-25 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2023-24 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | Payments | ||||
| Grants | People | ||||
| Garrett Foundation Newsquest (RF Music Therapy) | 1000.00 | Salaries | 21900.40 | 21351.06 | |
| Funding from Suffolk Community Foundation through BirketlsFund (RF Rent) | 1980.00 | ||||
| SCC AU Grant | 17000.00 | 9000.00 | Payroll Services | 856.15 | 663.60 |
| HHGET Grant | 5000.00 | Training | 783.68 | 332.14 | |
| Bailey Thomas | 5000.00 | DBS Checks | 74.00 | 24.00 | |
| Garfield Weston Foundation | 3000.00 | ||||
| Varrier-Jones Foundation Grant | 5000.00 | ||||
| YAPP | 3000.00 | ||||
| The Archer Trust | 1500.00 | ||||
| Donations | Other direct costs of running the Groups | ||||
| Wonderful | 175.00 | 796.70 | Hall Hire | 1980.00 | 1980.00 |
| Donation Cotton Club | 2200.00 | Taxitransport | 526.56 | 884.52 | |
| Give as you Live | 168.09 | 518.43 | Equipment | 376.81 | 192.51 |
| Donations in memory of Roger Seaman | 0.00 | 754.87 | Music Therapy | 1000.00 | |
| Mazars Charitable Trust | o.oo | 1000.00 | Snacks and Activities | 138.82 | 221.22 |
| Donations in memory of Paul Quantrill | 0.00 | 750.00 | |||
| Donat Donations for Safeguarding Training | 120.00 | Administrative Costs | |||
| Other Donations | 1425.34 | 489.36 | Telephone | 80.00 | 40.00 |
| Insurance | 396.35 | 542.63 | |||
| Fundraising | Membership Fees SAFE | 60.00 | 50.00 | ||
| Spring Fayre | 113.50 | Ofsted | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Sale of Tomato Plants | 83.00 | Miscellaneous | 346.22 | 208.65 | |
| Quiz Night | 431.00 | ICO Registration | 35.00 | 35.00 | |
| Concert | 40.00 | ||||
| Summer Concert | 231.00 | ||||
| Xmas Craft Stall | 221.60 | ||||
| Brook Inn Coffee Mornings | 172.55 | 331.14 | |||
| Christmas Concert | 268.71 | ||||
| Craft Stall | 65.00 | 369.20 | |||
| Sale of Christmas Cards | 0.00 | 79.00 | |||
| ITFC Collection | 0.00 | Costs of Fundraising | |||
| Brighton Marathon Sponsorship | 0.00 | 75.00 | Concert Hall Hire | ||
| Gift Aid | 213.10 | ||||
| Other income | |||||
| Voluntary Attendance Fees | 1469.00 | 1459.20 | |||
| Bank Interest | 161.19 | 150.85 | |||
| Bank Compensation | 50.00 | ||||
| Total Costs | 28553.99 | 26525.33 | |||
| Surplus/(deficit) | 21534.09 | (10751.58) | |||
| 50088.08 | 15773.75 | 50088.08 | 15773.75 | ||
| QAO | |||||
| Bryony Goodchild | |||||
| Hon. Treasurer | Independent Examiner |
Independent examinerfs report to the trustees of The Ipswich Opportunity Group I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Ipswich Opportunity Group for the year ended 31 March 2025. Responsibilities and basis of report The trustees of the Ipswich Opportunity Group are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act,). The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Act and that an independent examination is needed. I report in respect of my examination accounts, carried out under sertion 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under sertion 145(5)Ib) of the Act. Independent examinerfs 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: Accounting records were not kept as required by section 130 of the Act; or The account5 do not accord with those records; or The accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concernin8 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 in my opinion attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Anna Hughes, ACA Brook Farm, Days Road, Capel St Mary, Suffolk, IP9 2LB 27 June 2025