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2024-03-31-accounts

Financial Statements , f 4 icon | A ee

31 March 2024

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| i ‘" ; | Charity Number: 1061474 ‘r ,‘ i

downs-syndrome.org.uk

Contents

For the year ended 31 March 2024

General information page 3 Objectives and activities page 3-7 Strategic report page 8 Beneficiary projects and services page 9 Membership page 9 Inclusive participation page 9 Our Voice network page 10 Listen Include Respect UK (DSA) page 10 Policy, campaigns and consultations page 11 Helpline page 12 Information page 13-14 Training page 15 Speech and language therapy assessments and advice page 16 Support sessions for parent carers page 17 DSActive DSEngage page 18-19 WorkFit page 20-21 Research support page 22 Communications page 23-24 Raising funds page 25 Financial review page 26 Principal risks and uncertainties page 27-28 Plans for the future page 29 Membership page 30 Inclusive participation page 30 Policy, campaigns and consultations page 30 Helpline, information, training and support page 31 DSActive DSEngage page 31 WorkFit page 31 Research support page 32 Communications page 32 Raising funds page 32 Structure, governance, and management page 33-36 Contact us page 37 Independent auditor’s report page 38-61

Down’s Syndrome Association Year end 31 March 2024

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Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Company number 3310024 Country of incorporation United Kingdom Charity number 1061474 Country of registration England

Country of registration

Registered office Down’s Syndrome Association and operational Langdon Down Centre, 2a Langdon Park, Teddington, address Middlesex, TW11 9PS

Trustees

Trustees, who are also directors under company law, who served during the year and up to the date of this report were as follows:

Dr John Gerard Coghlan, Chair Sarah Leggat, Vice Chair Georgie Hill Anya Souza Trevor Pearcy Robert Stirling Darren Warkcup, Treasurer Professor Anthony J. Holland Key management personnel: Carol Boys OBE, Chief Executive Gillian Bird, Services Director Macarena Laclote, Head of Finance and Administration

Bankers

The Co-operative Bank

2nd Floor, St Paul’s House, 10 Warwick Lane, London EC4M 7BP

Solicitors

Russell Cooke, 2 Putney Hill, London, SW15 6AB

Auditor

Sayer Vincent LLP, Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor, Invicta House, 110 Golden Lane, London EC1Y 0TG

The trustees present their report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Reference and administrative information set out on this page forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the memorandum and articles of association and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: SORP applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102.

Down’s Syndrome Association Year end 31 March 2024

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3 d er Lee aie, = —— J _ Pi — van — Ha =e = A - =——— a sy 7 As = : Wi : 4 x > ls Objectives . = 5 ~ / bys =~- =. ee: rettars Via - =9 By:ia ce te :| . — i ar a “ Pua = To create and develop the conditions which will ? - - —— a= Sia > % enable people who have Down's syndrome to - an! —— om a ~ attain their full potential. $ ! To undertake any other charitable activities in ae ae “7 ; “i> aa connection with Down's syndrome.

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Year end 31 March 2024

In furtherance of these objectives, the Association offers information and support to people who have Down's syndrome, their parents and carers, interested professionals and the general public. It also champions the rights of people who have Down’s syndrome and works to improve knowledge and understanding of the condition. We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.

Mission

Our mission is to benefit the public by creating and maintaining the conditions that will enable all people who have Down's syndrome to live full and rewarding lives. At the DSA we create an inclusive environment where everyone can participate and contribute towards our work. In working towards our mission, we train and educate the professionals who work with people who have Down's syndrome to promote best practice and new initiatives. We carry out research into health issues and campaign to change policy and service provision. Most importantly, we provide information and support for people who have Down’s syndrome and their families and carers on all aspects of living with Down's syndrome.

Down’s Syndrome Association Year end 31 March 2024

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To promote the rights of people Gd f . ne who have Down's syndrome.

the DSA and to gather and f ; 7 represent their views. £ if Yihfi {

membership of the organisation. if rs oe / | : Std To develop the organisation's : (A Vp sources of funding.

relevant organisations. To adopt new technology where this supports the aims of the DSA.

How our activities deliver public benefit

The implementation of our aims and those we try to help are described below. All of our charitable activities focus on enabling people with Down's syndrome to live full and rewarding lives and are undertaken to further our charitable purposes for the public benefit. Our aims fully reflect the purposes the charity was set up to advance.

Who uses and benefits from our services?

The services we provide are available throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Demand for our services is growing and our helpline, which is usually our first point of contact with those requiring our services, is provided free of charge to everyone.

Equal access to our services is an important issue to us. We proactively try to reach underrepresented ethnic and social groups.

The trustees review the aims, objectives and activities of the charity each year. This report looks at what the charity has achieved and the outcomes of its work in the reporting period. The trustees report the success of each key activity and the benefits the charity has brought to those groups of people that it is set up to help. The review also helps the trustees ensure the charity's aims, objectives and activities remained focused on its stated purposes.

Down’s Syndrome Association Year end 31 March 2024

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Strategic Report

Achievements and performance in the year to 31 March 2024

The charity's main activities and who it serves are described below. All its charitable activities are undertaken to further the Down’s Syndrome Association’s charitable purposes for the public benefit.

Down’s Syndrome Association Year end 31 March 2024

Beneficiary services and projects Membership

Membership is a continuing priority for the organisation as ‘the more members we have, the stronger our voice’.

During the year we successfully achieved our objectives:

Smooth integration of our website with our Customer Relationship Management platform to make joining or renewing a simple process.

An increase in renewals going out via email, therefore saving money on postage, our letters are enormously reduced.

Researching our membership journey and what we can offer.

The Affiliated Group Membership package has been enhanced with monthly meetings, a special area on our website and improved communication.

Inclusive participation

We ensure that people who have Down’s syndrome are fully involved and listened to.

People who have Down’s syndrome work within and across our services as part of our inclusive participation strategy. We also promote and enable inclusive participation within other organisations.

We create opportunities for people who have Down’s syndrome to be the voice of the Association.

Down’s Syndrome Association Year end 31 March 2024

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Our Voice

During 2023-2024, Our Voice members, all of whom have Down’s syndrome, participated in 114 online meetings to co-produce training, create accessible information, co-produce DSA and external information resources, and contribute to consultations for government and other organisations. We made significant contributions to DSA strategic aims, our education campaign and wellbeing resources, training for medical professionals and to education, self-advocacy and adolescence research projects. We also provided feedback to the civil servants developing the guidance for the Down Syndrome Act.

A | ee Listen, Include Respect UK (DSA)

In July 2023, the newly formed Listen Include Respect UK (DSA) project team commenced development of DSA training using the Listen Include Respect guidelines. LIR UK (DSA) training is designed to enable government departments and service providers to authentically involve people who have learning disabilities in determining the policies and services that affect them, leading to beneficial outcomes to improve their lives.

Down’s Syndrome Association Year end 31 March 2024

Policy, campaigns and consultations

We influence policy, contribute to government consultations and National Institute for Health & Care Excellence (NICE) information, and engage with relevant learning disability networks.

We interact directly with senior officials in Government departments and public officials to facilitate two-way communication and ensure that the needs of people who have Down’s syndrome and their families are noted when developing policy at national, regional and local levels.

In 2023-24, we engaged with the following groups:

Other activities across the year included representing the DSA at the annual UN CoSP meeting in New York where we participated in meetings and liaised with international organisations. We met with Disability Ministers, engaged with the Disability Unit on our response to the Disability Action Plan, delivered a Parliamentary event on World Down Syndrome Day and represented the Association at a Disability History Month event at Speakers House. We also delivered a consultation event for the Law Commission (review of children’s social care) with DSA member parents. We represented people who have Down’s syndrome and their families on sector networks including Special Educational Consortium (SEC), My Vote My Voice, Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA), Disabled Children’s Partnership (DCP), SEND Information Organisations Group (SENDIOG), Council for Disabled Children (CDC), Genetic Alliance and Health Policy Improvement Group (HPIG).

Together, our information, training, Our Voice and communications teams delivered a 15week education campaign packed with online events, resources and activities aimed at increasing the number of pupils who have a positive inclusive experience of mainstream education at all stages of education, from early years to post 16 education.

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Helpline

Our information officers and specialists helped 10,000 families, including expectant and new parents, people who have Down’s syndrome, carers and professionals, with information, support and advocacy through our confidential helpline service. A similar number of calls and emails were received in 2022-23. In addition, we supported many thousands of family members through our closed Facebook groups.

Trends in categories of helpline calls help to indicate the priority needs to address through our services. In 2023-24, 28% of queries were about children and young people’s education, development, speech, language and communication, an increase from 23% in 2022-23. 23% of queries were about transition, adult needs and services, a similar proportion to last year (22%); 17% of calls were about welfare benefits (18% last year); 13% were physical and mental health queries (12% last year) and 19% were on other topics (25% in 2022-23).

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Information

We offer more than 500 information resources on Down’s syndrome across ‘Our Voice’, ‘Pregnancy and Baby’, ‘Health’ and ‘Life’s Journey’ areas of the website. The ‘Our Voice’ area promotes inclusive participation, self-advocacy, easierto-understand information and the My Perspective photographic and short film competition.

The ‘Pregnancy and Baby’ area is where we guide expectant and new parents to our helpline and share Tell It Right® information for maternity health care professionals. The ‘Health’ area provides information about physical and mental health conditions that are more common in people who have Down’s syndrome, for example, how they may present and how to manage them.

The ‘Life’s Journey’ area information promotes understanding and good practice in education, speech, language and communication, behaviour, Down’s syndrome with complex needs, healthy lifestyle and physical activity, relationships and sex education, employment, benefits and finance, housing and support for adults, and parent and family carer well-being.

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In 2023-24, we updated existing resources and published a range of new information for different professional groups. We shared more than 100 education resources, many of them new, for our inclusive education campaign, made a new resource on breast feeding and extended the range of information for carers of children and adults who have complex needs. A recording of an information webinar held with Dr Maggie Woodhouse, Cardiff University, and parent Cheryl Campsie to raise awareness of poor visual acuity has been viewed 5239 times between since publication in August 2023.

A recording of a webinar about regression in people who have Down’s syndrome facilitated by Dr Shahid Zaman, Cambridge University, has received 1262 views since publication in April 2023. We also published a popular film about transition, ‘Who Decides? Decision Making after 16 Years Old’ in August 2023.

Our older videos continue to be viewed, including the series of 12 physiotherapy films for parents of infants which have now been watched by 61,000 people.

We have continued to develop our health information and query service by working with the Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group UK & Ireland (DSMIG) and other healthcare specialists.

Alongside colleagues from DSMIG, we contributed content on Down’s syndrome for a new Mac Keith Press e-learning resource for trainee paediatricians, ‘Child Development and Disability Essentials’. The content included the lived experiences of people who have Down’s syndrome and family members.

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Down’s Syndrome Association Year end 31 March 2024

Training

In 2023-24, 6000 professionals, parent carers and people who have Down’s syndrome participated in 458 training and support events. We provided more training and support information through free films on our website and DSA YouTube channel, and greatly increased our offer of free training resources, including a wide range of education resources for teachers and parents.

In 2023-24, we delivered training sessions on 30 different topics including feeding, communication, development from birth to four years, early years, primary, secondary and college education, supporting young people through puberty and adolescence, preparation for adulthood, sleep hygiene, sensory processing awareness, dual diagnosis Down’s syndrome and autism, ‘regression’ in Down’s syndrome, supporting adults, supporting wellbeing of adolescents and adults, training for sports and activities providers, health profile and specific health topic webinars including ageing and dementia.

1000 maternity service professionals participated in Tell It Right® training, making 1000 a total of 12,000 maternity healthcare professionals whose maternity service awareness of the needs offamilies at diagnosis has been professionals raised through our participated in Tell It Right® service. Tell It Right® training

Down’s Syndrome Association Year end 31 March 2024

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Speech and language therapy assessments and advice

We provided more than 86 speech and language therapy assessments and feeding advice sessions at our assessment centres in London, York and Belfast, a reduced number compared with last year (95), although more parents have spoken with our speech and language therapist at regular online meetings for pregnant couples and new parents which offer emotional support and information including feeding, speech, language and communication, physical development, play and learning.

The DSA speech and language therapist also provided specialist support for qualified speech and language therapists throughout the year and webinars for parents on feeding and communication.

Down’s Syndrome Association Year end 31 March 2024

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Support sessions for parent carers

In 2023-24, 721 parent carers joined our range of regular support sessions for parent carers.

Our series of Pregnancy and Baby support sessions for expectant and new parents ran throughout the year.

Seven online and two in-person ‘complex needs including autism’ parent carer meetings provided a safe space for parents to share their experiences and learn from each other and us, and to guide our work. The feedback showed how worthwhile the support sessions are for family members, and confirmed the value of the work the DSA is doing around complex needs. It was clear how much people gained from sharing common experiences and feelings, particularly when they have expressed how isolated they can feel in daily life.

We also offered monthly behaviour case study discussions.

Feedback from participants at our weekly well-being sessions, led by our wellbeing and mindfulness practitioner, showed how beneficial these regular support sessions have become.

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Down’s Syndrome Association Year end 31 March 2024

DSActive DSEngage

Breaking down the barriers that prevent participation and inclusion is the fundamental aim of our healthy lifestyle and activities programme, DSActive DSEngage. The programme aims to improve physical health and mental wellbeing through in-person sports, leisure and recreational activities (DSActive) and DSEngage daily online activities, which are particularly important for people who have complex needs or face challenges to participating in activity outside of their homes. The programme also supports sport’s governing bodies and organisations through information and training sessions.

In 2023-24 we received over 130 enquiries about DSActive partner session provision and from organisations looking to work with the programme to enable new or improved sessions, and delivered 34 DSActive online training sessions for leisure, recreation and sports session providers.

DSEngage provides daily online activity sessions for children and adults who have Down’s syndrome with extra events at weekends, during special holidays and school holidays. In 2023-24 the programme provided 255 sessions which received 5,427 registrations from people who have Down’s syndrome, an increase from 3563 registrations for 234 sessions in 2022-23. Activity sessions for children and adults included art and craft, Zumba, seasonal holiday discos, Tik Tok dance sessions, Zenergize exercise sessions, as well as the regular sessions provided on a weekly basis, including Weekly Workout, 4pm and Evening Discos, Motivation Workout, Wake Up and Dance with DanceSyndrome and Pilates Plus.

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Down’s Syndrome Association Year end 31 March 2024

Let me take this opportunity to say a big thank you to the DSA for continuing with DSEngage…. they are still a very important part of Z's life now that she has left formal education. She is fortunate enough to have 2-3 weekly volunteering placements, but DSEngage, Our Voice and Dance Syndrome help so much in giving her something to look forward to on most days of the week.

We are so happy that we found you! X is very pleased to have an opportunity to move a little every afternoon! She loves to meet you all. So, thank you so much for those activities.

We are so grateful to you and everyone concerned at the DSA for the wonderful DSEngage programme.

We really are very grateful for all the great work you and your colleagues do. Please pass it on.

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Down’s Syndrome Association Year end 31 March 2024

We provide training, information and resources to employers to support them to . _ offer employment opportunities to people who have Down’s syndrome. We | develop employment opportunities for people who have Down’s syndrome andprovide advice and support to enable them to embrace the exciting challenges ‘~ ‘i re ~ that lie ahead on the journey to fulfilling their career ambitions. We provide 1 A ongoing support to employers and candidates at all stages of the programme. | val In 2023-24, demand for the programme continued across England and Wales with \ ) London and the South showing the highest numbers of engagement. WorkFit trained 880 workplace colleagues about Down’s syndrome. These sessions are crucial in enlightening the workforce about the potential of people who have Down’s syndrome in the workplace. We have maintained our excellent 92% retention rate, and we are now seeing 80% of our candidates going into private AN oS i } ~ sector roles. From the variety of job types that we can offer, 88% of candidates went directly into paid work last year compared with 53% in 2019-20. \ 1g Ay . 33 > to o We have welcomed employer registrations from a range of employers and have ’ > ~~ S > Corns = pore < \7ae 5GY 4 ~ a rasPa > x continued to expand our partnership with Hilton, GXO (reaching our 50th job opportunity with them in March), Odeon, Savills, Humberside Police, DHL, North ~ Se? a Wales Police, Leeds United, SecuriGroup and CBRE.

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We held a national online conference in March which featured personal and professional success stories from candidates and their employers.

The WorkFit team and partner employer GXO were both successful at the British Association for Supported Employment (BASE) Awards in November, winning the Small Supported Employment Team of the Year Award and the Large Employer Award respectively.

WorkFit launched a new WorkFit video in November featuring Daniel in his new role at the Bridge Theatre in London.

WorkFit was invited to attend the Hilton’s Breaking Barriers Event on 25 October to talk to ’ Hilton partners about the benefits of employing people who have Down s syndrome.

Securing paid work makes a huge difference to the lives of candidates. Along with developing paid work we also developed work experience placements, volunteering, supported internships and supported apprenticeships. We have seen our candidates grow in confidence, develop skills, expand their social circle, become more financially independent and enjoy the self-esteem of being part of a team where their contribution is valued.

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Down’s Syndrome Association Year end 31 March 2024

. 4 4 bl = Ps we Ne : ; ea Oo Research Support In 2023 -24, we provided ongoing support in the oeSN form of promotion and recruitment to 20 7 . lmnq o4 ~ a—= pe! — Pda~4 , studies with a focus specifically on Down’s =] | syndrome. These studies covered a wide variety iy : 4 ¥ Ne d Ve of issues including education, communication, a ; re motor skills, self-regulation, early feeding, i impacts of Covid on young children and through e ef —— “ transition, effects of caring on well-being, >. adolescence, dementia, reading, mathematical abilities and sleep. We supported a further ten studies that looked more widely at people who have learning disabilities.

Additional support was provided to five studies j , by DSA’s Information Team, our Northern : en - Ireland Office and the Our Voice Groups. This additional support took the form of advice around:

Ethics applications and the scope, development, recruitment and promotion of studies

Development of accessible recruitment materials and materials for study participants

The following studies are of note in terms of the high level of support we provided to researchers:

ABATE study trialling a vaccination for Alzheimer’s disease in people who have Down’s syndrome

Role of sleep in Down’s syndrome and ageing

We continued to support a PHD student at UCL Institute of Child Health working on the ECHILD e _S project. The student has submitted a first paper Ee of results for publication, ‘Hospital-recorded " chronic conditions in children with and without Down syndrome born in England from 2003- | | 2019: A national birth cohort study’. eS

Year end 31 March 2024 , -f

Communications

Communications ensure that the DSA messages reach the right people at the right time; are accessible, professional and engaging; and reflect the charity’s expertise.

We continue to involve adults who have Down’s syndrome in the work of the DSA and to represent everyone's views.

We continue to promote and share the stories and voices of people who have Down’s syndrome.

Together with our members and supporters we have created and shared stories via all our communications channels.

We continue to raise awareness of our existence, our work and the ways we can support people who have Down’s syndrome and their families.

Blogs and social media posts

Betsy’s mum shared how some simple changes made her daughter’s dance class a truly inclusive experience.

Adam shared some of his favourite experiences with us which we turned into a series of social media videos

Actor Billy Moyce talked about his work on Jerk for BBC3, Dreamland on Sky, the Ted Lasso comedy film and music videos for The Specials and Superbird, amongst other things. He recorded a video to tell us about his life

Regular blogger Vinay kept us up to date on his weekly activities, his interest in cooking and looking after himself, as well as sharing highlights of a trip to Dubai

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Awareness Week

During Awareness Week we celebrated the individuality of every person who has Down’s syndrome with a series of case study posts and videos.

We also supported the hugely successful ‘Assume That I Can’ global awareness campaign

The Our Voice network have been vital to our communications work this year. They hosted online interviews with Councillor Sara Pickard, self-advocate and campaigner, and EastEnders actress Grace, who has played the part of Janet Mitchell in the soap since she was a baby.

They contributed valuable insights and resources to the Education campaign and helped us to celebrate the King’s Coronation.

The 2024 My Perspective awards event was hosted by actor and DSA Patron Sarah Gordy.

For the first time we had a separate category for children, and a video category. The quality of both the films and the photography was sensational. We also followed the event with a series of exhibitions in public libraries and in three Hilton Hotels.

We worked with our Information Team

and Maggie Woodhouse (Optometrist and Senior Lecturer at Cardiff University) to develop an accessible video to explain the issue of visual acuity in people who have Down’s syndrome.

Our twice yearly Journal received a design revamp.

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Raising funds

The last financial year has continued to be a challenge but we have managed to maintain a good income stream and our supporters and members continue to be very involved in helping us raise funds.

Corporate support has been significant and has exceeded expectations; this also shows a strong reputation in the corporate environment. Legacies suffered slightly this year, but we are forecasting a strong recovery in the next financial year. Our events fundraising is also showing improvement after being affected by the pandemic.

photo by Jon Santa Cruz

Financial review

We are pleased to have continued receiving funds to support our work.

The Down’s Syndrome Association income was £1.8m (2023: £2m). This decrease from the previous year was largely due to a decrease in Legacy income partially offset by increase in company income for restricted projects.

Total expenditure increased from previous year to £2.2m (2023: £2.1m). This slight increase is due to more spending on beneficiary projects and building improvements.

The amount of money spent on raising funds represented 16% (2023: 17%) of total expenditure (or 16p in every £1 spent).

Overall, there was a planned deficit in the year of £521,143 (2023: deficit £100,844). This deficit was greater than budgeted mainly due to significantly fewer legacy donations received during the year.

----- Start of picture text -----
HOW WE ARE
Campaigning and research SPENDING OUR MONEY
13%
Information, training and assessment
38%
Raising funds
16%
For every £1 spent in 2023/24
Beneficiary projects and services 84p was spent in
33% charitable activities
----- End of picture text -----

Down’s Syndrome Trading Ltd

This is the subsidiary trading company of the Down’s Syndrome Association. Its principal activity is the sale of Christmas cards and t-shirts.

The company made a gross profit of £7,691 (2023 - £14,498) and after administrative expenses the company made and operating profit of £772. The company will gift aid any profits to the Down's Syndrome Association in this year (2023 - £9,775).

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Principal risks and uncertainties

Risk management

As part of their ongoing strategic planning work, the trustees carry out a formal risk review each year to examine the major risks facing the charity. The review considers both top down and bottom-up risks and ranks them in order of likelihood and impact. Responsibility for each risk is allocated either to a member of the senior management team or to the trustees. The senior management team provide updates to the trustees each quarter on their progress against action plans designed to manage the risks identified. The risk register was most recently reviewed and updated by the trustees in March 2024.

The main risks facing the Association have been identified as a loss of funding and the possibility of members leaving. In order to mitigate against these risks a fundraising strategy has been established which strengthens and diversifies our income streams. Additionally an adequate reserves policy has been established to ensure security and financial stability through the uncertain years expected ahead.

Strong relationships are developed with our members through frequent and regular communication utilising various channels, including our Journal, newsletters, social media and where necessary we have communicated on important issues via Zoom. This ensures that all members have a sense of ‘belonging’ and that all members are aware of our latest news and any developments, and that they are confident that the organisation is stronger because they are a part of it. Any lapses in membership are followed up and any reasons for lapses are addressed.

Reserves policy and going concern

Reserves are needed to bridge the gap between the spending and receiving of income and to cover any unplanned or emergency expenditure. The reserves policy was updated in light of the pandemic, in order to provide a level of security and a buffer, which will allow our services to continue to be offered and delivered with certainty over the next few years. This provides stability and reassurance to our members, supporters and the wider public that our organisation will continue to operate over the long term, is reliable and dependable and is a going concern. The reserves policy states that the unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets and stocks (‘the free reserves’) held by the charity should be between six to nine months of the resources expended. That equates to between £1.2m and £1.7m in general funds, based on the budget for 2024-25. The free reserves currently available equate to 6 months running costs and amount to £1.2m.

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Down’s Syndrome Association Year end 31 March 2024

The designated funds have also been reviewed and maintained to provide adequate levels of funding to ensure that when they are needed to be drawn on sufficient funds will be available. The designated funds are:

IT & Systems – funds to allow our IT infrastructure and software to be kept secure and up to date to allow our services to be delivered in the most efficient way and staff to work flexibly as required.

Emergency Fund - funds to be drawn on if an unexpected drop in income or other emergency requires an immediate response.

Building Fund - provision for building, repairs, and maintenance.

Inclusion Fund - allowance for launching our Inclusion project.

Research Fund - funds to allow us to launch research projects as the opportunity arises.

Our consolidated balance sheet remains strong. The trustees have reviewed the circumstances of the Down’s Syndrome Association and consider that adequate resources continue to be available to fund the activities of the Association for the foreseeable future.

The trustees are of the view that the Association is a going concern.

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Down’s Syndrome Association Year end 31 March 2024

29 FEN

Membership

We will continue to promote membership through all our available channels. More outreach work is planned in the coming year, including at regional conferences and meetings, which will be a great opportunity to promote membership. We will hold five regional meetings with our affiliated groups.

We will continue to work on strengthening communication with members, with higher levels of personalisation and relevant information being shared with the right people.

We will continue to promote free membership to all adults 18+ who have Down’s syndrome and we are also ensuring that all sign-ups to WorkFit are DSA members.

Inclusive participation

We will provide Listen Include Respect UK (DSA) training and consultancy to organisations. We will make more of our information resources and training courses accessible with the addition of easy read text and short explanatory videos co-produced and presented by Our Voice members.

Policy, campaigns and consultations

We will continue to work with Government departments and public officials to ensure that the needs of people who have Down’s syndrome and their families are noted when developing policy at national, regional and local levels.

As key stakeholders, we will continue to work with all organisations seeking the views of people who have Down’s syndrome and their families on a range of issues.

We will continue to campaign for people’s rights and for better services throughout their lives.

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Down’s Syndrome Association Year end 31 March 2024

Information, training and support

We will build on the success of our education project for children and young people in education by developing our information and support services for parents of pre-school children and by creating a service for young people 14 – 25 years old to improve career opportunities post 16 and better prepare for adulthood.

We will provide webinars for social care, health and education professionals and increase our presence in professional networks.

We will publish a new dementia resource for carers and practitioners.

We will continue to support parent carers of people who have complex needs including autism through regular online meetings and regional in-person meetings.

We will develop awareness of housing and support options for adults who have Down’s syndrome and advocate for people’s choices.

DSActive DSEngage

We will continue to build DSEngage by welcoming people who have Down’s syndrome and by communicating the health and wellbeing benefits of participating in activities.

We will provide training and support to partner organisations across all sports and recreational activities.

We will continue to increase opportunities for people who have Down’s syndrome to be included in leisure, recreational and sporting activities.

WorkFit®

We will continue to raise aspirations and to encourage candidates who want to work to register with us.

We will continue to work with employers to enable them to recruit employees who have Down’s syndrome and to provide them with ongoing support.

We will continue to work with partners to develop work opportunities.

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Down’s Syndrome Association Year end 31 March 2024

Research support

We will continue to support researchers where research will benefit people who have Down’s syndrome, including clinical trials to assess the drug treatment for Alzheimer’s disease in people who have Down’s syndrome, and to better understand ‘regression’ in younger adults who have Down’s syndrome.

We will continue to offer advice to researchers, particularly from people who have Down’s syndrome.

Communications

We will continue to amplify the voices of people who have Down’s syndrome in the communications output of the DSA.

We will continue to encourage more engagement with our members and their families through life-stories and include people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to ensure a wide range of life experience is shown.

We will work to ensure that our resources and information are current, accessible and engaging.

We will continue to develop the DSA’s website to be accessible.

Raising Funds

Global economies are still unstable, but we are hoping to show some growth. We have managed and maintained our reserves according to our policies and are in a confident position.

Our weekly lottery is now well established so we can work on showing a stronger revenue performance from it in the coming year. This will be a great source of unrestricted funds.

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Down’s Syndrome Association Year end 31 March 2024

Structure, governance and management

The organisation started as a parent support group in 1970. It was registered as a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered as a charity on 11 June 1973 and incorporated on 30 January 1997.

The organisation was established under a memorandum of association which set out the objects and powers of the organisation and is governed under its articles of association.

All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity. Any expenses reclaimed from the charity are set out in note 8 to the accounts.

Trustee induction and training

New trustees undergo orientation to brief them on their legal obligations under charity and company law, the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and inform them of the content of the memorandum and articles of association, the committee and decision-making processes, the business plan and recent financial performance of the charity. Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events where these will upskill them in their role.

Related parties and relationships with other organisations

The Association continues its close links with Down's Syndrome Scotland, Down’s Syndrome Ireland and the Down’s Heart Group. The DSA regularly works with other many national learning disability organisations. The DSA is a member of Down Syndrome International and supports the organisation financially. We also support the Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group UK & Ireland.

33

Down’s Syndrome Association Year end 31 March 2024

Remuneration policy for key management personnel

The Down’s Syndrome Association is committed to ensuring a proper balance between (i) paying our staff and others who work for us fairly so that we attract and retain the best people for the job and (ii) careful management of our charity funds. In so doing we will ensure the greatest effectiveness in delivering our charitable objectives and meeting the needs of our beneficiaries.

When determining the salary for a newly created post, we will collect information about comparable roles in other organisations, preferably within the voluntary sector. We will use this information to benchmark our own salaries, normally aiming to set it at a level that appears to represent the market average. We will also seek advice from colleagues within other organisations, if applicable, when we know they employ people in similar roles.

Salary banding

Salaries for all current posts, other than the Chief Executive, will fall within a salary band, based on the skills required for the role, the responsibility of the role and the experience of the person.

In April each year, the trustees will consider awarding a cost of living adjustment for all staff when setting the following year’s annual budget. This increase is to reflect changes in the cost of living and is entirely at the discretion of the trustees.

The trustees’ considerations will begin with an assumption that salaries should be adjusted to match inflation (specifically the Consumer Price Index) over the preceding 12 months. They will also take into account economic forecasts for the rate of inflation in the year ahead. They will then determine whether this is appropriate in the context of the charity’s financial situation and the charity’s performance.

Fundraising

We regularly review all our fundraising processes and procedures to ensure that we adhere to the relevant codes of practice and that we are dealing with supporters or potential supporters in a way which aligns with our values.

Vulnerable people are protected as we never share personal data, never put any of our supporters under undue pressure, always seek consent for contact and anyone can opt out of hearing from us at any time.

We do not work with any commercial participators. We have never received any complaints related to our fundraising. All fundraising activities are reported on regularly and reviewed by the senior management team and trustees.

34

Down’s Syndrome Association Year end 31 March 2024

Statement of responsibilities of the trustees

The trustees (who are also directors of Down’s Syndrome Association for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees’ annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and group and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company or group for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. In so far as the trustees are aware:

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Members of the charity guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charity in the event of winding up. The total number of such guarantees at 31 March 2024 was eight (2023: seven). The trustees are members of the charity but this entitles them only to voting rights. The trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.

35

Down’s Syndrome Association Year end 31 March 2024

Auditors

Sayer Vincent LLP were re-appointed as the charitable company's auditor during the year and have expressed their willingness to continue in that capacity.

The trustees’ annual report has been approved by the trustees on 20 July 2024 and signed on their behalf by

Dr John Gerard Coghlan

Chair of Trustees

Down’s Syndrome Association 7 ’

CONTACT US

Down’s Syndrome Association

Langdon Down Centre, 2a Langdon Park, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 9PS

t. 0333 1212 300

e. info@downs-syndrome.org.uk e. training@downs-syndrome.org.uk w.downs-syndrome.org.uk

Wales

e. wales@downs-syndrome.org.uk

Northern Ireland

e. enquiriesni@downs-syndrome.org.uk

A Down’s Syndrome Association publication. All rights reserved. This publication or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the DSA except for the use of brief quotations

Down’s Syndrome Association Year end 31 March 2024

37

Independent auditor’s report to the members of the Down’s Syndrome Association

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Down’s Syndrome Association (the ‘parent charitable company’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘group’) for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the consolidated statement of financial activities, the group and parent charitable company balance sheets, the consolidated statement of cash flows and the notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the group financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the group and parent charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on Down’s Syndrome Association's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

38

Down’s Syndrome Association Year end 31 March 2024

Other Information

The other information comprises the information included in the trustees’ annual report other than the group financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the group financial statements does not cover the other information, and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the group financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the group financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent charitable company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the trustees’ annual report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 and Charities Act 2011 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

39

Down’s Syndrome Association Year end 31 March 2024

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the statement of trustees’ responsibilities set out in the trustees’ annual report, the trustees (who are also the directors of the parent charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the group’s and the parent charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the group or the parent charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed auditor under the Companies Act 2006 and section 151 of the Charites Act 2011 and report in accordance with those Acts.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud are set out below.

40

Down’s Syndrome Association Year end 31 March 2024

Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities

In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, our procedures included the following:

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

41

Down’s Syndrome Association Year end 31 March 2024

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company's members as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and regulations made under section 154 of that Act. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Noelia Serrano (Senior statutory auditor)

Date 1 November 2024

for and on behalf of Sayer Vincent LLP, Statutory Auditor Invicta House, 110 Golden Lane, LONDON, EC1Y 0TG

Sayer Vincent LLP is eligible to act as auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006

42

Down’s Syndrome Association Year end 31 March 2024

Down's Syndrome Association

Consolidated statement of financial activities (incorporating an income and expenditure account)

For theyear ended 31 March 2024 For theyear ended 31 March 2024 downs-syndrome.org.uk downs-syndrome.org.uk downs-syndrome.org.uk
Unrestricted
Note
£
Income from:
2
912,499
3
33,280
3
-
3
-
4
97,573
62,311
1,105,663
5
361,034
5
5
697,416
5
336,735
5
299,489
1,694,673
52
7
(588,958)
-
(588,958)
Reconciliation of funds:
2,611,510
2,022,552
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
(589,010)
Transfers between funds
Net movement in funds
Beneficiary Projects and Services
Campaigning and Research
Net (expenditure) for the year
Total expenditure
Net (expenditure) before net gains on
investments
Charitable activities
Information, Training and Assessments
Beneficiary Projects and Services
Campaigning and Research
Net gains on investments
Investments
Total income
Expenditure on:
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Other trading activities
Information, Training and Assessments
Raising funds		 Restricted
£
30,896
73,719
528,225
21,140
2,430
-		 2024
Total
£
943,395
106,999
528,225
21,140
100,003
62,311		 Unrestricted
£
1,336,021
28,966
-
-
102,233
19,679		 Restricted
£
124,270
45,298
356,131
16,293
3,230
-		 2023
Total
£
1,460,291
74,264
356,131
16,293
105,463
19,679
1,105,663 656,410 1,762,073 1,486,899 545,222 2,032,121
361,034
697,416
336,735
299,489		 4,836
173,280
404,750
5,728		 365,870
870,696
741,485
305,217		 368,042
716,138
215,040
247,479		 4,906
153,092
408,417
19,914		 372,948
869,231
623,456
267,393
1,694,673 588,595 2,283,268 1,546,699 586,329 2,133,028
52
(589,010)		 -
67,815		 52
(521,195)		 63
(59,800)		 -
(41,107)		 63
(100,907)
(588,958)
-		 67,815
-		 (521,143)
-		 (59,737)
(67,257)		 (41,107)
67,257		 (100,844)
-
(588,958)
2,611,510		 67,815
1,081,521		 (521,143)
3,693,031		 (126,994)
2,738,504		 26,150
1,055,371		 (100,844)
3,793,875
2,022,552 1,149,336 3,171,888 2,611,510 1,081,521 3,693,031

All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. Movements in funds are disclosed in Note 21 to the financial statements.

43

A Down’s Syndrome Association publication

Company number: 3310024

Down's Syndrome Association

Balance Sheet

downs-syndrome.org.uk

For the year ended 31 March 2024

2024
2023
Note
£
£
Fixed assets:
12
975,208
955,473
13
309
257
975,517
955,730
Current assets:
16
11,383
6,341
17
161,228
78,964
1,154,939
820,274
1,076,423
2,033,156
2,403,973
2,938,735
Liabilities:
18
(207,602)
(201,434)
2,196,371
2,737,301
3,171,888
3,693,031
21
1,149,336
1,081,521
767,364
828,261
1,221,759
1,740,817
33,429
42,432
Total unrestricted funds
2,022,552
2,611,510
3,171,888
3,693,031
Stock
Debtors
Funds:
Restricted income funds
Unrestricted income funds:
Designated funds
Non-charitable trading funds
General funds
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Net current assets
Total net assets
Investments
Cash at bank and in hand
Short-term deposits
Tangible assets
The group
Total funds		 2024
2023
Note
£
£
Fixed assets:
12
975,208
955,473
13
309
257
975,517
955,730
Current assets:
16
11,383
6,341
17
161,228
78,964
1,154,939
820,274
1,076,423
2,033,156
2,403,973
2,938,735
Liabilities:
18
(207,602)
(201,434)
2,196,371
2,737,301
3,171,888
3,693,031
21
1,149,336
1,081,521
767,364
828,261
1,221,759
1,740,817
33,429
42,432
Total unrestricted funds
2,022,552
2,611,510
3,171,888
3,693,031
Stock
Debtors
Funds:
Restricted income funds
Unrestricted income funds:
Designated funds
Non-charitable trading funds
General funds
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Net current assets
Total net assets
Investments
Cash at bank and in hand
Short-term deposits
Tangible assets
The group
Total funds		 2024
2023
Note
£
£
Fixed assets:
12
975,208
955,473
13
309
257
975,517
955,730
Current assets:
16
11,383
6,341
17
161,228
78,964
1,154,939
820,274
1,076,423
2,033,156
2,403,973
2,938,735
Liabilities:
18
(207,602)
(201,434)
2,196,371
2,737,301
3,171,888
3,693,031
21
1,149,336
1,081,521
767,364
828,261
1,221,759
1,740,817
33,429
42,432
Total unrestricted funds
2,022,552
2,611,510
3,171,888
3,693,031
Stock
Debtors
Funds:
Restricted income funds
Unrestricted income funds:
Designated funds
Non-charitable trading funds
General funds
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Net current assets
Total net assets
Investments
Cash at bank and in hand
Short-term deposits
Tangible assets
The group
Total funds		 2024
2023
£
£
975,208
955,473
311
259
975,519
955,732
9,118
3,429
161,228
78,784
1,154,939
820,274
1,062,462
2,018,350
2,387,747
2,920,837
(224,805)
(225,968)
2,162,942
2,694,869
3,138,461
3,650,601
1,149,336
1,081,521
767,364
828,261
1,221,761
1,740,819
-
-
1,989,125
2,569,080
3,138,461
3,650,601
The charity		 2024
2023
£
£
975,208
955,473
311
259
975,519
955,732
9,118
3,429
161,228
78,784
1,154,939
820,274
1,062,462
2,018,350
2,387,747
2,920,837
(224,805)
(225,968)
2,162,942
2,694,869
3,138,461
3,650,601
1,149,336
1,081,521
767,364
828,261
1,221,761
1,740,819
-
-
1,989,125
2,569,080
3,138,461
3,650,601
The charity
975,517
11,383
161,228
1,154,939
1,076,423		 955,730
6,341
78,964
820,274
2,033,156		 975,519
9,118
161,228
1,154,939
1,062,462		 955,732
3,429
78,784
820,274
2,018,350
2,403,973
(207,602)		 2,938,735
(201,434)		 2,387,747
(224,805)		 2,920,837
(225,968)
2,196,371 2,737,301 2,162,942 2,694,869
3,171,888 3,693,031 3,138,461 3,650,601
1,149,336
767,364
1,221,759
33,429		 1,081,521
828,261
1,740,817
42,432		 1,149,336
767,364
1,221,761
-		 1,081,521
828,261
1,740,819
-
2,022,552 2,611,510 1,989,125 2,569,080
3,171,888 3,693,031 3,138,461 3,650,601

Approved by the trustees on 20 July 2024 and signed on their behalf by

Darren Warkcup Treasurer

A Down’s Syndrome Association publication

44

Down's Syndrome Association

Statement of cash flows

Statement of cash flows Statement of cash flows Statement of cash flows
For theyear ended 31 March 2024 downs-syndrome.org.uk
Note
£
£
22
(606,081)
62,311
(78,298)
(334,665)
(350,652)
(956,732)
2,033,156
1,076,423
Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
At 1 April
2023
Cash flows
£
£
Short term deposits
820,274
334,665
Cash at bank and in hand
2,033,156
(956,733)
Total cash and cash equivalents
2,853,430
(622,068)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year
2024
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash (used in) by investing activities
Net cash used in operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Dividends and interest from investments
Purchase of fixed assets
Movement in short-term deposits
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
At 1 April
2023
£
820,274
2,033,156		 Other non-
cash changes
£
-
-
(956,732)
2,033,156		 (33,357)
2,066,513
1,076,423 2,033,156
Cash flows
£
334,665
(956,733)		 At 31 March
2024
£
1,154,939
1,076,423
2,853,430 (622,068) - 2,231,362

A Down’s Syndrome Association publication

45

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Down's Syndrome Association

Notes to the financial statements

downs-syndrome.org.uk

a) Statutory information

Down's Syndrome Association is a charitable company limited by guarantee and is incorporated in England. The registered office address and principal place of business is Langdon Down Centre, 2a Langdon Park, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 9PS.

b) Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) - (Charities SORP FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy or note.

These financial statements consolidate the results of the charitable company and its wholly-owned subsidiary Down's Syndrome Trading Limited on a line by line basis. Transactions and balances between the charitable company and its subsidiary have been eliminated from the consolidated financial statements. Balances between the two companies are disclosed in the notes of the charitable company's balance sheet. A separate statement of financial activities, or income and expenditure account, for the charitable company itself is not presented because the charitable company has taken advantage of the exemptions afforded by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006.

c) Public benefit entity

The charitable company meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

d) Going concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern. The trustees have considered the ongoing impact of the current challenging economic climate when reaching this conclusion.

There are no key judgements that the charitable company has made which have a significant effect on the accounts.

The trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.

46

A Down’s Syndrome Association publication

Down's Syndrome Association

downs-syndrome.org.uk

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Notes to the financial statements

Income from government and other grants, whether ‘capital’ grants or ‘revenue’ grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor(s) to the charity that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the charity has been notified of the executor’s intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the charity, or the charity is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is a treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.

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

Membership income is treated as donation income and recognised when received.

Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item or received the service, any conditions associated with the donation 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. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), volunteer time is not recognised so refer to the trustees’ annual report for more information about their contribution.

On receipt, donated gifts, professional services and donated 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.

Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the fund.

Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources received or generated for the charitable purposes.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular purposes.

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. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

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

47

A Down’s Syndrome Association publication

downs-syndrome.org.uk

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Down's Syndrome Association

Notes to the financial statements

Where information about the aims, objectives and projects of the charity is provided to potential beneficiaries, the costs associated with this publicity are allocated to charitable expenditure.

Support and governance costs are re-allocated to each of the activities on the following basis which is an estimate, based on staff time, of the amount attributable to each activity

Governance costs are the costs associated with the governance arrangements of the charity. These costs are associated with constitutional and statutory requirements and include any costs associated with the strategic management of the charity’s activities.

k) Operating leases

Rental charges are charged on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.

l) Tangible fixed assets

Items of equipment are capitalised where the purchase price exceeds £1,000. Depreciation costs are allocated to activities on the basis of the use of the related assets in those activities. Assets are reviewed for impairment if circumstances indicate their carrying value may exceed their net realisable value and value in use.

Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life. The depreciation rates in use are as follows:

m) Listed investments

Investments are a form of basic financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their fair value as at the balance sheet date using the closing

quoted market price. Any change in fair value will be recognised in the statement of financial activities and any excess of fair value over the historic cost of the investments will be shown as a fair value reserve in the balance sheet. Investment gains and losses, whether realised or unrealised, are combined and shown in the heading “Net gains/(losses) on investments” in the statement of financial activities. The charity does not acquire put options, derivatives or other complex financial instruments.

Investments in subsidiaries

Investments in subsidiaries are at cost.

48

A Down’s Syndrome Association publication

downs-syndrome.org.uk

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Down's Syndrome Association

Notes to the financial statements

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

Payments to the stakeholder pension scheme are charged as an expense as they fall due.

2a Income from donations and legacies (current year)

Income from donations and legacies (current year)
Total income from donations and legacies
Gifts
Legacies		 Unrestricted
£
827,162
85,337
912,499		 £
28,896
2,000
30,896
Restricted		 2024
Total
£
856,058
87,337
943,395		 2023
Total
£
1,001,738
458,553
1,460,291

49

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downs-syndrome.org.uk

Down's Syndrome Association

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

2b Income from donations and legacies (prior year)

Income from donations and legacies (prior year)
Gifts
Legacies
Total income from donations and legacies		 Unrestricted
£
924,804
411,217
1,336,021		 £
76,934
47,336
124,270
Restricted		 2023
Total
£
1,001,738
458,553
1,460,291

At the end of the year, we have been notified that we are entitled to funds from a total of 4 (2023: 4) residual legacies. However, as at 31 March 2024, we had not been notified as to the value of our entitlement or when this would be received. As such we are not able to recognise these funds in the financial statements for the year. Where we have received further correspondence since the year end, we are aware income of approximately £356,000 from these legacies.

3a Income from charitable activities (current year)

Income from charitable activities (current year)
National Lottery Community fund
Welsh Government
DHSSPS
Contributions to Youth & Project Activities
National Lottery Heritage Fund
Total income from charitable activities
Sub-total for Information, Training & Assessments
Companies
Charitable Trusts & Foundations
Charitable Trusts & Foundations
Sub-total for Campaigning & Research
Companies
Conference, Training & Assessments
Charitable Trusts & Foundations
Sub-total for Beneficiary Projects & Services
Companies		 Unrestricted
£
-
-
-
33,280
33,280
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
33,280		 £
12,900
50,819
10,000
-
73,719
53,375
357,730
87,772
13,143
16,205
528,225
6,640
14,500
-
21,140
623,084
Restricted		 2024
Total
£
12,900
50,819
10,000
33,280		 2023
Total
£
18,500
26,798
-
28,966
106,999
53,375
357,730
87,772
13,143
16,205		 74,264
109,900
96,164
107,879
26,285
15,903
528,225
6,640
14,500
-		 356,131
-
-
16,293
21,140 16,293
656,364 446,688

50

A Down’s Syndrome Association publication

Down's Syndrome Association

Notes to the financial statements

downs-syndrome.org.uk

For the year ended 31 March 2024

3b
Big Lottery Fund
Welsh Government
DHSSPS
EU Active Inclusion
Contributions to Youth & Project Activities
National Lottery Heritage Fund
4a
4b
Income from other trading activities (current year)
Lettings
Total income from charitable activities
Lettings
Fundraising events
Subsidiary trading
Total income from other trading activities
Income from other trading activities (prior year)
Subsidiary trading
Total income from other trading activities
Fundraising events
Sub-total for Beneficiary Projects & Services
Companies
Companies
Conference, Training & Assessments
Charitable Trusts & Foundations
Companies
Sub-total for Campaigning & Research
Income from charitable activities (prior year)
Sub-total for Information, Training & Assessments
Charitable Trusts & Foundations		 Unrestricted
£
-
-
28,966
28,966
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
28,966
Unrestricted
£
78,038
7,121
12,414
97,573
Unrestricted
£
69,100
13,203
19,930
102,233		 £
18,500
26,798
-
45,298
109,900
96,164
-
107,879
26,285
-
15,903
356,131
-
16,293
16,293
417,722
£
2,430
-
-
2,430
£
3,230
-
-
3,230
Restricted
Restricted
Restricted		 2023
Total
£
18,500
26,798
28,966
74,264
109,900
96,164
-
107,879
26,285
-
15,903
356,131
-
16,293
16,293
446,688
2024
Total
£
80,468
7,121
12,414
100,003
2023
Total
£
72,330
13,203
19,930
105,463		 2022
Total
£
20,000
33,100
46,096
99,196
121,833
47,568
10,000
102,180
26,285
4,617
17,579
330,062
5,000
64,042
69,042
498,300
2023
Total
£
72,330
13,203
19,930
105,463
2022
Total
£
36,748
8,488
23,979
69,216

51

A Down’s Syndrome Association publication

Down's Syndrome Association

downs-syndrome.org.uk

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Analysis of expenditure (current year)
Staff costs (Note 8)
Staff training & recruitment
Postage, telephone, fax and email
Research & museum costs
Information resources
Conferences and training costs
Projects and activities
Fundraising events
Fundraising costs
Appeals, advertising and media
Travel & meetings
Consultants, Advisors and professional fees
Office rent, running and equipment
Depreciation
Support costs
Governance costs
Total expenditure 2024
Total expenditure 2023		 Cost of
raising
funds
£
184,258
-
8,727
-
589
-
-
40,966
14,174
11,494
14
27,102
984
-		 Charitable activities Governance
costs
£
27,812
-
440
-
662
-
-
-
-
-
2,761
-
99
-		 Support
costs
£
144,347
1,637
10,798
526
1,905
-
-
-
-
-
23
75,383
179,855
57,363		 2024
Total
£
1,368,545
3,499
32,033
15,090
84,978
13,469
174,425
41,417
14,174
17,473
26,583
225,069
207,950
58,563		 2023
Total
£
1,261,665
4,562
28,236
85,179
76,088
13,989
97,982
58,933
13,808
47,625
32,897
195,207
175,378
41,479
Information,
Training &
Assessments
£
372,779
562
6,231
14,564
24,684
10,949
147,573
-
-
-
8,118
122,584
5,733
-		 Beneficiary
Projects &
Services
£
475,315
1,000
5,112
-
5,398
2,520
17,025
451
-
-
14,991
-
18,392
1,200		 Campaigning
& Research
£
164,034
300
725
-
51,740
-
9,827
-
-
5,979
676
-
2,887
-
288,308
72,669
4,894		 713,777
147,019
9,900		 541,404
187,457
12,624		 236,168
64,693
4,356		 31,774
-
(31,774)		 471,837
(471,837)
-		 2,283,268
-
-		 2,133,028
-
-
365,870 870,696 741,485 305,217 - - 2,283,268 2,133,028
2,133,028
372,948 869,231 623,456 267,393 - -

A Down’s Syndrome Association publication

52

Down's Syndrome Association

downs-syndrome.org.uk

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Analysis of expenditure (prior year)
Staff costs (Note 8)
Staff training & recruitment
Postage, telephone, fax and email
Research & museum costs
Information resources
Conferences and training costs
Projects and activities
Fundraising events
Fundraising costs
Appeals, advertising and media
Travel & meetings
Consultants, Advisors and professional fees
Office rent, running and equipment
Depreciation
Support costs
Governance costs
Total expenditure 2023		 Cost of
raising
funds
£
170,034
803
5,088
-
3,818
-
-
42,169
13,808
33,886
150
25,072
4,318
-		 Charitable activities Governance
costs
£
27,180
-
697
-
897
-
-
-
-
-
9,760
7,544
1,908
-		 Support
costs
£
138,453
3,255
11,681
349
1,489
-
-
16,357
-
140
580
70,060
145,095
40,279		 2023
Total
£
1,261,665
4,562
28,236
85,179
76,088
13,989
97,982
58,933
13,808
47,625
32,897
195,207
175,378
41,479
Information,
Training &
Assessments
£
414,376
504
5,608
63,775
19,091
11,145
68,735
-
-
252
8,533
92,531
4,824
-		 Beneficiary
Projects &
Services
£
386,118
-
4,306
2,108
7,946
2,844
20,162
407
-
-
13,190
-
17,584
1,200		 Campaigning
& Research
£
125,504
-
856
18,947
42,847
-
9,085
-
-
13,347
684
-
1,649
-
299,146
66,358
7,444		 689,374
161,715
18,142		 455,865
150,686
16,905		 212,919
48,979
5,495		 47,986
-
(47,986)		 427,738
(427,738)
-		 2,133,028
-
-
372,948 869,231 623,456 267,393 - - 2,133,028

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53

Down's Syndrome Association

Notes to the financial statements

Notes to the financial statements
For theyear ended 31 March 2024 downs-syndrome.org.uk
6
Cambridge and Peterborough Foundation NHS
Grant making
At the end of the year
Down Syndrome International: Inclusive Project
Cost
Down Syndrome International Funding Grant		 2024
£
14,564
115,000
26,000		 2023
£
50,000
42,500
20,000
141,000 62,500

Cambridge and Peterborough Foundation NHS : The grant support the costs of investigating unexplained early regression in adolescents and adults with Down’s syndrome.

Down Syndrome International Funding Grant: Grants are given by Down's Syndrome Association to support the work of Down Syndrome International.

Down Syndrome International: The grant for Inclusive project aim to support policy making to become accessible and inclusive of people with learning disabilities. All grant making costs are recognised within Projects and activities costs in note 5.

This is stated after charging:

This is stated after charging:
2024 2023
£ £
Depreciation 58,563 41,479
Operating lease rentals:
Property 11,235 22,848
Other 4,527 4,573
Auditor's remuneration (excluding VAT):
Audit 14,500 13,550

Staff costs were as follows:

Staff costs were as follows:
Salaries and wages
Social security costs
Employer’s contribution to defined contribution pension schemes		 2024
£
1,186,938
115,935
65,672		 2023
£
1,089,568
111,165
60,932
1,368,545 1,261,665

One employee earned over £60,000 in 2024 (None in 2023)

The total employee benefits including pension contributions and employer's national insurance of the key management personnel were £174,955 (2023: £167,881).

The charity trustees were neither paid nor received any other benefits from employment with the charity in the year (2023: £nil). No charity trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity (2023: £nil).

Trustees' expenses represent the payment or reimbursement of travel and subsistence costs totalling £745 (2023: £841) incurred by 1 (2023: 1) members relating to attendance at meetings of the trustees.

The average number of employees (head count based on number of staff employed) during the year was as follows:

The average number of employees (head count based on number of staff employed) during the year was as follows:
Raising funds
Support
Information, Training and Assessments
Beneficiary Projects and Services
Campaigning and Research
Governance		 2024
No.
5.3
12.5
15.8
4.0
5.0
1.0		 2023
No.
5.1
10.8
13.6
4.3
5.0
1.0
43.6 39.8

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54

Down's Syndrome Association

Notes to the financial statements

downs-syndrome.org.uk

For the year ended 31 March 2024

10 Related party transactions

There are no donations from related parties which are outside the normal course of business and no restricted donations from related parties.

Down Syndrome International uses office space at the Down's Syndrome Association headquarters. Grants are given by Down's Syndrome Association to support the work of Down Syndrome International. The Chief Executive of Down's Syndrome Association, Carol Boys, is also a trustee of Down Syndrome International. The Treasurer Trustee, of Down's Syndrome Association, Darren Warwick is also trustee of Down Syndrome International.

DSA is the payroll agency for DSI.

The Down's Syndrome Association made the following payments to Down Syndrome International during the year:

The Down's Syndrome Association made the following payments to Down Syndrome International during the year:
Grant Payments
Membership Fee
Merchandise
Total		 2024
£
141,000
300
15,498		 2023
£
62,500
300
10,962
156,798 73,762

At the end of the Financial Year DSI owed Down's Syndrome Association £20,943.

In addition Down's Syndrome Trading is a subsidiary of Down's Syndrome Association. There was no balance owing to Down's Syndrome Association at the end of the financial year.

11 Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes. The charity’s trading subsidiary Down's Syndrome Trading Limited pays available profits to the charity throughthe Gift Aid scheme, eliminating or reducing their respective corporation tax liabilities . Its charge to corporation tax in the year was nil (2023: £2,260)

12 Tangible fixed assets

The charity and the group

Freehold
Property
£
1,286,250
-
-		 Long
Leasehold
Premises
£
60,000
-
-		 Improvements
to Property
£
78,712
-
-		 Fixtures and
fittings
£
95,133
78,298
(52,891)		 Pullen
Exhibition
Assets
£
42,128
-
-		 Computer
Equipment
£
122,057
-
-		 Total
£
1,684,280
78,298
(52,891)
1,286,250 60,000 78,712 120,540 42,128 122,057 1,709,687
382,200
29,400
-		 39,600
1,200
-		 58,703
2,001
-		 91,251
22,396
(52,891)		 42,128
-
-		 114,925
3,566
-		 728,807
58,563
(52,891)
411,600 40,800 60,704 60,756 42,128 118,491 734,479
874,650 19,200 18,008 59,784 - 3,566 975,208

All of the above assets are used for charitable purposes.

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55

Down's Syndrome Association

Notes to the financial statements

Notes to the financial statements
For theyear ended 31 March 2024 downs-syndrome.org.uk
13
Shares listed on the London Stock Exchange
Unlisted shares in UK registered companies
Fair value at the start of the year
Investments comprise:
Net gain on change in fair value
Fair value at the end of the year
Historic cost at the end of the year
Listed investments		 2024
£
257
52
The		 2023
£
194
63
group		 2024
£
259
52		 2023
£
196
63
The charity
309 257 311 259
15 15 15 15
2024
£
309
-
The		 2023
£
257
-
group		 2024
£
309
2		 2023
£
257
2
The charity
309 257 311 259

14 Subsidiary undertaking

The charitable company owns the whole of the issued ordinary share capital of Down's Syndrome Trading Limited (DST), a company registered in England. The subsidiary is used for non-primary purpose trading activities. The Chief Executive of DSA is also a Director of DST. All activities have been consolidated on a line by line basis in the statement of financial activities. Available profits are gift aided to the charitable company. A summary of the results of the subsidiary is shown below:


below:
Loss/ (profit) for the financial year
Cost of sales
Turnover
Funds
Management Charge
The aggregate of the assets, liabilities and funds was:
Assets
Gross profit
Administrative expenses
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation
Donation to parent undertaking
Taxation on profit on ordinary activities
Profit on ordinary activities after taxation
Liabilities		 2024
£
12,960
(5,269)		 2023
£
20,452
(5,954)
7,691
(5,919)
(1,000)		 14,498
(3,723)
(1,000)
772
-		 9,775
(2,270)
772
(9,775)		 7,505
-
(9,003) 7,505
36,677
(3,249)		 45,902
(3,470)
33,428 42,432

15 Parent charity

The parent charity's gross income and the results for the year are disclosed as follows:

The parent charity's gross income and the results for the year are disclosed as follows:
16
Stocks
Gross income
Result for the year
Finished goods		 2024
£
11,383
The		 2023
£
6,341
group		 2024
£
1,759,941
(512,139)		 2023
£
2,012,731
(108,351)
2024
£
9,118		 2023
£
3,429
The charity
11,383 6,341 9,118 3,429

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56

Down's Syndrome Association

Notes to the financial statements

Notes to the financial statements
For theyear ended 31 March 2024 downs-syndrome.org.uk
17
18
Amounts owed to subsidiary company
19
Balance at the beginning of the year
Amount released to income in the year
Amount deferred in the year
Balance at the end of the year
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Accruals
Prepayments
Deferred income
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Debtors
Trade creditors
Accrued income
Deferred income comprises restricted donations, membership fees and sales.
Taxation and social security
Deferred income (note 19)		 2024
£
67,037
37,558
31,704
24,929
The		 2023
£
2,354
63,782
12,828
-
group		 2024
£
67,037
37,558
31,704
24,929		 2023
£
2,354
63,602
12,828
-
The charity
161,228 78,964 161,228 78,784
2024
£
34,774
35,935
73,127
63,766
-
The		 2023
£
51,917
31,948
100,050
17,519
-
group		 2024
£
34,774
33,886
71,927
63,766
20,452		 2023
£
51,917
31,948
96,580
17,519
28,004
The charity
207,602 201,434 224,805 225,968
2024
£
17,519
(17,519)
63,766
The		 2023
£
11,042
(11,042)
17,519
group		 2024
£
17,519
(17,519)
63,766		 2023
£
11,042
(11,042)
17,519
The charity
63,766 17,519 63,766 17,519
Analysis of group net assets between funds (current year)
Investments
Net current assets
Tangible fixed assets
Analysis of group net assets between funds (prior year)
Investments
Net current assets
Tangible fixed assets
Net assets at the end of the year
Net assets at the end of the year		 General
Unrestricted
£
-
309
1,254,879		 £
63,350
-
704,014
Designated
funds		 Restricted
funds
£
911,858
-
237,478		 Total funds
£
975,208
309
2,196,371
1,255,188 767,364 1,149,336 3,171,888
General
Unrestricted
£
-
320
1,782,929		 £
11,014
-
817,247
Designated
funds		 Restricted
funds
£
944,459
-
137,062		 Total funds
£
955,473
320
2,737,238
1,783,249 828,261 1,081,521 3,693,031

20b Analysis of group net assets between funds (prior year)

A Down’s Syndrome Association publication

57

Down's Syndrome Association

Notes to the financial statements

downs-syndrome.org.uk

For the year ended 31 March 2024

21a
Welsh Government
Northern Ireland
DHSSPS
Northern Ireland Fixed Asset Reserve
Other Northern Ireland funds
DSActive and DSEngage
Speech and Language
Information
National Lottery Community fund
WorkFit - Employment Project
Ukraine appeal
LDC Theatre and Museum fund
LDC Fixed Asset Reserve
Total restricted funds
IT & Systems Fund
Emergency Fund
Building Fund
Inclusion Project
Employment Project
Research Fund
Fixed Asset Reserve
Total designated funds
General funds
Non-charitable trading funds
Total funds
Total unrestricted funds
Unrestricted funds:
Designated funds:
Restricted funds:
Movements in funds (current year)		 At the start of
the year
£
(7,135)
-
20,400
-
8,813
-
11,336
-
76,715
7,823
39,510
924,059		 Incoming
resources &
gains
£
87,772
13,142
-
39,223
7,625
3,000
69,015
10,000
407,335
192
19,106
-		 Outgoing
resources &
losses
£
(92,828)
(13,142)
(1,200)
(39,223)
(16,438)
(3,000)
(69,951)
(7,000)
(306,673)
(6,316)
(1,423)
(31,401)		 Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 At the end of the year
£
(12,191)
-
19,200
-
-
-
10,400
3,000
177,377
1,699
57,193
892,658
1,081,521 656,410 (588,595) - 1,149,336
182,335
300,000
150,000
30,000
32,000
122,912
11,014		 -
-
-
-
-
-
78,298		 (11,237)
-
(59,932)
(26,000)
(32,000)
(14,564)
(25,962)		 -
-
-
30,500
-
-
-		 171,098
300,000
90,068
34,500
-
108,348
63,350
828,261 78,298 (169,695) 30,500 767,364
1,740,817
42,432		 1,014,457
12,960		 (1,503,015)
(21,963)		 (30,500)
-		 1,221,759
33,429
2,611,510 1,105,715 (1,694,673) - 2,022,552
3,693,031 1,762,125 (2,283,268) - 3,171,888

A Down’s Syndrome Association publication

58

Down's Syndrome Association

Notes to the financial statements

downs-syndrome.org.uk

For the year ended 31 March 2024

21b Movements in funds (prior year)

Movements in funds (prior year)
Incoming Outgoing
At the start of resources & resources &
the year gains losses Transfers At the end of the year
£ £ £ £ £
Restricted funds:
Welsh Government (22,186) 107,879 (92,828) (7,135)
Northern Ireland
DHSSPS - 26,285 (26,285) - -
Youth Activities - - - - -
Other Northern Ireland funds - 38,234 (38,234) - -
DSActive 19,977 50,300 (61,464) - 8,813
Training and Conferences - - - - -
Information 14,200 79,797 (82,661) - 11,336
Our Voice - 1,295 (1,295) - -
WorkFit - Employment Project 37,500 176,158 (204,200) 67,257 76,715
Ukraine appeal 15,169 21,416 (28,762) - 7,823
50th Year Memories and Stories - 16,293 (16,293) - -
Museum Fund - 26,081 - - 26,081
LDC Fixed Asset Reserve 955,682 - (31,623) - 924,059
Total restricted funds 1,055,371 545,222 (586,329) 67,257 1,081,521
Unrestricted funds:
Designated funds:
IT & Systems Fund 200,000 - (17,665) - 182,335
Emergency Fund 300,000 - - - 300,000
Building Fund 150,000 - - - 150,000
Inclusion Project - - (20,000) 50,000 30,000
Employment Project 40,000 - (2,200) (5,800) 32,000
Research Fund 186,687 - (63,775) - 122,912
Fixed Asset Reserve 8,972 10,698 (8,656) - 11,014
Total designated funds 885,659 10,698 (112,296) 44,200 828,261
General funds 1,817,918 1,455,812 (1,421,456) (111,457) 1,740,817
Non-charitable trading funds 34,927 20,452 (12,947) - 42,432
Total unrestricted funds 2,738,504 1,486,962 (1,546,699) (67,257) 2,611,510
Total funds 3,793,875 2,032,184 (2,133,028) - 3,693,031

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59

Down's Syndrome Association

Notes to the financial statements

downs-syndrome.org.uk

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Purposes of restricted funds

Welsh Government

The main funder for work in Wales is the Welsh Government as part of its scheme for organisations operating in the social care sector for people with learning disabilities. The grant is used to support the work of our projects in Wales. The fund is currently in deficit as grant claims are made in arrears.

Northern Ireland

The main funder of our core work in Northern Ireland is the DHSSPS.

Any funds raised as a result of the fundraising activities carried out in Wales and Northern Ireland are also restricted to our work in those regions. The staff team in Northern Ireland organise training and support their affiliated groups and individual families with advice and support. They also organise numerous activities for people with Down's syndrome and run weekend breaks and holidays. We also own a chalet in Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Fixed Asset Reserve represents the net book value of the chalet.

DSActive and DSEngage Funding raised for our healthy lifestyle and activities programme. DSActive and DSEngage aims to improve physical health and mental wellbeing through in-person sports, leisure and recreational activities (DSActive) and DSEngage daily online activities.

Speech and Language

Specific donations have been given to support the work of our speech and language therapist.

Information

These funds are used to provide information and advice. We provide a help line 5 days a week and distribute leaflets and publications. The information department also publishes the Journal twice a year which is distributed to the members of the Association. Our publications and leaflets are continually being developed and updated. Our information department also has specialists who offer advice and support to families about welfare benefits.

Our Voice

Specific donations have been given to grow the Our Voice project which empowers young adults with Down's syndrome to be active citizens in their communities.

WorkFit- Employment Project These funds are used to support the work the Association does to support adults with Down's syndrome. This includes our unique WorkFit project which helps adults with Down's syndrome into employment.

Ukraine appeal These funds are used to help Down's Syndrome Ukraine and other related organizations to provide small grants to their members, contacts and families in financial difficulty .

50th Year Memories and Stories

A project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund to capture the memories and stories of people with Down's syndrome over the last 50 years.

LDC Theatre & Museum Fund

This fund is used to maintain the glorious Victorian theatre at the Langdon Down Centre which was originally built and used by Dr John Langdon Down and for the Museum to promote and preserve the beautifully rich history and legacy of the Langdon Down Centre.

LDC Fixed Asset Reserve

This represents the value of the assets including buildings and fixtures and fittings which were acquired from the Langdon Down Centre Trust on merger.

Purposes of designated funds

IT & Systems Fund The trustees have designated these funds to ensure that resources are available should any systems infrastructure need to be upgraded and other sources of funding cannot be secured.

Emergency Fund

The trustees have designated these funds to provide a buffer for an emergency situation which may adverseley affect our ability to raise funds.

Building Fund

The trustees have designated these funds to provide a sinking fund which will be used as necessary for building maintenance.

Inclusion Project

The trustees have designated these funds to start the first part of an innovative project to build a new Inclusion Team, through which people with Down’s syndrome can support policy making at all levels to become accessible and inclusive of people with learning disabilities.

Employment Project

The trustees have designated these funds to employ more WorkFit officers to increase the support of adults with Down's syndrome into work.

Research Fund

The trustees have designated these funds to allow us to invest in research opportunities.

Fixed Asset Reserve

This represents the value of general funds invested in buildings, fixtures and fittings and computer equipment and is therefore not readily available for other purposes.

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Down's Syndrome Association

Notes to the financial statements

Notes to the financial statements
For theyear ended 31 March 2024 downs-syndrome.org.uk
22
Net income for the reporting period
(as per the statement of financial activities)
Depreciation charges
(Gains) on investments
Dividends and interest from investments
(Increase)/Decrease in stocks
(Increase)/Decrease in debtors
Increase in creditors
Net cash (used in) operating activities
Reconciliation of net expenditure to net cash flow from operating activities		 2024
£
(521,143)
58,563
(52)
(62,311)
(5,042)
(82,264)
6,168		 2023
£
(100,844)
41,479
(63)
(19,679)
11,506
13,412
26,565
(606,081) (27,624)

23 Operating lease commitments

The group's total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases is as follows for each of the following periods:

Within one year
In the second to fifth years inclusive		 2024
2023
£
£
5,760
10,935
11,520
17,280
Property		 2024
2023
£
£
5,760
10,935
11,520
17,280
Property		 2024
£
4,249
6,418		 2023
£
2,228
-
Equipment
17,280 28,215 10,667 2,228

The charity is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The liability of each member in the event of winding up is limited to £1.

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