2024-03-31-accounts

Down's Syndrome Oxford

Accounts

Year ended 31 March 2024

Registered charity 1103850

Report of the independent examiner to the trustees of Downs Syndrome Oxford.

This report on the accounts of Downs Syndrome Oxford for the year ended 31 March 2024, set out on pages 2 and 3, is in respect of an examination carried out in accordance with section 145 of the Charities Act 2011.

Respective responsibilities of the trustees and the independent examiner

The trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts.

On the basis that the trustees consider that the audit requirement of section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 does not apply, it is my responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under s145(5)(b) of the Act, whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of the independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. The examination included a review of the accounting records maintained by the treasurer and a comparison of the accounts with those records. It also included the consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and the seeking of explanations from you as the trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements

2. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act 2011; and

3. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records have not been met; or

4. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

N Westbury BSc (Hons) FCCA Bloxham Banbury Oxon

10 December 2024

1

Down's Syndrome Oxford

Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024

Approval certificate

I hereby approve these accounts and confirm that I have made available all relevant records and information for their preparation.

R Campling

09 December 2024

1

Down's Syndrome Oxford

Income and expenditure accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024

Income Donations and gifts Fundraising Grants Interest received Expenditure EDG/Stay & Play PDG Choir Maths for life Summer Party Unity Group General Primary Group 21st birthday 16+ Group Discretionary 10+ Group Pre-School Group Fundraising Senior Medical Advisor Christmas Party Football Just Giving Library Walkathon Elliots shed LA Challenge Net expenditure for the year	Unrestricted Restricted Total £ £ £ 14811 1420 16231 9455 200 9655 0 500 500 338 338 24604 2120 26724 10287 46 10333 4280 4280 382 2861 3243 2709 2709 1479 1479 1443 1443 1261 1261 1129 1129 1031 1031 988 988 870 870 717 717 607 607 595 595 585 585 570 570 521 521 216 216 57 30 87 21 21 15 15 0 29748 2952 32700 -5144 -832 -5976 2024	2023 Total £ 5662 18617 0 93 24372 11621 9710 1032 6065 1170 590 789 849 0 1424 1050 1068 877 258 1040 617 198 360 98 0 20 181 39017 -14645

2

Down's Syndrome Oxford

Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31 March 2024

ASSETS Current assets Lloyds TSB - Treasurers account Lloyds TSB - Flexible savings Lloyds TSB - Elliot's Shed Net Assets REPRESENTED BY: Funds brought forward Net expenditure for the year Total funds	Unrestricted Restricted Total £ £ £ 50505 856 51361 28395 0 28395 2583 0 2583 81483 856 82339 86627 1688 88315 -5144 -832 -5976 81483 856 82339 2024	2023 Total £ 36412 49306 2597 88315 102960 -14645 88315

Restricted funds

Fund Elliot's shed project Choir Covid response DSO Library Walkathon Total funds	B/F Income Expenses C/F £ £ £ £ 373 0 15 358 1200 1720 2861 59 85 0 46 39 30 0 30 0 0 400 0 400 1688 2120 2952 856

3

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DOWN SYNDROME OXFORD

A Registered Charity – No. 1103850

Trustees annual report.

2023 – 2024

General and Financial update

• DSO had an income of £26,524 this year, compared to £24,372 for the year 2022/2023. Overall spending is down significantly, from £39,000 last year to £32,700 this year. The main reason for this reduction is lower EDG costs

• The Maths for Life project has been scaled back as OCC has taken over some of the delivery. There was a slight increase on Unity spend this year. The 21+ group, formed in December, is now included in this year's budget and has been allocated the same annual budget as the other social groups.

• Assets on hand: DSO ended 2022-2023 with £88,300 and this period with £82,139, which means there has been use of reserves. This is quite normal in the life cycle of DSO and isn’t a major concern at the moment.

Memberships, programmes and services

• In the Maths for Life programme two DSO members achieved Entry Level 1 maths as a result of taking part in the programme.

• DSO continues to strengthen its external relationships and advocacy efforts, representing parent carers in key discussions, including the selection of the new Head of Operations for SEND. This year has seen increased challenges with Year 6/7 transitions due to limited SEN school placements. DSO maintains strong ties with the SENSS and EYSEN teams, supporting children entering education. Additionally, the Sensory Processing and Maths for Life pilot projects are providing valuable insights to Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) and the Integrated Care Board for Bucks, Oxon, and Berkshire West (ICB-BOB).

• The Down syndrome community is consistently represented within the Oxfordshire parent carers forum (OxPCF), with Marion Simon and Jos Smith actively engaging with Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) and the Oxford Parent Carers Forum (OxPCF) on policy changes and co-production efforts. They also represent DSO in key areas, with Marion on the OCC Co-production Board and Jos on the Clinical Commissioning Board, focusing on therapy services. The newly formed Integrated Care Board (ICB-BOB) highlights disparities in services across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Berkshire West. Special recognition goes to Rachel Campling for her work on the sensory pilot program, further strengthening DSO’s advocacy efforts.

• The DLA support service, led by Rowena Pearce, has been successfully running since September 2018, offering virtual support using medical information from phone consultations, letters, and family histories. This year, 16 families were assisted, including 7 initial applications and 9 reapplications for DLA, bringing the total number of families supported to 78.

• Since 2021, DSO has been working with Barney Angliss, an expert in legal matters related to special needs, who helps families navigate the EHCP and tribunal process. Barney has supported 11 DSO families so far, offering his services pro bono. DSO is grateful to Barney and the benefactor who makes his assistance possible for the Down syndrome community.

Trustees and Officers

• At the AGM in June, Jos Smith was re-elected as chair and Rachel Campling as treasurer.

• Roberta Celeste is standing down as secretary and Aiya Jibali was elected to replace her.

• James McMahon stepped down as trustee and the following trustees stood up for reelection and were formally re-elected unanimously, to continue to serve in our board:

o Amanda Foulds

• Andrew Dubock

• Emma Smith

• Jos Smith

o Katharine Horrocks

• Marion Simon

• DSO board of trustees is still seeking an external trustee, and one internal trustee.

Transition to CIO and Name Change: Addressing DSO's Growing Demands and Future Opportunities

• DSO is facing growing demands, requiring more time and effort from its volunteer members. A small group is handling the majority of tasks, leading to concerns about potential burnout. Additionally, the organization is increasingly relying on individual or group fundraising efforts, as large funding sources are difficult to secure. Trustees also bear personal financial liability, adding risk and responsibility to their roles.

• To address these issues, trustees have explored various business and charitable structures. A DSO-wide questionnaire was conducted to understand membership priorities. The recommended solution is to transition to a Charitable Incorporated Organization (CIO), a structure that is now the preferred choice for many charities.

• Transitioning to a Charitable Incorporated Organization (CIO) offers several benefits for DSO, including eliminating personal financial liability for trustees, improving income opportunities, and allowing a phased transition. This change also presents an opportunity to rename the organization to "Down Syndrome Oxfordshire," better reflecting its service area and enhancing future funding prospects, while maintaining its well-known identity as DSO. The estimated legal costs are around £5,000, with potential grant funding to cover this. Although the charity number will change, both entities can operate in parallel during the transition, which can be managed flexibly. Members will be actively involved throughout the process if the CIO and name change are approved.

• At the meeting, a proposal to change Down Syndrome Oxford's registered charity status to a Charitable Incorporated Organization (CIO) received 25 votes in favour, passing with a majority. A second proposal to rename the organization to "Down Syndrome Oxfordshire" was also approved with 20 votes in favour, representing a majority of attendees. Both motions were successfully passed.

DSO groups/clubs

• Stay and Play: Fewer new members are attending Stay and Play sessions. It has been proposed that new parents meet Rowena Roberton, advanced nurse practitioner at Stay and Play to encourage participation. The hearing support team has also attended Stay and Play. Stay and Play continues to take place on the same day and time as EDG sessions at the West Oxford Community Centre.

• Currently, four EDG sessions take place on Wednesday mornings, with five children per group. Colette Lloyd, the long standing speech and language therapist, is leaving and a new, highly experienced speech and language therapist will be starting in September 2024. DSO’s new parent contact, has sent emails to all new parents, reminding them about the Wednesday EDGs. DSO’s pre-school lead has also reached out to new parents. DSO will continue to explore ways of engaging with new parents

• Primary Development Groups continue to grow and be popular. Helen Simpson, a specialist advisory teacher, is now working with DSO. The pre-school club continues to hold age appropriate social activities throughout the year in which have allowed extended families to get together.

• The Primary Club continues to run social activities and collaborates with the 10+ group to create a crossover between the two groups as many children are on the verge of moving to secondary school.

• The 10+ group enjoyed several fun outings., including John Lawson’s Circus (with the 16-20 group), Snakes and Ladders, a torchlight night at Millets Farm, a Halloween disco, and Thomley fireworks.

• The 16-20 group continues to grow and have enjoyed a few social activities including the Halloween disco, Christmas meal and theatre trip.

• A new 21+ group was established in December 2023.This is a growing demographic for DSO and includes people with DSO as well as their carers in supported living houses.

• The choir currently has 40 attendees. There has been a new choir leader and members continue to be inspired and benefit from this all age activity.

• 19 players have signed up for football, ranging in age from 10 to 58 years. The club recently enjoyed a wonderful awards presentation evening. The club is currently in need of additional coaches to support the players.

• A key access box has been installed to improve accessibility to Elliot’s shed. A range of equipment, including electric bikes, is available.

Other activities

• The Walkathon event raised £17,000 (as at June 2024). Over 300 participants were involved, with many additional supporters cheering them on.

• We are seeking individuals to assist with grant applications .