2025-03-31-accounts

For the year ended 31 March 2025 The Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA) Annual Report and Financial Statements Company number: 05206298 Charity number: 1108160 OSCR number: SC041034 CLAPA Oeet Lip & PcAl&te AssocicAtio

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m= Contents - O02 CLAPA in brief my 03 Letter from the chair O04 Our impact 06 Trustees’ annual report 07 Strategy and objectives 09 Activities, achievements and performance 22 Plans for future periods 24 Approach to fundraising 25 Financial review and reserves policy 26 __ Key risks and uncertainties 27 ‘Structure, governance and management 28 Statement of responsibilities of the trustees 29 Reference and administrative .——| se’ 30 Independentinformation auditor’s : ie report \ \S ) 33 Statement of financial A i ¥ activities 4 34 Balance sheet aN 35 Statement of cash flows “ 36 Notes to the financial statements

2024/25 Annual Report - The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

01

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Every day in the UK, three babies are born with a ae Si Ree
cleft. It’s a lifelong condition, with an impact on “2 See ae ee bs a, ae 3
feeding, speech, hearing, teeth, and more. Many Pe ee pkg, gs Ne a a eF
babies have their first surgery at just three months a oo Boa oe ‘.
old , with a 20- ye ar treatment p athwa y still to come. pf aria ‘Se ee
a. en ) er! Pecks a Nae
The Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA) is Pi aumm W ry ¥ - ae slihed ks) Cy
the only national charity supporting people a y : tll te fur [ge] yee
affected by cleft lip and palate in the United z se Why 4 —
a.
Kingdom. @ 4 Wome fom 4 3 CLAPA\™is
We help people born with a cleft, and their families - Clekt Lip + Palate Association
from diagnosis to adulthood - with comprehensive -
and reassuring information, a welcoming community é
of people with shared experiences, and evidence -
based services and resources . :
Vision Purpose
No one affected by cleft lip and palate in the CLAPA supports people to take control of their
United Kingdom will go through their journey journey, connect with others, and use their
alone . voices to impact the future of care .
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Everyone affected by cleft in the UK should be able to find a warm and welcoming community with CLAPA, and see themselves reflected in our

We always want to do what’s best for the UK cleft community ~~.~~ Their needs and voices are central to everything we do ~~.~~

work ~~.~~

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lon
{7 ADAPTABLE
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We change with the times by acting on feedback, to raise the bar in all our activities ~~.~~

ES <i) COLLABORATIVE We work best when we work together ~~—~~ as a staff team, as a cleft community, and in partnership with others ~~.~~

CLAPA in brief 2024/25 Annual Report ~~-~~ The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

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, al Letter from the chaire
I would like to begin by extending my heartfelt gratitude to our
— amazing supporters, volunteers and staff team. WhenI [joined]
iBO 1 kes Ay the CLAPA board of trustees in October 2024, I had the pleasure
. Fel Ih un of joining an already strong team who had ensured the charity’s
S— 2—— ain— . rn + Thankscontinuity to the throughhard the work many and challengesdedication ofof everyone the last few who years.
ey’ a — ' _ believes in what CLAPA stands for, we have moved from a place
SN . . | of uncertainty towards a much stronger future.
7 af, impacted by cleft, even before the child is born. This vital
a = = ' = 7 CLAPA is unique in that it supports patients and families
; | é A : a a support continues throughout their life for as long as it’s
| 17, oo x a needed. As someone who was born with a cleft, I’m privileged
Vp : : ag 5 to have received some of that support in my own lifetime, as
— ee fi y have many other trustees, staff members, and their families.
y ( ¢ “9 It makes me immensely proud to present this report detailing
i. e how far CLAPA has come and the real, life-changing impact our
™ es services have had across the cleft community during this past
the community to stay connected, including the launch of
| year. The team’s tireless innovation has created new ways for
7" = CLAPA Companions and our first in-person adults’ conference in
Te five years.
<4, -> We’ve strengthened the staff team to enable us to share more
: %
\ of our stories and drive forward our campaigning and
. . . influencing work - to ensure we don’t just support the cleft
community but can champion their needs on a national stage.
Despite the many reasons to celebrate outlined in this report,
¥ we know we can always do more, and that is where our new
five-year strategy comes into play. We have recognised the
©e changesleverage in modern the world technology we now to liv e in,xtend and our howwe reach, need without to
compromising quality. Our ambitious 2025-30 strategy has the
Thanks potential to help more people, in more ways, in a more dynamic
to the hard work and Fashion,
dedication of everyone who
believes in what CLAPA This will only be possible with the help of all our supporters and
stands volunteers - so I extend my heartfelt thanks for the years gone,
for, we have moved and the years to come, as we evolve and become ever greater at
froma place of uncertainty supporting, connecting and empowering the UK’s cleft
towards community.
a much stronger
future.
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Oliver Rendell

Letter from the chair 2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate A

03

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O t
The year of1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 saw CLAPA complete a three-year strategy and launch an exciting new
five-year plan to take us up to 2030. In this report we are proud to reflect on this past year’s accomplishments, from
innovations in service delivery to ensuring the sustainability of the resources the UK cleft community counts on.
Free ‘Welcome Packs’ of special 1 os Ue people
bottles and teats were sent to Sse
-: . .
families attended
with new babies. o Ww o
We sent over 17,500 subsidised = = slo = onlineevents
items to families and hospitals .
An extra 213 free items were After attending a CLAPA event:
sent to low income families . 97% felt more knowledgeable about cleft .
Adultsattended bornour withCLAPAa cleft 3 8 ( 71 71
adults’ conference in June O O
2024, our first event of its O Feature - length interviews with the cleft
kind since 2019 . QP community published since recruiting our new
content coordinator in September 2024 .
Children and young people Fundraisers took on a sponsored
were connected Mlaltelafs our challenge or organised a 5 1 q
new et y Total aE community fundraising event
penpal service launched in July to support CLAPA in 2024/25 .
2024 .
eC ait
It’s an amazing experience to be
able to talk to new people who , r
were born just like you. It makes 7 oo .
you feel like you aren’t alone and Fd . ,
is a good way to make new \,
Our friends. aa ‘~~s)
impact
2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association
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04
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In 2024/25 your support helped us to raise £1,773,616

£898,000: Exceptional bequests

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£42,319: Legacies
£501,087: Unrestricted donations
MM) £238,265: Restricted grants
|| £93,945: Feeding service, investments and other income
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We need your support in 2025/26 For every £1 raised, CLAPA spends Our expenditure in 2025/26, year one of our 2025-30 strategy, is forecast at £1.17m. Our income in 2024/25, 69p without the exceptional bequests shown above, was on delivering and supporting services, £876k. Securing ongoing funding remains challenging in 7 including events, information, support, the current economic environment. enabling research, and more. With no further significant bequests like this on the 9p . ; . . on our office, IT and governance to keep our horizon, we are investing and spreading the bequests as . . small team connected and all our services received in 2024/25 over the next five years - to bridge compliant our funding gap and make us self-sustaining, with a pian" balanced budget by 2030. B= 22p We . . NY on direct fundraising costs to ensure we have need to raise £892k in 2025/26 to keep us on + the money to run our services for years to track with this target. come. In 2024/25 we spent £842,512

£416,979: Direct costs of delivering our services to families, young people and adults affected by cleft, as well as outreach to NHS and government departments to influence policy. £241,035: Support costs to enable our staff and volunteers to deliver our services. || £137,000: Raising funds to enable us to keep our services running. || £47,498: Legal, professional and governance costs, and investing in our infrastructure.

Our reserves:

At 31 March 2025 CLAPA’s free reserves stand at £335k covering 3.4 months’ expenditure. Total reserves are £1,368,255, of which £936k have been designated to invest in development projects and to bridge the funding gap over the next five years of the 2025-30 strategy period.

Our impact 2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

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Trustees’ annual report
The trustees present their report and the audited financial statements for the year ett | V4
ended 31 March 2025.
Reference , da f
and administrative information set out on page 29 forms part of m =
this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory we 4
requirements, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and the p Se
Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) - Accounting and Reporting by > a \
Charities. SORP is applicable to charities preparing their accounts in ? = ~ :
accordance with FRS 102. if a / C ~
Aims and objectives Ps A zy
The Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA) is the United Kingdom’s cleft lip f
and palate support charity . It supports people born with a cleft and their >» =?
familiesreassuring- frominformation,diagnosis througha welcoming to adulthoodcommunity- withof peoplecomprehensivewith sharedand ) / - ; F
= |
experiences, and evidence - based services and resources . / Ww
The charity’s objectives are set out in its governing documents, the | \ S \
Memorandum and Articles of Association (July 2004): “The relief of, and > it \¥ \ ;
support, for all those with a cleft lip, cleft palate or both, or associated SS / }
craniofacial birth anomalies; and the promotion of research into the causes of, a
and the relief, treatment, or care of those with a cleft lip, cleft palate or associated craniofacial
birth anomalies, and conditions or any of them, and to publish the useful results of such research” .
The trustees have given due consideration to the Charity Commission's published guidance on the Public Benefit
requirement when reviewing the charity's aims and objectives, and in planning its future activities . In particular, the
trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives that have been set .
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Contents
07 . Strategy and objectives for 2024/25 16 . Empowering the cleft community to influence
08 . Kate and Harry’s story cleft care and support
09 . Activities, achievements and performance 16 . Cleft Lip and Palate Awareness Week 2024
; ; ;
09 . Feeding babies born with a cleft 17 . Julia’s story
10 . Connecting the UK’s cleft community 18. Fundraising review
21 . Volunteering
12 . Improving access to cleft treatment and support
14 . Building confidence in children and young people
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Trustees’ annual report
2024/25 Annual Report - The Cleft Lip and Palate Association
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06
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Strategy and objectives for 2024/25 This was the final year of our April 2022 - March vil Creating and growing three2025 Strakey t egy,hemes which — inclusion, focused onpartnerships, developmentand along QS Teams,partnershipsresearchers with NHSand Cleftother resource development. organisations Development in these areas was intended to grow our We have spent the past few years positioning ourselves , , , as the trusted voice of the UK cleft community, and in influence in the cleft world and improve our ; foundational functions after a period of great change. 2024/25 this continued to pay off. This happened alongside the delivery of our core ; su ~~ppo~~ rt services for the entire UK cleft communit ~~y,~~ As well as revamping our consultancy service and ~~detailed on page 10.~~ bursar ~~y p~~ r ~~og~~ rammes to allow more researchers and clinicians to access our expertise, we ensured the In 2024/25, we progressed our strategic themes in the community's voice was front and centre in key following ways: discussions about the future of cleft treatment, such as the review of the NHS National Service Specification for Understanding and tackling the Cleft Lip and Palate and the Cleft Development Group ~~.~~ barriers preventing people from N expertise which make the best use Our Diversity Committeea ~~cces~~ singhad the suppalready made ~~or~~ t theysignificant need = ofCreating our limited resou r esouces r eflectingces our progress on the concerns outlined at the start of this strategy, and so, in 2024/25, we conducted an i ~~n-~~ depth This year, we focused on ensuring the fantastic external review of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion conversations and insights from our online events (DEI) policies and processes, and facilitated a DEI continue to inspire and inform people, through easily themed co ~~-~~ production group that focused on increasing accessible online resources such as subtitled videos and engagement with under ~~-~~ represented groups ~~.~~ downloadable factsheets ~~.~~ We also launched two new focus groups and continued Amongst these were two new ‘psychoeducational to radically overhaul our data infrastructure, to ensure webinars’ for adults born with a cleft, developed in we have the insight we need to make our future plans in partnership with cleft specialist clinical psychologists, as this area a reality ~~.~~ well as the launch of an updated edition of our popular ‘Adults’ Guide to Returning to Cleft Care’ ~~.~~ An i ~~n-~~ depth review of our information products is ongoing to ensure we continue to meet the needs of the cleft community ~~.~~ As we look back on this strategy, there is a great deal to Read on to learn more about the difference we made celebrate, not least the fundraising successes which to the UK cleft community in 2024/25 through our reversed our fortunes at the start of the three ~~-~~ year core services and initiatives ~~.~~ period, and have continued to date thanks to sustained hard work and innovation ~~.~~ We have learnt a great deal about the impact CLAPA can have on the cleft world pos ~~t-~~ pandemic, as well as how we can continue to adapt our services to a digital world in a way which retain their profound impact ~~.~~

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Trustees’ annual report
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2024/25 Annual Report ~~-~~ The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

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a | »~ >
Kate was so UUsEN eA eee she was told her son CTA Twenty - two people like Kate accessed
would be born with a cleft lip at her 20 - week scan, just free counselling sessions through
one week after getting married . CLAPA in 2024/25 .
“I'd never really heard of cleft lip or palate . I knew i k b 7 Alte houer
Joaquin Phoenix hada cleft lip, but that was about it . ” Etoo m ° ane weeks to get used to harry : :
fier ising step meaias to CLODIA Bila NES cle mums forever smile, but it took me a lot longer to stop grieving
Kate andbsite her husband Adrian accessed information from helping me theansporeitheun me” big part in
Sui websit-catiajotied)and joi CLARA ’ = Facetook soups ; Kate said that, without the support of the CLAPA
More than 3,000 people post, comment community, she “probably wouldn't have got thr ou gh
and interact with CLAPA’s private the last two a nd a half years since Harry was born” .
Facebook support groups every day . She added: “CLAPA has helped all of us . My mum’s
joined the online grandparents’ group, and, when trying
They also attended a CLAPA online antenatal support to break the news to my teenage daughter, we
group . downloaded CLAPA’s ‘Callie and her Cleft’ book to help
“It was amazing - throughout the hour people were explain it to her .”
saying the same thoughts and the same fears as I had . Kate valued the support she received from CLAPA so
And it was so reassuring to think I'm not a bad mum, much she became a volunteer, including supporting our
and my thoughts aren’t wrong .” online antenatal support groups .
Kate used the CLAPA feeding bottle service, and joined
online parent support groups, including Makaton
signing for babies . My life wouldn’t be what it is if it wasn’t
the“All theservices CLAPAthey groupsprovided werewerebrilliant, i assum for CLAPA .
invaluable, and they were a a=! NWN
great opportunity to f » ihe A ill “T just wanted to give back to the people who’d spent
socialise with other cleft ~ lt "\ time reassuring me, giving me their advice, giving me
parents .” lip ee ‘lv @@ their experience, and who were just there . They didn't
| 7 know me; they didn't have to do that .
After her son’s cleft WP sc
repair surgery, Kate ; "iceftstront “T see parents at the end of the online support groups
accessed CLAPA’s yy cs with a little less worry in their eyes, just like me that first
eeineenes iy t ime I joined the antenatal group .
“ The counselling eurycery “Every chance I get, I shout about cleft and CLAPA . I
seceiions zaallhy suit Ghitase a feel passionate about the cleft world, and, as a parent
owniia myoleae, feelings’ ant beled ane Elid eetbat [3H] nat who’s beenokay, CLAPA throughcan helpit, supportI can say you’ to . a” o thers ‘it will be
Trustees’ annual report 08
2024/25 Annual Report - The Cleft Lip and Palate Association
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Activiti hi t
CUtivities, acnievements
CLAPA’s unique services are a lifeline to the UK’s growing community of those born with, and affected by, cleft lip
and palate - including 1,200 new babies every year, 20,000 under-18s, and around 60,000 adults born with the
condition.
This year, CLAPA continued to support thousands of families, adult patients, and young people through their entire
cleft journey, through a wide range of accessible and evidence-based services and opportunities.
Feeding babies born 4 .
° a 7
with a cleft oe
Babies born with a cleft often can’t breastfeed or use Sa
regular bottles, leading to stress and health challenges. i * 5 |
In 2024/25, CLAPA sent out 754 free ‘Welcome Packs’ — /
of special bottles and teats to families in need. We also Pr “a \
sent more than 17,500 subsidised items to families and ~~
hospitals, and an additional 213 free bottles and teats
to families on a low-income. Pes se
These bottles and teats allow newborn babies to leave ~ -
hospital sooner, and feed peacefully at home without
the need for nasogastric tubes, or other invasive and
time-consuming methods. 7 f
Free ‘Welcome Packs’ of special bottles and teats
It was so helpful to have the support of were sent to familiesili withi new babiesies inin 2024/25.2024/25
CLAPAfeeding as our we newbornnegotiatedsonthe[withearly a cleft dayslipof = al . ‘
and palate]. “2? = a
We are very grateful. & ion - ©
is «|
Despite the challenges of continuing rising costs and ~Pmpe ‘ —— —S
logistical issues, we remain committed to delivering this Wwe Callic = —
service - and making this equipment available to - wa: and her Sey 4
everyone who needs it. We’re extremely grateful to the ,- i Cleft a 5 \¥
funders who make this possible. Sa Teg B } | ne r ¥ |
Fe. ¢ By Sarah Simons eg oe
“4
i Wh Muateations by Tob st
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Trustees’ annual report 2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

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Connecting the UK’s a .
cleft community ‘S »
With one in 700 babies affected, many people born with a = |
cleft may go their entire lives without meeting another i “a |
person like them. CLAPA works to tackle this isolation with * » =S ae 's
a range of services to get the cleft community together. if finns" ae =. i
9 9 yeeg = are
fl _ i. ef
alone.The event helped The combinationus feeloflike medical we weren’texperts ist7 at / y
and people with experience of having Online forums
all kinds could be answered forums welcomed 776 new members in 2024/25 -
Antenatal support group attendee and a new record of 3,150 people posting,
commenting and reacting to posts every day. These
.
Online online forums provide a 24/7 source of reassurance,
events encouragement and celebration for the community.
In 2024/25, we welcomed 738 people to 68 online events
- from Makaton courses to psychoeducational webinars. . .
Social media
More than half of these people attended more than one Last year we increased our social media reach by
event- illustrating how much these safe and supportive almost 50 per cent on our active social media
spaces, where people connect with others and share channels, where we shared inspirational stories,
experiences, are valued. targeted information, and new opportunities to
improve cleft care and support. Our social media
Eighty-two per cent of those who participated in our posts included 119 stories submitted by the cleft
family programme in 2024/25 were engaging with CLAPA community, covering everything from diagnosis to
for the first time. accessing surgery as an adult.
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Connecting with others with lived experience, and nN t ~ eer ' i
knowing CLAPA is supporting them throughout their ere Cyd >come a aa a
entire cleft journey, ensures people know they’re not : aftso ~~— ie ‘ oa ae o
alone. Ca a - as -
After attending a CLAPA event: —-a sé capa ¢ x ar
76% felt more connected to their cleft community on ee i, i I'mproudtobe ‘iepA oN
80% felt more confident about tackling cleft-related é % ad - | One in 700 ie” les Dil F
© challenges 2 ih eh CSieftlip = Bag eA
833%© felt more positive- about their; own, or their; keeeae MGS yy —#.Ce@ Palate Bis ‘jeer a
child’s, cleft Ae Pk a Thee a oe
97%_ felt more knowledgeable about cleft C)
Theneeds topicsof theandcommunity. formats ofthese events We pride ourselves are ledon bybeingthe lan 1 1 S)
adaptable, so when demand for an event drops, we make
room for another event to thrive. Stories submitted by the cleft community were
shared on CLAPA’s social media channels.
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Trustees’ annual report 2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

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} ee Ve Tw ge OE ede Pa ee
CleFt Lip
¢ Palate Association > rt ( d N aS a a’ of A ‘aa b.,
= SOAS | tothe 1)
Fe OS i SS ee oe
cant a van Ail) os t/ > > Vee NR as =~ - 9 RS
be ee te he Oe (
7 CLAPA supports adults aa e, epee . a: hb / j ‘N ; ‘ Oe Ly, ie : ih SF Se
throughout their = | mA ayy he / an | s y se 22.0 ee
cleft journey: a lz = | Ges: 9 = aN \ i RY at =
e Information < = eB : 7 «a a oy SS
e Events ey ZS 3 4) - 4 ¥ ey ee
Adults’ conference
In June 2024, we were delighted to host our CLAPA Our: urinin--deptdepth DEI: reviewreview in10 2025/26: wlwill. Paveh the way fTor
adults’ , oa, improvements in the next strategic period, and our
since con f erence - our first in-person event for adults df icati d keti m
2019 . We welcomed 40 adults born with a cleft to renewed Focus on communica he h. a . ing i d
a day of talks and workshops . Many attendees said it ensure we are giving everyone tne chance to be Involve’.
was their longest i n- person encounter with others born ; ;
with cleft The amount of information we now host has grown
beyond the capacity of our current website . To ensure
people searching for answers have the best possible
experience when they find CLAPA, we are investing in a
There is something gmagmaaical about brinain brand-new website, launching in late 2025 . This will be
: :
people ging centred around the needs of the UK cleft community and
with clefts together in person to see and informed by many years of feedback .
hear one another! Some sort of confidence -
boostinggmagmagic that has a lastinggimpimpact . One -t o - one support
Adults’ conference attendee For those with more acute emotional support needs, our
trained peer and parent support volunteers gave one -t o -
North Pole Bash one support to 38 peoplele inin 2024/25,2024/25, helpielping them
This cope with the most difficult parts of their cleft journey .
year, our partnership with the MJ Ball connected us A . :
; ;
with Variety, the children’s charity, to give 22 families nother 41. people made. enquiries, and were signposted
to more suitable services .
the opportunity to join their North Pole Bash .
oe Ln any oie tf ,. je “I feel like week on week my attitude and\
on =apa er “as5 don'toutlook improved, find the cleft diagnosis to the pointupsetting now w here. [ ... ]I I\
RX a | — aay 08 feel more emotionally prepared for welcoming\
E> Bringer me - 1G rays my little one now, and that has given me so
TheTN key challenge of— this28 work th_ continuesa to be ensuring muchbaby,y morebut for everything confidence,y notg that just foris to havin come . g ” a
the opportunities we provide are welcoming to all, and Expectant parent
appeal to the many different needs and priorities of the
UK cleft community .
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Trustees’ annual report 2024/25 Annual Report ~~-~~ The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

mentalIn recent healthyears, supportincreasing led us toconcerns explore opportunities around access to to I m P rovin1 g access to cl eft provide more structured, in-depth support with trained treatm ent an d SU ppo rt counsellors. In 2024/25 we received 31 referrals for our free and efficient counselling service. The cleft treatment pathway is complex. Last year, we supported 87 people by providing tailored information, and support they needed. Key topics included accessing ©) signposting, and advice, to help them access the care BR BR 3 71 appropriateNHS cleft care. dental treatment and navigating a return to Referrals for our free and efficient counselling service in 2024/25 We are looking to expand this work in the future, with more staff time and resourcing dedicated to improving We provided sessions for 22 people, helping them pathways for signposting and support. through particularly difficult periods in their lives. The other nine referrals were signposted to more We don’t currently promote this support. However, with appropriate services. Several of our counsellors were increased delivery capacity in 2025/26, we'll be raising born with a cleft, which gave our service users an added awareness of this important work, and helping ensure level of reassurance that their concerns would be the community is able to navigate and access the health understood and supported. services they need.

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The fact that this service was free, and y ah aie [< e 13 2 |
from an organisation I had used before, e t gZ f | | | |
andcounsellormadecomfortingit really was very easyto conversekind, for mea great towith. start.listener,It’s My the : f'h SPD re ,
best thing you can do for yourself. I can’t Ns3 : .
recommend the service enough. 2 J , .
Adult born with a cleft a ee
Webinars and Q&A events
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With the NHS continuing to struggle with capacity postAs part of our commitment to create more on-demand pandemic, CLAPA is committed to continue evolving our resources, which inform and empower the cleft service in response to community need. community, CLAPA developed and delivered two ‘psychoeducational webinars’ for adults born with a We are seeing increased demand for our services, as cleft in 2024/25. These were delivered in partnership well as more complex needs that require additional with cleft specialist clinical psychologists, and focused ‘handholding’. In response, we are seeking to build on self-esteem and relationships. More webinars are capacity across these vital services. We’re also reviewing planned for 2025/26. case management processes to ensure a consistency of approach, and maintain best practice in safeguarding. CLAPA also hosted live Q&A events, which brought together medical experts and trained volunteers to As part of this, we are planning to enable professionals discuss various topics, including recovering from surgery, to refer patients and their families directly to CLAPA, in and take questions from an online audience. More than addition to our existing self-referral routes. This will be a 650 people viewed these events live, and 1870 more crucial route to support for those who may not be watched the videos afterwards. comfortable reaching out to CLAPA directly.

Trustees’ annual report 2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

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Educating health professionals
4 S)0) Wetreatment know it- isn’t we also enough need to to solely improve improve the quality access of to
treatment received. That’s why this year we delivered
In three talks on cleft lip and palate to 90 undergraduate
just two months, we distributed 490 copies of the and postgraduate midwives, and operating department
second edition of our ‘Adults’ Guide to practitioners - helping to ensure new and expectant
Returning to Cleft Care’ parents will have a better experience following a cleft
: ; pi. F : l= 1s nurse specialists by sharing their insights and\
¢; f ie /a Young CLAPA volunteers also helped train ten clinical\
~~ | D> ~~) ee experiences of going through the cleft treatment
a i e(?) aa : %~ better support others their age.
\ [-] nn \ = on . pathway, and how they believe NHS Cleft Teams can
SA bh 7 . ae Can't express how well the
|
\ oan eye in the group. It was by far the most
4 [nee] Foam [ im] eres od impactfullast sessionsession evaluated, we had, and and thereprovoked wasn'ta a hugedry
@- ‘ee : amount of discussion and thought.
A — baie = . Feedback from student midwives
Adults’ Guide to Returning to Cleft Care
This year, we also conducted an in-depth review of our
‘Adults’ Guide to Returning to Cleft Care’, and published Your session goes a long way in supporting
a new, compact version in January 2025. Already, 490 inclusivity and equality and promotes
printed copies have been distributed to individuals in ,
NHS Cleft Teams, and a digital copy made available engagement with all age groups.
online. Feedback from clinical nurse specialists
Our work in this area, as well as our regular in-depth
surveys, has highlighted persistent issues faced by the
It has made me feel alittle more proud of who _ cleft community, including access to dental treatment,
I am, and helped me to see things slightly discrimination, and knock-on effects of challenges
differently. I have also joined the CLAPA adult ‘facing the NHS.
Facebook group which is really helping. I have This year, we conducted an in-depth assessment of
felt incredibly alone all these years, and now these issues, and how CLAPA might be able to help,
I've found out there are safe spaces and people which led to the appointment of CLAPA’s first policy
like me who go through the same situations and campaigns manager in January 2025. This position
and feelings. It feels like I am part of will ensure we have a strong voice when fighting for the
something amazing with amazing people. needs of our community.
Adult born with a cleft
Trustees’ annual report 13
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2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

13

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Building confidence in a)
. ImpDm i ' iy }
children and young we fetes | 3
people f (
CLAPA is committed to helping children and young ‘ . ‘Si
people born with a cleft grow into adults who feel _ > :
positive about, and in control of, their future. Central to / 4
this is connecting them with others who look and sound ‘ y
like them so they can feel reassured that, whatever
they’reOOSgoing through, they’ re not alone. apa(e”) onl? e
CLAPA : po Palate het aceeeinl
In Companions y. ia
2024/25, we connected 23 children and young f
people through the new CLAPA Companions penpal ' f
service, where they can exchange written, audio and Na i“
video messages. These messages have the potential to
help children build ongoing friendships, as well as
improve literacy and communication skills.
The support I received in mentoring was
incredible! I really appreciated being able
to talk to someone who understood what
,
Young people born with a cleft were connected POE gai svete as I haven't always
through CLAPA Companions since its launch in had that opportunity. In the past few
summer 2024. months, I have become much more
confident when it comes to my cleft and
The penpal service was piloted in response to difficulties a lot less worried about the future.
engaging younger children via online events. We were Young person who received mentoring through Cleft++
keen to explore other opportunities to connect and
support this community. There’s been a positive
response to CLAPA Companions, so we’ve extended the
offer into 2025/26, with two further penpal recruitment .
drives planned. Cleft++ Mentoring
Our Cleft++ mentoring service continues to thrive in its
second year. So far, it’s connected seven 10 to 17-year-
olds with trained, young adult mentors through a safe
and secure platform where they can share their worries
It’s been amazing for [my daughter]. She loves and access advice in a structured, longer-term way.
hearing from her companion but also has had These mentorships have been hugely reassuring to
the confidence to write each letter herself young people going through tough times, including
without any help. [This has] helped with juggling exams and surgery dates, and coping with
schoolwork/learning but also made a huge bullying at school.
difference to her having something for herself.
Parent of a child who used CLAPA Companions
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14

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Camp CLAPA xpi 6 aE eke" ASS Gap
During summer 2024, three Camp CLAPA activity SAE? ty i. Sng . a x “Sd val df
weekends welcomed 43 eight to 15-year-olds to enjoy Sa 3 fe, Boe ithe: aM.) Sy . }wh
outdoorshare games, team- b uilding activities, and time to a \ fAx Ban oe,Y on y see
experiences and make friends. 4de Diae D é f7, © 6 ma /(J
ewe: eek
The weekends were supported by specially trained adult A Vee. Ee a e eo e
volunteers who were born with a cleft themselves . These : a Pe z ste she ae .
life-changing weekends had an enormous impact on = | ss bd am S : ee GS '
attendees - many reported positive changes including pe ee &
increased confidence, feeling more positive about their a, ;
future, and better able to cope with challenges . We know spending time away from home overnight can
be daunting for young people . In the longer term, we’re
ls keen to explore opportunities to develop shorter events,
including one - day camps .
° hie 4 vis The planning and delivery of camps is a highly intensive
yet > \ @ WA 4 sy dl _ activity, which uses significant staff and volunteer
a & hse., j 3 _& /. resources. Any decisions to develop and expand
SG NY / ¥ g t . . ; . Z “ activities will require additional investment in the
= >! ae (Ni Fs children and young people’s service overall.
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[My daughter] absolutely loved the magazine
and, in truth, read every word in every article
and then came running downstairs full of
I loved the fact I was able to talk about past inspiration of all the things the young people
experiences and struggles that may be had achieved .
considered sensitive topics, but I was met with Parent of a child who read
kindness, understanding, advice and even Cleft Youth Magazine
sometimes others were able to relate to me .
WhenI was with the group, I felt so safe and Cleft Youth magazine
included and, furthermore, I really felt valued . January this year also saw the third issue of our annual
Camp CLAPA attendee Cleft Youth magazine, which was published and sent to
more than 200 young people born with a cleft . Packed
a with stories, information and activities created by, and
ee for, young people, this was our largest issue to date . It is
Sa! . es— now stocked in several NHS cleft clinics .
' 2 CLP capac)1 eS As a)
| | CLArA@ Ub ate hs CheA CLAPRS ABS.
= Trustees’ annual report pA 45
2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association SN et Ry
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Empowering the cleft Cleft Lip and Palate
community to influence | Awareness Week
r The annual Cleft Lip and Palate Awareness Week starts
cleft care an d su Pppo rt on the first Saturday in May. Our 2024 campaign
CLAPA believes everyone affected by cleft should have invited people in the cleft community to share being
the chance to learn about current research and have ‘proud to be one in 700’ with social media graphics,
opportunities to become involved with decision-making. story templates, fundraising resources, and more.
To support this, we reviewed our consultancy service
and bursary programme to allow more researchers and We also collected and shared ‘tips’ from the cleft
NHS clinicians to benefit from our expertise and access community about how friends, family and colleagues
to the cleft community. can support people going through tough times in their
cleft journey, such as during diagnosis or surgery.
Last year, we supported seven ongoing research projects
with our consultancy service. We enabled 40 volunteers SS
from the cleft community to take part in groups and sit »
on advisory panels for these projects, with many sitting Ne 4
on more than one panel. ba b | “y ‘3
The groups included those deciding on the future of y \t
NHS cleft care in the UK - Cleft Development Group, and aes Paa “ap
the group reviewing the National Service Specification e te ad
for Cleft Lip and Palate. a
é
a ,
I came away from last night's meeting with a
sense of real progress [...]. There's no denying Our awareness week posts were seen by more than
the strength of like-minded. individuals when vanesany peoplenentold us ourthey were socialpublicly ea platformsposting abou
they get together in one placelI their connection to cleft for the first time during the
Volunteer rep in the Cleft week, inspired by the messages of pride and strength.
Development Group
With our new policy and campaigns coordinator in post,
As well as coordinating these external opportunities, we’re excited to focus future Cleft Lip and Palate
CLAPA also involved 45 people from the cleft Awareness Weeks around forthcoming campaigns on
community in regular focus groups for families, adults issues identified by our community.
and young people, helping to ensure our services,
strategy and resources are co-produced with the cleft
community. oe sf f V
CLAPA’s new focus on campaigns and influencing will * ae % reteerie Sco ~ s 3 ear ras |
bring more opportunities for involvement and \Ree) ae: MN Wareawa fel
championing the voice of the cleft community. Priorities a poe aN $3} a ia 4 Kel, ae
for 2025/26 include embedding co-production as an a stif 2 : ‘ ay ~)) 4 } ea As * i
approach to engagement and reaching new and under- er 4 ee) sl ol AN VEE ng
buildingrepresented groups; a review of CLAPA Voices; and Pra @ * J ied a, Sactin: “gp a
Clinical evExc e llencen strongerNetwork link s with. NHS Cleft Teams and =~ Of «ONS ; Bi ‘\ \ A
: la Ly
Trustees’ annual report 16
2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association
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Julia’s story —
IfIhadn't come across -
CLAPA I don't know
where I’d be . ee
Julia was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate . = 4
After struggling for many years, she now accesses
regular treatment with her local NHS Cleft Team, thanks “Tf I hadn't come across CLAPA I don't know where I’d
to CLAPA . be .”
“I came across CLAPA in spring 2022, after I’d had the Julia attended our adults’ conference last year and
most horrendous visit with my regular dentist . regularly attends CLAPA’s monthly Adult’s Lounge
“I was in absolute floods of tears . I don't know how I online .
drove home because I was crying so much . When I got “ CLAPA has improved my life so much . I don’t feel as
in, I Googled ‘cleft’ and that’s when I found CLAPA .” isolated with my cleft and I'm so much more
Julia contacted CLAPA and was immediately sent an comfortable now talking about it .
‘Adults’ Guide to Returning to Cleft Care’ . The pack “The support from CLAPAisjust really nice and
includes a letter for dentists and doctors to refer people reassuring, like a big comfort blanket .”
to an NHS cleft team . Julia said she found the adults’ conference last summer
particularly supportive .
“Being around so many people with cleft, in discussion
Feedback from Julia and other adults led to groups and talks with different professionals, was just
a brand - new edition of our ‘Adults’ Guide to fantastic . I was so happy to be with all those people
Returning to Cleft Care’ being published in together in one room from all over the country .
January 2025 . In the following two months , “ Talking to people older and thinking, ‘well, they had an
nearly 500 copies were sent out to :
NHS Cleft Teams and adults . even worse journey than me, but they've come through
it, and they're happy to talk about it’, was eye - opening .
\ And whatever someone can learn from me helps the
“My GP was brilliant — the day I made contact a referral generation below to get better treatment .
was sent off, and I’m now in the wonderful care of the “Above all else, it's holding on to the fact t hat we're not
NHS cleft team . It’s been life changing . alone chy na. -0—(-
“I now ue: a stele that fits properly ula a cleft 38 adults born with a cleft attended >
restorative dentist, I've seen a psychologist and speech CLAPA’s adults’ conference in 2024 .
therapist, and I’m on the waiting list for an operation .
— a Julia said she’s always shied away from the camera
- a because of her cleft . At the adults’ conference she had a
|S photo session .
“I wasn't going to at first and then I thought, ‘why not,
what haveI got to hide, why shouldn't I?’
- “Afterwards I was chatting to the photographer, and he
i said he now understands how we feel - as he was the
odd one out, not having a cleft.
“And it just brought tears to my eyes. I was in a room of
all these people who looked like me and he was the odd
~ one out - whereas all my life, I've been the odd one out
in the room.”
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Trustees’ annual report 2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

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Fundraising review
While legacy income significantly shaped CLAPA’s =~ = .
financial position in 2024/25, it should not overshadow ee Zz ow -— J ie
the meaningful progress made across all areas of our Lo — t- 1} tte ee,
fundraising. It was a year of consolidation and steady — \ apa ¢ hae,
growth, driven by a shift towards more strategic, | ( « Oe Nites =
collaborative, and sustainable income generation. @ . cunt ,, '
Grants and donations income totalled £739k - an = » 4 \ dd )
increase of £12k on the previous year. This is a — é "eto
significant achievement given the challenges for a
fundraising in the current economic climate, and is
testament to the hard work and dedication of our ‘ -
fundraising team and community of supporters. . — 5 1 7
Our community fundraisers raised more than £210k,
which is 42 per cent of our unrestricted donations
income. We are also very grateful to our individual Fundraisers took on a sponsored challenge or
donors who generously donated more than £143k, organised a community fundraising event
supporting our services on a regular or one-off basis. to support CLAPA in 2024/25.
We We made strong progress against our income generation
also saw an increase in restricted grants, following strategy by building internal capacity, streamlining
a focus on securing multi-year funding in our income processes, diversifying income, and embedding a
generation strategy. We secured support from St fundraising culture across the whole organisation.
James’s Place Foundation and ongoing funding from
The National Lottery. This trend has continued into However, much of this year’s financial stability came
2025/26 with funding from BBC's Children in Need. from one-off or exceptional sources. While we are
grateful for these windfalls, they do not reduce the need
) for reliable, ongoing income to sustain core programmes.
4
: —»’
reinforce the continued need for strategic funding
’ | Read on for our key achievements from 2024/25 which
partnerships.
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)
4
: —»’ |
Tidusd
|
: |
yaa
NON PA a)
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capa
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2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

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The 700 Challenge creation of CLAPA’s first individual giving coordinator - a
New for 2024, this initiative was inspired by the statistic staff role focused on stewardship and campaign
that one in 700 babies is born with a cleft. This creative, delivery, which has brought fresh energy and focus to
do-it-your-way campaign encouraged supporters to take supporter engagement. Highlights in 2024/25 included
on any challenge themed around the number 700. The our World Smile Day Appeal, Payroll Giving month
CLAPA community delivered with passion, creativity, (February), and a holiday money currency donation
and enthusiasm. initiative, each offering unique ways for our community
to support CLAPA’s work.
From running for 700 minutes to baking 700 cakes and oo ;
completing 700 skips a day, supporters of all ages Our major individual giving appeal was once again the
across the UKj o ined in and raised more than £8,000. Big Give Christmas Challenge, an opportunity for our
More than a fundraiser , this campaign created space for generous corporate, trust and foundation supporters to
storytelling, connection, and community pride . match our community’s donations for double the
impact, along with a Big Give funder . This year, we
Wear , raised an incredible £47,943 (inc. Gift Aid) in a single
it Blue week, through 342 matched donations .
As part of Cleft Lip and Palate Awareness Week, we
introduced a new ‘dres s -down day’ initiative: Wear it F
Blue . Schools, nurseries, and workplaces were Legacies
encouraged to wear blue for a day and make a We are deeply grateful to the
donation to CLAPA, providing our community with a eight supporters who chose to
meaningful way to engage their networks, educate leave a legacy gift to CLAPA over
others about cleft, and raise crucial funds . the past year . Their generosity |
will have a lasting impact,
awareness ‘We ar it Blue’ tool, provedhelping to to be spark conversationsa popular and effectiveand form thehelping us cleft community continue to for support generations; “NigV4
lasting relationships, some of which have led to ongoing to come . Legacy gifts made up £940k (53 per cent) of
support . our income this year, and we are honoured by this
powerful show of support .
Individual giving Our heartfelt thanks go to Ann Edwards (pictured),
This developing income stream was boosted by the Annie Fogell, David Hurley Larche Clarke, Joan Ireland,
Margaret Holley, Mark Schofield, Rosalind May Cruse,
and Rose Mary Eddy .
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Charitable Trusts

Thank you to the 25 charitable trusts and foundations which donated to CLAPA in 2024/25

e 29th May 1961 Charity e The Patrick & Helena Frost Foundation e The Highway One Trust e The Clover Trust e Angus Lawson Memorial Trust ¢ TheS MB Trust e The Hospital Saturday Fund e The Croda Foundation ¢ Awards for All England ¢ The St James’s Place Foundation ¢ The Lillie Johnson Charitable Trust e The D ~~.C.~~ Moncrieff Charitable Trust ¢ G ~~M.~~ Morrison Charitable Trust e The Vandervell Foundation e The Misses Barrie Charitable Trust e The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust e Joseph Strong Frazer Trust e The VTCT Foundation e The MONTAG Trust e The Earl Fitzwilliam Charitable Trust ¢ The Alchemy Foundation ¢ TK Maxx and Homesense Foundation Trust e The National Lottery Community Fund ¢ The Hamilton Wallace Trust e The Anson Charitable Trust

Trustees’ annual report 2024/25 Annual Report ~~-~~ The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

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19
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CLAPA’s community of fundraisers continues to go above and beyond, finding creative and
meaningful ways to raise both funds and awareness across the UK . Here is a
selection of some of the ways our supporters got involved in 2024/25 .
PH anes Td a = + iu
Ged, Hat Livia Eight brave fundraisers Lajav’
<, ppg raised £3,950 with
V Bi, <li Pie F sponsored skydives in ‘Jump
cap, \ <e for July’. Bra
|," S a)
lar ots etnies) tat Our 700 Challenge saw 20 -
campaign gave a CLAPA
: : - month -o ld Leo and mum
twist to festive fundraising, ! | :
: : : a Chelsea read 700 books in
including a festive tractor —
run : : : : — |e June — an average of 23 per
in Warwickshire which i “ day!
raised £4,443 . * a a y
6s = ] |
Len Bir * Ly ‘a i . ,
‘ yy CS, a, << \ ||
“VA & )
Vinyl Fantasy, a music gi » For World Smile Day 2024,
event held by DJ Will a > i lS supporters donated to
Daniels in December, raised , Vag — 3. ¢ - = receive a limited edition
an impressive £3,650 in cutis ak =o . >.» _ yellow CLAPA pin badge,
memory of Will, son of _ ; a re » ~ _ brightening up outfits and
fellow DJ Steve Helstrip . So—.. —— re we 4 al- r\ _.. <<— raising awareness .
:
The Team, a creative marketing agency, took
= part in Wear it Blue during Awareness Week Sg)
because of a staff member’s personal
connection to cleft . They have since been O pee O | NATIO
working with CLAPA on a pro bono basis to QD N 2 ISING Coy FUNDR
support our work . WAS AWARE
-
- - <i = CT eal NATIONAL
ek f - ' ' a. NATIONAL | FUNDRAISING
ee =es Pr i) - G=|}| FUNDRAISEAWARDS F ge— = \ comm |\V4 warps
bes,‘ (oopé OSeel ~ aaee e =ek ae| ,
; v , a ‘ © | NATION
\, an ag FUNDRA
/ O ——<s WY | AWARDS
Se | G qe
a ae — Congratulations go to Louise Dutton, CLAPA’s
- community fundraising manager, for being 5 g
shortlisted as a best newcomer at the National
Fundraising Awards . ee=|
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Volunteering
Volunteers remain central to CLAPA’s service delivery,
eeed id eeetieee cece f eee k. With oat The best part about being. a peer supporter .is
services expanding, there are even more ways to get .
involved, from mentoring young people, running events, the ability to connect, based on shared
to sitting in groups deciding on the future of cleft care. personal experience. Give it a go: it really can
help people, and just involves being yourself.
Having people with a direct personal or professional Peer supporter
connection to cleft so deeply involved in our services
helps us to ensure we’re delivering the right support, in
the right way, at the right time. As CLAPA has changed a great deal in the past few
In 2024/25, we focused on training_ and developing; our years, a focus. for the year ahead will be on co-producing:
volunteers. This included piloting a new support session a volunteering strategy, and continuing to review
f d d di _ training needs across all of our volunteer roles - to
or peer “ parent supporters, and providing training ensure everyone gets the most out of their time working
on neurodiversity. with CLAPA.
In 2024 /25, v olu n teers spent a total of 2 ,9 22 h ours supporti n g CL APA’ s ser v ices a n d gover n ance.
Young volunteers: 1,075 hours Board of
Members of our Children and Young People’s hoo Lou,
Council (CYPC) attended regular meetings to ours
feed into CLAPA services and help us support As well as taking part
other young people . in board meetings,
C.) many of our trus t ees
a) sit on committee s to
O C) support our work.
Providing Patient Supporting Camp CLAPA
one - to - one reps and weekends: 315 hours
support: focus Supporting young people to have
380 hours groups. a safe and fun experience .
Peer and parent 343 hours
supporters,PP Cleft++ Supportinool Supporting: online:
mentors and research, NHS 310h
counsellors all give projects, and events: ours
up their time to CLAPA's service Hosting and sharing skills and
support others . development . knowledge with the cleft community
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27

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Plans for the future Pa. = oe ea
In the latter half of this year, we turned our attention to Ree ae Aes 1 iN i a1! eke fp
what the future would hold for CLAPA. Together with eee | Le fs {' igi Y = 9
volunteers, service-users, and other stakeholders, we put Ses | 7 ipa 2 “f &
together a bold new strategy for the next five years. bees K Ti a4 ae
This strategy for 2025-30 reflects the voices of those with iy, He H rORAN, SYign 3;
lived experience while prioritising long-term sustainability Ae rom eg . See
and innovation in services. =ji We | Zz f , ee ——.
More information is available at CLAPA.com/Strategy - “ Bits? xt a [aS]
9 zl oo
Strategic themes
& N ' 4
~S Invest “ess17 Empower ‘Inform
We will continue to invest in our We are committed to being the We will keep the cleft community
services, infrastructure, and people. voice of people affected by cleft. informed about care pathways,
treatment options, and support
We'll have the right staff and Through advocacy, campaigning, services.
resources to meet growing demand and co-production, we will
and deliver quality services. influence policies and empower the We will provide clear, accessible,
cleft community to have a say in and evidence-based resources,
We will invest in supportive their care. empowering people to make
functions like communications, informed decisions.
marketing and income generation.
LEQ Connect SFY Reassure
We will grow opportunities for the cleft community to From the moment of diagnosis, we will do all we can to
connect, share experiences, and access support through reassure families and individuals with information and
digital and in-person events tailored to their needs. support.
We will strive to improve equity, diversity and inclusion Our services will continue to evolve to meet the
by engaging with those affected by cleft from emotional, psychological, and practical needs of the
underserved communities. cleft community.
In the next five years, we will:
Refresh our brand to reflect who Further develop our advocacy work Focus on financial sustainability
we are now to influence policy changes within by expanding our supporter base
the NHS and the Government
Launch a new website driven by Strengthen our partnerships with
the needs of the cleft community corporates and Trusts
Trustees’ annual report 22
2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association
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11 Iiliiilill,

ApproachThere to fundraisinge e -. hare™ ieve TR): ie 2. = is a strong overlap between CLAPA’s , 7 in i ; beneficiaries and its supporter base, which makes 4 fe at aea | ;. | @ie trust and transparency in fundraising all the more - ins . tae al “s~\ = vital. y ay eo j ys | aa . ' é > — . | CLAPA is firmly committed to ethical fundraising a=. a A =p "ah i af practices and ensuring every donor and fundraiser feels 7 . — = bi a= n SR 2% &&] respected and valued. While the charity has adopted a — ete il SS ae more ugurgent tone in some appeals to reflect current fundiunding needs,d great care is; takenin to avoidid placingol 0 , Asits afundraiser result of this terms incident, and conditions. CLAPA undertookThis has aled reviewto of undue pressure on supporters. strengthened procedures to ensure no fundraising materials or endorsement from CLAPA are provided Importantly, CLAPA continues to offer inclusive unless the individual has confirmed compliance with the . a o charity’s fundraising guidelines. meaningful ways for individuals to contribute to its work, regardless of their financial situation. .. . ; ; Fundraising agencies and third parties Compliance with fundraising CLAPA does not undertake fundraising activities such as ; face-to-face or door-to-door fundraising. No third regulations ; . TheRegulatore charitycharity andIs1 athememberCharteredber ofof bothbothInstitutethethe FundraisiFundraisingof Fundraising. fundraisingparties or professional fundraisers activities on CLAPA’s behalf.currently undertake As part of its membership of the Fundraising Regulator, Where, CLAPA, works with commercial: organisations: or CLAPA is signed up to the Fundraising Promise which suppliers (for instance,; when purchasing places. for its _. ; supporters at third party challenge events) it has ensures that it is clear, honest, open, respectful, fair, . . : , ; 7 - responsible, and accountable in its fundraising. contracts in daiplace which ensure compliance with the relevant legislation. The charity complies with the relevant areas of ; Fundraising Regulator Codes of Practice. As part of Data protection CLAPA’s commitment to ensuring its fundraising CLAPA takes data protection extremely seriously. regularly reviews the Fundraising Regulator’s guidance the explicit permission of the data subject and where it donors and, in particular, those who are vulnerable. information necessary to register a participant on to a third-party event. ComplaintsP ; ; CLAPA has a robust and accessible complaints In additionaeto its own processes for updating: , , communications preferences, CLAPA is registered with procecure,d avanable‘lab! on itsits werwebsite. ‘| & t0 ensure ; the Fundraising Preference Service (FPS) for those transparency and accountability in all areas of its work, , at including fundraising. making blanket non-contact requests for charities. ; In the financial year 2024/25, no formal complaints Staff attend mandatory: annual, data, protection training were received regarding the charity’s fundraisinga to ensure ongoing. compliance with GDPR and other — ; ; practices. However, one incident, involving a fundraiser relevant regulations. who failed to pay in the funds raised was reported to Action Fraud on the request of the board of trustees. Following investigation, the police concluded that no further action would be taken against the individual.

Trustees’ annual report

2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

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my
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F na ncial review an d ¢ Restricted funds were £70,707 (2023/24: £57,884), due to be spent in full in 2025/26. reserves po | Icy* e Fixed assetrepresenting funds capital were costs incurred £25,870 (2023/24: to date onEnil), the CLAPA’s total income for the year 2024/25 was development of our new website due to launch later £1,773,616 (2023/24: £876,994), an increase of £897k. in 2025. This increase is due to the receipt of two large legacies - Designated funds were £936,116 (2023/24: (totalling £898k) towards the end of the financial year. £71,000), see designated funds paragraph below. e Unrestricted free reserves, as defined above, were Total expenditure for the year was £843k, an increase £335,533, which equates to 3.4 months’ of £163k (24%) on 2023/24 (£680k). The key driver of expenditure cover under the reserves policy, which is this increase is the additional £108k of staff costs, a within the target range. result of inflationary pay rises and essential new posts. Based on our current five-year forecast we project to The total surplus for the year was £931k, with £901k hold total reserves (excluding fixed asset funds) of unrestricted and £30k restricted (2023/24: total surplus £1.05m and free reserves of £335k, within our reserves £197k, with £166k unrestricted and £31k restricted). target at the end of 2025/26. The net surplus on unrestricted free reserves was £9.9k (2023/24: £94,812) after the designation of the legacy Desig nated funds funds detailed in the paragraphs below. In 2023/24 and 2024/25 several payments from large bequests were received (2023/24: £71k, 2024/25: A review of our income for the year and income £898k). Despite this very welcome increase in legacy generation strategy for 2025-30 is set out in our income, the trustees are conscious that bequests of this fundraising review on page 18. size are unlikely to be received again in the near future. The trustees therefore made the decision to designate Reserves the funds to invest in the charity’s infrastructure and Reserves are monitored regularly and carefully by the the 2025-30 strategy. board of trustees and senior management team so that action can be taken should the actual and projected The two designated funds created are: reserves fall below unsustainable levels, or grow 1) Future growth - Designated fund unnecessarily large. In 2023/24, £71k was designated to a new ‘future growth fund’, with £38k carried forward to 2025/26. CLAPA’s policy is that unrestricted free reserves should This fund allows CLAPA to invest in development be maintained at a level equivalent to between three projects in 2024/25 and 2025/26 with a long-term and six months’ total budgeted expenditure for the impact on the charity, including: following financial year (2025/26: £293k to £585k). ¢ Expertise to evaluate and enhance CLAPA’s longUnrestricted free reserves do not include designated, term strategic objectives and services restricted, or fixed asset funds. e Projects requiring multi-year investments: rebranding, campaigning and influencing, upgrading The trustees consider that reserves at this level will IT infrastructure, and a comprehensive website ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in redevelopment which will offer substantial longfunding, they will be able to continue to deliver the term benefits to both the charity and the cleft charity’s current activities whilst revising the 2025-30 community. strategy and budget. 2) Impact 2030 - Designated fund Review of reserves position 2024/25 At the end of 2024/25 we received £898k from two CLAPA’s total reserves at 31 March 2025, including bequests, which have been designated by the trustees restricted, fixed asset and designated funds, were to invest in the 2025-30 strategy. These designated £1,368,226 (2023/24 £437,121). funds will bridge the funding gap forecasted over the Trustees’ annual report 2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

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strategy period, enabling CLAPA to grow and sustain the The trustees decided to designate £898k legacy funds, levels of expenditure needed to support our activities to be spent in full over the 2025-30 strategy period - and objectives. investing in services, the staff team and the income generation strategy - with the aim of achieving a We project full drawdown of this fund in decreasing balanced budget and reserves within the target range increments over the next five years - by which time we by 2030. aim to achieve a balanced budget, with income generation meeting forecasted expenditure. We identified in our 2025-30 strategy forecast that investment in income generation is essential in order to Investments policy close the gap between significant increases in annual The Finance and Investments Committee (F&IC), with expenditure and forecasted income. input from external experts, have considered investment . . options to maximise return and protection for the level Operational risks of funds held. Key operational risks include financial controls, GDPR & data protection, safeguarding and health & safety. We Investment in a portfolio of stocks and shares is not have dedicated policies and committees in place to considered appropriate at this time - due to the manage and monitor the specific risks according to our intention to draw down and utilise the funds over the risk register, which is reviewed regularly to identify new next five years, therefore, giving insufficient time to and emerging risks. We also have relationships in place mitigate any downwards risk inherent in such with external experts and seek advice where investments. appropriate. A Flagstone investment account was opened during the Economic environment year to enable the F&IC to achieve strong, low risk Further risks arise from the ongoing difficulties affecting returns, and to spread funds maximising FSCS many small charities - rising demand for services, protection limits. increasing staffing and overhead costs, inflation and The investment policy is reviewed throughout the year the ‘cost of living’ crisis, volatility of interest rates, so that it can be regularly updated to best serve the reduction in donations from the general public, and needs of the charity and the funds position. increased competition for grants and donations. Key risks and unce rtal nties As well as posing a significant risk to income generation, The Trustees have approved a risk assessment for the through reduction in donations from the community charity and are satisfied that systems are in place to which CLAPA relies upon, the ‘cost of living’ crisis also mitigate exposure to the major risks. At each quarterly presents a risk to staff morale and retention, and this is board meeting, the risk register is reviewed, along with a an ongoing focus of the HR committee and Senior sample of the risk management policies and procedures Management Team (SMT). produced by the charity. To manage these risk, costs continue to be closely The principle risks and plans for managing them are monitored and controlled on an ongoing basis and the set out below: charity is closely following its ‘Income Generation Strategy’ to continue to diversify its income streams. Fundraising risks The Finance & Investments Committee was established The most significant risk currently facing CLAPA is the during the year and an investments policy agreed to . ~ ; ongoing reduce the impact of interest rate volatility. CLAPA also as ability to secure funding from other sources has an Employee Assistance programme in place for at a result of holding a temporarily high level of reserves staff and volunteers and all staff have regular the end of 2024/25. The legacy bequests received at supervision with their line manager. the end of 2024/25 are transformative for CLAPA, doubling total income for that year, however the charity is not aware of any similar levels of incoming funds in the near future. Trustees’ annual report 2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

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Stru ctu re, g overnance A health and safety review took place during 2024/25, to ensure CLAPA, our staff, and trustees are compliant, an d mM andag ement and that we have the appropriate policies and procedures in place. A health and safety committee has Constitution been established, with the chief executive as health and CLAPA is a charitable company limited by guarantee, safety lead and representation from two other staff governed by its Memorandum and Articles of members, and health and safety lead at board level. Association dated July 2004. CLAPA incorporated in Additional support is provided by an external England and Wales in August 2004 and registered as a organisation. charity in Scotland in November 2009. . . . . Related parties and relationships with Board of trustees other organisations trateaic partnershios with CLAPA’s trustees all have experience of cleft, either as ° wee varie y° ° rene gic por nerstubs “ professional or personal. The board’s, membership_ is other charities and_ organisations.4, Creating and growingoo ; regularly reviewed to ensure it has the necessary skills to these partnerships is crucial in broadeningoa, the charity’s . . , . ; range of stakeholders and increasing its impact. fulfil its duties to support the charity’s activities, with a balance of clinical, legal, financial and operational . tise. Trust ve their ti luntaril d Partners include: naeecelv he, eaeeres TO heecnan'y:hy, unrany an ¢ The NHS cleft multi-disciplinary teams e Third sector partnership groups: the Appearance The trustees hold full responsibility for the activities of Collective,eeetheNe Sharedonere LeamingingG roup forior Patient° en the charity,; taking; recommendations; from and Involvement, and the British Heart Foundation’s delegating;[decisions] -[to][the][finance] ; and ;[investments,] Peer Support Network. a . ; HR, and fundraising and communications committees. ¢ Health related collectives and organisations: the. All committees; consist of both trustees and senior; Royal College of Speech and Languagei. Therapists; :harityIe - atstaff. he.Day-to-dor ay aoe rcemment t ofe the e cnch a rin t yy i's (RCSLT),Heath (RCPCH), the Royal Col Specia l egis e d ofHealthca Paediat r icse Alliance and Child and eregared to le senor management ream. the Speech, Language and Communication Alliance. Appointmentint t d traini e Related research groups: the Cleft Collective, Cleft and training @18-23, and the Centre for Appearance Research Trustees are recruited through open competition with (CAR). applicants being shortlisted, interviewed and appointed * NHS related groups: Cleft Development Group by a panel of existing trustees. Newly appointed (CDG) and Clinical Studies Group (CSG). trustees receive induction and training in CLAPA’s ¢ Other charities: the European Cleft Organisation objectives, structure, delegation, finances, safeguarding, (ECO), Changing Faces, Face Equality UK, Young and information, to ensure they understand their Minds. and Headlines. responsibilities as trustees. ¢ Commercial partners: Crown Worldwide, MAM, Central Medical, and Handi-Craft. Safeguarding, health and safety Safeguarding and health and safety are both key Remuneration policy for key priorities for CLAPA. The chief executive is the management person nel designated safeguarding lead (DSL), supported by four CLAPA’s HR committee, together with F&IC, is deputy DSLs; and a safeguarding lead and deputy are responsible for advising the board of trustees on pay appointed at board level. All meet on a quarterly basis and remuneration the chief executive. The chief as the safeguarding committee, to provide strategic and executive is responsible for advising the committees on operational leadership. All staff and trustees receive the pay and remuneration of all other staff roles. relevant safeguarding training. DBS checks are carried out for all trustees and relevant staff prior to Salaries are benchmarked against similar posts at commencing their role within CLAPA. similar sized organisations in the voluntary sector, using published salary services and publicly advertised positions.

Trustees’ annual report 2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

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State me nt of In so far as the Trustees are aware: ¢ There is no relevant audit information of which the res po nsi bi ities of th e charitable company’s auditor is unaware e The Trustees have taken all steps that they ought to tru ste es have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the The Trustees (who are also directors of The Cleft Lip and auditor is aware of that information Palate Association for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ annual reportand —_— The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and the financial statements in accordance with applicable integrity of the corporate and financial information law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United included on the charitable company's website. Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company — Members of the charity guarantee to contribute an and of the incoming resources and application of amount not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charity in resources, including the income and expenditure, of the the event of winding up. The total number of such charitable company for that period. guarantees at 31 March 2025 was 10 (2024: 12) The Trustees are members of the charity but this entitles In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are them only to voting rights. The Trustees have no required to: beneficial interest in the charity.

e Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently Auditor * Observe the methods and principles in the Charities Sayer Vincent LLP was re-appointed as the charitable SORP company's auditor during the year and has expressed its e Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable willingness to continue in that capacity. and prudent * State whether applicable UK Accounting Standards The directors’ annual report has been prepared in and statements of recommended practice have been —_— accordance with the special provisions applicable to followed, subject to any material departures companies subject to the small companies’ regime. disclosed and explained in the financial statements * Prepare the financial statements on the going The annual report has been approved by the Trustees on concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume 24 July 2025 and signed on their behalf by: that the charity will continue in operation

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate 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 hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Thomas Millward

Trustee

Trustees’ annual report

2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

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Reference and administrative information

Company number 05206298

Charity number 1108160

OSCR number S$C041034 Registered office and operational address The Green House, 244-254 Cambridge Heath Road, LONDON, E2 9DA

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Registered with
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REGULATOR
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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: O Rendell Chair, appointed October 2024 T Millward Treasurer, appointed August 2024; Vice Chair, appointed July 2025 A Beedham Resigned June 2024 J Bhachu Treasurer until October 2024, resigned November 2024 S Bragg D Drake Resigned January 2025 S Handley Resigned June 2025 D Harrington-Greenwood Appointed January 2025 H Bowdler Appointed March 2025 O Hopkins Interim Chair from November 2023, resigned December 2024 L Hughes Resigned March 2025 J Kerby M Pinkstone Resigned June 2024 M Spencer C Taylor Appointed December 2024 I Williams J Williams Resigned January 2025 Company secretary & CEO C Cunniffe

Bankers

Barclays Bank plc Hatton Garden Business Centre, 99 Hatton Garden, LONDON, EC1N 8DN

Auditor

Sayer Vincent LLP, Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor 110 Golden Lane, LONDON, EC1Y OTG

Reference and administration information 2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

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e e e

Independent auditor’s report to the members of The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Cleft Lip and Palate Association (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities, balance sheet, statement of cash flows and 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 Financial Reporting Standard 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:

Give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company’s affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended Have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice Have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and regulation 8 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).

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 financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the 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 Cleft Lip and Palate 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.

Other information The other information comprises the information included in the trustees’ annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the 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. In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in 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 there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. 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:

e The information given in the trustees’ annual report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements

e The trustees’ annual report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements

Independent auditor’s report 2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

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Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its 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 the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) require us to report to you if, in our opinion: e Adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

e e ¢ ¢ ¢

The financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or Certain disclosures of trustees’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or We have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or The trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies’ exemptions in preparing the trustees’ annual report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.

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 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 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 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 as auditor under section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and under the Companies Act 2006 and report in accordance with regulations made under 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. Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and noncompliance with laws and regulations, our procedures included the following: e We enquired of management, which included obtaining and reviewing supporting documentation, concerning the charity’s policies and procedures relating to: © Identifying, evaluating, and complying with laws and regulations and whether they were aware of any instances of non-compliance; ° Detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether they have knowledge of any actual, suspected, or alleged fraud; o The internal controls established to mitigate risks related to fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations. ¢ We inspected the minutes of meetings of those charged with governance. e We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that the charity operates in, focusing on those laws and regulations that had a material effect on the financial statements or that had a fundamental effect on the operations of the charity from our professional and sector experience. e We communicated applicable laws and regulations throughout the audit team and remained alert to any indications of non-compliance throughout the audit.

Independent auditor’s report 2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

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¢ ¢

We reviewed any reports made to regulators.

¢

We reviewed the financial statement disclosures and tested these to supporting documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations. We performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships that may indicate risks of material misstatement due to fraud.

e In addressing the risk of fraud through management override of controls, we tested the appropriateness of journal entries and other adjustments, assessed whether the judgements made in making accounting estimates are indicative of a potential bias and tested significant transactions that are unusual or those outside the normal course of business.

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

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 16b of the Companies Act 2006 and section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005. Ourb audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members those matters we areb required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, web do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company'’sb members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Noelia Serrano (Senior statutory auditor)

Date: 31 July 2025

for and on behalf of Sayer Vincent LLP, Statutory Auditor 110 Golden Lane, LONDON, EC1Y OTG

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

Independent auditor’s report 2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

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Statement of financial activities

(incorporating an income and expenditure account) For the year ended 31 March 2025

				2025			2024
		Unrestricted	Restricted	Total	Unrestricted	Restricted	Total
	Note	£	£	£	£	£	£
Income from:
Donations and legacies	2	1,441,406	238,265	1,679,671	602,579	201,111	803,690
Charitable activities	3	74,980	=	74,980	71,744	~	71,744
Investments		18,239	-	18,239	1,560	-	1,560
Other		726	-	726	-	-	-
Total income		1,535,351	238,265	+ 1,773,616	675,883	201,111	876,994
Expenditure on:
Raising funds	4a	212,019	=	212,019	222,955	~	222,955
Charitable activities	4a	448,329	182,164	630,493	287,116	170,083	457,199
Total expenditure		660,348	182,164	842,512	510,071	170,083	680,154
Net income for the year	5	875,003	56,101	931,104	165,812	31,028	196,840
Transfers	17a	25,870	(25,870)	-	-	-	-
Net movement in funds	17a	900,873	30,231	931,104	165,812	31,028	196,840
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward	loa	396,645	40,476	437,121	230,833	9,448	240,281
Totalfundscarriedforward		1,297,518	70,707	~=1,368,225	396,645	40,476	437,121

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 17a to the financial statements.

Statement of financial activities 2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

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Company no. 05206298

As at 31 March 2025

			2025		2024
	Note	£	£	£	£
Fixed assets:
Tangible assets	10		25,870		1,541
			25,870		1,541
Current assets:
Stock	11	35,749		33,165
Debtors	12	61,498		44,842
Current asset investments		1,064,001		-
Cash at bank and in hand		228,465		454,479
		1,389,713		532,486
Liabilities:
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year	13	(47,358)		(96,906)
Net current assets			1,342,355		435,580
Total net assets			1,368,225		437,121
The funds of the charity:	17a
Restricted funds			70,707		40,476
Unrestricted funds:
Designated funds		936,116		71,000
Fixed asset fund		25,870		-
General funds		335,532		325,645
Total unrestricted funds			1,297,518		396,645
Totalcharityfunds			1,368,225		437,121

Approved by the trustees on 24 July 2025 and signed on their behalf by

Thomas Millward Trustee

Balance Sheet 2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

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For the year ended 31 March 2025

Reconciliation of net income to net cash flow from operating activities

			2025	2024
			£	£
Net income for the reporting period
(as per the statement of financial activities)			931,104	196,840
Depreciation charges			1,541	515
Investment income			(18,239)	(1,560)
(Increase) in stocks			(2,584)	(6,237)
(Increase) in debtors			(16,656)	(8,929)
(Decrease) in creditors			(49,548)	(1,057)
Net cash used in operating activities			845,618	179,572
		2025		2024
	£	£	£	£
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash used in operating activities		845,618		179,572
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of tangible fixed assets	(25,870)
Investment income	18,239		1,560
Net cash provided by investing activities		(7,631)		1,560
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year		837,987		181,132
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning ofthe year		454,479		273,347
Cash and cash equivalents at the end ofthe year		1,292,466		454,479
Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
				At 31 March
		At 1 April		2025
		2024	~~ Cash flows
		£	£	£
Cash at bank and in hand		454,479	(226,014)	228,465
Current asset investments		-	1,064,001	1,064,001
Totalcashandcashequivalents		454,479	837,987	__1,292,466

Analysis of changes in net debt

The charity has not provided an analysis of changes in net debt as it does not have any long term financing arrangements.

Statement of cash flows 2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

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1 Accounting policies

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025

a) Statutory information

The Cleft Lip and Palate Association is a charitable company limited by guarantee and is incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office address and principal place of business is The Green House, 244-254 Cambridge Heath Road, London, E2 9DA.

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.

In applying the financial reporting framework, the trustees have made a number of subjective judgements, for example in respect of significant accounting estimates. Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.The nature of the estimation means the actual outcomes could differ from those estimates. Any significant estimates and judgements affecting these financial statements are detailed within the relevant accounting policy below.

• c) Public benefit entity

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

d) Going concern

The accounts have been prepared on the going concern basis, which the trustees consider appropriate having regard to the current level of unrestricted reserves and confirmed future funding. The charity holds unrestricted reserves of £1,297,518 and a cash balance of £1,292,466. There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

• e) Income

• All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity becomes entitled to the income and the amounts can be measured reliably.

Donations are recognised upon receipt and income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid is recognised at the time of the donation.

Grant income is recognised upon

receipt or, if earlier, at the time the charity becomes entitled to it.

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. During the year government grants were received from the National Lottery totalling £100,514 (2024: National Lottery £80,534). There are no unfulfilled conditions in respect of these grants. The charity did not benefit from any other forms of government assistance during the current or prior year.

Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected.

• f) Interest receivable Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

• qa) Fund accounting 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.

h) Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT Resources expended are recognised in the period to which they relate.

Direct charitable expenditure comprises all the expenditure relating to the activities carried out to achieve the charitable objectives.

Governance includes the costs of compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements. A proportion of support and governance costs is allocated to fundraising and to Charitable activities involving and supporting people affected by clefts and improving services.

Staff costs have been allocated on the basis of time spent.

Notes to the financial statements 2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

36

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025

• 1] Accounting policies (continued)

• i) Operating leases Rental charges are charged on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.

• i) Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less depreciation. Items costing less than £2,000 are not capitalised. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:

• ® Website development costs 10 years straight line (previously 33.33% straight line) ® Fixtures and fittings 4 years straight line (previously 25% reducing balance)

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year.

The depreciation policy has changed since the period ended 31 March 2024 (as detailed above) but the change does not result in a restatement and there is no impact on net movement in funds.

k) Stocks Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. In general, cost is determined on a first in first out basis and includes transport and handling costs. Net realisable value is the price at which stocks can be sold in the normal course of business after allowing for the costs of realisation. Provision is made where necessary for obsolete, slow moving and defective stocks.

Stock held for free distribution for fundraising purposes is included at nil value. Stock held for free distribution with a charitable purpose is accounted for based on service potential.

1) Debtors 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.

m) Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

• n) Current asset investments

• Current asset investments includes cash balances that are invested in accounts with a maturity date of between 3 and 12 months.

• 0) Creditors and provisions Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

p) Financial instruments

• 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 with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

q) Pensions

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions are charged in the accounts as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme.

Notes to the financial statements 2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

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Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

2 Income from donations and legacies

			2025			2024
	Unrestricted	Restricted	Total	Unrestricted	Restricted	Total
	£	£	£	£	£	£
Donations (incl gift aid)	501,087	-	501,087	525,581	-	525,581
Legacies	940,319	=	940,319	76,998	7	76,998
Grants receivable	-	238,265	238,265	-	201,111	201,111
Totalincomefromdonationsandlegacies	1,441,406	238,265	1,679,671	602,579	201,111	803,690

Included in income from donations are gifts in kind totalling £14,700 for pro bono branding consultancy and design and print services (2024: £11,345 was included in feeding service income from charitable activities for donated specialist feeding bottles for welcome packs).

3 Income from charitable activities

	2025	2024
	Total	Total
	£	£
Feeding service	63,280	63,999
Other merchandise/literature sales	1,043	619
Postage	7,929	7,126
Consultancy	2,728	=
Totalincomefromcharitableactivities	74,980	71,744

All income from charitable activities in the current and prior year was unrestricted.

Notes to the financial statements 2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

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Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025 4a Analysis of expenditure (current year) Raising Charitable Support & funds activities governance 2025 Total Salaries & freelance INote 61 Feeding service equipment & postage se￿ice delivery Platform fees & other fundraising costs Staff & volunteer costs Premise5 Costs. Communication5 Admin & IT costs Legal, professional & governance Charity development projects Depreciation 108,432 263,723 48,957 40.005 176.005 548,160 48,957 40,005 23,393 28,581 37,740 4,850 54,787 25,770 28,728 1,541 23.393 10,189 35,856 2,768 8,481 18,392 1.884 141 43,072 25,770 21,728 1,541 1,941 3,234 7.000 137.000 416,979 288,533 842,512 Allocation of support and governance cost5 75,019 213.514 1288,533) Total expendlture 202 5 212019 630 493 842512 *ln the reporting year. 95% of premises have been allocated as costs of running the feeding service. This reflects that the office premises is retained predominantly for the operation of our feeding service including storing and managing stock and processing orders. The remainder has been allocated as a cost of support and governance reflecting the use of ihe office for occassional staff meerings and other ad hoc usage. Included within support and governance costs are governance costs totalling £13,05712024 restated.. £12,346). 4b Analysls of expendlture (prlor year) restated Raising Charitable Support & funds activities governance 2024 Total Salaries & freelance INote 61 Feeding service equipment & postage Service delivery Platform fees & other fundralsing costs Staff & volunteer c05tS Premise5 Costs Communlcations Admin & IT costs Legal, professional & governance Depreciation 122,962 176.878 44,600 49,068 156.282 456,122 44,600 49,068 16,391 18,545 35,782 2,433 38,986 17,712 515 16.391 16.380 2,165 35,782 2,433 18,167 17.712 515 7,207 13,612 146,560 300,538 233,OS6 680,154 Allocation of sUPPOrt and governance costs 76,395 156.661 12 33,056) Total expenditure 2024 222 955 457199 680154 Analysis of expenditure for the prior year has been restated to group expenditure into categories in line with the CLAPA'S new budget and nominal structure 2025-26 budget. There is no impact on total expenditure. Notes to the financial statements 2024125 Annud Report-The Cleft Lip and Palate Association 39

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025

5. Net income for the year

This is stated after charging / (crediting):

This is stated after charging / (crediting):
	2025	2024
	£	£
Depreciation	1,541	515
Operating lease rentals:
Property	25,466	25,475
Auditor's remuneration (excluding VAT):
Audit	10,100	9,600

1. Analysis of staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses, and the cost of key management personnel

Staff costs were as follows:

Staff costs were as follows:
	2025	2024
	£	£
Salaries and wages	477,572	382,890
Social security costs	36,995	28,733
Employer’s contribution to defined contribution	17,993	12,799
Freelance	15,600	31,700
	548,160	456,122

One employee earned between £60,000 and £70,000 during the year (2024: nil). There were redundancy costs of nil (2024: nil).

The charity's key management personnel comprises of the Board of Trustees and the Senior Management Team.

Included within the Senior Management Team are the following: Chief Executive, Head of Impact (replaced by Head of Communications and Marketing), Head of Finance, Head of Service Delivery and Head of Income.

Total remuneration (Salary, NI, Allowances, Pension) paid to the Senior Management Team in the year amounted to £239,833 (2024: £218,037).

None of the Trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year. Trustees’ expenses were for travel, training, membership and meeting costs totalling £734 (2024: Meeting costs £28).

7. Staff numbers

The average number of employees (head count based on number of staff employed) during the year was 19 (2024: 16).

8. Related party transactions

Aggregate donations from related parties were £1,547 (2024: £1,195).

There were no other related party transactions to disclose for 2025 (2024: none).

9. Taxation

The charitable company is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.

40

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025

10. Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets
	Fixtures and	Website	Total
	fittings	development
	£	£	£
Cost or valuation
At the start of the year	5,210	32,464	37,674
Additions in year	=	25,870	25,870
Disposals	(5,210)	-	(5,210)
At the end of the year	-	58,334	58,334
Depreciation
At the start of the year	3,669	32,464	36,133
Charge for the year Disposals	1,541 (5,210)	Fs =	1,541 (5,210)
At the end of the year	-	32,464	32,464
Net book value
At the end ofthe year	-	25,870	25,870
At the start of the year	1,541	=	1,541
Alloftheaboveassetsareusedforcharitablepurposes.

Included within "website development" is £25,870 additions which is not depreciated. This represents the amounts capitalised during the year. The new website is expected to be complete in October 2025 and will depreciated from that date.

11. Stock

11.	Stock
		2025	2024
		£	£
	Donated bottles for welcome packs	4,675	11,345
	Stock for resale	31,074	21,820
		35,749	33,165
12.	Debtors
		2025	2024
		£	£
	Trade debtors	3,289	2,577
	Prepayments	28,790	12,266
	Accrued income	20,033	27,421
	Other debtors	9,386	2,578
		61,498	44,842

All of the charity’s financial instruments, both assets and liabilities, are measured at amortised cost. The carrying values of these are shown above.

13. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
	2025	2024
	£	£
Trade creditors	6,813	11,761
Accruals	26,479	22,430
Other taxation and social security	11,876	-
Deferred income (note 14)	-	61,156
Other creditors	2,190	1,559
	47,358	96,906

Notes to the financial statements 2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

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Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025

14. Deferred income

Deferred income relates to project funds where the funder has specified expenditure should take place in the next financial year.

		2025	2024
		£	£
Balance	at the beginning of the year	61,156	59,091
Amount	released to income in the year	(61,156)	(59,091)
Amount	deferred in the year	>	61,156
Balance	attheendoftheyear	=	61,156

15. Pension scheme

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.

The charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes was £13,420 to CLAPA scheme (2024: £10,957) and £4,573 to a private scheme (2024: £2,040).

16a. Analysis of net assets between funds (current year)

16a.	Analysis of net assets between funds (current year)
		General	Fixed asset	Designated	Restricted	Total funds
		unrestricted	fund
		£	£	£	£	£
	Tangible fixed assets	-	25,870	-	-	25,870
	Net current assets	335,532	=	936,116	70,707	1,342,355
	Net assets at 31 March 2025	335,532	25,870	936,116	70,707	1,368,225
16b.	Analysis of net assets between funds (prior year)
		General	Fixed asset	Designated	Restricted	Total funds
		unrestricted	fund
		£	£	£	£	£
	Tangible fixed assets	1,541	-	-	-	1,541
	Net current assets	324,104	-	71,000	40,476	435,580
	Netassetsat31March2024	325,645	-	71,000	40,476	437,121

Notes to the financial statements 2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

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Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025

17a. Movements in funds (current year)

Movements in funds (current year)
	At 1 April	Income	Expenditure	Transfers	At 31 March
	2024				2025
	£	f	£	f	£
Restricted funds:
Angus Lawson Memorial Trust	-	15,066	(8,005)	a	7,061
Croda Foundation	9,728	-	(9,728)	-	-
Highway One Trust	2,500	10,000	(10,000)	-	2,500
Hospital Saturday Fund	~	2,000	(2,000)	7	7
MichaelJosephson	-	28,458	(28,458)	7	-
The National Lottery Community Fund (AfA)	-	20,000	(8,333)	-	11,667
The National Lottery Community Fund (RC)	25,966	80,514	(72,996)	-	33,484
Smile Train (England) 2024-25	-	32,427	(32,427)	-	-
StJames Place - Caritabel Foundation	-	10,000	(10,000)		=
TheVTCT Foundation (Website)	-	39,800	-	(25,870)	13,930
The Wood Foundation	2,282	-	(217)	~	2,065
Total restricted funds	40,476	238,265	(182,164)	(25,870)	70,707
Designated funds
Future growth fund	71,000	-	(32,884)	~	38,116
Impact 2030	-	898,000	-	-	898,000
Total designated funds	71,000	898,000	(32,884)	~	936,116
Fixed asset fund	-	-	-	25,870	25,870
General funds	325,645	637,351	(627,464)	=	335,532
Total unrestricted funds	396,645	1,535,351	(660,348)	7	1,297,518
Total funds	437,121	1,773,616	(842,512)	(25,870)	1,368,225
Movements in funds (prior year)
		At 1 April	Income	Expenditure	At 31 March
		2023			2024
		£	£	£	£
Restricted funds:
The James McGowan Scholarship Fund		6,944	“=	(6,944)	-
Smile Train (England) 2023-24		-	16,563	(16,563)	7
Smile Train (England) 2024-25		-	2,454	(2,454)	-
The Wood Foundation		2,504	-	(222)	2,282
Highway One Trust		-	10,000	(7,500)	2,500
TheVTCT Foundation (Fundraising)		=	33,365	(33,365)	-
The National Lottery Community Fund (AfA)		-	9,163	(9,163)	-
The National Lottery Community Fund (RC)		~	80,534	(54,568)	25,966
Hugh Fraser		-	3,500	(3,500)	7
Croda Foundation		-	29,182	(19,454)	9,728
StJames Place - Caritabel Foundation		-	10,000	(10,000)	-
Boshier Hinton		-	2,000	(2,000)	-
Michael Josephson		-	3,850	(3,850)	-
Walter Guiness Charitable Trust		~	500	(500)	7
Total restricted funds		9,448	201,111	(170,083)	40,476
Designated funds
Future growth fund		-	71,000	-	71,000
Total designated funds		-	71,000	-	71,000
General funds		230,833	604,883	(510,071)	325,645
Total unrestricted funds		230,833	675,883	(510,071)	396,645
Totalfunds		240,281	876,994	(680,154)	437,121

17b. Movements in funds (prior year)

Notes to the financial statements 2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

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Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025

18. Purpose of funds

18a. Purpose of restricted funds:

Angus Lawson Memorial Trust provided funding for CLAPA Welcome Packs and free equipment for vulnerable families.

The Croda Foundation funded Cleft Lip & Palate specialist feeding packs for newborns for one year.

Highway One Trust provided funding to improve fundraising infrastructure.

Hospital Saturday Fund provided funding for CLAPA Welcome Packs.

Michael Josephson MBE, donated from the MJ Ball profits toward a selection of Children and young people’s activities including Cleft++, the CYPC and the cost of a residential weekend in July 2024.

The National Lottery Community Fund (Awards for All) provided a grant for a pilot of Cleft++, an Online mentoring project for 1217 year olds, including staffing costs.

The National Lottery Community Fund (Reaching Communities) are funding the Adults Services Programme - Improving the health and wellbeing of adults in England born with a cleft.

Smile Train (2024-25) provided funding for our Community Engagement Coordinator's salary and funding for delivery costs of Community Engagement Programme.

St James Place Charitable Foundation have committed £10,000 a year for 3 years to provide 2 residential weekends for 30 disadvantaged, cleft-affected children and young people (CYP) aged 8-12.

The VTCT Foundation (website) represents a grant provided for CLAPA's new website. The transfer from this restricted fund to unrestricted funds represents capital expenditure on website development.

The Wood Foundation provided a grant to cover the cost of Welcome Packs for families in Edinburgh.

18b. Purpose of restricted funds from the prior year:

The James McGowan Scholarship Fund was established by CLAPA at the wish of the family and friends of James, who died suddenly in 2007. CLAPA administered the fund on behalf of the scholarship committee, which gave awards for the purpose of striving for excellence in the care of patients born with cleft lip and palate in Northern Ireland, but had no control over its spend.

Smile Train (2023-24) provided funding for our Community Engagement Coordinator's salary and part funding for the salary of our External Engagement Coordinator.

The VTCT Foundation (Fundraising) - The VTCT Foundation gave a 1 year grant provided funding for our Head of Income's salary.

Hugh Fraser Foundation contributed towards a residential learning and development weekend at Aberfoyle, Perthshire for children and young people affected by cleft lip and/or palate.

Boshier-Hinton Foundation provided funding for CLAPA Welcome packs.

Walter Guinness Charitable Trust donated £500 towards residential and learning weekends.

18c. Purpose of desiqnated funds:

Future growth fund represents funds designated from legacy income for development projects, including: re-branding, website and IT development, influencing and theory of change. The fund is expected to be fully spent by the end of the 2025/26 financial year.

Impact 2030 designated fund

During the 2024/25 financial year two substantial legacy payments were received totalling £898,000. The trustees are conscious that bequests of this size are unlikely to be received again in the near future. CLAPA is dedicated to ensuring its operations remain sustainable. The trustees have therefore designated the legacy funds to be spent in full over the 2025-30 strategy period, investing in the strategy objectives, services, the staff team and the income generation strategy, with the aim of achieving a balanced budget and reserves within the target range by 2030.

18d. Fixed asset funds

Fixed asset funds represents the net book value of capitalised assets. Whilst the funds are unrestricted, the funds are tied up in capital expenditure and therefore do not consitute free reserves.

Notes to the financial statements 2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

hl

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025

19. Operating lease commitments

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

		Property
		£	£
Less	than one year	12,143	11,240
One	to five years	>	-
		12043811,240

20. Capital commitments

At the year end the charity had one ongoing contract with Fat Beehive for developing the new website. The total value of the contract is £38,491, of which £19,246 work has been completed and invoiced at the year end. The balance remaining on the contract is £19,245. The contract and works are expected to be complete by October 2025.

21. Legal status of the charity

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.

Notes to the financial statements 2024/25 Annual Report -The Cleft Lip and Palate Association

45

CLAPA is a charity with no government or NHS funding: we rely on generous donors and fundraisers to continue our work. Please consider making a donation of any amount to help keep our life-changing services free and accessible to all who need them. Visit CLAP￿ComIDonQte or scan the QR code. R•glst•r•d wlth FR FUNE)RAISING REGULATOR @clapacommunity www.clapa.com [e-mail] The Green House, 244-254 Cambridge Heath Road, LONDON, E2 9DA Registered Charity in England and Wales (No. 1108160) and Scotl(Ind (SC041034). Company No. 5206298.