NORTH STAFFS ASPERGERS AND AUTISM ASSOCIATION
NSAAA
HILDREM
IN I*ED
North 5tsffs
ASPERGEIUAUTISM ASSOCIATION
CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT for the AGM- 2024
By Megan Russan- Chair

We are well into our 3 decade as a local charity. This year has been a
very successful year for Ihe charity with continued strong growth in
membership and increases in activities wg are able to provide members.
We are proud to continue seprfing members and always look to improve
what we do.
Committeel Trustees and Staff
As we come to the AGM the trustees comprise myself, Megan
Russan (chair), Pauline Hanrahan, (treasurer) Jane Titley,
(secretary). with Charlene Gessey and Dee Clarke as general
committee members. I wanl to thank them all for their hard
work, great ideas and commitment to driving the organisation
forward over the last twelve months. It's been yet another good
year.
I have been chairperson since March 2023 and this will be my
last meeting as a trustee.
Jane Titley has been the secretary for a great number of years
and is a great asset to the committee. her expertise is around
policy and processes.
Pauline Hanrahan is our Treasurer. She continues to liaise with
Wendy Knobbs, our current Finance Manager. Wendy continues
to produce monthly accounts and makes sure the money
accounts are accurate for auditing purposes. Her report will be
reported later in the meeting.
The staff members are Jill Broad. Rachel Linforth-Jones and
Wendy Knobbs. We are pleased to employ staff with such a
diverse range of skills. We are very sad that Heather has left us
last year., we thank her for her hard work and continued support
of the charity as a volunteer, we thank all of our staff, volunteers
and trustees for their continued support and passion in helping
and supporting our members. We are in the throes of appointing
a new employee lo cover some of our weekly face to face
groups.

Our current membership is at 416; this is an incredible
achievement for the second year running. Previously our
membership had not been much more than 250. This shows
that the need for our charity is greater than ever. The long
waiting lists for CAMHS and the long waits for EHCPS etc. add
to the need for serrfices like ours that offer some support and
help in those first days especially.
Working PractI￿S
We have a wide range of services on offer.
We have the help line open 4 days a week for a few hours.
Members and potential members can phone and ask for advice
and guidance.
There is a small lending library in the office with books on
Autism.
There are several fa￿-to-faCe social groups for children and
teenagers that have continued to meet on a monthly rota. We
have a much larger rota this last year or two for online groups
as well. Our face-to-fac8 groups usually meet at King Street
studios in Newcastle and our growing band of volunteers
regularly support these groups; we thank them for their
continued support.
We have recently introduced a new group for a members aged
over 35.
Activities update:

1. Monthly Jumbo sessions for the children and their
siblings has been enjoyed by many. This group has really
taken off and we regularly have 20 children playing on a
3 Friday. We have started to do an annual Halloween
Night too for all members. This has proved popular these
last two Halloweens.
2. Our monthly craft groups continue online using zoom and
face to face, they prove popular with a range of mernbers
of all ages.
3. Regular school holiday activities continue to take place.
There are always two extra activities a week in the
holidays. They have included bowling, train trips, mini golf,
tubing, Trentham Gardens and many country walks to
name a few. The annual trip to Blackpool happened too.
We have also had one-off events such as music making
sessions. These prove popular.
4. The monthly swimming club has been running and we
have had some changes of times for the weekend
sessions as we are now using Stone Swimming Pool. The
venue is great when we can meet and attracts strong
numbers of attendees.
5. The Lego group still meets and has recently changed to
a Friday; it has a loyal following.
6. The 16-25 young adults group has continued to grow
from strength to St￿ngth and our aim to promote
independence is evident in our young people. They love
meal out or a trip to the bowling alley or cinema.
7. This year we have enjoyed our under 16s paty night and
we have had lots of fun with our younger members. This
has evolved from themed nights to a relaxed evening with
our younger members. It has a fantastic, chilled end of the
week vibe.

8. Our adult group is Ihriving, they are such an amazing
group, and they enjoy meeting at King Street once a
month, and they also enjoy Meeting during the monthly
outing. Activities have included many meals out, bowling,
and mini golf.
9. We have also enjoyed several fantastic theatre trips
including the Panto, and plays at both The Regent and
The New Vic. This is a great opportunity for the whole
family to come along and enjoy a fabulous aftemoon of
entertainment.
The Adult members continue to meet several times a month.
Thanks should go to our fabulous staff members for all the great
ideas and suggestions you have put forward to create much
needed fun! This is how our over 35s group started!
We host a Parents, Support Group that has continued to meet at
King Streel. This group provides a much-needed opportunity
for a cup of tea and a supportive chat with Dee, who really
offers our members such a warm welcome and friendly advice.
Fundraising and awareness raising
We continue to raise some much-needed funds for the charity
moving forward into 2024. Our largest and most successful
fundraising event of the year has become the charity ball which
took place in Apri12023. Our accounts tell us it raised over
£8,000. We have our next Ball in May this year which we are

hoping you can all support. It is not too late. You might just get a
ticket in the next week.
This year we have fundraised £9795; this is an amazing amount
and comprises a huge amount of our expenditure. We have
also been given £2707 in donations. Again, this is an amazing
amount from friends, famili8s and local organisations and
businesses.
Grants and Money
A lot of work has been done in this area, which is an ongoing
commitment. Pauline has detailed these in her report. Some
funding has been secured from Children in Need and additional
funding has also been secured from Awards For All and the Alex
Ferry Foundation, which will be detailed in Pauline's report. The
effort from the committee and the members ensures that we now
have a healthy bank balance going into the next financial year.
The Future
The NSAAA will continue with our key features identified such as the
help line, support work, group work and holiday activities, and some
face-to-face support. We will continue to grow and develop as an
organisation, and we are always open to new ideas. We aim to increase
rnembership and to increase the activities and services we offer to our
rnembers. We are thrilled at how popular our online groups have been
and will continue to host these in the future. It has been a pleasure to
work with such dedicated people over the last twelve months and I thank
you all.

North Staffs Asperger/Autism Association
Accounts
For the Year Ended 30th September 2023
Reglstered Charlty Number 1109817
Pauline Hanrahan
Treasurer

North Staffs Asperger/Autlsm Assoclation 31Y' September 2023
Charity Informatl¢>n
Trustees
Delia Clarke
charlene Gessey
Honorary Officers
Megarb Russan (Chairl
Paullne Hanrahan ITreasurerl
Jane Titley Isecretaryl
Office Addres5
PO Box 3615
stoke -on-Trent
staffs
sr4 gLY
Bankers
Unlty Trust Bank
Four 8rindleyplace
Birmingham
BI 2JB
Nalmest Bank
75 High Street
Newcastle-U-Lyme
Staffs
ST5 IPN

North Staffs Asp8rywlAutism A880¢iatlon 30tr Septembor 2023
TrusleK rgport
Governance and managemont
The charity is operated under the rules of its consbtutlon adopted 19104r2005 as amended on
2310212006 as arnended on 0810312008 as amended on 2910312012
Charltable objgcts
1. to promote the relieflunderslanding of people with autisttc Spectrum conditions for their families and
carers.
2. to advance the education of the public in all manners conc8ming autisb"c speclrum disorders.
The methods adoptod for the recruitm8nt and appolntm•nl of new trustees
There is an open and welconNng oUt1￿k towards potential new Irustrees and every effort is made to
keep numbers at a steady level. New Trustees are nominated and appointed at the AGM usually, but
may be Covopled during the year as part of the monthly Trustees meeting.
Publlc ben8flt
The trustees ofthe Charity are aware of the Charlty Commission's guidance on PLtblic benefft and have
had regard lo it in their administration of the Charity.
Summary of the maln achlovements during the porfod
As a recipient Df The Queens Award for Voluntary Service in 2015. and hosts of an afternoon lea
reception for HRH Sophie Countess of Wessex in 2017, we have continued to gain recognition and
gr8at encouragement for what we are achieving in our WOTk. We have continued lo successfully adjust
our vital work in an ever-changing climate and have secured support grants from Children in Need and
Awards for All. The nurnber and diversity of events that we can off8r lo our members has increased.
Our acts'vibes, events, and support and information services are being driven forward at an impressive
level by our staff team and proactive committee.
The charty's pollcy on reservas
Reserves will be built up in order lo adequatsly cover the Tunning costs of the organisation for a
maximum period of six months to assisl future cash flow should fvnding be delayed. The policy is
reviewed annually by the Trusloes.
Signed on behalf of the charity's trustee$-

Bank Sl
natori
orth Staffs As
er Autlsm Assodatlon
For Year Endin
lem
23
Pauline Hanrahan-Treasurer
Megan Ru55an- Chèlr
Jane Titley-secretary
Wendy Knobbs-Finance Officer
Any two of four to Sl8n for both accounts

North Staffs As
Recei
ts and Pa
er
er l Autism Association
ments for the Year Ended 30th Se
tember 2023
Restricted
Uywestricted
Totrl
Year E￿ad
Funds
Funds
Funds
Sept. 22
Balance Blfwd 01.10.22
7,178.48
22,583.63
29.762.11
26,474.19
Recei
GIants / Funding
Don2tion5
Memberships
Fundraiging
tnroTne from activities
Reirnbursemenlslrefijnds
Gift Aid Claim
20.446.00
20.446.00
2.706.80
2,775.00
9,794.82
6,538.36
0.00
356.35
24,998.00
3,808.22
2,467.50
9.635.85
3,669.19
0.00
323.33
2.706.80
2,775.00
9,794.82
6.538.36
356.35
Total Recei
20,446.00
22,171.33
42,617.33
44,902.09
ments
Postag¢ l %tst / Print / Adv¢rt
Telephone / Internetl Website
Salaries INIC I Income Tax
PPE Covid 19 Equipm¢nt
Volunteer Costs
Repairs and MaiDtenance
Meetings & Room Hire
Office I Computer Equipt.
Events I Wo]kshops
Insrnce I Pruf. Fees
23.38
832.79
9,91J5.61
0.00
498.42
753.09
14.160.89
0.00
174.30
18.99
3,947.00
521.80
1,585.88
24.066.50
0.00
174.30
18.99
5,222.(M)
210.00
13,841.54
1.51 1.42
149.68
1257.09
22,058.54
9.95
0.00
62.00
4,740.00
465.94
11,231.95
,638.42
.275.00
210.00
5,334.40
44.30
8,507.14
,467.12
Total Pa
ments
17,625.48
29.526.95
47,152.43
41,614.17
BalaD¢e Clfwd 30.09.23
9.999.00
15.228.01
25,227.01
29.762.11

North Staffs As
er / Autisxn Association
Statement Of Assets & Liabilities
For the Year Ended 30th Se
tember 2023
Year Ended
Sep22
Cash Assets
Cash at baJJk & in hand
25,227.01
29,762.11
Re
resented B
Restrfficted FuDds
9,999.00
7,178.48
Unrestricted Funds
15,228.01
22,583.63
25,227.01
29.762.11
Thes¢ a￿D￿nIS were approved by the trustees on
and signed on their b¢half by '.
Megan Ru55an- Chair
Pauline Hanrahan - Treasurer

## **Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of North Staffs Asperger/Autism Association for the year ended 30 September 2023** 

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 30[th] September 2023. 

## **Responsibilities and basis of report** 

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

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

## **Independent examiner's statement** 

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

- accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or 

- the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. 

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 

08/02/2024 Signed _________________________ Date ______________________ **Daryl Denson ACMA Employee of VAST**