THE AUTUMN DAYCARE CENTRE CORBY DIRECTORS & TRUSTEES REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1st APRIL 2024 - 31st MARCH 2025 The Autumn Centre Limited Company Registered Number: 05397008 Registered Charity Number: 1110164 The ￿turnn Centre Lkntt&J IA c￿panY L￿iD￿l by Guarantee) IRE ORS REP RT ANO FINA LAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR E 3151 PAGE Index Legal & Administrative information Directors Report: Executive Summary Structure, Governance & Management Staffing: (i) Staffing Structure (li) Volunteers & Members (iii) Proposed New Stsff Posts - Future Years 7 Potted History (2002 - 2024) Covid 19- Staying Vigilant Objectives & Activities Activities Financial Pressures Restricted Funding Sustainability for the Future 11-12 Working Groups 13-14 Fundraising I nitiatives/EventslGrant Strategy 14 MarketinglPromotion & Website 14 Evolving 5 year Business Plan 14-15 Transport 15 Notable Achievements 15-16-17 DonationslGrantslFundraising 17 Future Plans and Hopes 18 Desired Future Capital Programme 19-20 Financial Transparency 20 Reserves Policy 20 Benefit with Testimonials 21 (a) Testimonial 1 21 (b) Testimonial 2 22 (c) Testimonial 3 23 (d) Testimonial 4 23 Thanks to organisations & individuals 24 9-10 10-11 TheAulumn Cantrb Limitad IA Company Lwnit8d by &Jarant881 CTO YÈAR END PAGE Trustees Responsibilities 25 Independent Examiners, Report 26 Statement of Financial Activities 27 Balance Sheet 28 Accounting Policies 29 Notes to the Accounts 30-32 The Auttjmn Centre tsmited IA CLYnpaTy Linit¢d by Gu8ranbDI Tcfts RE TMD FINANCIAL TATEMENTS FO TH Legal and Administrative information: Company Registration Number: 05397008 Charity Registration Number 1110164 Registered Office: The Autumn Centre Counts Fami Road Corby Northants NN18 8BH Directorsrrrustees.. Jonathan Sheldon- Chair Dianne Floody - Vice-chair Peter Floody MBE Marie Bissett Les Coupland Marion Palmer Susan Sorrie Susan Tew Navin Bhatia Lesley Willan Lorraine D'Albert 1 x vacancy Company Secretary: Peter Floody MBE Treasurer.. Peter Floody MBE Bankers.. Co-operative Bank Delf House Southways Skelmersdale WN8 6wr Independent Examiner,. Brenda Peers-Ross 29 Drift Road Selsey Chichester West Sussex P020 OPW The Autumn Centr• Limited (A Gompany Lknkd by GLwanieel DIREC Fl R ThE YEAR ENO IR The trustees present their ￿POrt, together with the financial statement of the Charity (See Appendix l) for the year ended 318t March 2025 Executive Summary 26th August 2025 Towards the end of March 2024 we were made aware of our Annual Grant from North Northants Council (NNC) being reduced from a historical £37K to Just £10.8K further reduced in July to £8.8K a massive blow just days before the commencement of the 2024125 financial year. We had to restructure the budget with this alarming cut in mind and form a collaborative with 4 other organisations to be included in the reduced grant procèss. This has resulted in the Autumn Centre recording a loss of nearly £20K (2024125) whereas the year before we recorded a profit. Thankfully we have a reSe￿e budget to ensure we can continue to deliver our much needed 88rvlce and reassure our members and their families. On a much more positive note we are working very closely with Public Health (PH) for the Charity to become a "Centre of Excellence" in partnership with Northampton University, and NNC to support this ambrtious venture. The new "Orchard Project" will enable a study to be undertaken aimed at people living with the early onset of dementia and also allow for early stage intervention through a research prograrnme coupled with a Capital Investment of £199K. As a charity, we are very excited with this concept, and are really looking fO￿ard to making an even bigger difference for our senior and wider community in the future. As a charity we are constantly thanked and commended for our seNice delivery as we continue to improve the qualty of life for our senior community with many of our members living with a host of health issues. We will continue to strive to become financially independent to ensure we are not at the mercy of continually reducing grants from various quarters. The Trustees would also like to take this opportunity to thank all our members and their families, staff, volunteers, supporters and well wishers. A huge thank YDU to you all, CMtre LhTriied W Cunpany Lknlko by Guar8Thteel FINAN TATEMENT THE YEAR ENDED 315t MAR DIRÉ Trustees Report 1st April 2024- March 31st 2025 Structure, Governance and Management. The Company is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association and recruitment and appointment of Trustees is through election at our Annual General Meetings. If a vacancy exists we can consider future trustees with specific skills who are recommended to the board. The trustees meet on the last Tuesday of the month to discuss business on behalf of the charity and to take any decisions required by the trustees as an active and inclusive process. All trustee meetings are minuted and sent out to all trustees to be agreed at the ext monthly meeting along with any matters arising l amendments before proceeding with that month's agreed agenda. The AutLfflin C&ntre Lmnfted IA Comparry Limika by Guarant•el FIP4A AIEMENT ENO I I MARCH Staffing The Autumn Centre used to employ 8 members of staff including our Manager who runs the Centre on a day to day basis in partnership with the users, volunteers, staff and the Board of Directors (Trustees who are all members of the charity). This number rose to 9 members of staff from May 2022 as we appointed an additional carer for the Dementia Suite as the need was clearly developing with increasing pressure to accommodate more new members living with dementia. We were hoping to employ an additional carer last year but the grant reduction of £28,200 from NNC has made this impossible in the short term. This left the trustees and staff being a bit confused and disappointed after all the posrtivrty we were hearing from North Northants Council Officers & Elected Members regarding our high quality and much needed service provision. Wa had 2 members of staff leave over the last 18 months and this allowed us to promote from within and appoint new health workers to flll the vacant posts. This also gave us an opportunity to restructure the allocated hours to suit our current operational needs to the benefit of both staff and members. We are where we are today because of our amazing dedicated staff members. As they all say this is not a job, it is a '%vay of life" and this is so obvious as they all go well beyond their individual "job descriptions" The care and support they give to all our members is what creates the Autumn Centre Caring Environment. and why we continue to attract new members. Staffing Structure 1 x Manager l Level 5 Health & Social Care l Leadership & Management lx Deputy Manager l Level 3 Health & Social Care 4 x Health Care Assistants l All Level 3 Health & Social Care 2 x Catering Staff 1 x Caretaker Cleaner post l (post delivered with 2 part time staff) Volunteers & MembepJ. Our staff are supported in a big way by our band of dedicated volunteers who help us to deliver a higher quality of service as they have brought and gained so many skills to ensure all our members are looked after in our"Family Environment. and every one is cared for, respected and also given the opportunity to become part of the team. Staff and volunteers ensure that many of the local events around the lown are attended by our team to promote and raise awareness of a wonderful local charity on people's doorsteps. The Auiumn C¢Dtrg Llmiied IA Company ￿Miled by GuaraniBel DIRE RE RT AND FINAN IAL STATEMENTS FOR TrE YEAR E 31 Proposed new staff posts in future years. Intergenerational Officer Additional Health Care Assistants Coordinator for Business Developmenulncome generats'on Site Supep4isor (depending on increased hours of opening) Admin Support We can also boast a variety of related qualifications within the "Team. such as First Aid. Fire Wardens, OTAGO, Assistant Yoga Teacher, Mental Health Well- Being Co-ordinator, Activities Co-ordinator - keep fit and stay active. Training for Staff I Volunteern, Students & Trustees We invest heavily in our staff training to ensure ¢ompliance and continual development. To this end we have substantially increased our training budget to ensure funding is always available to top up training requirements. This has also resulted in the purchase and training of staff for the Charity Log system. Utilising a training matrix with over 70 site specific courses for staff, trustees and volunteers, this includes dements'a awareness which is proving invaluable. The tralnlng is coupled with regular individual supeNision sessions btheen staff and our Manager to ensure any issues are addressed early. It 18 very important to us that all the staff and volunteers enjoy coming to work. To this end we also updated the Employee's Handbook with all terms I conditions produced by both staff and trustees along with all our policies and procedures. We also work closely with the local college to allow students studying Health and Social Care to take up work placements at the ￿ntre to allow them hands-on experien￿. We can boast that one of the students worked with us for over a year gaining qualifications and being able to move on to a new post wrth another organisation. Potted History (2002. 2025) The town used to boast three day centres from 1970's180's & 90's (Central Day Centre, Arran Way Day-centre and Darley Dale Day Centre) but all three were merged in 2002 into what we have today "The Autumn Centre" as it was proving difficult to sustain three ￿ntre5 in one town, and all three were funded by Northamptonshire County Council and Corby Borough Council (now merged into North Northants Council) . With the merger of the three facilities it greatly redU￿d the funding needed from the councils and has saved the authorities many, many hundreds of thousands of pounds over the past 23 years with better facilities and serVI￿S all under one roof. The Ajjtumn Centre Lintted (A Ccmpany Llml*O by GuaraTrteel FINAN MAR The building is owned by NNC and it had for many years agreed to retain landlord's responsibility but the lease is up for renewal (expires August 2025). After negotiations NNC have agreed to offer us a new 25 year lease under current terms and conditions, for the first two years after we have signed the new lease. After the first two years of the new lease the Gharity will become responsible for more accountability of internal facilities such as sanitary ware, flooring, lighting and boilers etc. Covid 19 Stsying Vigilant Staff are very aware that Covid has greatly redu￿ but also aware it has not fully left us. A number of the local community are still contracting the disease but thankfully the Covid Jabs have reduced the number and severity of people still contracting it.we will continue with various implemented practices and remain vigilant as most of our rnembers will remain in the high risk bracket. We were unable to hold an AGM in 2020 or 2021 owing to Covid 19 but thankfully we have held AGM'S in 20221202312024 and our most recent in March 2025, Objectives and Activities The Charity is very focused on its objective to improve the quality of life for our seniors in Corby and across the North of the County . We also have some younger members of the community either living with dementia or a variety of disabilities or life long illnesses. We have many members living with a variety of health conditions including: Members living with early and mid stages of diagnosed dementia Wheelchair bound or unable to walk unaided Mental Health Heart Disease Non Communicative Diabetes Heart Conditions Visually Impaired Learning Conditions Asthmatic To this end the charty provides a host of activities as agreed I requested by the users to improve health I mobility I fighting loneliness l isolation I reducing the impact of dementia on individuals and their families and staying fttter longer giving many the chance to retain home independence Thg AutsJmTr Ceth Limlt•d IA Company Lknlted by Guaranke) IREC THE YEAR ENDE 31 The activities of the centre are always aligned with key outcomes required by Public Health / NNC through the Well Being Programme for vulnerable adults. We have been inspected by Offi￿rS from North Northants Council and our Sendi￿ comfortably met their high bar criteria for quality of seNices. This has given the team a real boost and is a very encouraging message going forward, We are the only Day Care Centre in Corby, freely accessible, operating 5 days a week Monday to Friday - 9.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. offering a variety of services I activities including: Special Events Christmas Parties, Bums Suppers, Halloween Fun, New Year Celebrations, St Patrick's Day, St Andrews Day, Summer Inclusive Programme, Race Days (on the big screen), Easter Celebrations, Indian Food Experience, Trlbute Actslother Entertainers Stage Entertainers bring a fantastic feeling to our members and we include various tribute acts such as Elvis and Neil Diamond, Jersey Boy and have groups such as Andante and the Wanderers, who have a wide repertoire entertaining the members at many special events, and DJ John Headley. The members love these events as they bring back wonderful memories to the members and with many having a really good sing along. Activities Floor projector interactive play, Virtual Realty Headsets, personalised individual playlists along with OTAGO in falls prevention plus Get up and Go, seated dance, aerobics, yoga, exercise sessions, smoking cessation, weigh-ins, along with many other health initiatives. We have our very own "Body Rockers who love doing all the exercises and have their own motif tee shirts. We have Virtual Reality Headsets to allow our members to visit the world, go on walks while still at the ￿ntre, all through embracing modern technology. Pet therapy, TV & Films, darts, quizze5, table top ping pong ( brilliant for stimulating the brain), board games, arts & crafts, bingo, Ukulele band. Food-market, members can purchase fresh fruit and vegetables for a small donation. We previously purchased a floor projector that the members can interact with such as walking through meadows, resting their feet in a stream with electronic fish swimming in and out, making it a living experien￿, plus a host of other activities all projected on the floor for many members to enjoy all at the same time. This has proven to be an ex￿lIent provision for members. Thg Autumn Cents8 Limited (A Company LThit8d by Gu8r8nts•l DIRECTORS REPOFttAND FI As an organisation we encourage new ideas from within the membership and where new requests are made we try hard to deliver new and exciting adivrties. As can be seen from above thefe is normally a wide list of activities and this is expanding year on year. This programme of events suffered badly during the pandemic but we have bounced back stronger and fitter than ever before. Visits by local dignitsries, sponsors, local and NNC councillors, health representatives, local schools and prospective dients are regular attendees to the centre. Intergenarational Offlcer (One for the Future). The Trustees of the Autumn Centre have never lost sight of the fact that we are not just a Day Care Centre but have the desire to become a "Community Hub.. To this end we have a long-term objective to promote interaction between our older community and the younger communty bringing them together to explore common ground where all members of the local community can benefit and enjoy the ￿ntre for interactive opportunities. Outside the centre we have a Multi Activity Games Area (MUGA) that could be utilised to organise joint and mixed activities across the age spectrum This could include dlfferent activities being led by different age groups but linked to something for all. To achieve this ambitious proposal we would love to create a future post of an Intergenerational Worker whose role would be to explore, create and deliver an interadive development programme for all the members of the community regardless of age, gender, sexuality, ability, race or religion. Over recent years we have seen the demise of youth provision and it is with this in mind we want to reach out and welcome the younger generation to feel the centre has something for them and they also can have the feeling of ownership with respect for the centre, their peers and all different generations in a positive, rewarding, and inclusive programme. Much of the future programme could operate outside the hours of our current daily Servi￿ provision. Financial Pressures (Our biggest threat!) All tharities face continual financial challenges and as already mentioned earlier in the report regarding the huge reduction of our annual grant and our lease expiring in 2025 we will face even greater pressures as a result of this. With the government increasing the National Minimum Wage from April 2024 and then again in April 2025 and Nl Contributions, we as a caring charity always pay our junior members of staff the enhanced living wage, adding a considerable increase in our salaries budget. We also had to bring in a temporary member of 10 The Autumn Centre Lknited IA Crynp#ny Lhnllert by GuaraTrkel REPORT AND FINANc￿L STATE E YEAR ENDED staff to cover the absence of a health worker owing to an operation and recovery time. This among other costs has forced all staff, trustees and members to be even more proactive in fundraising, sponsored activities, grant applications, chasing donations, and of course our structured income streams from our users in Tiers 1, 2 & 3 service provision. An improved training budget agreed to pursue accreditation for the Charity to become recognised as a "Centre of Ex￿llenCe, Plus all the other related increases in utilities, various contracts, food stuffs etc are all rising pressures and many charities have gone under and this is something we are working tirelessly to avoid. Restricted Funding (£55K +£5K + £2K +£25K =£87K) Specif ic Projects. We have recently set aside some Restricted Funding as we have been very successful in bringing in new monies either through grant applications or donations. These are of course to be used for specific elements of our future plans and often in compliance with specific grant applications I donation requirements. We were given a donation of £55K and it is presently re5trict8d after consultation with the Executors of Jeff Ward's will to be utilised for the benefit of the Dementia Suite and its users. A fitting tribute to Jeff. Within the restricted funds we also have £7K towards GrowlCooklEat projects. This year we were also awarded a £25K grant towards new furniture, which will be utilised within the Dementia Suite upgrade and across the rest of the Centre. We have put all the above on hold to ensure maximum opportunity with the recent announcement from Public Health for a large Capital Grant to make improvements to the building. Sustainability for the Future Delivery of our 3 Tier Daily Experience April 2021 was the start of the implementation of our"Going Forward ° strategy with the implementation of our new ' 3 Tler Daily Experlence. pricing structure. In the past pre Covid and being p'aid for delivering 3 x Public Health Contracts (Value £54K per annum) which ￿aSed in March 2021, we had to restructure our complete seNice delivery to give the charity any Ghance of survival in the coming Th? CentrB L￿n￿ ￿ Crynpany Lknltsd by Guwontsel DIRE TORS REP RT ANO FINANC years (which thankfully so far we have managed to do) as we are still looking to go forward after that huge financial blow four years ago and more recently the cut this year of £28,200 from NNC. This has resulted in us having to dive deeply into our reserves and utilise nearly £20K. Our .3 Tier Dally Experlenca" pricing structure included for all tiers: Three Course Meal (including specific dietary requirements). All beverages Health Exercises, Wellness Checks, OTAGO, YOGA SingalongslQuizzes l Arts & Crafts, Table Top Games plus others. Support from stsff with showering, meals, hydration, toileting, barber services, shaving, manicures, weighing I blood pressure checks, Opportunity to meet new people and forge new friendships. A comfortable, warm, safe welcoming environment. If any member is unable to attend through ill health a freshly cooked meal can be delivered to their home. Tiers 2 & 3 include more personal care with various functions such as assisting members with toileting, showering and meals, often One to One interaction and Tler 3 being for members living with Dementia. The pricing structure (April 2024- March 2025) reflects this being as below: 3 TIER DAILY EXPERIENCE Tier 1 = £12.00 with increase to £13.00 from April 2025 ( more able bodied) Tier 2 = £35.00 with increase to £40.00 from April 2025 ( early diagnosis of dementia, additional care required) Tier 3 = £55.00 with increase to £60.00 from April 2025 ( members living with dementia I continual additional care ) For all financial information please refer to our examined accounts (Appendix l). As pointed out above we will have to increase our prices substantially from April 2025 and all the members I their families are on board and understand the reasons for the increase and our quest for financial sustainability. This has become essential for our very existence especially with the cut from April 2024 in our usual local authority annual grant. The Daily Experience has proven to be of significant importance in various degrees to our many members and their families. In some instances it has given an element of life back to certain family members as all know their loved ones are in good hands and are treated as part of "Our Family" but with high levels of professional support I care linked to their individual needs. All our meals are freshly cooked daily on site by our own in-house catering team with individual requirements and needs built into any care I support packages. We also have the facilities to ensure any member not wishing to eat all three courses at lunch time, the courses not eaten, can be taken home, packed up in catering packaging to keep fresh, for eating later. 12 The Autumn Centre Liml¢ed (A Compafry by Gua¥an*¢l TA E YEAR EN Many of Tier 2 & Tier 3 are referred through Adult Social Services with some Tier 1 also being referred but most Tier 1 are here because they choose to be as it supports their quest of staying healthy longer, retsining independence and meeting new friends. Also some Tier 2 & 3 are from private sources with their families paying us directly. We are currently averaging 124 visits per week by members with the following in each tier, Tier 1 = 67, Tier 2 = 36 & Tier 3 = 21 with a total number of visits of 6,167. Our overall membership is currently 141 members. It is important to note our delivery of front line services brought in £50K per annum up until March 2021 and since relaunching our new business model because of losing PH contract funding our front line service delivery Tiers 11213 we have brought in over £162,750 to the end of March 2025 and have projected an income for next year of £182,500 by March 2026. To run the Autumn Centre over the next 12 months will be in the region of £250,000.00 ( yes a quarter of a million ££££££'s) so we have an a)fvful lot of services to deliver over the next 12 months to give us any hope of becoming financially sustainable and linking to our grants strategy and other income generating ideas. We ar8 continually looking to expand our membership for future sustainability but if the trend was in the other direction it would severely put the charity at risk of failing and therefore closure. The efforts by all the staff, members, volunteers and trustees are committed to ensure that never happens. Working Groups We have 5 working groups as follows.. 1. Carers & Volunteering 2. Fundraising Initiatives l Events and Grant Strategy. 3. Marketlng, Promotlon & Webslt8 4. Flve Year Buslness Plan 5. Orchard Project Steerlng Group All of these groups have been playing an instrumental role in bringing another element of sustainability to the Autumn Centre Corby through their targeted efforts in their field of expertise. This has recently seen the fifth working group being created, the Orchard Project Steering Group. 1. Carer I Volunteering The Carer Working Group includes Trustees, Staff, supportive friends & family members who have a vested interest in ensuring our loved ones, needs are indeed met. The level of care is an ongoing development for us but the staff, trustees, volunteers, general members and now family members have all ernbra￿d this development with open arms. This group has allowed us to link in more volunteers. We have some excellent volunteers and counting the trustees input and other volunteers this gives us an additional level of sUPPOrt, if we had to pay for the volunteers time it would add over £55K to the existing salary costs. This voluntary 13 Tho Autumn C•ntr¥ Limlted IA Company Lknlted tyy Guarantee) IRECTO Fl TATE ENT contribution is priceless for our well being as a charity and it humbles us at their dedication for supporting our charity. 2. Fundraising Initiatives l Events & Grant Strategy Members of this group will concentrate on income generating activrties l events such as the Twstees 20 Kilometer sponsored walk, fun days, our Managers sponsored swim, A Day at the Ra￿s. raffles. The group has some very eXperIen￿d members in this field and is reaping dividends as we go forward. We had set aside £1,800 in the 24125 financial year to uts'lise a professional bid writer to submit grants on our behalf, this brought in £25,000 and still awaiting other grant bids being processed. 3. Marketing I Promotion & Website This group has already played a major role in: the production of leaflets & posters, designing an advert on Corby Radio, adverts in various circulars such as The Corby Trader, NHS Newsletter, in house quarterly bulletinl videos on tik tok and facebook and continues to shape our website. This has been a real bonus getting our message out and is bringing in new members and volunteers on a regular basis as well as utilising the space in the local Corby Library This also allows future members and their families to check the service provision, even before they set foot inside the CEntre. It helps current members, families to track our development and new activities I health initiatives as they are added to keep our sepiice delivery fresh and specifically aimed at our member5 for their continued well being. To promote the centre the staff wear branded uniforms. This allows us to fly our own flag at various health initiatives and community events held around the county. 4. Evolving 5 Year Business Plan. This Working Group and will use the last 4 years trading figures since the introduction of the 3 Tier Daily Experience to produce a Business Plan that will shape our service delivery well into the future and seek the best roadway to follow to achieve the long term objective of inhouse sustainability. We will be looking at.. Where we came from Pre 2002 - 2019 The Pandemic & coming out of it 2019 - 2022 Where we are now 2025 Where we wanvneed to be 2026- 2030 We will use our 23 years of operational experience, the pandemic, our service delivery plan and North Northants Corporate Plan, Public Health Aims and Objectives and of course our members, needs and aspirations to strive for our ambition of being financially sustainable, by providing a service aimed at the senior community with a variety of health issues made even more difficult with NNC cut to annual grant. 14 Th8 A￿ttIm￿ C8nts Llm118d IA Company LThited by Guaranto• TA MEN RC Currently we are providing a much needed Servi￿ for the senior community offering support to many to live a healthier life and at the same time providing a complimentary service to cater for many seniors (and some younger members) already living with a variety of health issues including dementia. Please Note The mediumllong term business plan will change over the coming months as we are in the process of exploring the Autumn Centre Corby becoming a Centre of EX￿llen￿. We are currently working alongside Public Health, NNC and Northampton University (please see below). 5. Orchard Project Steering Group The project steering group, consisting of representatives from each organisation.. Professor Jacqueline Parkes, University of Northampton, Assistant Director of Public Health, Shirley Plenderleith, Public Health, Capital Programme Manager, Denise York, North Northamptonshire Council, Claire Davies PhD student, four Trustees and the Centre Manager. Professor Parkes will be leading the research project into the slowing down of early onset dementia, through delivery of a pilot project at the Autumn Centre. Public Health, NNC have allocated £199,000.00 to upgrade and redesign the Autumn Centre to accommodate this pilot. This is an addition to current services and not a replacement. Over the last 6 months the project has been outlining the processes with the Autumn Centre and plans have been drawn up to upgrade the building, ensuring that we all agree the way forward.to Transport (Local Provider) & Escort Service (in-house staffj. We provide an excellent transport servicelescort serlice and we strive to make the service self-sufficient, but this is proving difficult owing to the current financial processes in plats with NNC Adult Social servi￿5. From April 2025 we will be included in the NNC automatic uplift regarding referred placements, this is a financial bonus to us. Notsble Achievements We have achieved on so many other fronts as well as the above including: We were nominated and short-listed for a Spirit of Corby Award, again this year, however we were unsuccessful but re￿iVed great plaudits on the night. In recent years we have faced a new challenge of mini heatwaves and now have processes in place, such as providing cooling fans, ice lolly hydration stations, more ventilation, cold and iced water plus Gooling towels to minimise any chance of our vulnerable users feeling unwell from the heat. Thankfully all our additional measures proved effective and our 15 Tho Auturnn Cents Urnlted (A Cornpany LThrtgJ by Guarantsel EP END MAR members and their families are very grateful for our awareness and implementation of an action plan. If needed again thi5 summer we can immediately roll out the safety measures as we remain on high alert for any forecasts of any sustained heatwaves. We have also recently had to deal with flooding in the area where many roads were closed and the Centre was InaC￿ssible. To qualify for NNC grant funding we had very short noti￿ (about 10 days) in March 2024 to form a collaborative with 4 other partners or we would not have been able to submit a bid. This we managed to achieve and it was an amazing amount of work by ourselves and the other 4 members of the new "Older People's Collaborative" across the whole of North Northamptonshire. This proved how professional the "Voluntary I Charitable Sectorf is and how working together we can often deliver, even within a very unfavourable timeframe. New plants are annually purchased and planted in the coutyard to complement the outside seating area which is furnished with bistro tables, chairs and picnic tables and used by members during the nice weather. This area is lovingly tended by our amazing volunteers. Continued development of the "Friends of The Autumn Centre" group, This is a group of individuals with special skills we can call upon as and when required to support the trustees & members. This will be invaluable when we build the bNO new garden areas for the Grow, Cook and eat projects once the boundary line has been extended. This will also allow the relaunch of the °Digging with Dementia Group.. Full Houses again for Members Christmas Dinners staged over a couple of days during Dec 2024 which was attended by our local mayor and representatives from Public Health, NNC and some of our sponsors. The previously fitted eco friendly wall heaters in the Dementia Suite continue to make it very snug even in the very cold weather. Pauley's continues to offer returned but edible fruit and vegetables free of charge to be collected once a week. We use as much as we can for the week's menus and offer the rest to members for a small voluntary contribution. Continuing to utilise a permanent promotion space in Corby Library in the Health & Well-Being area and also on their Facebook page. Continued to build on the close working relationship on a number of projects with our local infant l junior schools and technical college Demand for the snug I quiet room continues to grow for assessments, consultations, family waiting area, staff meetings, trustees monthly meetings, meeting potential sponsors I volunteers, Yoga, staff interrfiews, 1 to 1's and Orchard Project Steering Group meetings. This has proven incredibly successful for our "Personal Service" requirements. Continuing to work with various agencies including Adult Social Care Commissioning Team, Social Prescribers, Public Health, GP Surgeries, Mental Health Team and SALT Team. All trustees DBS Checked We are working closely with a number of organisations that allow members of their staff to attend and assist the staff and volunteers within 16 ThèN•Jtumn Ckn Lknlted IA Compgny Lknlied by ￿arants•1 IR AN FINANC ME the Autumn Centre as part of a business community project. This has proven very suc￿Ssful and the volunteers are appreciated, not only by the staff bLrt wholeheartedly by our members. Corby Lions made a financial donation to our Charity this year (£500) and also purchased a new wheelchair for us for the benefit of our less mobile members. Donations l Grants l Fundralslng We are very dependent on a variety of income streams other than our charges for front line daily service provision. To that end we are so grateful to organisations, individuals and grant making funders for the following as without this combined support we would not be able to deliver what we do on a daily basis. Donations (£5,215.00) £3,000.00 1,.1 Diet Weight Plan £500 Rolls Roy £500 Corby Lions £1,215.00 Funeral Donations Grants { £36,800.00) £3,000.00 Members Empowerment Fund £8,800.00 North Northamptonshire Council (Service provision) £25,000.00 Post Code Lottery (equipment & furnishings) Fundraising ( £18486.00) £1,065.00 Managers Swim £1,465.00 Guernsey 39 mile Coastal footpath walk £745.00 Santa's 20 Kilometre Walk £500 Ra￿ Night £50,00 Trustee (ST) Knitted Items £765.00 Winter Baubles £58.00 Bric a Brac stall £87.00 Staff I Starbucks quiz night £1922.50 Raffles £5,850.00 Members Donations l Funeral Donations £5,978.50 Activity Fundraising Events in house 17 Th•NubJmn C•ntro knM￿ed IA Company Lkntted tyy Guaranke) EC TA ME14 THE YEAR Future Plans & Hopes The centre will continue to develop services in line with the ever increasing demands on our more senior members of the community fighting: social isolation, ill health, redU￿d mobility, onset of dementia, mental health, vulnerability to falls, various disabilities, hospitalisation and personal grief. As a charity we are totally committed to continue to grow in spite of ever increasing financial pressures from loss of contracts, increased inflation especially food and energy bills, cuts in grant aid and ever reducing funding streams. We all ac￿pl the ageing population is growing and therefore the need for facilities such as ours are in greater demand than ever before. Hence the need for writing a 5 Year Business plan to guide us into the future setting ourselves realistic and achievable tsrgets. Failure to create a sustainable service is not in the minds of any members, staff or trustees as we are united for the benefit of the Senior Community including many of the most vulnerable. As mentioned elsewhere in the report we are in current talks with Public Health and Northampton University to explore the possibility of developing the Autumn Daycare Centre Corby into a Centre of ExTrllence. This will be accompanied by a large Capitsl Funding Injection and coupled to our own Restricted Funding this could see major improvements to the facility. Through increased levels of income aligned to increased pricing for services, fundraising, donations, sponsorship and external grant applications we will continue to shape the 'Care Team" to complement and grow the service. If we fail to do this and attempt to stand still we will implode and fail our client I member base and the families of those often in desperate need of suth a service. Owing to the brutal cut in NNC grant funding this year from £37K to just £8,800 we will need to utilise our reserve, drawing down almost £20K, a huge blow to any charity trying hard to become financially stable. This seems incredibly shortsighted as in 2023124, when we received £37K we made a profit in the region of £10K. As can be seen from our accounts {appendix 1) we no longer have the Confiden￿ we felt only 12 months ago. We will continue building good working relationships with Public Health, where together we can identify and meet common needs. To create an Arts Programme to design murals I photographs on parts of the building to celebrate our members and local heroes. Continue to undertake annual reviews of all our policies and procedures to ensure best practice and continual improvement 18 The AutumTr Cerstre ￿mI*d IA Company Lwn4tod by Guaranfoel TATEMEN R THEYEARENDED DESIRED FUTURE CAPITAL PROGRAMME IAII on hold awaiting outcome of Orchard Project re4haping the programme> As a charity we have had a Capital Programme item on aur monthly Agenda for the past 3 years and trustees I staff and members have agreed to pursue the following over coming years. Dementla Suite We have wanted to exlend the footprint of the Dementia Suite by pushing the toilets back to create 3 new DDA compliant toilet facilities. Taking out the west facing window and installing french doors into a safe garden area where members can sit and relax. This could alternatively accommodate a small conservatory to allow all year round access. Extend the east wall in the dementia suite to incorporate existing storage rooms into being an integral part of the footprint to allow us to invite more members to utilise the suite. Create a new garden l outside area on the east boundary to allow a host of activities to be enjoyed and to implement the Grow, Cook and Eat project with funding (£2K) from the David Cock Foundation. This will include the relaunch of the 'Digging for Dementia Group" Memory Cafe l Extending West Boundary Fence Line. This will allow us to create a gardenlfitness area and alfresco dining area, To extend the current boundary ten￿ line to create an additional 80 sq metres. This will allow us to deliver the Grow, Cook and Eat project with funding received from Groundwork. Reception Area To upgrade the existing toilets and create 3 x new DDA compliant toilets giving more room in the reception area. To install a doorway into the external area and build a new reception office to allow all visitors lo be greeted on arrival at the tsntre. More Recently to Bulld a Multlfunctional Activity Hall in the Courtyard This was originally to be paid for by the legacy from Jeff Ward's will with match funding from a previously proposed capital grant application. The executors have agreed that the £55K allocated can be used in the re- development of the Dementia Suite and we will ensure that Jeffs legacy will be recognised within this capital project. We may still wish to build the small hall as previously outlined but again this may be one of our future aspirations. 19 The Autumn Cgntre Linrtgd {A¢￿p￿nY L Thitad by Gu8rathl DIRECTORS REP PT FINANCWL STATEMENT Long Tomi Mezzanine Floor To create a mezzanine floor in the space above the false ￿lling in the main hall. This has been a long term plan and may be further down the line but it will one day allow us to provide a host of additional services. As a lift will be required this has to date made this financially unachievable, Deslred Capital for Future Consideration Creating a new improved personal care facility with a hoist, shower and possible step in the bath. Staff room for changing, washing etc Admin I business development office. Storage will always be needed and as we develop a capital programme storage will need building in I reviewing, Financial Transparency Lee Mccormick leads the team and has been an excellent Manager Sin￿ taking up the role nearly 8 years ago. We are all very much indebted to her and her excellent team of staff and volunteers. Lee has developed a close working relationship with an offi￿r from CVS Northampton (Brenda Peers Ross) and produces monthly spreadsheets which are copied to our main funders and trustees. This is complemented with monthly updates by the Treasur8r at Trustees meetings on current balance, current income l expenditure plus projected income I expenditure to the end of the current financial year. This ensures transparency and financial dealings are scrutinised at a number of levels by all the trustees. Unfortunately CVS Northampton ceased to operate from June 2024 owing to number of financial pressures, a very sad day for the Voluntsry sector. With the cessation of CVS Northampton we have made alternative arrangements regarding our annual accounts and pay-roll services. Our independent examiner this year will be Brenda Peers-Ross. Reserves Policy An amount of approximately 6 months operational costs are normally kept in reserve along with a small committed capital fund for future development of the Centre (to act as match funding for future capital grant applications) as secured fvnding, if ever a Termination Strategy had to be implemented. We need to ensure we can meet our legal obligats'ons towards our hard working and valued staff plus any outstanding bills I contracted services. The reserve can also be utilised, if for any reason, existing funding SoUr￿S are late in processing erther grants or contractual payments for the wide-ranging care l activity programme currently in place. 20 The Centre Llmiw IA knp8ny LKnttad by Gu¥anteel IRE TORS REP T AND FINAN ST ARE OED Benefit with Testimonials As can be seen from the report the Charity of the Autumn Centre meets a growing need for the senior community and various younger individuals living with various disabilities and needs in Corby and beyond. Without the Autumn Daycare Centre many believe many of the senior community living with a wide range of health issues lives would be much poorer than they are at present. Testimonial 1 . My Mother Janet The facility of the Autumn Centre in Corby has and continues to be lifeline for my family. My mother Janet is a regular at the centre, attends every day for 4 hours and really enjoys her time there. Dementia is a very hard disease to come to terms with, mum has had this for over 8 years now and as a family we struggled to get our heads around this. Mum has attended the centre for 4 years and the stimulation she receives from the support team at the centre is paramount to her quality of life. My dad is my mum's full-time carer and without the Autumn Centre would be in a much darker place. It gives him the respite he needs to recharge his battery each day. My dad is able to attend the clubs he is a member of and socialise with other friends as therapy, as it can be very lonely otherwise. Mum definitely benefits from all that happens at the Autumn Centre, we can really see a difference in mum's awareness of everything around her, after she attends the centre. The team at the Autumn Centre work hard and know how to interact with mum on a daily basis and this is very visible. This service is vital to anyone who has family members with dementia or requires any support in this field. The family of Janet Jeffery 21 Thg Autumn Cents8 Limit•d (A comp￿ LtrrNed by GLRranieel DIRECTOFIS R Fl THE YEAR Testimonial 2 . Katie's Grandad (Keith) Our family cannot express enough gratitude for the incredible care and support our Grandad received at The Autumn Centre during the last few months of his life. Before attending the centre, he was often confused and spent much of his time sleeping, but everything changed once he started going twice a week. He became a different person - more lively, engaged, and full of stories. It was truly heartwarming to see him so excited to go, often getting ready early and eagerly awaiting his time there. The activities at the centre brought him so much joy, and he would always talk about the delicious meals with such enthusiasm. The staffs dedication and kindness gave him a new lease on life, and for that, we will be forever grateful. The morning before he became gravely ill, he attended the centre, and knowing that these were his last pain-free and happy hours spent in a place he loved brings immense comfort to our family. The Autumn Centre gave our Grandad a sense of purpose and happiness in his final days, and we cannot thank them enough for that. We also treasure the photos and videos from the social media updates that the centre posts. These glimpses into his joyful moments at the centre have become precious memories that we will hold onto forever. To anyone considering care options for their loved one, we wholeheartedly recommend The Autumn Centre. The compassion, professionalism, and warmth of the staff made all the difference in our Grandad's life and in ours. .They truly provide a second home filled with love and understanding, and we will always cherish the memories they helped create for him and for us. Katie Varden (Granddaughter) 22 The ￿jtsrnn L￿nrt￿ IA Comp8ny Lknlia by ￿arantee) DIRECTORS IIE ORT ATEM AR Testimonial 3 . What an amazing placel (April 2023) What an amazing place the Autumn Centre is! My mum and dad Jean and Mike love coming twice a week. It has improved mum's confidence so much and they love talking to their new found friends. They even try to schedule all their appointments around their Autumn Centre days - so they don't miss out. Their 3 course lunch always sounds delicious. Mum and dad love the chair exercises, the musical bingo, playing dominoes, quizzes, bingo games and so much more. The staff and volunteers are so caring and supportive, making the centre have a real family feel. My dad was dancing at the Christmas Party now he is in his 80's. I highly recommend the Autumn Centre. Sarah (Jean and Mike's daughter) Testimonial 4: Tribute to my father When my Mum passed away six years ago one of my biggest concems was my father being lonely with close family not living in the same county. I wanted to find somewhere for my dad to be able to socialise with people of the same age. I can truly say the Autumn Centre was the answer to mine and my father's prayers. Not only does it provide five days a week of fabulous homemade three course lunches, fantastic activities along with transport to and from the centre. Karen McGee (daughter of Williarn Fincham) 23 Th8AtrtumTh cort￿ Lmtttd (A Company Lthlted Guarantee) DIRE T AN FIWNCIAL STATEklENTS F R THE YEAR ENDED 31st IWICH 2025 Our heartfelt thanks once agaln go out to a larye number of groups. Indlvlduals and organlsatlons: Our Transport Company Corby Lions Rolls Roy 1.1 Diet Plan North Northamptonshire Councillors Empowerment Fund W Pauley Friends of Corby Woodland Project RS Components North Northants Council Brenda-Peers Ross - Independent Examiner Vicky Bell - Professional Grants Advisor Northamptonshire Community Foundation CO-OP Corby Library Sep4ices Growing Community Award Scheme (David Cock Foundation) The Executors for the Will of Jeff Ward (Lesley & Caroline) Groundwork (Grow, Cook & Eat Project). Starbucks Corby Older People's Collaborative. The Orchard Project Steering Group Eternity Funerals Andante, The Wanderers, John Headley, Adam Whitmee (Jersey Boy), Ukulele Band, Elvis and various tribute artists. Laban Dance Training Group And of course our very own Staff, Volunteers, Members and Well-wishers. Thank you all 24 The Centrv Lvnrted (A by ￿￿rB￿be> T AND FINA TATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 Trustees Responsibilities Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which show a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity, and its financial activities for that period. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to: Select suitsble accounting policies and then apply them consistently. Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practi￿ have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements. Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operational existence. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 1993, They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hen￿ for taking reasonable stsps for the prevenb.on and detecbon of fraud and other irregularities. The trustees report was produced by our Company Secretary and presented to the trustees for adoption on 26th August 2025. Peter Floody MBE.. Company Secretary................Date'. Tuesday 26th August 2025 Jonathan Sheldon...... ... Chair................ Date Tuesday 26th August 2025 25 Brenda Peers-Ross 29 Drift Road Selsey Chichester West Sussex P020 OPW Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of: THE AUTUMN CENTRE LTD Registered Charlty Number: 1110164 I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 3181 March 2025, which are set out on the attached pages 27 to 32. Respective re8ponsibilitio5 of trustO•8 and •xamin•r The trustees (who are also the directors of the cornpany for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act) and that an indppendent examination is needed. Page 26 Having satisfied myself that the company is not subject to an audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to.. éxamlna the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011.. follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by th8 Charity Commission (under section 145(5)Jacie& Charitable Aclivrf(ies Other Incorne Total Incomo 5,215 227,605 519 5,215 25,000 252,605 519 25 IXIO 2fj8 339 3,488 238,505 6583 248 574 55,OtJO 58,488 5,000 243,5Q5 6,583 308 574 Expendltur• on.. Ral$lng fund$ Ch8rttabl8 activiUo8 Qlhar Total •xpgndltuv• 253,138 253,138 230,481 230.481 230 481 230,481 Incomel{expend¢turel Rxonciliation of fvndg Transfer between fund¥ Total fund5 broughl forward 119,797) 25.000 6,203 18,093 60,0th) 78,093 (2,0￿> 142,866 2,000 158,759 82,(KIO 220,759 142.666 Total fund• c•rrlgd fonv•rd 13B,9F2 87,1100 225,962 156,759 62.000 220,759 InccTh and expenditure deri￿ from c¢ntinulng actlvllle$ Th8 8tatwn8nl of financial actlvrtfes Includes all galn6 and106ses re¢ognlsed during the y8ar. THE AUTUPIIN CENTRE LTD IA Company LIM￿e￿ 8y Guarantee) Page 2B BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2025 Notes hiun*•i: 06397008 Unrestrl¢ts RestrKted Total 2026 Total 2024 Flx¢d assets 49 49 Current As•8ts Deblors Cash al bank in hand I￿￿*ment 2,011 141,576 2,011 228,576 6,D47 215,570 87,()JO 143,587 87,CN)O fJO,587 221,617 Credltors Amounts falllng due wilhin one year 4.674 14,874) 924 19241 14,874) Nol ¢urrènt assets Illlabllltles 138.913 87,000 225,913 720,693 Ne¢ &￿et￿lI*•bIr￿t$ 138 982 228 #82 220 759 h•rity Fund¥ Unr•strkto Re•trlcted Total TotAI 2Q25 2024 138,962 158,759 Unr881dcted fund Restrlcted Tot•1 ¢harlty fUnd￿ld•￿e11) 138,962 87.OC4) 220 759 F¢1 tho y•ar gndlng 3181 March 2025. th• cornpany wa8 •nOY•d ts •x•mpkn from •udtt und•1 s￿￿on 477 of1￿¢ COm￿nIeS Aa 2C46. Th• dlr•¢to1 Kkn¢yhl•dg• Ih•lv r•sponslbllitkng lor,. fj) the rnemb•r$ h•v¢ r•quii•d tho company to ¢btsln an 4ud*t of its ac¢gunts forth• year In qu•8tson In a¢¢ordan¢g ￿ I￿￿)n 476, <111 th• dlrKtOfS Icknth￿Id4• Ih4lr r88pon*bllftl•s lor eomplylrtg Ihe repuiram8nt8 01 the Actwlth reg￿¢11? A¢countlng ie¢ords •nd th• Pf¢paiatlon of 1ttounts. {1111 Ih¢$• o¢¢ounts h#w pr•p•rod IN a¢¢oid•n¢e ¥vllh pwvi¥lons applkabl¢ to omFani85 gubj8d to tha small ￿mpanieS. rogim•. comply with th8 roquirem8nts of thi5 Act relaliw to accounlg, 80 far a9 applicabla lo the ¢cffipany. Th• a¢¢¢unts hav¢ b•on pr•par¢d In a¢ctyd4n￿ YAth th• S￿81 pro¥lslons r￿￿INg to SMBII compan￿$ withift th• Compgnle* Act 2006, SORP (FRS 1021 éffo¢tlv¢ (Xobw 2019 an4 rolwarrt UK accoundng stAndards. The flnanclal 61atemenls were approved and autho￿$t lor ffj8ue by the Board on 26th AL¥JUgt 2Jy25 Slpned on behalf od the board of trustees. Johna Sh•ldc Chalrr*rsornlDlroCtor P Floc¥tyMBE ompan ry1D1￿1or Nckns on page5 30 to 32 forrn part of the financial staternents. THE ALrruMN CENTRE LTD Company Limited By Guarantee) Pago 29 PRIIICIPAL ACCOUNTING POUCIES FOR THE YeAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026 Accountlng PolSci The financtal statefn2nts have been Prepa￿ under the hislcrie81 cogt convenlion. The financial staternentg have been p￿pared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice Practi￿ SORP IFRS1021 issued on 181 October 2019 and applicable UK Accounting Standards and the Charities Act 2011. Forniat The company has laken a¢*antag8 ol Ihe provisionA of the Companiès Act 2006 and p￿È￿nI￿ an inccMTra and afid expenditurè account in Iho fom ol a StatÈmènt of FinAncial Activitiès on Ihè groundÈ that il ènabbs t financial statoments to a tN• and fairvtaw of the ffjsutt for the year. Fund a¢¢ountlng General funds are unrestrided lund$ which are available for u88 at t￿ discretion of the tru8teo$ in furtheranco ol the gener￿ cbJectiv8s OF Ihe charity which have not been design*od for other purposes. l)e8ignatad funds comprise Unrestr￿ad lunds Ihat have been set a8i¢Je by th8 tNsteeB for particular psJryme8. The aim and u8e of each designated fun¢Js 18 Bet out in the note8 to the financial slatemenls. ReslriGted Re81fiCted funds are lund8 which are to be used in accordance with 8p•cific mlriction9 Impos8d by th• donors or whKh have been raisetd by the charity for parti¢ular purposès. Incomlng r•Bourc• All incoming resouTces are included in the SOFA when the chanty i#1ogaJly onlill8d lo thé in¢tsmè AfKI th• amount can be quantil￿d wrth rea￿able zKcuraGy, GrJnl8 ar• brought inio ac¢ounl on a rat￿Vabl8 b8Bi8. Delèrrèd incomè rèpr8s8nts amounts received foi fu￿re period8 and ig rde88ed la incoming resources in the poricd for which it has bèen received. A••oure•• oynd•d All Éxpèndituré is a￿OUntert for on an accrual8 basis and ha8 been cla88ified under headings that aggreg41e all costs related 10 tho ¢atsgory. Expendrture 18 Ststed inclusNe of value adde