Solihull Down Syndrome Support Group
Chairs Report 25/26
As we celebrated our 20th year of being a registered charity, 2025 was overall a positive year for our charity as we continued to focus on meeting our constitutional
aims of raising awareness of Down Syndrome within the Solihull area, supporting children and adults to access activities and gaining support for personal development
and growth, and support each other as a local community.
We have Cathy Harrison join us as a trustee in March 2025, bringing with her expertise in marketing and communications and has played an active role in the group to date.
All trustees continue to volunteer and provide key support to the continued running of the group, and without this group, it would not be the charity it is today. I would like to personally thank each trust that willingly provided their own time to arrange and attend fundraising events, provide organisational and administrative support, and play an active part in leading our group activities.
We have seen a variety of activities this year, along with the introduction of some
new ones too. Our two friends groups continue to provide space for our adult members to go out
and enjoy activities and time together, supported by parent volunteers and paid support. A big thank you to Tracey Hope, who has been organising activities for the
groups.
Play and stay continues to run and is the first port of call for new members for children under 10 to meet other parents and join in organised events. Thank you to
Katie and Emmie for creating this space for parents to have a cuppa and chat.
Our buddy group continues for those aged between 11 and 16, with Sally McNally leading the organisation of these activities. And it’s great to see this group have a dedicated lead, to start the
teenager journey into spending autonomous time with friends.
We’ve also introduced a mini buddies group for those aged over 5, to start exploring activities to build those friendship bonds, which we know are important to all members.
Drama provides a space for all ages to explore their dramatic skills and singing, and the group joined Born to Sing to perform at a Christmas show and at our 20th
celebrations too.
Our core activities, such as SALT, education sessions and Christmas parties/events, continue to take place and are well attended.
It goes without saying that we couldn’t do any of the above without ongoing fundraising, which we need all members to engage with. We know there are multiple pulls on members' time, this can sometimes be hard; however, this is a personal message from me to think about what one thing you could do in 2026 to raise funds for our charity, as it truly is a local charity for local members.
Patrick will go into details about our financial position, but as headlines, through some tough decisions, laser focus on raising funds, and one-off donations from
benefactors, we’ve been able to stabilise our position.
We also had our summer sponsored walk, which saw us have a visit from the Mayor at Brueton Park. Which saw the group come together for a wander around the lake,
and picnic in the sun.
Our 20th year celebrations were our most attended event, and demand outstripped supply on this occasion. It was a proud moment for all the trustees to see the event be a success, and there was so much joy, kindness, and fun taking place over the course of the day. It also saw our second visit from the mayor (I believe our third visit will be this weekend).
Finally, a thank you to our co-ordinator, Tracy Gall, who has helped us systemise our bookings for events
to help monitor attendance and payment, along with providing Ongoing support to all trustees in the day-to-day administration of the group. Finally, thank you to our children for bringing us all together – you all rock!
SOLIHULL DOWN SYNDROME SUPPORT GROUP
POSITIVE own SYNDROME
Oy BeenaAlt oifodlay — S| Obf 25
Brought Formord 225,132
| Va tsmen | ||
|---|---|---|
| Do nrtions | Geants | Sut GiUna ContriburiorS ko SALT Meanbesshel |
| Collecker Boxes |
& | 1,332 |
| Fortin a (COs Cantriburdons fe Acktuihees |
E | (520 |
| Hom. kc Rebunds |
E | 460 |
| € | waqr | |
| SALT | EB | 4,b15 |
| Drawnnn | BE | be,46 |
| Co- ordivretkor CoS | gE | £6,142 |
| Stan ~ Ploy | a | 4315 |
| fronds Grows |
fad | Lun |
| Budde Cee | £ | 15| |
| Mork Buddurea |
& | Ale |
| Gheskmo Parrus | é | Tex |
| MiUSoelenews | gE | BT] |
| 20 anniveGan Celolrationt |
&£ | 1,500 |
| E | 26,584 | |
| CartedForwank | FE | %y555 |
Registered Charity No, 1110239
==> picture [307 x 28] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
. CHARITY COMMISSION Independent examiner's
FOR ENGLAND AND WALES report on the accounts
----- End of picture text -----
==> picture [458 x 302] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
Section A Independent Examiner's Report
Report to thememberstrustees/ of | [¢] 3d LIHube [a.] DowntanYnore Me fulPoet; GRouw"rs p |
On accounts for theended) year ama©O wsJune 2025a 7 | “Charity(ifany)noTl,| 11102oo ot
-
Set out on pages [a]
|report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above
charity (“the Trust’) for the year ended ,
Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation
basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act
2011 (“the Act’).
| report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out « 3
under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, |
have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission
under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent | have completed my examination. | confirm that no material matters have
examiner's statement come fo my attention (otherthan-thatdisclesed-belew-) in connection with
the examination which gives me cause fo believe that in, any material
respect:
e accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of
the Act or
e the accounts do not accord with fhe accounting records
| have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection
with the examination fo which attention should be drawn in order to enable a
proper understanding of the accounts fo be reached.
Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.
----- End of picture text -----
Name: | JAMES PATRSyic Meee Relevant professional qualification(s) or body | 1..(,A.£.W (if any):
IER
1
October 2018