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← The Makaton Charity

2024-06-30-accounts

Annual Report

Annual Report • Contents

There are currently in excess of 2.2 million people in the UK with speech, language and communication difficulties and over 500,000 Makaton Users.

The Makaton Charity aims to ensure that as many people as possible have access to Makaton, to achieve our goal of a truly inclusive society.

The Makaton Charity’s Mission Statement

To improve lives by enabling everyone to communicate successfully by using solutions that are effective and appropriate for them.

Our Vision

By 2025 to double the number of people we support, building a community of members, accessing innovative and life changing services.

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Contents

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|||||| |---|---|---|---|---| |Chair and CEO’s Report|4|Media Engagement|22| |About Makaton|6|Our Community|24| |Impact|7|Case Study:|Syeda’s Story|26| |Our Values|8|Tutor’s and Training|28| |Strategy: The 5 I’s|10|Workplace Training|30| |Makaton Places & Makaton Friendly|12|Senior Tutors and Ambassadors|32| |Case Study:|Collar & Cuff’s|14|Trustees’ Report|34| |Online Reach|16|Auditors Report|42| |Free Resources|18|Finance|46| |Case Study:|Taylor’s Resource|20|Contact Us|65|

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Annual Report • Chair and CEO’s Report

Chair and CEO’s Report

Rob Douglas CBE DL Chair of Trustees

Stephen Hall Chief Executive

Reflections on the Past Year

2023/24 has been another exciting year for the Makaton Charity. Our focus has been on growth and strengthening our network, resulting in over 15% growth in our engagement and wider Charity turnover, while maintaining a sustainable level of operating surplus. This growth strategy enhances our reserves and enables us to continue our strategic investment plans, developing a range of new and innovative services and provisions.

Central to driving the Charity’s growth and success has been a clear and unified set of goals and values, outlined in our 5-Year Strategic Plan, In autumn 2023, we began the process of reviewing and updating this plan, concluding in April 2024, when the Trustees approved a new Strategic Plan centred around five key themes:

At the heart of our strategy is a commitment to better understanding how Makaton helps and supports our users, their families, and the professionals who work with them. We are committed to identifying and removing barriers to maximise the effectiveness of the Makaton Communication System. In spring 2024, in partnership with Trust Impact, we launched our first pilot survey of Makaton users, their families, and the broader professional network. The pilot,

which involved over 100 families in the North of England, used surveys incorporating Makaton Symbols, allowing us to capture the voices of both Makaton users and their support networks. The findings of this survey will be reported later this year, with the aim of rolling out a national survey in 2025.

Makaton is an evolving

communication system, and while we firmly believe that our levelsbased training is the best way to learn and use this tool, we also recognise the need to adopt more flexible approaches in today’s fast-moving, multimedia world.

To that end, we have reevaluated how we describe Makaton and developed a new way to train and support users in community and workplace environments. After extensive consultation, we have decided to replace the word “Language” with “Communication

Programme” in how we describe Makaton. We believe this better reflects the role of Makaton in today’s world. In spring 2024, we launched a new approach to delivering Makaton in workplace and community settings. This Trainer-based concept focuses on training a limited range of relevant communication tools, enabling employers to integrate Makaton sustainably, supported by our outstanding network of over 1,200 accredited Tutors.

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Work is now underway to implement this in a range of NHS, schools, and support services, with plans to extend it to the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors.

A key part of Makaton’s success is the belief that communication is for everyone, not just at home or in school. This ensures Makaton users have their voices heard wherever they are. To promote this, we have launched the Makaton Places Initiative, which aims to recruit over 5,000 user-facing organisations across the country. This initiative will create a network of places where Makaton users and their families can engage with the confidence that they will be recognised, supported, and understood, ensuring those with learning disabilities and communication needs enjoy the same level of service and accessibility as the wider community.

Thank You to All

Who Have Supported the Charity

The long-term success of Makaton is owed to its professional and highly effective Tutor network. With over 1,200 licensed and accredited Tutors nationwide, and with the aid of new technology, there is no part of the UK where Makaton users cannot receive support. This year, we have focused even more on growing and supporting this key part of the Makaton team. In autumn 2023, we launched our new Makaton Tutor Roadshow, bringing senior leaders, Trustees, and the wider support team to local venues, ensuring Tutors have a direct line

of communication and influence over the Charity’s strategy. In spring 2024, we introduced our Tutor Support Team and recruited a new Franchise Manager, providing a single point of contact and a voice for the network within the Charity’s leadership.

As the Charity continues to grow, so does the need for resources to manage our expanding activities. This year, we have created several new roles in Customer Service, Membership Support, and Project Management, bringing our team to 26 staff members and over 80 supporting consultants. We also celebrated significant milestones with Alison Barron, Finance Officer, marking 30 years of service with the Charity, and with Andy Phipps, Digital Manager, and Margaret Walton, Asset Management Executive, reaching 25 and 15 years respectively. A huge congratulations to each of them. Sadly, we also said goodbye to several team members this year, and we wish them well in their future careers.

Our Trustees and Patrons are a hardworking, often unsung team, whose dedication allows the Charity to thrive. It is with sadness that we bid farewell to three long-serving Trustees who have completed their six-year terms: Ian Newman (Chair of Finance), Pete Donell, and Julia Spencer (Chair of our Quality and Standards Committee). Their contributions have been instrumental to the Charity’s success, and they will be greatly missed. We also welcomed three new Trustees in the year – Richard Guy, Maire Brady, and Melissa Skinner – who bring a wealth of skills and expertise to the Charity. We look forward to working with them in the coming year.

Looking Forward – An

Exciting Year Ahead

As always, Makaton continues to innovate, with several exciting and ground breaking initiatives planned for the coming year.

The first on our list is the development of the Makaton App, which will be available on both Android and iOS platforms. This interactive app will give Makaton members access on the go, with robust search capabilities for signs, symbols, and videos, as well as access to the wider Makaton collection and onetouch access to our MakaChat Community and associated webinars. Alongside this, we are working with partners to develop a new gamification offer that builds on the Special iApps legacy, creating new ways to integrate the Makaton Library with Microsoft technologies.

Makaton is, and always has been, a social enterprise at its core. While this approach has made Makaton the most widely used communication tool in the UK, and one that is growing globally, there is still more to do to support those for whom cost is a barrier. We are working with Trustees and consultants to develop and launch a pilot Foundation programme, aimed at using the Charity’s reserves to create a long-term bursary model. This will help ensure that no one is left behind.

On behalf of the Trustees and the team, we would like to thank everyone who has supported and helped the Charity in 2023/24. We look forward to another exciting year ahead. Thank you.

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Annual Report • About Makaton

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About Makaton

The Makaton Charity exists to ensure that everyone living with learning or communication difficulties has the tools and resources they need to understand and be understood.

The Charity aims to ensure that as many people as possible have access to Makaton, to achieve our goal of a truly inclusive society. Our community needs Makaton and we work to ensure we can support society’s needs and encourage the learning of Makaton, to achieve our vision ‘by 2025 to double the number of people we support, building a community of members accessing innovative and life changing services’.

Makaton is a communication programme that uses signs, symbols and speech. These elements are what provide the multiple ways for someone to communicate. The use of signs can help people who have no speech or whose speech is unclear and using symbols can help people who have limited speech and those who cannot, or prefer not to sign. Makaton is proven to overcome the frustrations often caused by learning and communication difficulties.

There are currently in excess of 2.2 million people in the UK with speech, language and communication difficulties and over 1 million Makaton users. The Makaton Charity uses a blend of innovative approaches to reach our Users. Building upon our traditional licence model, we are also providing a growing membership facility where families and Users can find the signs,

symbols and resources they need. This sustainable approach ensures the maximum number of people can benefit from using Makaton.

We work towards this through our activities:

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Impact

Key Achievements:

Participant Manuals and

serving team members: Andy Phipps, marking 25 years, and Alison Barron, celebrating 30 years of service.

Workshop Engagement: Through our Tutor Network, we sold over 38,000 participant manuals, representing places on Makaton workshops and reflecting our expanding training impact.

Launch of Specialised Frontline Courses: We developed six new Frontline courses to improve communication in fast-paced environments and emergency situations. Tailored for each sector, these shorter courses focus on the most relevant vocabulary. Collaborating with industry professionals ensured the courses are practical for busy schedules. Additionally, we trained 15 in-house NHS Frontline Trainers, and over 70 healthcare professionals have been trained in this new product.

Christmas Santa Letter

Initiative: In the spirit of giving, we sent personalised Christmas letters to over 500 recipients in health and social care settings, including both adults and children. This initiative brought joy and connection to our community during the festive season.

Tutor Roadshows: We hosted three Tutor Roadshows in Birmingham, London, and Manchester, with 150 tutors attending. These events provided opportunities for engagement with the charity, updates on new developments, and valuable peer networking opportunities.

SKY Partnership: We developed and delivered a new eLearning module for SKY engineers and retail staff, supporting them in serving Makaton Users. Additionally, 65 SKY engineers will participate in a specialised frontline workshop to enhance their communication skills with Makaton Users.

Enhanced Makaton Library:

Collaborative Workshops: We facilitated a number of deepdive workshop for the Senior Management Team and Trustees, focusing on strengthening collaborative efforts and developing a strategic plan and operational roadmap.

• We improved the Library’s search functionality by introducing new focusing on strengthening frontline workshop to enhance filters for more accurate and collaborative efforts and their communication skills with precise searches. This update developing a strategic plan and Makaton Users. removes additional grammatical operational roadmap. endings, ensuring that the correct Long Service Awards: signs and symbols are prioritised in search results, significantly We celebrated the remarkable contributions of two longimproving the user experience. Launch of Makaton Places: We introduced Makaton Places, creating more inclusive social environments for our Users. The Makaton Aware and Makaton Friendly initiatives highlight businesses that use symbols and signs to make their services more fs-=2 accessible, fostering a sense of community and belonging. oS, ' 7 ts ~ a

Our values define who we are as an organisation. They are more than simply words, they are driving principles we all strive to uphold. * eS Respect = We give everyone a voice We value each other’s contributions We behave respectfully towards each other and encourage a sense of belonging 1

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Collaboration

We work collaboratively to build effective solutions

We engage with others to share ideas and approaches

We create strong and successful working relationships

Integrity

Annual Report • Strategy

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Strategy: The 5 I’s for Sustainable Growth

In alignment with our vision for growth and enhanced impact, we have developed a new 5 year business plan.

This plan provides a robust and visionary framework and is centred around The Five I’s, which will guide our strategic objectives and key results, ensuring that The Makaton charity thrives in an evolving landscape while continuing to serve our community. This year, our focus will centre on;

The 5 I’s

  1. Innovation: We are committed to driving innovation within our sector by expanding our market presence and introducing new, cutting-edge initiatives.

• Expanding Makaton into new markets and completing the rollout of our new Trainer pathway.

• Launching initiatives such as Makaton Places and piloting the ‘Makaton on the Move’ App.

• Launch a middle leader training program to enhance leadership capabilities and position ourselves as a toptier employer by offering competitive salaries.

• Improve key account management, growing our large project pipeline and bundling products to enhance service support and effectiveness.

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of our work, while securing funding from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partners and grant providers.

  1. International: Expanding our international reach is crucial to increasing our impact on a global scale.

  2. Developing a joint venture partnership framework to expand internationally.

  3. Implementing an interim international engagement strategy, scoping and defining the roadmap for international expansion.

  4. Securing third-party funding and grants to de-risk our international expansion and ensure sustainable growth.

Shaping Tomorrow: Makaton’s Evolving Vision

As part of our evolving strategy, we are excited to introduce new initiatives, accelerate key projects, and adjust our focus where necessary. Below is a snapshot of the changes for the year ahead.

New Initiatives for the Year

piloting eLearning and gamification to enhance user engagement.

Accelerating Key Initiatives

• Franchise Model Enhancement: We’re focusing on increasing the presence and effectiveness of our Tutors and Trainers, building their marketing and business skills, and forming new partnerships to boost income and sustainability.

Account strategy, which will professionalise our sales pipeline and adopt a marketing persona approach to better reach and serve our target audiences.

Areas to Adjust and Prioritise

What We’re Stopping

Annual Report • Key Initiatives

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Makaton Places

Makaton Places is a key initiative that aims to promote accessibility, independence, and inclusion for Makaton Users across the UK. It serves as the umbrella term for two important programmes: Makaton Aware and Makaton Friendly, which encourage organisations to integrate Makaton into their services.

By enrolling in these initiatives, businesses and public spaces are committing to creating environments where Makaton Users can confidently navigate, communicate, and feel supported.

These programmes help to raise awareness about different ways of communicating and allow Makaton Users to access everyday activities with ease, whether they are in a shop, library, school, or healthcare setting. Makaton Places offers two distinct levels of engagement for organisations:

Makaton Aware

The Makaton Aware programme is designed to offer a simple yet effective way for organisations to create more inclusive environments. For an annual fee of £50, businesses and community spaces can enrol in the programme, receive a physical and digital resource pack, and begin making small but meaningful changes to how they communicate with Makaton Users.

The goal is to have 5,000 organisations enrolled by 2029, creating a vast network of welcoming and accessible spaces across the UK. Within just three months of launching, 100 organisations had already signed up, ranging from butchers and libraries to schools, zoos, medical centres, and local football clubs. This enthusiastic response reflects a growing commitment across different sectors to support Makaton Users.

What Our Community Is Saying:

essential that everyone feels welcome. While not all our staff are Makaton qualified, we are fully committed to accessibility, inclusion, and meaningful communication. Becoming Makaton Aware has helped us embrace patience, foster inclusivity, and ensure clear signage for our visitors. We are proud to be part of Makaton Places, and we see this as just the beginning of our journey.”

“Accessibility goes beyond mobility. Thanks to funding, we were able to sign up for Makaton Aware, and the resources we received have helped us incorporate Makaton into our school visits. The public response has been overwhelmingly positive, and our staff are excited to be part of this initiative.”

These examples demonstrate how Makaton Aware is helping everyday spaces become more inclusive, making Makaton Users feel valued and supported.

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Makaton Friendly

For organisations that want to take their commitment further, the Makaton Friendly programme offers a more invested approach to inclusion. This programme requires organisations to undergo more indepth training and make adjustments to their environment to better meet the needs of Makaton Users.

The goal is to establish a network of 500 key advocates by 2028. These advocates will champion Makaton’s mission by creating spaces where Makaton is actively used and supported. Organisations that sign up for Makaton Friendly also need to enrol in a Premium Group Membership, which ensures they have ongoing access to Makaton resources and vocabulary to continue providing high-quality support.

moment a Makaton User enters a Makaton Friendly space, they will know that “Makaton is used here!”, enabling them to communicate effectively and confidently.

Creating a More Inclusive Society

By encouraging businesses, healthcare providers, and public spaces to adopt these principles, Makaton Places is making significant strides in raising awareness about communication accessibility. This initiative not only benefits Makaton Users but also helps the broader community understand the importance of inclusivity and meaningful communication in everyday life.

The Makaton Friendly programme will be relaunched in January 2025, offering organisations the opportunity to provide a truly immersive Makaton experience. From the

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Annual Report • Case Study

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Case Study: Collar & Cuffs

Impact:

Collar & Cuffs Co, a pioneering organisation founded in 2016, has become one of the first to achieve Makaton Aware status. This multi-awardwinning company is widely recognised for its innovative work in creating sensory trails, tours, theatre productions, and educational resources. Their mission is to enhance accessibility, participation, and inclusion in heritage, culture, arts, nature, and horticulture for individuals of all ages with special educational needs and disabilities, including those with severe learning difficulties (SLD) and profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD).

Challenge

Collar & Cuffs Co faced the challenge of ensuring that their work was accessible and inclusive to a diverse audience, particularly those with varying communication needs. Many participants in

their activities use Makaton,

a communication programme that utilises signs and symbols to support communication. The challenge was to integrate Makaton into their offerings in a way that would not only meet the needs of their audience but also encourage a broader understanding and acceptance of signing as a valuable communication tool.

Solution

In response, Collar & Cuffs Co made Makaton an integral part of their work. As explained by Creative Director Julia, who is an autistic parent of autistic twins, Makaton is used in every show, sensory tour, and storytelling session, regardless of whether the audience already communicates using signs. This consistent use of Makaton helps to support visual attention in younger participants and normalises signing as part of everyday communication. It also engages

parents and carers of children without special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), sparking interest and leading to meaningful conversations about the importance of signing.

Results

By becoming Makaton Aware, Collar & Cuffs Co has not only enhanced their own inclusivity but has also contributed to the wider community’s understanding of communication needs. Their commitment to using Makaton has made their events more accessible to SEND audiences and has provided valuable support to families. The decision to display the Makaton Aware certificate and window sticker proudly further reinforces their dedication to breaking down communication barriers and promoting a more inclusive world. Through their efforts, Collar & Cuffs Co is helping to build a community where everyone’s voice can be heard and understood.

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Annual Report • Online Reach

Online Reach

Website

Over the past year, our website attracted more than 600,000 users, marking a 9% increase compared to the previous year. A major focus has been improving our site’s visibility through Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), with over 50% of our traffic now coming from organic (non-paid) Google searches. This success highlights the effectiveness of our SEO strategy. Additionally, as a charity, we benefit from up to $10,000 per month in Google Ad Grants, allowing us to run targeted advertising. Our Google Remarketing campaigns brought in 50,000 visits this year, driving users to key areas such as Training, Shop, and Membership.

engine algorithms. This work is reflected in the fact that over half of our website traffic comes from organic Google searches. We use Google Analytics to monitor performance and make data-driven improvements, keeping our SEO strategies relevant and effective.

Social Media Growth

Our social media presence has seen steady growth across all platforms this year:

This growth is the result of a consistent and engaging posting strategy, alongside popular campaigns such as Sign of the Week, Makaton Insights, and Countdown to Christmas. Collaborations and community engagement have also played a crucial role in expanding our reach and impact across these platforms.

Search Engine Optimisation

Our dedication to SEO has positioned us as leaders in the field, with our website consistently ranking at the top of Google for key Makatonrelated search terms. Through ongoing optimisation and close collaboration with expert SEO consultants, we ensure our website stays aligned with search

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86,000 X (formerly twitter) Facebook followers followers (+4% YOY) a, (+2% YOY) 31,600 f \ Our network is growing Instagram substantially year on year followers (+14% YOY) (YOY). We are working hard to spread the word about Makaton through our online community; our social media ag: and website presence. over 450k digital ad reach on Google & Facebook y

os m f

Our network is growing substantially year on year (YOY). We are working hard to spread the word about Makaton through our online community; our social media and website presence. y 470k 3,458

website users via Google searches

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Annual Report • Free Resources

Free Resources

This year, we developed over 100 new free resources tailored to key awareness days and events. These resources offer users valuable tools to integrate Makaton into their daily lives, fostering increased engagement with Makaton in a variety of contexts.

Top Downloaded Free Resources:

  1. Greetings – 5,831 views

  2. My Name Is – 5,487 views

  3. All About Me – 5,028 views

Makaton Insights:

The Makaton Insights campaign continues to deliver daily, themed Makaton content accessible to all. This initiative has led to a notable rise in engagement, with more website visits, Makaton Library downloads, and free account sign-ups. This year, we also introduced Makaton User contributions, showcasing how versatile Makaton can be across different settings and communities.

Sign of the Week:

The Sign of the Week initiative remains a key part of our community’s learning journey. Each week, a new sign and symbol is introduced, accompanied by video tutorials and educational resources. This initiative has enriched the Makaton vocabulary and made learning more interactive and fun. Over the past year, Sign of the Week videos gained over 300,000 views, with downloads consistently ranking among the most popular content in the Makaton Library.

Makaton Magazine:

The Makaton Magazine continues to be a source of inspiration and information, now reaching over 17,350 subscribers. Each issue is themed around various aspects of the charity’s work, featuring articles, news, and success stories from the Makaton community. Each edition also offers exclusive free Makaton games and activities, enhancing the reader’s learning experience and deepening their engagement with Makaton.

Member Events:

This year, our exclusive member events continued to serve as invaluable opportunities for learning, networking, and sharing experiences. These events brought together a diverse community of Makaton users, experts, and learners, fostering collaboration and support.

We were proud to host three free events, each focusing on different aspects of the Makaton journey:

  1. Starting the Makaton Journey in Adulthood: A Lived Experience

  2. Diary of a Makaton User Part 2

  3. Empowering Communication: Makaton in Medical Appointments

These events were a resounding success, attracting over 1,000 attendees and offering participants the chance to deepen their understanding of Makaton and its life-changing potential.

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Annual Report • Case Study

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Case Study: Taylor’s Resource

Impact:

We are thrilled to announce a significant new addition to the Makaton Library, made possible by the initiative of Taylor, a dedicated Makaton User. Taylor’s innovative idea has led to the creation of Wheelchair Access Posters featuring Makaton symbols, providing an essential resource that is now accessible to all.

Challenge

Taylor recognised a gap in the available resources for wheelchair users within the Makaton community. Despite regularly using a wheelchair, Taylor noticed a lack of visual aids that address the specific needs of wheelchair users, particularly concerning parking spaces and the space required for safe access. This challenge was personal for Taylor, who often struggled with inadequate parking spaces due to a lack of clear signage.

Solution

Determined to address this issue, Taylor proposed the creation of Wheelchair Access Posters to the Makaton charity’s Resource Team. With their support, Taylor’s idea was brought to life. The posters were designed to raise awareness within the Makaton community about the importance of leaving sufficient space for wheelchair access. The posters serve as a reminder for people to consider the needs of wheelchair users, ensuring that appropriate space is left in parking areas and other relevant locations.

Results

Thanks to Taylor’s initiative, these valuable resources are now available in the Makaton Library, providing crucial support for wheelchair users and promoting greater awareness within the community. The posters come in four versions, catering to both

electric and manual wheelchair users, with clear instructions on the space required for safe access. Taylor’s contribution has not only filled a significant gap in the Makaton resources but has also made a positive impact on the daily lives of wheelchair users.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Taylor for collaborating with us to create this fantastic resource. You can find the four versions of Taylor’s Wheelchair Access posters in the Makaton Library by searching for “Wheelchair Access.” Let’s all remember the importance of leaving adequate space for wheelchair access to ensure inclusivity for everyone.

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Annual Report • Media Engagement

Media Engagement

Behind the Scenes – Something Special, Series 14

This summer, we were thrilled to be part of the 14th series of Something Special for CBeebies, marking an exciting milestone for the show. Although we can’t reveal too much yet, we’re confident this will be the most engaging season, packed with fresh surprises.

Our role in the production extends beyond supporting the presenter; we are crucial to ensuring the authenticity and accuracy of Makaton throughout the series. Before filming, we receive the scripts and carefully select the Makaton signs that best convey the meaning and emotions of each scene. This requires thoughtful interpretation to ensure that the Makaton flows naturally with the dialogue.

Filming for Series 14 spanned nine weeks, taking place in various locations such as schools, cafés, gardens, and even a pig farm! Each location brought new opportunities to showcase Makaton in real-world situations, making the series relatable and engaging for viewers.

We also conduct light training with the crew and presenter, laying the foundation for smooth communication on set. During filming, we provide on-set support, working closely with the presenter, Justin Fletcher, as he moves through the scripts. It’s an intense but rewarding process to ensure every sign is aligned with the spoken words, bringing Makaton to life for children, families, and viewers.

Once filming wrapped, we reviewed the footage before the final edit to ensure that Makaton was portrayed accurately and meaningfully on screen. This attention to detail helps maintain the high standard of the show and reinforces the importance of Makaton’s use.

Child-Centred Filming

At the heart of Something Special Makaton’s use. is the interaction between Justin Fletcher and the children. Each episode features clues from Mr. Tumble, chosen based on Makaton in the child’s personal interests, Communities ensuring they are engaged and comfortable. The production schedule is flexible, with setups tailored to each child’s needs to ensure they have the best possible experience.

One of the most rewarding aspects of working on Something Special is seeing Makaton in action within real communities.

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During filming, we visit schools and organisations where Makaton is either in use or could be introduced. This behindthe-scenes insight allows us to understand how Makaton benefits individuals and where further support might be needed. It’s a valuable aspect of our partnership with the show, enabling us to continually learn and make a difference in communities.

technical terms to teaching signs. Over time, my confidence grew, thanks to their support. The actors were incredible, and it was moving to witness the programme’s impact on children and families. Overall, it was a rewarding experience, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

This year, we welcomed a new consultant, Ami Davies, who shared her thoughts on the experience:

In 2022, I shadowed Tracy Clark on Series 13 of Something Special to prepare for the role of Makaton Consultant, and I was thrilled to be invited back for the upcoming series. Although it had been two years, shadowing Tracy and Zanna helped me quickly get up to speed. The experience was both amazing and overwhelming, with plenty to learn, from

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Annual Report • Our Community

Our Community: Growing Together

The Makaton Charity is experiencing continuous growth, fostering a diverse and inclusive community. Individuals and organizations are increasingly joining our mission to enhance communication for everyone, particularly those with communication challenges. Our growing membership reflects the expanding reach and impact of Makaton, with users actively engaging with our resources, events, and digital platforms.

• In the past year, 9,000 people have trialed free membership, exploring how Makaton can enhance communication in their lives.

MakaChat: A Vibrant Online Community

Our online platform, MakaChat, has become a central space

for Makaton users, Tutors, and Trainers to connect, share experiences, and support one another. Through engaging conversations and communitydriven discussions, it fosters a sense of belonging and learning.

•The MakaChat community consists of 6,424 members and 1,333 Tutors, creating a dynamic environment for interaction and growth.

24/7 Access with Premium Membership

Our Premium Membership offers an enhanced Makaton experience, with 24/7 access to over 40,000 symbols and signs in the Makaton Vocabulary. It also includes video tutorials and downloadable content for offline use, making Makaton accessible anytime, anywhere. This is especially beneficial in settings like schools, homes, and healthcare environments, empowering members to use Makaton confidently in their daily lives.

Premium members also benefit from a strong online

community, making it an ideal choice for those seeking to deepen their understanding and practice of Makaton.

Member Events: Learning, Sharing, and Growing

We regularly host member events, where professionals, parents, and Makaton users come together to learn and share their experiences. These events demonstrate how Makaton can be integrated into daily life, whether for personal or professional purposes. Most events are led by dedicated Makaton Tutor Ambassadors, who volunteer their time to share their expertise.

One recent event featured a User Case Panel, where Makaton users and their families shared how Makaton has transformed their lives. Such panels offer valuable insights and foster a sense of community, inspiring others to embrace Makaton with confidence.

Recent topics discussed at our events include using Makaton for medical consent and helping vulnerable individuals advocate for themselves through communication.

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What Our Members a: “4 E Are Saying:

“As a teacher and Makaton beginner, I feel inspired by the stories I heard yesterday. Thank you for such a wonderful event.” “Hearing directly from Makaton Users was incredibly moving. It’s a powerful reminder to never give up on communication.”

MakaChat Live: Use it don’t lose it

To further support our community, we introduced MakaChat Live, a real-time version of our online platform. These live sessions, hosted by Makaton Ambassadors, allow members to practice signs and i] ’ symbols, ask questions, and participate in interactive activities like sentence practice, games, and sing-and-sign sessions.

Continual Improvements

MakaChat Live has received positive feedback from members, who appreciate RY the chance to refresh their skills in a supportive environment. It has become a regular feature in our Member Event Calendar, ensuring ongoing opportunities for practice and learning.

Makaton Library and Makaton Places

We are committed to enhancing our resources to better serve our community. This year, we revamped the Makaton Library, making it easier to navigate and introducing topic-based searches for more relevant content. Additionally, we’ve added over 500 new videos to support members in both educational and everyday settings.

Member Feedback:

“I loved tonight’s session—keeping the signing fresh is so important! More evening | sessions would be great.” — Makaton Tutor

| signing fresh is so important! More evening Y2 relevant content. Additionally, we’ve added sessions would be great.” — Makaton Tutor over 500 new videos to support members “All the MakaChat sessions are in both educational and everyday settings. interesting, and I really appreciate the These updates reflect our ongoing support from the Ambassadors during dedication to improving the experience for the songs!” — Premium Member .% Fm all Makaton users, helping them continue ’ grr chs ~~ to grow in their communication journey.

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Annual Report • Case Study

Case Study: Syeda’s Story

Impact

The birth of our beautiful daughter, Syeda, in 2016 brought immense joy to our lives. However, as she grew, we noticed she was missing key developmental milestones. After numerous visits to doctors, no serious cause was identified. Our world changed dramatically when, at 11 months old, Syeda suffered a fit while battling a cold and flu. This event led to a regression in her progress, and she was diagnosed with Global Developmental Delay and Febrile Seizures. Later, a Neurological Paediatrician confirmed she had Spastic Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, and Global Developmental Delay.

Challenge

One of the most significant challenges we faced as a family was Syeda’s speech development. We were told she might never speak, and we needed to prepare for that possibility. Despite moving back to the UK and arranging

numerous private appointments with various hospitals, her ability to communicate remained a major concern. The frustration of not being able to understand or meet Syeda’s needs was overwhelming, both for her and for us as her parents.

Solution

The turning point came when Syeda was 3 1/2 years old, and we were introduced to Makaton by Mel, our Early Year Support Worker from Sandwell Council. Initially, I was hesitant, worried that using Makaton might hinder her speech development. However, after some encouragement from my husband, we decided to fully commit to this journey. We both enrolled in Level 1 and Level 2 Makaton courses and began using Makaton at home as much as possible. Through repetition and perseverance, Syeda started to say words and communicate her needs. The progress was remarkable, and Makaton quickly became an integral part of our daily lives.

Results

The impact of Makaton on Syeda’s life has been profound. She can now communicate her basic needs, which has significantly improved her quality of life. We continued our Makaton journey, completing Level 3 and Level 4 courses, and noticed a reduction in challenging behaviours as Syeda’s ability to express herself improved. Her confidence grew, as did her ability to socialise and engage with others. However, we soon realised that for Syeda to thrive in social situations outside the home, those around her needed to be Makaton aware. This motivated me to become a Makaton Tutor, enabling me to teach others and create a more inclusive environment for Syeda.

Makaton has had an unparalleled impact on our family, allowing us to communicate effectively and ensuring that Syeda is included in every aspect of our lives. I am eternally grateful to Mel for introducing us to Makaton and to my husband for encouraging us to persevere on this lifechanging journey.

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Annual Report • Tutor Support & Development

Tutors and Training

1,092 Tutors

96

new Tutors have successfully qualified and been licensed over the past year, significantly strengthening our network and extending Makaton’s reach across communities.

166 Trainers

This growing network reflects the dedication of professionals committed to improving communication access for people with learning and communication challenges.

Tutor Development

We have made significant progress in expanding our Tutor network and developing Ambassadors and Senior Tutors who lead the way in Makaton training:

Ambassador Update: 15 new ambassadors are currently undergoing the training process, bringing the total number of Ambassador Tutors to 36.

Senior Tutors: 6 Senior Tutors provide additional support and guidance across the network.

Know and Grow Tutors: 37 Tutors are now fully trained to deliver the Know and Grow programme, extending Makaton into faith-based settings.

Frontline Tutors: 96 Tutors have been trained in our new frontline programme, further advancing communication access in specialised environments.

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New Training Opportunities

Know and Grow

In collaboration with the Christian accessibility charity Count Everyone In, we have developed the Know and Grow Makaton programme, bridging Makaton with the Christian faith. This programme equips community groups with everyday Makaton vocabulary and the specific terms associated with Christianity, making communication accessible in church settings. Know and Grow provides invaluable support for faith-based communities seeking to include individuals who use Makaton.

Over the past year, The Makaton Charity launched the innovative Frontline Training programme, designed specifically for professionals in high-demand and specialist environments. This programme equips frontline workers with essential Makaton communication skills, ensuring inclusivity and clear communication across a range of sectors. Below are the key areas where this training has been implemented:

Nursing: By enhancing the communication skills of nursing teams, we empower them to engage more effectively with individuals in challenging healthcare settings. This training ensures patients’ needs are understood and addressed with greater clarity and compassion.

Dentistry: Our programme has also been applied to dental teams, helping them communicate more effectively with patients who struggle with communication. This improves the overall patient experience, creating a more supportive and comfortable environment.

Learning Disability Teams: This training focuses on teams who work directly

with individuals with learning disabilities, improving their ability to communicate with and support these individuals. This ensures that voices are heard, needs are met, and meaningful connections are made.

Emergency Services: Frontline workers in emergency services are equipped with the skills to use Makaton in high-pressure situations. This training is invaluable in crisis scenarios, where clear communication can be critical for safety and well-being.

General Wellbeing:

Teams supporting mental health and well-being are also benefiting from this training. By enhancing their communication skills, they are better able to understand and address the emotional needs of those they support.

These training programmes highlight our commitment to fostering inclusivity in diverse settings. By equipping frontline workers with effective communication tools, we are making great strides in broadening societal support and understanding for people with learning and communication needs.

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Annual Report • Workplace Training

Workplace Training

2023/24: A Year of Growth and Success

The Workplace Training division at The Makaton Charity, responsible for delivering organisational group training, has experienced remarkable growth over the past year. The training department now has over fifty Makaton Tutors contracted to deliver workshops year-round, ensuring the highest standards of Makaton quality and excellence are upheld. This rapid expansion has necessitated improvements in processes and systems to manage growing enquiries, training delivery, support, and client engagement efficiently.

In 2023/24, we delivered 269 workshops, training 2,563 individuals and generating £263,289 in income from workplace training services. The Level 1 workshop was our most popular, with 1,519 participants, followed by 51 Taster sessions attended by 679 people. Our reach spanned across five key sectors, with social care leading the way with 81 workshops delivered, followed by primary education with 53 workshops, council services with 34 workshops, and both the NHS and higher education sectors completing 19 workshops each.

Frontline Workshop Launch

A highlight of the year was the successful launch of the Frontline Training Workshop. Several NHS trusts commissioned the course, and 70 nurses and healthcare workers participated, equipping them with essential communication skills for high-pressure and challenging situations.

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Up-lift in higherlevel training

Additionally, we focused on increasing engagement in higherlevel Makaton training (Levels 2, 3, and 4). This initiative was a significant success:

• Level 2: 218 participants, a 13% increase from the previous year.

To support and encourage participation across all training levels, we produced four promotional videos that explain the content and benefits of each level of Makaton workshops. These videos aim to provide clear, engaging information, driving increased participation and awareness of the Makaton training journey. These videos will be available via a QR code at the back of the accompanying workshop manual.

Building on Success: What’s Next for 2024/25

Looking ahead to 2024/25, our focus is on scaling our operations and refining our processes to achieve a 15% increase in training delivery. Key to this will be the full implementation of a Customer Relationship Management system. This system will provide better visibility of our enquiry pipeline, improve conversion tracking, and help us deliver a more seamless customer experience.

Automation to promote consistency

We also plan to enhance our customer service by mapping the entire user journey and automating both the enquiry and aftercare processes. This will standardise interactions, ensuring customers receive consistent, high-quality service throughout their engagement with Makaton.

Adding value to Makaton Training

Building on the successes of 2023/24, we aim to increase Level 2 participation by a further 10% and prioritise repeat business alongside new customer acquisition. To further enhance our value proposition, we will introduce bundle packages that integrate training with membership options, Makaton Aware and Friendly recognition, and shop products. This approach will offer comprehensive wraparound services, delivering both excellent value and a pathway to greater social recognition of Makaton training.

Our strategy for the year ahead underscores our commitment to providing enhanced customer service, fostering greater engagement, and further supporting the wider community. By refining our operations and expanding our offerings, we aim to deliver a more comprehensive, impactful experience for our customers and Makaton Users alike.

New admin support

To manage the increased volume of enquiries and training delivery, we expanded the Workplace Training team with the addition of a new administrator. This move has enabled us to respond more efficiently to customer queries, improve follow-up processes, and increase cross-selling opportunities with membership packages, resulting in more conversions from enquiries to bookings.

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Annual Report • Senior Tutors & Ambassadors

Senior Tutors and Ambassadors

Senior Tutors are highly experienced Makaton Tutors who play a crucial role in maintaining the high quality of The Makaton Communication Programme. These dedicated individuals undergo up to two years of additional training, assessment, and skill development in signing, symbol use, and translation. They also work on specialised projects to further enhance their expertise and achieve this prestigious title.

Our Senior Tutors

Mike Harris Tracy Clark

Julie Hawkins Shelina Mitha Sarah Norman Zanna Finnerty

Their commitment ensures the consistent delivery of high-quality Makaton training across the community.

Ambassadors are Makaton Tutors with specialised skillsets and a proven dedication to the Makaton community. They play a key role in promoting Makaton awareness, advocacy, and the development of new vocabulary. Ambassadors actively support Senior Tutors by helping to train Trainee Tutors, facilitating network Revision Sessions, and providing expert advice within the online MakaChat community.

Our Ambassadors Helen Hayhoe Holly Cannon Taylor Robb Cummings Sam Stephen Nic Pike Catriona Chisholm Pixie Norris-Royle Samantha Harper Amanda Glennon Linda Bates Helen Whaling Nicola Hall Kerry Halkett Julie Tarn Clare Standing Aileen Bannatyne Richard Fish Tracey Fillan Ellie Whittaker Alex Jordan Becky George Mike Carlin Karen Baxter Leanne Hipkiss-Walker Jemma Sagar Saskia Dady Nikki Harrison Hannah Anderson Prit Chouhan Gareth Smith Sarah Arthur Helene Elia Debby Auvache Jess McQueen

Together, Senior Tutors and Ambassadors contribute 200 Pa volunteer hours annually, demonstrating their dedication to the growth and success of Makaton. The Makaton Charity would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to these individuals for their unwavering commitment and the invaluable support they provide to the Makaton community.

33

Annual Report • Trustees’ Report

Trustees’ Report

Financial Review

The trustees present their report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 30th June 2024. Reference and administrative information set out on pages [33-38] form part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the memorandum and articles of association and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: SORP applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102. This trustees’ annual report includes a directors’ report as required by company law.

Surplus

We report a Surplus for the year of £109,825 (2023: Surplus of £248,297 ). Of that Surplus there was no change in the level of restricted funds held for purposes prescribed by the donors.

Incoming resources

Incoming resources from unrestricted funds increased by 8% this year, totalling £2,064,730 (2023: £1,914,410). The income was derived from the delivery of charitable activities and particularly in the delivery of fees for courses, together with membership subscriptions and income from the sale of workshop manuals. The increase in revenue was due to a range of new initiatives coming on stream, including a significant increase in income from organisational training, together with further income from a growth in our membership

scheme and a general increase in general network activity. While the Charity’s income and trading environment continue to be impacted by the ongoing economic conditions, the strategy of broadening the base of the Charity’s income has successfully mitigated these barriers and enabled the Charity to achieve a significant and, we believe, sustainable level of growth.

Expenditure

Total expenditure during the year increased to £1,956 024 (2023: £1,668 283 ) or 17 %, which aligns with the growth in the Charity’s operation. The significant change in expenditure has been due to the deployment of new digital provision, together with further expansion of our middle leader, membership and Tutor and workplace training offer. The Charity continues to develop its digital and resource base, to

enable users to remotely access the full catalogue of 40,000 assets. The broadening of the Charity’s income streams does mean that there is a continuing change in the allocation of our charitable cost when compared to previous years’ allocation.

Reserves

Each year the Trustees review the purpose of any reserves the Charity holds and determines the level they consider necessary to fulfil its legal and commercial obligations and in setting aside any funds earmarked for investment in specific projects. The Trustees determined that a minimum level of £320,000 should be held to ensure the Charity can meet its contractual obligations. Additionally, the Trustees designate an amount of the general fund equal to the value of fixed assets to provide for their replacement. At the end

34

of the year the balance on the Unrestricted Funds was £928,928 (2023: £816,334), some £608k above the minimum requirement. During the year, the Trustees reviewed and agreed on a strategic plan and operational objectives for the Charity with a view to ensuring that any reserves held are justified for the delivery of the charitable objectives. At the end of the year the Charity had no restricted reserves (2023: £3,888).

Regulator but would take any such reports extremely seriously. We have put in place systems to respond to any enquiries made under the General Data Protection Regulation and to deal with any personal data created or received in a manner consistent with the spirit of those regulations..

Fundraising Activities

During the year, the Trustees and Senior Management reviewed fundraising practices to ensure that best practice is followed. The Charity continues to be registered with the Fundraising Regulator and ensures that it complies with the Code of Fundraising Practice. The Charity does not work with external agencies to carry out fundraising activities nor do we share any sensitive personal data with other organisations. We provide guidance for any people voluntarily undertaking fundraising activities for the Charity’s benefit, including a responsible approach to protecting the interests of vulnerable people.

We have not received any complaints during the year either directly or from the Fundraising

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Annual Report • Trustees’ Report

==> picture [31 x 31] intentionally omitted <==

Risk Management

The Trustees hold the

responsibility for overseeing the management of risks within the Charity. This duty has been delegated to the CEO, who actively manages this process. A risk matrix approach is utilised to address risks, where each risk is assessed and graded based on its likelihood and potential impact on the Charity. Each identified risk is attributed to a designated senior manager, and regular reports and updates are provided to the Trustees. The Trustees are confident that the primary risks have been identified, and appropriate measures have been put in place to address them. The following are the key risks that the Trustees have identified for the Charity:

1. Enhancing the Charity’s Sustainable Growth

The fiscal year 2023/24 saw continued expansion in the Charity’s activities, with growth of around 10% year on year. This development was supported by increases across most operational sectors, with new markets emerging at a faster rate than established ones.

The Charity operates as a social enterprise and has experienced growth across various incomegenerating activities. While these support the Charity’s mission, some new income streams are not fully aligned with its existing

operating structure. To address these growth-related risks, the Charity is investing in additional operational capacity and exploring alternative structures to support its long-term growth and broader operations.

2. Sustaining Momentum in a Complex Operating Landscape

The Charity operates in a multisector environment, supporting an expanding community of over 500,000 Makaton Users, their families, and professionals through our Tutor Network. As we grow operationally, maintaining a clear, crossteam, goal-based focus is a key challenge. To address this, we have adopted a new five-year strategic plan centred around the pillars of Inclusion, Impact, International, Innovation, and Intelligent Operations. These focus areas are integrated into our tracking and evaluation approach and further developed through a combined bottom-up and top-down planning process.

3. Developing an Efficient Decision-Making and Implementation Model

As we grow, we are generating more ideas and initiatives, bolstered by our commitment to innovation and making a meaningful impact on our users. Allocating resources to deliver these initiatives requires careful

consideration across the entire team. Deciding which projects to prioritise, their timing and sequence, and ensuring they meet the needs of Makaton users remains a dynamic challenge. Our mitigation strategy includes piloting new ideas, adopting agile-based project management methodologies, and incorporating decision-making tools that increase cross-team visibility— key to our future success.

4. Scanning the Horizon for Future Opportunities

With the Charity’s continued growth, there is a natural tendency for leadership to focus on operational matters. However, setting aside time for horizon scanning—exploring new markets, forming partnerships, and fostering innovation—will be vital for Makaton’s future success. We are exploring new capabilities, such as developing apps and tools that enhance mobile access to Makaton, alongside gamification and integration with platforms like Microsoft to boost user engagement.

The emerging technological landscape is exciting, and it is crucial for Makaton to stay at the forefront to avoid being left behind. Technological advancements are shrinking distances and creating unprecedented opportunities for international collaborations. To keep pace with these changes, we

36

will adopt an flexible approach, focusing on refining our long-term PESTLE analysis and strategic risk matrix. This will provide our Trustees and management team with enhanced visibility, ensuring we are well-prepared to seize opportunities and mitigate operational risks effectively.

37

Annual Report • Trustees’ Report

Trustees’ Report

Structure, Governance and Management

The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 14 June 2007, and registered as a Charity on 25 June 2007. At the date of reporting, it has no subsidiaries, nor did it have any transactions with any related parties during the year.

Trustees’ role

The Charity’s Memorandum and Articles of Association set out the objects and powers of the Charity and govern its administration. The Trustees are responsible for overall governance and direction of the Charity. A minimum of three trustees are required, with a maximum permitted of 11. On June 30, 2024, there were eleven Trustees. The Trustees delegate operational responsibility to the Chief Executive Officer to achieve the objectives set by the Board, who is in turn supported by the Senior Management Team (SMT) and staff.

The Trustees review the aims, objectives and activities of the Charity each year to ensure public benefit. Trustees refer to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission general guidance on

public benefit when reviewing the Charity’s aims and objectives and in planning its future activities. The Trustees consider planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives that have been set.

The Board

The Board meets quarterly and in addition aims to hold a range of ‘Deep Dive’ sessions where it can interrogate strategic areas in more detail, together with an annual strategic planning day, which feeds into the annual Business Planning and OKR (Objective and Key Results) setting process. Detailed oversight of performance in specific areas of the Charity’s work is undertaken in sub-committees of the Board who report back in summary to the full Board, where any significant decisions are made in accordance with the Articles of Association.

The Board through its People & Governance sub-committee annually reviews the Charity’s structure and governance model, feeding back recommendations to the main Trustee Board. The Charity has three standing subcommittees made up of Finance & Digital, Quality & Standards and

People & Governance, where each Committee meets a minimum of three times during the year.

The appointment and remuneration of senior staff (SMT) is discussed with the Chair of the Board, Treasurer, and the People & Governance Committee (which reviews salary benchmarks). In some cases, the full Board will be involved in such decisions. The Charity adopts and maintains a policy of equal opportunities for all in organisational policies as well as ensuring that products and services are presented in a positive and sensitive way for people of all faiths, cultures, disabilities, genders, and sexual orientation. The Charity is continuing a review of its Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion strategy, which when complete will support strategy and operational decision making.

Impact of environmental factors

During the year, the Board supported by the Senior Management Team, continued to review, and develop the Charity’s business model, both in relation of its significant operational growth and the wider operational

38

environment. Trustees have

supported the team in their progress of both digital and wider business transformation, which has seen the Charity significantly grow its income and engagement levels, continuing to expand the operational income base of the Charity. The current trading conditions continue to be unstable, with individuals and organisations adapting to the unfamiliar environment. Initial results from the first 4 months of trading in 2024/25 are broadly on track and encouraging, with income around 5% up on the previous year.

The Charity’s Membership, Tutor Training and Workplace Training continue to perform strongly, with the Trainer packages to support professionals within the NHS, Emergency services and community space continuing to gain traction. The year will also see the launch of a new initiative supporting language acquisition in babies, called MakaTots; together with the deployment of the Charity’s new Makaton App supporting enhanced access to Makaton on the move..

Trustees’ commitment

All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the Charity. Any expenses reclaimed from the Charity are set out in note 5 to the accounts. The Charity provides induction and training to new Trustees and training of Trustees is supported by regular presentations by the Senior Management Team. Trustees also attend external training and networking events. Trustees will serve in office for a period of three years but thereafter may be reappointed for a further term provided threequarters of the Trustees consent to such reappointment. At the end of July, four Trustees, Ian Newman, Julia Spenser, and Pete Donnal, opted for retirement, and a further Trustee, Karen Donnelly, stepped back due to personal reasons. The board wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude for their dedicated years of service. Their guidance and support were instrumental as the charity navigated a period of innovation and exciting expansion. We have had the pleasure of welcoming three new Trustees to the Board – Maire Brady, Melissa Skinner, and Richard Guy. They bring with them a diverse array of experience and knowledge.

Going concern

The Trustees have carefully examined the charity’s financial stability and are confident that there are no significant uncertainties about its ability to sustain operations. The last twelve months have marked a further period of growth for the charity, leading to a further increase in reserves. The results and management accounts after the year-end indicate sustained demand and consistent cost management. The Trustees are optimistic that the strategies in place will foster a stable and growing foundation for the charity’s operations.

Currently, the charity’s trading situation seems stable, with significant prospects for future growth. There are no additional key decisions made by the Charity that significantly affect the financial statements. Additionally, the Trustees are not aware of any uncertainties at the time of reporting that pose a significant risk of causing material changes to the values of assets and liabilities in the upcoming reporting period.

39

Annual Report • Trustees’ Report

Trustees’ Report

Trustee Responsibilities

The Trustees (who are also Directors of The Makaton Charity for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity. Any expenses reclaimed from the charity are set out in note 5 to the accounts.

The Trustees understand and recognise there duties under section 172 (1) (a)-(f) of the Companies Act 2006, and confirm that individually and collectively, they have acted in good faith, promoted the success of the company for the benefit of its members as a whole, and in doing so have regard (amongst other matters) to:

Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company, and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure of the charitable company for that period. The Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the 36 charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. Trustees are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.

In so far as the Trustees

40

are aware:

in 2023 were 9). The trustees are members of the charity, but this entitles them only to voting rights. The trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.

The trustees’ annual report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

The Trustees Report has been approved by the Trustees on Tuesday 3rd December 2024 and signed on their behalf by the Chair, Rob Douglas CBE DL.

Chair, Rob Douglas CBE DL.

Members of the Charity guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 to the assets of the Charity in the event of winding up. The total number of such guarantees on the 23rd of June 2024 were 11 (guarantees

41

Annual Report • Auditor’s Report

Auditor’s Report

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of The Makaton Charity (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 30 June 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities, balance sheet, statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 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:

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 The Makaton Charity’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 contained within the annual report. 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. 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 course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements,

42

we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. 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:

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 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

• The directors 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.

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Annual Report • Auditor’s Report

Auditor’s Report

Auditor’s

responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

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 non-compliance with laws and regulations, our procedures included the following:

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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 those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or noncompliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, 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 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Jonathan Orchard

(Senior statutory auditor)

4 February 2025

for and on behalf of Sayer Vincent LLP, Statutory Auditor, 110 Golden Lane, London, EC1Y 0TG

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Annual Report • Statement of Financial Activities & Balance Sheet

==> picture [31 x 31] intentionally omitted <==

Statement of Financial Activities

(incorporating an income and expenditure account)

For the year ended 30 June 2024

Note Unrestricted Restricted 2024 Unrestricted Restricted 2023
Funds Funds Total Funds Funds Total
Income from: £ £ £ £ £ £
Grants and donations 2 4,165 - 4,165 48,613 2,170 50,783
Charitable activities
Fees for workshops and courses 567,882 - 567,882 503,667 - 503,667
Sale of workshop manuals 755,816 - 755,816 773,636 - 773,636
Tutor Licences and memberships schemes 389,264 - 389,264 296,171 - 296,171
Sales of publications and other resources 148,787 - 148,787 141,874 - 141,874
Royalties for the use of Makaton worldwide 57,195 - 57,195 68,071 - 68,071
Worldwide promotion of Makaton 8,370 - 8,370 1,633 - 1,633
Translation services 89,993 - 89,993 58,869 - 58,869
Investments 22,575 - 22,575 5,783 - 5,783
Other 20,683 - 20,683 16,093 - 16,093
Total Income 2,064,730 - 2,064,730 1,914,410 2,170 1,916,580
Expenditure on:
Raising funds 14,882 - 14,882 26,462 - 26,462
Charitable activities
Provision of workshop and courses 777,107 - 777,107 359,078 2,170 361,248
Printing and production of workshop manuals 143,800 - 143,800 140,309 - 140,309
Tutor licence and memberships schemes 451,171 - 451,171 433,592 - 433,592
Other training projects and services - - - 113,814 - 113,814
Publications and other resources 398,852 1,119 399,971 439,045 - 439,045
Worldwide promotion of Makaton 52,727 - 52,727 40,441 - 40,441
Translation services 116,366 - 116,366 113,372 - 113,372
Total expenditure 3 1,954,905 1,119 1,956,024 1,666,113 2,170 1,668,283
Net income (expenditure) for the year 4 109,825 (1,119) 108,706 248,297 - 248,297
and net movement in funds
Transfers between funds 2,769 (2,769) - - - -
Net movement in funds 112,594 (3,888) 108,706 248,297 - 248,297
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward 816,334 3,888 820,222 568,037 3,888 571,925
Total funds carried forward 928,928 - 928,928 816,334 3,888 820,222

All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. Movement in funds are disclosed in note 16 to the financial statements.

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Balance Sheet

As at 30 June 2024

As at 30 June 2024
Note
Fixed assets:
Intangible assets
9
Tangible assets
10
Current assets:
Stock
11
Debtors
12
Cash at bank and in hand
Liabilities:
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
13
Net current assets
Total net assets
The funds of the charity:
15
Restricted funds
Unrestricted income funds:
Designated funds
General funds
Total unrestricted funds
Total charity funds		 £
64,801

442,089
865,565
£
2023
£
57,507
134,997
192,504
29,899
275,148
878,027
1,183,074
(555,356)
627,718
820,222
3,888
192,504
623,830
816,334
820,222
Company number: 06280108
2024
£
53,792
231,749
285,541 192,504
627,718
1,372,455
(729,068)		 1,183,074
(555,356)
285,541
643,387		 192,504
623,830
643,387
928,928 820,222
3,888
816,334
-
928,928
928,928 820,222

Approved by the trustees on 3rd December 2024 and signed on their behalf by

Stephanie Kogels Treasurer

47

Annual Report • Statement of Cashflows & Financial Notes

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Statement of Cash Flows

For the year ended 30 June 2024

For the year ended 30 June 2024
Note
Cash fows from operating activities
Net cash provided by / (used in)
operating activities
17
Cash fows from investing activities:
Interest from investments
Purchase of fxed assets (tangible and intangible)
Net cash provided by / (used in) investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year		 2024
£
22,575
(155,062)		 2024
£
2023
£
5,783
(69,516)		 2023
£
303,234
(63,733)
120,025
(132,487)
239,501
638,526
(12,462)
878,027
878,027
865,565

48

Financial Notes

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2024

1. Accounting policies

a) Statutory information

The Makaton Charity is a charitable company limited by guarantee and is incorporated in the United Kingdom. The registered office address is 66 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3LH and the principal place of business is 1st Floor, One Fleet, Ancells Business Park, Fleet, Hampshire GU51 2UN.

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.

The trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.

c) Public benefit entity

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

d) Going concern

The Trustees have carefully examined the Charity’s financial stability and are confident that there are no significant uncertainties about its ability to sustain operations. The last twelve months have marked a notable growth phase for the Charity, leading to a substantial increase in reserves. The results and management accounts after the year-end indicate sustained demand and consistent cost management. The Trustees are optimistic that the strategies in place will foster a stable and growing foundation for the Charity’s operations.

Currently, the Charity’s trading situation seems stable, with significant prospects for future growth. There are no additional key decisions made by the Charity that significantly affect the financial statements. Additionally, the Trustees are not aware of any uncertainties at the time of reporting that pose a significant risk of causing material changes to the values of assets and liabilities in the upcoming reporting period.

e) Income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and that the amount can be measured reliably.

All income arising from trading activities is permissible within the Charity’s objects and is stated net of value added tax. The Charity does not undertake any trading outside the scope of its objects.

Income arising from activities is deferred to the extent that the service or goods to which it relates have not been provided at the end of the financial year.

49

Annual Report • Financial Notes

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Financial Notes

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.

f) Donations of gifts, services and facilities

On receipt, donated gifts, professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure or fixed assets as appropriate in the period of receipt.

g) 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.

of delivering products and services, developing and maintaining the Makaton vocabulary and associated resources, and other costs undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs. Expenditure also includes attributable VAT which cannot be recovered.

h) 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.

Designated funds are unrestricted • funds earmarked by the Trustees for particular purposes.

Other expenditure represents those items not falling into any other heading.

i) Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

j) Allocation of support costs

Expenditure is allocated to the particular activity where the cost relates directly to that activity. However, the cost of overall direction and administration of each activity, comprising the salary and overhead costs of the central function, is apportioned on the following basis which are an estimate, based on staff time, of the amount attributable to each activity.

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

Support and governance costs are re-allocated to each of the activities being supported based on whether or not they are directly attributable or based on salaries. Governance costs are re-allocated based on charitable activities income.

50

Governance costs are the costs associated with the governance arrangements of the charity. These costs are associated with constitutional and statutory requirements and include any costs associated with the strategic management of the charity’s activities.

k) Operating leases

Rental charges are charged on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.

l) Intangible fixed assets

Research costs are written off as incurred. Development costs are initially capitalised and allocated to a Resource for publication or the library of signs. These costs are then written off over their estimated useful life as follows:

• Signs and symbols 10% on cost p.a. from the month following publication

• General publications 10% on cost p.a. from the month following publication

20% on cost p.a. from the month following publication

The amortisation for that asset is charged to the general fund. In cases where there is little possibility of the value of development costs being realised, the development costs are written off.

m) Tangible fixed assets

Items of equipment are capitalised where the purchase price exceeds £500. Depreciation costs are allocated to activities on the basis of the use of the related assets in those activities. Assets are reviewed for impairment if circumstances indicate their carrying value may exceed their net realisable value and value in use.

Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life. The depreciation rates in use are as follows:

n) Stocks

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. In general, cost is determined on a first in first out basis and includes transport and handling costs. Provision is made where necessary for obsolete, slow moving and defective stocks.

o) 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.

p) 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.

q) 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

51

Annual Report • Financial Notes

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Financial Notes

can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

r) 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.

s) Pensions

The scheme is a defined contribution scheme. The employer’s contributions to this scheme are charged to expenditure in the period to which they relate.

2. Income from grants and donations

Donations:
Gift Aid & Other Income
Grants:
First time employment		 Unrestricted
£
Restricted
£
2024
Total
£
Unrestricted
£
Restricted
£
2023
Total
£
4,165
-
4,165
48,613
-
48,613
-
-
-
-
2,170
2,170
-
-
-
-
6,165
-
4,165
48,613
2,170
50,783

52

==> picture [321 x 96] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
2023 Total 846,003 374,702 42,915 17,427 15,841 305,745 42,799 22,851 1,668,283 - - 1,668,283
2024 Total 1,031,105 402,511 49,027 17,233 26,238 331,733 63,514 34,673 1,956,024 - - 1,956,024
----- End of picture text -----

Charitable activities Cost of raising
funds
Provision of
workshops and
courses
Printing and
production
of workshop
manuals
Tutor Licences
and membership
schemes
Other Training
projects and
services
Publications and
other resources
Worldwide
promotion of
Makaton
Translations
Governance
costs
Support
costs		 Staff costs (Note 5)
3,645
219,561
36,785
108,959
-
108,783
19,015
37,707
68,579
428,071		 Other direct costs
1,831
90,856
27,425
55,766
-
48,339
5,494
12,818
14,510
145,472		 Amortisation/depreciation
230
11,436
1,950
7,019
-
5,951
691
1,613
1,826
18,311		 Audit
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
17,223
-		 Irrecoverable VAT
123
6,120
1,044
3,756
-
3,185
370
863
978
9,799		 Offce costs
1,560
77,377
13,196
47,493
-
40,264
4,679
10,917
12,357
123,890		 Professional fees
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
15,020
48,494		 Other costs
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
34,673		 7,389
405,350
80,400
222,993
-
206,522
30,249
63,918
130,493
808,710		 Support costs
6,452
320,105
54,591
196,475
-
166,571
19,355
45,161
-
(808,710)		 Governance costs
1,041
51,652
8,809
31,703
-
26,878
3,123
7,287
(130,493)
-		 Total expenditure 2024
14,882
777,107
143,800
451,171
-
399,971
52,727
116,366
-
-		 Total expenditure 2023
26,462
361,248
140,309
433,592
113,814
439,045
40,441
113,372
-
-

53

Annual Report • Financial Notes

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Financial Notes

==> picture [295 x 85] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
2023 Total 846,003 374,702 42,915 17,427 15,841 305,745 42,799 22,851 1,668,283 - - 1,668,283
Support costs 444,579 177,305 20,739 - 7,655 147,731 32,214 22,851 853,071 (853,071) - -
----- End of picture text -----

Support
costs		 444,579 177,305 20,739 - 7,655 147,731 32,214 22,851 853,071 (853,071) - -
Governance
costs		 69,095 18,710 2,188 17,427 807 15,589 7,440 - 131,255 - (131,255) -
Translations 31,737 10,531 1,232 - 455 8,775 - - 52,729 52,556 8,086 113,372
Worldwide
promotion of
Makaton		 10,756 3,829 448 - 165 3,191 - - 18,389 19,111 2,941 40,441
Publications and
other resources		 86,038 46,056 5,262 - 1,943 37,491 3,145 - 179,936 224,558 34,551 439,045
Charitable activities Cost of raising
funds
Provision of
workshops and
courses
Printing and
production
of workshop
manuals
Tutor Licences
and membership
schemes
Other Training
projects and
services		 Staff costs (Note 5)
4,693
53,068
29,721
92,829
23,485		 Other direct costs
2,808
39,756
20,094
43,959
11,653		 Amortisation/depreciation
328
4,649
1,568
5,141
1,363		 Audit
-
-
-
-
-		 Irrecoverable VAT
121
1,716
579
1,898
503		 Offce costs
2,340
33,125
11,168
36,627
9,709		 Professional fees
-
-
-
-
-		 Other costs
-
-
-
-
-		 10,291
132,315
63,129
180,455
46,713		 Support costs
14,015
198,405
66,890
219,382
58,153		 Governance costs
2,156
30,527
10,292
33,755
8,948		 Total expenditure 2022
26,462
361,248
140,309
433,592
113,814

54

4. Net expenditure for the year

This is stated after charging:

Depreciation and amortisation
Loss on disposal of fxed assets
Operating lease rentals:
Property
Other
Auditor's remuneration (excluding VAT)
Audit		 2024
£
2023
£
62,025
50,668
-
5,573
47,439
45,000
2,293
1,274
14,900
14,200
  1. Analysis of staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses, and the cost of key management personnel

Staff costs were as follows:

taff costs were as follows:
Salaries and wages
Social security costs
Employer’s contribution to defned contribution pension schemes		 2024
£
2023
£
934,086
757,673
95,874
81,210
29,885
25,691
1,059,845
864,574

2024: £28,740 was capitalised for Staff Costs (Makaton Aware programme)

2023: £18,571 was capitalised (Frontline Know and Grow, Signing for Babies programmes)

55

Annual Report • Financial Notes

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Financial Notes

The following number of employees received employee benefits in excess of £60,000 (excluding employer pension costs and employer national insurance) during the year between:

£60,000 - £69,999
£80,000 - £89,999		 2024
No.
2023
No.
3
1
1
1

The total employee benefits (including employer pension contributions and employer national insurance) of the key management personnel were £395 497 (2023: £345 474).

No charity trustees were paid or received any other benefits from employment with the charity in the year (2023: £nil). No charity trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity (2023: £nil).

Trustees’ expenses represents the payment or reimbursement of travel and subsistence costs totalling £469 (2023: £219) incurred by 5 (2023: 1) members relating to attendance at meetings of the trustees.

6. Staff numbers

The average number of employees (head count based on number of staff employed) during the year was as follows:

ollows:
Training (workshops, Manuals, memberships etc)
Publications and other resources
Support
Governance		 2024
No.
2023
No.
11
7
3
3
12
11
1
1
27
22

7. Related party transactions

Other than those referred to in note 5, there are no related party transactions to disclose for 2024 (2023: none).

56

8. Taxation

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

9. Intangible fixed assets

9. Intangible fxed assets
Cost
At the start of the year
Additions in year
Disposals in year/write offs
At the end of the year
Amortisation
At the start of the year
Charge for the year
Eliminated on disposal/write off
At the end of the year
Net book value
At the end of the year
At the start of the year		 Signs
Library
£
General
Resources
£
Database
Resources
£
Training
Courses
£
Total
£
49,153
661,925
132,475
130,508
974,061
-
1,100
-
8,175
9,275
-
-
-
-
-
49,153
663,025
132,475
138,683
983,336
49,153
658,127
132,475
76,799
916,554
-
1,060
-
11,930
12,990
-
-
-
-
-
49,153
659,187
132,475
88,729
929,544
-
3,838
-
49,594
53,792
-
3,798
-
53,709
57,507

All of the above assets are used for charitable purposes.

57

Annual Report • Financial Notes

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Financial Notes

10. Tangible fixed assets

10. Tangible fxed assets
Cost
At the start of the year
Additions in year
Disposals in year
At the end of the year
Depreciation
At the start of the year
Charge for the year
Eliminated on disposal
At the end of the year
Net book value
At the end of the year
At the start of the year		 Software
£
Website and
online dictionary
£
Furniture &
equipment
£
Total
£
32,519
183,124
58,181
273,824
40,326
91,061
14,400
145,787
-
-
-
-
72,845
274,185
72,581
419,611
27,603
77,727
33,497
138,827
3,449
36,206
9,380
49,035
-
-
-
-
31,052
113,933
42,877
187,862
41,793
160,252
29,704
231,749
4,916
105,397
24,684
134,997

11. Stocks

11. Stocks
Raw materials
Finished goods
12. Debtors
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments		 2024
£
2023
£
-
12,426
64,801
17,473
64,801
29,899
2024
£
2023
£
278,775
149,491
41,872
31,133
121,442
94,524
442,089
275,148

12. Debtors

58

13. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

13. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Taxation and social security
Other creditors
Accruals
Deferred income (note 14)		 2024
£
2023
£
166,674
60,018
26,353
50,800
3,114
161
117,678
96,773
415,249
347,604
729,068
555,356

14. Deferred income

Deferred income comprises income for services such as training, memberships and licenses which are to be provided after the Balance Sheet date.

Balance at the beginning of the year
Amount released to income in the year
Amount deferred in the year
Balance at the end of the year		 Fees for
workshops
and courses
£
Tutor Licences
and Membership
Schemes
£
Worldwide
promotion of
Makaton
£
2024
Total
£
2023
Total
£
203,416
71,595
4,938
347,604
279,949
(203,416)
(71,595)
(4,938)
(347,604)
(279,949)
258,518
129,537
27,194
415,249
347,604
258,518
129,537
27,194
415,249
347,604

59

Annual Report • Financial Notes

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Financial Notes

15a. Analysis of net assets between funds (current year)

Intangible fxed assets
Tangible fxed assets
Net current assets
Net assets at the end of the year		 Restricted
£
Designated
£
General
unestricted
£
Total funds
£
-
53,792
-
53,792
-
231,749
-
231,749
-
-
643,387
643,387
-
285,541
643,387
928,928

15b. Analysis of net assets between funds (prior year)

Intangible fxed assets
Tangible fxed assets
Net current assets
Net assets at the end of the year		 Restricted
£
Designated
£
General
unestricted
£
Total funds
£
-
57,507
-
57,507
-
134,997
-
134,997
3,888
-
623,830
627,718
3,888
192,504
623,830
820,222

60

16a. Movements in funds (current year)

Restricted funds:
Makaton overseas fund
Filming Fund
Total restricted funds:
Unrestricted funds:
Designated funds:
Intangible assets
Tangible fxed assets
Total designated funds
General funds
Total unrestricted funds:
Total funds:		 At 1 July
2023
£
Income &
gains
£
Expenditure &
losses
£
Transfers
£
At 30 June
2024
£
1,119
-
(1,119)
-
-
2,769
-
-
(2,769)
-
3,888
-
(1,119)
(2,769)
-
57,507
-
(12,990)
9,275
53,792
134,997
-
(49,035)
145,787
231,749
192,504
-
(62,025)
155,062
285,541
623,830
2,064,730
(1,892,880)
(152,293)
643,387
816,334
2,064,730
(1,954,905)
2,769
928,928
820,222
2,064,730
(1,956,024)
-
928,928

61

Annual Report • Financial Notes

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Financial Notes

16b. Movements in funds (prior year)

Restricted funds:
Makaton overseas fund
Filming Fund
Kickstart Scheme
Total restricted funds:
Unrestricted funds:
Designated funds:
Intangible assets
Tangible fxed assets
Total designated funds
General funds
Total unrestricted funds:
Total funds:		 At 1 July
2022
£
Income &
gains
£
Expenditure &
losses
£
Transfers
£
At 30 June
2023
£
1,119
-
-
-
1,119
2,769
-
-
-
2,769
-
2,170
(2,170)
-
-
3,888
2,170
(2,170)
-
3,888
43,906
-
(7,751)
21,352
57,507
135,323
-
(42,917)
42,591
134,997
179,229
-
(50,668)
63,943
192,504
388,808
1,914,410
(1,615,445)
(63,943)
623,830
568,037
1,914,410
(1,666,113)
-
816,334
571,925
1,916,580
(1,668,283)
-
820,222

62

Makaton Overseas Fund These funds relate to funds received from overseas Makaton organisations
to be spent at their request in providing translations services, publications
and training.
Filming Fund Funds were donated to create a video flming room within The Makaton
Charity’s offce, and to purchase flm and audio recording equipment to
create online Makaton support content.
Kick Start Scheme The Kickstart Scheme provided funding to create new jobs for 16 to 24 year
olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long term unemployment.
Intangible assets This represents the investment made by the Charity to develop the Resource
Vocabulary which will then generate future income.
Tangible fxed assets The designated funds also include tangible fxed assets of the Charity not
funded by restricted funds.

63

Annual Report • Financial Notes

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Financial Notes

17. Reconciliation of net income to net cash flow from operating activities

Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period
(as per the statement of fnancial activities)
Investment income
Depreciation and amortisation charges
Loss on disposal of tangible assets
(Increase)/decrease in stock
Increase in debtors
Increase in creditors
Net cash provided by operating activities		 2024
£
2023
£
108,706
248,297
(22,575)
(5,783)
62,025
50,668
-
5,573
(34,902)
3,114
(166,941)
(74,426)
173,712
75,791
120,025
303,234

18. 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:

ach of the following periods:
Less than one year
One to fve years		 Property
Equipment
2024
£
2023
£
2024
£
2023
£
34,005
45,000
2,293
1,274
136,020
-
-
1,055
170,025
45,000
2,293
2,329

19. 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.

64

==> picture [46 x 35] intentionally omitted <==

Contact Us

Head Office

The Makaton Charity 1st Floor, One Fleet Ancells Business Park Fleet, Hampshire GU51 2UN Telephone: 01276 606760 Email: help@makaton.org Website: makaton.org

Directors and Trustees

Rob Douglas CBD DL, Chair Stephanie Kogels, Deputy Chair Richard Guy Maire Brady

Melissa Skinner Carol Riddington Rebecca Khanna Paul Moore

Karen Donnelly, , Retired 2024 Ian Newman, Retired 2024 Pete Donell, Retired 2024 Julia Spencer, Retired 2024

Senior Management Team

Stephen Hall Chief Executive Officer

Vicki Partridge Director of Operations

Zanna Finnerty Director of the Makaton Language Programme

Roc Da Silva Director of Finance and Services

Hannah Anderson Director of Membership and Partnerships

Patrons

Dave Benson-Phillips Children’s Entertainer

Justin Fletcher MBE Children’s TV Presenter

Allan Johnston Children’s TV Producer

Registered Office 66 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3LH

Solicitors

Farrer and Co, 66 Lincoln’s Inn Fields London, WC2A 3LH

Auditor

Sayer Vincent LLP, 110 Golden Lane, London, EC1Y 0T G

Bankers Lloyds plc, PO Box 1000, BX1 1LT

Santander, Bootle, L30 4GB

HSBC plc, 2 Victoria Road, Farnborough, GU14 7HX

Hampshire Trust Bank, PO Box 74003, London, EC2P 2QR

Country of registration England & Wales

Country of incorporation United Kingdom

Tracy Upton MBE Singing Hands

Suzanne Miell-Ingram MBE Singing Hands

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The Makaton Charity

1st Floor, One Fleet Ancells Business Park Fleet, Hampshire GU51 2UN Tel: 01276 606760 • Email: help@makaton.org

makaton.org

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Registered Charity number: 1119819 • Registered Company number: 06280108