2021-10-31-accounts

2021

WECAN Annual Report

WECAN (A company limited by guarantee) Charity number 1125037 Company number: 06384156

Annual Report

For the Year Ended 31 October 2021

WECAN Registered Office and operational address are: Unit 7, Hexham Enterprise Hub, Burn Lane, Hexham, Northumberland NE46 3HN

2021

WECAN Annual Report

CHAIR OF TRUSTEES REPORT

Welcome to the 2021 Annual Report, another year to remember full of disruption, furlough and uncertainty, however, saying that we have managed to keep the Charity going on a sound footing.

Being a Trustee is about governance and guidance rather than micro managing and interference. We have a management team of Hayley Armstrong and Kirsty Jackson who continue to deliver the service that makes Wecan a leading light in their field. We still have a team of forty support workers who all need continual monitoring and training for the level of care we are required to deliver for the excellent service we provide.

Being a Chair is not a task for the feint hearted and requires a balance of being approachable and making sure the cogs of the machine are well oiled.

Interestingly this is the first year where we haven’t lost or gained Trustees but like any organisation we have to continue to successional plan and are always looking for new trustees that can bring new skills to the Charity. The balance of skills we have within the Trustees at the moment is exceptional and we seem to cover every aspect of our business and between us we always provide an answer. The Trustees met regularly either face to face or via Video link.

In November 2020 the Wecan again closed due to the pandemic and didn’t open for a month, we employed Hayley and Kirsty on limited hours to work their way through what was required to be CQC Registered. So as the girls were on hand there was no real need for the Trustees to step and help other than our treasurer Bob Parker to sort the furlough payments.

On the 6[th] January we entered our 3[rd] lockdown and eventually at the end of March things were getting back to normal but the difficulty was finding a suitable venue as a meeting place. The Wentworth Leisure Centre wasn’t open for business so we used The Scout Hut and The Torch Centre which worked, but we were always looking out for other suitable venues.

Our budgets are continually being squeezed with increasing costs of wages and venue hire but through the skills of Hayley our manager we have tapped into many funding sources over the year which has enabled us to keep a healthy bank balance.

Our thanks go out to The Three Guineas Trust who support us and an extra grant from them gave us funding through the summer into the October half term. Also to The National Lottery who continually support our cause of providing free of charge care and activities for unfunded children. A special thanks to Queen Elizabeth High School pupils, some who give their time freely and volunteer for Wecan.

Revenue streams are important no matter how small they are, we have a monthly lottery which generates an income, Amazon Smile also gives money little but often. Great North Runners are increasing year on year which again increases revenue. Local Churches (Churches Together and Ponteland Church) are always generous. As a local charity we do get local support. Then there was the Wecan Golf Day which was the wettest day in June. Everyone who turned out in waterproofs enjoyed themselves. Arnold Clarke and The Wellbank Foundation also contributed generously to our cause.

We continue to accept referrals from Northumberland County Council which is the main source of our revenue and work closely with their Family Support Team. We are still hoping to expand the business by offering more sessions.

Having survived a second year of restrictions we are still in a healthy financial state and fingers crossed we are through the worst and looking forward to a brighter future. I think I said that last year as well.

Alan Nelson

BOARD OF TRUSTEES	SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM
Mr Alan Nelson - Chair	Mrs Hayley Armstrong, Service Manager
Mr Bob Parker - Treasurer	Miss Kirsty Jackson, Deputy Manager
Mrs Rhonda Quigley
Mr Dominic Slowie
Mrs Gill Brown
Mrs Amanda Frankish

2021

WECAN Annual Report

CHARITY PURPOSE & AIMS

Our charity’s purposes as set out in the objects contained in the company’s Memorandum of Association are:

“to promote the relief of children, youths and adults with learning disabilities aged between 6 and 30 and living in Tynedale and South West Northumberland, in particular by providing short break facility by the provision of but not exclusively, leisure activities”.

We review our aims, objectives and activities each year. This annual report looks at what we have achieved and the outcomes of our work in the previous twelve months. The document reports on the success of each key activity and the benefits they have brought to families and the children, young people and adults we aim to help.

The report also helps us ensure our aim, objectives and activities remain focused on our stated purposes. We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s General Guidance on Public Benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities. In particular, the trustees and management staff consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.

THE FOCUS OF OUR WORK

Our main objectives for the year 2020/21 continued to be in line with the objects contained in our Memorandum of Association as quoted above. This year also saw the launch of our long awaited Adult Service provision for 19 to 30 year olds – similarly, a provision for providing, but not exclusively, leisure activities for this target group.

The strategies we used to meet our objectives included:

• Providing a range of activity sessions during both term times and school holidays

• Working in partnership with other agencies to ensure provision which best meets the needs of our children and young people

These objectives were delivered throughout the local community and wider areas of Newcastle, Tyneside and Cumbria during our term time Saturday Clubs and school holiday sessions.

2021

WECAN Annual Report

THE WECAN TEAM

We would like to extend our thanks to our enthusiastic and loyal team of staff and volunteers, who have shown outstanding commitment to supporting the children and young people of Wecan, our thanks goes out to:

Volunteers - see progression below.

Progression from Volunteers to Support Workers- Bella Stienlet, Kate Salthouse, Martyn Barnes

Support Workers –Annemarie Brown, Amy Beattie, Amy Marshall, Becky Hives, Bethany Eltringham, Carly Atkinson, Charli Heslop, Caitlin McCleary, Cody Pattison, Emily Monelly, Erin Armstrong, Ellie Willoughby, Eleanor Brunton, Elle Lee, Ellie Duncan, Emma Boyes, Freya Murphy, Freddie Carruthers, Gillian Bell, Georgina Reed, Hannah Bartlett, Holly Waugh, Heather Vickers, Hannah Iley-Homan, Heather Parry, Harry Watson, Imogen Killen, Imogen Charlton, Ishbel Speirs, Jack Abson, Jessica Nichol, James Bell, James Watson, Jessica De-Vallans Toor, Kate Edwards, Katherine Birkenshaw, Kristina Hollier, Katie Carruthers, Lauren Burrows, Lois Libretto, Lindsay Davidson, Lucy Shorey, Mandy Ferrol, Molly McCleary, Maddie Robson, Niamh Armstrong, Sophia Vincentelli, Shannon Bell, Tegan Carr, Troy Wilkinson, Willoughby Seago.

2021

WECAN Annual Report

THE MAIN AREAS OF OUR WORK

During this report period we continued to face the challenges of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic which resulted in closure of our activity sessions during the period of November 2020 to April 2021 so we were unable to deliver our planned February half term and Easter activity sessions. During this time, however, our Kirsty kept in touch with the service users providing zoom sessions with lots of fun activities such as dancing and singing.

Of the activity sessions that did take place (outside of the pandemic restriction periods) the service accommodated up to 30 children and young people during each activity session from in excess of 40 children and young people registered for the service.

Saturday Club – Children & Young People’s Service

Now in its 25[th] year, the Saturday Club provision was, of course, impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic again and so we couldn’t resume our new year sessions until 17[th] April.

As previously, these sessions were for three hours on a Saturday during term time.

Whilst the number of our Saturday Clubs was diminished, those that were delivered still provided the children and young people with support to access a range of local leisure activities and events.

Because of the continued restrictions of the covid-pandemic and limited access to our previous venue (the Leisure Centre) we established a new temporary venue for our Saturday Clubs at the Torch Centre in Hexham. This proved to be a venue which was very much conducive to the practices and procedures we were required to put in place as part of the ongoing covid safety recommendations including social distancing and cleaning/sanitising areas.

Without full access to the Leisure Centre activities, we had to be very creative with the activities offered to our service users both within the Torch Centre and in the local community, some of the activities we developed were outdoor and indoor sports sessions, treasure hunts, gaming and dance sessions.

The staff, volunteers, children, young people and adults all appreciate the support offered by the Torch Centre staff in delivery of the Saturday Club activities during this time and are very appreciative of the welcoming and accommodating atmosphere afforded.

February Half Term & Easter Scheme

Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we were unable to hold our February half term and Easter Scheme sessions again this year but instead we kept the service users entertained through our regular zoom sessions with Kirsty and suggested tasks and activities, one of which was a competition for the best decorated egg and the best Spring photograph for both the children and adults.

2021

WECAN Annual Report

May Half Term

Having missed the February half-term and Easter sessions, it was great to be able to go ahead with the May half term session during which we spent time at venues in Hexham and Dissington Hall. In Hexham we enjoyed a visit from Claire’s Cool Creatures, some art therapy and walking as the weather was glorious! The sun also shone at Dissington Hall so we had outdoor sports and dancing.

2021

WECAN Annual Report

Annual Summer Scheme

Despite having to continue to adhere to the ongoing restrictions imposed by the continued covid pandemic, we managed to open our doors once again and provide a fantastic summer scheme. Instead of the usual three days per week of sessions during the summer, for the second year running we reduced our provision to two sessions per week for the first five weeks of the school summer holidays and made use of the facilities provided at The Torch Centre and Hexham Scout Hut both of which were ideal for us to continue to follow the government health and safety guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus. Up to 30 children and young people participated in our Summer Scheme provision and everyone enjoyed a range of different activities every day –

2021

WECAN Annual Report

Adult Service

Our Adult Service has been running since March 2019 providing sessions for adults aged 19 to 30 years old. We are extremely pleased with how it has progressed so far, having received positive feedback from both the Adults who attend and their families.

Whilst the number of our Saturday Clubs was diminished, we ran sessions on Zoom November 2020 till May 2021, after May we were able to join in with face to face sessions till October 2021. We tried to make Zoom as interactive as possible to engage our Adults in their usual socialising which would happen on a Saturday including virtual cafes, chats, dancing, quizzes and a Christmas Sing Song celebration! In June 2021 we held a welcome back party to allow everyone to get used to being back at club and following our Covid Guidance. We became creative in the activities we joined in with including, sports sessions, dance sessions, arts and crafts and finally in October we were able to enjoy bowling again, which had been missed by many. As part of easing ourselves back into what we enjoyed, in a safe way, we spent time at Ipots and Local cafes/Restaurants enjoying our time to socialise.

Staff who work within the Adult Service also work in our Children service, which allows for continuity of care and knowledge of our service users to be of a high standard. It has proved comforting to those parents who have just begun transitioning into Adult Service’s as we know this is a very difficult time for a lot of our families.

Our vision within adult service continues to promote the independence and choice of everyone attending, by allowing us to utilise everyone’s skills – each adult has an important part to play in the process. We look forward to more adventures in the following year and networking with local organisations, as well as expanding what we offer to our Adults.

2021

WECAN Annual Report

FUNDRAISING AND AWARENESS RAISING EVENTS

Again, due to the covid-pandemic, we were unable to go ahead with some of our planned fundraising events such as our Annual Cycle at Kielder and our Cake stall. We were however able to proceed with Our Annual Golf Day and support our participants in The Great North Run.

Annual Golf Day

Our 9th annual golf day was held at Hexham Golf Club, a day we were all was looking forward to after the social restrictions of the pandemic. Unfortunately, the sun did not make an appearance on the day but none the less it did not stop the golfers completing their round. We had a great day and raised awareness and funds to support our children, young people and adults. The eventual winners with 98 points were Clare Kennedy, Garry Kennedy, Thomas Mitchell and Sonia Kennedy.

Huge thanks to Hexham Golf Club for hosting the event and especially Chris Brown Club Manager for his valuable help.

Events such as our golf day not only bring in much needed funds but help to connect us with our local community, raising awareness of the charity and the positive impact it has on the lives of many families in West Northumberland.

Great North Run 2021

In the third year of our participation in the Great North Run, a year later than planned due to the pandemic, our enthusiastic runners included: - Troy Wilkinson (Support Worker), Colin Simpson (Friend of Wecan), Stephen Holmes (Supporter of Wecan), James Bell (Support Worker), Carly Armstrong (Friend of Wecan) and Ellie Willoughby (Support Worker).

Their training started pretty quickly, and we were able to follow their progress as they posted their achievements on social media. Through social media an increased amount of awareness was raised for our charity, which is vastly important to ourselves. As this enables us to reach everyone who will benefit from our service and also those who may know very little about who we are and what we do. The course was changed this year and no longer finished in South Shields, the runners found themselves running along The Tyne Bridge twice, this route was devised to protect the runners and keep the event as Covid Safe as possible.

Due to the pandemic we were unable to hold our usual celebration event, but our runners were not left empty handed and all enjoyed a treat box, made by Greenhead Tea Rooms and a goody bag. We are delighted to say that all of their effort paid off as they helped us to raise we a huge £ 3543.56 A massive thank you to them all!

At Wecan we are always grateful for people who help fundraise as it provides much needed funds which, in turn, helps our service users by providing specialist activities as well as covering the cost of training courses to ensure our staff are equipped with the highest level of skills and knowledge to work with the children and young people.

We are already looking forward to celebrating the Great North Run 2022 with 10 runners!

2021

WECAN Annual Report

OUR FUNDERS & SUPPORTERS

We would like to thank all organisations and individuals who have supported us during 2020/2021, including:

Northumberland County Council, The National Lottery, Hadrian Trust Fund, Three Guineas Trust, The Wellbank Foundation, Arnold Clark Community Fund and Northumberland Community Foundation as well as all of those involved in our fundraising events.

Financial Report

In the year ending October 2021 Wecan is reporting a deficit of £11,654 compared to a surplus of £2,595 in the previous year and our assets stand at £48,385 at the year end.

Taking the last two years together a net loss of over £8k is a good result and shows the resilience of Wecan as a charity to weather some challenging times.

Factors affecting the financial performance of 2020-21 include

• Donations and grants were £40k compared to £57k the previous year. This included making maximum use of the

• Government’s Furlough Scheme but was affected by the reduced number of suitable grants during the second year of the pandemic.

• Income from activities was down by £13k over the previous year. This was simply a consequence of the various lockdowns

• and It was quite a relief to be able to run a successful Summer Scheme, which ran over fewer days than normal but was nonetheless well attended.

• Fundraising was significantly up in 2021 at £5k compared to only £1k the previous year. The Great North Run (£3k), the

• golf day (£1.3k) and the Monthly Draw (1.3k) were the main contributors.

• Central and staffing costs were both down as would be expected from the reduced activity.

• Restricted funds at £4k are at a relatively low level but this means that Wecan has the flexibility to use its funds on its

• priorities

The beginning of the year 2021-22 has continued to be challenging financially but I am pleased to say that hard work from the staff means that at the time of writing Wecan has been successful with a number of grant applications and most of the year’s activities are now fully funded. The resumption of parent fees will ensure that the quality of the activities offered will continue to improve and grow. The year will also see the introduction of the National Living Wage for our support staff.

After a challenging period, I feel Wecan is well placed financially to grow and tackle whatever lies ahead.

Robert Parker Trustee

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Wecan is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on and registered as a charity. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association.

Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees

The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law and under the company’s Articles are known as members of the Management Committee. Under the requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Association the members of the Management Committee are elected to serve for a period of three years, after which they must be re-elected at the next Annual General Meeting. All members of the Management Committee give their time voluntarily and received no benefits from the charity.

Risk Management

The Management has conducted a review of the major risks to which the charity is exposed. A risk register has been established and is updated annually. Where appropriate, systems or procedures have been established to mitigate the risks the charity faces. Internal control risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation of all transactions and projects. Procedures are in place to ensure compliance with health and safety of staff, volunteers, clients and visitors to the Charity.

Organisational Structure

2021

WECAN Annual Report

Wecan has a Management Committee of 8 members who meet quarterly and are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the charity. At present the Committee are from a variety of professional backgrounds relevant to the work of the charity.

A scheme of delegation is in place and day to day responsibility for the provision of the services rests with the Service Manager who is responsible for ensuring that the charity delivers the services specified and that key performance indicators are met. The Service Manager also has responsibility for the day to day operational management of the Project, individual supervision of the staff team and also ensuring that the team continue to develop their skills and working practices in line with good practice.

Responsibilities of the Management Committee

Company law requires the Management Committee to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charitable company as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year. In preparing those financial statements, the management committee should follow best practice and:

• Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is not appropriate to assume that the company will continue on that basis.

The Management Committee is responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 1985. The Management Committee is also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Members of the Management Committee

Members of the Management Committee, who are directors for the purpose of company law and trustees for the purpose of charity law, who served during the year and up to the date of this report are set out on page 2.

In accordance with company law, as the company’s directors, we certify that:

• So far as we are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the company’s auditors are unaware, and;

• As the directors of the company we have taken all the steps that we ought to have taken in order to make ourselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charity’s auditors are aware of that information.

Auditors

Stephen Holmes was re-appointed as the charitable company’s auditor during the year and has expressed his willingness to continue in that capacity.

The Accounts report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (issued in March 2005) and in accordance with the special provisions of Part VII of the Companies Act 1985 relating to small entities.

WECAN - We Enable Children with Additional Needs Financial Activities by Class

November 2020 - October 2021

	Covid
	Lottery Fund		Lottery Funding		Unrestricted	WellBank
	(deleted)	HMRC	Saturday Club	TGT Fund	General Funds	Foundation	TOTAL
Income
Donations and Grants							£0
Donations Restricted		£15,650		£12,995		£1,315	£29,960
Donations Unrestricted					£10,434		£10,434
Parent Donations					£55		£55
Total Donations and Grants	£0	£15,650	£0	£12,995	£10,488	£1,315	£40,449
Fundraising Income							£0
Amazon					£20		£20
GNR					£2,885		£2,885
Golf					£1,015		£1,015
Monthly Draw					£1,335		£1,335
Total Fundraising Income	£0	£0	£0	£0	£5,254	£0	£5,254
Sales					£3,656		£3,656
Enabling NCC Sponsored					£1,011		£1,011
Fees- Adults NCC Sponsored					£1,326		£1,326
Fees- Children NCC Sponsored					£26,106		£26,106
Parent Fees					£1,303		£1,303
Total Sales	£0	£0	£0	£0	£33,402	£0	£33,402
Total Income	£0	£15,650	£0	£12,995	£49,144	£1,315	£79,104
Cost of Sales
Activity Costs							£0
Event hire, entry				£3,014	£675	£170	£3,859
Miscellaneous Costs					£241		£241
Refreshments				£0	£35		£35
Transport Costs				£2,577	£119		£2,696
Cost of Fundraising							£0
GNR Costs					£135		£135
Golf expenses					£240		£240
Monthly Draw Prizes & Costs					£345		£345
Total Cost of Sales	£0	£0	£0	£5,591	£1,789	£170	£7,550
Central Costs							£0
Computer Costs	£0		£95		£1,290		£1,385
Insurances	£0		£34		£1,640		£1,674
Miscellaneous Costs					£244		£244
Office Rent and Utilities	£750		£150		£2,571		£3,472
Phone Costs	£0		£11		£378		£389
Printing, Postage and Stationery	£0		£9		£653		£662
Total Central Costs	£750	£0	£299	£0	£6,776	£0	£7,825
Fundraising Costs	£0				£0		£0
Staff Costs							£0
DBS	£0		£33		£909		£942
Pension					£1,481		£1,481
Training	£0		£92		£608		£700
Wages	£2,959	£15,650	£2,618	£5,265	£44,707	£1,145	£72,345
Total Staff Costs	£2,959	£15,650	£2,743	£5,265	£47,705	£1,145	£75,467
Interest earned					£2		£2
Total Other Income	£0	£0	£0	£0	£2	£0	£2
Net Income/(Expenditure)	-£3,709	£0	-£3,042	£2,139	-£7,124	£0	-£11,736

Wecan - We enable children with additional needs Financial Statements Year ended: 31st October 2021 Registered Charity number: 1125037

	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
Barclays Community Account	£25,567	£34,824	£36,639	£58,323	£43,212
Barclays Tracker Account
Business Premium	£21,089	£20,056	£20,030	£4,000	£4,000
Cash	£90	£530	£533	£75	£0
Debtors	£1,276	£3,944	£796	£0	£0
Creditors	£626	£132	£1,461	£0	£0
Nett Assets	£47,395	£59,221	£56,537	£62,397	£47,212
Funds
Unrestricted General Funds	£43,237	£50,451	£47,256	£54,347	£47,212
Restricted Funds
Covid Lottery Fund		£3,709
Lottery Funding Saturday Club	£1,949	£4,991	£9,281	£8,050
Hadrian Trust Fund	£71	£71
TGT Fund	£2,139
Total Restricted Funds	£4,159	£8,771	£9,281	£8,050	£0
Total Funds	£47,395	£59,221	£56,537	£62,397	£47,212
	£0	£0	£0	£0	£0

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees/ members of On accounts for the year ended Set out on pages Responsibilities and basis of report Independent examiner's statement	Charity Name Wecan - We enable children with additional needs	Charity Name Wecan - We enable children with additional needs	Charity Name Wecan - We enable children with additional needs
	2021	Charity no (if any)	1125037
	1-4 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
	I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31 / 10 / 2021. As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. The charity’s gross income did not exceed £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of CIMA

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below *) which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

• the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or

• the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or

• • the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

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

• Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.

	*Please delete the words in the brackets	apply.
Signed: Name: Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any):	SP HOLMES	26/5/2022
	Stephen Peter Holmes ACMA
	Chartered Institute of Management Accountants CIMA

Oct 2021

1

IER

Address: 11 South Crescent, Fencehouses

Houghton le Spring

County Durham, DH46AG

Section B Disclosure

Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).

Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .

Oct 2021

2

IER