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2022-10-31-accounts

2022

WECAN Annual Report

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

Annual Report

For the Year Ended 31 October 2022

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

2022

WECAN Annual Report

CHAIR OF TRUSTEES REPORT

Welcome to the 2022 Annual Report, another year to remember, we have emerged out of the uncertainty of the Covid Virus into a clearer world and 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.

This year we have lost 2 Trustees and luckily we have on board a new Trustee Hannah Stewart who in a past life was a Wecan volunteer, then a Wecan carer, so she is well versed in how Wecan works and didn’t need any time to settle in, she hit the ground running. 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.

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 Community Foundation who always come up trumps with grants and this year they did it again with awards from The Apple Tree Fund, Reeds Grass Routes and Village Homes, The Prime Fund, the Bill and May Hodgson Fund and The High Sheriffs Fund.

We have a new benefactor B2B Injection moulding who generously support the Adult Section and develop projects with them.

Sports England and The Three Guineas Trust continue to support us and an extra grant from them gave us funding through the summer into the October/ February half terms. Also to The National Lottery who continually support our cause of providing free of charge care and activities for unfunded children. Tynedale Lions are always there for us with small grant support for us when they can and this year was no exception. Local Church Groups at Allendale & Ponteland have helped the fund as well.

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.

A special thanks to Queen Elizabeth High School pupils, who give their time freely and volunteer for Wecan.

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. The Council this year have levelled up and gave us a lump sum and a 5% increase in fees which I think was in recognition of our excellent service.

We are expanding the business by capturing children under 6 who need our help, the new service is called Wecan Explore and we are working with three family Hubs under the guidance of Kirsty Jackson our Deputy Manager.

The future is very bright.

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

2022

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 2021/22 continued to be in line with the objects contained in our Memorandum of Association as quoted above.

The strategies we used to meet our objectives included:

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.

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 - Daniel Connolly, Mia Watson

Progression from Volunteers to Support Workers- Georgia Findlay.

Support Workers –Annemarie Brown, Becky Hives, Bella Stienlet, Bethany Eltringham, Carly Atkinson, Charli Heslop, Caitlin McCleary, Cody Pattison, Emily Monelly, Ellie Willoughby, Eleanor Brunton, Ellie Duncan, Emma Boyes, Freya Murphy, Freddie Carruthers, Gillian Bell, Georgina Reed, Grace Courtney, Grace Peatfield Muter, Hannah Bartlett, Holly Waugh, Hannah IleyHoman, Harry Watson, Imogen Killen, Imogen Charlton, Ishbel Speirs, Jack Abson, James Bell, James Watson, Jessica De-Vallans Toor, Jo Regan, Kate Edwards, Kate Riddick, Kate Salthouse, Katherine Birkenshaw, Kristina Hollier, Katie Carruthers, Lois Libretto, Lindsay Davidson, Lucy Shorey, Mandy Ferrol, Martyn Barnes, Molly McCleary, Maddie Robson, Sarah Watson, Tegan Carr, Terri Anderson, Troy Wilkinson, Zuzanna Pasak.

2022

WECAN Annual Report

THE MAIN AREAS OF OUR WORK

During this report period we began to move forward from the previous years of the covid-pandemic, welcoming a return of more activities both old and new and being able to ensure that planned sessions were able to go ahead without the previous years uncertainties.

Saturday Club – Children & Young People’s Service

Now in its 26[th] year, the Saturday Club provision continued as in previous years for three hours on a Saturday during term time.

During the last half of the year, we started using a new venue for our Saturday Club meet-ups – The Chrysalis Centre in Hexham, home to support and activities for people with dementia. These premises provided a lovely light and airy atmosphere with wheelchair access and facilities which was ideal for our needs.

With a very welcome return to normality after the pandemic and improved access to/availability of venues and activities, our sessions included;

Bowling and swimming at Wentworth Leisure Centre Indoor sports with Smile Through Sports Gaming sessions using Ipads, Nintendo Switch and our own Wii system Cookery Cycling Arts & Crafts Visits to Hexham Abbey

We also hosted a visit from the Mayor of Hexham (Derek Kennedy) and the High Sheriff of Northumberland (Joanna Riddell) as well as a lovely visit from Tyne Valley Ices on one of our hot summer days!

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

2022

WECAN Annual Report

October Half Term

For our October half term session we enjoyed a new experience – The Sunderland Festival of Light Show which took place in Roker Park.

February Half Term

For February half term we enjoyed a mix of a morning of bowling followed by visits to some of Hexham’s historical buildings including the old Gaol and Hexham Abbey which provided some educational activities to help the children and young people learn all about the history.

May Half Term

It was great this year that our May Half Term activity session co-incided with the National celebrations of Her Majesty the Queens Platinum Jubilee! With funding for the session awarded by Northumberland County Council, we hosted a Jubilee party in the Scout Hut which included themed dressing up, party games and refreshments and all of the children and young people were given a Jubilee themed sweet treat to take home.

2022

WECAN Annual Report

Annual Summer Scheme

This year we were delighted to return to a more normal delivery of our Summer Scheme sessions after the changes in previous years due to the covid pandemic. We returned to delivering two and a half days of activities for five weeks of the school summer holidays and we spent these days doing lots of new and exciting activities as well as some old favourites. Up to 30 children and young people participated in our Summer Scheme provision and everyone enjoyed a range of different activities every day –

WEEK ONE; Raby Castle was a new place for us to visit and the children and young people enjoyed spending time in the new Plotters Forest. Whilst visiting St. James Park the home of our beloved Newcastle United was a requested return visit, we added the excitement of treating ourselves at Kaspa’s Ice Cream Parlour afterwards! Some of our children and young people also enjoyied a quieter day of sports and dance at the Lookwide Centre in Hexham.

2022

WECAN Annual Report

WEEK TWO; Our adventures took us to a very wet and rainy Featherstone Castle, an even wetter Haltwhistle open-air swimming pool, old favourites – Forest School and Claires Cool Creatures, as well as a lovely day out at South Shields.

2022

WECAN Annual Report

WEEK THREE; This week was certainly action packed! Our adventures included a visit to Alnwick Garden and Castle where some of the children and young people got to be Harry Potter for the day, a very exciting new venture of Openwater swimming at Sweethope Loughs (followed by a MacDonalds lunch), a sports session with our friends from Smile Through Sport together with a new sport – Bubble Football and to end the week, a trip to Sunderland Winter Gardens, Roker Park and The Gamin Cabin.

2022

WECAN Annual Report

WEEK FOUR: This week we ventured to Newburn Leisure Centre for some adapted sports, Kirkley Hall Zoo and horse riding for some animal themed activities and finished off with a visit to an old favourite – Beamish!

2022

WECAN Annual Report

WEEK FIVE: On this our final week of Summer Scheme 2022, we braved a visit to Whitley Bay Ice Rink on a very hot summers day and welcomed the coolness of the surroundings! Whilst we couldn’t identify the next Torvill and Dean from our ranks, we all had a had a great time and managed to skate even if for a short while. Our adventures also took us fishing to New Mills Trout Farm where the children all managed to catch their tea and we had an old fashioned train ride on the Alston line.

2022

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. One expansion in Adult Services this year has been to extend the age limit and to allow adults to come up until any age.

Saturday Club Sessions: We had lots of fun together and built our confidence. The Adults were eager to be involved with drama, which followed with session’s enhancing their acting skills, through this our adults really started to take ownership of their club. We also went bowling and swimming which are activities we find are firm favourites. To expand the organisations we work with we joined in with session workouts with Jo from The Barn (Barnability), we also had music session with The Sunshine Panners and pottery sessions with Ipots,.

2022

WECAN Annual Report

Holiday Sessions: During the holiday we venture out on a couple of trips. We enjoyed a train ride to Newcastle, which included a visit to The Baltic and lunch at a local pub. We held a session at The Alan Shearer centre, using their sensory rooms, hydro pool and exploring their outdoor space. Whilst we enjoyed a couple of trips#, we also enjoyed staying local in Hexham. We tested our skills in the Escape Rooms Hexham, enjoyed a tasty afternoon tea at The County Hotel, became artist’s down by the river at Tyne Green, and also celebrated the Queen’s Jubilee with a party.

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. We also established and Adult Forum this year, which is held each term and invites everyone to raise their opinions, also inviting in guests to find out more about Wecan.

2022

WECAN Annual Report

FUNDRAISING AND AWARENESS RAISING EVENTS

This year we were lucky to join in with various fundraising activities, some which were new to ourselves. We supported our participants in The Great North Run, (Dis)Ability Triathlon and support some of our Adults who led fundraising achievements themselves.

Sponsored Swim

Katelyn Mckie has completed a sponsored swim on the 28th March 2022 at Slaley Hall. She swam 30 lengths which was 750 metres! After her swim Katelyn was met by Hayley Armstrong, Gill Brown and Katelyn Brown to present her with a card and flowers to congratulate Katelyn. Her swim raised a fantastic £405, for Adult Services, which was used at Easter 2022 and also for a Jubilee Party.

(Dis)Ability Triathlon

On the 10th July 2022, 6 of our Adults alongside many other people participated in the (Dis)Ability Triathlon which was held at David Lloyd in Newcastle. Throughout the day they joined in with swimming, running/walking, cycling and multi skills before crossing the finishing line! Congratulations to Lewis, Katelyn, Ryan, Sophie, Rachel and Mia. They all raised a fantastic £586.

2022

WECAN Annual Report

Great North Run 2022

In the fourth year of our participation in the Great North Run, our enthusiastic runners included: - Martyn Barnes (Support Worker), Colin Simpson (Friend of Wecan), Stephen Holmes (Supporter of Wecan), Carly Armstrong (Friend of Wecan), Ian Batey (Friend of Wecan), George Brady (Friend of Wecan), Gary Pigg (Friend of Wecan), and Ellie Willoughby (Support Worker).

Their training started pretty quickly, and we were able to follow their progress as they posted 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 back to the old route starting at Newcastle city centre and finishing at South Shields.

Our runners were not left empty handed and all enjoyed a treat box, made by Adult Service, as a thank you. We are delighted to say that all of their effort paid off as they helped us to raise we a huge £4307 A massive thank you to them all! We would also like to Thank Sara Mather of Insync Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic, who sponsored our running vests this year.

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 2023 with 10 runners!

Through Williams Eyes.

William Bell Caisley who joins in with Adult Service has raised £50 for Wecan, through a project he completed. William painted canvasses for friends, family and some businesses, using his artistic skills to paint what he saw…through his own eyes. We would like to extend our thanks to William and hope he inspires others with his artwork.

2022

WECAN Annual Report

OUR FUNDERS & SUPPORTERS

We would like to thank all organisations and individuals who have supported us during 2021/2022, including:

Sport England, B2B Injection Moulding, Sir James Knott trust, Tynedale Lions, Northumberland County Council, The National Lottery, Hadrian Trust Fund, Three Guineas Trust, The Wellbank Foundation, Arnold Clark Community Fund and Northumberland Community Foundation, Jennifer Collings, Margaret Richards, Allendale Church, Ponteland Church, Mr & Mrs Darling, Mr Bell as well as all of those involved in our fundraising events.

Financial Report

The year 2021 -2022 was our first full year following the pandemic and our finances showed a very healthy balance sheet at £67,014 compared to £47,364 the prior year. We had a surplus of income over expenditure of £19,650 compared to a deficit of £11,768 the prior year.

Some key points are

The strong financial situation has continued into the start of this year and at the time of writing we have a healthy bank balance of £56k and are ready to deal with the exciting opportunities 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.

2022

WECAN Annual Report

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

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:

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:

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

November 2021 - October 2022

Income Total
Community
Foundation
Hadrian Trust
Fund
James Knott
Lottery
Funding
Saturday Club
NCC
Sport England
TGT Fund
Unrestricted
General
Funds
TOTAL
Donations and Grants 9,149
0
500
10,000
500
638
15,518
6,498
42,803
Fundraising Income
Amazon
GNR
Monthly Draw
Other fundraising
Triathlon
0
0
0
19
19
0
5,076
5,076
0
1,050
1,050
0
25
25
0
280
280
Total Fundraising Income 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
6,450
6,450
Sales
Fees- Adults NCC Sponsored
Fees- Children NCC Sponsored
Parent Fees
0
16,277
16,277
0
6,022
6,022
0
49,206
49,206
0
3,508
3,508
Total Sales 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
75,013
75,013
Sales of Product Income
Uncategorised Income
0
123
123
0
0
0
Total Income 9,149
0
500
10,000
500
638
15,518
88,083
124,388
Cost of Sales
Activity Costs
Activity, Entry Cost
Miscellaneous Costs
Refreshments
Transport Costs
Venue Hire
0
228
228
770
69
638
4,109
2,607
8,194
0
112
112
0
42
14
259
315
736
232
44
1,012
1,115
71
955
125
259
2,526
Total Activity Costs 2,621
71
69
955
42
638
4,480
3,510
12,386
Cost of Fundraising
GNR Costs
Monthly Draw Prizes & Costs
0
0
0
793
793
0
190
190
Total Cost of Fundraising 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
983
983
Total Cost of Sales 2,621
71
69
955
42
638
4,480
4,492
13,368
Central Costs
Computer Costs
Equipment Costs
Insurances
Miscellaneous Costs
Office Rent and Utilities
Phone Costs
Printing, Postage and Stationery
0
0
0
180
844
1,025
0
1,048
1,048
0
65
1,647
1,712
0
531
531
1,337
287
1,776
3,399
0
21
445
466
0
18
134
151
Total Central Costs 1,337
0
0
570
0
0
0
6,426
8,333
Staff Costs
DBS
Expenses
Pension
Training
Wages
0
0
0
63
383
445
90
834
925
0
1,595
1,595
0
176
248
424
2,050
431
4,645
458
5,864
66,173
79,621
Total Staff Costs 2,140
0
431
4,883
458
0
5,864
69,233
83,009
Uncategorised Expense
Other Income
Interest earned
0
8
8
0
9
9
Total Other Income 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
9
Total Other Expenditures 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
28
28
Net Other Income 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
-19
-19
Net Income/(Expenditure) 3,051
-71
0
3,591
0
0
5,174
7,904
19,650

Financial Statements Year ended: 31st October 2022 Registered Charity number: 1125037

2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017
Barclays Community Account £43,056 £25,567 £34,824 £36,639 £58,323 £43,212
Business Premium £21,098 £21,089 £20,056 £20,030 £4,000 £4,000
Cash £23 £58 £530 £533 £75 £0
Debtors £3,267 £1,354 £3,944 £796 £0 £0
Creditors £431 £626 £132 £1,461 £0 £0
Nett Assets £67,014 £47,364 £59,221 £56,537 £62,397 £47,212
Funds
Unrestricted General Funds £51,110 £43,205 £50,451 £47,256 £54,347 £47,212
Restricted Funds
Covid Lottery Fund £3,709
Lottery Funding Saturday Club £5,540 £1,949 £4,991 £9,281 £8,050
Hadrian Trust Fund £71 £71
TGT Fund £7,313 £2,139
Community Foundation £3,051
Total Restricted Funds £15,904 £4,159 £8,771 £9,281 £8,050 £0
Total Funds £67,014 £47,364 £59,221 £56,537 £62,397 £47,212

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees
On accounts for the year
ended
Set out on pages
Responsibilities and
basis of report
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
2022 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 ended31 / 10 / 2022.
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.

Independent [The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to examiner's statement undertake the examination by being a qualified member of [insert name of applicable listed body]]. Delete [ ] if not applicable.

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:

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 apply.
Signed:
Name:
Relevant professional
qualification(s) or body
(if any):
SP HOLMES 16/5/2022
STEPHEN PETER HOLMES ACMA
CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANTS (CIMA)

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Oct 2022

IER

Address: 11 SOUTH CRESCENT, FENCEHOUSES

HOUGHTON LE SPRING

COUNTY DURHAM, DH4 6AH

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 .

2

Oct 2022

IER