| Summaryofthemain activitiesin relationtothose |
Para 1.17and 1.19 |
.SupPort and networking meetings |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| purposes forthePublic benefit, inparticular, the activities,projectsor services identifiedinthe |
Theseare a majorsource of supportand wellbeingforfamilies,providingfriendships withpeers,enteftainmentforchildren with DS andtheir siblingsandexchangeof |
||
| accounts. | information.They alsoprovideopportunities forvolunteeringandforpractitionerstolearn |
||
| moreabouthowtosupport families. | |||
| Although discontinuedduringlockdowns we | |||
| wereabletopicktheseupagainin2021 | |||
| and create alternativesonline andin | |||
| outdoor spacestocomPlement. | |||
| oTraining eventsandtalks | |||
| Theseare an effectiveway forfamily | |||
| members,teachersand practitioners to | |||
| learnhowtosupportchildrenatschooland | |||
| inthecommunity.We wereabletohold advisorysessionsonlineintheperiodand tooffer smallgroup trainingforour young |
|||
| people. | |||
| .lndividualadvice andsignposting | |||
| Thisis howwe supportindividuals with | |||
| specificcomplexsituationsthat maybe | |||
| blockingtheirabilitytoaccess education andservices.Resolvingindividualissues |
|||
| enablesustopromotefamily wellbeingand | |||
| inclusion.Wealso promote awarenessof | |||
| issuesfamiliesarelikelyto encounterand | |||
| howtonavigatethem. Usingavarietyof technologieiwewereabletocontinuethis |
I | ||
| serviceregardlessoflockdowns. | |||
| .SmallgroupsPeech theraPYMlst | |||
| familiesareconcernedabouthaving very | |||
| limited accesstoongoingspeechtherapy' | |||
| WeemploYateamofhighlYskilled | |||
| therapypractitionerswhoaimto deliver27 sessionsthroughouttheyearto eachchild |
|||
| enrolledinthescheme. Parentspaya | |||
| contributionthatapproximates toroughly | |||
| half ofthe costoftheir child'splace and the | |||
| charityfundstherest,occasionally makinga muchlarger contributionforfamiliesin financialdifficulty.Groupsvaryfrom2'4 |
|||
| children althoughinsome circumstanceswe | |||
| also offer1:1.Duringthe periodlockdowns | |||
| meantsome cancellationsandperiods of | |||
| onlinelearningand useof homeresource | |||
| packs. |
| group weeklytopracticetheir skillsand | |
|---|---|
| developconfidence. | |
| .Newsletters andinformation | |
| publishing | |
| WekeepmembersuPtodatewitha | |
| monthly newsletterfeaturingupcoming | |
| events andrelevant information. | |
| Periodicallywe alsopublishfactsheets' We maintainawebsiteandhavea publicas |
|
| wellas aprivateFacebookgroup where | |
| members canuploadtheir own newsand | |
| queriesand wherewe cansignpost useful time-limitedresources.DuringCovid19we |
|
| boosted ournewsletter contenttoprovide | |
| informationand insPiration. | |
| .Celebrations and awareness | |
| events | |
| Asourchildrenare often excluded from | |
| parties withtypicallydeveloping-peers we holdinclusiveseasonalpartiesforall the |
|
| Ifamity. These fulfilthesamefunctionas our regularnetworkingmeetingsbutaremore focussedonentertainmentimproving |
|
| wellbeingandquality oflifegenerally'Our Christmispartyisusuallythelargest event |
|
| oftheyear.We alsohold Easterand Halloweenparties andwheneverpossible |
|
| we organisea summertrip toanoutdoor anima]park.Duringtheperiodwecreated |
|
| onlineparties. | |
| .Teenageclub TheTeenageclubenablesusto offera' friendshipexperiencefor olderchildren who mightfindourother partiestoo"babyish"' WJfravefoundthat meetingsin a bowling |
|
| alleyaremost successfulforthisgroupand theyalsoenableparentstogettogetherina separateareaandgo outina.largegroup aftenrvards.However duringtheperiod we |
|
| held all ouryoung people's activitiesonline | |
| andwereable to-increasethe numberand | |
| breadthofsessionsto include craftsand | |
| Statementconfirming whetherthetrusteeshave had regard totheguidance issuedbythe CharitY' Commission onPublic benefit |
All trusteesreceiveaTrusteeHandbook witha copyofthe charity's constitutionand guidance fromtheCharity Commissionis ieferencedandcirculated.Trustees continuedtomeetvirtually andhavehad regard totheguidance on publicbenefit |
| Thecharitydoesnot haveagrants | ||
|---|---|---|
| programme and aimstoprovidemostofits | ||
| Policy ongrantmaking | Para1.38 | servicesfreeof chargetomembers.Where contributions fromfamiliesaresought |
| towardsaspecificprogramme, eg.Speech | ||
| therapy, thetrusteescandecideto assista | ||
| familyindifficultybyreducingorwaiving | ||
| thesetemporarily. | ||
| Policy onsocialinvestment | Para1.38 | |
| including programrelated | ||
| investment | ||
| Manymembersandtheircloserelatives | ||
| andfriendscontribute tothe charityby | ||
| Contribution madeby volunteers |
Para1.38 | undertakingfundraisingactivitiesand assisting withthe organisationandrunning ofspecific events.Occasionallywe arealso |
| abletoinvolvecommunityvolunteerssuch | ||
| as studentsworkingtowardstheDuke of | ||
| Edinburgh'sAward orlocal business | ||
| organisations whowouldliketo focusona | ||
| particular causefora limited time.Where | ||
| volunteers arelikelytoberegular andare | ||
| not membersthemselves,DBSchecksare | ||
| carriedout.Duringtheperiod wewerenot | ||
| abletouse our volunteersto assistphysical | ||
| eventssowekeptinregulartouchand sent | ||
| newsletters. |
| the | f/yyear 20121thecharityhadtoadapt | |
|---|---|---|
| its planning anddeliveryin light oftheCovid | ||
| 19crisis, meetingitsgoalsforbeneficiaries | ||
| ummaryofthemain | useofmore online working. | |
| ievementsofthecharity, ntifyingthedifference the ity'sworkhas made to |
o | Weheld regularfamilymeetings, welcome morningsand activitiesfor |
| circumstances ofits | parentstonetwork online | |
| iariesandanywider nefitstosociety asawhole. |
o | We establishedaweeklyprogramme of online activitiesforyoungpeople |
| including SocialCommunicationwith | ||
| a geographytopic, recycledart club | ||
| and fitness | ||
| . | We continuedourfull programme of | |
| online activitiesthroughoutallthehalf | ||
| termsandthe summerholidaYsto | ||
| providecontinuouscommunitYin | ||
| recognitionofourfamiliesnot being | ||
| ableto vacationand socialise | ||
| normally. | ||
| r | For ouryoungerchildrenweheld | |
| online blocks of storYtellingand | ||
| dramasessions andsigningclasses | ||
| led by staff andoutsideproviders. | ||
| o | Theonlineprogrammemeant we | |
| welcomedbackfamilieswehadn't | ||
| seenforawhile whoweren't | ||
| associatedwithparticular inperson | ||
| programmes.lt created strongbonds | ||
| betweenthegrouPswhometweeklY | ||
| and twice-weeklYonline and | ||
| feedback wassogoodthat wehave | ||
| permanentlyaddedafter school | ||
| online groupsfor olderyoungpeople | ||
| to ourprogramme.Familiestoldus | ||
| thatitwasa lifelineforthemwhen | ||
| normalschool-based activitiesand | ||
| afterschool clubshad been closed. | ||
| . | Wecontinuedto provideindividual | |
| advice onschool-basededucation | ||
| andthemoveto onlinemeetings | ||
| meant that wewereabletoattend | ||
| meetingswith schoolsandthelocal | ||
| authoritymorereadilYtosuPPort | ||
| parents. | ||
| . | Wewereableto takeuPmore |
|
| trainingopportunitiesforstafftohone | ||
| theirskills andwewereabletooffer | ||
| onlinetrainingontoPicssuchas | ||
| cybersafetYandsignPosttoa huge | ||
| varietyof trainingthatparentscould | ||
| more easily access.Weheldsupport | ||
| sessions for familieswishingto | ||
| discusssuPPortingPositive | ||
| behaviour,facilitatedbe an external | ||
| educationadviser. | ||
| . | lnlieuofthe usualHalloween, |
|
| Christmas andEaster weheld |
| oumay choosetoincludefur | therstatemen | tswhererelevantabout: |
|---|---|---|
| Thecharity'sforuuardplanhadtobe pared | ||
| downand adaptedtocopewith Covidand | ||
| Achievementsagainst objectivesset |
Para1.41 | stafffurloughsand home-schooling commitments. Ourmeetingsandevents, information service andtherapywereall |
| achievedroughly asoriginallyintended | ||
| butwithagreatdealofflexibilityon | ||
| means and limitsonnumbersasimposed | ||
| bygovernmentandbytherisk | ||
| assessmentsof venues. | ||
| Thecharitywasable tofund allofthe | ||
| year'sprogrammeandkeepreserve ata | ||
| Performance of fundraising activitiesagainstobjectiVes set |
Para1.41 | sustainablelevel in linewith itspolicy. Thiswaslargely dueto obtaininga large donation shortlybeforeCovidand the |
| reduced cost of online deliverywhile | ||
| fundraisingactivitieswereseriously | ||
| curtailed. |
| Review ofthecharity's financialpositionattheend |
Para1.21 | Accountssubmittedseparatelyto thecharity commission,availableonline. |
|---|---|---|
| oftheperiod | ||
| Statement explainingthe policyforholding reserves stating whythey areheld |
Para1.22 | Theorganisationaimstobuildupand maintaina balanceofaroundf20Kto enableittoplanbeyondthenext school |
| termandanticipatecashflowvariations | ||
| betweenthebeginningsandendsofterms. | ||
| Thisequatestoaround213oftheannual | ||
| spendingandgivessecurity that we wouldn'thavetowindupwithoutproviding |
||
| fullterm'sactivitieswith staffingcosts' | ||
| Trusteeshaveagreedlevelstriggeringan | ||
| EGM andfurtheractions ifreservesfall' | ||
| Amount of reservesheld | Para1.22 | Thereserveisnotseparatedwithin the |
| currentbalance. | ||
| Reasonsforholding zero | Pa,a1.22 | |
| reserves | ||
| DetailsoffundmateriallYin | Para1.24 | |
| deficit | ||
| Explanationofany | Para1.23 | |
| uncertaintiesaboutthe | ||
| charity continuingasagoing | ||
| concern | ||
| Additional information(optional) | ||
| You may choosetoincludefurtherstatements m The charity'sprinciPal sourcesoffunds(including any fundraising) Paru1.47 |
whererelevant about: The charityhasno regularfunderand raises its annualincome through communityfundraisers,grants from companies,charitiesandfoundationsand member contributionsfor specific services' |
|
| lnvestmentpolicyand | NA | |
| objectivesincludinganY | ||
| social investmentPolicY | Para1.46 | |
| adopted | ||
| A descriptionofthePrinciPal | ||
| risks facingthecharitY | Para1.46 |
| tructure,Governance | and Man | agement |
|---|---|---|
| Description of charitY'strusts: | ||
| Typeofgoverningdocument | Para1.25 | Constitution,amended21ol |
| How isthecharitY | Para1.25 | Charitable unincorporatedassociation |
| constituted? | ||
| Trustee selectionmethods | Paru1.25 | Trusteesareelectedorre-electedatthe AGM |
| includingdetails ofanY | by members andtrustees. | |
| constitutionalProvisionse.g' | ||
| electiontopostorname of | ||
| anypersonorbodYentitledto | ||
| appoint oneormore trustees |
| oumay choosetoincludefur dditional information(optio n e[u ll |
thers!9!el"ne4 nal) |
9whererelevanlg!99L |
|---|---|---|
| Atrustee handbookis providedfornew | ||
| Policiesandprocedures adopted fortheinduction andtrainingoftrustees |
Para1.51 | trustees. Thoseconsideringtrusteeshipare invitedtoattendcommitteemeetings to familiarisethemselveswithproceedings andManagersreports andaccountsare |
| shared. | ||
| The charity'sorganisational | ||
| structureandanYwider | ||
| network withwhichthe | Para1.51 | |
| charityworks | ||
| RelationshiPwithanY relatedparties |
Para1.51 | The charityisaffiliatedwith theDown's SyndromeAssociationandis a member oiganisationofNorth HertsCouncilfor VoluntaryServicesandHitchin Youth Action GrouP.Weworkwithother |
| organisationsinHertfordshire suchas HJrtsParentCarer lnvolvement andCarers |
||
| in Herts as aoorooriate. | ||
| Other |
| Namesand | addresses of adv | isers(Optiona!information) |
|---|---|---|
| Typeof | Name | |
| adviser | ||
| General | JulieEvens | AcaciaHouse,ChilternRoad,Hitchin,Hertfordshire |
| and | ||
| Personnel | ||
| rs (OPtionalinformation) |
Up on Downs accounts 2020/21
| Up on Downs accounts | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020/21 | Bal b/f | Income | Costs | Bal c/f |
| Speech Therapy | - | 5,063.00 | -7,953.38 | -2,890.38 |
| Grants, Donations & Other | ||||
| Expenditure | 39,447.00 | 29,068.08 | -25,964.85 | 42,550.23 |
| Total as at 31st August 2021 | 39,447.00 | 34,131.08 | -33,918.23 | 39,659.85 |
| Up on Downs accounts | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019/20 | Bal b/f | Income | Costs | Bal c/f |
| Speech Therapy | - | 2,824.00 | -4,517.80 | -1,693.80 |
| Grants, Donations & Other | ||||
| Expenditure | 39,450.72 | 20,428.83 | -18,738.75 | 41,140.80 |
| Total as at 31st August 2020 | 39,450.72 | 23,252.83 | -23,256.55 | 39,447.00 |
| Up on Downs accounts | ||||
| 2018/19 | Bal b/f | Income | Costs | Bal c/f |
| Speech Therapy | - | 6,027.00 | -6,590.20 | -563.20 |
| Grants, Donations & Other | ||||
| Expenditure | 27,391.58 | 26,494.17 | -13,871.83 | 40,013.92 |
| Total as at 31st August 2019 | **27,391.58 ** | 32,521.17 | **-20,462.03 ** | 39,450.72 |
| Up on Downs accounts | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017/18 | Bal b/f | Income | Costs | Bal c/f |
| Speech Therapy | - | 6,072.00 | -8,650.80 | -2,578.80 |
| Grants, Donations & Other | ||||
| Expenditure | 3,844.92 | 38,706.21 | -12,580.75 | 29,970.38 |
| Total as at 31st August 2018 | 3,844.92 | 44,778.21 | -21,231.55 | **27,391.58 ** |
| Up on Downs accounts | ||||
| 2016/17 | Bal b/f | Income | Costs | Bal c/f |
| Speech Therapy | - | 6,374.00 | -13,019.74 | -6,645.74 |
| Grants, Donations & Other | ||||
| Expenditure | 13,637.71 | 11,010.67 | -14,157.72 | 10,490.66 |
| Total as at 31st August 2017 | 13,637.71 | **17,384.67 ** | **-27,177.46 ** | **3,844.92 ** |
Balance carried forward has remained steady, increasing slightly by £212.85 to £39,659.85. Although the balance remains steady it can be seen that both income and outgoings have increased from last year which reflects our return to more normal activities following the end of lockdown. Fundraising activity remains somewhat muted but we have been able to secure several significant donations and a significant grant from Hertfordshire Community Foundation / Hertfordshire County
Council directly related to our work undertaken in light of the Covid 19 situation. This was used primarily to update IT equipment throughout the charity.
VirginMoneyGiving, the main fundraising and gift aid collection platform that we have used for over five years, is to close on the 30[th] November this year. Alternative platforms are currently being evaluated and care must be taken that we do not lose potential donations during the period of transition.
Notwithstanding this favourable financial situation the charity continues to actively explore future fundraising opportunities and be mindful of available grants. Committee retains the mechanism to focus on fundraising should the balance fall below £14,000 (approximately 1.5 term’s staff wages plus speech therapy costs and programme funding to carry the charity forwards for six months) and a further trigger at £9,000 to start to wind up the charity should no further funding be in the pipeline.
Grants, donations and funds raised totalled £34,131.08 including significant revenues as follows:
| Hertfordshire Community Foundation/Hertfordshire County Council Grant |
£8,000.00 |
|---|---|
| Storefresh / NFT Charity of the year donation | £5,179.55 |
| Persimmon Homes Donation | £5,000.00 |
| MBDA Donation / Fundraisers | £1,835.81 |
| J Walker donation in memory of Emily Stockley | £1,047.75 |
| St Albans Cathedral Congregational Giving Donation | £900.00 |
| Blue Stevenson fundraiser | £725.00 |
| Christmas card sales1 | £717.10 |
| Bernards Heath Junior School Y6 Enterprise day Donation | £534.14 |
| K Lardner fundraiser in memory of Emily Stockley | £524.58 |
| Provincial Grand Chapter of Hertfordshire (Freemasons) Donation | £500.00 |
Speech and language costs totalled £7,953.38, an increase of £3,435.58 on 2019/20. This increase is due to the scheme resuming its full programme of meetings following lockdown and the planned reinstatement of the supervisory speech and language therapist (which represented a cost of £945.00).
Other costs amounted to £25,964.85, an increase of £7,226.10 on last year. This increase in spending is largely due to the complete refresh of laptops and technical equipment for staff for which the HCF/HCC grant was used. There was also an increase in spend on our external provider for teen zoom meetings of £2,310 compared to 2019/20; this reflects the additional amount of online provision provided through lockdown which has been scaled down going forward. These increases were offset by our being unable to offer a member summer outing, owing to Covid.
Outgoings totalled £33,918.23 including this list of the most significant costs to the charity:
| utgoings totalled £33,918.23 including this list of the o the charity: |
most significant costs |
|---|---|
| Salaries | £15,113.27 |
| New Laptops for staff and co-workers | £4,043.95 |
| Trainor / facilitator for teen zoom meetings | £3,315.00 |
| Cost of providing the SLT programme | £2,890.38 |
| Printers and other technical equipment for staff | £630.16 |
|---|---|
| Stationery (inc printer ink)3 | £539.51 |
| Postage2 | £339.56 |
| SPOT Drama zoom entertainer | £200.00 |
| Christmas Zoom party (including presents) | £98.68 |
| Cost of Family meetings (including craft supplies) | £65.21 |
| Easter Zoom party | £64.79 |
| Halloween Zoom party | £27.00 |
Notes:
1 The Christmas cards sales figure does not take account the cost of producing the cards. This cost is recorded within the accounts and a significant number of cards were donated to us.
2 The postage costs include £99.32 of pre-purchased stamps for future use and the cost of posting Christmas gifts / Easter party packs in lieu of face to face events this year.
3 The stationery cost includes supplies for the forthcoming year purchased from a time limited grant.
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examinerfs Report Report to th• trusto•91 members of Up Downs (Hertf¢xdshire) On accounts for the year Charfty Tho (If any) 31rtAugust 2021 1128111 Set out on pa9e8 I report to the trustee8 on my examination of the accounts of the above ctAnty ftho Trusf) yew ended 3111 AUgt 2021. RMponslblllO•s and As the charity trustees of the TrusL you are resp31b10 for the preparation basls of report of the accounts in acc(xdance wth requir&nents of the charrt A 2011 fth8W. I report in res of my ex8minatDon of ts Tru8fs acCntS carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed th8 applicable Drecti"ons glven by the Charity Commission under sethon 145(5)(b) of the Ad. Indopondent I have completed my examlnatK)n. I confwm that no material matters have examiner's Statement come to my attention (dher than that dlsdosed below ") in connection with exarninab.on gNes me cause to bekn ttwt in. any material aCCnting rec(Kth were n( kept n acClanCe section 130 of the Act the accounts do not aCcd with the accountirKJ recc*d8 with the examinatK>n to which attention stx)uld be dravm in order to enable proper understanding of the aCcots to be read)ed. ' Ple8se delete the words in the brackets rf they do not appty. Slgn•d: 08th November 2021 Nam•: Flona Walk Relevant prof•ssk>nal qualification(s) or body (rf any): Addr•ss: 4 Skys Wood Road St Albans Herts. AL4 9NZ IER October 2018
Section B Disclosure Only ccKnplete rf the examiner needs to hhlIght matters of concem (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brfef detalls of any items that tho examiner wishes to disclose, IER October 2018