Charity iegistration number 1137068 IEngland and Wales) Cornpany reg15tratlon number 07260299 AUTISM VENTURES ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
AUTISM VENTURES LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Trusto0s Mr N Grogan Mr A Grainger Mrs E V Slater Mr M P N%ish 5ocrgtary Mr A Giainggr Charlty numbor (England and Wal•sl 1137068 Company number 07260299 Reglstered ofllce Softon Hous8 Bridlè Road Peterslield House Boolle L30 4XR Audltor DSG Audit Castle Chambers 43 Castlé Strèet Liverpool L2 9TL
AUTISM VENTURES CONTENTS Page Trustees report Statemènt or Irusl8gs responslblllllas Indèpandent 8udllor's report Statement ol financial activities Ba18nce sheol 1Q Ststemenl of cash flows Not8s lo thè financial stat•m8nls
AUTISM VENTURES TRUSTEES REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Th8 Irust88s pr8sent Ih8ir annual report and financial statements lor Iha y8ar end8d 31 March 2025. The fin8nei81 ststemeni$ have been prepared in 8c¢ord8n¢e with the 8¢¢0unb"ng poli¢ies set out in note I to the fin8nci81 slatetnenls and cotnply wilh the charity's Metnorandum and Articles ol Associalion, the Companies Act 2006, the Charilias nd Trustee Investment Iscotlandl Act 2005, the Chaiilies Accounts (Scotlandi Regulations 2006 la5 arnendedl and Accounting and Reporting by Ch3ritSes'. Staternenl ol R8comrnended Pracuce appllcable lo charllles preparlng their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Slandard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 102118ffective 1 .IAniJAry 2n191'. Oblo¢tlv•$ and a¢tlvlOè$ The Gharity'5 purpose a5 set out in the objeGts Gonlained in the cornpany s mefflorandum ol a550cialion are.. To promote the rgliel. personal development and education ol children and peDple with an autistic spg¢trurll condition. Without prejudice to the generalily of the foregoing, the relief of unemployrnent in such ways as may be thought lit, including gssistance lo find ornployment The charity aims are: To ¢nwurage personal ¢Jevelopmenl, communicaiion skSlls, Self esieern and conll¢en¢e amon9$1 people wllh Auiisrn SpeGlrutn Condition8 thereby in¢rg8sing their employabilily, To ald transltions of Indivlduals who hav8 tak8n in th8 charlly's work activlllgs io help Ihgm acc9$5 fjducalion, work training 3rKI ernploymenl opportunilies Should they wish lo do 80. To gn$urg Ihal the pgoplg wg support gre fully included in their cornmunily Ihrou9h partnership working. Publlc b•n•flt The trust&&s have ref&rrod lo the guidgnce ¢ontglned in tho Charlty Commission's g¢norydl ouidon¢o on public b&nefit whèn raviewing the charity's aims and objectives and in planning ils future activities. The charity alms lo work in partnoiship wlth all pcople we support, helping thern to develop successful 8ncJ Independgnt communication skills, &cording lo individual str8nglhs. noods and prelerencos, witrin a lolal communication environment. Autism Ventures Offers a leaming opportunity to each person, addressing the areas ol communication, social interaction and flexibility of thought, which has regard for their personal gtsals.11 is the overall objective lo m8ke pèople leel good about thems¥lvas and raise thoir sell trstsem. This enables each individual 10 onjoy mor8 succasses al a level achiavable lor thern and so take greater pleasure in lif6. How our a¢livities deliver public benefit Th8 charllab18 acllvltlès locus on m88ting th8 n88ds of peopl8 with Autlsm Sp8clrum Conditlons and ar8 und8rtak8n to furth8r th8 charitabl¥ purpos*s ol publlc ben•fit. Autism 15 found in people of all ages, religions, countries and societies. Equal access lo its services is an important IS5U8 for us. Autism Ventures has an equal opportunity Policy and diversity slalemenl, which ensures that the charity has a cultura, which is reinfOrd via It5 robust tryining program, which ensLJres equality of acce55 to the services by gender, disability and sexual orientation. We believe equal access IL> the sorvic8s is vital to our success, and that successful outcorntrs must be shared by all communitltrs that ustt the stsrvlces.
AUTISM VENTURES TRUSTEES REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) {CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Achlevgments and perfomiance A¢hlovwnonts There has en a largÉ increase in numbers of referrals and in people we support this year 29. up from 21 last year. The nurnber of schools usiru our services also continues lo increase and is now standing at 9, up one from last year Ten young people attended our fully funded pilot summer placement pro9ramme Irom which feedback was very positive. This vias proviQed as we have 168rned thai many lamilies and young autistic people noeo specialist aeiivities during school holidays. We value th8 contribulion autistlc P80pl& mak• in our workplace and whllst promoting this to othérs Vle also employ aulistlc people within our team Each eiiterpi"i5e witliin Aut15ni VeiiturE5 15 iiow regulated through tlTrp SEftoii quality as5uranGe franiework for Alemative Provision, enobling us lo provide eddition81 assurances to schools in relalion lo our high siandards of pr8¢1ice. reporting and r8cording. P•rforman¢é that D*mon$trato our Spgclall$m Supported work placements within SocAal Enterpri58 are d8signed to cornplemenl a young person'5 education. often enablng or supporting the young person lo gain transl¢rable skillg and strategies lo help themselves. The work pla[nent will provide opportunities lo rneel the young person's needs and specific targets relating to the differences associated with their autism. The wotl( placement ¢8n wovide the opportunity tr) support a young person's wellbeing. 8UPPOrting gngagem9nl in a new environmgnl, doing new things wilh new people, and promoting a sgnse of achievement. The 91115 and Out19$ lor young people Includg.. A positive impaGI on altendanGe, Increased confidence and self esteem,, A sense of purpo89. The recognition of a job well done, increase in sell-belief and ability lo achieve.. Supporiin9 enga9ernent by learning oulside the dassroom in a real world working environment.. and Su¢¢trs$lully worklng alongslde olhgrs, creallng Gvnnocllons with olhgr yourng p9ople and wllh adulis In Ihg gnvironment. Flnanclal revlew Incomè was £671.21612024.. £793,711> for tho y8ar which included a donats'on of £129,24412024.. £115.0261 from Autism Initiatives IUKI and E53,30112024". £37,315) from Autism Initiatives Group. Rtrsourcos &xpended wertr £871,21612024'. £793.7111 lor the year. For the year ended 31 March 2025 Autism Ventures has reported a surplus of £nil12024' £nill. Principal sodrea ol lunding Th¥ principal source ol funding for the charity, aside from trading profits is granl and donalion income, details ol which can ba round the notes to the account5. Résèrvès pollcy 11 is the policy ol the charity that unrestricted lunds, excluding fixed assets, which have not been designaled for a specific use should be mainlained at a level ewivalent lo between two and three months ol expenditure. This is ID allow the ¢horily to b& m8n8ged efficitrntly. a1 provide 8 buffer for uninterrupted 8ervi¢as.
AUTISM VENTURES TRUSTEES REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) {CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Al 31 March 2025 , th@r8 15 a 5urplu5 on general free r85erves of £55,622 12024.. £51,972). The tru5t8es ar8 aware ol Ihe CUeTrt level of free rerVeS and exp1 it to incre85e lo the required level in future years. The trustee5 are of the opinion that th8 lev81 of tree r&s8rves does not impact on Ihe Charity's ability to meet its day-104ay activities du? io thg ¢onlinuin9 supp)ri of the parent Charity. Autism Inilialiv85 Group and fellow group charily Autism Inib'aliv8s IUKI. Rlsk pollcy The trustee5 have assessed the rnajor risks to which the tharity 15 exposed, arKI are satisfied that Systems are in place to rnltigal8 exposure to lh8 major rSsks. Plans for fvture perlods Th8 summer plac8menl schème laS vary successlul la y8ar and w8 ar8 maklng plans to d8v8lop grow this for n8Xt year. We are funeraising to improve and upgrade facilities on Ihe We Grow outdDDr sile lo increase capacily and provide greater oprx)rtLJnilies lo young aulislic pe)le, Alongside Ihis we have introduced new lechonologi on sile with online c8rcl payment and lill sy818ms. planning tools lor planting and harvesting and customer botskn'ng lo improve 8ffi¢iency and lo provide rnore up to date s%ork experience5. Slruclure, govemance and management Goveming document Auli#m Ventures is a cornpany limited by guarantee and is governed by ils Memorandum and Artides ol Associatr'on incorporated 20th May 2010. Auti¢m Ventures is regislered with the Charities Cornmission, number 1137068 and with the office of the Scollish Charity Regislr8r, number SC043186. Th8 Iru61ees, who are also the directors lor the purpose of company law, and ho setved during the y8ar and up lo the date ef $ignatLJre ol the financial statèments were.. Ir N Grogan Mr A Grainger Irs E V Slalr IrMPNo8h Membership Autism Inilialives Group ig the sole member until such lirne as the subscriber appoinlg other members. goes into liquidation or is subject lo receivership. Truslee body There are ¢urrenUy fouf trustees Iwho ar6 also the dlroctors ol tha wmpany for the Purpo of ¢on)pany lawl who ovors88 Ihp Ac.tivili98 nf tha pharity Tru%lpft8 givg Ihf)ir lirng v()luntarily an(1 rgrTr.ivp nn .nlit% Irnn tht> rharily. Trust888 work within the Code of conduct and good pra¢li¢e as set oul by the Charilies CDmmission. Executive rnan8gemenl Tho Chi8f Exècutivè ol Autism Initiativès Group has glotxql rèsponsibility for all group opèrations, including Iha implomntslK>n of the poliGy and 8lralegiG direGlion ol the organi3alon. The Chief EKeGUtive is-.he interfaGe between the governqnce and management fvnctions ol the orglsaI10n. The Chief Executs've has an executive rnanagernent team with all directors having specific responsibilities in their own area that they form the executive group advising on the corporate and strategic direction of the organisaticn, reporiing directly lo the Chigf Exg¢utiv8.
AUTISM VENTURES TRUSTEES REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) {CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Organisational slructur8 Tha par8nt charity, Aulism Initialivas Group wovides 8 team of ox¢*yJtlVO 51aff lo m¥nago Ihe d8y-Io-day operations of Aulism Ventur8s and to r8port lo the Board ol Trustee5. Risk man&Ment Th8 Irusleos havtr 8 risk management strategy that MpriseS of.. A yearly review of the risks thBI the charily may face. A system of establishing th& high risk factors and a proc8dure to mitigate the risk. Thg implem8nlalion of proceLYurg9 d88ign6d to minimise any potential impact on th& charity Should tho88 rigks Materialise. This work is ongoing and th8 particular forfflulalion of the iisks identified through the procedure allow lor Ihg contingency plans to be drawn up through the identified risk procedure, the main Iocuses being Gorporate risk. The charity also has a rotjust rlsk mano9ement pro¢eL1ure that looks at the dlreci rlsks 18ced by Ihe IndlvlrJLJals ihat are supported dlrethiy Oy Ihe charity. Audllor DSG rèsigned as auditor on 11 September 2024 due ¢0 an Inlemal reorganlsalon. On the same day, DSG Audit Llmil8d was appointed to conb'nue the audit engagement without interruption. This change rèllecls 8 leg81 restructuring ol the audit Irm and dogs noi affgd ¢hg scopp or ronllnully ofthe audlt engaggtngnL Dl$¢lo$ur• of Inform8tlon io 8udltor Each Of thè trusi88s has conflrm8d that thérè Is no Informatlon of whlch they ala awar8 vjhlch Is r818vant to thé audlt, but of whiGh the audiltrr Is unawaie. They héve further confirmed Ihal they have taken approprSaie steps io hJenlKy su¢h relev8nl infoimalion and lo gstablish that Ihg auditor is awarg of such inlortnalion. Small company provlslong This r8POrt has been prepared in accordanc8 Wlth the SP8cial provisions r813tiro to small cornpanies o4ithin Part 15 of tho Companies Act 2006. Th8 IrustÈ&s report was approved by the Board ol Trusttes. Ir N Grogan Trustee Mr A Grainger Trustee 8 August 2025
AUTISM VENTURES STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Th8 Irust88s, who are also th8 directors ol Autistn Ventures for th8 purpose of company law. are r85pon5ible for preparing the TrLJStees Report and financial slalement5 in accordance with appli¢8ble law and United Kingdom Acwunting St8ndards ILJnited Kingdom G8narally A¢Pl0d A¢cguntin9 Praclicel. Company law requires the trustees lo prepare linancial statements lor each financial year which give a true and lair view ol the slate of affairs ol the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, ol the charitable oompany for that year. In pi8paring these financial statetn8nts. the trustees are 18quir8d lo select suitable accounting policies and then apply them con51Stently,' observe the rnelhods and principles in the Charities SORP.. make judg8rn11Iils and asliiTialds that are r&asoiiablv and prudent.. state whether applleable UK Accounting Standards havè b88n followéd. subl•ct to any rnat8rial d•partur•s dlsclosed and ¢xplained in the financial stalomonts., and prepare th8 financial 51at8tn8n15 on the going concern basi$ unlèss 11 is inappropdata lo presum8 Ihal Ihe charlly will Continue in operation. The trusleèg ar8 responsible for keeplng adequate accountlng rÈ¢ord$ that dis¢lose wilh rèasonablè 8¢cura¢y 81 any me the finaneial pts$ilion ol tha charity and enable them to ensurè that thè financial slatani8nts eomply with tho Compani8$ Ael 2006. Th8y are also responsibl8 for sa18 Juardlng th& assets ol th8 charlty and henctr for taklng r8asonabl8 steps tor th8 pr8v8ntion and dele¢tion of fraud and other irr&gul8rlties.
AUTISM VENTURES INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS AND TRUSTEES OF AUTISM VENTURES Oplnlon Wts h8V& 8udited the finan¢ial stslamènls ol Autism Vtsniures Ilhe 'chartty'l for the yaar ended 31 Maieh 2025 which comprise the statement of financial actwities, th8 balancg sh8&t, th8 Stat8meNt of cash flows and the not88 to th8 financial slatem8nt8, including 8 summary ol Signifint a¢¢ounling policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their prgpar81ion is applicabb18w and Uniled Kingdom Accounting Siandardg. including Financial Reporting Slandaid 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in tha UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Pradi¢el. In our opinion, the financial staternenls.. give a true and lair view ol the slate ol the charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of ils incoming r¢sour¢8s and application ol resour¢e$, including rts income and expènditure, for the year then endéd,. havé b88n property prèpar8d In accordanc8 wlth Unit8d Klngdom G8n8rally Acc8ptèd Accountlng Practlce.. and have been prepared in acc(rdance wrth the requirements of the copaNieS Act 2006. Basi8 for opinion We conducted our audrt in accordan wilh International Standards on Auditing IUKI IISAS IUKII and applicable law. Our r&8ponsibili1168 undor those Standards arts lurthar d8s¢rib$d in the Aiidilors 1&8ponsibilili&s forth& audil of the fin&n¢i&l stal&ments section ol our report. We are independent of the charity in accordanca with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our gudit of Ihe lin8nc481 Slgtempnls in the UK, including the FRC'S Ethic81 Slandaid. and we have f(Jllilled our other elhi¢al responsibilities in accordancg wilh these rgquiremenls. We bgli$ve that the audit eviden¢s wg hgve obtained 1$ sufficient arKI appropriate io provide a basi5 lor our opinion. Conclusions Telating to going roncern In audlllng th8 Ilnanelal slatam8nt$, we have eon¢luded that thè tru$lts86 use ol thé golng concem basls ol a¢eountlng In thè preparation ol Ihe linawial slal8m8nls is appropriate. Basèd on Ilw work n8va p8rforn. w4 h8vè not Idèntlflèd any m8lèrlal uncèrt8lntl8a rèlatlnu to èV8nls or eondltlong that, individually or collec'Vely. may cast significant doubl on the charity's ability lo continue as a going concern for a period of ai 108sI Iwelve months Ircm wh8n thè finan¢ial $tatementS 8ro 8ulherlsed lor Issua. Our responsibilities and the responsibililiÈs ol the trustees wilh respect lo going concern we de6crib&J in the relevant se¢lions DI this report. Othgr Infomiatlon Th8 other information comprls8s thè Infom)ation Includ8d in the annual rèport other than th8 financlal stal8m8nts and our auditor's report Ihereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual reporl. Our opinion on the financial slaternents does ml cov8r the oth8r information and. except lo the 6xlent otherwise ¥xplicitly 51aled in our report, wtr do not expreay any form ol asyiJrMn¢e conGILJsion th#r#on. Our re5ptsnsibillty is to rtrad the othtrr information and, in ning so. consider whether the other inforrnalion is materially inconslstenl wilh the financial statement5 or our knrjwledgp obtaingd in th• coursa of tha audil, or othèrwisa app$ars to bè materially misstat$d. If wè idèntify such material Incon515tencies or apparent malerial rni5Statements, we are required to deterine Nvhether thi5 gives rise to a matertal misstatement in the fin8nGial stalemenls themselves. If, based on tre work we have perforrned, we conclude that there is mat¥rial misstatttm¥nt of this othèr information, w¥ are rèquirdd to raport thal fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. Oplnlons on other mattgrs proscrSbed by tho Companl8s Act 2006 Iii our opinion, based on the work underiaken in the course of oui audit.. th8 Inlomalon Ven In the IrLJsl88s roport lor the Ilnand81 y88r for which the fln8ndal st81oments are prepared, whlch indudes the directors, report prepared for the purpK)ses ol company law, is consistent wlh the linanoal stslemenls., Iha dirèctors, rèport includad within the trust raport has praparèd in accordanc8 with applicablè lègal requirements.
AUTISM VENTURES INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE MEMBERS AND TRUSTEES OF AUTISM VENTURES Matters on whlch we are requSred to report by excepllon In ihe light ol tha knowbdge and understanding ol tho charity and ils environment obtained in the cour8e of the audit. w¥ hav8 not idenlffi8d mat8rial misstal8m8nts in the diractor8' r8POrt included within th8 tru8t8es r8port. We have nothing to report in respect of thè Idlowlng mattèrs in r8lalSon to which tha Companlgs Act 2006 rgquir•s us to r8port lo you rf, in our opinion.. adaquat& accounling records hava not baen k8pt, or rgturns adequate lor our audll have nol bg8n recèived from branches nol visit8d by u5.. or Ihe linanaal s18lernenls are not in agreement with the a¢counling records and returns., or certain disclosuies ol trustees, remuneration specrfied by18W 8re not made., or we have not received all the information and explanations we require forour audit., or the trustees were not 8nlilled lo prepare the financial slaternenls in accordance with the srnall companies regime and lakp. 2dv2ntxop. nl thp smxll r.nmDAnip.s' pxo.rnr)tinn8 in r)rp.parino Ihp triJslp.p.s rprI Anrl frnm thp. rp.fjiiirp.mpnl In prapare a slraleglc report. Re$ponslbllltlos of trusi•¢8 As expl¥in¢d morg fully in thg slatemgnl of Iru$l¢¢$ r¥swnsibililigs, the truste¥s, who org also Ihtr dir$clors ol the charity lor the purpose of comp8ny 13w, are r95PQll8ible for the preparation ol the financial 51alemenls and for beinA sakn'sfied that they give a true ond lair view, and for such inlerngl ¢ontrol as the trustees determine is no¢¢ssary lo enable Ihp prepargtion of finan¢ial slal?mgnls that ale Ireg fro rnalerial Misstate91, whether dug lo Iraud 01 error, In prgparing the financial stalernents, the trustee5 are re5pcnsible lor assessing the charity's ability lo continue a5 a going Goncem. clisclosing. a5 gpplicable, matters related lo going concern and using the going concern basis ol accounling unless the trustees either intend lo liquidat9 Ihtr charitable company or lo ¢ga$g c)pgr4tions, or havg no rg01islic allginalivg bul lo do $0. Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements Our objectives are lo obtain reasonable assurance about whether the ffi'nancial statements as a whole are free from material missl¢lemenl, whelh¢r due lo fraud or error, and lo issue an ou¢Jilorfs report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assuranwe is a high levgl ol QBBurance bul is not a guarantee Ih3t L4udil wnducted in L4ccordance with ISA5 IUKI will aayS detect material misslatemenl when il exists. Misstatements can arise trom fraud or error and are considered material il. individually or In the aggrogale, they could r9880nably be expected to Influgnce th& economlc de¢l8lon$ of usgrs18kan on the basls ol these financial slalemenls. The extent to which our procedures are capable ol detecting irregulgrities, in¢ludin9 fraud, is detoiled below.
AUTISM VENTURES INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE MEMBERS AND TRUSTEES OF AUTISM VENTURES Capabllly ol the audlt In detectlng IrregularltSes,Includlng fraud Based on our discussions with 1he charity's managemonl anti tho Trusleos. we idenlifi6d that th8 followng laws and r89ulations ar8 signffi&ant to th8 entity.. Those laws and regulations considered lo have a direct effect on the linanual slaternenls include UK linancial reporting standards and Charity Law. Those laws and regulations for which non-cotnpliance rvay be lundatnent81 lo the operating aspects of th8 charily and therefore may have a material effect on Ihe financial stalements include compliance with the charitable objectives, public btrn8fil, fundralslng regulallons. s8feguardlng and health and safely l$gSslallDn. These mallers were discussed amongst the en9a9emenl team al the planning stage and the team remained alert to non-¢ompllan¢e Ihroughout th$ OLhJll. Audit procedures undertaken in response to Ihe potential risks relating to irregularities Iwhich include fraud gnd non-compliance wilh18ws and r8oulalionsl comprisod ol.. inouiritss of rnan8gomenl 8nd th8 Truslegs 88 to whelhtrr Ihg anlily complies wrth such laws and regulations,. enquiries with the Sa concerning any aclual or polenkn'al litigation or claim5'. inspection ol relevant legal correspondence., review ol Trustee meeting minute5. tesling the aFproprialeness ol journal 6ntrias,' and Iha parformance ol 8n8lyli¢81 review to idtsnlify ungMpa¢led mtsvemtrnls in 8ccounl balances which may be indicatlV8 olfraud. No instances of mal8ri81 non-compliance w¥r& identified. Howovgr, lh¥ likelihcv)d of d8l&cling irrogularilias, including fraud, is limited by the inherent difficulty in deleGling irregulairties, the effeGliveness of Ihe enlity s controls, and the nature. lirning and exlenl of the 8udil prgcetJLJfp5 perforrned. Irreyularilie6 Ihgt result frorn fraud might be inherenlly rnore difficult lo delecl Ihgn irregularitie$ thai iesuli Ilom error As explained above. there 1$ unavoidatrJ8 risk that material mis8latemenls may not be elected. even though the audit has been planned and performed in accordance wth ISAS IUKI. further descriplion ol our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council's website al.. https'.Ilwww,Irc,org.ukJauditorsresponsibilili8s. This description forms part ol auditor's ieport. Us0 of our raport I Iiis r¥purt IS solgly to the charitable cornpany's members, as a body, in accordance wlh Chapter 3 01 Part 16 of the Companies Act 2(X)6. Our audit work has been underiaken so that we might state lo the charitable company's rnembers those mallers we are r&quirgd lo stale lo IheTr) In an auditor's roport and for no olh&r PLJrpose. To the ftJlle81 exlenl p&rmltted by law, we do not accept or assurne responsibility to anwna other than tho charitable cornpany and the chariiabltr company's members as a body, lor our audit work, for this report, or lor Ihe opinions we have fomied. J•an Ellls BA FCA CTA {S•nlor Statutory Audltorl For gnd on behalf ol DSG Audit, Statutory Auditor Chartored Accountants Casu8 Chawbeis 43 Cdbllv Str¥¥l Liverpool L2 9TL 8 August 2025
AUTISM VENTURES STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTtVlTIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Unr•stri¢tsd Restri¢t•d funds funds 2025 2025 Total Unro8tri¢tsd Re8tri¢l*d fund8 funds 2024 2024 Total 2025 2024 Notes Incom• from= Donations and legacies Chari18blè 8clivth$s 182.545 618.848 69,823 252,368 618,848 152,341 599,574 41,796 194.137 599,574 Total Incom 801.393 69,823 871,216 751,915 41,7 793,711 Expenditure on: Charitabl¢ ¥livI19$ 801,393 69,623 871,216 751,915 41.796 793,711 Total •xp•ndltur• 801.393 69,823 871,216 751,915 41,79fj 793,711 Net income and movemewrt in funds R¢¢on¢lllallon of funds., Fund balances at 1 April 2024 63,866 83,658 63,858 83.668 Fund balancos at 31 March 2025 63.656 63,656 63,656 63,658
AUTISM VENTURES BALANCE SHEET AS A T 31 AIARCH 2025 2025 2024 Notes Flx•d ass•ls Tangible as(5 8,034 11.684 Currènt assèts Sto¢ks Debtors Cash al bank and in hand 22,372 78,498 143,779 11 115,219 75,865 208,109 244.649 Creditors: amounts tslling due within one yèar 12 1152.4871 1192,6771 Nel current a55etS 55,622 51,972 Total assets legs current Ilabllltle 63,656 63,656 In¢ome funds Unreslri¢ted lunds 63,656 63,656 63.656 83.658 Th85e financial slalernenls have baen prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the smo11 oornponies regirre. The financial statements were approved by the Tru51ee5 on 8 August 2025 Ir N Giogan Tru$t•• Mr A Grainggr Tru$ie• Company r•gl8tratlon numb•r 07260299 10-
AUTISM VENTURES STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 2025 2024 Notss Cash flows from operatlng actlvltl•s Cash (absod byyg8n8raled from operation 19 167,9141 79,115 Inve8tlng aetSvltles Purchase ol tangible fixed as891 15.5821 N¢t cash u¥&d in inv•$ting a¢tiviti 15,5821 Net Gash generated flnanGlng aGtlvltlES Not Idg¢rgo$•llln¢r••$fj In ¢a$h and ¢a$h 9qulvalgnt$ 167.9141 73,533 Cash and Gash equival?iils at beginniiig of year 143,779 70,246 ash and cash •qulval8nls at •nd of y••r 75,865 143.779 11
AUTISM VENTURES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Ac¢ountSng pollcle8 Ch8rity infowmation Autism Ventures is a prlvat8 company limlled by guarant88 Ircorporated in England and Walos. The r8gisl•rèd offic• 15 Sefton House, 8iidle Road, P&tersfi8ld House, Bootlé. L30 4XR. Thè prlncipal aclivltses ol th8 charity ar8 dlsclosed in the Tru51ee5' report. 1.1 A¢¢ountlng convontlon The financial stalements have been prepared in accordance ivith the tharity'5 Mernordndurn and ArtirJe5 of Association, the Companies Act 2006. the CharitlC5 and Trustee Investrnenl Iscotlandl Act 2005, the Charilies Accounis (Scotlandl Regulations 2006 las amended) and Accountii)g and R8porting t)y Charibes.. Slaternenl ol Recommended PractlLe applicable to charllies preparin9 their acetsunts in accordance wlth the Flnancial Rèporting Standard appllcabl8 in tha UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 leffeclkve 1 January 20191" The eharily Is a Publ1¢ Bèn&fil EntY as delln8d by FRS 102. Th8 Ilnancial sla16ments aro preparod In 51•rllng, whlch15 tho lunctlonal currency ol th8 charlty. Mon8lary amounts Sn th8sa financlal stAl8m8ntS 8 round8d to thè naar8St £. The cOUnt$ have been prep8red under the histUi¢81 cosl conventlDn. The prin¢ip81 accounting policies adopted are sel oul below. 1.2 Golng ¢on¢¢m Al the Iirne of approving the financial slalernenls, the Iruslees have a r8?sonab18 expeclats'on that the Ghaiity has adequate resources to continLJe In operational existence tor the toreseeable lulure. The trustees cxjnsider that It Is appropriate lo pr8par8 the COunt$ on 8 going wc&rn basis as Ihg ¢h8rily will be abl8 lo meet ils liabiliti85 as Ihgy fall due, due lo the continuing suppori ol the Au1151n Initiatives Group. Thus the truslees continue lo adopt the going concem basis ol accounting in prepgrin9 ihe linanGio1 stalements. 1.3 Charltable fund¥ Unr851ricled funds are avallable for use at the discretion ol the Irusletrs In furthor8nca of Ihelr charitable oblecllveg. R8$lrl¢tod funds are subled to 8pe¢rfle ¢ondillons by donors Qr grantors as to how they may be us•d. The purptssa8 and uyeg ol th& rastricted funds 8re sel out in th8 nolas lo th8 lin8na81 s18t8rnenls. 1.4 Incornlng resources All incoming resources ar8 Induded in the SOFA when th8 charity Is legally e&ntitled to the income and the amount can be quanlilitsd with reasonable ae¢uraey. Thè spèclfic polleis used as follows.. Dona'onS are included when th8 monies have been receiv8d. Donations received for the general purpose ol the charity are inclu(kd in unrestri¢led funes. Donations which have been reTrived for spe¢ific projects are includ8d in rèstrictad Incom8. Grents or& treated as restricted funds il they ore for specific purposes. Al 9rants arè Induded when the ¢hgrity is enlitlad lo th& moryes. No arnr)unls ore induded in the financial statements for servi¢es donated by VDlunleers. 12-
AUTISM VENTURES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 A¢¢ounting policies Icontinutdl 1.5 Resources expethdod Expenditure Is recognised On there is a legal orconstructive obligation to transfereconomic benefit to a third paty, it is probablo that a tr8nsf¥r ol oconomic bongfits will bo roquired in setugmgnl, and Ihe amount of the obligation can b$ measured reliably. Exppndilur9 is classiligd by activity. The costs of each a¢tivity arg rnad9 up of thg tol31 ol dir9Ct ¢osts and shared costs. inGluding 5uppart costs invalved in undertaking each activity. Oirect costs attributat>le to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which conlribule lo more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a singlg activity ar& apportioned belwe8n thos8 acliviti8s on a basis consistent wilh the use of sources. Central staff c0513 are allocated on the basi5 01 time 5penl. and depreciation char9ey are allocated on the portion Df the assot's use, All expèndlture Is ac¢oLJntèd for on an accruals basls and has bèèn classllltrd under haadlngs that aggregat8 all co$ls rel¥led to th81 category. Restricted oxpendllure is sèl ¥galn6t reslricled Sncome. Thè sp8clfle bas8s usèd are as follows. Charitabl• expendlturè comprlsès dirèct 8xp8ndlture In th8 furthérance of th• charity's obl8cllvas. Govemance cos15 Inlude thosé incurred Sn thè governancè ol11s 8886ts and arè 8$80ebled with con8tSlutlon81 and stalulory requirements. 1.6 Tangible lixed assets Tangiblo fixed assets are inrtially meosured al ¢osl ond subsequenuy meosvred al wst or v8lualion, nel ol dgpwi8lion and any itnpairrnenl losyes, D8pr&ciation Is reeognls8d so as lo wrila off the cost or valLJallon ol assèts less thèir r8sldual values over thelr usalul lives on the following bases.. Leasehold irnprovèmenls Fixluros. fittings & equipmonl Motor vehicles Ov•r the lrfè of Ihe laase 33•h reduung balance Thè 99in or loss arlsino on the dlsposal of an ass 1$ determined as Ihe diffe¢8 belween the sale pro¢8eds and thè carrying value ol the assèt. and is reco9nSsed In the s18lem8nt of financial ath'vilies. Freehold land is not depreciated. 1.7 Impalrment ol fix•d assets Al e8eh reptsrtlng end dale. the charity reviews the carrylng amounls of Its langible asselg lo dolermlne whether there is any indication Ihal those assets have suffered an irnpairmenl loss.11 any such indication exisls. tre recoverable amounl of the a&8et is estimaled in order ID delemiine the extenl ol the impaim)ent Ioss lif anyj. 1.8 Sto¢k$ Stocks are slated at the lower of cost and e5tirnated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cosl comprises direct matèrials and, wh8r8 applir2ble, diract labour cosls and thos8 ov8rh8ads that hav* boen incurr8d in bringing Ihg slocks lo their present localK)n and condition. Items held for dislribukn'on at no or nominal consideration are rneasured Ihe lo'Ner ol replacement C05t and cost. Net realis8ble value is the estimated selling price less all estimated Costs ol ¢onplÈtion and costs lo be incurred in markets'ng, selling and distribulion. 13-
AUTISM VENTURES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 A¢¢ounting policies Icontinutdl 1.9 et$h and tsh oquivalontj Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand. deposits hdd at call wilh banks. other short-term liquid investments with original maluritios of three months or1os$, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown wlhin bc>rrowings in urrenl liabilities. 1.10 Flnanclal Instruments The charity has elected lo apply the provi5ion5 of Section 11 'Basic Financial Instrurnents, and Section 12'0ther Financial Instrurnenls Issues, of FRS 102 10 811 of its financial instrument5, Flnanclal Instruments are recognised In thè chadl> s balance sheet when the charfts. becomes party to the contractual provislons ol the instrument Finan¢181 assets and liabillties are offset, with thè net 8moLJnts presented in the fin8nclal statements, when there 1$ 8 legally enforceabl8 rlght to set off recognlsed amounts and there15 an intention lo settle on a n8t basis or lo realis8 th8 ass81 and $81118 the Ilablity slmullan80usIy. BasSc flnanclal a$sg1$, whl¢h Include deblors ond ¢a$h and bonk balancos. aro inltl$lly mogsurgd al Iransa¢llon prl¢e induding Iransaclion cos15 are subsequently carrigd al aTnorts'sed wst using the effective inleresl rnelhod unless the arrangement constitutes 8 financing transaction, where the transaction is rneasured at the present value of the future rè¢91pts dlKounlgd 01 a markol ratg of in¢¥r?sl. Fln8nck41 $s8&18 ¢la$Se a$ rgcelvablo wthln ong year org nol aMOrti. DerQgl11on of financial assets Financlal assals are derecognised only when the ¢onlr8¢1u81 ri9hts lo the ¢a6h flows from th8 asset expire or are sellled. or when Ihe charity Iranslers th8 financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity. or il some significant risks and rewards ol ownership are retained bui control ol Ihe asset has Ir8n5f8rr8d lo another party that Is able to sell the a5881 in Ils entlrely to an unrelated Ihlrd party. 8asl¢ fln4n¢lal Ilabllllles Basi¢ ffi'nancial ligbilities, including oredilors and bank108ns are initially recognised 01 transaction price unless Ihe arranggtnenl ¢onslilulgs a financing Iransaclion, N%herg the dgbl instrumgnl is measured ai Ihg present value ol Ihg future payments discounted at a market rate ol interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amorti$ed. Debt instruments are subsequently carried al arnortised cost, using the effective interest rale method. Trade creditors are obligations lo pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course ol operations from supplier5. Amounts payable are ckissilied as current liabilities il payment is due within Dne year or l&ss. 11 not, they ar8 presen19d as non-¢urr8nl liabilitigs. Tr8do crodilors are re¢ognised initially at transacbon price and subsequently rneasured at amort15ed cost using tr18 effective interest rnelhod. Dwé¢ognlilon of flnanclal Ilabllltlos Financial liabililies are derecognised when the charity's contractual obligation5 expire or are discharged or cancelled. 1.11 Employ•• beneflts The CDSI of any unusod holiday enlillgmenl 1$ recognisod in Ihg poriod in which the gmployee's 8grvicgs are rec8ivgd. Teminalion benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when Ihe ¢harity is demonstrably committed to lertninale the etnploymenl of 8n employee or io provide leitninalion b8nelils. 14-
AUTISM VENTURES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 A¢¢ounting policies Icontinutdl 1.12 Retir•mènt bènèfits Paymenls lo delMed contr1ttIOn retirement benefit schemes are charged as gn expense as they fall due. 1.13 Loa5•S Ryi)1¥18 payable undui vperdlirig l&as8s, ii)Lludiiig ariy l¥os¥ iiic¥T)tive¥ itrb4Jived, ai¥ ul)arged an &xp¥iise vii a strdight line basis over the lerrn of the relevant leas&. crftlcal accountlng 95tlmatg$ and ludg•rn•nts In the applicatr'on of th¢ Charity's accounting polirAes, the trust¢¢s are r¢quir¢d to m8k¢ jvdg¢tYEnls, eslimgtes and assumptions ab¢ul the c8rr51ing amount of ass61$ and liabilitiés tha1 are not readily 8ppar6nl from other sourcas. Th8 eslimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experien and other laclors that are Considered to be relevant. Aclu81 resulls may differ from these eslimales. Th8 estimat8B and und8rlying assumptions ar8 revi8w8d on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accountin9 aslimat8s ar8 recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revisk)n affects only Ihat peri, or in the period ol th8 revision and future perIS where lh8 revision aff8Cts both current arvj future periods. Income from donatlong and legacle• Unrg$trl¢tgd Rg$trlctod fund8 funds 2025 2025 Total Unre$trl¢tgd Restrloted lund¥ fund8 2024 2024 Total 2025 2024 Donations and gThs Gran15 182,545 3,056 66,767 185,601 66,767 152,341 1,246 40,550 153.$87 40,550 182.545 69,823 252,368 152,341 41,796 194,137 Donatlons and glfts Autism Iniliatives IUKI Autism Initiatives Group Oth8r 129,244 53.301 129,244 53,301 3,056 115,026 37.315 115,026 37.315 1.246 3,056 1.246 182.545 3,056 185,601 1 $2,341 1,246 153.587 Grants Charitable trusl incorng 66,767 66,767 40,550 40,550 66,767 66.767 40,550 40,550 15-
AUTISM VENTURES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Income from clwrltable actlvltles Totthl 2025 Totthl 2024 Sale of goods 618,848 599,574 Analysls by fund Unre51ricled funds 618,848 599,574 Expenditure on Charitable a¢tivitie# Total 202S Total 2024 Dlr•ct cobts Staff wsls Depreciation ana impairrnenl Purchases lor resale Insurance Repalrs and renewals Monagtrmgnl fe¥s 527,461 3,649 188,976 6,204 11,337 461,263 3.419 190.829 6.C69 16,659 1,095 13.883 10.407 8,015 10,876 1.405 3.479 5,887 52.768 1.689 s,8 16.469 11,592 8,99S 22,728 1,078 4.749 7,053 47,33S 2,216 11,374 Cleaning and rnainlenance Bank charges Local fundraising expendiluie Growlng business oxpendiluro Vehicle and transport costs Offlc8 costs Rent and rates L81 and Consultancy Miscellaneous costs 871,218 793,711 Analysls by fund Unreslricied funds Restrictad lunds 801.393 69,823 751,915 41,796 871.216 793.711 Tru$lg0$ None of the trustees (Dr any persons connected wth them) re¢eived any remuneration or reimbursed expènses in the year. 16-
AUTISM VENTURES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Employees The 8ver8ge mtsnthly number of employees during the yeer w8S'. 202S Numb•r 2024 Numbgr Adrninistralion Managers 10 Total 13 Employment Costs 20Z5 2024 Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension ¢osls 484,598 34,736 8,127 426.271 27,357 7,&35 527.461 461.263 There were no employee5 whose annual rernuner8llon was More than £60,000. R•mun•ratlon ol kay manag•m•nt p8rsonn•l The parent charily, Autism Iniliats'ves Group, provide the key anagement staff. Taxatlon The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 01 the Taxes Act 1988 or se¢tion 252 01 th8 Taxation of Charg&abl& Gains Acl 1992 to the ¥xl&nl th81 these are spplied lo 11$ charitable objtscls, 17-
AUTISM VENTURES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Tanglble flxed assets Lea6¢holdFlxtures, flttlngs Motorvehlcles Improvement & pqulpment Totol Cost At 1 April 2024 94,055 5,581 9.650 109,286 Al 31 March 2025 94,055 5,581 9,650 109,286 Depr•ciation and impairm?nt At 1 Ppril 2024 Deprecialitsn ¢h¥rged in th9 year 90,179 1,382 814 1,395 6.610 872 97.603 3.649 At 31 March 2025 91,561 2,209 7,482 101,252 Carrylng amount At 31 March 202S 2,494 3,372 2,168 Al 31 March 2024 3,876 4,768 3,040 11.684 10 Sto¢k$ 2025 2024 Flnlshèd goods and goods for rèsalè 17,025 22,372 11 D•btors 2025 2024 Amounts falling due within one year.. Trade debtors Amounts owed by18llow group undert*ings Other debtors Prep¥yments and 0rU¢d income 13,461 99,826 99 1,833 8.943 61,499 115,219 78,498 18-
AUTISM VENTURES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 12 Credllors.. amounts falllng due wlthSn one year 2025 2024 Other taxation 8nd social 8ecurily Deleried income Trade creditors Amount owed to paront und&rtaklng Amounts owed lo f911ow group undertakings Other creditors Accruals 29,621 56,096 13,490 39.173 7.974 2.009 4,124 25.149 84,043 15,686 1,325 10.058 152,481 192.6T7 13 R•llr•m•nt b•n•flt 8ch•rn•s 2025 2024 Deflned conlrlbutlon gcheme• Chargg to profil or1085 in rggpgct gf defined contributs'on Bchemes 8,127 7,635 Thg chadly opgrattrs a d9fltwd contrSbutlon pen$li)n s¢hgme for 411 qualifylng 9mployges. Thg ass91$ of Ihg s¢h9me arg held separately Irotn thos9 ol the charity In an Ind9pendenlly adrninislered fund. 19-
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AUTISM VENTURES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 15 Unrestrlcted funds The unre8tri¢ted lunds of the charity ¢ompri$e ihe unexpended b818nce$ of dtsn8tion8 and gr8nt8 which 8re not 8ubje¢t to specific condibons by donors and grantors as to how they Nay be used. These irude designated funds which have beèn sèt aside out ol unrestrlcted funds by the trustees for specllic purposes. At 1 Aprll 2024 Incomlng resources Re80urces expended At 31 March 2025 Ggnoral funds 63.656 801,393 1801,3931 63.656 Pr•vltsus y••r'. At 1 Aprll 2023 Incomlng r£sourcos Resourc•s gxpanded At 31 March 2024 General lund5 63,658 751.915 1751.9151 83.658 18 Controlllng party Al the yaar and. th8 ultlm8t8 controlling party was Autlsm Inllialivas Group, a cornpany Ineorpor8t8d and registered In England and Wales. The rggist8r8d offic8 16 Sefton Hou58. Bridl8 Road, Booll8. M8rseysid9. L30 4XR. Autism Initia'Ve$ Grgup prepores cgnsolidoted ffi'nanciol slatpments whioh include Autism Ventures, 17 Oporilin9 ltra8• ¢omrnitrnenl8 L•ss•• Al Ihe reporting end d81e the charity had oulslanding comrnitments for lulure minimum lease payments under non-cancellable oparaling leases, which 1811 dug 88 follows.. 21125 2024 Within one year Belween Mo and five years 22,000 34,833 22,(J S6,3 56,833 78.833 18 R•latsd party tran$a¢tlon$ There were no dksclosable related party transactions during the year12024.' nDnel. 21
AUTISM VENTURES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 19 Cash (absorb byllgener&ted Irom operatSons 2025 2024 Surplus for the year Adlu$tmottt$ for: Depreciation and impairment of tangit)le fixed assets 3,649 3,419 Movement5 ill VIOTking capital.. Decrease in stod(s Ilncreasel in d&btors IDacr¥dsellincrea5e in creditors (Decreaseylncrease In deferrecl Income 5.347 138.7211 112,2421 127,9471 2.231 128.1461 72,807 28,804 Cash labsorbgd byllgènarat•d from oporatlons 167.9141 79,115 20 A¢knowl•dgom•nt• Avti5m Venlurgs is extrgmely grateful lo 811 ol our lunderB and donors who have gen8rously given grants and donations lo support our work over the last year. Each ¢Jonation is generous in ils own right and can provide valuable support to us and Ihg peoplo We Support, porenls gnd oth9r care profgs$lonal$. In pgrtl¢ular wé would Ilkg lo thank.. The Florence Discretionary Settlernenl M9rseysidtr Police People's P051Gode Lott8ry Living Well Sellcffl Community Resilience Grant Round 3 -22-
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