Mid Dorset Mencap Group Ltd 

Chairman’s/Trustees Report 2020 - 21 

As for most of the population, 2020 can only be described as an extraordinary year – quite unlike any other that most of us have ever known.  I think it is fitting just to take a moment here to think of all of those who have been personally affected by Covid 19 and to thank everyone who has provided help and support throughout our communities. 

We were, of course, in lockdown for much of the year.  For Mid Dorset Mencap, this meant that we were unable to open the shop.  This not only closed down a stream of funding but also meant that we could not support our service users in the way we would have wished. 

With the future in mind, the trustees decided to meet the running costs of the shop from charitable funds with the expectation that when lockdown ended we could continue to provide a place for service users to go. 

Although our landlord was extremely accommodating throughout the period, he eventually took the understandable decision not to renew our lease and has found alternative tenants for the shop. 

Quite often good things come from adversity and, we took this as an opportunity to drive our charity forwards. This we have done, and during the past year we have secured some grant funding, including a major source from the Lottery Community Fund – a massive achievement for our small charity. 

Thanks to this, Mid Dorset Mencap now has leased new premises in Trinity Street, one of the main shopping streets in 



Dorchester. It has more space, which will enable us to reopen the shop and to create a new meeting space and café. We hope that this will increase our recognition and standing within the town and attract new supporters. 

But most importantly, it means that we can welcome back our service users and provide them a safe and welcoming place to go to. 

I would like to thank all our committee members for their vision and trust in making these developments happen.  It would be remiss of me if I did not make special mention of the outstanding work carried out by our secretary and vice chair, Mervyn Harris, to secure this Lottery funding and a number of other grants during the year. Thank you Merv, as always, your hard work and dedication has been pivotal in moving Mid Dorset Mencap forwards. 

In the coming year, we have plans to restructure the running of the charity and to actively recruit new trustees, to ensure continued good governance of our charity, and seek the support of more volunteers, to provide hands-on help and support. 

Thank you all such much for listening and for your ongoing support of MDM. 

I hope you enjoy the rest of the evening. 

## **Mid Dorset Mencap Group Ltd.** 

**Company Number 13323355** 

## **Registered Charity No 1142124** 

**Affiliated to the Royal Mencap Society Campaigning on behalf of people with a learning difficulty and their families** 



r/wC
MID DORSET MENCAP MAIN ACCOU
/0 JC-RI
C.141 OfQ C-CH* hCh4A-
lo£J
Year ending Q April
2021
2020
2019
INCOME
Subs receNed
115.20
127.00
Grar
2(Q.
588.(Kl
Donations
zi,
65S.26
Table Top Sales
o.(x)
111.70
91.14
Tolpuddle Wlla8e Events
71.20
235.IXI
Frampton Amis Auctlon
o.
Bank Account Interest
OA3
2.03
1.23
Ratè Repayment
O.tJ)
OAXJ
443.70
Anntversary
oxx)
4936.IXI
SSE refund for Shop
ioi.
o.
Other
o.
o.cx)
7.99
Totsl Recetpts
237.82
6059.19
3244.06
EXPENSES
Mencap Membershlp
Grants
250AM)
Icw.
Insurance
436.80
426.15
409.98
Councll Tax
o.Tr)
443.70
Hall Hlre AGM
Statlonary/50ftwère
o.cKJ
o.(N)
IQ Annlver5ary
4026.76
450.Th)
Meal for %￿lUnteerS
129.95
SSÉ Refund
ioi.
o.
Totsl Paymersts
5014.76
2421.67
Prthriou5 Year
4562.32
3739.93
surplus forthe year
{549.98)
1044A3
822.39
NE￿ WORTH
5056.77
5606.75
4562.32

Dear Mr Mervyn Harris 

Mid Dorset Mencap Group 

I have reviewed these financial statements and confirm they are a true and fair reflection of the financial position for the period. 

I attach both the signed and dated statements for: 

- Charity Shop Account 

- Mid Dorset Mencap Main Account 

Many Thanks 

Chris Hickson GCMA ACMA MAAT 

10/09/2021