The Charity Registration Number is :- 1142501
Special Friends Club Report and Accounts 31 March 2024
Special Friends Club
Report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024
Contents
| Page | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charity information | 1 | |
| Trustees' Annual Report | 1 | |
| Statement of directors' responsibilities | 3 | |
| Independent Accountant's Report | 4 | |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 | |
| Balance sheet | 7 | |
| Notes to the accounts | 8 |
Special Friends Club
Trustees' Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2024
The Trustees present their Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Reference and administrative details
The charity name.
The legal name of the charity is:- Special Friends Club.
The charity's areas operation and UK charitable registration.
The charity is registered in England & Wales with the Charity Commission in England & Wales (CCEW) with charity number 1142501.
The charity does not operate in any overseas jurisdictions.
Legal structure of the charity
The charity is constituted as an unincorporated charity, established by a written constitution. The governing document of the charity is the written constitution approved by the members and endorsed by the Charity Commission in England & Wales (CCEW) .
There are no restrictions in the governing documents on the operation of the Charity or on its investment powers other than those imposed by Charity Law.
The trustees are all individuals.
The principal operating address, telephone number, email and web addresses of the charity are:-
13 Banner Road Montpelier Bristol BS6 5NA Telephone 07707632470
Email Address admin@specialfriendsclub.org.uk Web address www.specialfriendsclub.org.uk
The Trustees in office on the date the report was approved were:-
Chantel Byrne Maya Vaitilingam Colin Gimblett Sophie Axford Jane Joyce Elizabeth Stratton Leanne Parkes
The following persons served as Trustees during the year ended 31 March 2024 :-
All the current trustees were also in place for the whole of the financial year. All the trustees are also members of the charity.
Objects and activities of the charity
The purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document.
The charity's objects are to bring together families who have children with special needs and workers from voluntary organisations and statutory agencies to improve the care, welfare, treatment, education, advancement and overall quality of life of those families and their children.
The main activities undertaken in relation to those purposes during the year.
The trustees arrange a variety of events and entry to several activities ranging from cinema and theatre to swimming and wildlife parks as well as short breaks. These present safe play and/or educational benefit and are sometimes undertaken whilst the general public are not present to enhance the experience for the children and their parents.
1
Special Friends Club
Trustees' Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2024
The main activities undertaken during the year to further the charity's purpose for the public benefit.
The main activities in this period included visits to Bristol Old Vic Theatre, Slimbridge Wetlands, Bristol Zoo Wild Place Project, Diggerland, Bristol Aquarium, Longleat Lights, heritage railways and short breaks to Centre Parcs and Devon Bay.
The trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit in managing the activities of the charity.
The main achievements and performance of the charity during the year.
This information is presented in the attached chairmans report.
The difference the charity's performance during the year has made to the beneficiaries of the charity and the degree to which the achievements and performance during the year have benefitted wider society.
This information is presented in the attached chairmans report.
Structure, governance and management of the charity
The methods used to recruit and appoint new charity trustees.
Trustees are generally appointed from amongst the parents of the children but other suitable volunteers may be approached. Criminal record checks are carried out using the DBS.
Financial review
The charity's financial position at the end of the year ended 31 March 2024
The financial position of the charity at 31 March 2024 and comparatives for the prior period, as more fully detailed in the accounts, can be summarised as follows:-
| Total Funds Unrestricted Revenue Funds available for the general purposes of the charity Net income |
2024 £ (18,851) 41,881 41,881 |
2023 £ (11,963) |
|---|---|---|
| 60,732 | ||
| 60,732 |
Financial review of the position at the reporting date, 31 March 2024 .
The trustees consider the financial performance by the charity during the year to have been satisfactory.
Policies on reserves.
The trustees retain enough reserves to enable them to fund planned future events and to allow for approximately £1,000 of administration expenses connected with organising the next terms events.
Availability and adequacy of assets of each of the funds
The board of trustees is satisfied that the charity's assets in each fund are available and adequate to fulfil its obligations in respect of each fund.
2
Special Friends Club
Trustees' Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2024
Details of The Independent Examiner
Susan Rickerby Chartered Accountant 118 High Street Staple Hill Bristol BS16 5HH
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Notwithstanding the explicit requirement in the extant statutory regulations,the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the SORP 2005, in view of the fact that the SORP 2005 has been withdrawn, the Trustees determined to interpret this responsibility as requiring them to follow current best practice and prepare the accounts according to the FRS 102 SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting and Reporting by Charities) 2015, (as amended by the Bulletin issued in October 2018 and applicable to all accounting periods beginning on or after 1st January 2019), (The SORP), .
In particular, charity law requires the Trustees, if they prepare accounts on an accruals basis, to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity as at the end of the financial year and of the surplus or deficit of the charity. In preparing those financial statements the Trustees are required to :-
-
to prepare the accounts in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law).
-
select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate
-
to presume that the charity will continue in business;
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state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of
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recommended practice have been followed, subject to any material
-
departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
The law requires that the trustees must not approve the accounts unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the surplus or deficit of the charity for the year.
The Trustees are also responsible for maintaining adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with regulations made under the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The Trustees are also responsible for the contents of the Trustees' report, and the statutory responsibility of the Independent Examiner in relation to the Trustees' report is limited to examining the report and ensuring that , on the face of the report, there are no material inconsistencies with the figures disclosed in the financial statements.
This report was approved by the board of trustees on 6 August 2024.
Liz Stratton Maya Vaitilingam Trustee Trustee
3
Special Friends Club
Report of the Independent Examiner to the Trustees of the charity on the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of the charity on pages 6 to 11 for the year ended 31 March 2024 which have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) and with the Financial Reporting Standard 102, (effective 1st January 2016) adapted to meet the needs of unincorporated organisations, as modified by FRS 102 SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting and Reporting by Charities) 2015, (as amended by the Bulletin issued in October 2018 and applicable to all accounting periods beginning on or after 1st January 2019), (The SORP), published by the Charity Commission in England & Wales (CCEW) , and under the historical cost convention and the accounting policies set out on page 8.
Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and the Independent Examiner and the basis of the report
As described on page 3, you, the charity's Trustees, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and all other applicable law and with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, applicable to smaller entities, and for being satisfied that the financial statements give a true and fair view.
The Trustees consider that the audit requirement of Section 144(1) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) does not apply, and that there is no requirement in the Governing Document for the conducting of an audit. As a consequence, the Trustees have elected that the financial statements be subject to independent examination.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements are not required to be audited under any legal provision, or otherwise, and are eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:-
a) examine the financial statements of the charity under Section 145 of the Act;
b) follow the applicable procedures in the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Basis of Independent Examiner's Statement and scope of work undertaken
I report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements carried out under s145 of the Act. 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 setting out the duties of an independent examiner in relation to the conducting of an independent examination. An independent examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and of the accounting systems employed by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeking explanations from you, as Trustees, concerning such matters. The purpose of the examination is to establish as far as possible that there have been no breaches of charity legislation and that, on a test basis of evidence relevant to the amounts and disclosures made, the financial statements comply with the SORP.
The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and information supplied by the Trustees in the course of the examination is not subjected to audit tests or enquiries and does not cover all the matters that an auditor would consider in arriving at an opinion. The planning and conduct of an audit goes beyond the limited assurance that an independent examination can provide
Consequently, I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the financial statements, and in particular, I express no opinion as to whether the financial statements give a true and fair view of the affairs of the charity, and my report is limited to the matters set out in the statement below.
I planned and performed my examination so as to satisfy myself that the objectives of the independent examination are achieved and before finalising the report I obtained written assurances from the Trustees of all material matters.
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Special Friends Club
Independent Examiner's Statement, Report and Opinion
Subject to the limitations upon the scope of my work as detailed above, I have completed my examination: and can confirm that:-
This is a report in respect of an examination carried out under 145 of the Act and in accordance with Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act which may be applicable;
and that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by with Section 130 of The Charities Act 2011;
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination;
have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles set out in the FRS 102 SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting and Reporting by Charities) 2015, (as amended by the Bulletin issued in October 2018 and applicable to all accounting periods beginning on or after 1st January 2019), (The SORP).
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 financial statements to be reached.
Signed:-
Susan Rickerby - Independent Examiner
Chartered Accountant
118 High Street Staple Hill Bristol BS16 5HH
This report was signed on / /2024
5
Special Friends Club - Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2024
Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2024
| Current year Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ Income & Endowments from: Donations & Legacies A1 90,479 Investments A4 213 Total income A 90,692 Expenditure on: Charitable activities B2 109,543 Total expenditure B 109,543 Net income for the year (18,851) Net income after transfers A-B-C (18,851) (18,851) Reconciliation of funds:- E Total funds brought forward 60,732 Total funds carried forward 41,881 SORP Ref Net movement in funds |
Current year Restricted Funds 2024 £ - - - - - - - - - - |
Current year Total Funds 2024 £ 90,479 213 90,692 109,543 109,543 (18,851) (18,851) (18,851) 60,732 41,881 |
Prior Year Total Funds 2023 £ 74,520 39 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 74,559 | |||
| 86,522 | |||
| 86,522 | |||
| (11,963) | |||
| (11,963) | |||
| (11,963) 72,695 |
|||
| 60,732 |
The 'SORP Ref' indicated above is the classification of income set out in the formal SORP documents. As required by paragraph 4.60 of the SORP, the brought forward and carried forward funds above have been agreed to the Balance Sheet.
A separate Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses is not required as this statement includes all recognised gains and losses.
All the prior year transactions were unrestricted items, and no further analysis is required
All activities derive from continuing operations
The notes attached on pages 8 to 11 form an integral part of these accounts.
6
Special Friends Club - Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2024
| Note SORP Ref Current assets B Cash at bank and in hand B4 41,881 Net current assets The total net assets of the charity The total net assets of the charity are funded by the funds of the |
2024 £ 60,732 41,881 41,881 charity, as follows:- |
2023 £ 60,732 |
|---|---|---|
| 60,732 | ||
Restricted funds
| Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Revenue Funds 9 D3 41,881 Designated Funds Total charity funds |
- 60,732 41,881 41,881 |
- 60,732 |
|---|---|---|
| 60,732 |
The 'SORP Ref' indicated above is the classification of Balance Sheet items as set out in the formal SORP documents. As required by paragraph 4.60 of the SORP, the brought forward and carried forward funds above have been agreed to the SOFA..
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of charity legislation with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. The charity is subject to Independent Examination under charity legislation, and the report of the Independent Examiner is on page 5.
The Trustees are satisfied that, although the charity is not registered under the Companies Acts, if it were so registered, it would be eligible to prepare accounts in accordance with the provisions in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006. applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
Liz Stratton Maya Vaitilingam
Trustee
Approved by the board of trustees on 6 August 2024
The notes attached on pages 8 to 11 form an integral part of these accounts.
7
Special Friends Club
Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024
1 Accounting policies
Policies relating to the production of the accounts.
Basis of preparation and accounting convention
The accounts have been prepared on the accruals basis, under the historical cost convention, and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard 102, (effective 1st January 2016) and 'FRS 102 SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting and Reporting by Charities) 2015, (as amended by the Bulletin issued in October 2018 and applicable to all accounting periods beginning on or after 1st January 2019), (The SORP), published by the Charity Commission in England & Wales (CCEW) , effective January 2016, , and in accordance with all applicable law in the charity's jurisdiction of registration, except that the charity has prepared the financial statements in accordance with the FRS 102 SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting and Reporting by Charities) 2015, (as amended by the Bulletin issued in October 2018 and applicable to all accounting periods beginning on or after 1st January 2019), (The SORP), in preference to the previous SORP, the SORP 2005, which has been withdrawn, notwithstanding the fact that the extant statutory regulations, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 refer explicitly to the SORP 2005. This has been done to accord with current best practice.
Going Concern
The charitable activities are entirely dependent on member contributions, continuing grant aid and voluntary donations. As a consequence, the going concern basis is dependent on the future flow of these uncertain funding streams. Accordingly, the Trustees have reviewed, the likely cash flow for the 12 months to July 2025 and are satisfied that, at the time of approving the financial statements, it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Covid 19 has reduced the amount of activity but ongoing costs are minimal so the financial implications are small. Other than these matters, the Trustees are not aware of any material uncertainites about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
Risks and future assumptions
The charity is a public benefit entity. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
Policies relating to categories of income and income recognition.
Membership subscriptions
The income and any associated Gift Aid or other tax refund from a membership subscription received by the charity in the nature of a gift, is accounted for on the same basis as a donation.
The income from a membership subscription received by the charity where the subscription purchases the right to services or benefits is recognised as income from charitable activities.
Policies relating to expenditure on goods and services provided to the charity.
Recognition of liabilities and expenditure
A liability, and the related expenditure, is recognised when a legal or constructive obligation exists as a result of a past event, and when it is more likely than not that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and when the amount of the obligation can be measured or reliably estimated.
Volunteers
In accordance with the SORP, and in recognition of the difficulties in placing a monetary value on the contribution from volunteers, the contribution of volunteers is not included within the income of the charity.
However, the trustees value the significant contribution made to the activities of the charity by unpaid volunteers and this is described more fully in Note4.
Stocks and work in progress
Stock is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.
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Special Friends Club
Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024
Debtors
Debtors are measured at their recoverable amounts at the balance sheet date.
Financial instruments including cash and bank balances
Cash held by the charity is included at the amount actually held and counted at the year end. Bank balances, whether in credit or overdrawn, are shown at the amounts properly reconciled to the bank statements.
Fund Accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. There are no other funds.
2 Liability to taxation
The Trustees consider that the charity satisfies the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the Charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by chapter 3 part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively on the specific charitable objects of the charity and for no other purpose. Value Added Tax is not recoverable by the charity, and is therefore included in the relevant costs in the Statement of Financial Activities.
3 Winding up or dissolution of the charity
If upon winding up or dissolution of the charity there remain any assets, after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities, the assets represented by the accumulated fund shall be transferred to some other charitable body or bodies having similar objects to the charity.
4 The contribution of volunteers
The charity depends on the support of its volunteers, which is much appreciated. Volunteers organise the events and activities, produce the newsletter, maintain the accounting records and carry out legal and admistrative tasks as necessary.
The arrangements with volunteers are difficult to value precisely in monetary terms and have not been recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities. The volunteers and the charity accept and agree that no contract of employment is created by these arrangements.
No employees received emoluments (excluding pension costs) in excess of £60,000 per annum.
5 Remuneration and payments to Trustees and persons connected with them
No trustees or persons connected with them received any remuneration from the charity, or any related entity.
| 6 Income and Expenditure account summary At 1 April 2023 (Deficit)/Surplus after tax for the year At 31 March 2024 |
2024 £ 60,732 (18,851) |
2023 £ 72,695 (11,963) |
|---|---|---|
| 41,881 | 60,732 |
7 No related party transactions
There were no transactions with related parties in the year.
9
Special Friends Club
Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024
8 Particulars of how particular funds are represented by assets and liabilities
| At 31 March 2024 Current Assets At 1 April 2023 Current Assets |
Unrestricted funds £ 41,881 |
Designated funds £ |
Restricted funds £ - |
Total Funds £ 41,881 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41,881 | - | - | 41,881 | |
| Unrestricted funds £ 60,732 |
Designated funds £ - |
Restricted funds £ - |
Total Funds £ 60,732 |
|
| 60,732 | - | - | 60,732 |
9 Change in total funds over the year as shown in Note 8 , analysed by individual funds
| Funds brought forward from 2023 £ Unrestricted and designated funds:- Unrestricted Revenue Funds 60,732 Total unrestricted and designated funds 60,732 Total charity funds 60,732 Analysis of movements in funds over the year as shown in Note Income 2024 £ Unrestricted and designated funds:- Unrestricted Revenue Funds 90,692 90,692 |
Funds brought forward from 2023 £ 60,732 |
Movement in funds in 2024 See Note 10 £ (18,851) |
See Note 0 £ - Transfers between funds in 2024 |
Funds carried forward to 2025 £ 41,881 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60,732 | (18,851) | - | 41,881 | |
| 60,732 | (18,851) | - | 41,881 | |
| 9 Expenditure 2024 £ (109,543) |
Other Gains & Losses 2024 £ - |
Movement in funds 2024 £ (18,851) |
||
| 90,692 | (109,543) | - | (18,851) |
10 Analysis of movements in funds over the year as shown in Note 9
10
Special Friends Club
Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024
11 The purposes for which the funds as
Unrestricted and designated funds:-
Unrestricted Revenue Funds
These funds are held for the meeting the objectives of the charity, and to provide reserves for future activities, and , subject to charity legislation, are free from all restrictions on their use.
12 Ultimate controlling party
The charity is under the control of its legal members.
Every member of the charity has unlimited joint and several liability for the debts of the charity.
11
Special Friends Club
Detailed analysis of income and expenditure for the year ended 31 March 2024 as required by the SORP 2015
This analysis is classsified by conventional nominal descriptions and not by activity.
13 Donations, Grants and Legacies
| Total private sector revenue grants Climsland WI Total public sector revenue grants Groundwork UK Revenue grants and donations from non public bodies Waitrose Lion's club Small grants individually less than £1000 Rebus Medical Anthony Brookes Surveys Ltd Starlight Singers Mangotsfield Community Association James Ball South Gloucestershire Council Revenue grants from government and public bodies |
Current year Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 21,581 |
Current year Restricted Funds 2024 £ - - Current year Restricted Funds 2024 £ - - - - - - - - - - - |
Current year Total Funds 2024 £ 21,581 21,581 Current year Total Funds 2024 £ 761 - 200 375 - - - - - - 1,336 |
Prior Year Total Funds 2023 £ 16,764 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21,581 | 16,764 | |||
| Current year Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 761 - 200 375 - - - - - - |
Prior Year Total Funds 2023 £ 497 800 - - - - 500 1,441 4,775 300 |
|||
| 1,336 | 8,313 |
Revenue grants and donations from non public bodies (Include Gift Aid donations from subsidiaries) - Prior Year analysis: all funds were unrestricted
12
Special Friends Club
Detailed analysis of income and expenditure for the year ended 31 March 2024 as required by the SORP 2015
| Current year Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 20,588 Current year Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 46,974 46,974 Total Donations, Grants and Legacies Total Donations, Grants and Legacies A1 90,479 14 Investment income Current year Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ Bank Interest Receivable 213 Total investment income A4 213 15 Expenditure on charitable activities - Direct spending Current year Current Year Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 102,393 Total direct spending B2a 102,393 Members contributions to events Contributions from members for events and activities Total Members contributions to events Entry fees/activities costs Membership subscriptions as donations |
Current year Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 20,588 |
Current year Restricted Funds 2024 £ - Current year Restricted Funds 2024 £ - - |
Current year Total Funds 2024 £ 20,588 Current year Total Funds 2024 £ 46,974 46,974 |
Prior Year Total Funds 2023 £ 17,800 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current year Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 46,974 |
Prior Year Total Funds 2023 £ 31,643 |
|||
| 46,974 | 31,643 | |||
| 90,479 | - Current year Restricted Funds 2024 £ - - Current year Restricted Funds 2024 £ - - |
90,479 Current year Total Funds 2024 £ 213 213 Current year Total Funds 2024 £ 102,393 102,393 |
74,520 | |
| Current year Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 213 |
Prior Year Total Funds 2023 £ 39 |
|||
| 213 | 39 | |||
| Prior Year Total Funds 2023 £ 79,660 |
||||
| 102,393 | 79,660 | |||
13
Special Friends Club
Detailed analysis of income and expenditure for the year ended 31 March 2024 as required by the SORP 2015
16 Support costs for charitable activities
| 16 Support costs for charitable activities |
||
|---|---|---|
| Current year Current year Current Year Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds 2024 2024 £ £ Volunteer costs - - Administrative overheads 1,419 - 326 - 493 - 4,648 - Support costs before reallocation 6,886 - Total support costs - Current Year 6,886 - The basis of allocation of costs between activities is described under accounting policies All the expenditure in the prior year was unrestricted. Training - volunteers Liabilty and contents insurance Advertising and marketing Admin services Sundry expenses |
Current year Total Funds 2024 £ - 1,419 326 493 4,648 |
Prior Year Total Funds 2023 £ - 1,755 317 1,175 3,351 |
| 6,886 6,886 |
6,598 | |
| 6,598 | ||
| - - - |
17 Other Expenditure - Governance costs
| Current Year Independent Examiner's fees Total Governance costs All the expenditure in the prior year was unrestricted. Total Charitable expenditure Current Year Total direct spending B2a Total support costs B2d Total Governance costs B2e Total charitable expenditure B2 |
Current year Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 264 |
Current year Restricted Funds 2024 £ - - Current year Restricted Funds 2024 £ - - - - |
Current year Total Funds 2024 £ 264 264 Current year Total Funds 2024 £ 102,393 6,886 264 109,543 |
Prior Year Total Funds 2023 £ 264 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 264 | 264 | |||
| Current year Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 102,393 6,886 264 |
Prior Year Total Funds 2023 £ 79,660 6,598 264 |
|||
| 109,543 | 86,522 |
18 Total Charitable expenditure
All the expenditure in the prior year was unrestricted.
14
Special Friends Club
Chair’s Report to Annual General Meeting
The period covered by this report is 1 April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024.
We again offered our members a full programme of weekend and school holiday activities during the period. We revisited SFC favourites such as Bristol Family Cycling centre, The Bristol Old Vic and mini-beats performances at St George’s concert hall. We arranged Christmas outings to an outdoor skating rink and the Lights at Longleat. We have had success with sole use bookings of sensory inflatable play sessions in Yate and sole use sessions at Lush Cosmetics at the Mall at Cribbs where all ages have enjoyed the sensory experience of making bath fizzers in a small group.
Our teenage and young adult members have benefited from a programme of regular rock climbing at Burrington Combe with an outdoor activity provider and practised their tennis shots with coaching at Fry tennis club. We have continued our regular bookings at Longwell Green and Easton swimming pools and at Super Sense, the sensory centre at Imperial Park sports club.
Many families enjoyed a subsidised short break to Center Parcs Longleat Forest in March 2024, continuing our change to visiting during the Spring rather than the Winter as we have done historically. We were also able to fund a weekend break at a caravan park in Devon at the end of September, which was also well attended. The prices were good value for a three-night break due to our subsidy. We received feedback that the the ability to park outside the accommodation is more appealing to some members than the car-free approach of Center Parcs. We feel that offering two short breaks is ideal since members can choose to attend based on their family circumstances and preferences.
We distributed supermarket vouchers to our South Gloucestershire families with funding from a grant we applied for via the Local Authority from a pot of money which aimed to alleviate the cost-of-living pressures for families raising a disabled child(ren) by using local grass roots charities as a means of targeting those most in need.
The Club saw a steady increase in applications for membership during the period and after discussion with our main public funder and amongst the Board we have temporarily closed our online application form whilst we work through a small waiting list of families. Membership of the Club is therefore static at the constitutional limit of 180 families. We expect to reopen to applications in the next financial period and have made considerable efforts to communicate the pressure on our membership to
members, funders and referring organisations. Our Local Authority grant was increased by 6% to reflect the demand for our provision against rising need in the community. We also took the decision to make a small amendment to the wording in our constitution regarding eligibility for membership of the Club to remove ambiguity and to allow us to be more transparent in the decisions we make around eligibility. This was shared with members at our AGM in Autumn 2023.
The board of Trustees remains at 7 serving Trustees and we continue to explore ways to increase our number to succession plan for Trustees who may look to step down in the coming years due to work and life priorities. We are also considering whether to seek a second freelance administrator now that the Club is bigger and the volume of queries from newer members has increased. It would also mitigate the risk to the Club’s operation of our current arrangement with a sole provider.
Liz Stratton, Chair of Trustees, July 2024