2025-03-31-accounts

Solihull Action through Advocacy Report and Financial Statements 31 March 2025 Charity number.. 1146073 Company limited by guarantee.. 7945421

Solihull Actlon through Advocacy Report and Financial Statements Contents Pag• Legal and administrative information Chails statèmènt Report of Ihtr Trustees Report of the Independent Examiner Statement of finan￿al acts'vities 10 Balance sheet 12 Cashflow statemènt Notes forming part of the financial Stslements 14-22

Sollhull Action through Advocacy Legal and administrative infornation Trustees and Directors Gary Anlhoney Jessica Jame5 Dr Susan Lanz Philip Marshall Joshua Moreton Calhenne Nolan Christopher Rinaldi Ichairl John Roundèll Janè Williams Appointed 10 Decemter 2024. Finance comM￿ee (from February 20251 Finance Commrttee Finance Commrttee {unb"l Febnjary 20251 Appointed 1 O¢tober 2024 Finance Committee Chief Executivo Officer Christine Forde Prlnclpal Offico and Reglstored Addres8 11 13LandLane Marston Green B37 7DE Independent exarnlner Dr J R Ayling Bsc FCA 8 Troutbeck Avenue Leaminglon Spa Warwickshire CV32 6NE Banker8 CAF Bank Ltd. 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill Wesl Malling ME194JQ

Sollhull Action through Advocacy Chair's statement for the year ended 31 Ma￿h 2025 It is a privilege to Introdu￿ this yearfs Annual Report and Accounts as the new Chair of the Board of Trustees. Al Solihull Action Through Adv¢xacy {SAtAI. we are proud to stand alongside and support some of the most vulnerable members of our communrty". people with autism and leaming disabilib"es. many of whom face addits'onal challenges and complexits'es in their lives. Whether due to multiple diagnoses, physical disabilities, or challenges with mental heath, these individuals often encounter significant barriers to accessing the support they need to lead healthy and ￿￿llIng lives. Followng the year end, we are delighted to share that SAtA has been successful in securing the contract to continue delivering statutory and parent advocacy services on behalf of Solihull Metropolrtan Borough Council for al least a further five years. starb.ng from October 2025. This achievement 15 a strong endorsement of the high-quality advo¢a¢y support we provide and a ¢ltrar dtrmonstrats.on of the conbnued trust the Council plactr$ in our work and our values. In January 2025 our organisalion 8uc¢es$lully retained rts A<lvo¢acy Qualty Perfomance Mark IQPMI rgcognising the high standards, professionalism, and quality of our in¢Jependent advocacy services. It glV&S commissioners and those who use our services reassurance that we are focussed on ensuring delivery of quality services. The QPM Assessor found that.. "All external Stakeholders and people who used advo¢a¢y service$ refie¢ted on the highest Standards of independent advocacy delivered by SAIA. It is clear that SAtA has an excellent reputation with people who use services. stakeholders and wthin the wder independent advocacy sector." Despite continued challenges ranging from increased pressures on health and Care $eNices. the enduring impact ol the COV1[￿19 pandemic, and the cosl-ol-living crisis. our team of staff and volunteers have remained unwavering in their CA)mmitment to delivering highquality advocacy. Their work ensures that people's rights are upheld. that their voices are heard. and that they are supported to make inlomied choices about their lives and maintsin their independence. Much of our advocacy work is preventaknve in nature. 11 plays a vital role in helping people to stay well, be part of their eommunilies. and reduce the need for more intensive heath and social care inlervenlions. The demand for our one-to-one advocacy casework contsnues lo grow, both in lems of volume and complexity. Our advocate$ work in partnership with professional$ #cr￿9 servi¢ts lo tn$ure Person-¢￿trad approaches that lead lo better, moro meaningful outcomes. Our Communty Advocacy has also gone from strength to strength. Building support ne￿orkS remains at the heart of our community work, and our Cirdes of Support inity"aty"ve conknnues lo provide opportunities for people lo build lasting friendships and establish networks of mutual support. We've also ¢onlinued to htssl eur popular Coff&& and Cal¢h-Up se$sion$. which offer $afe. wel¢oming spa¢e$ for people who may be isolated or lacking in confidence to meet others, develop new interests, and feel a sense of belonging. In our Collective Advocacy work. we have made signffi¢anl progress on key a￿3$ such as heallhc8re and mental health. We are a key member of the Leamin9 Disability Partnership Board at Solihull Metropolitan Borough Counal, with mernbers of our own Learning Disabilty Counal actively contributing to its work. We have also remained dosely invdved with the NHS'S LeDeR programme. 'Leaming from Lives and Oeaths - people with a learning disability and aut15tic people". Building on this, we have launched a new initiative lo gather the voice$ of people wrth lived experience. helping a$$e$$ pro9￿$¥ towards the LeDeR Strategic priorities and influencing improvements in service delivery. The Board of Trustees has spent time rellecling on arKI refining our strategic direction over the past year. The year ha5 been a challenging one lo ensure the organisab.on was well prepared for Solihull Metropolitan Borough Coun¢il's re-tender of rts advo¢a¢y $ervi¢e$. As menb"oned. we are delighted to have been successful followng the procurement process. We have also worked to ensure a sustainable balance befvleen our service delivery and funding, particularly due to the Govemment's evolving renewed focus on health and social care and its impact on the regional landscape of integrated care across Solihull and Birmingham. This work is vitsl in ensuring we remain responsive. re5ilienl. and ready for the future.

Sollhull Action through Advocacy Chair's statement for the year ended 31 Ma￿h 2025 On behalf of the Board, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our Chief Executive, Christine Forde, and her leadership team. along ￿￿th every member of 5tsff and all our volunteers. Their hard work, passion. and dèdication ensure that we continue to deliver outstanding SUPPOrt to those who need us most. As Chair, l am inspired by the compassion and perseverance I see every day. and I look forward to contributing to the continued development and impact of this incredible organisation. Finally, we would like to thank all the individuals and ￿ganIsationS fund wo￿. Your continued support and confidence in us are truty appreaated, and together. we are making a real and lasting difference in the lives of those we support. Christopher Rinaldi. Chair of the Board of Trustees

Solihull Actlon through Advocacy Report of the Trustees and Directors for the year ended 31 March 2025 Thè TrustÈÈs and Dirèctors prèsent their report and financial statemènts of the charitable Company for the year ended 31 March 2025. The Trustees, report and finanrjal statements have been prepared in accordance wf(h the accounting policie5 set out on pages 14 10 16 and comply the Charty's governing document. the charib.es Act 2011 and the Companies A¢t 2006. structure, Governance and Management Solihull Action through Advocacy is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 10 February 2012 and registered as a Chanty on 23 February 2012 with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. The company is governed under a Memorandum and Artides of Assocjation which established the objects and powers of the charitsble company. In the event of the company being wound up, each member i required lo contribute an amount rK)t exceeding £10. The Board of Trustees has the responsibility of managing the business of the charrtable company and for the purposes of Charity law the Trustees ol the Charity are also Directors of the company. The Trustees I Directors who have served during the year and since the year end are set out on page 1. All Trustees gave their time voluntarily and received no benefits from the Charity. Any expenses reclaimed from the Chanty are set oui in the accounts. Trustee vacancies are advertised locally and regionally. Trustees are appointed for their skills and expertise. ￿1 new Trustees undergo an induction process and receive a Trustee pack with relevant infomats.on about the organisation. Day to day respgnsibility for managemnt of the organisati¢)n 1$ Jelegated by the Trustees to the Chiel Executive. I major ri$k$ have been reviewed and systems or pro¢eilure$ have been established lo manag& those risks. Oblo¢tlvo8 and actlvltle8 The Charity's objects as set out in the Memorandum and A￿'deS ol Association are.. to promote social indusion and to prevent people from becoming socially exduded.. to assist people to obtain full rights and privileges as cibzens and inlegrate into society., to achieve these objects'ves particularty, but not exclusively, through the provision of independent advocacy support. 'Socialty excluded. means being ex¢lude<l from sooety. or parts of society. a$ a result of one or MO￿ of the following factors". age, disabilty, impaiment, poor edu¢ab'onal or skiU$ attainment, relationship and family breakdown and asylum seekers. Solihull Action through Advocacy achieves its objeciives through the provision of free independent advocacy. Having regard to these achievements. and the public benefit that they provide. the Trustees are satisfied that the Charity has mel the Charity Commission guidance on Public Benefrt. In assessing the success of the Charty in the period, the Trustees have had regard principally to the numbar of people to whom the Charty has provided a service and the propoth'on of those individuals who achieved an outcome mostly or completely in line with their wishes. In addth'on the Trustees hold as a key criteria the need to deliver the Charitys 5ervice5 vthin its budget and to make a contn"bulion lo 115 unre5tricled reserve$. The Charity utilises volunteers in 8 variety of roles from service delivery lo Govemance. Acro$$ the period, 23 people havè voluntèèred induding within our Peer Visrtor seNice. Leaming Disabilty Council, as Citizen Advocates, members of our Advisory Committee and the Trustees themselves.

Solihull Actlon through Advocacy Report of the Trustees and Directors for the year ended 31 March 2025 Achievements and perforniance 1. Advocacy Case Work Our casework service has conb.nued to be an important source of support for some of the most marginali5ed peoplé as thè hèatth and so¢ial care se¢tor. along thè wdèr ¢ommunity. ¢tsnb"nued to struggle wth and be impacied from the COVltk19 pandemic. the cost of living crisis and other challenges. Over the course of the year we received over 688 new referrals and have provided a one-to￿ne independent advocacy case work service to 810 people across 1.323 cases {an increase of 13% on last yearl. 281 of those people 135%) are new to SAtA. The nature of cases is also increasingly more complex due to the diverse needs and ¢hallen9es of indiwduals who WU1￿ our support. Solihull First Adrfocacy This year is the fffth year of delivering our service providing all loca￿aUthority funded statutory and non-statutory advocacy in Solihull. In total, the service has worked with 662 people acr055 1,142 ca5e5. 213138%) of those people were new to SAtA. Ind•pend•nt M•ntal Capacty A0￿0¢acY (IAICA), Deprfvatlon ol Llbaty Sahguards fDoLS) and R¢lvant P•rson'$ R¢pr¢seftt•tlve (RPR) We conb.nue lo provide an advocacy service lo individuals who have been assessed as lacking capaaty and are entiUed to the support of an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate. This indudes those subject to a Deprivation of Liberty and those entitled to the support of a Relevant Person's Representative. These are ents'uements that were created by the Mental Capacity Act 2005 to ensure that individuals who lack capacity in respect of certain decisions are not deprwed of the ability to input into best interest deosions 8btsul their lives. Care A¢t - We provide support under the Care Acl 2014 to those who a￿ going through the process of assessment, support planning or review a$ well a$ safeguarding pr¢xe$$e$. This Service is provided lo any person who has a substanbal d￿Cuty engaging the process and does not have another suitable person to support them. Independent Mental Heafth Ad¥o¢a¢y (IMHA) - We prowde advocacy support lo individuals who have been detained under a section of the Mentsl Heath Act 1983. The majority of those cases are supporting people who have been detained in ho$pitsl under sethon 2 or section 3 for 8ssessmenl and treatment. IMHAS ensu￿ that detsine<l indivi¢Jyals understand what their $iluati¢n is. vh)al thgir rights are. help to ensure their voice is heard in care and treatment deasions and to plan for their return into the community. NHS Complalnts We provide advocacy support to people who wish to make a complaint about treatrnent they have received from the NHS. This can indude making complaints to the Parliamentary and Health Service oM￿d3Man rf required. NoTrStatutory Ad¥ocacy - We work with people whose situations do not meet the criteria lor any of the statutory advocacy roles above but who have important issues that they need advocacy support with. Vve assist people issues such as housing. employment, healthcare. finances. Social care, access to services, bullying and he ¢rime. Commonly. people come lo u$ because they have no tsne else who they can tum to for support. We also see this advocacy provision as an important servic• that has successfully supported people who may otheTh¥ise present to health and soual care setvices. Parents A¢fvocacy Our service for parents wth a leaming disability provides advocacy 5UPPOrt during child protection proceedings or p￿prOceed1ngs. These are ca5e5 that usually revolve around whether a parent is able lo Ca￿ for the child{￿nI or whether they should be Cared lor by a relab.ve or ￿meOne el$e. In many cases this resuhs in them being removed from the care of their parents. Support from an advocate ensures that parents are fully engaged in the deasion-making process and also that all options to support parents to continue caring for their own childlrenl have been considered and explored. We have worked on 73 parents advocacy cases this year (an inuease of 15% on last year). Young People We have continued to provide support to young people learning disabilities and auts'sm, particularly those who are in transibon into adulthood. Key issues wthin this group include education such as Education Health and Gare Plans. employmenl. ￿lab"onShIpS and mental health (with the latter reTnaining an increasing challenge among young people). This work is fundeil by Bsol IC8. We have worked on 32 cases in the year.

Solihull Actlon through Advocacy Report of the Trustees and Directors for the year ended 31 March 2025 Achievements and perforniance (continued) 2. Community Advocacy P••r Vlsitors We have continued our Peer Visitor project vthere a peer with disabilities, supported by a volunteer visiting residents at 9 residential homes for people learning disabilities. They look at the surroundings, tslk to residents and staff and consider how they V￿uld feel if rt were them living there. They then feedback back their findings to management al the home. Followng their observations the peer visitors were impressed.. that some homes had received wme refurbishment and ￿e¢orab.0n. The colovr scheme used was liked by th8 ￿rS bécausè of the bright colours, and the ease of accessibility around thè homes wère good. I how Stsff at th￿e homes managed bereavement ￿th the people living there. The stsff m8n8ged the Communication sensitivèly and compassionately. the people in the homes were well supported and cared for by the staff. 11 was fed back to managèment across all the home$ tr)at the home$ ha¢J challengès in providing transport to people to enable them to access community acbvities. This remains an ongoing challenge. This year we have pleased lo welcome a four4egged Peer Vi$rtor to our team a¢¢ompanies our P&&r Visitors on visits to homes where everyone like$ dog$. This helps to relax the people we are visiting and brings them some enioyment. It makes everyone happy and builds on our positive relats'onships. Clrel•s ol Support This is an important initiative which helps to meet a gap in our community. It enables vulnerable people to establish new friendships vthich builds on their support Defv￿rk to meet their own parb'cular needs and goals through Ccrproduction. Thi5 work is funded by the NHS. We have worked on a one•tO&one basis wih 36 individuals this year. The length of that support has varied depending on a variety of factors. For example.. • The length of lime needed lo build trusting relationship The level of social anxiety felt by the person • The length ol lime the Ferson has been isdaled from Mmmunrty integration . The com￿eX nature ol the person's need$ What suitable acbvities are available in their local area Poor mèntal he3￿h has unfortunatély been a common thèm8 during this yèar. This has b&&n dèmonstratèd by people not wanting to leave their homes and even feeling suiadal. We have managed to keep these relationships ongoing due to the trust we have developed, by providing regular activf(ies and community engagement. 11 is important that the people set their own agenda and go forwaid at their own pace. We co- work with other extemal professionals vthere appropriate. We have been making good use of our Coffee arHI Catch Up 3e5sions particularfy at The Core venue where attendance has been up lo 20 people. Thi5 enable5 people lo make connections in a relaxed environment, practicing their so¢ial skills and heanng about otheT $ooal opportuntb"e$. HS2 has further developed this work by providing funding that enabled SAtA to deliver 82 workshops to 69 people. It enables vulnerable people to establish new friendships vthich builds on their support ne￿￿ork to meet their ovm parts'cular needs and goals through co-prcxYucts"cm. We continue to see the benefits of all this work as people feel posiiive about lrfe, a sense of belonging, having friends, and increased well-being but also notabty feeling safe. The aim is also focussed on prevention by reducing dependency on fornial healih and social care service5. These forms of advocacy help to promote individual 5elf-advocacy and improve their confidence.

Solihull Actlon through Advocacy Report of the Trustees and Directors for the year ended 31 March 2025 Achievements and perforniance (continued) 2. Community Advocacy Icontinu8d) Boobs on thè go/ln thè know We were fortunate to receive funding from the Pink Ribbon loundation which we have put to good use by spreading awareness of breast cancer and cancer screening amongst the leaming disability community in Solihull. We built a small team of women Learning disabl1￿eS who created a presentstion and delivered il to supported living homes. day centres and ¢olleges. The presentabon was also delivered l() health professionals, and our team of women led a discussion with professionals about how they could help to make some improvements. They explained the need for reasonable adjustments, clear details about screening and breast cancer treatment. and offered advice on how to communicate well with patients who have learning disabilities. A5 part of thi5 work. we also set up a women'5 wellbeing group which tskes place monthly al a l<>¢al hospice and we are delighted that rt wll conts.nue after the end of this project with the support ol volunteers. Capturing change During this time we have continued our active support of LeDeR (Learning from experiences of Life and death of people with Learning disabilitiesl with the IC6 fvnded project Capturing Change. We have worked joinfjy with Midland Mencap and Experts by Experience to Capture healthcare experience$ of People with Leaming Disabilities and Autism. We have focused on experiences of Annual Health Checks, moving between Primary and Secondary Care and CO•facililated a series ol workshops wth Marie Curie looking at planning for end ol life. and supporting people to make infomied choices around this sensitive but important topic. We have shared our findings with the ICB'S LeDeR Govemance board to bring about an awareness and understsnding of the Issues encovnlered by people attessing health seNi¢e$ and wh31 ¢hanges or r¥a$onabl& adju$lment$ made to improve Ih&ir eX￿n￿n¢t$ and a¢¢e$$ibility. 3. Coll•¢tlY• Advo¢•¢y Solihull Learning Disabillty Coun¢ll (LDC) Th& Coun¢il ha$ ￿ntinue*Y lo meet monthly. This year the work of the LDC ha$ ¢ontinued to indude". Undergoing training Mencap on how to pian and execute a posits.ve campaign about any issue they choose lo. Discussion on how the work of the LDC could be promoted to Teach a wider audience 80 that more voices are hear¢J. Creating their own personal $torie$ as a contribulion lo Disability Week on Ihe topic of 'Do You See Me?,. Discussion on the importance of having an understanding and awareness of signs of cancer amongst people wth learning disabilities. This influencEd SAtA to start developing future work in this area. Inftuonclng Work The Learning Disability Council Chair is pleased to have continued to be Chair of Solihull CouncAI's Leaming Disability Partnership Board whith is now in its second year. The LDC were able to influence the agenda of the Partnership Board lo discuss the 5pectfic 5UPPOrt needed by carers wlh leaming disabilibe5. As a consequèncè of raising this people leaming disabilttsès were invited to takè part in a consultation on ways to improve support or carers. They also initiated a lask and finish group to look at the lack of evening activities available for people wth learning disabilities a view to InC￿asing what is on offer. This work vthll be continuing into the following year. LeDeR - This NHS programme identifie3 leaming from the lives and deaths from people wlh leaming disabilities or autism. Following our indusion in the local LeDeR steering group we continue lo be part of the regular "Oversight Panel. which looks al completed LeDeR review5 Wth a wew to seeing wh81 actions can be taken to improve systems and processes. LeDeR is a service improvement programme for people with leaming disability or autism. As an extension to this work, we are SuppO￿ng people with lived experienced to share their views and experiences of using heathcare services and to identify whether the NHS 15 meeting its priorities contained in the IGB'S LeDeR strategic plan. This work wll determine the a¢tions that are needed to improve the experiences of acce55ing heatth $ervi¢es as vdl as highlighting areas ol good practice. The priortbes can be found here." LeDeR Priorities.

Solihull Actlon through Advocacy Report of the Trustees and Directors for the year ended 31 March 2025 Achievements and performance (continued) 3. Collective Advocacy Icontinuedl Influencing Work (continued) JAND Strategi¢ Board - We We￿ invrted to $rt as part of the Joint Addrtional Needs and Disabilib"e$ Board. As part of this we contributed to the drafting of the new Joint Additional Needs Strategy for Solihull, as well as the associated action plans. The Strategy can be viewed here.. JANO Strategy. Solihull Council Safeguarding Board - We are also a member of Solihull Council's Safeguarding Board which enables us lo use and share our knovthedge and experience of the local community alongside other key stakeholders across Solihull. Plans for futuro periods In consullatstsn wath our staff and the peop￿ who use our Services. our $trat&gi¢ plan for 202>26 wll focus on.. 1. Conts'nue lo deliver a high-quality. 1-2-1 Case work advocacy service to protect people's rights and onsurè their views, wishès and feèlin9$ afè heard 2. Develop new "community advocacy projects to promote and support indusion for people with leaming disability or autism to support sustainable fvnding of this work 3. Develop and grow'colleth've advocarf work to influence p0s￿Ve change 4. Improve impact measurement methodologies and reporting {maximising use of data and information) 5. Impr¢ve marketing and raise the profile of our Charity A$ wo move into 2025128 and beyond, our f￿u$ is now on pushing forward wlh the ¢Jevelopmenl of our Community and Collective Advocacy activity. Some of this work is underway including the delivery of our Circles of Support which has become an established part of our community work. We will also continue with the delivery of the new project funded by Bsol ICB to ensure that the voices and expériencés of peoplè with learning disabilitses and auts'sm arè central to assessing thè progrèss towards thg LeOeR strategic plan and in detemiining the actions that need to be taken to improve their experiences and to build on areas ol good practirE. Our Advisory Committee will ￿ntInue lo review its membership lo •n$ure it 1$ diverse and ￿preSen￿lIVe of tho Solihull Community. We will also be focussing some of our attentions on improving our ability to capture. measure and articulate the impact ol our work and using that lo infom future seryicts. a$ vrtll as lo $upport building our profile and influencing local. r￿ional and n*ional policy and wa¢ts¢e. Flnanclal review The Stslement of Financial Activrfies Shows an income of £727.168 12024- £649.33618nd expendicure of £711,758 12024." £581,315) resulb'ng in net income for the year of £15,410 12024. £68,021). The fund balance at 31 March 2025 is £207,412 12024.. £192,002). of vknich £14,02212024.' £13,007) is restricted and £193,39012024'. £178,995) is unrestricted. The increase in other charitable income shown in note 4 {2025.. £215.609 veT5U3 2024.. £136,102) is primarity due lo new proje¢t$ which ¢ommen¢ed during this period. The Trustees are parb'cularfy grateful to the members of the Board's Finance Committee, the CEO and Finance Manager for their work in supporting the Trustees to ensure careful and prudent management of the Charity's finances.

Solihull Actlon through Advocacy Report of the Trustees and Directors for the year ended 31 March 2025 Financial review {continuedl The principal finanual risks faced by the Charity are regularfy monitored by the Board of Trustees and by its Finance Committee, as well as on a continual basis by the CEO and Management Team. The main risks to vthich the Trustees feel attention should be drawn are.. Dependency on a small number of large funding streams." Approximately 65% of income for 2024-25 was derived from contracts wth Solihull Metropolitan Borough Counal (although this is split across multiple contracts) and this presents some risk in tems of sustainability in the long temi. Our main contract will be extended al least for a ftjrther five years from October 2025. The Tru51ees have sel income generation tsrgets and fijndraising plans to encourage diversifi¢ab"on of income streams to help mitigate this risk. Failure lo achieve inc4)me generation targets.. As with most similar charities. there is a recU￿ent risk that the Charity will fail lo meet its lundraising l income generabon targets In any given year. The Trustee8 have sel Challenging but achievable tsrgets and progrès$ towards them is monrtored regulady by the Board's Finance Committee. In addth'on, unrestricied lunds held in rese￿eS can be deployed to make up for under-performance in fundraising rf the Trustees consider that to be prudent and appropriate. Reserves The Reserves Policy sets out the Trustees. rab"on8le for $elb"ng its target ￿serves figu￿ and lakes due regard ¢1 the Charity Commi$$ion guidance CC19. In $elting the ￿serVeS tsrget, the Tru$tee$ con$id&r contracted future income streams, of ￿Mmitted expendrtur?, ¢a$h Ilow requirements, and identified risks on the risk register. The largel reserves figure is fomally reviewed annualty arKI ordinarily as part of the budget Setting process. A comparison of the actual and larget reserves figure 1$ monitored throughout Ihe year. In summary, the reasons for whi¢h lund8 are retsined as re$erve8 indvde". To ensure the continuity of an acb'vity in the event of a signrfKant variation or total loss of funding for that activty. This is a high priority for SAtA. To fund unforeseen and unavoidabl8 nJnnin9 Costs or caprtal expenditures that may arise. To lund runnin9 ￿$1$ lor the short-lem in the instance of ¢è$h-flow bming problems. A fr&& reserves target figure of £125.000 wa$ approved by the 8oar¢J of Trustee$ in March 2025. Free reserves at 31 March 2025 were £96.222 12024.. £96,5001 which is less than this target. The Trustees wll endeavour in the coming year to increase the free reserves figure via their ongoing budgetary controls and search for new income opportunitie5. in order to move doser to this target. Furthemiore. designated fund5 of £82.755 las al 31 March 20251 ao available lo transfer lo the general fund at the Tru8lees' discretion. This report has been prepared having taken advantage of the small companies exemw'on in the Companies Act 2006. This report was approved by the Trustees l Directors and signed on their behalf by.. 0311212025 Philip Marshall Finance Committee John Roundell Finance CommTttee Dats

Independent examinerfs report To the Trustoes of Solihull Action through Advocacy I report to the Charity Trustees on my examinab.on of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2025 which a￿ sel out on paye$ 11 to 22. Responsibilities and basis of report As the Charity Trustees ol the company land also rts Directors for the purposes of company lawl you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 I'lhe 2006 Act'l. Having sats'sfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examinab"on. l report in respect of my examination of your Company's accounts as carneil out under secb.on 145 of the charib.es Act 2011 I'the 2011 Act'l. In carrying out my examination I have followed thè Direcbons given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the 2011 Act. Inde￿ndent examinorfs statem8nt Since the Company's gross income excee<Jed £250.000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confimi that l am qualified to undertake the èxamination because l am member of the Insts'tute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies. I have completed my examination. I confirm Ihal no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me Cause lo believe that in any material respect". 1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 01 the 2006 Act.. or 2 the accounts do not accord with trbose re¢ord$.' or 3 the accounts do not Comply with the accounb.ng requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any reqU1￿ment that the accounts give a 'true and lair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examinati￿,. or 4 the a¢¢ounts have not been prepared in accordance ￿th the methods and principl&s of the Statement of Recommended Prath'ce for accounts'ng and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance wilh the Finanual Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 1021. I have no concem$ and have come arAo$$ no other matters in connecb.on with the examinth'on lo whi¢h attention Should be drwn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the a¢￿Unts lo r¥ached. 3 December 2025 Dr J R Ayling Bse FCA (Fellow of the ICAEWI 8 Troutbeck Avenue Leamington Sp¥ CV32 6NE 10

Solihull Action through Advocacy ststement of Financial Activities (including income and expenditure account} For the year ended 31 March 2025 Unr•strict8d Funds R•strid•d Funds Total 2025 Total 2024 Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies Chantsble acbvib.es 6,164 533.399 3,124 6,164 717.880 3,124 4,944 641.720 2,672 184.481 Investments 542,687 184,481 727,168 649,336 Expenditur• on: Raising funds Charitable acb'vities 4,634 576,476 205 515,888 S,330 188,731 1.809 704,619 7,139 Other 521.218 190.540 711.758 581,315 N¢t In¢om• 21,469 16,0591 15,410 68,021 Transfers beh¥een fvnds (7.0741 7.074 N•t movement In funds 14.395 1,015 15,410 68,021 Balance It start of year 178.995 13,007 192,002 123,981 Balon¢e at end ol year 193,390 14.022 207,412 192,002 There were no recognised gains and losses for the charitable cLJmpany for the current or prior years other than Ih05e included in the ststernent of Financial A¢ts"vib"es. All income and expenditure ari8e3 from ¢ontinuing ath"vilie$. 11

Solihull Action through Advocacy Company limited by guarantee: 7945421 Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025 31 March 202S 31 March 2024 Flxèd assets Tangible assets 10 14.413 2,784 Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 2.243.217 211.240 823.280 260.622 2,454.457 1.083,902 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 12 1758.7441 1619,4011 N•t ¢urront assets 1.695.713 464,501 Total asB¢ts It¥ts current Il¥billtl•• 1,710.126 487,285 Crtdltors: ¥m¢unts f•lllng •ft•r moro than on• y•ar 13 11,502.7141 1275,2831 Total not a880ts 207,412 192,002 Fund8 Restricted Unreslri¢ted 15 15 14.022 193,390 13,007 178,995 207,412 192,002 For the year ending 31 March 2025 the company was enb.ued to exempb.on from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relatin9 to small companies. The directors aCknO￿edge their responsibiliknes for complying wih the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect lo accounting records and for the preparation of finanrial statements. The members have not required the company to obtsin an audTt of its finan¢ial 5ts1ements for the year in quesbon in a¢¢ord8nce wth secb.on 476. These finanoal stslèments have been prepared in accordance with the wovi$ion$ applicable lo ¢ompanie$ subject to the small companies regime. The directors aCkno￿edge their responsibilty for complying wth the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and for the preparation of accijunts. The finanrjal statements were approved by the board of Trustees l Directors and signed on their behalf by.. 0311212025 Philip Marshall Finance Commrttee John Roundell Financè Commrttee Date 12

Solihull Action through Advocacy Cash flow statement for the year ended 31 March 2025 Year ended 31 March 2025 Year ended 31 March 2024 Net cash from operating activities Net income Adjustments for.. Oeprecialion charges Loss on Sale of fixed assets Interest income shown in invèsting aclivibes Increase in debtors Increase in creditors 15,410 68,021 1.523 13,1241 11,419,9371 1,366.774 12,6721 137,8481 107,746 Nel cash provided by operating ¥ctivilie$ 139.1731 136.593 Cash flows from Inv•stlng a¢tlvltl Interest and dividends Purchase ol fixèd a$$el$ 3.124 113.333) 2.672 11.1021 Nel cash provided by investing actsvities 110,2091 1,570 Change in cash and e2¥h equivalents in the year Cash and cash equivalents brought foThYard 149.3821 260,622 138.163 122,459 Cash and cash equlval•nts carrb•d forward 211.240 260,822 Anly¥i$ ¢1 ¢a$h and ¢a$h equivlonts Cash al bank and in hand 211.240 260.622 Analysis of changes in net debt At startofy￿r Cash flows At ond ofyaar Cash 260,622 149,3821 211,240 13

Solihull Action through Advocacy Notes fomiing part of the financial ststements for the year ended 31 March 2025 Accounting policies {a} General inforniation and basis of preparation Solihull Action through Advocacy is a private Charitable Company incorporated in England and Wale5. In the event of the Charity being wound up. the liabiltty in respect of the guarantee. 15 limited lo £10 per member of the Charity. The address of the registered office is given in the Charity information on pagè 1 of these finanaal statements. The nature of the Charity's operations and principal activits'es are.. to promote social indusion and to prevent people from becoming soaalty exduded.. to assist people to obtain full rights and privileges as citriens and integrate into SOCAety'. to achieve these objectives particularly. bul not ￿Clus￿e1y. through the provision of independent advo¢a¢y support. The Charty constitutes a public benefft entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance wth Accounts'ThJ and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended PractiCE applicable to charits.es preparing their ac£ounts in accordance wth the Financial Reporbng Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 issued in October 2019. the Financial Reportjny Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021, the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Aci 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Practice. The financial statements are prepared on a going concem basis under the historical cost convention and are presented in sterling, which is the ftjnctional currency of the Charity. rounded to the nearest £. The significant accounting policies applied in the preparatson ol these financAal statemen15 are sel out belt)w. These policies have been consistenlly applied to all years presented unless olheMi$e ststed. {b} Fund8 Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtheranc* of the general objectives of the Charity and ¥thich have not been designated for other purposes. D&$ignal&d fun¢J$ ¢ompri$e unre$th"¢ted fvnds that have been set aside by the Truste&$ for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fvnd is set out in the notes to the financial statements. Restricted funds are funds whith are to be used in aCCordar￿e wth speafic restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Charity for particular purposes. The cost of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund 1$ set out in the notes to the finanoal $tslements. {c} Incom8 rncognltlon All incoming resources are induded in the Statement of Financial Acts'vities ISOFAI when the Charity is legally entrtled to the income after any performance cLJnditions have been met. the amount can be measured reliably and rt is probable that the income will be re￿iVed. For donations to be r8cognised the Charity wll have been notified of the amounts and the settlement date in writing. If there are condits'ons attached to the donation and this requires a level of performance before entitlement can be obtained then income is deferred until those cL•nditions are fully met or the fulfilmenl of those conditi'ons is within the o)ntrol of the Charity and il is probable that they will be The Charity receives govemment grants in respect of its advocacy projects. Income from govemment and other grants are recognised at fair value when the Chanty has entiuement after any performance conditions have been met. it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. If enbtlemenl 15 not mel then these amounts are deferred. All income ari5e5 in the United Kingdom. 14

Solihull Action through Advocacy Notes fomiing part of the financial ststements for the year ended 31 March 2025 Accounting policies Icontinuedl {d} Expanditurè racognltlon All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been dassified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Expenditure is recognised where there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payments to third parbes. it is probable that the settlement will be required and the amount of the obligab.on can be measured reliably. It is calegorised under the followng heading$". Cosis of raising fvnds includes the costs of fvndraising Expenditure on charitable activities cK•mprises the direct cLJsts of the provision of advocacy 5ervice5 and associated overhead expenses Irrec4Jverable VAT is charged as an expense against the actsvity for which expenditure arose. {•} Support costs allocation Support costs are those thal assisl the work of the Charty, bLrt do not directly represent charitable aclivits'es and include adminislrab've payroll costs. premises costs. office costs and governance costs. Support ¢osl$ have been allocated lo expenditure on ¢haritable acb"V￿es, and raising funds. Any support ¢osts which cannot b& dire¢Vy attn"bule<l lo indivi(lual fvnd$ afe apportioned according to the gross payroll cost incurred by each fvnd. The anatysis of these costs is included in note 6. {Q Tanglbl• fix•d assets Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost lor deemed costl or valuation less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Cosl indudes costs direcdy attn'butable to making the asset capable of operating as intended. Depreciatson is provided on all tsngible fixed a$$ets. al fates cal￿j1ated lo wnle off the cost. le88 estimated resifjual value, of each asset on a Systematic basi$ over its expthd useful lil& as follows.. Computers and office equipment 33.3% reducing balance Assets costing le$$ than £1,000 are wriiten off to the SOFA in the year of pur¢ha$8. {g} Debtors Trade and other debtors are recognised at the setvement amounl due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid nel of any trade discounts due. {h} Impalmiant Assets not measured at fair value are reviewed for any indication that the asset may be impaired at each balance sheet date. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset, or the a5set'5 cash generating unil. is esb"maled and compared to the carying amount. Where the carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. an impairment loss 1$ recognised In profil or lo$$ unle$$ the a$$et is carriad at a r8valuèd amount whère thè impaim)ènt loss is a revaluab'on dècrèasè. {1} Creditors and provisions Creditor5 and provisions are recognised when the Charity has an obligation al the balance sheet dale as a result of a past event. rt is probable that an outnow of economic benefrts wll be required in settlement and the amount Can be ￿llabty esb"mated. 15

Solihull Action through Advocacy Notes fomiing part of the financial ststements for the year ended 31 March 2025 Accounting policies (continuedl ti} Lèases Rèntsls payable and receivable under operab.ng leases a￿ charged to the SOFA on a straight line basis over the of the lease. {k} Tax The Charity is an exempt Charity wthin the meaning of schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011 and is considered to pass the tes15 sel out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and therefore il meèts thè delinititsn of a Charity lor UK ¢orporab"on tax purposès. G¢lng Con¢•m The financial stslements have been prepared on a going concem basis as the Trustees believe that no material uncertainb'trs exist. The Tfustees have considered the level of funds hel¢J and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these finanaal statements. The budgeted income and expenditure is suffiuent wth the level of reserves for the Charity, to be able to continue as a going concem. Donatlons and l•gacl•s Yoar ended Yèar onded 31 M•r¢h 2025 31 M•r¢h 2024 Other donations and gift aid 6,164 All donations are unrestricted. Income from charbtable activitiOS Yèar •nd•d Y•ar ènd•d 31 March 2025 31 March 2024 Contracts with Solihtjll M8C Grants Other charitable income 469.131 33,140 215,609 717,880 452.850 52,768 136,102 641,720 All grant income is restricted. £151,341 12024.'£46,6491 of other charrtable income is restricted. All other income from charitable activities is unrestricted. 16

Solihull Action through Advocacy Notes fomiing part of the financial ststements for the year ended 31 March 2025 ExpendituTr on charitable ¥ctiviti9s Year ended Year ended 31 March 2025 31 March 2024 Total Total Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Direct staff costs Direct premises costs Direct office costs Other direct costs Totsl direct cos15 Supptsrt costs (note 81 297.450 66 3,796 118.866 420.178 95.710 515,888 63.200 360.650 66 14,743 217.744 593.203 111.416 704,619 343.653 662 483 143,993 488.791 87.685 576,478 10,947 98,878 173.025 15.706 188,731 Allocation of 8UPPOrt costs Support costs are allocated to expenditure on charitable ath'vities and other expenditure, being apportioned btheen individual funds on the basis of the direct payroll cost incurred by each fund. Total support C4JSts comprise the lollowng.. Yaar èndéd 31 March 2025 Support costs included in exwnditure on charttsbl& a¢IN￿e$ Staff costs Premises costs Office costs Depreciation Lo$$ on disposal Professional fees Governance Other costs 55,485 27,084 20,348 1,523 181 540 2,949 3,306 111,416 6.285 117.701 Support costs included in other expendrture Nèt mov•m•nt In lund8 for th• y•ar The nel movement in fvnds for the year is stated after charging.. Year ended Year ended 31 Mar¢h 2025 31 Mar¢h 2024 Depreryats"on of tsngible fixed a55ets Fèès payable to thè indepèndent examinèr. 1.523 2,645 1.346 2,060 No other fees were paid to Ihe independent examiner12024.' £nill. 17

Solihull Action through Advocacy Notes fomiing part of the financial ststements for the year ended 31 March 2025 Stsff costs Year ended Year ended 31 March 2025 31 March 2024 The staff costs were.. Wages and salaries Social Security costs Ptrnsion contribub.ons 366.196 23.314 18.017 407,527 8,608 416,135 307,053 16.214 15.593 338,880 29,877 368,737 Other staff costs The other staff costs comprise mainty staff cover. travel. recnjilment and training costs. No employee received annual emolumen15 In excess of £50.000 {2024'. rhonel. The average monthly number of staff employed during the year was". Year ended Yoar ended 31 March 2025 31 March 2024 No. No. Charitsble A¢tivilie$ Other 16 19 18 Trust8•8' •xpon888 and r•munorat•on The Trustees all give freely their tsme and experb'se wthout any fomi of remunerats'on or other benefit in cash or kind 12024.. £nill. Expenses paid to ihe Trustees in the year totalled £nil12024'. £nill and there were no donations made by Trustees12024'. £nil). Thwe were no other ielated party transacb'ons 12024.. none). 10 Tanglble flxod assots Computgrs and office equlpmènt Cost At 31 March 2024 Additions Disposals At 31 March 2025 16.830 13,333 11,2241 28,939 pre¢iation At 31 March 2024 Charge for year Disposals At 31 March 2025 14,048 1,523 11,0431 14,526 Net book value At 31 March 2025 14,413 At 31 March 2024 2.784 18

Solihull Action through Advocacy Notes fomiing part of the financial ststements for the year ended 31 March 2025 11 Debtors 31 March 202S 31 March 2024 Trade debtors Other debtors Prepayments and accrued income 128,265 5,801 2,109.151 2.243.217 60,725 2,198 760.357 823.280 Prepayments and accrued income indude £2.104.526 {2024.. £755.7321 in respect of long-lerm contracts. These amounts are recognised as due lo the Charty under the ternis of the ￿ntraCt$ bul the associated income is deferred to the ￿leVant futu￿ penods. see notes 12 and 13. Induded within prepayments and accrued income is £1,502,714 12024". £275,283) due after more than one year. £288,671 12024.. £145.2311 of accrued income is restricted. The increase in accrued income at 31 March 2025 compared wlh 31 March 2024 is primarily due to the renewal of the Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council eonlract unb"l Odober 2030. 12 Credltorn: amounts falllng duo wlthln on• yèar Trade creditors Accruals and deferred income Taxation and soaal security 31 Mar¢h 2025 31 March 2024 49.199 709.545 9,842 604.730 4.829 619,401 758,744 Accruals and deferred income falling due vthin one year indudes £687,799 12024." £579,691) in respect of long-lem ¢onlra¢ls. These amounts wll be recognise<l as income in the year ending 31 March 2026. 12024. re¢ognised in the year ended 31 March 202S1. £280.62B 12024.. £191,908) of deferred income due within one year i¥ re$ln"ded. 13 Cr•ditor8'. amounts falling du• aft•r mor• than on• y••r Accruals and deferred Income 31 M•rch 202S 31 M8r¢h 2024 1,502.714 275.283 Accruals and deferred income falling due after more than one year are in respect of long-term contracts. These amounts wll be recognised as income in ihe years ending 31 March 2027. 31 March 2028, 31 March 2029 and 31 March 2030 {2024'. recognised in the year ending 31 March 20261. AII a¢crual$ and delerred in¢ome are due wrthin five years. No interest 1$ Chargeable. £94.030 12024.. £66,095) of deferred incomè due after more than one year is restricted. The increase in defer￿d income at 31 March 2025 compared 31 March 2024 is primarily due to the renewal of the Solihull Metropolitan Borough Counal contract until October 2030. 14 Deferred income At 1 April 2024 Additions during the year Amounts released to income At 31 March 2025 854,974 1,915,230 1579.6911 2.190.513 Deferred income comprise5 amounts. T￿lved or receivable, which are in respect of work to be undertaken in future periods. see notes 12 and 13. 19

Solihull Action through Advocacy Notes fomiing part of the financial ststements for the year ended 31 March 2025 15 Summary of fund mo¥8m•nts Fund balance Fund balance Expend- itur• Fund n$fers In¢om• Unrnstrfetsd funds General fund 99,284 22,041 {12,5181 1,828 110,635 Designated funds- Case Work Advocacy Solihull First 5.000 Parents Advocacy B'ham & Solihull ICB Trans￿.0￿ 5,464 Dèslgnatèd fund$- Communlty Advocacy Peer Visitors Cirdes of Supptsrt Deslgnated funds- Other IT development & $ecunty Website development Project accounting Finance and HR staff development 416.085 42,738 1,169 1440,8061 (35,1401 19.721 17,5981 6.633 747 10.308 50.346 {16,3841 {16,3701 5,329 33.976 50,000 5,000 5,000 123,5211 26.479 5,000 15,0001 8.000 15.8331 8.902 8.000 2.667 82.755 8,SOO 79.711 520.646 1508,7001 Totsl unrestricted fvnds 178,995 $42,687 193,390 521,218 7,074 Re8td¢tsd lund•- Ca80 Work Adwocacy Baron Oavenport Dg8Sgnatod fund8- Communlty Advocacy Awards for All 2.710 HS2 Restri¢tsd lund$- Coll¢¢tivo Advocacy LeDeR R•8trfct•d funds- Oth•r CB & HH Taylor Eveson Trust Sheldon Trust Pink Ribbon 189 750 939 2.710 20.724 {27,6891 6,965 10,023 147,941 {149,2151 8,749 85 85 10.000 {10,1091 {1,0001 2,527 190,540 109 3,400 184.481 873 14,022 13,007 7,074 Total funds 192,002 727,168 711,758 207,412 Tran$fers made from the general lund to the ￿1n"￿e<l fvnds are to ensu￿ they are not in deficit al the year end. 20

Solihull Action through Advocacy Notes fomiing part of the financial ststements for the year ended 31 March 2025 15 Summary of fund MOV￿￿•nts (continued) Designated funds are held for the follomng purposes-. Solihull First Provision of statutory and non-statutory advocacy for adults residing andlor receiving services in Solihull. Thi5 Indude3 advocacy provided under the Care A¢i. Mentsl Capatyty A¢t. Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and Mental Heath Act as well as NHS Complaints. It also includes issue-based, non-statutory advocacy lor adutts living in Solihull. Parents Advocacy One to one support for parents wth a leaming disability who are going through child protection proceedings. B'ham & Solihull IC8 Transrtj'on Advocacy support for young people vAlh ￿aMing disabilities transitioning from children's to adults. services. Pe&r Visitors Peer4ed qualty monrtoring visits lo Lo¢al Authority residenb'al care homes. Circles of Support A program to help ￿d￿Ce sooal isolab"ts) and build long-lem supporb.ve nelworks fLV people leaming disabilities. For replaring IT equipment and for IT security costs. IT development & security Website development For ongoing development of the websrte. Project acLounting To expand the accounting system to 1￿c￿rpOrate quartedy project repoth'ng and monihly cash flows. Financo and HR To develop $y$lem$, proce$8es and knfwledge. For investment in staff training course5 and career development. Staff development Restricted funds are held for the following purposes.. Baron Davonport Advocacy support for youn9 p8opl¥ vAlh ￿aMIng di$abililig8 Iransilioning from children's to adutt services. Awards for All Building Connedions projed providing sessions for adurts with learning disabilities andlor autism to meet and get support, soaalise and build relats'onships. Project fvnding lo reduce the isol"on of people in north Solihull that were affectèd by the HS2 w)struction. Learning from the lives and deatrs from people with leaming disability and auti$m ig a project for the NHS. The project c¢vers the geographi¢81 areas of Solihull and Bimiingham and involves talking to people wth lived experience to understand their views and experience of accessing health services. To support young people wilh leaming disabilities or autism into adulthood. HS2 LeDeR CB & HH Taylor Eveson Trust To support the running costs of the organisatson. Sheldon Trust To support the running costs of the organis'on. Pink Ribbon To educate women and fatylilate peer $upport on the importance of obtaining ￿gUlar breast cancer screening checks 21

Solihull Action through Advocacy Notes fomiing part of the financial ststements for the year ended 31 March 2025 16 Analysis of net assets by fund Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Fixed assets Debtors Cash Current liabilities Long temi liabilities 14,413 1.954.546 111.231 {478.1161 11,408.6841 193,390 14,413 2,243.217 211.240 1758.7441 11,502,714) 207,412 288.671 100.009 1280.6281 194,030} 14,022 17 Op•ratlng1•¥8• ¢ommltm•nts At the repo￿.ng end date the Charitable Company had outstanding commttments for future minimum lease payments under non cancellable operating leases as fcllchvs.. Premlses 31 March 2025 31 Mar¢h 2024 Not later than one year Later than one year and not laler than five years 18.500 27,7SO 46.250 18.500 9.250 27.750 Offlce e 31 M•r¢h 202S mont 31 Mar¢h 2024 Not later than one ye?r Latér than onè yèar and not later than five years 996 2,490 3.486 3,488 4.482 Lease payments recognised as an expense in the year were £18.500 {2024'. £18.5001 for premises and £99612024.. £1.2811 for office equipment 18 ControllSng party and ultlmats controlllng party The controlling party and ultimate controlling party of the Charitable Company is the Board of Trustees l Directors of Solihull Action through Advocacy.