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2025-03-31-accounts

Active Independence 2024-2025 . ANNUAL REPORT Published September, 2025

Naveen Judah Chair

ACTIVE INDEPENDENCE

Welcome to our Annual Report which summarises our activities from April 2024 to March 2025

Over this year Disabled people continued to face challenges with rising costs and difficulties recruiting PAs. Consequently demand on our Advocacy service steadily increased so we took the decision to bring Maria Levick onto our permanent Advocacy team. The year ended on a sad note when Jo Ritson, one of our founder members and Advocacy manager, retired. We will all greatly miss her

incredible knowledge and expertise. We also welcomed Jacqui onto the staff team as our Groups Development Officer.

Our wellbeing groups continue to thrive so much so we began a new group in Rotherham,

Our PA Support service also continued to provide much needed information and support to the PA workforce.

The details of our activities are in the report, including many fabulous photos from our trips and activities.

We would like to thank our funders who enable us to continue to deliver such high quality services.

Thank you do much for being one of our partners, we simply could not deliver on this contract with you!

Garfiel Foundation Skybet

Sponsors from SkyDrive

ACTIVE INDEPENDENCE

Overview

We have 3 broad aims which underpin all the work that we do:

To provide information, advice, advocacy, training and support to enable Disabled people to have choice and control, and to live independent lives.

To campaign for the right for Disabled people to have choice and control, in order to live independently and with dignity.

In pursuit of our aims, we engage in a variety of activities, which can be summarised under the following categories:

Projects and Services

Training

Campaigns

Events / Promotion

All excellent, everyone is so welcoming and sessions easy and relaxed. Very Inclusive, Thank You!

ACTIVE INDEPENDENCE

Advocacy Service

Issues Breakdown

----- Start of picture text -----
Other
5.9%
Care
11.2%
Travel
10.1%
Housing
4.9%
----- End of picture text -----

Clients Supported

710 clients

Issues Helped With

753 different issues

Benefits Gained

----- Start of picture text -----
Benefits
67.9%
----- End of picture text -----

£1,441,505

We are a team of highly experienced specialist advocates, trained in the Social Model of Disability and in disability benefit entitlements. During this period we continued to see increase in clients from Doncaster and 79% of clients are now from outside of our Social Prescribing Contract. We continued to support clients from Crossroads Care Carers Resilience Service and employed another part -time advocate, Maria.

Case Study

SPS contacted us to assisted Peter, who has learning disability and a long-term condition . He wanted to move back to his old neighbourhood. He had been relocated previously due to financial exploitation and being ‘cuckooed’ but he now faced threats and antisocial behaviour in his current home.

Our Advocate secured an upgrade to Peter’s housing status from Band 4 to Band 2 due to his medical needs, working with the Housing Officer to ensure awareness of Peter’s needs. Our advocate also found that although he had saving, he was only getting an allowance of £150 per week for all expenses from Citizenship First, who were managing his money for him. Following negotiation, this was increased to £250, enabling Peter to afford taxis and visit friends, which improved his wellbeing. We also helped Peter to apply for Pension Credit.

Outcomes:

Improved Finances Total: £58.65 per week and access to increased weekly allowance

Thank you for being my guiding light throughout this PIP process – you are an absolute STAR!

Improved Wellbeing - can now afford taxis and visit friends

Collaborated with relevant agencies to ensure his needs and concerns were addressed.

ACTIVE INDEPENDENCE

Art of Wellbeing Project

This year, we welcomed 165 participants across 92 sessions , leading to a total attendance of 892 across all activities. We launched a new group ‘’Crafting Together - Upcycling for Good in March 2025 and rebranded all our groups. We promote these on our active Facebook page and in our monthly Ebulletin , along with information on a range of disability-related issues.

Creative Textiles - Edward Dunn, Maltby

This group now runs every Tuesday with the help of two new volunteers: Dawn and Jackie. The group has made an amazing 186 quilts to children's and baby wards in the area.

Artful Balance - Edenthough, Doncaster

This group moved to a new venue, but has continued with its crafts, inclusive yoga, day trips to Cleethorpes & York; archery sessions and a number of barge trips.

Inclusive Cycling - Doncaster Cycling Hub

This weekly group remains popular, with high turn-out, no matter what the weather conditions, from March to November.

Crafting Together - Brecks, Rotherham

This new group focuses on recycling and creating new crafts. They meet twice a month on 1st, 3rd Wednesdays.

Thank you again, to all you ladies, for your kindness, hard work and generosity

ACTIVE INDEPENDENCE

PA Support Service & PA Register

PA Peer Support

We have a dedicated PA Support Officer, who provides confidential 1-1 information, advice and mentoring support to PAs in Doncaster and Rotherham. She supported 109 PAs with total of 160 issues .

PA Register

We have an established on-line PA Register, which is free for PAs to join. It provides a platform for individual employers to advertise for jobs, for a small fee, and it allows PAs to upload their details and apply for available positions. 39 Adverts were placed by employers on our PA Register, 17 of these we know where filled by a PA if we managed their recruitment from 67 PA applications we received.

Other PA Services

As well as supporting PAs via telephone and What’s App, we produce a monthly PA e-bulletin that has a 124 subscribers and a dedicated PA Facebook page with 567 followers. We also provided 26 ID Badges. and have comprehensive free on-line training modules for both PAs and Individual Employers.

You’ve been brilliant, just the person I’ve beEn looking for, Thank you so much for your advice - you have been help then anyone spoken to!

ACTIVE INDEPENDENCE

Campaigns

Throughout this year, we have maintained our campaign efforts to assist Personal Assistants (PAs) in obtaining the Blue Light Discount Card.

Additionally, we have engaged with the Doncaster Advice Network, which continues to raise awareness about the impact of the Cost of Living on Disabled People and promote Pension Credit.

We are members of Disability Rights UK and continue to promote the rights of Disabled people throughout our work.

Training

We continue to actively promote our online training programme designed for personal assistants and their employers. We attended several Skills for Care events.

Governance

This year has brought significant changes to our staffing. We have:

Our Trustees continue to meet regularly. Work has focused on reviewing policies and refining our financial monitoring and develop a more robust funding strategy.

We are overjoyed. My PIP decision was overturned at tribunal, I been awarded Enhanced Rate DL and Mobility with £10,000 backpay! Thank you for supporting me

Trustees

Naveen Judah

Chair

Brian Nelson Trustee

Staff

Barbara Booton

Chief Executive

Jo Ritson

Advocacy Manager (Retired Feb. 25)

Angela Burman

PA Support Officer / Advocate

Jacqui Clayton

Group Dev Officer

ACTIVE INDEPENDENCE

David Turner-Smith

Treasurer

Eleanor Dabell

Trustee

Jacqui Clayton Trustee - retired Sept 24

Fiona Martin

Operations Manager

John Ward

Senior Advocate

Maria Levick

Advocate & Group Dev Officer

Huge thanks to our volunteers who make such a difference to the work we do:

Abby Martin Julie Reed Emma Masterman Liz Trimble Chris Martin Sue Cassey Ellen Royston Dawn Jackie Matthews

No more worries about money, just focus on getting better. All down to my advocate, I can’t thank you enough, your help is much appreciated.!

ACTIVE INDEPENDENCE

Highlights

----- Start of picture text -----
Clients PAs
1000
800
600
400
200
0
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 204
----- End of picture text -----

Geographical Analysis (Advocacy)

Assistance with PIP

----- Start of picture text -----
Other
Sheffield7.3% 4.8% Doncaster
20.2%
Rotherham
67.7%
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
PIP Tribunal
13.1%
PIP MR
9.6%
PIP Form
77.3%
----- End of picture text -----

Benefits Gained =

% Female Members (AOW)

----- Start of picture text -----
£1,441,505
----- End of picture text -----

73%

Thank you for being my guiding light throughout this PIP process – you are an absolute STAR

ACTIVE INDEPENDENCE

Looking Forward

Growth

Continue to develop our Art of Wellbeing offer. Consulting with members on increasing the number of sessions per month. Review the capcity of the Advocacy team following Jo’s retirement

Development

Begin to build our team of volunteers and build more comprehensive support and training for them

Ensure our policies are up to date and relevant.

Sustainability

Commit to ensuring our impact on our environment is minimised whilst working towards a more secure funding base. We will also look to recruit additional trustees

Closing Comments

Active Independence is proud to be 100% led by people with lived experience of the challenges and barriers faced by Disabled people, their families and PAs/carers. This includes all of our trustees, staff and volunteers. This means that all of our services and ways of working are developed and delivered to maximise inclusion and engagement and allow individuals to work and be involved in the ways that meet their needs.

Having such a value base is vital to our success. We believe that by being an exemplary model of inclusive ways of working promotes more positive attitudes towards Disabled people, challenges stereotypes and works to reduce barriers to Independent Living.

As we move forward it is important to us that we do not compromise on these values and principles. They will anchor and inform everything from our funding strategy to recruitment to work with our clients.

Barbara Booton CEO

I find the service & support that You offer exceptional & have had nothing but fantastic comments from patients & families that I have referreD They always gone over & Above..

Make Choices. Take Control.

Helping you lead an independent life

PO Box 1626, Doncaster DN1 9WX 07917 607730

Charity Registration: 1148975 Company Registration: 07942030

Registered Company Address: The Old Barn, Anchorage Lane, Sprotbrough. Doncaster. DN5 8DT

Company registration number: 07942039 Charity registration number: 1148975

Active Independence

(A company limited by guarantee) Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Campbell & Stenton Accountancy The Old Barn Anchorage Lane Sprotbrough Doncaster DN5 8DT

Active Independence

Contents

Reference and Administrative Details 1
Independent examiner's report 2
Statement of financial activities 3
Balance Sheet 4
Notes to the financial statements 5 to 9
The following pages do not form part of the statutory financial statements:
Statement of financial activities per fund 10 to 11

Active Independence

Reference and Administrative Details

Charity name Active Independence
Charity registration number 1148975
Company registration number 7942039
Registered office The Old Barn, Anchorage Lane
Sprotbrough
Doncaster
DN5 8DT
Secretary Barbara Booton (Appointed 19 October 2016)
Trustees David Alan Turner-Smith (Appointed 14 March 2017)
Naveen Judah (Appointed 21 March 2018)
Eleanor Alice Dabell (Resigned 3 September 2025)
Jacqueline Clayton (Resigned 1 October 2024)
Elizabeth Ann Jeffrey (Resigned 26 March 2025)
Brian Nelson (Appointed 21 January 2021)
Matthew Lester (Appointed 1 August 2025)
Accountant Campbell & Stenton Accountancy
The Old Barn
Anchorage Lane
Sprotbrough
Doncaster
DN5 8DT

Page 1

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of

Active Independence

I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 3 to 9.

Respective responsibillities of trustees and examiner

The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner's report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

have not been met; or

.........................................

Campbell & Stenton Accountancy

The Old Barn Anchorage Lane Sprotbrough Doncaster DN5 8DT

Page 2

Active Independence

Statement of Financial Activites (including Income and Expenditure Account) for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Total Funds Total Funds
Unrestricted Restricted Year ended Period ended
Funds Funds 31 March 2025 31 March 2024
Note £ £ £ £
Incoming resources
Incoming resources from generated
funds
Voluntary Income 2 49,183 24,216 73,399 49,117
Other incoming resources 4 305 81,875 82,180 69,467
Total incoming resources 49,488 106,091 155,579 118,584
Resources expended
Costs of generating funds
Costs of generating voluntary
income 5 - - - -
Charitable activities - service
delivery 5 30,340 114,325 144,665 122,282
Total resources expended 30,340 114,325 144,665 122,282
Net movements in funds 19,148 (8,234) 10,914 (3,698)
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 3,330 76,461 79,791 83,537
Total funds carried forward 22,478 68,227 90,705 79,839

All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities

The notes on pages 5 to 9 form an integral part of these financial statements

Page 3

Active Independence (Registration number: 07942039)

Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025

31 March 2025 31 March 2024
Note £ £ £ £
Fixed Assets
Tangible assets 9 541 541
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand 79,110 71,237
Debtors 796 701
Creditors: Amounts falling due 79,906 71,938
within one year 10 2,542 (2,754)
Net current assets 82,448 69,184
Net assets 82,989 69,725
The funds of the charity:
Resticted funds 68,227 76,509
Unrestricted funds
Unrestricted income funds 22,478 3,330
Total charity funds 90,705 79,839

For the financial year ended 31 March 2025, the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the charity to obtain an audit of its accounts for the period in question in accordance with section 476.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

Approved by the Board on 8 December 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

......................................... Naveen Judah Director

The notes on pages 5 to 9 form an integral part of these financial statements.

Page 4

Active Independence

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

1 Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2005)', issued in March 2005, applicable accounting standards and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared on a cash basis.

Fund accounting policy

Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees' discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.

Restricted funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.

Further details of each fund are disclosed in note 13.

Incoming resources

Voluntary income including donations and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature is recognised where there is entitlement, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Resources expended

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to the expenditure. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category.

Costs of generating funds comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income and the costs of trading for fundraising purposes.

Fixed assets

Individual fixed assets costing £0 or more are initially recorded at cost.

Depreciation

Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:

Office equipment 33% reducing balance

Page 5

Active Independence

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

2 Voluntary income

Donations and Legacies
Donations
Grants
Grants
Grants receivable
Grants
Other incoming resources
Other income
Managed services Income
Other income
Unrestricted
Funds
£
Restricted
Funds
£
Total Funds
Year ended
31 March
2025
£
Total Funds
Period ended
31 March
2024
£
2,430
-
2,430
1,187
46,753
24,216
70,969
47,930
49,183
24,216
73,399
49,117
Unrestricted
Funds
£
Restricted
Funds
£
Total Funds
Year ended
31 March
2025
£
Total Funds
Period ended
31 March
2024
£
46,753
24,216
70,969
47,930
Unrestricted
Funds
£
Restricted
Funds
£
Total Funds
Year ended
31 March
2025
£
Total Funds
Period ended
31 March
2024
£
52
81,875
81927
69,467
253
0
253
0
305
81,875
82,180
69,467

3 Grants receivable

4 Other incoming resources

Page 6

Active Independence

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

5 Total resources expended

Direct Costs
Other direct costs
Employment costs
Establishment costs
Insurance
Advertising
Printing, posting and stationary
Subscriptions and donations
Sundry and other costs
Accountancy fees
Travel & Accommodation
Bank charges & interest
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
Grants
Operating
activity
£
£
8,915
-
119,664
-
2,686
-
196
-
0
-
3,439
-
905
-
323
-
1,639
5,660
77
-
1,161
0
144,665
Total
£
8,915
119,664
2,686
196
0
3,439
905
323
1,639
5,660
77
1,161
144,665

Trustees receiving remuneration during the period Jacqueline Clayton (Resigned 1 October 2024)

7 Net (Expenditure)/income

Net (Expenditure)/income is stated after charging

Depreciation of owned assets Year ended
31 March 2025
£
1,161
Period ended
31 March 2024
£
267

The company is a registered charity and is, therefore, exempt from taxation

Page 7

Active Independence

Notes to the Financial Statement for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

9 Tangible fixed assets

Cost
As at 1 April 2024
Additions
At 31 March 2025
Depreciation
As at 1 April 2024
Charge for the period
As at 31 March 2025
Net book value
As at 31 March 2025
As at 31 March 2024
Fixtures,
fittings and
equipment
£
3473
3,689
7162
2932
1161
4093
3069
541

10 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Trade Creditors
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
Total Creditors
31 March
2025
£
318
1422
872
2612
31 March
2024
£
774
774

11 Members' liability

The charity is a private company limited by guarantee and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the members is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £nil towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation.

Page 8

Active Independence

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

12 Related parties

Controlling entity

The charity is controlled by the trustees who are all directors of the company

13 Analysis of funds

General Funds
Unrestricted income fund
Restricted Funds
Restricted income fund
Net assets by fund
Tangible assets
Current assets
Creditors: Amounts falling due within
one year
Net assets
At 1 April 2024
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
At 31 March
2025
£
£
£
£
3,330
49,488
30,340
22,478
76,509
106,091
114,325
68,275
79,839
155,579
144,665
90,753
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total Funds
31 March 2025
Total Funds
31 March 2024
£
£
£
£
541
-
541
541
22,478
68,227
90,705
79,839

2,542
-
2,542
(2,754)
25,561
68,227
93,788
77,626

14 Net assets by fund

Page 9

Active Independence

Statement of financial activities by fund Year Ended 31 March 2025

Incoming resources
Incoming resources from generated funds
Voluntary Income
Other incoming resources
Total incoming resources
Resources expended
Costs of generating funds
Charitable activities - service delivery
Total resources expended
Net movements in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
Unrestricted
income fund
2025
£
49,183
305
49,488
30,340
30,340
19,148
3,330
22,478
Unrestricted
income fund
2024
£
1,447
1,047
2,494
26,240
26,240
(23,746)
27,076
3,330

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements Page 10

Active Independence

Statement of financial activities by fund Year Ended 31 March 2025

......... continued
Incoming resources
Incoming resources from generated funds
Voluntary Income
Other incoming resources
Total incoming resources
Resources expended
Costs of generating funds
Costs of generating voluntary income
Charitable activities - service delivery
Total resources expended
Net movements in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
Restricted
income fund
2025
£
24,216
81,875
106,091
-
114,325
114,325
(8,234)
76,461
68,227
Restricted
income fund
2024
£
47,670
68,420
116,090
-
96,042
96,042
20,048
56,461
76,509

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements.

Page 11

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