2021-12-31-accounts

GRAPEVINE ESSEX FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Contents

Contents
Our Purpose, our Values, our Services	4
Structure and Governance	5
We Listen, We Act, We Care	6
Chair’s Annual Review	7
President’s Report	8
Club Grapevine	9
Dance Group	10
Performance Overview	11
What People Say…	12
Our Benefactors	14
Treasurer’s Report	15
Independent Examiner’s Report	16
Accounts for the Year 2021	17
Grapevine Puzzle Maze	18
Membership Forms	19
Gift Aid Form	23

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“Believe you can and you’re half way there…” – Theodore Roosevelt

To make an impact on the lives of adults with learning disabilities by providing the necessary tools for change to enable them to lead active and purposeful lives.

Grapevine Essex is committed to providing an excellent and professional service to adults with learning disabilities; comprising affordable, confidence building and educational opportunities that teach life skills, support independent living and improve employability.

The supported outings and activities provided ensure valuable respite to

parents and carers, in addition to raising acceptance and awareness of adults with learning difficulties within the general public.

Most of all, we are dedicated to ensuring our members have fun, develop friendships and enhance their lives within a safe, supportive and friendly environment.

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Structure and Governance

Grapevine Essex was founded in January 2012 and achieved charity status as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in March 2013 with the registered Charity Number 1151261. Our governing document is the CIO Constitution, which was also agreed in 2013 and is reviewed on a regular basis.

events during the Easter, Summer and Christmas holidays. These can include trips to historical venues, theme parks, theatres, outdoor activity centres, wildlife parks and residential mini-breaks to name just a few.

In term time, we hold two weekly evening clubs - a Dance Group, and Club Grapevine, which is a social club providing organised activities. Both are very well attended.

In accordance with Charity Commission regulations, we have an elected Board of Trustees, who are responsible for the governance of the group. Charity trustees are elected on the basis of the relevant skills and attributes they possess that enable them to perform important functions within the charity. Trustees who were elected at the Annual General Meeting on 4 May 2021 are:

Adults with learning disabilities can lead sedentary and sheltered lives and are at a particular disadvantage in our society with relation to involvement in leisure and social activities. This may be due to communication difficulties, a lack of confidence, qualified help and support or financial restrictions. People who are intellectually disadvantaged can be socially marginalised and isolated. Some of our members live in segregated settings, with few, if any, social relationships within the wider community.

Mrs Jackie Holland Mrs Monika Kelly Mrs Vanessa Hellier Mrs Jane Crossman Mrs Sue Johns Mrs Mary Schultz Mr Peter Schultz

Chair Treasurer Secretary Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee

Belonging to Grapevine Essex helps to motivate our members and improve their quality of life by providing exciting opportunities to get involved with, alongside some regular and familiar activities too. Members form relationships and make friends; and belonging to the ‘Grapevine Family’ becomes an important part of their lives.

Grapevine Essex was formed to meet the need locally for adults with learning disabilities to join a club where they can experience opportunities via our extensive activity programme that would not otherwise be available to them. Grapevine provides over 40 outings and

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Grapevine Essex was founded in January 2012 by Jackie Holland and Vanessa Hellier and we have over 150 members.

We are honoured to have Peter Turrall MBE as our President, and Lord Petre, 18th Baron Petre KCVO as our Patron.

Jackie’s role as Chair of the Board of Trustees and Charity Manager includes planning and organising all the activities and events for members, managing the accounts and overseeing the general running of the charity. Jackie holds qualifications in Emergency First Aid at Work; Risk Assessment and Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults, level 3 (Higher Distinction).

Vanessa’s role as Member Support Manager involves organising the support for members and supervising the volunteer team. She also runs our two weekly clubs during term times: Club Grapevine and the Dance Group. Vanessa holds qualifications in First Aid at Work; Risk Assessment; Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults, level 3 (Higher Distinction); Epilepsy Awareness; Autism Awareness and is qualified to administer Buccal Midazolam.

Mary Schultz works alongside Vanessa in providing support for members and also organises the Art and Craft Workshops. Mary holds qualifications in Emergency First Aid At Work; Risk

Assessment; Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults, level 3 (Higher Distinction) and Autism Awareness.

Jane Crossman is the Funding and Administrative Officer and she helps Jackie in applying for grants and various other administrative duties, as well as volunteering at our events and Club nights. Jane holds qualifications in Emergency First Aid at Work; Risk Assessment and Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults, level 3 (Higher Distinction).

Adrian Heighes is a Support Assistant for people with complex needs. He is currently studying for a BSc Hons in Health and Social Care and holds the following qualifications: QCF/NVQ Level Two: Health & Social Care; NVQ Level Three: Employment Law; Understanding Autism, Fire Safety, Health & Safety, Nutrition & Wellbeing, Infection Control & Prevention, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults, level 3 (Higher Distinction); Dementia Awareness, Makaton, The Autism Act 2009, Manual Handling; First Aid at Work and is qualified to administer Buccal Midazolam.

Other support staff and volunteers are offered ‘Emergency First Aid at Work’ training. All members of the Grapevine Team have enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance where required.

“Thank you Grapevine organisers and volunteers for making my daughter’s life so much richer”

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Chair’s Annual Review 2021

After 2020 being a complete washout for Grapevine’s activities, we hoped that 2021 would bring

some relief from the black cloud that is Covid-19. We provided free membership to all our existing members to make up for the previous year but unfortunately the Covid situation was not much different and the year began in the same vein.

We were disappointed that our Clubs weren’t able to open and no Easter activities could be planned. Thank goodness for online video calls and Sport for Confidence! We carried on with our twice weekly Zoom sessions until June; and Sport for Confidence were able to offer socially distanced weekly sessions that members could participate in.

However, the situation had started to improve by the start of the summer, and with vaccinations and rapid testing, we were able to hold an exciting programme of Summer events. It was lovely to be able to get out and meet up with members faceto-face again. The summer events were so much fun and we enjoyed two

amazing residential trips. My favourite was to the Wilderness Centre in the Forest of Dean. We had a large country house and 30 acres of glorious private grounds all to ourselves. Members were able to take part in archery, climbing, caving, team building games and lots more.

It was a wonderful relaxing break.

In September, our Dance Group and Club Grapevine were able to restart and

things were really getting back to normal for Grapevine members. The Winter activities were almost stalled again due to a new Covid variant but thankfully, we were able to enjoy everything that we’d planned.

For me personally, life became exceptionally busy around the end of the year because we moved house and are now living by the sea in St Osyth. This doesn’t change anything with Grapevine, I will still continue running the charity from home and organising lots of lovely events for a long time to come.

Jackie Holland Chair & Charity Manager

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President’s Report

The last two years have been difficult ones for many of us due to the Pandemic and many planned events were cancelled. I do hope we are over the worst and that from now onward, regular planned activities can take place. I have not been able to make contact with many of our members but the horizon looks brighter and perhaps you will see me at one or two of the Summer 2022 events.

Members have been very patient during the unprecedented lock-downs but I feel soon you will be well refreshed and ready to enjoy all the activities planned for the future programmes.

I am truly very pleased to see the progress Grapevine Essex has made over the last ten years, thanks to Jackie and her Committee. Grapevine from its management and operational point of view is one of the strongest Charitable organisations in this area. With your support this will continue.

The warm days of Summer will soon be here and I wish all of you a very happy and pleasant time no matter what you are doing and hopefully some of you will be taking a very much deserved holiday.

Best wishes,

Our Chairman Jackie, together with Vanessa and all our Grapevine Committee will make sure you have an excellent year, and health permitting, many of you will take advantage of the planned event programmes.

Peter A.T. Turrall MBE President

“As always thank you for everything you do in even more difficult circumstances than ever”

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Club Grapevine

Tuesdays 6:30pm-8:30pm, term time only Columbus College, Partridge Avenue, Chelmsford CM1 4JG Contact: [e-mail] / 07976 578868

I would like to show my appreciation to all the Club Grapevine volunteers for their support and help in another quite strange year.

We made it back to Club in September and our members

were very excited to return. Club Grapevine continues to grow, with more new members each year; we’re now averaging 55-60 members participating each week.

Unfortunately, we still haven’t been able to go bowling, due to the bowling alley being closed but hope we can get back there soon. At the start of the year, we had Zoom sessions twice a week with quite a few discos and karaoke sessions, cooking, bingo and quizzes.

In memory of Colin Gooday who was a very big part of Club Grapevine and Grapevine Essex, we decided to award a kindness award each year to someone who we thought deserved it. So, this year the Colin Gooday Kindness Award was presented by Colin’s wife June to Annabelle Hilton for the help she gives other members.

Vanessa Hellier Club Grapevine Manager

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Dance Group

Mondays 7:00pm-8:00pm, term time only The Boswells School, Burnham Road, Chelmsford CM1 6LY Contact: Vanessa Hellier - [e-mail] / 07976 578868

So, yet another unusual year has come to an end! I would like to give a big thank you to Steven Turner for teaching the zoom classes for the first half of the year and coming up with dance routines for the members to follow. We were glad to get back to actual dance classes again in September.

I’d also like to thank Lynne, Gail and Lesley our volunteers and Jean Hunter the dance teacher for coming each week and helping the dancers with their routines.

This year, The Katie Whalley Dance Achievement Award was presented to Wendy Pond for the joy she gives to other members at the dance classes. Well done, Wendy!

Vanessa Hellier Dance Group Manager

It was lovely to get back to some ‘in person’ classes towards the end of 2021 and we have revived the pre lockdown dance of ‘ Fireball ’.

Everyone has amazing memories and recall and great enthusiasm as usual.

We are also starting a second dance, “ I’m Still Standing ”, by Elton John, in preparation for the April Community Show at the Boswells School.

Jean Hunter Dance Teacher

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Performance Overview 2021

Grapevine Essex provides educational and recreational activities for adults with learning disabilities living in Essex. Our priority is to support our members’ wellbeing by increasing their confidence, so they feel valued and able to contribute meaningfully to society and live more fulfilled lives.

Since the start of the pandemic, the world has been a very different place and 2021 was a bit of a stop/start year. Grapevine responded to this by continuing to provide free online activities 2-3 times a week until June. These were surprisingly popular and members adapted well. We were able to reinstate face-to-face events in July. A review of the type of events held showed a fairly even split of:

Life Enhancing - e.g. theatre trips Educational - e.g. historic venues Creative - e.g. art and craft Fitness and Exercise - e.g. dance Life Skills - e.g. cooking (see graph below).

A recent survey asked if members felt that attending Grapevine events had improved their well-being and confidence and if they felt safe at Grapevine events. 100% of respondents answered ‘Yes’ to both questions.

The Summer programme consisted of 12 events from Crazy Golf in Chelmsford to Lion King in the West End. We also enjoyed an overnight trip to Suffolk and three days at the Wilderness Centre in the Forest of Dean. Over the Winter season, members enjoyed pantomimes, parties and a good old-fashioned Christmas variety show.

Attendance at some events was lower than we’re used to as people were still nervous of mixing with others but generally, members and parents were reassured by Grapevine’s policy regarding vaccines and rapid testing. We are confident that attendance levels will continue to increase next year.

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14%
25%
25%
17%
19%
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What People Say...

race. Lion King was my favourite too because of all the songs.

I enjoyed doing the orienteering and the archery and football at the Wilderness Centre last year.

Ellen Shultz

Jill said her favourite activities are the craft evenings and the fishing outings!! Cathy Knight (Jill’s sister)

Andy Brooks

The first part of 2021 was still zoom sessions for Ellen. She really enjoyed these and loved seeing her friends online. When the Christmas trips came, she was up

for all of them - dancing the night away at the Christmas party to the Beavers, three shows/pantos and our long awaited 10th Anniversary party at Mulberry House. Great food and perfect venue.

I had a good day at Mersea with my friends 10/10.

Josh Beaumont

Emel loves coming to Grapevine so she can see her friends. Caroline Curran (Emel’s mum)

It was such a shame that storm Eunice decided to postpone our Warner Studios trip but Ellen is still really looking forward to seeing Harry in May. Thanks to Jackie and Vanessa for providing such varied trips.

Kemi loved the archery - it was good fun! Ursula Cohen (Kemi’s PA)

Mary Schultz (Ellen's Mum)

Returning to Club nights has welcomed many happy faces, its really good to see all the members again. Despite the challenges we have been able to offer a full Tuesday programme and the increasing numbers show how keen everyone has been to come back and join in all our activities. I love how helpful our members are and its great to see their friendships develop, new and old. Long may it continue!

I enjoyed going to the races at Chelmsford City Racecourse. I liked the food and watching the horses. Steven Paine

The guys from Creative Support love coming to Grapevine to make new friends.

Jane Crossman, Volunteer

I liked Chelmsford Racecourse because I enjoyed placing bets and seeing the horses

Kaylee Sheridan, Creative Support

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Tom loved the residential trip to the Wilderness Centre and Chelmsford Racecourse the best. Nevina Walker (Tom’s mum)

2020 was a bad year for everyone because of Covid. Jackie Holland come to the rescue with Zoom activities on Tuesdays and Fridays; it was so good that we could see our friends online. In summer 2021 we met up with other people from Grapevine Essex; we had a good time and was fun to see them. Thank you to Jane, Sarah, Grace, Karen and Adrian for helping out on Tuesday night club. Thank you to Mary,

Eileen, Trish and Cathy for doing the art for us, it’s very good of them to help us. A big thank

you to Vanessa for running the Dance Club and Club Grapevine and for picking people up who can’t get to club or do trips. Thank you so much Jackie for all the nice trips you book, it’s very interesting and you cater for every need possible. The things I really enjoyed were the horse racing, theatre trips, going to London and the meals out. A big thank you to Mary for taking all the photographs and putting them on Facebook for us to look at what we’ve done

Lianne Nice

After 8 years as a volunteer for Grapevine, it is a pleasure to help out the members. Knowing that without our voluntary service,

so many special people would miss out on a great experience, makes it all worthwhile. Karen Brasted, Volunteer

I loved all the activities provided by Grapevine this year. I love going to different places with my friends and have fun. I did like the Zoom sessions too, but prefer to be with people I can laugh and have fun with. I particularly love the residential trips. Vanessa and Adrian make me laugh. They are really funny. I love

going to see different shows and travelling on the bus with my friends. I hope we will have loads of activities in 2022. Danielle Kelly

Danielle enjoys all the trips organised by Grapevine. She feels she belongs and looks forward to being with her friends on the outings. She feels safe and is more content with her life, due to variety of outings and friendships she would otherwise miss out on. Danielle also really enjoys the Dance class on Monday evenings and looks forward to the shows and performances. This has improved her confidence and reduces her anxieties. Tuesday evenings can never come quick enough for her to go to Grapevine Club. She loves socialising and tells me all the different experiences she encounters, i.e. snakes, art activities and Adrian (a firm favourite). Thank you Grapevine organisers and volunteers for making my daughter’s life so much richer.

Monika Kelly (Danielle’s mum)

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With special thanks to all our benefactors

Albon, Mrs. G.A. Amazon Smile Fundraising Arnold Clark Community Fund Beaumont, Mrs. J. Billericay Lions Bolton, Mr. R. Brockman, Ms. S. Chelmsford Newsagents’ customers Cohen, Mrs. U. Curran, Miss. E. Easy Fundraising contributors Ebrahimi, Mrs. C. El-Holiby, Mrs. B. Essex Association of Local Councils Essex Community Foundation Friends of Grapevine Essex Fun Walk Sponsors & Bonus Pot Contributors

Green, Mr. R.W. & Mrs. P.A. Grieg, Mr. J. Hector, Mr. M. & Mrs. B. Hellier, Mr. B. and Mrs. V. Hellier, Mrs. J. Holland, Mrs. C. Holland, Mr. M. and Mrs. J.A. Magic Little Grant Barrett-Goff, Mrs. M. (Lunabelle Lovelies) Matthams, Mr. P.J. Paypal Giving Fund Perrot, A. Roberts, Mr. D. and Mrs. J. Ritchie, Mr. P. Titcombe, Mrs. V. Willy, Mr. G.

“It is wonderful to learn how your organisation managed to maintain contact and about the vital support you offer to so many vulnerable people”

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Treasurer’s Report

Charities with an annual income of less than £1million are not required to have their accounts audited but an Independent Examiner must inspect them.

Mr. Robert Andrews is registered with the Association of Charity Independent Examiners (ACIE) and has inspected the 2021 Annual Accounts. A report on his findings is provided on page 16.

£100. At the end of December, we received invoices totaling £1687 for our Christmas events which were paid in January.

We were delighted to receive £10,083 grants and donations from various sources; these are listed as our Beneficiaries on page 14. Gift Aid of £778 was recovered on donations for the 2020-2021 period. Some of the grant funding Grapevine has received has been carried over to 2022.

Due to the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic, we did not charge membership fees to existing members during 2021.

Regular fundraising activities - namely the Virtual Fun Walk and the Quiz Night raised a total of £1436. We are very pleased that these events continue to be well supported in the local community.

Grapevine does not receive any government funding; our income is made up from fundraising, grants, donations and members’ fees.

The principal on-going risk to the future of the charity is a reduction in the income required to pay the staff that manage the charity and organise the events, which are enjoyed by the majority of our members.

Reserves Policy: Due to the rising costs, we need to increase our reserves. Grapevine Essex plans to retain a minimum of £7,000 as free reserves this year, representing the average expenditure for one series of events.

At the end of 2021, Grapevine Essex is in a sound financial position. There is a bank balance of £24,956 and cash-in-hand of

Monika Kelly, Treasurer

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Accounts for the Year 2021

Grapevine Essex Registered charity no: 1151261

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Grapevine Puzzle Maze

Can you help Adrian - the bubble monster - find Vanessa and Mary?

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Membership Application 2022 Your details r.lembp￿hlP 15 availableto 18or¢vKr Tide (Mr, Mrs. Miss) Name Address Postcode Date of Birth Tel No Mobile No Email Address Brief description of disabilty Where did you hear about Annual Membership Fee: £10 GRAPEVINEEA Members have the opportunty to partiapate in approximatety 35 specialty organised and sUPPOrted recreab"on31 and educab.onal events per year at subsidised prices. Members are also ent￿ed to partiopète in the wee￿Y temi time groups: Grapevine Dance Tearf {Monday evenings at The Boswells School. Chelmsford) and Club G13pe￿ne (Tuesday evenings at Cc4umbus College. Chelmsford). please return this forni wth your pa￿nent to: Grapevine Essex • do Tulip Hal • 31 aarton Road • St • Essex • CN16 8PA 18

Friends of Grapevine Essex 2022 Friends of Grapevine Essex membership is available to anyone who wishes to help support the valuable work of our chanty. As a Friend of Grape￿ne Essex. you wiu be emailed regular updates on progress and events. If you do not wésh to receive emails from us, please tick here ra evineesseLor .uk Registered Charty Number 1151261 Your details Tide (Mr. Mr5. Miss) Name Address Postcode Tel No l Mobile No Email Address £10 £15 E] £20 [] (Xher amount £ ease treat as Gift ￿"d donations all qualfying gifts of money made Today El in the past 4 years E] in the future E] I tonfkm I h•de pad orval pay an anthjrt of I￿Ome Tax rf¢¥ C*1 Ga•)s T&¥ for @Ach taxy (6 to 5 Awl) that is ot least to the Iwrwrt oftaxthrt al the thar￿e5 or CASCS that I donate to ￿11 redaim on fty gfts for that t&K year. I UThIer￿d that taxes as VAT and Counol T# th) gnature Please return this form wrth your payrnent to.. Grapevine Essex • clo T￿"p Hall • 31 aarton Road • St Osyth coifj 8PA 19

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Grapevine Essex

Registered address: c/o Tulip Hall 31 Clacton Road St Osyth Essex CO16 8PA

Registered Charity Number 1151261

www.grapevineessex.org.uk www.facebook.com/GrapevineEssex www.twitter.com/GrapevineEssex www.instagram.com/grapevine_essex/

Jackie Holland, Chair & Charity Manager Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail]