ANNUAL REPORT 2020/2021
Registered Charity Number 1151472
02 | Annual Report 2020
CONTENT
4 - Overview
5 - Mission and Vision
6 - Board Review
7 - CEO Review
8 - Our performance
9 - The impact
11 - Annual Accounts and Audit report
031 Annual Reporl 2020 Hope i S tkat beautiSul place betweeh the way thi hss wetre i, ahd the wa tkih$s are et to be unknown for special children
Formed in 2010 by three like minded parents and registered as a charity in 2013. Empathy for special children provides supported social opportunites, bespoke support, a community and social g support network for those growing up with a Hidden Disability and those that care for them. across Shropshire and the surrounding area. Enabling and Empowering them Enjoy, Embrace a fun and fillied childhood and live their best lives, lifelong EMploying 1 part time senior manager 12 / 15 sessional staff 04 | Annual Report 2020 W F
05 | Annual Report 2020
The Vision
A resilient, truly inclusive Neuro-diverse society. Where all are enabled to achieve their potential with the acceptance, timely support and opportunity they need to be recognized and celebrated for who they are.
The MISSION
To champion Neurodiversity in the wider population and be the foundation of an inclusive community; A family that nurtures and empowers all with the support and opportunity they need to feel safe, accepted and valued. Enabling those with a Hidden Difference, and all those that care for them, with the skills, confidence and resilience live their best lives, lifelong.
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board Review
It is hard to believe a year has gone by since the last annual review. So much has changed, so much has happened.
This year has been incredibly difficult for many families and Empathy has gone above and beyond to support many families to the best of their ability under extreme circumstances
As a charity have risen to the challenge of an ever-changing year of COVID restrictions and planning the reopening of face-to-face programs in a COVID safe way.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sam and the team for all they have done over the last 12 months. You are all amazing, we are forever grateful.
I am incredibly proud of all that the Empathy team has achieved and support we have maintained to some of the most vulnerable in our society, in exceptional circumstances, over the last year.
As we look forward with hope, that the worse days of the pandemic are behind us, we must now face the mountain we must climb to rebuild. In March 2020, the relatively new board had a clear plan, the pandemic put that on hold for what has now been 15 months and we are emerging into a world with both the same and different problems. The decision to move the accounting year; to algin more readily with our major funding streams, has given the board a little space to catch its breath and take stock but as we begin the last year of our CIN funding, we must now begin to thrive not survive once more.
Over the last 15 months, Empathy has proved it worth. We have proved that a tiny organisation with limited resource can make a big impact directly to those that need it most, when they need it, in a way that is meaningful to them.
As we step out into this new but still uncertain world, Empathy is needed more now than ever before and we, the board, are committed to following the team’s lead and doing whatever it takes to ensure Empathy not only survives but thrives.
CHerida hughes
Chair of Trustees
07 | Annual Report 2020
CEO Review
It has actually been 15 months since I last sat down to write for the annual review. At the time of last writing, ( March 2020 ) we had no idea what we were about to face; Globally, as Nation, a Community, as Team, as an Organisation.
The photo below was taken on March 7th 2020 at what, we then didn’t know, would be the last group face to face session until 5th July 2020. Four months is a long time in child’s life, particularly when you are already isolated and the world is already a confusing and scary place.
There was never any question that we should close. The team were resolute from day one that we must find a way and we did, not once but twice. So much will stay with me forever; the helplessness, the need, the desire to more, the challenges of reaching the unreachable but also the dedication, commitment and resilience of such a young team who day after day, week after week never gave up.
The bravery and tenacity of the children, young people and families and the unwavering support of the board, our funders and supporters in allowing and enabling us to do what needed to be done. Thank You will never be enough.
Opening up has not been without it’s challenges but we must look forward and look forward with hope and positivity. Hope that never again will we have to dig so deep, for so long and the positivity to allow us to acknowledge that the road ahead is still rocky and steep and that once again we must once again find a way. As we hurtle towards our 12th birthday in Oct 2022 I have asked many times myself can we really make it this time ? but Empathy has never let a little thing like a mountain stand in its way, because the view from the top is always worth the climb.
The board and I are committed to not only applying the lessons we have learned over the past 15 months and looking outward to ensure what we think is needed, still is in this new normal but also looking inwards to ensure we are equipped to rise to this next challenge to ensure that Empathy can continue to change lives in the long term.
Sam Goddard CEO and Founding Member
08 | Annual Report 2020
More than 300 online session delvering over 700 hrs of support
189 at home Provided 8 packs families with to 1:1 96 individual emergency children/ support or young respite people
61 coviD secure group and family sessions
HOSTED AN AMAZING online FESTIVAL RAISING £1800
Nothing measure the impact of what we do beter than the smiles on faces follow the link to view home but never alone https://1drv.ms/v/s!Avw4MS-6SjSmiLEemrndRRbUICuQHQ
At Home But Never Alone Empathy does Lockdown 2020
ACCOUNTS 01/04/20 - 30/06/21 iJ t 7.71701 Ml•l i?J* ¢ ux•J 1.4n. i•] IA• I wy ¢ 4JM Jujb 15 hi•J•
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