2024-01-31-accounts

Registered Company Number: 08346182 Registered Charity Number: 1155830

(England and Wales)

DOWN SYNDROME DEVELOPMENT TRUST

Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements For the year ending (1 Feb 2023 to 31 January 2024)

CONTENTS

1. Report of the Trustees

2. Independent Examiners' report to the Trustees

3. Statement of Financial Activities

4. Statement of Financial Position

5. Notes to the Financial Statements

TRUSTEES REPORT 2023 TO 2024

1. Report of the Trustees: The Trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ending 31 January 2024, adhering to the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting and Reporting by Charities, as per the UK and Republic of Ireland's FRS 102, effective from 1 January 2019.

The charity's goals:

• Provide custom support for children and young people with DS and their families across the UK.

• Maintain an adaptable, self-funded, non-profit organisation that is accessible to everyone.

• Lead by example by creating societal pathways and sustainable best practice models.

Aims for children and young people with Down syndrome and their families: We strive for optimal health, development, potential, and equality for every person with DS. We focus on providing high-quality service, enhancing well-being, and broadening opportunities. Our services span from physical activity and music lessons to advice and support, education, and research for future projects, reaching our local community and beyond.

Future aims of the charity: We plan to expand participation and programme capacity through hiring skilled staff, creating opportunities, and initiating projects such as Social and Learning Provision, and housing.

The charity's immediate aims are to:

• Increase service delivery.

• Improve service quality.

• Refine delivery model.

Achievements, performance and the future: From February 2023 to January 2024, our data indicates that we effectively offer aspirational activities. We value children's input on their life goals, and our skilled staff provide strong support. This approach assists mental health, reduces isolation, and daily family stress, creating connection and resilience.

The National Lottery Reaching Communities grant continues to enhance our operational management and expansion of our services. Our 'Social and Learning Hub' at the Sussex Innovation Centre attracts many volunteer students and interns from Sussex and Brighton University, enriching their studies and our provision. We've had three students on internships this year, including a research placement studying our work with young people with Down syndrome. Our partnerships with some of the departments within the university have led to more work experience for our young people and social opportunities.

Our minibus assistance continues to benefit families, fostering independence among our children and young people. We intend to purchase a smaller vehicle to provide additional transport options. and we continue to look to provide families with more opportunities for short breaks.

Our research into supported housing and funding options is a progressive piece of work that is ongoing.

During this period, we've grown significantly and made positive steps towards improving our sustainability.

Our financial momentum this year mirrors the positive feedback from families benefiting from our work. We've increased our volunteer and part-time staff to 29 respectively, maintaining excellent relations with our partners and ongoing positive impacts.

Our Trustees continue to play a crucial role in managing and directing our charity's success, consistently collaborating with partners.

Key achievements from 1 February 2023 to 31 January 2024

Increased beneficiaries: We extended our help to more children and young people, from 122 on 1 February 2023 to 131 on 31 January 2024.

Staff Increase: We expanded our team to 4 full-time staff, student interns, and increased our volunteers and bank staff.

Programmes and services success : Increased the number of live activities. We were able to offer 840

hours of activities during this time

Online tutoring programmes: We provided tailored sessions to match each child's learning needs to a number of children.. However, we've observed a decrease in demand this year due to ongoing recovery from COVID-19.

Interoception Workshops: Online sensory regulation training has been provided for parents, emphasising interoceptive awareness. Again demand is reducing for online sessions with more requests for live workshops..

Fun & Learning "Chat Time" online groups : We continued to host sessions that support social interaction and conversation, especially among teenagers.

The Social and Learning Hub project: Offers work experience opportunities like our Postal Service, Horticulture work experience Service, sports theory and practical skills coaching program. This expansion of services has been made possible through increased funding and partnerships, leading to significant growth in our reach and impact.

Physical activity: The continuation of live bespoke physical activity sessions both indoor and outdoor including multi-sports and basketball at local leisure centres, multi-sport in open public parks, forestry activities and sport at Bushy wood, Hailsham, circus skills, assisted cycling, kayaking, sailing and SUP, equine therapy and swimming sessions.

Music : we have continued to provide online ukulele classes as well as our music sessions at small pond studios Brighton with New Rock Generation Write, Record & Perform curriculum This has been a very successful project culminating with students performing in a local pub venue.

Minibus Trips and Social Outings : Our successful program offers children and teens independence while giving parents a short break. Based on their interests, we've organised trips to bowling alleys, cinemas, pizza restaurants, parks, karaoke bars, concerts, and farms. The bus assists families with transportation or health needs. These activities are in high demand.

Consultancy: We continue to provide consultancy to parents and schools on best practices for supporting children and YP's with DS.

Partnerships and Community Links achievements Outreach : We continue to strengthen existing partnerships and forge new ones. Notable collaborations include an equine therapy program with Plumpton Equine Centre, and fun-filled swimming sessions with Wave Leisure. Our new Social and Learning Hub offers opportunities for young people aged 16-25 to develop life skills, engage in foundation learning, and gain work experience. Our ongoing relationship with various departments at the University of Sussex continues to raise awareness and provide enriching experiences for our young people

Fundraising: Thanks to our partners and a successful National Lottery Reaching Communities grant, our income has increased. However, we are mindful of impending funding reductions. Therefore, we are putting particular focus on areas of our work that will support our sustainability plan.

Evaluation Surveys: Regular on-line surveys from our families are 100% positive!

Enhanced Skills and Learning: Children and young people that access our provision on a weekly basis have shown significant improvement in the following areas: Confidence, friendship building, mental health, adaptability. Reporting also, improved sensory regulation, fine and gross motor skill, balance, coordination, strength, and agility. 90 % of parents report that the positive behaviour changes continue outside of our sessions also.

Boosted Fitness and Health: The fitness improvements in our cohort have helped reduce the risk of obesity.

Diverse Opportunities : Our extensive programmes broaden experiences and enhance children and young people's skills, fostering inclusion and reducing isolation. They:

• Enjoy time with friends

• Anticipate activities

• Improve well-being and fitness

• Expect regular opportunities

We offer vital short breaks for parents and carers. Young people are empowered to strive for greater independence and fulfilled lives.

Future Priorities: We aim to expand annually. However, with the growth of our services, the demand also increases, resulting in waiting lists. The rise in participant numbers requires us to implement additional processes, protocols, and policies. These enhancements will support our expansion plans. Our goal is to provide exceptional services, broaden DSDT's impact, and assist more children by giving them a platform to express their needs. We remain committed to keeping the views, wishes, and feelings of the children, young people, and families we serve at the forefront of our future provision development.

Financial Review : The Trustees report the year ended with total reserves of £49,196 of which £28,609 was unrestricted and £20,587 was restricted.

Given the nature and scale of the charity's activities and due to there being no assured future funding, the Trustees consider it prudent to hold unrestricted reserves of £15,000 to cover basic operational costs for two months. The level of reserves is regularly monitored by the Trustees.

Structure , Governance and Management

Governing document: DSDT, a charitable company limited by guarantee, was incorporated on 3rd January 2013 and registered as a charity on 18th February 2014. It operates under a Memorandum of Association and is governed by its Articles of Association (amended on 22nd January 2014). The five directors, including Managing Director Senay Smallwood, oversee the projects and daily management as delegated by the Board of Trustees.

Recruitment and appointment of trustees: The charity company has induction and training procedures for trustees. This includes an initial application process, reading trustees' responsibilities, and the Memorandum and Articles. Upon approval by all trustees, further checks like safeguarding and DBS are performed

New trustees must provide professional references, comply with DSDT's child/vulnerable person protection policy, and attend related training. They must also adhere to the health and safety policy, complaints procedure, and disciplinary and equal opportunities policy. Members have a maximum liability of £1 each if the company is dissolved.

Name of Charity: Down Syndrome Development Trust Charity registration number: 1155830 Company registration number: 08346182 Principal address : 13 Saltwood Road, Seaford, England, BN25 3SP Trustees. The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year end were as follows: Senay Smallwood Andrew Smallwood (Chair) Joanna Pike Kristina Veasey Guy Passey

Independent examiner: Caroline Clarke ACA, 66 High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, BN71XG

Bankers : Down Syndrome Development Trust, Barclays Bank, Terminus Road, Eastbourne BN9 9BA

Approved by the Board of Trustees and signed on behalf of Trustees:

Name: Andrew Smallwood Signature :

Position : Chairperson Date : July 1st 2024

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 



   

  

  

					
			
					

					
					
					

					
					
					
					

					
					





  

			
			

			
			

			
			
			
			
			
			
			
			

			
			
			

 

• 

• 

• 

•   



    

  





     

  







  



 

 



  

 

  

 



 



   



  

  

 

 

                        	     	     	                            	   
				
				                      
				

 





				
				


				


				
				
				
				

				
		
				
				
				
				
				
				
				
				
				
				
				





  



                                 

                                                                                                              



  

        	   	   	          	 
				
				
				     
				



		
		
		
		
		





         	   
	

 



		
		
		







  





			
		
			

			
			
			

			
			
			
			

			
			

  



		
			
			
			
			

			
			
			

			
			

			
			

			
			

			
			
			

			
			
			
			







	   	  
		

  





                           	                             	                             	                             	   
				
				   
				
				                  
				

  



				
				
				
				
				

				

				
				
				
				

				

				
				

				
				
				
				

  





 



























































 







  







				
			
		
				


				

				
				

  



				
			
		
				


				

				
				

				

				
				
				
				

				

				
				

				
				
				