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2023-03-31-accounts

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1156237

Report of the Trustees and

Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

for

Special Stars Foundation

Harris Lacey and Swain Suite 1 The Riverside Building Hessle East Yorkshire HU13 0DZ

Special Stars Foundation

Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

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Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 6
Independent Examiner's Report 7
Statement of Financial Activities 8
Balance Sheet 9
Notes to the Financial Statements 10 to 16
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 17 to 18
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Special Stars Foundation

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

Page 1

Special Stars Foundation

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and activities

Special Stars Foundation provides a diverse and vibrant range of inclusive opportunities for people with learning and physical disabilities who cannot access mainstream activities.

We aim to reduce social isolation, provide meaningful experiences, build confidence and develop new skills. We also offer a variety of learning opportunities, advice and support services for parent carers.

We have a large sensory room, which is fully wheelchair accessible with the provision of a mobile hoist, ensuring it is suitable for all ages and abilities. This fantastic facility is open to all residents across the Hull and East Yorkshire region.

In addition, we have recently developed a specialist shop which stocks sensory toys, communication aids, learning resources and specialist equipment. The shop was designed with disabled people in mind but is also open to the general public. The main aim of our shop is to provide disabled people with easy access to good quality specialist products at affordable prices. The small profit made in our shop goes back into our charity to support the continuation of our inclusive activities and support services.

The year reported has been a period of change following Trustees reporting a serious incident to the Charity Commission. Details of the investigation and Lessons Learned exercise can be found in the Achievement and Performance section of the report.

VOLUNTEERING

During the financial year ending March 2023, we were supported by volunteers who provided additional staffing resources to enable us to deliver many of the sessions above.

The support provided by volunteers is broken down as:

Volunteer Activity Breakdown 2022-2023

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||||| |---|---|---|---| |Month|No. of volunteers|No, of volunteer sessions|Type of activity attended| |APR|3|5|Creative Craft| |MAY|3|5|Creative Craft| |JUN|3|4|Creative Craft| |JUL|2|2|Creative Craft / Dance| |AUG|2|6|Creative Craft / Animal| |Interaction Workshop /| |Cooking Workshop /| |Creative Craft / Animal| |Interaction Workshop /| |Cooking Workshop| |SEP|2|4|Sounding Special / Dance| |OCT|2|4|Sounding Special / Dance /| |Animal Interaction| |Workshop / Dry Ice| |Workshop| |NOV|1|1|Sounding Special| |DEC|2|2|Sounding Special| |JAN|1|1|Sounding Special / Dance| |FEB|2|4|Sounding Special / Dance| |MAR|1|2|Sounding Special / Dance|

----- End of picture text -----

Throughout the year our volunteers donated a total of 105.5 hours of their time to Special Stars Foundation.

Page 2

Special Stars Foundation

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Main objectives for the following year

In shaping our objectives for the following year and planning our activities, the Trustees have considered the Charity Commission's guidance on Public Benefit.

The main objectives for 2023/24 are:

To continue to offer a wide and diverse range of inclusive, accessible and subsidised recreational and creative learning opportunities for disabled people and their families across Hull and East Yorkshire.

To continue to offer a variety of training, support and advice provisions for parent carers in the region, with the overall aim of improving the quality of life of people affected by disability.

To continue the provision of our Sensory Room for the public benefit of Hull and East Riding residents.

To continue to develop and expand our specialist shop, ensuring high-quality, disability-specific products are affordable and readily available.

Public benefit

Special Stars Foundation objectives are to relieve the needs of children and adults with additional needs and their families throughout the Hull and East Yorkshire region by providing, and assisting in the provision of, inclusive recreational activities and by providing support, training and practical advice for parent carers.

Page 3

Special Stars Foundation

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Review of Activities

The Special Stars Foundation Board of Trustees is satisfied that in the financial year of 2022/2023:

- Our work reflected our aims

During the financial year ending March 2023, we have provided the following activities:

For disabled children:

For disabled adults:

For parent carers:

In March 2023, there were several social media public postings of private historical conversations between former Special Stars Foundation employees which were of a derogatory nature regarding service users. Trustees immediately reported this to the Charity Commission and statutory services as a serious incident then recognising the input required for an internal investigation and the level of support needed by the internal staff team, employed an experienced Interim CEO for an initial period of 6 months to lead this next chapter. The investigation took place from April to August 2023 working in full cooperation with statutory services and was followed by a Lessons Learned exercise. The lessons learned included the need for stronger professional boundaries between the operating team and board of Trustees, the need for greater collaboration as an organisation working in the disabilities sector and also increased support to drive confidence for the internal team. By working together the Trustees and internal team have a programme of implementing these changes thereby strengthening the organisation ongoing.

Page 4

Special Stars Foundation

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Reserves policy

It is the aim of the trustees to retain six months running costs (£60,000) in the unrestricted general fund to ensure a significant buffer to enable effective financial decision-making, rather than short term decisions. Following a number of successful grant applications the Charity has now achieved and exceeded this aim. A programme of ongoing fundraising is in place to ensure this position is maintained into the future.

The charity currently holds total funds of £486,123 (2022 - £353,273) of which £119,591 (2022 - £208,243) is restricted and £366,532 (2022 - £145,030) is unrestricted.

Principle Funding Sources

See note 7 of the notes to the accounts for a detailed explanation of the charity's restricted funds.

FUTURE PLANS

Please see main objectives for the following year.

In summary the charity plans to continue to provide workshops to engage the community across Hull & East Yorkshire. This will be through workshops which aim to reduce social isolation, build confidence and develop new skills for people with learning and physical disabilities. Equally important is the provision of learning opportunities, advice and support for those for parents and carers. As well as the continued provision of the sensory room to residents of Hull & East Yorkshire and the shop that provides high quality sensory products generating funds to be re-invested into the charity.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing Document

To relieve the needs of children and adults with additional needs and their families throughout the hull and east yorkshire region by providing and assisting in the provision of inclusive recreational activities and by providing support, training and practical advice for parent carers for the purpose of this clause, ''additional needs'' means a physical, sensory, communication, behavioural or learning disability or a lifelong/ life limiting condition.

Statement of disclosure of information to Independent Examiner

We, the Trustees of the Charity who held office at the date of approval of these financial statements, each confirm so far as we are aware that:

Trustee Declaration

The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees Annual Report. Signed on behalf of the Charity's Trustees

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Charity number

1156237

Principal address

Unit F24, 3rd Floor Princes Quay Hull East Yorkshire HU1 2PQ

Page 5

Special Stars Foundation

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

Trustees N Barnes (resigned 12.12.22) C Watson (resigned 15.5.22) D Eade (resigned 11.4.22) J Eade (resigned 2.5.22) E Stubbins (resigned 26.7.22) Mrs S Greene Miss K Mouatt (appointed 17.8.22) (resigned 4.4.23) O Collier (appointed 26.7.22) Mrs J Barker (appointed 26.9.22) Miss K Clark (appointed 29.9.22) Mrs W Welsh (appointed 29.9.23) Mrs L Watson (appointed 29.9.23) Independent Examiner Harris Lacey and Swain Suite 1 The Riverside Building Hessle East Yorkshire HU13 0DZ 29/11/2023 Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by: ........................................................................ Miss K Clark - Trustee

Page 6

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Special Stars Foundation

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Special Stars Foundation

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Special Stars Foundation (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Richard D Lacey The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

Harris Lacey and Swain Suite 1 The Riverside Building Hessle East Yorkshire HU13 0DZ

Date: .............................................

Page 7

Special Stars Foundation

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

Unrestricted
funds
Notes
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
2
22,979
Charitable activities
5
Charitable
57,800
Other trading activities
3
137,275
Bank Interest
4
95
Total
218,149
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Charitable
92,354
NET INCOME
125,795
Transfers between funds
13
95,707
Net movement in funds
221,502
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
145,030
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
366,532		 Restricted
funds
£
(2)
188,133
-
-
188,131
181,076
7,055
(95,707)
(88,652)
208,243
119,591		 2023
Total
funds
£
22,977
245,933
137,275
95
406,280
273,430
132,850
-
132,850
353,273
486,123		 2022
Total
funds
£
14,474
237,674
59,386
5
311,539
232,630
78,909
-
78,909
274,364
353,273

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 8

Special Stars Foundation

Balance Sheet 31 March 2023

Unrestricted
funds
Notes
£
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
9
16,570
CURRENT ASSETS
Stocks
10
55,797
Debtors
11
13,169
Cash at bank and in hand
311,764
380,730
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
12
(8,610)
NET CURRENT ASSETS
372,120
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES
388,690
NET ASSETS
388,690
FUNDS
13
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS		 Restricted
funds
£
1,677
-
-
97,056
97,056
(1,300)
95,756
97,433
97,433		 2023
Total
funds
£
18,247
55,797
13,169
408,820
477,786
(9,910)
467,876
486,123
486,123
366,532
119,591
486,123		 2022
Total
funds
£
19,815
12,954
9,238
311,743
333,935
(477)
333,458
353,273
353,273
145,030
208,243
353,273

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............................................. and were signed on its behalf by: 29/11/2023

............................................. Miss K Clark - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 9

Special Stars Foundation

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Income

Income received for services provided is accounted for on an accruals basis.

Cash donations, gifts and legacies are included in full in the income and expenditure account as they are received. Any significant non-cash donations are included in the income and expenditure account at the trustees' estimate of their market value when received. The value of voluntary help is not included in the accounts.

Grants and other funding of a revenue nature are deferred and released to the income and expenditure account over the period to which they relate.

Shop Income comprises the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for the sale of goods and services in the ordinary course of the company's activities. The income is shown net of value added tax, returns, rebates and discounts.

Fundraising income is included in full in the income and expenditure account as it is received.

Bank interest is included in the income and expenditure account on an accruals basis.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Improvements to property - 20% on cost Fixtures and fittings - 20% on cost Motor vehicles - 20% on reducing balance

Stocks

Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities. The charity registered for VAT in March 2021, the only costs subject to VAT are any costs relating to shop activities and events.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

continued...

Page 10

Special Stars Foundation

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Fund accounting

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Financial instruments and estimates and judgements

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments, including trade and other debtors and creditors are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measure at their settlement value.

Estimates and judgements

Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Although these estimates are based on the Trustees' best knowledge of the amount, events or actions, actual results ultimately differ from these estimates. The Trustees do not consider there to be any material estimates and judgements.

2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

3.

4.

Donations
OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
Shop income
BANK INTEREST
Deposit account interest		 2023
£
22,977
2023
£
137,275
2023
£
95		 2022
£
14,474
2022
£
59,386
2022
£
5

continued...

Page 11

Special Stars Foundation

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

5. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Activity
Fundraising
Charitable
Events
Charitable
Grants
Charitable
Grants received above £1,500, are as follows:		 2023
£
21,223
11,046
213,664
245,933		 2022
£
25,669
3,287
208,718
237,674
2023 2022
Anton Jurgen Trust 4500 -
Anna Maria Trust - 8872
Arts Society 3000 -
ASDA Foundation 1500 -
B&Q - 4500
D'Oyly Carte - 2000
East Riding Council 4950 -
Employment Allowance 5000 4000
Garfield Weston Foundation 15000 -
Happy Days 1738 2190
Hays Travel Foundation 7100 -
Hedley Foundation - 2000
Help for Health - 5712
HMRC JRS Grants - 11526
Morrisons 3764 -
Northbank Forum 1731 -
Sir James Reckitt Trust - 3000
Stadium Charitable Trust 2000 -
The National Lottery Community Fund Trust 160998 157448
211,281 201,248

6. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

One of the Trustees is employed by the Foundation as Charity Manager. Mrs N Barnes Charity Manager received £36,582.56 (gross) within the year (2022 - £35,072.83). Specific permission has been granted by the Charity Commission for this trustee to be employed by the Charity.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2023 nor for the year ended 31 March 2022.

continued...

Page 12

Special Stars Foundation

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

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7. STAFF COSTS
2023 2022
Gross Wages 107,883 86,325
Employers NI 7868 5,792
Employers Pension 1,613 1,802
117,364 93,919
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
2023 2022
Staff 12 9
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
8. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted Restricted Total
funds funds funds
£ £ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies 8,625 5,849 14,474
Charitable activities
Charitable 46,457 191,217 237,674
-
Other trading activities 59,386 59,386
Bank Interest 5 - 5
Total 114,473 197,066 311,539
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Charitable 45,749 186,881 232,630
NET INCOME 68,724 10,185 78,909
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward 76,307 198,057 274,364
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 145,031 208,242 353,273
----- End of picture text -----

continued...

Page 13

Special Stars Foundation

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

----- Start of picture text -----
9. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Improvements Fixtures
to and Motor
property fittings vehicles Totals
£ £ £ £
COST
At 1 April 2022 5,452 10,055 9,960 25,467
Additions 2,845 706 - 3,551
At 31 March 2023 8,297 10,761 9,960 29,018
DEPRECIATION
At 1 April 2022 1,090 2,570 1,992 5,652
Charge for year 1,375 2,150 1,594 5,119
At 31 March 2023 2,465 4,720 3,586 10,771
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2023 5,832 6,041 6,374 18,247
At 31 March 2022 4,362 7,485 7,968 19,815
10. STOCKS
2023 2022
£ £
Stocks 55,797 12,954
11. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2023 2022
£ £
Trade debtors 1,295 -
Other debtors 1,878 3,922
VAT - 1,721
Prepayments 9,996 3,595
13,169 9,238
----- End of picture text -----

continued...

Page 14

Special Stars Foundation

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

12. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Trade creditors
Taxation and social security
Other creditors
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Unrestricted Funds
General Fund
Restricted Funds
Sensory Equipment
COVID 19
Premises and Staff
Inclusive Activities
TOTAL FUNDS		 At 1.4.21
£
145,030
7,514
61,605
91,403
47,721
208,243
353,273		 Net
Movement in
Funds
£
109,289
-
-
18,138
10,319
28,457
137,747

13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming Resources Movement
Unrestricted Funds
General Fund
Restricted Funds
Sensory Equipment
Premises and Staff
Inclusive Activities
TOTAL FUNDS		 resources
205,187
-
182,729
24,580
197,067
311,539		 expended
(95,987)
-
(164,591)
(11,595)
(176,186)
(272,083)		 in funds
109,289
-
18,138
10,319
28,457
137,747

continued...

Page 15

Special Stars Foundation

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

14. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2023.

Page 16

Special Stars Foundation

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Donations and legacies
Donations
Other trading activities
Shop income
Bank Interest
Deposit account interest
Charitable activities
Fundraising
Events
Grants
Total incoming resources
EXPENDITURE
Charitable activities
Office Running Costs
Stationery and Postage
Computer, Office Equipment & Software
Marketing and Promotion
Insurance
Trips and Events
Toys, Books & Sensory Equipment
Refreshments
Cost of Fundraising
Staff Costs
Staff Travel
Repairs and Maintenance
Subscriptions
Training and Course Fees
Bookkeeping
Vehicle expenses
Input tax pre reg
Support costs
Finance
Improvements to property
Carried forward		 2023
£
22,977
137,275
95
21,223
11,046
213,664
245,933
406,280
23,025
671
1,692
1,474
2,223
23,194
3,992
357
79,648
117,364
406
2,981
3,064
2,227
2,692
-
-
265,010
1,375
1,375		 2022
£
14,474
59,386
5
25,669
3,287
208,718
237,674
311,539
31,124
542
6,721
2,163
1,576
18,314
9,701
296
44,387
93,919
643
13,085
1,293
881
1,671
980
(4,735)
222,561
1,090
1,090

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 17

Special Stars Foundation

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

Finance
Brought forward
Fixtures and fittings
Motor vehicles
Governance costs
Accountancy
Legal fees
Consultancy
Total resources expended
Net income		 2023
£
1,375
2,150
1,594
5,119
3,301
-
-
3,301
273,430
132,850		 2022
£
1,090
2,011
1,992
5,093
2,677
83
2,216
4,976
232,630
78,909

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 18