# Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2022
www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk
Registered Charity Number: 1160178
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## Contents
# Legal and Administrative Information
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Trustees' Report
Our Impact Independent Examiner's report to the Trustees of Little Miracles Statement of the Financial Activity
Balance Sheet
Notes to the Financial Statements
www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk
01733 262226 Registered Charity Number: 1160178
## Legal and Administrative Information
Trustees
Timothy Bedward-Jones Amy Clarke Tina Moser-Wager Emerson Patton Alison Banerjee Emma Hannon Matthew Kember
Chief Executive Officer Registered Charity Number Registered Office
Michelle King
1160178
Little Miracles @The Spinney Hartwell Way Ravensthorpe Peterborough PE3 7LE
Independent Examiner
Odiri Tax Consultants and Accountants Stuart House Peterborough PE1 5DD
Bankers
Barclays Bank 1-3 Church Street Peterborough PE1 1XE
Solicitors
Hunt and Coombs Solicitors 35 Thorpe Road Peterborough PE3 6AG
www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk
01733 262226
Registered Charity Number: 1160178
## Trustees' Report
The Trustees present their report along with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2022. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the account policies set out on pages 14 to 16 and comply with the charity's constitution and applicable law.
## Vision
Our vision is a world where all families that have disabled and life-limited children have the support that they need, at the time that they need it. Over the next ten years we will improve the lives of 50,000 children across the UK.
## Purpose
Our purpose is to help families with disabled children to get the support that they need to live their lives and fulfil their potential.
## Mission
Little Miracles uses its expertise and knowledge to ensure that families are getting the support they need at the time that they need it. We work in a variety of ways to empower the whole family to take control of their future and ensure that they reach their full potential.
## We do this by providing:
Support – in order to address families’ questions, worries and fears and ensure that they are receiving everything that they are entitled to
Training – to both the parents/carers and the young people in order to provide the essential skills for them to care for their families and achieve their full potential
Activities – for the children and young people to develop relationships, provide essential respite and developmental opportunities
Respite – essential breaks for families in order for them to thrive and grow
Safe spaces – where families can come, be themselves and receive the support they need in a non-judgmental atmosphere
www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk
01733 262226
Registered Charity Number: 1160178
## Trustees' Report continued
## Values
Reaching families one by one – we recognise the importance and uniqueness of every individual family and the life-changing difference that we can make
Available to all – every family that has a child with additional needs, disabilities and/or lifelimiting conditions are welcome
Integrity is the heart of our service – we create a place of trust and safety where people can grow in a secure environment
Never boring – there is always have a sense of fun, excitement and adventure in all that we do
Beneficial -we benefit all users in a measurable way
Outstanding – in everything we do we strive to be the best and do the best
We can do it together – we recognised that no one person can deliver our vision and goals alone but together as a team, and with the families, miracles can happen
## Beliefs
Little Miracles strives to provide effective solutions to meet the local needs and to campaign for change that will ensure that families with disabled children get the support that they need to reach their full potential.
## Activities, achievements and performance
Little Miracles is a charity that exists to provide support to families that have children with additional needs, disabilities and life-limiting conditions. Although we started in Peterborough and continue to deliver services from here in our purpose-built building, we are also now delivering services across the eastern region and have expanded to provide services in the following areas:
Peterborough Holbeach Spalding Boston Bourne Stamford
www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk
01733 262226
Registered Charity Number: 1160178
## Trustees' Report continued
Ramsey St Neots Wisbech March Milton Keynes Ely
We are also in the process of talking to people in other areas as part of our 'Pot of Gold' project, which aims to support families with small grants to set-up activities in areas local to them with the aim that some of these small activities will flourish into Little Miracles' branches.
This year has been another difficult year and one full of uncertainty due to Covid 19. We started this financial year similar to last, with most of our services operating online; however, we have been able to safely restart all of our activities in order to support our families.
We are a small charity with a big impact and this year has been no different. We have had another incredibly busy year with 10,578 people through the doors participating in activities and 36,419 people accessing our support services. We also interacted with 85,200 people on social media.
We are very fortunate to have an amazing team of staff who we would like to thank for giving their all during these challenging times. We would also make a special mention to our volunteers who have made this increase possible. During this year we had 698 active volunteers who have delivered essential items as well as more fun activities to families who are unable to leave their homes. They have provided counselling, emotional support and benefits advice, adapted and delivered sessions to groups and individuals, and helped young people keep-up with their education.
Financially we have found this year even harder than the last. Covid support reduced but the families that we were working with were unable to return to normal, many reporting that they felt "forgotten and alone" as a result. Our income this year decreased by over a third from £506,984 to £334,892 - we aim to overcome this next year by investing more income into our fundraising team in order to get back to where we need to be. At the same time our expenditure increased by 7% from £366,206 to £392,512. We have found ourselves reliant upon grants and looking forward to next year will need to grow our traded income in order to survive. Whilst on the surface we have made a loss of £57,620 this year this has been offset by the £140,788 surplus from last year.
The families we support have children with a wide range of needs; 32% of children having one diagnosed disability, 50% having between two and four different diagnoses and 18% having over five different diagnosed disabilities. Autism is by far the most predominant need that we see with 39% of the young people either being diagnosed or on the diagnosis pathway. However, we support families with a wide range of needs and 21% would describe their child as life-limited due to their health needs.
www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk
01733 262226
Registered Charity Number: 1160178
## Trustees' Report continued
The average age of the children we supported was 10 years old (1% under 12 months, 19% 1-5 years, 45% in primary school, 27% in secondary school, 5% as young adults under 18 and 2% young adults aged 19 to 25.)
Our support services can be broadly classified into the following categories:
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## Support
- Benefits advice
- Counselling
- Bereavement care - Education support - Play therapy - Emergency essentials including food
- Sensory work - Behaviour support
- Advocacy
- Family support
## Training
- For parents
- For young people out of traditional education
- For young adults with additional needs to support them into paid employment
- For professionals working with families who have children with additional needs, disabilities and life-limiting conditions
## Activities
- Parent and child groups - After-school clubs
- Sports sessions
- Play schemes
- Youth clubs
- Education and social events
## Respite
- For a small but growing number of young people on a referal basis
## Safe Spaces
- Our centres
- Adapted play areas
- Fully-adapted caravan
- Sensory rooms
-Groups and private hire of venues where our young people can have fun and play in a safe way
www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk
01733 262226
Registered Charity Number: 1160178
## Trustees' Report continued
## Financial Review
Total income received during the year decreased to £334,892 compared with £506,984 in the previous year. This represents a decrease of 34% and is due to the difficulties relating to Covid. Total expenditure during the year amounted to £392,512, an increase from £366,206 in the previous year. This represents a decrease of 7% due to reopening, the previous year we had been operating mostly online as a result of the Covid restrictions.
This net loss of £57,620 has been offset against a surplus from a large donation of £140,778 made just before the end of the financial year which was restricted towards wages. Our budgets, whilst tight, remain within satisfactory levels.
## Reserves policy
The Trustees' policy is to maintain a sufficient level of general reserves to enable the charity to continue in normal existence for three months, followed by an orderly curtailment of activities over the following three months if necessary. It is the aim of the Trustees is to review this policy on an annual basis. The Trustees therefore aim to hold up to six months of expenditure as unrestricted funds.
At 31 March 2022 unrestricted funds amounted to £192,989 (2021: £236,940) which provides a base for the charity to move forward with its future plans as set-out above.
## Structure, governance and management:
## Governing document
Little Miracles is registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) under its constitution dated 1 December 2014.
## Tax status
As a registered charity, number 1160178, Little Miracles is exempt from corporation tax and income tax on its charitable activities.
## Trustees
The Board of Trustees who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:
- Amy Clarke
- Tina Moser-Wager
- Timothy Bedward-Jones
- Alison Banerjee
- Emma Hannon
- Emerson Patton
- Matthew Kember FCA
www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk
01733 262226
Registered Charity Number: 1160178
## Trustees' Report continued
## Appointment of Trustees
The charity’s constitution requires a minimum of three Trustees.
Trustees are appointed for a term of three years and are invited to join the board and elected by a resolution of the Trustees.
## Public benefit statement
The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2006
to have due regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit, 'Charities and Public Benefit'.
## Reference and administrative details
The principal addresses and details of professional advisers are included in the information sheet at the front of these accounts.
## Trustees' responsibilities in relation to financial statements
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently; observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on an ongoing concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the Trust Deed. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
This report was approved by the Trustees on 30th January 2023 and signed on their behalf by:
Tim Bedward-Jones Matthew Kember FCA Chair of Trustees Treasurer
www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk
01733 262226
Registered Charity Number: 1160178
## Our Impact
## After spending time at Little Miracles...
61% of parents 84% of parents reported their child felt their child had improved had progressed emotional in their skills regulation.
97% of families would 94% of parents 89% of parents felt their child was more recommend Little saw an improvement accepted and safer Miracles to in their with us than a friend child's wellbeing anywhere else
"Finding Little Miracles came at the perfect time for us. Just out of lockdown, having shielded for almost two years, I felt a little lost. I’m a solo mum so at times having two children with such differing needs is daunting. The charity has provided the opportunity for us to have some lovely days out, to socialise with other families whose children have disabilities of one shape or another and has helped me with accessing the best support for Arthur. When we had to go into hospital for an operation I received lots of emotional support from Little Miracles as I really struggle with PTSD around hospital stays.
Arthur had a very tricky start in life and continues to be ‘interesting’ medically. He has a complex heart condition which affects his daily life and always will. His condition is considered terminal.
Everything they can do for him increases his quality of life and gives him time but we don’t have forever so making memories is very important to us. We love attending the Monday morning sensory sessions and are really looking forward to continuing to make memories with Little Miracles"
From Arthur's Mummy
"Little Miracles have been a lifeline to my family making sure all my children's needs are met by providing after school clubs trips and activities and also holiday activities and events they also offer specialist counselling, many types of therapy and family support, training too whilst also looking after me as a parent carer also I have many priceless lifelong memories I will treasure forever and hopefully will have many more to be made"
"Little Miracles - the charity that really cares about each individual regardless of needs. An accessible place where every one is accepted. All sorts offered from trips to general socialising. Always a smile and a friendly face and that’s why Little Miracles means so much to us."
"Little Miracles was the first place that made me feel like I was not being judged as a parent and that my son was accepted for who he is!"
www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk
01733 262226
Registered Charity Number: 1160178
## Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Little Miracles
www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk
01733 262226
Registered Charity Number: 1160178
Statement of Financial Activity for the year ended 31st March 2022
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities. The notes on pages 13 to 20 form part of these financial statements. Comparative figures are included on page ######.
www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk
01733 262226
Registered Charity Number: 1160178
## Balance Sheet as at 31st March 2022
The notes on pages 14 to 20 form part of these financial statements.
These accounts were approved by the Trustees on 12th October 2021 and signed on their behalf by:
Tim Bedward-Jones Matthew Kember FCA Chair of Trustees Treasurer
www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk
01733 262226
Registered Charity Number: 1160178
## Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2022
www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk
01733 262226
Registered Charity Number: 1160178
## Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2022
www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk
01733 262226
Registered Charity Number: 1160178
## Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2022
www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk
01733 262226
Registered Charity Number: 1160178
## Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2022
www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk
01733 262226
Registered Charity Number: 1160178
## Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2022
www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk
01733 262226
Registered Charity Number: 1160178
## Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2022
www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk
01733 262226
Registered Charity Number: 1160178
## Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2022
www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk
01733 262226
Registered Charity Number: 1160178