End of
rre
ort & Inde
endentl Examined Financial statements
For the Year End
31st March 2021
Chari
number: 1161092

orts and Accountin
For the Year ended 31st March 2021
Pages
Trustee report
Report of the Trustees
Structure, Governance & Administration
Statement of Financial Activities
Independent Examiners Report
Accounts
9-10

Trustee report
During these unprecedented times, tlie charity has been tested, it has Iiot been straight-
forward or easy but it has been positive. The pandemic forced us to mal<e decisions that
would have taken us much longer to reach, trustees became more involved in day-to-day
operations and supported a new acimiiiistrator, a post which coiitinues to add value to tli
Pod's resources and ability to support more families.
Looking back at the last year, Pod projects have adapted and moved from weekly social
cILibs to engagement 7 days a week at the peal< of the pandemic without pausing services.
The teams have put in place bespoke support for young people and families where this has
been needed.
Covid-19 may have tried to slow us all down, but the charity did not slow down, tlie
achievements of young people and teams has been exceptional; a young person's idea led
to a published lockdown recipe book including poems and stories, a keepsake from a
straiige year that will always remind our young people and families of the full times and
that it wasn t all bad.
Zoom became the new normal method of communication. It certainly took some getting
used to (I include myself and fellow board members in this to!) but, it has been a pleasure
to receive updates on the positive outcomes from all three projects and from the new
online talking café.
Welfare check in's, activity pack production and distriblltion became the new normal, not
just for the young people we know but for siblings too. There have been Inany other
Iiighlights I could mention however the one stand out point to myself and the board is the
strength and resilience the team and young people have shown over the last 12 months
and the difference Pod lias made to the families Ive work with.
As our community recovers the charity will continue to adapt to the long-term effects of
Covid-19, we have already begun to evaluate the alternative support methods used in the
last 15 months and are taking this learning forward into fLlture activities.
As I look back on the last year, my sixth and final year with Pod it is with so many fond
memories. The time has come for me to step down as trustee, but I do so in the full
knowledge that Pod will continue to grow from stren(Tth to strength. There are many ideas
in tlie pipeline including the scrapstore and make and sell project aiid I am confident they
will be as successful as our current projects with thanks to a committed and loyal team
Ivho continLie to strive to deliver first class projects with, and not just for OLir members.
A Liggatt
Chair of Trustees

History - The Pod is a grassroots initiative, founded by parent carei"s in 2013 in response
to a lack of sen3ices t.or disabled children in Mendip. Maintaining a service that is member
led is essential in erisuring Pod beneficiaries support one another and reach their full
potential.
Objectives
(talien from CIO) To promote social inclusion for the public benefit by
preventing people from becoming socially excluded, relieving the needs of those people
who are socially e.Ycluded and assisting theni to integrate into society.,
The charity does this by providing the following services;
Pod Youth Club
The Youth club welcomes children with additional needs who are aged 10-17 years. The
club would usually meet on a Tuesday evening in term time. The ratio is 1.3 and the team
are skilled, experienced and understand how to enable the children to reach their full
potential. Children learn important life sl<ills and make friends at the youth club, many for
the first time. There continues to be a long waiting list, historicall! children wait a year
before they can join the group. One of the benefits of online support is tliat the charity has
been able to offer support to fcimilies on tlie waiting list. As the youth clLib has reopened
this online SLipport hds continued for children on the waiting list. 39 children have
benefitted from tlie youth club support this year.
The Zone
The Zone is a youth club for Young Carers. The team have adjusted the age range from 10-
18 to 8-16 years old, recognising that children will not join the group when they turn 16
but nor will we be asking them to leave. Many but not all the children are siblings of
disabled children. The team have completed welfare checl<s, provided online support, and
distriliuted activity packs. 22 cliildren have benefitted from the project this year.
Pod Plus
Pod, Plus is a social club for adults with additional needs aged 18-30 years. 20 young
people have accessed the group this year which has i)i-ovided online support ever!
Monday evening, in addition to social media interaction 7 days a week. Team members
interacted and set fun challenges which developed into young people setting their own
challenges for their peers within a supportive framework using a 'safe' closed platform.
The Pod Plus 18-30's group were the main beneficiclries however we received many
positive reviews froni other families and Friends of Pod wlio enjoyed the interactions and
felt less isolated at home.
New - Talking café
June 2020
The Pod received a significant nLimber of new enquiries fi-om new parents needing
support, the charity launched a support group for parent carers (of additional needs
cliildren) in partnership with Frome Town Council and Health connect.ors initially.
consultation is taking place and we Iiave plans to develop the service into a more
traditional coffee morning setting.

Other Activities
This year has been unique and has led to many new initiatives;
The charity collaborated with Frome Town Rotary and prodLiced a free family treasure
hunt for Frome families.
The projects provided a l-l text chatroom, supporting young people's mental health and
well-being, developing into a 'te.xt to talk, service which continued for niany months for a
sniall group. l-l chat helped identify what young people and families needed the online
offer to look like.
Pod took part in a Covid-19 community group forLim and cascaded information to the Pod
community, this culminated in foodbank referrals and delivery, free cinema and open-air
theatre tickets for Pod families.
Pod Plus produced a lockdowTI recipe book which sold in the local bookshop.
Families received Window Wanderland packs and created displays and a final Pod collage.
Pod Plus members accessed a 10-week next steps program with a new volunteer, this
project informed the National Lottery funded NDTI Time to Talk project.
The charity did not organise traditional holiday activities but dici maintain connections
during the holidays. Being online did not stop the projects from inviting visitors in to add
value and teach new skills. Visitors inclLided; a Zumba teacher, Oppnstorytellers sessions
ancl Gallii7anting Goblins theatre workshops.
All seasonal activities were cancelled; however, the groiJps did organise a combined family
picnic at Palette and Pasture ice cream parlour, 48 family members came together. As
restrictions lift and events begin, it is hoped tlie Pod community will be able to take part in
seasonal fetes, the Frome marathon and other opportunities M7here the primary focus is to
support families and young people to take part, grow in confidence and feel a part of the
community.
The weekly bingo run by Pod, (partnership: Cheese and Grain) remains closed althoLigh
will reopen shortly we hope. The project V¥Thich supports leai-ning dis?.bled adults, plays a
major part in our community enga(Tenient both in terms of fLindraising but also -, educing
isolation and supporting some of the most 17ulnerable meinbers of our conimunity.
Presentations this year included; the Rotary who kindly nominated the Pod as their charity
of the year, Children in Need Radio interviews for BBC Somerset and a Frome FM
interview and discussion on the impact of Covid on the disabled community.
Our impact
Altnough A, is a relative newcomer he gets so much out ofsessioiis. .we have been so
iinpressed with howA was welconled and settledfrom the outset and looksfoiivard to
sessions. Having everything so organised and with a weelcly theme that Is made availablefar
in advance isgreqt- it helps us prepare A which in turn 12elps him get the most oiit of the
meetings,
'B' has loved looking at the tasks set on Facebook and Inisses Pod cliibs a lot. It's meaiit tlie
world to us as afamily to have something that B couldfeel part ofas he's i?ever really been
able to join a club like othet" children who jLlSt take itforgrai?ted'

'The Podgroups continue to play a vital part in oLirfa172ilv, giving e170rmous support to oLir
kids, as well as confidence, a safe plac'e to let offsteam, and a place tofeel valuedfor who
they are,
'Other clubs we have tried with 'C' have not been so siiccessfvl and cause Cgreat anxiety,...
they are often run by different staff a17d it is not Uliusual that C is stressed when I pick up. C
wants to go to Pod ai?d is always happy and relaxed when I collect,
Ayoung person's acrostic poem
place to hang out
lots of laughs
understandilig to everybody
Somethingfor everyone
People havingfiii?
ope17 to every017e
doing lots offvn activities
A small selection of testimonials from young people and families. The success of the
projects is founded on strong relationships with families and young people who are
happier, healthier, and more confident as they form friendships and learn to be
independent, outside of education where many struggle to be accepted and understood.
The charity has an excellent reputation and strong pai-tnerships, other groups consult Pod
Ivhen planning events, ensuring they are accessible for all families. One of the.fe
part.nerships led to the fi.ee treasure hunt with around 350 mainstream family memPJers
benefittlilg.
It is important to everyone that the children, young people and adults that access the
projects have a say in their clubs, they help choose the activities, run their own tuck shop,
and during the pandemic, their interview questions and views helped Pod to recruit a new
employee on zoom. The charity has grown significantly but has not lost sight of its roots,
Pod activities support whole families to be strongei", mol-e confident and to find and use
their voice.
Staff and Volunteers
The Charity employs a Part time Chai-ity Mana(Ter (18 hi".s) and a part time adiniriistrator
(5hrs) effective August 2020, in addition to sessional Trvorkers as follows.
Pod Youth Club
The Zone
Pod Plus
Conimunity volunteers
l Youth Leader / 4 Youth Workers - I volLinteer
l Youth Leader / l Youth Worker- 2 volunteers
l Lead (+ administrator) I Club Assistant- 3 volunteers
l Gold D of E student
The trustees ensure that key policies are in place, reviewed and adhered to, with
sateguarding at the top of the agenda. Service deliveiv is in the skilled hands of eniployed
sessional workers. Day-to-da! management and fundraising is undertaken by a part time
Cliai-ity Mana(Jer. Lil<e all small chai-ities the Pod contiiiues to be stretched by demand and
the board continues to look for ways to respond to this demand.
Altliough the Pod does receive invaluable support from volunteers, the charittT is unable to
run its projects without paid sessioiial staff who provide consistenc! and stability for
young people and training for volunteers.

Volunteer numbers are reduced due to less workers being required to deliver online
support. Pod Youth Club and Zone supported many new children and focused on
employees establishing relationships rather than recruiting volunteers. We continue to
value volunteers and are very grateful for the hours they provide. Without their
contribution of time and energy we would not be able to support as many families as we
do. Salaries represent 84 % of our aniiual expenditure this year. (201Q/20 - 77 % )
Furlough scheme
The charity made use of the furloLI(sh schenie in 3 phases. Out of a team of 10, 6 fLirlouglied
at some point. Once new delivery methods were workinu Ivell the cliarity manager
furloughed for three weeks in four in May and June, returning to part furlou(Jh from July to
October. For a charity heavily led by a foLinder charity manager, the trustees saw this as
an opportunity to step back, create a new administrator post and test contingency
systems. Resources were stretched but this was successful, the charity now has a part
time administrator. The new role enabled Pod to increase its reach to more families and
cre?,te a bespoke service for members who needed this. Apart from a COLiple of shifts in
January INhile the team renewed their consultation with families, all employees have come
off furlough this year.
Structure, Governance and Administration
The Charity Manager reports to the board at every trustee meetin(s; this report provides
up to date information on each project, community activities, safegLiarding, finance and
anything pertinent at tlie time. Board meetings genei-ally take place in March, June,
September & December, this year all meetings (except March) took place usin(T Zoom
technology. Trustees liase and individually meet with the charity manager to discuss
actions specific to their area of responsibility.
The Charity Manager line manages the administrator and 3 Club Leaders who in turn
provide supervision to their project teanis, made up of employees and volunteers.
A membership forum would usually take place aloniTside the Annual General Meeting in
June, however, this year the trustees agreed to cancel the AGM. Althougli the usual forum
did not take place the annual report Ivas niade available to all members and families
(including potential beneficiaries) who have been provided with multiple opportunities to
tell us what is and is not working for them, the teams have adjusted their activities to
incorporate the feedback received from families, children, and young people tliey support.
Administration
Charity Registered address:
C/0 Openstorytellers, RISE, Whittox Lane, Frome, BAII 3BY
Banking:
Co-operative bank, Po Box 250, Delf House, Southway, Skelmersdale, WN8 6MiT
Payroll: In-house using Brightpay softwai"e.
Insurance: A 3-month extension was granted by ZuriLlI because of the CoronavirLIS
pandemic, the insurance policy renewal date is now the 25Lh February 2022.

Independent Examiner:
A.E Davies, Chartered Accountant, Gable%, Wash Lane, Montacute, Soinerset, TA15 6XA
Governance
Governing Document:
The charity formed as a community group on the 1st Ma! 2013 and became a registered
cliarity (CIO) with voting members on the 2 /tii March 2015. If the CIO is wound up, the
niembers of the CIO have no liabilit! to contribute to its assets and no personal
responsibility for settling its debts and liabilities. The number of members in the year
ending 2021 is 23 (2020 - 38) The charity has focused on being flexible and adaptable
tliroughout the pandemic and has not cliarged for 98 % of its activities. Our membership is
significantly reduced. however, this is not a reflection on capacity or level of support
provided.
Trustee Appointments:
The trustee's skillset is regularly reviewed. The Me￿iberS 01- the cliarity trustees may at
any time dppoint a new charit! trustee when there is ali identified need. An interested
trustee is provided with an 'eisentl?Il guidarice on being a trustee, They will attend a
tl-LlStee meeting before their first appointr]ent; receive a copy of the constitution, latest
annual repoi-t and statement of accoLints.
As a result of the AGM being cancelled in 2020, trustees agreed they would remain in post.
In normal circumstances one-third of the charity tru.stees retire fi-om office at the AGM. If
the number of charity trustees is not three or a multiple of three, then the number nearest
to one-third shall retire from office. Cliarity trustees to retire by rotation shall be those
who have been lon(Jest in office since their last appointment or i-eappointment.
All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no remuneration or benefits.
Trustee
Position.-
Dates actea Il tiot w
M Mpltnn
S Dri!<p
ALI
A TLiffnell
E Wilson
S Bennett
-I'reasurer
Chair
Secrpta
Summary of Financial Activities
Ive alivays aim to Illlpiimize the cost of our serv'ices to disadvantaged families however we
do a-kiioivledge an ir)come made up of voluntary nontributions (weekly 'subs') in the
fiiiancial reports. Charitable activlty income (including fundraising) has si(Tnificantly
i-educed during the pandemic due to event cancellations and the focus movin(s to reniote
forms of support. In 2020/21 charitable activity income generated £2,296.07 (2019/20
£11,580.93)

Fortunately, the charity maintains excellent relations with its funders and has a good track
record with fundraising. Charitable donations and grants given by individuals, groups and
grant making bodies totaled £43.203.67 (2019/20 £24,941.00)
The trustees would like to thank all our funders and donors both large and small for their
support which has enabled us to develop and expand our services during this most
unprecedented year. A full list of donors is presented on page 10 of this report.
The income for the year endin<J 31 March 2021 totaled £51,058.32 (2020: £36,521.93)
against expenditure of £32,200.67 (2020: £40,057.90)
Reserves
The trustees acknowledge the challenges of the current funding climate; increased
competition and the unknown implications of Covid-19. The TrLlStees will continue to
monitor the level of unrestricted reserves which should be between £16,200 and £27.000.
This represents 3-5 months of the charities annual operating costs in the year ending
2021/22.
The unrestricted reserves at the end of 2020/21 are £17,572.96 In addition to a fui-ther
£23,311.46 or restricted reserves associated with all three projects and some core costs.
The projected charity costs in 2021/2022 are £.65,660. The charity has secured a multi~
year grant from Children in Need and the Masonic Charitable Trust in addition to other
one-off grants and donations. There is currently a shortfall and fundraising target of at
least £25,000 if we are to continue providing and developing essential services for
vulnerable children, young people, adults and families.
The Trustees Ivill continue to monitor the fundraising polici and reseriTes levels during the
next financial year.
Declaration
Signed and approved by the board on 29tli June 2021.
(Trustee)

Inde
endent examiner's re
ort on the accounts ofThe Po
for the
ear
st March 2021
Respective responsibilities of the trustees and examiner
The Charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 43(2) of
the Charities Act 1993 (the Act) and that ali independent exainination is needed. It is my
responsibility to
Examine the accounts
To follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity
Commission and
To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with general directions given by the charity
commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity
and a comparison of the accounts presented with these records. It also includes consideration
of any uiiusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as
trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the
evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether
the accounts present a 'true and fairf view aiid the report is limited to those matters set out in
the statement below.
Independent examiners statement
In the course of my examination no matter has come to my attention:
l. Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respec( the
requirements:
To keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the act and
To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the
accounting requirements of the 1993 Act; have not been met or
2. To which, in my opinion attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper
understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed
Date
25th June 2021
Name
Andrew Davies
I Profession
Chartered Accountant
Address
Gables, Wash Iane,
Montacute, Somerset
TA15 6XA

THE POD
INCOME AND EXPENDrruRE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
TOTAL
INCOME
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Parent Contributions
799.00
Membership
Bingo
Fund raising
FURLOUGH GRANT
132.00
1.121.82
5,558.58
DONATIONS
Friends of Frome Hospital
Frome Lions
220.00
500.00
Selwood Rotary
Leathersellers
500.00
i.000.00
1,500.00
Morland
1,000.00
Other donations
287.92
470.00
GRANTS
SCF Covid Response
True Colours Trust
3,000.00
5,000.00
National Lottery
Children In Need
9.482.00
12.493.75
SCF Discovery
Bailey Thomas
Gosling Foundation
Local Giving
3,750.00
1,000.00
2,500.00
500.00
TOTAL INCOME
6.303.99
44.754.33
EXPENDITURE
Wa£es and salary
Insurance
741.60
26.496.97
493.61
Telephone
Administration
216.00
72.00
245.58
430.89
. LIUiDment
145.64
925.51
Venue Hire
1.137.50
Sessional activities
126.62
382.86
Training
Fundraising
Miscellaneous and tuck
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
30.00
361.20
44.69
1.550.13
30.650.54
NET INCOME
4 753.86
14 103.79
KEPRESENTED BY:
Opening Cash at Bank and in hand
Add: Net Income
12,819.10
4 753.86
9,207.67
22,026.77
14 103.79
18 857.65
losino Cash at Bank and in hand
17.572.96
23 311.46
40 884.42
TRUSTEE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMEKfs - CONTINUED
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
2020121
INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTVITIES
Tuck shop
Contributions
Membership
Bingo
Childrens festival
Marathon
Gift aid
Mendip Lottery
Collection buckets
Francis Marathon
Silent Disco
Amazon smile
Makers Market
Sales from donated gifts
Recipe Book Sales
64.50
734.50
132.00
243.25
30.00
440.50
25.38
124.94
501.00
Charitable activit - TOTAL
Furlou
h Reclaim
.93
2 296.07
5 558.58
DONATIONS
Recipe Book Donations
Saputo 240/Rogers 150/Stoney St 50/Rye 30
Fair Frome
Friends of Frome Hospital
Selwood Rotary (Ik ' )
Frome Lottery
Frome Lions
Leathersellers
Hartfield Trust .
Woodlanders
Sherborne Classic Cars .
Morland
Fryer/Bunce
GRANTS
Children in Need @
Gosling Foundation
True Colours Trust
Somerset Community Foundation l.Discovery 2 + Covid@
Frome Town Council @
National Lottery Covid response .
Local Giving
Sobell Foundation
Bally Thomas"
indicates Ringfencedfunding
470.00
170.00
220.00
1,500.00
216.
500.00
1,500.00
1,000.00
117.92
12,493.75
2,500.00
5,000.00
6,750.00
9,482.00
500.00
1,000.00
Grants
Donaton - Total
Total receipts
43 203.67