**Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts 2023** ## 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2023 **South Manchester Down’s Syndrome Support Group** (SMDSSG) _Registered Charity Number: 1164570_ ## **Trustees’ Annual Report 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2023** ## **Administrative information** Charity name: South Manchester Down’s Syndrome Support Group (SMDSSG) Primary address: Unit 17, 41 Old Birley Street, Manchester, M15 5RF ## **Structure, governance and management** SMDSSG is an Association CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation), established by constitution on 26 August 2015 and registered with Charity Commission on 26 November 2015 (charity number 1164570), in the same name as the previous unincorporated association (charity number 1147397), as mandated by the SMDSSG membership at the 2014 AGM. A CIO is a legal structure, under the Charities Act 2011, designed specifically and only for charities. The principle of a CIO is that it is a corporate body with limited liability but formed under charity law (rather than company law) and registered solely with the charity regulator, the Charity Commission. The protection afforded by the group’s limited liability make it easier to recruit and retain Trustees and to engage in contracts, including directly employing paid workers. Trustees are appointed and/or reappointed at the Annual General Meeting or by the Board of Trustees during the year, as required and in accordance with the constitution. There is a child protection policy in place, and all Trustees must undergo a DBS check. They are also required to sign the Charity Commission’s Trustee eligibility declaration, and a fit and proper persons declaration based on HMRC guidance. ## **Trustees** - **Trustee name Office Notes** - 1 Rick Cowgill Chair 2 Steve Ashton Secretary - 3 Jitka Cowgill Treasurer - 4 Lydia Burke - 5 Clare Hillyer - 6 Tina Kirwin-McGinley - 7 Vacancy - 8 Vacancy - 9 Vacancy - 10 Vacancy The trustees are actively looking to add to the skills base of the board but also improve diversity. We are passionate about having a board member with Down Syndrome in the future and details of first steps are included in this report. 1 ## **Employees** |**Employee name**|**Role**|**Notes**| |---|---|---| |Esther Whitaker|CEO|| |Emily Sollis|Activities Coordinator|Finished July 2023| |Claire Reynolds|Events & Volunteer Manager|Offer of employment accepted,| |||starting September 2023| |Kayleigh Howarth|Admin & Finance Assistant|Started July 2023| |John Henry|WorkFit Co-ordinator|(employed by DSA, funded by SMDSSG)| |Adelisa Yon|Speech & language therapist|| |Alison Calow|Speech & language therapist|| |Helen Adkins|Speech & language therapist|| |Judith Patel|Speech & language therapist|| |Jen Ellison|Founder Little Talkers -|| ||Baby/Toddler Signing Club|| ||Makaton Tutor / Speech &|| ||language therapist|| |Anita Bartlett|Occupational therapist|Started April 2023| ## **Our Charity** ## **Purpose** We exist to empower children and young people with Down syndrome to reach their potential and lead fulfilling lives. We do this both directly by facilitating their access to social and educational opportunities and indirectly by helping their family members and carers to provide more effective support. ## **Values** We are a member-led charity, and we see ourselves as: Welcoming and inclusive Caring and supportive Positive about Down syndrome We believe it is our whole-family approach to the empowerment of young people with Down syndrome that marks us out. 2 ## **Introduction from the Chair** What a year we’ve had. The information shared here shows we are starting to see real transformation following several years of hard work behind the scenes. I hope you enjoy reading this report and can start to get a feel for the positive changes we are making and the impact we are having on our members. This year we are excited to trial a new format AGM which includes giving information to our members with Down syndrome and asking them for direct input, giving them the opportunity to vote on our plans. Plans are now well under way to provide a platform for our members to directly feed into future strategy and decision making. The trustees are very proud to provide the information in this report and hope to continue to support and grow the charity over the coming years. ## **Word from the CEO** We are very excited to be launching our new feel AGM, planned to encourage more engagement from all members. The AGM is a wonderful time to reflect on all the great things that have been going on! Notably more activities, better attendance, and ultimately better outcomes for our members with Down Syndrome. We welcomed new members, secured paid employment through the WorkFit Programme, forged new relationships, and put on new events. All with the aim of supporting people with Down Syndrome to reach their potential. Behind the scenes it was a busy year of securing income, bringing in new systems and processes to make sure we are stable and here to keep providing our much-needed services! ## **Membership** SMDSSG currently holds just over 200 members on its books. A review of the data held is still underway. Membership is free and members are entitled to: - vote at General Meetings of the group - stand for election as Trustees / committee members - attend members’ events such as soft play, SLT sessions at Chatterbox and Christmas parties as well - as all open events - discounted fees for training organised by SMDSSG - receive priority and discounted tickets for events organised by SMDSSG ## **Communication** We communicate to our members and partners via a monthly newsletter, sent to over 300 addresses to keep members and friends up to date with the group’s activities, provide useful information and signposting. We have social media accounts, and our activities are advertised via email and private messaging groups. General information can be found via our website which also contains links to resources and support. We have a presence on the local offer pages of local authorities across Manchester. ## **Family support** The group provides opportunities for parents and carers to meet, share information and experiences, develop support networks and celebrate successes. We create events that give the chance for children and siblings to socialise, make friends and have fun. We assist new parents by providing help, support and friendship through a local network of volunteer new parent contacts. We have successfully set up a “Dad’s football” social network which meets fortnightly. This year we have provided over 100 hours of family support across our network. 3 ## **Chatterbox** Our monthly Saturday morning open drop-in Chatterbox sessions provide a range of activities for all family members, children and young people with Down syndrome and their parents/carers and siblings of all ages, with attendees travelling from all over the Greater Manchester Area. Activities include sing and sign; yoga; Zumba; art and crafts; speech and language therapy with the addition this year of occupational therapy. Chatterbox activities are review and updated regularly to ensure we are offering different activities each month to cover a range of ages and interests, more exciting activities to be rolled out next year! Chatterbox club continues to increase in popularity supporting up to 50 families at each event. Once again, our sincere thanks to our staff and volunteers who continue to provide expertise and support and continue to make this monthly event such a huge success. ## **Pre-school group** New parents meet fortnightly supported by volunteers who are also parents of children with Down syndrome. The gatherings are a wonderful opportunity for parents with babies to meet in a small group and share information, advice and stories over a coffee. Drop-in sessions from professionals cover a range of topics to help support families in the early years. ## **10-16s** This year saw the first 10-16s social, a great success with much hard work behind the scenes to provide a valuable and much needed event, more to follow. ## **Over 17s** The Over 17s group continues to be a great success, tying in nicely to the WorkFit program, we delivered 12 over 17’s social events ranging from Junkyard Golf, Bowling, Quiz night, Photography shoot and a painting class. ## **WorkFit** Another great year for John Henry, we report the following successes with our thanks to John for all his hard work. Candidates currently active in the North West overall – 259 (Greater Manchester – 98 candidates) 35 placements – between September 2022-August 2023 28 – paid work placements 7 – unpaid work placements (6 work experience, 1 volunteering) Companies working with during this period; Barclays, East Cheshire NHS Trust, Dunelm, The Blue Bicycle, Buzzy Bee Bakery, Multipave LTD, Winston’s Bistro and Bar, J.W Lees Brewery, GXO Logistics, Iceland, Brewdog, Savills UK, The Grand Theatre, Holy Cross and All Saints RC, St Vincents Nursery, Pinsent Masons, The Hilton, The Rep Theatre, Marshall Fleet Solutions, The Botanist, Severn Trent, Stand Out Socks ## **Dance SOS** This year we celebrated WDSD with an empowerment dance class run by Dance SOS, a really great event with lots of amazing photos and positive feedback from our members and volunteers. ## **Greggs** This year we have started a new corporate partnership with Greggs. The partnership has added significant value, not only in sausage rolls and muffins (at chatterbox) but also providing volunteers at events and highquality office space for training and staff events. ## **Singing Hands** The group celebrated World Down Syndrome Day 2023 with Singing Hands at The Life Centre in Sale. Thank you to all involved in organising this huge event, a huge success as always with great feedback from our members. 4 ## **Training** Since the pandemic, the delivery of training has been a real challenge. Many providers stopped training or moved online. This flooded the market with a huge range of content, but we were, and remain, very keen to provide high quality face to face content with the ability for our attendees to ask direct questions and trainers to provide feedback and specific advice in a safe space. This year training was delivered by DS Cheshire, Kelly Burgoyne, Simon Birch, Helen Adkins, and Alison Calow, including a RSE session delivered by Brook. Attendance remained varied with some sessions cancelled at short notice due to lack of interest and getting the correct balance remains a challenge. Reflecting on this year the staff have carried out surveys and spent significant time speaking to members and schools to find out why. Following this the board have approved investment into the next year and we are excited to report further on a new look, full calendar, with 9 dates already booked in for 23-24. ## **Employees** The board is excited to see the continued growth of our staff. Whilst we say thank you and goodbye to Emily, we welcome Kayleigh and Claire, and we wish them well in their new roles. ## **Volunteers** The charity relies heavily on volunteers, the trustees would like to thank those who have committed their time to our expanded program this year. Many of our volunteers are students who often leave after the academic year, but we are starting to see an increase in more permanent placements. We have developed a new onboarding process and implemented a new online platform for DBS checks which is cheaper and more efficient creating a better overall experience and improving retention. We have also connected volunteers socially and will hold our first “Thank you” social event. ## **Financial Review** As at the year end to 31 August 2023, our cash at bank totalled £79,201 (2022: £27,116) of which £35,605 (2022: £12,421) is restricted. Full details of receipts and expenditure can be found in the form CC16a submitted with this report. The trustees are happy to report the charity is in a strong financial position and therefore we are able to continue to support our members. We have seen a large increase in restricted funds to cover our core running costs and core activities. Funding to cover core costs, including salaries, will continue into 2025 thanks to the support from the National Lottery Community Fund, Morrisons and Children in Need. Reserves are increasing in line with our current planned expansion. Members should remain reassured that the trustees have no plans to use any of our reserves or plan any large expenditures without first having secured funding to support our plans. We aim to maintain a minimum level of funds equivalent to six months projected running costs of the charity. Our financial position is continually reviewed with plans for future expansion being funded by successful fundraising from multiple sources. The fundraising environment across the UK is challenging but we remain confident that we can continue to attract support for our important work. 5 ## **Future plans** The Trustees continue to work hard on developing a dynamic strategy document which can evolve as the charity continues to grow. A large part of that work is the development of a user group for our members with Down syndrome to directly influence the direction and shape of the charity. This is such an exciting step for us to take and we look forward to reporting, alongside our members, the progress, and successes of that group next year. This group with be stepping stone towards one of our members becoming a trustee. We are also working cautiously towards a re-brand which we see as vital to the continued success of the charity. Our strategy over the next year will see us continuing to focus on consolidating the membership; increasing the availably of support and events to include all our members. Financial stability and sustainable growth remain a priority and we hope to pilot our new look holiday club. ## **Fundraising and donations** We rely on grants, fundraising and donations to support the running costs of the charity and to continue to provide our activities. Donations can be made via our website www.dsmanchester.org.uk/make-a-donation and we encourage this over cash or cheques. We are incredibly grateful to all our supporters who have donated so generously throughout the year. Thank you!! General data Protection Regulations (GDPR): As a small charity we are compliant with the regulations whilst carrying out our objectives and keeping personal data we hold and the data we process under constant review. Two of our trustees have extensive and relevant experience with GDPR and provide support and guidance. ## **Declaration** The trustees declare that they have approved this trustees’ report. Signed on their behalf Signed …………………………………………………. Full name …… Mr Richard Cowgill ………. Position ……… Chair ………………………. Date ……… 24/06/2024 ………………. 6 **----- Start of picture text -----**
South Manchester Down's Syndrome Support Group 1164570
Receipts and payments accounts CC16a
For the period 01/09/2022 31/08/2023
To
from
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total funds Last year
to the nearest
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
£
A1 Receipts
Bank interest -
Fundraising events 1,693 1,693
Donations and grants (incl. gift aid) 35,250 57,543 92,793 30,605
Fees for charitable services 1,767 1,767 1,489
Fees for training courses - -
the National Lottery Community Fund "RC
43,092 43,092 19,534
North West Region"
Members' subscriptions - -
Sub total (Gross income for AR) [ 38,710 ] 100,635 139,345 51,628
A2 Asset and investment sales, (see
table).
Sub total - - - - - - - - - -
Total receipts 38,710 100,635 139,345 51,628
A3 Payments
Arts and crafts supplies - 965 965 725
Bank charges - -
Building hire 558 558 1,583
Christmas activities 217 217 1,236
Fundraising costs 640 640
Group activities 2,521 6,062 8,583 5,490
Misc expenses incl travel 86 86 167
Pre-school group 280 1,068 1,348 -
Professional costs 1,138 1,138 6,989
Refreshments (meetings and Chatterbox) - 99
Rent and utilities 1,740 1,740 1,606
Play worker - -
Resources 20 20 -
Sing and sign 1,300 1,300 1,560
Speech and language therapists 6,395 6,395 6,098
Staffing 1,560 21,048 22,608 3,266
Stationery. Printing & postage costs 43 43 -
the National Lottery Community Fund "RC
North West Region" 40,533 40,533 14,242
Training 450 450 1,387
Yoga 80 80
Volunteer expenses 557 557 320
Sub total 9,809 77,451 87,260 44,767
A4 Asset and investment purchases,
(see table)
Deposit for Office - - - - -
Learning resources - - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total payments 9,809 77,451 - 87,260 44,767
Net of receipts/(payments) 28,901 23,184 52,085 6,861
A5 Transfers between funds - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 14,695 12,421 27,116 20,255
Cash funds this year end 43,596 35,605 79,201 27,116
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period** |**Categories**
Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of
**B5 Liabilities**
**B1 Cash funds**
**B2 Other monetary assets**
**B3 Investment assets**
**B4 Assets retained for the**
**charity’s own use**|
**Details**
**Details**
**Details**
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
Current account
Cash in hand
**_Total cash funds_**
**Details**
**Details**
Signature|**Unrestricted**
**to nearest £**
**43,596**| |---|---|---| |||**43,596**| ## **Independent examiner's report on the accounts** **Section A Independent Examiner’s Report** **Report to the trustees** Charity Name South Manchester Downs Syndrome Support Group **On accounts for the year** 31/08/23 **Charity no** 1164570 **ended (if any) Set out on pages** 1 and 2 of form CC16a (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets) I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended **31/08/23** . **Responsibilities and** As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the **basis of report** 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 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. **Independent** [The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to **examiner's statement** undertake the examination by being a qualified member of [insert name of applicable listed body]]. _Delete_ [ ] _if not applicable._ I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below *) which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: - the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or - the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or - the accounts did 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. * _Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply._ **Signed: Name:** Sonia Davies **Date:** 17 June 24 **Relevant professional** ICAS **Oct 2018** 1 **IER** ## **qualification(s) or body (if any):** **Address:** 2 Parkfield Court, Altrincham WA14 2bu ## **Section B Disclosure** Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). **Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose** . **Oct 2018** 2 **IER**