ANNUAL REPORT
2024 - 2025
Supporting children and young people with Down's syndrome and their community.
01
CHAIR REPORT
This year has been one of challenge and resilience. Like many, we have felt the impact of a difficult financial climate, with rising costs and increased pressure on funding. Despite these challenges, our commitment to children and adults with Down’s syndrome, and their families, has remained unwavering.
I am particularly proud that, even in such testing circumstances, we successfully opened our Thanet service. This has been a significant step forward in reaching families who have previously found it harder to access support. Early engagement has reinforced the importance of local, community-based provision. While uptake has developed gradually, reflecting the local context, we are encouraged by the foundations being laid and look forward to building strong, lasting relationships in Thanet in the years ahead. The introduction of S-Club+, our post-19 programme, reflects a growing focus on supporting young adults as they move towards greater independence and self-advocacy. In addition, the launch of our outreach education service has broadened our impact by supporting professionals within educational settings, helping to promote inclusive practice beyond our direct services.
The Board of Trustees has remained focused on strong governance, financial oversight and sustainability, ensuring that the charity continues to deliver highquality services while navigating an uncertain external environment. We are committed to careful stewardship of resources and to supporting the staff and volunteers who make our work possible. I would like to thank our dedicated staff, volunteers, trustees and supporters. Your passion, resilience and belief in our mission have made it possible to navigate a challenging year while continuing to grow our impact. Together, we are
building a more inclusive future in which people with Down’s syndrome and their families are supported to thrive.
Rebecca Clark Chair of Trustees
ANNUAL REPORT
OUR VISION
Everyone has the right to live their lives to the fullest of their potential, regardless of disability or disadvantage.
OUR AIMS
At 21 Together, we believe that every person with Down’s syndrome has the right to live a happy, rich and fulfilling life.
Our mission is to support children and young people with Down’s syndrome, their families, and the professionals who work with them, ensuring they can reach their full potential—educationally, socially, and emotionally. We are proud to:
01. Support our community through advocacy, empowerment and resilience building.
02. Deliver high-quality, innovative education and therapy programmes that remove barriers to progress.
03. Enable every child and young person to achieve the future they deserve.
OUR OBJECTIVES
01. To relieve the needs of people with Down's syndrome, living particularly but not exclusively in Kent, and their families and carers through the provision of training, support, education, and practical advice, and by such other means as the trustees may determine.
02.
- To advance the education of the public and, in particular, the parents and carers of people with Down's syndrome and professionals involved in their care and education, in the specific needs and abilities of people with Down's syndrome.
03
ANNUAL REPORT
03
OUR VALUE
At 21 Together, our community is at the heart of everything we do. This year, we continued to take a holistic approach — supporting children and young people with Down’s syndrome, their families, and the professionals who work alongside them — while strengthening connections across Kent. Our visibility and recognition within the community have grown significantly through meaningful partnerships and shared experiences.
As Medway Rotary’s Charity of the
Year , we were able to offer families unforgettable opportunities, from inclusive boat trips and panto outings to a restorative family residential weekend focused on wellbeing and connection. The weekend garnered overwhelmingly positive feedback, reflecting the power of coming together and being truly seen
and supported. Other partnerships provided new opportunities for families to come together, including Ashford United football match, Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway trips, and memorable concert night for our young people, thanks to Dreamland , where tailored sensory support turned challenges into moments of confidence and joy. Our commitment and impact were recognised with a finalist nomination for Community Charity of the Year at the Kent Charity Awards 2024 and as Winners of the Maidstone Disability Charity Award at the Kent Mental Wellbeing Awards . We rounded off the year with our biggest World Down’s Syndrome Day celebration yet, uniting over 200 people for a day filled with laughter, music, and connection. From inclusive performances by Singing Hands to the launch of our new community video, the day truly embodied the spirit of 21 Together — empowering, joyful, and united.
ANNUAL REPORT
04
OUR SERVICES
At 21 Together, we take a holistic approach to support — empowering children and young people with Down’s syndrome, strengthening families and carers, and equipping professionals to build inclusive environments across Kent. Our services are designed to grow with each individual, fostering connection, confidence, and lifelong learning.
Children & Young People
From birth to 25 years old, our intervention services provide specialist, evidence-based support across all areas of development. Through group and individual sessions, we focus on speech and language therapy, educational assistance, . social engagement, and life skills development Our young people also benefit from access to advice from wider professionals such as occupational therapists and physiotherapists , ensuring a joined-up approach that supports each child’s unique learning profile.
Families & Carers
We recognise that every family’s journey is unique. We empower families with the knowledge, tools, and connections they need including t raining, workshops, and tailored guidance around EHCPs and local serivces. We also provide opportunities for peer connection and community engagement through local networks and events, ensuring that no family ever feels alone on their journey.
ANNUAL REPORT
05
OUR SERVICES
Professionals
Our work with professionals aims to build sustainable expertise across education, health, and community settings. Through training, networking, and our new outreach programme, we provide practical tools and insight into effective Down’s syndrome support. The role of our Education Team has expanded beyond direct intervention groups to include outreach visits and holistic support , working collaboratively with teachers, SENCOs and support staff to help every child thrive.
Networks & Partnerships
21 Together’s impact is strengthened through the power of collaboration. Our reach continues to grow through strong relationships across Kent including valued relationships with the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Lady Colgrain, and her Deputies, Clive Stevens and Frank Martin , who serve as Patrons and champions of our work. We have been honoured to be the Mayor of Broadstairs’ Charity of the Year , to receive dedicated fundraising and partnership support from Medway Rotary, and to work alongside the Thanet Freemasons and staff at Hornby Hobbies , who have generously volunteered their time. We also deepened our partnership with Leeds Castle , collaborating on accessibility and inclusion initiatives. Our families provided valuable feedback during special day trips, helping to test and refine the Castle’s new Fidget Backpacks designed for children with sensory needs. These partnerships reflect our belief that inclusion grows strongest when we build it together — across communities, organisations, and shared values.
ANNUAL REPORT
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OUR COMMUNITY
“There's very little support and help available for the parents whose children are born with Down’s syndrome and the support, help and care we receive from 21Together is second to none. .”
“This is our safe place, we attend every session with confidence and joy.”
ANNUAL REPORT
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OUR IMPACT
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This year, 21 Together supported 241 unique individuals across our services. While overall user numbers were slightly lower than last year, 29% of these were
new to the charity , demonstrating that our reach continues to extend to families who have not previously engaged with us. We also welcomed over 750 attendees to our events, fundraisers, and Regional Hub socials — despite running fewer, smaller-scale activities to ensure quality and accessibility for all participants. We directly supported 108 children and young people with Down’s syndrome through intervention groups, alongside 25 additional families who accessed wider services.
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The opening of our Thanet centre has been an important step forward in increasing accessibility across Kent, though initial uptake has been slower than expected. This highlights a clear need to build awareness and strengthen connections in the area so more families can benefit from our support. Encouragingly, engagement from professionals and establishments has grown significantly — a 38% increase in professionals and a 106% rise in schools and organisations — reflecting growing confidence in our expertise and collaborative approach. Beyond direct service users, community engagement continues to thrive. Our Regional Hub WhatsApp groups now connect 173 families (a 17% increase), and our online training bank saw a 62% rise in access compared to last year. These figures show that while the nature of engagement is evolving, the sense of connection and community remains strong — with more families, professionals, and partners interacting with us in flexible, meaningful ways.
ANNUAL REPORT
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SERVICE OVERVIEW
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Regional HubsDirect Intervention GroupsHoliday camps / Speech ClubCommunity Support ServiceFamily Event DaysTraining / Workshops
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21 Together delivers 14 services across three core divisions: Intervention (specialist intervention groups and speech clubs for young people with Down’s syndrome aged 0–25), Community (Community Support Service, Outreach, and Regional Hubs), and Enrichment (Training, Workshops, Community Events, and Ad Hoc clubs). The accompanying chart illustrates the percentage of users accessing each service, based on the 2024/25 survey responses. Most families engaged with more than one service during the year, reflecting the holistic and interconnected nature of our support. Our Intervention Groups and Speech Clubs were the most frequently accessed, each used by 67% of respondents . As the cornerstone of our work, these services demonstrate the ongoing and vital demand for specialist, direct support for children and young people with Down’s syndrome across Kent.
ANNUAL REPORT
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SERVICE OVERVIEW
Service users are regularly asked to rate their experiences of accessing and using 21 Together. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with all users agreeing or strongly agreeing with the statements, aside from a few neutral responses. On review, these neutral responses largely reflected requests for additional services beyond those currently offered, highlighting areas for potential growth and development.
Overall positive experience: Staff were helpful and friendly: Communication was timely, knowledgeable and accurate: Accessing the service was straight-forward and easy:
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“The amount of help and support provided by organisations like 21 Together is simply outstanding... and they deserve all the appreciation, recognition and funding they could get to continue their extended help above and beyond! 21 Together and its staff genuinely do make enormous difference in both children and parents life to improve their day to day living.”
ANNUAL REPORT
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DELIVERING ON OUR AMBITIONS
In 2024/25, our ambitions were clear: expand services into Thanet, grow post-16+ provisions, and enhance our community support through a holistic approach, including school outreach for professionals.
We are proud to have made significant progress on all fronts. In September 2024, our Thanet Classroom opened in The WonderWorks building, welcoming a new cohort of children with Down’s syndrome, thanks to the generous support of the community, corporate partners, and Lady Colgrain, the Lord Lieutenant of Kent.
January 2025 saw the launch of S-Club+ , our post-19 programme for young adults, designed to offer engaging, age-appropriate experiences that develop independent living and self-advocacy skills through monthly evening socials and intensive 3-day sessions.
This year also saw the introduction of our outreach service , supporting professionals in education, local authorities, healthcare, and other settings.
Already, our education team has worked with 17 education settings, meeting face-to-face with key staff, leading to an average 28% increased understanding of their students’ learning profiles, demonstrating the effectiveness of tailored professional support.
This year demonstrates how 21 Together turns ambitious plans into meaningful, measurable impact.
ANNUAL REPORT
11
COMMUNICATE TOGETHER
In 2023/24, we laid the foundations for Communicate Together — a long-term campaign designed to secure the future of our core intervention services while extending access to more children and young people across Kent. In 2024/25, that vision became reality.
Communicate Together campaigns to deliver our life-changing social and communication groups for children and young people with Down’s syndrome from birth to 25 years old, based at our Maidstone centre and our newly opened centre in Thanet. Over the last nine years, we have consistently seen the transformational impact these sessions have on communication, confidence, relationships, and quality of life for both children and their families.
During 2024/25, we secured £157,458 in grant funding from valued supporters alongside £36,000 of in-kind support made possible through the support of our Campaign Patrons — Lady Colgrain, Lord Lieutenant of Kent, and her Deputies Clive Stevens and Frank Martin. This investment has enabled us to stabilise and expand our services while continuing to build awareness and engagement in Thanet.
As we look ahead, Communicate Together remains central to our mission — ensuring that communication, the cornerstone of connection and inclusion, is accessible to every child and young person who needs it.
ANNUAL REPORT
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OUR COMMUNITY
“The staff were incredibly supportive and encouraging, and their understanding of the behaviour of a child with Down's syndrome was invaluable as they were able to persevere with him and win him round so that he could be included in the activities and groups and enjoy himself too.”
“21 are Together fantastic in what they do. I cannot access this type of support anywhere else and would be lost without it”
ANNUAL REPORT
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BUILDING RESILIENCE FOR THE FUTURE
Like many charities, 21 Together has navigated a challenging financial landscape this year, with grant funding becoming increasingly competitive, and community fundraising continues to feel the effects of wider economic pressures.
In response, we reviewed how we deliver and sustain our services to ensure families continue to receive high-quality support. By prioritising frontline provision, streamlining delivery, and exploring new income streams — including professional outreach packages, stronger corporate partnerships, and increased community engagement — we protected and strengthened our impact.
These challenges have driven positive change, enabling us to work more efficiently, collaborate more widely, and sharpen our focus on quality, outcomes, and sustainability. Remaining transparent, adaptable, and community-led ensures children, young people, and families across Kent continue to benefit from specialist, trusted support.
ANNUAL REPORT
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FUTURE OUTLOOK
As we look ahead to 2025/26, 21 Together remains grounded in its mission, ensuring our core 0–18 years intervention services continue to provide the gold-standard support, giving every child the opportunity to thrive.
We will review and refine these services to ensure every child and young person receives specialist, high-quality support tailored to their needs.
Our outreach provision will grow sustainably, with clear expectations and structured support packages and delivery models to enable professionals to maximise their impact on children’s development. Following the successful SClub+ trial, our post-19 programme will be embedded and expanded to offer young adults exciting opportunities to build confidence, independence, and lasting friendships.
We will revitalise our Community Support Service , making syndromespecific guidance more accessible online while continuing personalised support for parents and carers. At the same time, we will raise awareness of our Thanet centre , ensuring even more children can benefit from our inclusive services.
These steps will strengthen outcomes, increase reach, and empower families, allowing 21 Together to innovate while staying true to our commitment to children and young people with Down’s syndrome.
ANNUAL REPORT
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TREASURER’S REPORT
21 Together has weathered a difficult financial year in 2024/25. Our strong reserves position and policy has allowed the Charity to sustain core services to our users. Having seen the impact of disruption to our intervention services during the COVID pandemic on our community, it is important that we are structured resiliently to be able to continue these core intervention services to our users in spite of difficult financial landscapes.
Whilst our compelling case for providing targeted support for children and young people with Down syndrome continues to be well received by funders, many are seeing applications far outstrip the funding available, so there has been a significant drop in grant funding for the current year compared to the prior year. This also reflects the end of two significant multi-year grants, which ended in the prior financial year, so was in line with expectations for the period.
Ensuring we build resilience in our funding strategy and diversifying our funding streams was a priority for this year but has been slower progress than we had initially anticipated. However, we have seen success in getting our new Thanet hub set up with a new community of supporters there and are extremely grateful for the support in getting this centre off the ground. We need to continue to expand our community of supporters over the next 24 months to ensure we are diversifying our funding streams and expanding our unrestricted funding sources. This is not an easy challenge but one we are working hard towards.
ANNUAL REPORT
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TREASURER’S REPORT CONT’D...
Alongside income challenges, costs of the charity have also risen during the period as a result of the cost of living crisis; an increase in staff costs and expansion into Thanet. I am proud that we have been able to expand our services to a hard to reach and a more vulnerable part of our community. Additionally, the cost of living challenge makes our services even more vital to many in our community with significant cuts being seen in services provided in schools; therefore ensuring continuity of services is even more imperative. Being mindful of the Charity’s cost base and ensuring value for money in all areas of the Charity’s spend will be a focus in the coming year in light of these cost challenges to ensure we can continue to support our children and young people and allow them to continue to reach their individual potential.
I know that our hardworking team will continue to support our children, young people and families in spite of these more challenging financial times and am grateful for all their hard work in the past year in supporting our children and young people.
Melissa Jones
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Treasurer
ANNUAL REPORT
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Charity Registration Number : 1165305
21 TOGETHER
A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION (CIO) TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
21 TOGETHER
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Trustees | Robin Smith |
|---|---|
| Ian Caplan | |
| Stephen Sibbald | |
| Toyin Olukoya | |
| Melissa Jones | |
| Rebecca Clark | |
| Sinead Ainsworth | |
| Charity Number | 1165305 |
| Registered Ofce | Maidstone Community Support Centre |
| Maidstone | |
| Kent | |
| ME14 1HH | |
| Independent Examiner | Finance Box Limited |
| 128B The Street | |
| Rustington | |
| BN16 3DA |
21 TOGETHER
CONTENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Trustees' Report
Independent Examiner's Report
Statement of Financial Activities
Balance Sheet
Notes to the Financial Statements
21 TOGETHER
TRUSTEES' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Trustees' report and financial statements
The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. 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).
Trustees
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
Robin Smith (Ceased On: 18/01/2025) Ian Caplan (Appointed On: 07/05/2025) Stephen Sibbald (Appointed On: 05/03/2025)
Toyin Olukoya Melissa Jones Rebecca Clark Sinead Ainsworth
Trustees' responsibilities statement
The trustees, who are also the directors of Charity For 21 Together for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company Law 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, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate 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 Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
This report was approved by the trustees and signed on its behalf by:
Melissa Jones Rebecca Clark Trustee
Date : 23 January 2026
Page 1 of 9
21 TOGETHER
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of 21 Together
I report to the Charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025 which consists of the statement of financial activities,balance sheet and the related notes
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees 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 charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 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 Examiner's Statement
Although the charity’s gross income did not exceed £250,000 in the current year, the trustees consider that an independent examination is needed. I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of AAT
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:
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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
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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.
Name: Steven Case
for and on behalf of Finance Box Limited
Date: 23 January 2026
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21 TOGETHER
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Recommended categories by activity Notes Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies Charitable activities Other trading activities Investments Total Expenditure on: Raising funds Charitable activities Other Total Net income/(expenditure) Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted funds £ 16,521 30,682 - 470 47,673 975 33,884 2,916 37,775 9,898 9,898 96,148 106,046 |
Restricted funds £ 165,458 35,535 - - 200,993 43 326,181 - 326,224 (125,231) (125,231) 249,025 123,794 |
Total Funds 2025 £ 181,979 66,217 - 470 248,666 1,018 360,065 2,916 363,999 (115,333) (115,333) 345,173 229,840 |
Total Funds 2024 £ 342,800 45,853 403 668 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 389,724 | ||||
| 6,734 312,712 13,655 |
||||
| 333,101 | ||||
| 56,623 | ||||
| 56,623 288,550 |
||||
| 345,173 |
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21 TOGETHER
BALANCE SHEET
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Recommended categories by activity Notes Fixed assets Tangible assets 2 Total fxed assets Current assets Debtors 3 Cash at bank and in hand Total current assets Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 4 Net current assets/(liabilities) Total net assets Funds of the Charity Unrestricted funds 5 Restricted funds 5 Endowment funds 5 Total funds |
Total Funds 2025 £ - - 5,706 230,922 236,628 6,788 229,840 229,840 106,046 123,794 - 229,840 |
Total Funds 2024 £ 2,916 2,916 1,515 343,779 345,294 3,037 342,257 |
|---|---|---|
| 345,173 | ||
| 96,148 249,025 - |
||
| 345,173 |
For the year ended 31 March 2025 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476.
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared and delivered in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved by the trustees on 23 January 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
Melissa Jones Trustee
Rebecca Clark
Date : 23 January 2026
Page 4 of 9
21 TOGETHER
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
1. Accounting Policies
The principal accounting policies adopted by the Charity, which is a public benefit entity, in the preparation of the accounts are as follows.
1.1 Basis of preparation
These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the inclusion of charitable properties and fixed asset investments and investment properties at valuation.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with “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) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
These accounts are presented in pounds sterling and rounded to the nearest pound.
1.2 Going concern
The Trustees have prepared financial projections, taking into consideration the current economic conditions and have, at the time of approving these accounts, a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts.
1.3 Income from donations or grants
Income from donations and grants is recognised when the charity is entitled to the funds, the receipt is probable and the amount can be measured reliably. For donations, this is usually on receipt. For grants, this is usually when a formal o'er is made in writing. If a donation or grant contains terms and conditions outside of the charity’s control which must be met before the charity is entitled to the funds, or if the donor specifies that the funds must be used in future time periods, then the income is deferred.
1.4 Tax reclaims on donations and gifts
Gift Aid receivable is included in income when there is a valid declaration from the donor. Any Gift Aid amount recovered on a donation is considered to be part of that gift and is treated as an addition to the same fund as the initial donation unless the donor or the terms of the appeal have specified otherwise.
1.5 Creditors
The charity has creditors which are measured at settlement amounts less any trade discounts.
1.6 Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are those funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes.
1.7 Debtors
Debtors (including trade debtors and loans receivable) are measured on initial recognition at settlement amount after any trade discounts or amount advanced by the charity. Subsequently, they are measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be received.
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2. Tangible Fixed Assets
| 2.1 Cost or valuation At 01 April 2024 Additions Disposals Revaluations Transfers At 31 March 2025 2.2 Depreciation and impairments At 01 April 2024 Charge for the year Disposals Revaluations Transfers At 31 March 2025 2.3 Net book value At 01 April 2024 At 31 March 2025 3. Debtors: Amounts falling due within one year Total funds 2025 £ Trade debtors 5,673 Other debtors 33 Total 5,706 4. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Total funds 2025 £ Social Security and Other Tax 4,748 Accrued Expenses 2,040 Total 6,788 |
Computer Equipment £ 2,916 - - - - 2,916 - 2,916 - - - 2,916 2,916 - Total funds 2024 £ 1,515 - |
|
|---|---|---|
| 1,515 | ||
| Total funds 2024 £ 637 2,400 |
||
| 3,037 |
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5. Charity funds
5.1 Details of material funds held and movements during the CURRENT reporting period
Page 7 of 9
5.2 Details of material funds held and movements during the PREVIOUS reporting period
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5.4 Designated funds
6. Transactions with trustees and related parties
6.1 Trustee remuneration and benefits
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.
6.2 Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.
6.3 Transaction(s) with related parties
There were no transactions with related parties for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.
7. Average Number of Employees
This year Last year Employees 17 18
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RESERVE POLICY – 24/25
21 Together Reserve Policy
April 2024/2025
21 Together is a charity supporting people with Down’s syndrome, their families and the professionals that support them. We deliver a wide range of projects to fulfil our charitable purposes with wide variations in cost and expense. We run direct intervention sessions for children aged 0 - 25, parents support groups, training programmes, awareness programmes and individualised support. We have an office base and 9 members of core staff, including a Charity Manager. We also have a therapy room base and classroom, to run our other services we regularly hire additional hall space within our building. We have core running costs and additional project costs. Additionally, we currently employ 12 members of staff, all on a part-time basis to run our direct contact projects. We contract with Speech Therapists, OT’s, specialist teachers and Physios to provide supervision and support for our staff. Our training is delivered by outside expert speakers and is contracted on a course-by-course basis. Therefore, we have ongoing staff liabilities in addition to externally contracted liabilities. We also have a minimum three month rent and overhead liabilities to consider.
21 Together are committed to ensuring that we act in the charity’s best interests and manage the charity’s resources responsibly. As a charity, we are directly supporting vulnerable children and young people. It is vital that we can sustain our support over prolonged periods without the need to pause/cease support if funding streams fluctuate or stop. 21 Together has a fluctuating funding structure. Much of our income is derived through trusts/grants along with corporate supporters. A smaller proportion comes through individual giving and other routes. This means that we could be significantly financially impacted if any of our corporate partners decide not to support the charity in that year or if the trust/grant market becomes even more competitive, as is the case since the pandemic. Both these funding streams are unpredictable in nature. We also have multi-year restricted projects funded by a specific trust that are a large proportion of our cost, one of these ceased in April 23 and the other ends in June 2024. Alongside that, we have seen a big increase in requests for financial support for our paid services, and we expect this to increase over the next few years. All these areas mean our income has become more unpredictable. We need to consider gaps in funding for key projects that directly deliver young people coming up in the next year that require significant levels of financing as a proportion of total outgoings. This will be considered when setting our reserves target level.
This policy must be reviewed in line with any significant budget changes or at least annually.
1
April 1, 2024
RESERVE POLICY – 24/25
21 Together have ongoing liabilities and overheads. We rent office space, rooms and employ staff. We must recognise the stable nature of our outgoings compared to the relative instability of our income. This does not mean that this approach is not appropriate for the charity, but it does mean that we must ensure our reserve policy can build the necessary stability into the charity finances. Therefore, it is vital that our reserve policy builds in staged alerts to changes in reserve levels and that it identifies clear steps to be taken to ensure financial stability.
These factors have led us to set a reserve level of £100,000; this considers the decrease in multi-year funding. It also considers the increase in running costs associated with significant growth the last year and the likelihood of continued increases in demand for services. It incorporates the need to increase the reserves from previous years in line with charity growth and the current economic backdrop. We must also consider plans to duplicate services in Thanet and the additional financial strain this will carry with it. Our reserve limit reflects the 3-6 months running cost guidance set out by the charity commission.
As a charity supporting children and young people with disabilities, it is sensible and prudent to acknowledge that unforeseen costs can often be expensive. Costs are likely to include specialist equipment as well as expensive expert contractors to supervise projects or deliver training. We also have highly trained staff which means the loss of a staff member would be expensive to cover and would also cost the charity significant sums to train a new member of staff to the appropriate level. Our reserve limit is designed to be a dynamic figure and should be reviewed whenever the budget is reviewed and at least annually.
Our current reserve target is £100,000 . This is using the projected year budget of £325,000 outgoing for the 2024/2025. It is important to note that this relates to free reserves and does not include restricted monies.
| Reserve Level | Steps to be taken |
|---|---|
| More than £130,000 | Trustees to formally review charitable purposes and plan how they will spend the money to best meet the charitable purposes. It may be necessary to review and alter charitable purposes to allow the money to be spent effectively. |
| Reserve target - £130,000 | To be kept under review by manager – no action needed. Trustees to continue using the information to plan future spending. |
| £80,000 – reserve target | Trustees to be alerted. Trustees to consider future spending and fundraising opportunities and to record their plans in the minutes. Action to be taken in accordance with their plans. |
This policy must be reviewed in line with any significant budget changes or at least annually.
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April 1, 2024
RESERVE POLICY – 24/25
| Below £80,000 | Trustees to be alerted – Review of the financial plans, activities and future activities of the charity. Substantial steps to improve/change the funding streams and considered removing some services to save funds. Should be viewed as a high alert and needs a significant and unified response by the trustee board. Trustees must agree on a financial plan with immediate effect. |
|---|---|
| Less than £60,000 | High level alert. Emergency Trustee meeting to be called if it is unexpected or unplanned for. Approx. 3 months of running cost left. Steps should be taken immediately to give notice on any contractual obligations including office rent and staff unless a clear, substantial and concrete finance plan is in place and the trustees are in agreement to continue the charities activities. To be reviewed monthly until the reserve goes above £40,000 |
This policy must be reviewed in line with any significant budget changes or at least annually.
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April 1, 2024
17
THANK YOU!
We are deeply grateful to all the trusts and foundations, organisations, and individuals who have provided funding and resources to our charity throughout the year. Your invaluable support enables us not only to sustain our work but to grow. Below is just a selection of our incredible supporters who have contributed not only financial assistance but also resources, workspaces, and partnership opportunities that help place inclusion at the heart of Kent.
Finally, to our individual fundraisers and donors — whose generosity accounts for 16.8% of our total funding — thank you. You are not only vital to our financial sustainability but also serve as inspiring ambassadors, raising awareness and championing our cause every day. We couldn’t do it without you!
ANNUAL REPORT
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|---|---|
| Charity Number: | 1165305 |
| Charity Constitution: | Foundation CIO |
| Trustee Selection Methods: | Appointed by existing trustees |
| Trustees: | Rebecca Clark - Chair Melissa Jones - Treasurer Sinead Ainsworth Robin Smith Toyin Olukoya Stephen Sibbald - Appointed 05/03/2025 |
| Trustee Standing Down: | Robin Smith - 18/01/2025 |
| Key Management Personnel: | Trustees and CEO - John Keeley |
| Contact Details: | **info@21together.org.uk |
| Registered Office: | Maidstone Community Support Centre, 39-48 Marsham Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1HH |
| Independent Examiner: | ? ? Steven Case - Finance Box Limited 128B The Street, Rustington, West Sussex, BN16 3DA |
| Bank: | CAF Bank, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4TA |
| Governance and Structure: | Type of governing document Foundation Registered 25 Jan 2019 as amended on 25 Sept 2020 |
ANNUAL REPORT
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DECLARATION
The Trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the Charity Commission's public benefit guidance when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant.
SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE TRUSTEES:
Rebecca Clark Chair
Melissa Jones Treasurer
“This charity is worth its weight in gold. It makes me more confident as a parent knowing I have 21 Together behind me to help and support us.”
ANNUAL REPORT
REF. NUMBERBCDXQ-FBCK2-ZXMWZ-AMOXADOCUMENT COMPLETED BY ALL PARTIES ON 27 JAN 2026 18:50:12UTCSIGNER TIMESTAMP SIGNATURE |
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STEVEN CASESTEVEN.CASE@FINANCEBOX.CO.UKSENT 27 JAN 2026 08:15:30VIEWED 27 JAN 2026 08:21:17SIGNED 27 JAN 2026 08:21:34 |
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IP ADDRESS86.156.108.150LOCATION CITY OF LONDON, UNITED KINGDOMRECIPIENT VERIFICATION EMAIL VERIFIED 27 JAN 2026 08:21:17 |
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REBECCA CLARKBECKY@21TOGETHER.ORG.UKSENT 27 JAN 2026 08:15:30VIEWED 27 JAN 2026 11:54:39 |
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SIGNED27 JAN 2026 11:56:51IP ADDRESS 88.97.213.84LOCATION TIPTON, UNITED KINGDOMRECIPIENT VERIFICATION EMAIL VERIFIED 27 JAN 2026 11:54:39 |
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REF. NUMBERBCDXQ-FBCK2-ZXMWZ-AMOXADOCUMENT COMPLETED BY ALL PARTIES ON 27 JAN 2026 18:50:12UTCSIGNER TIMESTAMP SIGNATURE |
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MELISSA JONESMELISSA@21TOGETHER.ORG.UKSENT 27 JAN 2026 08:15:30VIEWED 27 JAN 2026 18:46:35 |
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SIGNED27 JAN 2026 18:50:12IP ADDRESS 90.196.251.227LOCATION DAGENHAM, UNITED KINGDOMRECIPIENT VERIFICATION EMAIL VERIFIED 27 JAN 2026 18:46:35 |
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