2024-12-31-accounts - Grooops Dyslexia Aware Counselling

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Charity Registration Number: 1168098

A Charitable Incorporated Organisation Report and Financial Statement For the period 1[st] January 2024 to 31[st] December 2024

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS:

Charity Name: GroOops Dyslexia Aware Counselling Working Name: GDAC Charity No: 1168098 Principal Address: 27 Chessington Avenue, Finchley, London. Post Code: N3 3DR

TRUSTEES:

Miss A. O'Shaughnessy Ms B. Kruza Miss H. Matthews Mr C. Freeman Ms R. Finegold

FOUNDER/DIRECTOR:

Mrs P. Aston

BANKERS:

NatWest Bank 1175 Finchley Road London NW11 OBQ

ACCOUNTANTS:

Target Accounting Services Ltd 23 Saxon Drive London W3 ONU

AIMS:

Addressing the emotional repercussions of dyslexia* through counselling, coaching, groupwork, training and supervision.

*We use the term ‘Dyslexia’ because it is the most common of all Sp.L.D.s (Specific Learning Differences). What we do is largely applicable to all the other conditions known to be related such as Dyscalculia, A.D.H.D., A.D.D., Autism Level 1 (Asperger’s Syndrome), Dyspraxia, Dysgraphia and HSP. Many of these conditions can overlap and often coexist.

VISION:

Dedicated to creating an emotionally healthy dyslexia aware world.

STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT:

BRIEF HISTORY OF GroOops Dyslexia Aware Counselling:

*We use the term ‘Dyslexia’ because it is the most common of all Sp.L.D.s. What we do is largely applicable to all the other conditions known to be related such as Dyscalculia, A.D.H.D., A.D.D., Autism Level 1 (Asperger’s Syndrome), Dyspraxia and Dysgraphia. Many of these conditions can overlap and often coexist.

Originally constituted in 2007, in 2014 the original GroOops unincorporated charity undertook a turnkey process to provide all our recognised services under the umbrella of Creative Dyslexia Aware Counselling incorporating Coaching, Groupwork, Training and Supervision, to acknowledge and serve this specialised area of need. In 2016 we became a CIO - GroOops Dyslexia Aware Counselling (GDAC).

GroOops Dyslexia Aware Counselling (GDAC) is a charitable incorporated foundation charity (CIO) having gained The Charity Commission's agreement to the dissolution of the unincorporated charity established in 2007 - GroOops (Reg. Charity No: 1124036) and the transfer of all assets of GroOops (Reg. Charity No: 1124036) to the new incorporated charity, GroOops Dyslexia Aware Counselling (GDAC)(Reg. Charity No: 1168098), in an order dated the 26th August 2016.

TRUSTEES:

In the period 1st January to 31st December 2024 the Trustees met at suitable times through the year.

The appointment of Trustees is through an election at general meetings, and a chair is chosen for each meeting. Management supervision meetings are held as appropriate between the appointed Trustees and Founder/Director. Day to day administrative decisions concerning the running of the charity are dealt with in consultation with the Founder/Director and the Office Management Team (OMT), appointed Project Managers for events and some volunteers. GDAC also benefits from a number of experienced consultants whose advice they can draw on as required. Clinical supervision is provided monthly to the Founder/Director and management supervision is provided by the appropriate trustee to the Founder/Director as necessary.

AREA OF OPERATION:

The GDAC base is in Finchley, London N3. We deliver face to face counselling, Zoom counselling, trainings and workshops from this base, throughout the UK, and by arrangement, worldwide. Our Network of freelance Dyslexia Aware Counsellors and Coaches provide their services from their bases face to face and via Zoom. Our Founder/ Director delivers key-note speeches, tutorials and presentations globally and writes on the emotional repercussions of dyslexia.

STAFFING:

Our staff throughout this period consisted of several independent network members, a part-time administrative support worker plus a number of professionals volunteering their time. Our Founder/Director is self-employed and advises on an ad hoc basis in a variety of areas of expertise and delivery. Many of our personnel dedicate some or all their time voluntarily to support the growth and development of the charity. Others are on self-employed/freelance contracts, and none are employed directly by the charity. All work together in a holistic approach to benefit the charity as a whole. All personnel are interviewed in depth, provide two references and have contracts outlining their duties. Enhanced DBS checks are conducted on all staff and volunteers at a minimum of 3 yearly intervals.

RISK MANAGEMENT:

GDAC Board of Trustees, along with the OMT is responsible for the management of the risks faced by GDAC. Risks are identified, assessed and controls established continuously throughout the year. A formal review of the charity's risk management processes is undertaken on an annual basis. The charity uses the following controls for limitation of risks:

Agendas for all meetings and Board activity.
Comprehensive strategic planning, budgeting and management accounting.
Established organisational structure and lines of reporting.
Formal written policies.
Clear authorisation and approval levels.
Vetting procedures as required by law for the protection of the vulnerable.

It is also the responsibility of the Trustees to identify and mitigate against any major risks to which the delivery of the charity's objects are exposed. Such risks include:

Funding not forthcoming.
Possible staffing issues.

If any of these risks were to continue over some time it would prevent the work from expanding, but the charity could continue to function for the time being. The Trustees would review policies and reduce expenditure where appropriate. The Board of Trustees is satisfied that the significant risks identified have been adequately diminished where necessary. However, it is recognised that systems can only provide reasonable and not absolute assurance that major risks have been adequately administered. We are aware of the growing awareness of neurodiversity, particularly in the workplace and an increasing expertise in the sector. It is therefore considered that the work of the charity may have reached and fulfilled its potential and that the time has come to monitor and downsize as and when appropriate.

FINANCIAL REVIEW: Primary costs incurred are core staff and resources. We keep costs down by employing self-employed/freelance and sessional workers on an ad hoc basis and using volunteers. Income has been generated via client fees, donations and network fees. We have broken even for the fifth consecutive year.

Independent Examiner’s Report on the Accounts

I report on the accounts of GroOops Dyslexia Aware Counselling for the year ended 31 December 2024, whose summary are set out in the annual report, also the bank statements, transactions and reconciliation as well as cash book.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act.

To follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act and

To state whether particular matters have come to my attention

Basis of independent examiner’s statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes reviews of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the director and 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 fair view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in any material respect;

accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act or

the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.

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

T. M. Gates, B.Sc (Hons) 45 Deanhill Road, London SW14 7DQ Date: 31[st] March 2025

Receipts and Payments Accounts For the year ended 31 December 2024 Unrestrfcted Funds Totsl Funds 2024 Totsl Funds 2023 Recei DWp-AcsS to work Donations Grooops Training Dyslexia Aware Counsellin8 Client Fees Network Commission 21.840 655 21,840 655 18,720 2.058 24,648 1.548 24,648 1.548 12,650 2.695 Total Receipts ments Coordinators Fees Administrators Fees Consultantslpractitioners Fees Supervision Insurance Professional Fees and Accountan Telephone and Internet Printing and Stationery Computers/Website Postage/Stamps/Mail Total Payments 48,691 48,691 36,123 10.140 10,140 24.310 325 1.203 13 384 19 2.417 10,140 10,140 24,310 325 1,203 13 384 19 2,417 9,350 9,350 13,990 455 1,137 40 554 100 859 18 48,951 48,951 35,853 Nat movemont in funds -260 -260 270 Total funds brou8ht forward 28,084 28,084 27,814 Totsl funds carried forward 27.824 27,824 28,084

Grooops Dyslexia Aware Counselling Statam•nt of Assats and Liabilitios at the end of 31st December 2024 2024 2023 Current assets Cash at bank and in hand 27.824 28,084 Total net assets 27.824 28,084 Accumulated funds Funds 27.824 28.084 Total cash funds 27,824 28,084 Notes to the accounts Funds 2024 2023 Unrestricted 27.824 28.084 Closing funds 27,824 28,084