## **Charity Registration Number: 1168098** **A Charitable Incorporated Organisation Report and Financial Statement For the period 1[st] January 2025 to 31[st] December 2025** 1 ## **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. 2 ## **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. It can include Bi-polar and HSP. 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 2025 the Trustees met at periodic 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 any Office Management Team (OMT), appointed Project Managers for events and 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. 3 ## **STAFFING:** Our staff throughout this period consisted of several independent network members, plus a number of professionals volunteering their time. Our Founder/Director is selfemployed 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 and deliver its vision 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 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 addressed. We are aware of the growing awareness of neurodiversity, particularly in the workplace and an increasing expertise in the sector and the incremental influence of AI. Last year, it was considered that the work of the charity may have reached and fulfilled its potential and that the time had come to monitor and downsize as and when appropriate. We believe that the time has now come. **FINANCIAL REVIEW:** Primary costs incurred are practitioner costs and resources. We keep costs down by employing self-employed/freelance and sessional workers on an ad hoc 4 basis and using volunteers. Income has been generated via client fees, donations and network fees. We have broken even for the sixth 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: 10[th] . March 2026 5 Receipts and Pa￿ents Accounts Forthe year ended 31 Decernber 2025 Unrestricted Funds Total Funds 2025 Total Funds 2024 Recei DWP-Acce55 to work Donations Dyslexia Aware Coun5elling Client Fees Network Commission 12,260 658 13,207 293 12,260 658 13,207 293 21,840 655 24,648 Totsl Receipts ments Coordinator5 Fee5 Administrators Fees Con5ultants/practitioners Fees Supervision Insurance Professional Fees and Accountancy DBS Setvices Telephone and Internet Printing and Stationery Office Expenses Computers/Website Total Payments 26.419 26.419 48.691 6,110 6.110 25,3 325 6,110 6.110 25,3 325 10,140 10.140 24,310 325 1.203 13 19 2,417 39,345 39,345 48,951 Net rniwement in funds -12,926 .11926 Total funds brought forward 27,824 27,824 28.084 Total funds carrled foThiard 14.898 14.898 27.824 GroOop5 Dy51eMia Aware Counselling statement of Assets and LiJbilitie5 at the end of 315t December 2025 2025 2024 Current a55ets Cash at bank and in hand 14.898 27.824 Total net assets 14,898 27.824 Aowmulated funds Funds 14,898 27.824 Total cash funds 14098 27024 Notes to the accounts Funds 2025 2024 Unrestricted 14,898 27.824 Closing fund5 14A98 27B24