Chairs report for Cumbria Down Syndrome Support Group July 2021-June2022 AGM 6[th] July 2022
My third year of being Chair has been yet another exciting year with lots of new faces and places visited. This has been our first full year following on from Covid-19 and national lockdowns, this has had an effect on fundraising however we have still managed to organise some fabulous trips with thanks to Primark and the Keswick Boot Co in the years previous.
JULY
We started our new year with a well-loved trip to Watchtree, this was well attended and it was great to see everyone again after the pandemic.
AUGUST
We had two trips to Watchtree booked for August but due to a storm one of them had to be cancelled last minute. The date that went ahead was well attended with lots of families enjoying either a nice stroll around or making use of the fabulous bicycle hire that Watchtree has to offer.
SEPTEMBER
We finally managed to get our soft play sessions up and running this month, there has been a few babies born during the pandemic so it was lovely to meet the babies and parents face to face and get to know them properly. It was well attended and everyone left looking forward to the next meet up.
OCTOBER
We booked a Halloween party with an entertainer and a buffet, this was very well attended with lots of faces we haven’t seen for a long time. We ran a competition for the best
dressed with different age brackets and each winner got an age-appropriate prize. There was lots of dancing and giggles to be had by everyone.
We did have a soft play session booked but unfortunately this had to be cancelled as all the babies and toddler were poorly with the usual winter bugs.
NOVEMBER
We had a soft play session at the start of the month which was well attended by babies and toddlers. It is used as great time for the parents to chat to people that really understand what it is like to have a child with additional needs.
We had a day out to Walby farm park in the middle of the month that was thoroughly enjoyed by all that could make it.
We organised a tropic pamper evening with a select choice of beauty treatments being offered to anyone attending. The Tropic ambassador asked for £10 per treatment which she donated to the group along with any commission she earned from her sales.
DECEMBER
We had our annual Christmas party at the start of the month with an entertainer, buffet and a surprise visit from Santa. We also had a craft room to the side where anyone could go and make some reindeer dust and design their very own Christmas card. The party was absolutely fabulous and everyone had a great time with lots of singing and dancing. Every child that attended received a selection box and those with Down Syndrome received a gift voucher for Smyths.
We had two dates available for the local pantomime this year both of which were well attended and enjoyed by all.
FEBRUARY
Soft play was again thoroughly enjoyed by all that could attend.
We organised a little friendly competition at Watchtree in the form of a Valentines colour war. Everyone was split into 2 colours and went round as fast as they could. The team that got back the fastest were each given a small medal and everyone was given some sweets. We managed to raise a small amount of money for the event too. Everyone had a great time despite the fact it rained all the way around.
March
Soft play was unfortunately cancelled again last minute due to sickness.
We attended a session at Fusion trampoline park on World Down Syndrome Day, there were lots of families that attended and great fun was had by all.
We ran a competition for people to design their own pair of odd socks and asked people to make a donation to the charity along with their entry. The response was huge, we had well over 80 entries from a good age range of children. We split the competition into 3 age ranges and the winner from each range received a £10 gift voucher.
APRIL
We started the month off with a weekend away in Scarborough, this weekend was only possible because of the fantastic fundraising from the Keswick Boot Co and for that we are eternally grateful. There were 10 families that came with us and everyone had an amazing time. There were lots of smiling faces in the swimming pool, arcades, on site activities and evening entertainment. We all loved it so much we are hoping we can make it a semi regular event.
We booked a private swimming pool as our Easter activity, after the swimming session we hired the hall at the leisure centre to do an easter egg hunt, have a few party games and some dancing. We arranged for some food to be delivered too. Morrisons at Penrith very kindly donated some Easter eggs so everyone that attended left with an Easter egg of their own.
MAY
Instead of a soft play session we were very lucky to be offered a group physio session by a private physiotherapist who gave each of us personalised tips and guidance to help our children with the whichever level of gross motor skill they are at. This was provided free of charge and she has very kindly offered to do something similar again and also to do the same with some of our older group members. We are very grateful for this opportunity and everyone that attended found it to be very useful.
JUNE
We arranged a day trip to Lowther castle at the start of the month, lots of fun was had by all exploring the grounds and the huge outdoor play area.
We had our first monthly bowling session back up and running this month, there was a good turn out and everyone had a great time seeing all their friends again. These sessions will now be resumed on the first Friday of every month and open to all ages.
We had a session at Fusion trampoline park at the end of the month, there were lots of families and a good age range of children that attended. Everyone had a great time and lots of fun was had by all.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank each member of the committee for their continued commitment and dedication to the charity by attending the regular meetings. Thanks to Susan (Treasurer) for keeping the accounts balanced. Kellie (Secretary) for helping to keep events running smoothly and completing the administrative side of things. Robyn (vice chairperson) for helping to guide Kellie in her new role and for always keeping our newsletter up to date.
A special thank you to those that have helped fundraise this year and again to the Keswick Boot Co for the opportunity to book a weekend away in Scarborough. I am confident the charity will continue to flourish, providing valuable support for local families throughout Cumbria. I am looking forward to the upcoming year and all of the very exciting changes and events we have in the pipeline.
Last but by no means least I would like to take this opportunity to give a special thank you to Wendy who has decided to take a step back from the committee. Wendy has been a very valuable member of the committee for 14 years taking on various roles over that time. She is always on hand for any help you need and will be a huge miss to the regular meetings. I’m sure we will be calling upon her for invaluable wealth of knowledge and the long list of useful contacts she has made over the years. Thank you for giving everyone in the Down Syndrome community your time and commitment over the last 14 years.
Statement Date: 01/07/21 - 30/06/22
STATEMENT OF PETTY CASH
Cumbria Down's Syndrome Support Group 473 Durdar Road Carlisle CA2 4TU
| DATE | DESCRIPTION | IN | OUT | BALANCE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance brought forward | £61.88 | |||
| 08/09/21 | MEETING | 49.02 | £12.86 | |
| 01/10/21 | TROPIC SQUARE SALES | 50.00 | £62.86 | |
| 06/10/21 | BELAH ROOM HIRE | 37.50 | £25.36 | |
| 20/10/21 | cash from bank | 200.00 | £225.36 | |
| 19/10.21 | DRINKS FOR PARTY | 23.26 | £202.10 | |
| 23/10/21 | HIRE ROOM FOR PARTY | 40.00 | £162.10 | |
| 03/11/21 | ROOM HIRE BELAH | 20.00 | £142.10 | |
| 09/11/2021 | PAMPER FUNDRAISER | 89.00 | £231.10 | |
| 03/12/2021 | ENTERTAINER | 70.00 | £161.10 | |
| 03/12/2021 | SELECTION EXTRAS | 8.00 | £153.10 | |
| 04/12/2021 | NAPKINS ECT.. | 14.85 | £138.25 | |
| 02/02/2022 | BELAH ROOM HIRE | 60.00 | £78.25 | |
| 30.6.22 | VOUCHER FOR ODD SOCKS WINNER | 30.00 | £48.25 |
END BALANCE £48.25