Charfty reglstratlon number: 1171704 AUTISM FORWARD AUTISM FORWARD ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
AUTISM FORWARD CONTENTS Reference and Adminlstr8tive Dètails 2to16 Trustees. Report ststement of Trustees. RgsFK)nsitilitie$ 17 Independent Examine¢s Report 18to19 Statement of Financial Actlvilies 20 21 Balan¢e Sh8et Notes to the FInancl Statements 22to27
AUTISM FORWARD REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DEfAILS Tru$tO05 Ms A Laverett Ms J Pier Dr E Gok¢en Ms H Needham Prlnclpal Offlce 37 Granville Park London SE13 7DY Charlty Reglstrntlon Number 1171704 Wobslte www.autismforward.org.Ltk Bank8rs Metro Bank PLC One Southampton Row London WC1B SHA Indgpendgnt Examlner Rotherham TaOr Limited 21 Navigation Business Village Navigation Way Ashton-on-Ribble Preston PR2 2YP Page 1
AUTISM FORWARD TRUSTEES. REPORT The trustees have pleasure in presenting their and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. The financial statsments hava been preparad on an accrua basis in accordance yth the account+ng policies set out in the ni)tss to the financial statements and comply wth Ihecharivs constitution. Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charilies:Stalgment of Recommended Practice applicable lo chartties preparing their financial statements in accordance %Mth the Financial Reporting standard applb in the UK and Republic of Irelarml published 16 JU 2014. The financial statements have been examinèd by an Independenl Examinor. 1. 8TRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT The charty is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. registered number 117104 ané 15 constituted under a Foundation Constitution which came into force on 20 February 2017. Ann Laverett, Jane Pler¢e and Elif Gokcon were the three ccpfounders of the charity ané were all r8appoint8d for a furthgr pertod of 3 years commencing on 23 January 2023. Helen Needham was appointed as a tru5ts8 on 20 October 2020 and was reappointed for a further poriod of 3 years commencing on 1 November 2023. New trustees are appolnted by the eStIng trustees and In selectlng IndlvlduaEs for appIntment as harity Iruslee5. the trustees must hav9 regard to the skills, knowledge and experl&nce needed for the effeclive administralion of the charity. The Constitution provides for a minimum of 3 trustees and there is no maximum. Trustsos are gligiblg for roappointmonl at the end of their term. As the ¢harity is PTimarity a granl-making charlty. it does not have any pald employees and am fundraising and administrative work is undertaken by the trustees. The trustees attend exlemal training courses as necessary and appropriate for their re$pon$ibililies and roles within the charty. All trustees are required lo read Ihe Charily Commission's guidanc8 Yhe Essential Trustee: What yo need to kno and the new Charlty CommSsslon Governance Cod?. The trustees aim to meet at 188st once every quarter to dlscuss fundralslng. finances, govomance issues. events, new mentor partnerships or intbatives wllh other aUsM Char68 or potential corporate sponsors and to confirm approval of grants. The day lo day administratlon of grants and tho processing of applications is handled by the Chair and Secretary. A Grant Approval sUcOmMittee was established by unanimous agreement of the trustees on 20 OctobeT 2020 and currenuy comprises three trustees (Ann Leverett, Jane Pierce and Elif Gokcenl which approves all grant appli¢alions and grant extensions in accordance with its temis of reference. Details of all gr8nts and grant extensions approved by the Granl Approval Sub4ommittee are maée available to all trustees and are presented at each board meeting. All trustees give thelr Ilme freely and no tru$t¢9 remuneration was paid in the year and no expenses wer& claimed by them. Trustees are required to disclose all revant interests and register them vAth the charity secretary in accordance with the charity's Conflict of Interest Policy and withdraw from any decisions where a conflict of interest arises. No disdosures have been made by the Trustees SIre the charity was constituted. Page 2
AUTISM FORWARD TRUSTEES, REPORT 2. RISK MANAGEMENT The trustees have considered the major risks to Tch the charity Is exposed and have eWed those risks and established systems and procgdures to manage those risks which are set oul in tho charitys Risk Management Strategy which is reviewed by the Treasurer annually. Thls ¢ontsins pro¢edures lo ensu Ihe Charity is cOmplng with the Charity Commisslon guidance In latiOn to due diligen¢e pro¢edures in relation to beneficiaries. donors and partners. The ¢harity is primarity a grant making charty and it raises funds to provid8 grants for specialist employTnent related m8nloring and workshopy for autistic adults who are adively seekiro paid or voluntary empbyment. Tho mentoring and workshops are provtded by independent SP8Ck71isl mentors who have proven experience of providing employment related mentoring to autistic adults. The mentor partners a entir91y independent of the charity and the charity earri85 out due diligence in relation to each propos¢d montor partner in accordance wth the Charity Commission 'Know Your Partnerf, guldelines to verify Iheii eXpernCe, good standing and suitability. Tha Gharity also entgrs into a Referral Agement wtth each proposed mentor partner which sets out the process for referring grant applicalons to the charfty and the rights and obligations of the mentor partner and the Gharity in relatlon to the mentorlng seNice5 thIch are funded by grants provided by the charty. The charty has put in place processes to obtain regular feedbadt from grant hobsers and mentors In relation to th8 mentoring provlded and thelr progress to monitor the use of the GhariVs funds and outcomes and demonstrate the public benef derlved from the fundlng of the specialist mentoring and ykshOps. Th8 charity also reviews each mentor partner annually to ched( th8y ¢onlinue to meet the good standing and other relevant requirements of the "Know Your Partnerf guidglines. Th8 ch8rty is currently working with tsvelve independent speclallst mentor partners across the country and we are activety seeking out more F)Otential mentor partner5 In new geographical areas of the country. We have added n&w mentor organisations lo our network this flnanclal year to expand our geographical reach. The charivs surplus fijnds are divlded between the chariWs business sawng account at Metro Bank plc, Ihe chaTty's business savlng account th the MatIonde Bullding Society account and the chariVs depostt account wth United Trust 8ank In order to benefit from the FSCS compensation scheme with all three financial institLrtions. mlnlmlslng the charitys financial exposure. All payments rnade by the charity from ils bank and buildlng soclety accounts require authorisation by tsvo Iruslees. 3. OBJECTIVES AND ACTNMES FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT The objects of the charty are the promotion of social inclusion for the publlc beneflt amongst people aged eighteen or over are excluded from society, or parts of society, due Io an aullsm spe¢lrum CondlOn, to relleve the need8 of such people and assist them to integrate into society and achieve Iheir potential as Indlvlduals after they l&avg educalion, in particular bul not exclusiv8ty through funding the provision of.. {a) pr&employmenl 8UPPOrt. including social skllls and other levant training which enhances empl0yBbili, (b) Goa¢hing, mentoring. advice and support in relation to employabilty, Ic) providing $peciali$l skills and awareness trainitvj and vrkshopS relating lo employability. (d) facilllatlng access to a rango of social 8nd1olsure 8CtleS. and {el aotion to in¢rease publi¢ and employer awareness of such disabilities and conditlons and promote Steps that can be taken to facilitsle such social inclusion through employment. Page 3
AUTISM FORWARD TRUSTEES. REPORT The truste89 conflm) that they have referred to the guidance conlalned in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefft when reowIng the charilY8 aim8 and obleclrves and plannirrfJ future activitbe8 and setting th8 grant making policy for the ch8rity. The charity Carr out these oblects by. providing grants to autistic adults to allow them to acc888 speoalk8t mentorlng andlor workshops to help them prepare for, find and m8intsin p8id or voluntsry employment and lo improve their social inclusion by accessing clubs, groups, workshops and work placements: providing information and resources for autistic people and employers on its website. including detsils of specialist mentors offering one-tOne support andlor workshops to autistic people to help them prepare for, and maintain paid or volur)tary employment and Ilnks to other websites and sourCes. ralslng awareness among employers of the needs and strengths of autlstlc employees and providing advice and slgnposting services wlh the aim of Increa81ng access to employment for autistlc people and creatlng more inclus5ve workp18ces,' and. liaising with universities and colkges to raise awarengss of the charitys servlces for auljsC students upon graduation and other initiatives which Gan improve gmployin8nl outcomes for autisliG students. In March 2024 we attended the launch of the Buckland ReeW of Autism Employment initiated by Sir Robert Buckland KC MP, having be8n invited to contribute to the Review aknngside the Leg81 Neurodiversity NeOrk. We welcome the r8commendations of the Rewew ané the attention it brings to the prasslng need to remove barriers to employment for autistic people. 11 tthlIghts many of the Issues that Autlsm Forward was sel up to address. in particular.. - The18ck of specialist coaches and support for autistic people geeklng eMplolent In many area$ of the country. -The drfficulties in obtaining DWP Access to Woth funded support, which 18 only 8vai18ble once in paid employTnenl. It oftan takes months lo pul in plac9 after employTnent is secured, so does not aid the cwcial tran$ibon into work. -many people ar8 unawaw of their righl under the Equality Act to request'reasonable adjustments. In the thplace. or indeed exa¢ty vthal adjustments they might need. -People are often UnllIng to request "reasonable adjustments" due to P8rcgived stigma or are denied the adjusknents by their employer. -Lack of awareness among employers of the benefit of employing more autistic people and thè adjustments they can offer lo make their recruitment processes and workplace more accessible for autlstle people. ack of guidance and awareness trainlng for colleagues and ne managers. Page 4
AUTISM FORWARO TRUSTEES, REPORT The report has some excellent reccmmendations for empkjyers and will be piloting schemes such as an -adjustm8nls passport" designed lo make 11 easier for people to request and maintain reasonabl8 adluslments in th8 workplace. There is also an Intention lo improve the abilty of job centre work coaches to assist autistic job seekers. However. very few such work coaches have an in4epth underslanding of autism and are incenlivised to get people Into work as quid(ly as possible, rather than helping the indNidual identify the best role for them and the adjustments they need to thrive at work. The pOrt also mentions referrals by DWP to Work Psythologists, but there ar8 very few of those across the oountry and the support is often In groups and Ilmited in frequency and duration. Our approach ensures that mentoring SUPFQrt is provided on a one to one bas18. wlth regulaiity and consistency by a mentor who has lived andlor professional experfence supporting autistic people into employment with the right adjustrnents. Support is a150 given to help access beneffts, social activities, training and navKJate social exp8Gtstions al work. We do not have a set tlmeframe or timetable for support. the mentcr wll tailor this lo tho ne9ds of the individual. We can generalty exL&nd support until the individual has achievod their employment goals or is equSpped to pursue tham thout further support and often our ¢lients ¢orrtinue to Work with the same mentor once they are In employThenl, funded by Access to Work. This point Is missing in the Review, whlch focuses on the changgs empb)yers need to make rather than the support auti51ic people need to prepare for and securg gmployTll8nt. The Buckland Review slates that the estimated cost to the UK economy of the autism employmgnl gap 18 around £14.$ billion per year, wllh the latest Labour Force Survey yhowng that onty 3 in 10 working age aulislic people are in empbyment. Thls Is a tragbc waste of talent and leads to soclal isolation and financial hardship for so many autisllc people. Our work is therefore more Important than ever. While the Buckland Review does not offer much in the way of preryemployment support for autistic job seekers and certainly no addltkjnal fundlng, we hope that the renewed focus on vthal employers can and sfvould be doing to rnake workplaces more accessible for autisti¢ people will benefit our grant holders and autisllc people across thg country. The SlalIst mentoring funded by the chartty enables autistic peoplg to prepare for, find arffl rnainlain suitable employment which Improvas thelr independence and soclal Incluslon. On average, over Ihg last six years, including the years when covid restrictions appliad, 81 yo of the 8ullstlc lob $9okers we hav8 SUPPOrted have secured paid or voluntary employment 159% paid and 22% voluntary} {up from 72Vo average lasl year, of which 54QA was paid employTnent). The impressive out¢omos for our boneficiarie5, as set out in further detail in section 8 of this report, dernonstralg the eff8¢tiveness of the specialist rnentoring support we fund. The qualitative feedbaGk shows the broad nature of the support which g09s above and beyond employment related support, helping our clients to access benefits, training, S181 activTti&s and to develop strategies to help them Gope with the balerS they face in a wortd that is not yet adapted for autistic people. We alwa seek to ensure that the 8UPPOrt we fund is in line wth the requlrements and values of the autistic community and we recognise the importance of including aulistlc people at all levels of our organisalion. Helen Needham, who is autistic herself. joined our Board of Trustees In 2020 and an incwslng number of the speckalisl employment mentors we work with are also autistic. We seek r8gular feedback from the autlstic job Seekers we support lo ensure that the support we fund is of valu8 to them. We also use our soclal media and newsletters lo promote the work and events of autistlc and neurodivergent led organisalions. We also fund regular Peer Support meetings which are njn by our mentor partner, AS Meritoring and have recently slarted funding a Movie Club for ALrtism Forward clients in Brighton run by our mentor partner Karen-Anne Manghan of ASC Key Mentoring, who meet on a weekty basis lo discuss films selected by the group. Page 5
AUTISM FORWARD TRUSTEES. REPORT We Ilalse wlth empbyers, universities and ColgeS lo raise awareness of the strengths and ngeds of autlstl¢ people. promoting emPyMent opportunities for autistic people across the UK. Wo have created a network of employers and continue lo hold roundtables for employers. whith havo b88n attended by representstives from over 80 dlfferent organlsalions, induding empbyers. universities and researchers. These provide a forum for HR and Dlverslly & Incluslon teams lo meet with autistic employees and professionals to dlscuss how employErs Improve recruitment procsses and implement iniliatTrve5 10 improve opportunllles and Incluslon for autlstic people. We are acttvely involved wtth the Legal Neurodiversty Network and are also a member of GAIN (Group for Autism, Insurance, Investment and NeurodNersity). We have also just Signed up to the new Autism Empktryment Netsvork launched by the Autism Centre for ExrEllence. 4. PRO BONO CONTRIBUTIONS The charity has no paid emoYeeS and the expenses of the charity are covered by donalons by the trust8es. All of thg grant administration, record keeping, data analysis, fundraising. èvent organisalion, employer roundtsble events, univerSeS and communication is carriad out by the trustees on a pro bono basis, drawing on their professional experience, nelworks and resources. Ml of the tharitys awaren8ss raising 8vents and roundtables to date have been hosted by corporate suppjrters at no C05t to the Gharity or attendees. This maximises the use of the charity's funds for its beneficxaries and ensures its awareness raising events reach a wide audience. 5. GRANT MAKING POLICY The charity has 8stablkshed its grant making policy wth thè aim of promotiro the social indusion of autistic people and assist them to integrate into society and achieve their potentlal by providing grants for funding spe¢ialist one-towone mentorin9 lo help them prepare for, find and malntaln pakl or voluntary employment or for training activities whiGh are relevant to improving employability. The charfty currently works wth twelve specialist mentcing organisatiS across the county and has carried out due dlllgence che¢ks and entered into Referral Agreements with the organisatsons listed below which betsveen them cover London, Surrey, Essex. Suffolk. Brighton. Birniroham. Manchester. Bedfordshire, Devon, East Midlands, Northampton. Plymouth, Hull. LiverFM)ol, Chester. Bristol, Poole. Cambridgeshir8 and Nottingham. AJI our mentors now offar remote mentorfng servlce$. which extends their geographical TeaGh and increases th8 number of dients they are able to suppc*t. Autism Bedfordshire Autistic Nottingham Autlsm East Midlands AS Mentorlng Llmlted ASC Key Mentoring (Karen Manghan) Autism Succe88 Fomiula Limited Faraday Feamside Matthew's Hub Spectrum Career Coach Think Musique Track NN Limi18d Waymakws Devon CIC Page 6
AUTISM FORWARD TRUSTEES. REPORT The charty accepts application$ from grants vla lis mentor partners and dlrects enquiries from its website lo the menlor partners IL8ted on its webslte. All grant apFllcations musl made an approved m8ntor partner and all grant PayTnents a made directly to the mentor parts)er. The charity awards inltial grants for up te one year of weekly fortnightly onerlcFone mentoring support and will consider requests for grant extensions where the grant holder is making good progress towards employment and 1$ engaging well with the mentorfng suprMIrt- The applicants must be aged 18 or over and must have a diagno$is of an autism spectrum condition or evldence that they are actively seeking such a diagnosis. They must also provide evidence Ihat they Ilve and are entitled lo work in the United lQngdom and priority is given to applicants in financial need. Whlle many of our applicants are looking for their first role after leaving edlatIOn, we also support many people who are late diagnosed, long tsrm unemployed or who have struggled to find 8 suitable role or an employer who is willing to offer the adjustments necessary for them to succeed 8t work. The charity requires regular feedback fr the mentors on thg progress of the beneficiarie5 and feedback frcm the beneficiaries on the mentoring they reGeive in ordei to monitor the use of the charity's funds and outcomes. 6. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (a) Grants for Montoring Support In the flnancial year 9nding 31 Mar¢h 2024. the ¢h8rity awarded grants for specialist mgntoring support to 77 autistic people around the country with the aim of improving their social indusion and helping them to 58cure paid or voluntary employment. The charity also continued lo fund mentoring support for 107 of the grant holders from previous financial years, thus providing support for a tol81 of 184 autistic job seekers during the financial year ended 31 March 2024, 120 of whom were stbll receiving supptyl at the end of the financial year. This was the largest 8VgT Cohort supported by the charity and we are continuing to see a rise in applutions from all ar8as of th8 country. The average age of our 2023-24 grant holders is 30 years oky, with 51Vo identing as female, 48% male and 1 ThOnlnary. It is the first year that our percentage of female clients has exceeded that of male cllents. The qualifications held by the grant holders range frorn no formal qualmcatlons lo hAasters and PhD level degrees and professional qUalificatn5. The sectors in which the applicants have secured or are seeking employTh8nl are incredibly varied, including education. heallh and caT8 sector. research, game design, pharmacy, IT, hospitality, horticulture. film, music. accountsncy and r&tall. The wide variety of careers pursued by our grant holders dispel$ Gomm¢)n preconceptlons of the types of roles that are suitable for autistiG people and demonstrates that auUstlc people can pursu8 any career cholo which matches thelr Interest and skllls wlh the right guidance and support. Some are also given support to pursue self4mploym8nt, which can be an attractive option for autistic pooplo given the ¢hall8nges some workplaces can presenl In addlWon to suwting our beneflarieS into empksyment the mentors help anxiety. communlcation, sensory and also practical issues they may be facing, vthich improves their autonomy, well-being and social inclusion. For exampte, our mentors have helped beneficiaries with anxiety, Iravelling on public transport. relationship issues and ofganisational skills. On a practical revel, our mentors have helped beneficiaries deal with benefits dairns, tenancy problem5. debt problem9 and ferr81S to apprcpriate health and menlal health serwces. Th8 mentors have also facilrtaled participation in new clubs. gr¢Jups and social activiti85 as well as workshops and training to improv8 their employability, soGial indusion and well-being. Page 7
AUTISM FORWARD TRUSTEES. REPORT (b) Outcom•s from M?ntoring support The Govemment stated In the Buckland Revlew of AUsrn Employment that lewer than 3 in 10 auligtic people are in work. so the results achieved by our beneficiaries are Paclarty impressive. demonstrating the effectiveness of the specialist mentoring support that we fund. The outcomes for grant holders awarded grants during the financial year 202>24 who have had betsveen 3 and 12 months, $upport wert as follows.. 890kn madejob appli¢ations 79% attended job interviews 50•A joined new clubs or groups 50% undertook some form of training or placement 50% secured volunlary roles 50% secured paid employment The total employment flgure for our 2023-24 grant hokler¥ 1$ 80% {52% paid., 28% voluntary) The total eMpLonent figure for our 2022-23 grant holders is 72% {52Y• pald.. 20% volunlary> The total emplownent figure for our 2021-22 grant holders 1$ 75% {58% paid., 17QA voluntary} The total emplonent figure for our 2020-21 grant holderg18 81 % (67% paid. 14% volunL2ry) The total emploneI figure for our 2019-20 grant holders is: 900A165% paid., 25% voluntary) The total emploan1 fyure for our 201&19 grant holders is: 90%158% paid., 32% voluntary) Tho above figures for all financTal years include clients whose support was ended earty due to heatth or other issue$ and ¢lients whose grants have been temporarity paused. The figures for the current finanGial year include only grant holders who have had belween 3 and 12 months. support. Some of the grant holders were awarded grants in previous financial years have had more than 12 months, support. We anticipate that our benefiGiaries will continue to move into employTnent, improwng the empksyment outcomes for our 202>24 granl holdgrs, as has happened bwth all previous cohorts. Page 8
AUTISM FORWARD TRUSTEES, REPORT 1¢) Feedback from our Beneficlarles We introducgd a ngw formal for the regular feedback from our grant holders In 2021 whlch enables us to assess the valu8 of the support we fund In more detsll. The results of the f8edback from grant tldr$ have had al least 6 months, menlorlng support during the financial year ended 31 March 2024 are set out below. This includes grant holders were awarded grants in previous financial years and who continued to receive supwt this year. The responses demonstrate the Imder impaGt and value of the speGiali5t mentoring support we fund. beyond employmenl outcomes. Every one of the rnetrics below has improved slrbce st year. some by a$ much as 20%. We are particularly proud that 100% said they would recommend the support funded by Ihe ¢harity to other autislic job seekers, demonstrating the consistentty hlgh level of support prowded by all our mentor partn&rs. Furthemorg, some clnIS commented that they had responded -no. lo questlons such as °helping proparo for int•rvigws" bgcause that support was not relevant to them. FollowlNJ their suggestion, going fi)rward the forns will be revised to incIe a -not relevanf opoon to get a more aUrate picture of the impa¢t of the Supp(1. 99Vo said the support improved their understandin9 of their strengths and chaIng8S. 95¥¢J said the support improved their understanding of whatjob Is sultsblè for thèm. 89¥• said th8 SUPPOrt improved thgir undgr5tanding of how to find a job. 79V• said th8 SUPPQrt hglped them draft or update their CV. 85% said the support made them more confident about dlscloslng their diagno$i$ and 93•/o said the support made them more confident aul requestlng °rea80nable adjustments. 73% said the wpport helped them prepare for interviews. 67Yo sald the support helped them loin groups, make friends or participate in other activilies. 94Yb said the support improved thelr self4OnfKlere. 63% said the support helped them access benefits, health ¢are or olher wblk $ervi¢es. 63% said the support helped them access training, )rkShopS or furU)&r education. 100% said thal they would recommend the support funded by the charlty to other aullstlc Job seeker5, The qualltallve feedback responses behjw from rne of the autislic job seekers we have supported thls year provide further evidence of the value of the swialisl sypport we fund, including the workshop programmes and our ernployer roundtables. This support enables people not only to find paid or voluntary employment, but also to Improve thelr Independen, so¢ial inclusion, COnfenCe and seif-esteem. lo understand better how their aul$m affects them and to develop stratsgies to address issues which may be holding them back. Thls is benefi¢ial not only to the individuals and their faMIe$. but also benefits the public purse as it reduces the need for rellance on benellts and publi services such as rnenlal health provision and leads to a more incluslve and coheslve soclety and diverse workforce. The feedback aL80 highlights the gap in support for auti8tic people when they leave education. or obtain a lats diagnosis, that is 50 Oftgn nogded to enable them to fulfil their potential in the V•fJrt(pla¢e and beyond. Page 9
AUTISM FORWARD TRUSTEES REPORT Client of Ros Evans {Surrey) Ros has SUPPDrted me through one of the most dlfficult perlods of my Ime. we first ftt. I felt utt8ty lost 8nd defeated. Lacking COnfidee follong my autlsm dl8gnosls. Ros has helped me to rediscover my stren9ths and passions. l am now regularly applylng lor Jobs arnl feel confident fhaf. in time. l .11 be back in employment. Furthennore, I now have a much better understanding of which types of work are &uitsbl& ftir me and the workplaGe accomn1odatits t11 I can ask for. Ros is 8n incrèdibly supportive and caring mentor, ?nd I look fOard lo every sesslon wllh her. 1 8m so incredibly gr8teful to have received this 9r8nt from Autism Fonvard- Ih8nk you. ASC Key Montoring Cliont (Brighton) I cannot oversÉate the importance of the mentoring I've received. It h8s b8&n an essential mponent to my understsnding of myseff as an autistic adull, my needs, ats"lilies and skills 8S W811 as how to set my$8ff up lo thrive. Wrthin the context ol wotl(, having a saf8 space where I can sh8ro. f8el listened to and seen and to have an advttate, someone with the knowledg8, 8xwy8nce and skills to support mg to better understand the wor* environment and how I can thrive rath8r than just suNive has been life ¢h8nging. Further, I feel far more confident moving from a poSitn of isola¢ion and loneliness to finding Ilke mfftded peo, a Community and find the social intsraclions thal I'm so keen lo experience on my tems. The beneffts for me h8ve been far &¢hing, massively fneaningful and arg deep rooted. AS Mentorlng cllent {Londonl I fe81 that during each seswon I have re811y grown in confidence, and 11 is helpfiJl to dls¢uss id&8s lor how lo find new employment, and improve inkniew skills. Autism Easl Midlands Clignl S8m8ntha has been a big help for me, she's helped me feel COnfnt in my diagnosis and comfortable 8cknowledging thot I need exlTr support in the workplac8. Understanding my ¢hallenges h8s hglpgd me feel con7fortable in finding a job and 8Sng for help when I need it. Autlsm Succèss Fomiula Cll•nt (Essgx) Mentoring has helped focus on what I would ycific81fy be int8restèd in. It h?s hglpgd me by dKecting me lo a specthc course on Llat8 anatytics and therefore got a foot in Ihg door for an IBM course. I was apptying ftjr jobs whilst studying and l arn updaLrrw my CV furthgr having done the course and 71 apply for more jobs in 2024. 1 have made progrnss in my job searthing and professnal dgvft1opmt. ASC K•y Montoring Cli8nt (Brighton) Karen has helped me to become more self aware and accepting of my autsstAC self in many different s8$ ol my Ilfe. I feel Ilstened to, understood and respected which is very refreshing as an autistic person. l am looking forward to wort(Ing on new ideos for 2024. Autlsm Bedfordshlre Client I have begn supported to get a job with Autism Bedfordshire as an expert with experience and also I run workshops in photography. Page 10
AUTISM FORWARD TRUSTEES. REPORT ASC Key Mgntorlng CHont (Brlghton} This mentonng h88 been vilal lo my transilm from university into thg workplace. Whilst l am s*ll struggling, I feel it would be completety impossible Mthout this support, AS Mentorfng (London) Slobh8n 1$ an am8zlng Mlor and has been very helpfvl throughout the process. 18m now ftKusing on 8pptylng forjobs thanks to her support and assistance. WayMak•rs (Devon) CIC Cllent 11 has helped ma gain mor8 confidenGe in gettlng myself amund In public tTrnsport, incre8sed confidencè and th8 process for rny mental health and in Job process In general. Knowing lh8 rigm envimnmant and Iy9htiob for me e.g. sensory, hgavy Ilftlng, hours, travgl and distsnce. It h8s be8n 8n 8nioyable pmcas& Faraday Fearnslde Cllent (Ptymouth) It has helped me gel into voluntary wort, which is providing valuable experience to help me move onlo the nexl step of gaining paid employment. The mentoring has 81so supported me in moving into 8 more Indendent way of Ilwng. finding infom7ation about supported housing, contacting social serviG&s, and getting all my bpnefits sorted. tt is very valuabl8 in developing confidence and awareness ofjobs tl)8t are suitable forme. and other training that avai18ble. AS Monlorfng Cllent (London} Working with my mentor has b99n incredibly valuabl8 for my confidence, acceptance of my autism diagnosis, and abilty to ask for aCmModatiOnS. With this support I f981 more oplimisbc that I 11 be 8ble to find wort¢ and h8ve the light support whil8 working so I can succged. Faraday Faarn8ldo Cllent (Plymouih) The mentoring has been extremety helpfvl for me, I would not have been able to access most of the r9sources l am now using withoirt it. I'vg 1)een able to understand and work through certain sueS ltre had with applying for jobs in the past. I would absolutely recommend ¢he mentoring to other 8ulislic jobseekpr$ 8nd know my own fulure ¢afterpmgression would not have happengd withoul if. ASC Key Mentoring Client (Brlghton) The n79rtoring I hav& re¢eived has b&en a vital support for Me while l apply toiobs and try to wort( out what supports I might rjeed in a workplace. The bpneffts of speaking lo a mentor who shargs your naumty re81ty cany b8 underst8t8d. My menfor Is excelbnt and l am incredibly grateful. WayMak•rs ID•vonl CIC Cllenl The mentoring has helped me m8ke lots of positive steps in the right direction after being made frtdund8nt. I'm in the pmcess of setting myself up 8S 8 self-employed witual assistant, which is somethlng I hadnl consldered until accesng this support. Page 11
ALrrisM FORWARD TRUSTEES. REPORT (d) Employer Network and Re¢ruitment Roundtabl•$ Autism Forward has created a nefv40rk of employers, aulistlc employees and prof&8slonals who meet regularly to discuss and implement initiatives to improve opportuntlies and inclusion for aut18I¢ people. By meeting regulady and sharing b881 practice, we can drive change forward more effedvely and ensure that the change8 8uti5tic peop18 r8qulre to access empkswnent and thrlve In the workpla¢e are implemented. Our nelwork includes a wide range of employers including law fimis. accountsncy ffims, management consLJltants, banks, investment banks, technology companies, telecoms companles. insurers. asset management firms, universtties and other autism charities and is continuing lo grow. In May 2023. the global PR company MSL hosted a roundtable wtth Autism Fomard. AS Mentoring and the specialist Incluslve communlcations consultancy, Untapped, for their teams 8nd also a number of the clients they work wllh. The roundtable as focused on communicatiNJ intem81ty arml exlemalty as an inclusive organisalion. In June 2023 we attended the EmplOent Autlsm. Care Trade and LSBU Confence fttused on TransOn into Employment for autistic adults lch gave us the opportunity to connect wlth other organisations working to improve employment outcomes for autiglic people. We were inte¢ by the Legal Neurodiversity Nerk to preserit at a roundlable vAth Sir Robert Buckland QC MP and repSenlIveS of the DWP 85 part of the Buckland Review of Auli8m Emplow¢nt. We used the opportunity to highlight the current gap in support that autistic people face when leaving education and transitioning to emplonent and tho issuos tsced by late diagnosed adults who face challenges in the workplace. We also attended a number of roundtable events held by the Legal NeUrc1v1lY Network. including events at Linklatsrs, Well Gotshal & Manges and BCLP and Allen & Overy, which included many fimg have worked with ovgr the last 6 years. It was encouraging to see the Legal Neurodiversity Neork singled out in the Buckknd Review as an gxample of good practice. Thls dynamlc n6rk of over 50 organisations has adopted the roundlabt9 approach that we have used successfully over the la$t 6 years to bring together gmployers and their neurodivergent sfaff to shar9 besl practice and promote in¢lusion and opportunities acros5 various sectors including kngal, insurance, banking, accountar)cy and media. (e) Peer support groups for Autlstlc Adults Wg havg ¢ontinugd lo fund a $orie5 of online support groups, which are an excellent way to provide cost effective and peer to peer support for autistic adults. Our mentOT partner, AS Mentoring, runs a number of programmes which we have cornmrtted lo fund in line with agreed cg$ting PTrJposals. The current programmes that the charity Supports are as follDw8: (il AS Mgntoring Pggr Support Groups AS Mentoring now run5 regular peer support groups Autlstlc Job Seekers and for neurodivergent people who are or wish to be Self-Employed. Autism Forward funds places on the support groups for those who meet our grant criteria. Page 12
AUTISM FORWARD TRUSTEES. REPORT (11) Tugsday Night Movle Club Autl$m Forward Is fundlng a new Tuesday Night Movle Ck¢b for the autistic job Seekers supported by our mentor partner in Brighton, Karen-hnne Manghan, to enable them to meel up socialty. The club is provlng a great success as th9 followng f68dback from one of the parttcipants demonstrates: he Autlsm Forward Film Club has been 8 great opportunity to Gonne¢t wilh other autisi)c people who sh8re my irteTrst in fflffts (and neurodivergent representation in medo). It's a novel experience for me to be part of a gmup gnbrety comprised of other autistic adufts, and l find that it's both 8x¢ibng and relaxing to fe81 Ihal Ini truly amongst my peers. l also like that Ihe fompat of our meetings is loosety structured because i( ensures that those who arg feeling shy can be invofved as much as they are comfort8ble wth. but also allows for those feeling more chaty to $hare too. It's realty fun to get to W8tch movies that I might otheis8 have missed and to hear everyone's thoughts. Peth8PS unsurprisingly. someone always h88 a fun fact to sharg, and everyone is realty welcorningl 181ways look fonvard to ourmeetings." (fj NeUr(1ver$1ty Awarono$8 Ral8lng Events In addition to our work Vth employers, this year we were Invited to present a sessicn On neurodiversty at work to the current cohort of yourvJ peop on Ihe excellent 20120 Level$ "l Am Change" programm8 covering declaring a diagnosis. Equallty Act rights. re8sonable adjustmants. Access to Work and other supwrt avalkble for neurodivergent Feople in the Workplace. 20120 Levels is a social mobilty organisalion, empowering Black and racialty underrepresented young peopl8 through opportunities to maximlse thelr rKJtenlial. Their programmes have transfonned the lives of over a thousand young pwle across London, with over 60% of their candidates galning new employment within 3 months of compleung their programme. We have been invited back to present lo the next intake in June 2024. (g) Fundralslng We are extremety gr8teful to our supporters and regular donors who hav8 enabled us lo continue t provide vital support to autistic job seekers throughout this challenging time and ensure that we have oertainty of funds for the comiThJ financial year so that we can continue to increase the number of autistic lob seekers we are able to support across the country. Aulism Forward is registered vAth the donation plaffoms Just GNing and Charities Ad Foundation and we rely moslty on indiwdual donors lo support our work. We were delight to be nominated as a charty beneficiary of the CVC 301h AnnNersary ChallerKJe, receiving a donation of over £17,000 through the efforts of two of the CVC teams. We are also very grateful to John Leverett, son of our Chair and Treasurer, Ann Levett. who ralsed over £4,500 for Autism Forward by running the London Marathon in April 2023. Page 13
AUTISM FORWARD TRUSTEES. REPORT 7. FINANCIAL REVIEW At the end of the financial year ending 31 March 2024. thè charlty had reseNes of £132.310 avallable. The charity awarded 77 new grants for mentoring support and providèd funding for various workshop programmes and peer support groups run by our mentors for the benefit of autistic job seekgrs and seK-?mployed people. We also continued to support 107 grant holder5 from previou5 financ4al years. The initsal grant amount gener811y awarded has Ien £1,500 sirice the charity was formed in 2017. with extensions of £750 being granted where a cllent Is engaglng well w(th support but has not yet reached th8ir employment goals. up to 8 maxlmum total grant of £3.000. In past years, a totsl grant of £3,750 has been awarded in a couple of excepllonal clr¢umstsnces. Due to a gradual increase in mentor fees over the kqst six years, the truste6s have unanimously agreed thal in the coming fir)ancial year. the initial grant amount for all clients 11 be Increased to £1,800 and extensions of £900 will be awarded ere appropriate, up to a maximum total grant of £3.600. The new ¢xlension amount of £900 and cap of £3,600 wll also apply lo existing clients. This is lo ensure that dlents are still gotting sufficient hour5 of support and retlects the effect of inflation over the last slx years. Ouring the financial Jtar ending 31 March 2024. charlty received d¢)nations totslling £78,895 and £11,424 in glft aid receipts. None of the donations recelved by the charty had any wnditions attached. The charS grant makiTrg function is entirety rellanl on funds that ore raised through donations and sponsored events, employer match funding of donations and trust or foundations grants. The trustees are extremely grateful to all the individual donors. fundraiser$ and corpcfale supporters who have enabled the charity to provide so many autlstlc people wtth the support they need to access employThent and fulfil their pot&ntial. The charty onty makes grants avaiLable has sufficient funds available to be abb to fund the entire grant which ensures ils financial stability. When the charity awards a grant. it d9signatgs funds In relation to the full amount of the grant awarded at the time the grant Is approvad, even though the grant will generally be paid out at regular intervals over the course of the grant period rather than in one upfront payTnent. If th8 grant is curtailed for any reason, for example if the beneficiary flnds paid employment or no longer wishes to continue with the mentoring. any funds designated for that granl but not usèd will bè reallocat lo thè charitys general funds and bg available lo fund other grants. The charity keeps designated fijnds to cover the full amount of any grant awarded whlch ensures that ils obligations lo grant holders can aNYays be met in full. All of the charltys grant administration. record keeping, data analysSs, fundraising, event organisalion and awareness raising With employer8 and unlversilies Is carrled out by the charity trustees on a pro bono basis. As thg charity relios largely on INJd81 donatlons whlch can be unpredi¢table, based on current levgls of gxponditure and in order to ensure that the charfly Is able to renew and ¢ontinug making grants through perKJds where donations are lower, the Iruslees hav8 agreed that appropriate level of re$eNes should be kept at the level of al least £20,000, to be reviewed al tho end of each financial year or more frequently if requested by the Treasurer. The charity currently has a higher than usual level of reserves thal wll enable it lo continue to award new grants and grant extensions wthoul having to seek new sources of funding for the upcoming financial year, but trustees wll contlnue lo review the financial situatson on a monthty basis to ensure that the charity can continue to operate effectively. Page 14
ALMSM FORWARD TRUSTEES. REPORT 8. PLANS FOR THE FUTURE The charty is currently funding specialist one-tone support for around 120 autistic job se8kers to help them prepare for, find and maintain paid or voluntary employThenl and to improve their social inclusion, support which they would not otherwse have been able to access. This financial year wg have supported 184 autistic job seekers, which is our largest ever ¢ohorL We wll continue to gxtend grants for existing beneficiaries who arg engaging well with support and making progress towards employment. We are continuing to $eg SU$$1 outcomgs for our job sgekers across a wde range of sgclors and ar8 now bging actively sought out by emplor$ to signpost servicey to support arKI altracl neurodiv8rggnt talgnt. We work wth specialist menlors covering a wde area of the county and continue to seek out experienced mentors in new geographical areas. In addition to this, our current mentors all offèr remote support so that We can support aLrtistic job seeker8 in all areas of England and Wales. This year we have welcomed tsvo ngw mentor partners to our neork, Autistic Nottingham and Spectrum Career Coach. which has further expanded our reach. Over the last financial year, the Gharity has Gontinued lo grow its neOrk of empbyers who are keen lo improve inclusion and support for autistic employees. We are delighted to have been nominated Charity of Ihe Year by the recruiknent consultsn¢y, IDEX Consulting and look lomard to working with them over the ¢oming year to improve recruitment pro¢edures and neurodiversity inclusion, as well as helplng them better supwrt neurodNeryent Candidales. We are also continuing lo expand our connectlons and to work wlth other charllles and to pri>rnote the work of neurodNergent led groups such as Employment Autlsm, the Legal Neurodiversity Network and GAIN lo improve Incluslon and employTnent outcomes for aullstl¢ people. We contributed to the Buckland Rewew of Autlsm Emplonent and we hope that thls kads to real and lasting improvement in the employThent opportunities for autistic people. We have also been invited to join the new Autism Employment NeOrk formed by the Autism Centre for Excellence, which aims to bring together organisations across the UK to drive forward Change and support one another to irnprove employment opportunities for autistic pèople. The outcomes and feedback from the 8ullstic job seekers we support demonstrate th8 value of the specialist support we fund ané we are pbased to see more employers recognising the value of a neurodwerse workforce and the skllls and different perspectlve that aLrtlstlc eMpyeeS bring, as well as an increase in neurodivergent led support groups both thin and outside the workplace. We are very proud that 100Vv of the aulislic people we have 8UPPOrted thls financlal year have sald they would recommend the support we provide to other autlstlc lob seekers and of Ihe em0yrnent out¢omes our cllants have achievad. Page 15
AUTISM FORWARD TRUSTEES. REPORT 9. DECLARATION **IED8ECURELY 27/06/2024 17106120244t 11A2mAII iFrc The annual report was approved ty the trustees of the charity on .................... and signed on Its behalf by. seDetUReLy 271W2024al 10..41mAM urc Ms A Leverett Trustee SECURELY 11m712024¥t7..25..51 PMUTe Ms J Pierce Trustee SIGN $ECYRaY 7R024atM•..14pMw Dr E Gokcen TTU5tee SIGNED SECURELY V3107RD24•t7..20ffj7PII UTC Ms H Needham Trustee Page 16
ALITISM FORWARO STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES The trustees are resF)onsible for preparing the trustees, report and thg financial statements in accordance with the United Kingdom Accounting Standards (Unitod Kingdom Gonerally Aepted Accounting Practi) and applicable law and regulations. The applicable to charibes requires the trustees to prep8re financial statement5 for each financial year which give a true and fair wew of the stste of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financrdl statsments, the trustees are r8quired to: select suitable accounting polici85 and then apply thom consistenttr. ob8eNe the melhcrfjs and principle8 in the Charitie$ SORP.. make Judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudenl. slate whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disc105ed and explained in the financial statements. ar prepare the financial statements on the golng concem basls unless11 1$ Inapprop$1& to presume Ihat the charity will continue in business. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounllng records that dlsclose reasonable accuracy al any lime the ffinancial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the flnancial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicabte Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations, and the provisions of the constitution. The trustee8 are also responsible for safeguardlng the assets of the charity and hence for tsking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. SP3MED SECURELY 27/06/2024 Z?P)2DZ4OtID'.42ffj3AMvwe Approved by the trustees of the charty on .................... and signed on its behalf by. 8IQNED SECURELY 2710W20241QAL.JA+A UT¢ Ms A Leverett Trustee DSEeuRELY IIffjTttQ24It7."11"Ji pfiiiT¢ Ms J Plerce Trustee SION SECiIRELY D3rn7120244t7'.201lGlbll Lwr Dr E Gokcen Trustee 8mED SECURELY OJrn7nQ24ot7..20..fT PII UTC Ms H Na8dham Trust99 Page 17
AUTISM FORWARD INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF AUTISM FORWARD l pOrt to the trustees on my examination of the financial statemonts of Autism Forward Ilhe charity) for the year ended 31 March 2024 which Comprise the Statement of Financial Activiti85, th8 Balance Sheet and related notes, whlch are s8t out on pages 20 to 27. This report IB made solety to Ihe Charity's trustees, as a body, in aCrdance wlth section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. My work has been undertaken so that I might stale lo the charitys tru5tee5 those matters l am required to state to them In this report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permttted by law, I do not accept or assume r&sponsibility to anyone other than the charity and Ihe charityg trustees as a body. for my work. for this report. or for the opinions I have fomied Respectfve responslbllltles of trustees and examlnftr As the trusteas of Autism FoNard you are responsible for the preparatlon of the finarKial ststements In accoré8nce wllh the requlremants of the Charities Act 2011 {Ihe Act'l. I report In respect of my 8xamination of the financial staloments of Autism Forward carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrwng out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by th& Charity Commission under 5eclion 1451Sllb} of the Act. An independent examination does not involve gathering all the evidence that woukl be requlred Ir) an audit and consequentty does not cover all the matters that an auditor considers in giving thelr oplnlon on the financial statements. The planning and conéuct of an audit goes beyond the limited assurance that an independent examination can provide. Consequently l express no opinion as to whether the financial Statements present a knje and fairf w8w and my report Is limf(ed lo those specific matters s8t out in the independent examinerfs statement. Independont examlner's stat•m•nt I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have com8 to my attent6on In connection wlth the examination glving me ¢au$6 to believe that in any material respect: 1. accounting records were not kept in respect of Autism Forward as raquirgd by $gCtion 130 of the Act: or 2. the accounts do r1 accord those records; or 3. the accounts do not compty with the accountirKJ requlrements ¢on¢erning Ihe fOn and content of accounts sel out in the Charities {Accounts ané Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and falr view, which is not a matter Gonsidered as part of an independent examination. Page 18
AUTISM FORWARD INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF AUTISM FORWARD I have no concems and have come across no other matters in nneCtIon with Ihe 8xamination to which attention should be drawn in this raport in order to enable a proper underslandlng of the accounts to tse aChed. Mr N P Smitli FCCA 21 Navlg8tlon Business Vill4e Navlgatlon Way Ashtonwon-Rlbble Preston PR2 2YP Page 19
AUTISM FORWARD STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVThIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 PAARCH 2024 Unrnstrlcted funds Total 2024 Not• In¢omg and Endowments from: Donations and legacies Investsnent income 90,319 3,436 90.319 Total income 93,755 93,755 Expondituro on: Ralslng ndS Charitable activltle$ Support costs 1779) (112.042} 1,621 (779) <112,042) 1.621 Total expenditure 114.442) {114,442) Net expendbture Net movement in funds {20,687) (20,6871 120,687) (20.687) Reconclllatlon of funds Total funds brought foFward 152,997 132,310 152.997 Total funds Carried f¢mrd 12 132.310 Unr•strlct•d funds Totsl 2023 Not• Incom• and endowments from: DOnaonS and legad8s Investment ino)me 82,574 82,574 Totsl income 83,422 83,422 Expendlture on: Raising funds Charitable aclivilies Support costs (250) 1115,187) 1,561 1250) 1115,187) 11.561) 116.998) Total expenditure 1116,998 133,576) Net expenditure 133,576) Net movement in funds 133,576} 133.576) Reconclllallon of lunds Tot81 fvnds brought forward Total funds carried forward 186.573 186,573 152,997 12 152.997 The notes on pages 22 to 27 fom an integral part of these ffinandal statements. Page 20
AUTISM FORWARD (REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1171704) BALANCE SHE AS AT 31 MARCH 2024 2024 2023 Note Current a880t8 Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 10.275 219,420 229.695 13,150 231.851 10 245,001 92.004 Creditors: Amounts falllng due wilhin one year Net assets 11 97,385) 132,310 152,997 Funds of the charlty: Unmtrlcted Incomo lunds Unrestrfcled funds 132,310 132,310 152,997 12 152.997 27/06/2024 27mw202410..42..OJAII UT¢ The financial stalernents on pages 20 to 27 were approved by the trustees, and 8ulhorised for issu& on . and sign8d on their behalf by. 51614ED SECUPELY I718120244 lQ42xiJAAI ifT¢ Ms A Leverett Trustee eE¢iIIELY 4W712•t4atP.26..51 PNV Ms J Pierce Trustee SECUy 93rn7fa024*t7Q•..16PII UTC Dr E Gokcen TTUStee NED SECURELY QW7I2D2d•t7..XpIA U Ms H Needham Trustee The notes on pages 22 to 27 fomi an integral part of thes8 financial ststements. Page 21
AUTISM FORWARD NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES ststemenl of compllan¢• The financial statements have been prepared in accordance wlth A¢¢ountsng and Reporting by Charitie5.' Statement of Recommended Practice applicable lo charftles preparing their accounts in accordance wth the Finala1 Reporting Standard applicabl8 in the UK and Republi¢ of Ireland IFRS 1021 (effective 1 January 2015} - (Charrties SORP IFRS 102)). the Flnanclal Reporting Standard applicable in th8 UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 1021 and the Charitles Act 2011. Basls of preparnllon Autism Forward meets the d&finition of a publiG benefrt entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities ar8 initialty reoognisod at historical cost or tran$a¢lion value unl8SS Othe¢wise stated in tho relevant accounting policy notes. The financial statements have been prepared to give a Irue and fairf view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only lo the exlenl required to provlde 8 Irue and faiV view. This departure h85 involved following Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance wth the Financial Rewrting Standard applicable in the UK and Republlc of Ireland (FRS 1021 issued on 16 July 2014 rather than the Accounting and Rgporting by Charities: ststement of a Recommended Practice effgctive from 1 N)ri12005 which has since been wthdrawn. Going concgrn The trustees consider that tFre are no matsrial uncertalntl8s about the charity$ ability lo continue a9 a going concern. Incorne and endowments Voluntsry irbcome IncdIng ¢knalions. gifts. legacie5 and grants Ihat provlde re fundlng or arg of a goneral nalurg Is recognlsed when the charity hes entitlgment to the income. 11 Is probable that the ino)mo will bo rèc8ivgd and the amount can t measured Yrfth 5uffiuent reliability. Donations and legacies Donations and legacies are recognised on a receivable basis when receipt is probable and the amount can be reliabty measured. Glft Old Grft AMY rec6lvable Is Included in incom8 vthen Ih8re is a valkl dedaration from the donor. Any Gfft Ald amount recovered on 8 donalton is considergd to be part of that gift an(i is Ireated as an addition to the same fund as the intli81 dr)nation unless the donor or the temis of the appeal have specified otherwis8. Inv•slment income Income from Interest. royalbes and dividends are included In the O¢cnts receipt is prob8b and the amount received can be measured reli8bty. Page 22
AUTISM FORWARD NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Expenditure and Ilablities Grant upondfturo Grants are recognised In the financial ststements as liabilitlgs afler they have been approved by th8 trustees, the recipients have been notified and there are no furth8r tèrms and conOn8 to be fulfillgd within the control of the charity. In these circumstsncgs there is a valid expectatlon by the recipients that they wll re¢elve the granL Li•bility r•co9nltion Liabilities are recognlsed vthe it Is more likely than not that there is a legal or constru¢Uve obligalion committing the charity to pay out resources and the amount of the obligation Gan be measured with raasonable certainty. Support costs Supwrt costs have been allocated between govemance costs and other Support. Governance costs comprise all costs invofvlng public acGountabilty of the charty and its cornpliance with regulation and gocAI practice. Creditors Th8 charrty ha$ creditors thich are measured at setuement arnounts tess any trade dl$counts. Pmvlsk)ns lorllablltles A liability is measured on re¢ognition at its hislori¢al cosl and then subsequently measured at the tesl estimate of the amounl requlred to Settie the oblig8tlon at the reporting date. Flnan¢ial instruments The charity acGounts for baslc financial Instruments on initial rewgnition as per paragraph 10.7 FRS 102 SORP. Subsequent measuremenl is as paragraphs 11.17 to 11.19, FRS 102 SORP. Fund slructurg Unrestricted in¢ome funds are general funds that are avaiLable for use al the trustee$'s dlscretion in rtheranGe of the objectlves of the Larity. Dobtors Debtors are measured on initial recognition at settlement 8mounl after any trade dlscounts or amount advanced by th9 charity. Subsequentty, théy are measured at the cash or other consideratlon expected to be rgcgivod. Glft Ald receivable is recorded as accrued inccne at the reporling date. Page 23
AUTISM FORWARD NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 2 INCOME FROM DONATIONS AND LEGACIES Unre$trlct•d funds G•noral Total funds Donatlons and legacles; Appeals and donations Grft redaimod 78,895 11.424 78,895 11,424 Total for 2024 90,319 go,319 Total for 2023 82,574 82,574 3 INVESTMENT INCOME UnroStrlct•d funds General Totsl funds Interest receivable and similar income., Interest rgceivable on bank deposits Total for 2024 3,436 3,436 3.436 3,436 Total for 2023 4 EXPENDrruRE ON RAISING FUNDS A) COSTS OF GENERATING DONATIONS AND LEGACIES Unr•strlcl8d funds General Totsl funds Donations 779 779 Totsl for 2024 779 779 Total for 2023 250 250 Page 24
AUTISM FORWARD NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 5 EXPENDrruRE ON CHARITABLE ACTMTIES Unrgstrlcted funds G•neral Total fund$ Grant funding of a¢tivities 112,042 112.042 Total for 2023 115.187 115.187 6 SUPPORT COSTS Unrestrlctgd funds General Total funds Nots Independent examiner fees Examination of th8 financial stalements Marketing and publicity Administrative expenses 1.280 117 244 1,260 117 244 Totsl for 2024 1,621 1,621 Total for 2023 1.561 1,561 7 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REMUNERATION 2024 2023 Examination of the financlal statements 1260 8 TAXATION Th8 thadty is a reglstsred charity a118 therefore exempt from tsxation. 9 DEBTORS 2024 2023 Accrued In¢ome 10.275 13.150 10 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 2024 2023 Cash at bank 219,420 231,851 Page 25
AUTISM FORWARD NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 11 CREDITORS: Amoupifs FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2024 2023 Olhor crèditors Accruals 96.125 1,260 97.385 90,744 1,280 92,004 12 FUNDS Balance at 1 April 2023 Incomlng resoure8s R•sour¢•s •XPond•d Balan¢? at 31 March 2024 Unre8tricted funds General 152,997 93,755 1114,4421 132,310 BalanGg at 1 ApTII 2022 Incomlng resources Resources expended Balan¢0 at 31 March 2023 Unr•8tricted funds General 186,573 83,422 116.998) 152,997 Page 26
AUTISM FORWARD NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 13 ANALYSIS OF NEf ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS Unrostrlcted lunds General Total funds at 31 March 2024 Current as5et$ Current liabilitios 229,695 97,385 132,310 229,695 97,385 Total net a8sets 132,310 Unrestrlcted funds Goneral Tolal funds •131 March 2023 Current assels Current liabilities 245,¢J01 92.004 245.001 92,004 Total net a8sets 152,997 152,997 Page 27
AUTISM FORWARD STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES BY FUND FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Total Total Unrestrlcted Unrestrlcled Funds Fundi 2024 2023 Income and Endowments from: Donadons and legades Investment irrne 90,319 3,436 82,574 Total cOMe 93,755 83.422 Expendlture on: Raising funds Charltsble actmiles Other experKliture Total expervjilure Net expenditure Net movement in funds (7791 12501 (112,0421 (115,1871 {1,621 {1,561 (114.442 1116,9981 {20,687 (33,576 {20,687} (33,576) Reconclllatlon of funds Total funds brought forward 152,997 186,573 Total fund$ carried forward 132.310 152.997 This page does not fomi part of the ststulory financial stst8ments. Page 28