PO Box 174 Bideford EX39 9EA Mobile: 07923 481332 Reg. Charity No. 1172597 info@ndfautism.co.uk facebook.com/groups/ndfarb @NorthDevonForum
JOINT OFFICERS REPORT FOR AGM ON 20 NOVEMBER 2020
FROM CHAIR, SECRETARY, TREASURER, EVENTS AND FUNDRAISING TRUSTEES
The year since our last AGM on 29 November 2019 has been very different to any we have experienced before.
Due to the low turnout at the last AGM Debbie, the Chair, sent an email to all stating the trustees disappointment that only trustees and volunteers attended – our group is of the benefit of all and as such members need to attend the formal events as well as the fun items.
The final event in the previous year was a coach trip to the Eden project. We organised other events funded by the Doing What Matters grant – which included a visit to Dingles Heritage Fairground, two visits to RHS Rosemoor – the November event including their light trail, a meal at the Pier House – which doubled as our adoption meeting where the policies were signed, and a visit to Clovelly and Broomhill Sculpture Garden. All these events included refreshments which meant our members had a chance to sit and chat and give support. This grant was to help mental health – which I feel after the events of 2020 will be very much needed again.
Our regular Big Sheep Christmas event was spread over two evenings, as it has become so popular it was creating anxiety problems with sound and space! We were going to repeat it over two nights at Easter but Covid 19 had other ideas!
Just before Christmas we had a very successful cinema visit to Bideford Film Society’s to see Frozen 2. Hopefully in the future we can organise these sort of events again, although this will be one of the last due to the close proximity and enclosed space.
Our last coach trip was to Plymouth Aquarium for a sleepover. Unfortunately this was not so well organised by the Aquarium, and the trustees were in the process of discussing how to resolve and lockdown happened so no further action has taken place. Should we secure funding for a future visit please do not be put off – we will ensure it runs as it has previously.
Our big event at the end of March 2020 where we had 3 coaches along with make your own way families to Longleat was cancelled ahead of lockdown which gave everyone fore knowledge so that anxiety levels could be reduced. We also had to cancel all our coffee mornings, which has meant no-one has had face to face support.
Like all other organisations we are continuing as best we can, and indeed have taken the opportunity to upgrade our website and all the relevant links – this is gradually going live and is covered by the IT report. It will mean that when we are back to ‘normal’ we will have the ability to process membership and events immediately – but will still be contactable should these new methods be out of your remit. Penny stepped down as Secretary, and with it Membership Secretary, due to family and work commitment. Gabby stepped up to become Minutes Secretary. As we are currently not accept new memberships the Membership Secretary’s post has yet to be filled. Any volunteers? We would remind all members that we are always looking for new trustees – the existing trustees represent the older
teenager / young adult age range and we need more trustees representing younger children. If you are interested please contact a trustee for full information – we suggest that members act as volunteers for a while to ‘learn the ropes’ and show commitment, when ready the DBS check is carried out and welcome new trustee!
The current line-up for trustees is Debbie as Chairperson; Tom as Treasurer; Louisa is the Resources and Library and will be giving her separate report, as will Clare who will present report on the Coffee Mornings. Denver has been the main driving force for the new computer and website system – and will give a separate report.
details on who to contact).
We have continued to apply for funding, and have been successful in receiving some to help with core costs. The £5,000 received in Autumn 2019 has given the Forum a secure base and buffer to cover many of our on-going costs – Insurance, P O Box address and storage, and has meant we have a safety buffer.
We thank everyone who has donated funds towards the group, this is very much appreciated as not being ring fenced can be used for our core costs. No trustee receives payment, just reimbursement of travel costs ect (although in reality these are rarely claimed). We also wish to thank those you purchase from Smile Amazon and have chosen the Forum as the recipient.
Our annual facebook auction organised by Louisa and Julia did not take place, which meant a drop in funding as this is a popular and successful event which provides much needed funds
Membership has been put on hold until completion of the website and the new membership system is in operation – you will receive instructions via your email address when to do this. We have had to introduce this system to check that members are still in area and their contact details are correct, also the age and diagnosis of the ASC/ADHD person. This has become necessary after we had an application from a family who wanted to join because our events are cheap. If you have any questions when this is launched please ask – we do not wish to lose contact with you as we appreciate how difficult life with ASC/ADHD can be and that support is needed.
uniform items for the Trustees – up until now we had short sleeved polo shirts, we have now purchased fleeces and hoodies for warmth! The lead trustee(s) at events will wear these where appropriate as a focal point at events. If you are in contact with your local Councillor, let them know you are in their ward and would appreciate it if they could consider donating part of the Councillor’s Grant to our funds.
We have received funding from Barnstaple Town Council for a stand at the North Devon Show – which will now be rolled over to 2021, and all being well look forward to meeting you there. Funding too from Councillors in the Barnstaple area enabled us to purchase a gazebo – yet to be used and also Councillors in Bideford provided funding for further uniform – look out for a yellow gazebo with trustees wearing yellow when promotion events start! The last funding of 2020 is from the Clare Milne Trust for First Aid training – details will follow soon. All trustees will need to renew/gain their certificate and we will open the opportunity to train to our members – details to follow.
Grants provided by DCC, Space and others as listed on the Treasurers’ statement have been a lifeline and we were able to provide events at heavily subsidised costs to enable our people enjoy activities others take for granted; siblings to feel they are not the only one having to take second place and parent/carers to have an opportunity to meet others and exchange information and give mutual support. Thanks is given to all trustees for the role they take in the running of the forum without which we could not function – if their roles are listed this would not do them justice and are likely to miss a role and who covers it.
Thank you to all,
From: Debbie – Chair; Tom – Treasurer; Lin – Events and Funding; Gabby – Minutes Secretary
North Devon Forum for Autistic Spectrum Condition and ADHD Registered Charity No. 1172597 Treasurerfs Statement for Annual General Meeting Friday 20th November 2020 INCOME contributio towards activrties 2.415.33 Donati¢)n: NMCN 231. Donation: Braunton Slimming Workl 75.1J) Donati¢)n: An via PayPal 28.$3 Donations: V&ious via Facelyy)k 869.96 Income from Amaz Smlle puha9eS 73.74 rotal Donations 1,278.23 , Refvnd from Round5well Communitycent 310.50 PayPal Rehjnd Grant: North DC Grant: 8amstsple Br6dge Trust 5.lJXI.(N) Grant: Devon Cobjnty Council 1.112.21 Grdnt: TDp 422.77 Grnnt.. Devon County thjncil 1.912.11 Grant.. DYS Space Ltd Grant= Bideford Town Council 850.IXI Grant: Barnstaplè Town Council Grant: Devon Community Foundation 1.753.lY) Grant: DYS Space Ltd 752.Tr) Giant.. Bideford Bridge Trust i.8. Total Grants 15.502.09 Total Income 19A07.15
EXPENDITURE Activities 6,410.92 Admin (PO Box Aental) Equipment 319.03 , Coac 1.010.(J) Insurance 823.27 IT/ComputerNhbthfz(y 3.739.40 Library 46.59 North Devon Show 614.CK) OffTh (Stamps. printer ink) 238.Ci) Party 1.150.IK) Flaffle Tickets Printing Relund frfxn klivities Floom Hire AGM 20191 52.50 Refvnds to TnJste8S 409.39 Storage Un 1.054.08 Renewal of Draw LiGence 20.CK) Total ExdItuTe 17.295.28 Summary 01.11.2019 Bank Balance £11,508.58 2019-2020 Total Income £19.507.15 Total Expenditure £17.295.28 31.10.2020 Balance per Bank StatWTr £14720.45 co unrant