Orchard Saturday Club Trustees’ Annual Report to the Charity Commission for the period 1st April 2023 – 31st March 2024
Introduction
Orchard Saturday Club is a very small Devon based charity which provides respite care and short breaks for children with profound additional needs. Individual placement for most children is via the social services department of the Local Authority which contracts the Club to provide respite that meets each child’s needs. A few children are funded by their parents.
For most families a trip to the beach, a museum, or a fun park requires very little planning and is a part of family life. Orchard Club gives young people with profound additional needs the chance to enjoy these experiences too. For our young people there may be significant barriers to experiencing these opportunities, but skilled staff support and the structure of the Club helps young people do things that might seem otherwise beyond the scope of practicality with their families.
Aims and values
At Saturday Club every child attending is valued and takes part in all the activities, gaining independence, social skills and confidence whilst having fun. We support our staff to be dedicated, enthusiastic and inspirational in the care they give and in the relationships they build with our children and young people. Skilful leadership and regular training ensure that they have the skills and personal qualities needed to work with our young people. This training is a core offer for those who want to work with us, and it benefits not only the children who attend the Club, but the staff - enabling them to develop professional skills and knowledge in their careers.
Governance
The full committee of 5 Trustees, including 2 parents and the Treasurer, normally meets at least four times a year, receiving reports from the manager, the administrator, and the Trustee who sets and monitors the Club’s annual budget. Since the onset of the Covid pandemic all such contact has been handled remotely via online meetings, email, telephone etc. However, the quality of the meetings has been maintained and meetings online are the norm, as it’s the best way of getting everyone together regularly.
Committee members also liaise regularly in smaller groups, including with representatives of Devon County Council, the Club’s Independent Accounts Examiner and the Club manager. All staff receive at least the minimum wage. Staff pay is reviewed annually. Policies are continually under review and the Trustees are careful to ensure that all aspects, such as mental health and wellbeing of all those who work at the Club, are taken into account, with regular updates from the Manager and core provision team.
Through realistic management and careful stewardship of funding, the Club is currently financially secure. The main source of income is from the placement fee for each child. This has been increased in line with National Insurance and minimum wage rises. The Club has also received modest donations from a range of sources, which contribute to maintaining the Club’s financial well-being.
With the onset of Covid the Club had operated a flexible attendance policy. Now that attendance has settled down post Covid and most children attend every session, for the financial year (2023-24) it has been agreed that the charging policy should revert to its normal basis of charging irrespective of attendance. This will continue into 2024-2025.
Club operation
Now that the disturbance caused by Covid is largely in the past, the Club has returned to its normal pattern of activity, including external trips.
Staffing continues to be stable. There is an annual programme of ongoing professional development. Staff vacancies have been successfully filled and one-to-one staff support is provided for every child. The children continue to enjoy a wide range of activities and experiences, making good gains in personal confidence, autonomy and interpersonal skills.
Club policies are regularly reviewed. They can be viewed on the Club’s website, orchardsaturdayclub.org, as can pictures of the Club’s activities.
The Committee is seeking further Trustees to help maintain the quality of Trusteeship and governance and ensure continuity.
The Club continues to hold its Christmas and Summer parties. At Christmas 2024 the event was attended by Steve Darling MP for Torbay, as a sign of its value to the community and its continuing importance as a vital and unique provision for children and young people with profound additional needs.
Orchard Saturday Club Trustees January 2025
Charity No 1176093
Orchard Saturday Club Statement of Financial Activities For the Year Ended 31st March 2024
| Notes Incoming resources Fee income 2 Deposit Account interest Children in Need Grants and Donations 3 Government Furlough Scheme Outgoing resources Direct Charitable expenditure Rent Staff costs Transport Activities and outings(including refreshments) Equipment Ofsted Car mileage and parking Staff training Health, safety & hygiene DBS checks Hoist maintenance Management and Administration Insurance Payroll Accountancy Printing, postage, stationery and telephone Computer etc Staff t-shirts/sweatshirts Gifts & presentations Staff dinners Advertising Memberships/subscriptions Repairs Net (outgoing)/ incoming resources 5 |
31/03/2024 Total £ 94,765.00 199.00 1,535.66 0.00 96,499.66 4,571.88 58,794.06 10,188.00 8,212.81 85.52 0.00 1,590.05 6.98 558.00 0.00 84,007.30 446.42 1,397.40 115.00 19.90 0.00 182.40 94.46 0.00 25.00 0.00 6.57 86,294.45 10,205.21 |
31/03/2023 Total £ 68,420.18 36.01 1,966.90 0.00 |
|---|---|---|
| 70,423.09 | ||
| 49,315.76 9,629.30 8,135.43 250.00 114.00 1,532.70 37.85 526.49 0.00 |
||
| 69,541.53 424.77 1,744.60 0.00 51.75 236.67 258.59 19.99 0.00 0.00 0.00 |
||
| 72,277.90 | ||
| (1,854.81) |
Charity No 1176093
Orchard Saturday Club Notes to the Accounts For the Year Ended 31st March 2024
Note 1 - Accounting Policies
The accounts have been prepared on the Receipts and Payments basis.
The group is a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation and as such is governed by the Charities Act 2011 and subordinate legislation including: Charitable Incorporated Organisations Regulations 2012 and Charitable Incorporated Organisations (Consequential Amendments) 2012 and 2017. The Charity also complies with the Charities (Protection and Social Investment ) Act 2016 and the Trustees Acts 1925, 2000
Under the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 it is classed as a small charity since the gross income or expenditure do not exceed £250,000 per annum. As a result of this, the group has taken advantage of preparing the financial statements on the more simplified basis of receipts and payments.
All Income, including grants is recorded when received.
All Expenditure is recorded when paid.
Grants or donations made with a specific purpose are accounted for as designated funds
The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the trustee's annual report.
The Club has no fixed assets
| Note 2- Fee income Devon County Council Direct funding by parents These funds are unrestricted. |
£ 41,181.00 53,584.00 |
|---|---|
| 94,765.00 | |
| Note 3- Grants and Donations The Removal Co Amazon Smile Seamoor Lotto Paypal Personal Personal (for Christmas Party) |
400.00 44.31 102.00 0.01 889.33 100.00 |
|---|---|
| 1,535.65 |
Unless otherwise stated, donations were not made for designated purposes
Note 4 - Cash advance
Payment made to bank account held by Club secretary to fund petty cash.
| Note 5- Reserves Opening balance as at 1/4/2023 Net (outgoing)/ incoming resources Closing balance as at 31/3/2024 |
General Fund £ 83,301.53 10,205.21 93,506.74 |
Designated Fund £ 3,156.91 3,156.91 |
Total £ 86,458.44 10,205.21 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 96,663.65 |
Money from the Designated Fund is to spent at the discretion of the Orchard Saturday Club Committee