Trustees’ Annual Report for the period 2022/23
From 5th April 2022 – 4[th] April 2023
Charity name: FASD AWARENESS Charity registration number: 1176933
Objectives and Activities
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
The Objects of the charity are: 1. To relieve the needs of suferers of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and those whose lives are afected by that condition who live or work in the area of beneft or neighbouring areas through the provision of support, education and practical advice. 2. To advance the education of the general public in all areas relating to Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) including the promotion of research for the public beneft in all aspects of FASD and to publish the useful results. The area of beneft is the South East of England, County of Kent and Medway Unitary Authority, United Kingdom and worldwide. |
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| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public beneft, in particular, the activities, projects or services identifed in the accounts. |
1. To raise awareness of the key features and lived experience of individuals afected by Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) via talks, training, flms and social media. 2. To provide support for individuals and families afected by FASD eg via support groups and group outings. 3. To develop relationships with key partners, in particular with the Kent & Medway CCG, and create a system to ensure professionals ofer appropriate expert help. 4. To continue to develop relationships with other FASD & Neurodisability charities both locally and nationwide. |
| Statement confrming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public beneft |
The trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public beneft. They can confrm that all the activities carried out in the year 2022/23 were consistent with this beneft. The trustees met quarterly in person during the year and discussed issues between meeting via email and the Trustees’ WhatsApp Group. The Chair (Irene Hall) had to stand down from her role as Chair due to ill health). An emergency trustees board meeting was convened, and Andy Nichols (Vice Chair) took over as acting Chair and Lyndon McLean became acting Vice-Chair until such time as a new Chairperson could be sourced, interviewed and appointed. |
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Achievements and Performance
| Summary of the main achieveme nts of the charity, identifying the diference the charity’s work has made to the circumstan ces of its benefciari es and any wider benefts to society as a whole. |
The year 2022-23 has seen signifcant developments in FASD Awareness’s direction and an increased public profle. We remain a local charity in that our days out for families with a child with FASD are primarily for families living in Kent, Medway and South London. But we have also embraced the digital world which has greatly expanded our reach. We have made a conscious efort to connect with other local charitable organisations like The Kent & Medway Neurodisability Network, FASD UK Alliance, National Organisation of FASD, Oshay’s, Neuro Cafes, Communigrow, Local Farms, Nucleus Arts, Leeds Castle. Working with likeminded organisations helps support their own charitable work, whilst also pooling resources and ideas. We presently support and cater for around 2000 people on our database. Our activities, 1-2-1 sessions and friendship groups and regularly increased in numbers and attendees. They ofer a safe, regulated space for individuals with FASD, and their families, to connect with like-minded people. Learning the vital social skills of accepting others and inclusion helps them come to terms with their diagnosis, behaviours and embrace their strengths & weaknesses alongside others who are managing similar hurdles. Learning from the elders, peer to peer advice and sharing views builds self- esteem and acceptance. FASD Individuals are frequently isolated socially and our activities have evidenced how friendships can be formed leading to relationship building and strong bonds. This helps to prevent relationship breakdowns in the home, increased trauma, isolation, secondary mental health issues that can afect both, those living with FASD and their caregivers. One signifcant impact has been the improved mental health of the siblings living in an FASD household. This year we attended and presented at the UK FASD |
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Conference at Salford University (March 2023).
| Achieveme nts against objectives set |
We use our Business & Development Plan which includes a tracker that trustees use to monitor progress towards meeting goals. However, we have collected data and we know that typically we have around 30 attendees to the day out events and 6 – 12 people at each of our Youth and Adult support group meetings. We send out online evaluation forms and these are heartfelt and full of praise. We ask for suggestions of how we can further support them and ideas that they would like to put forward. We have implemented many of these with guest speakers at our Support groups or via guests on our webinar series. Our monthly webinars which include guest speakers from all corners of the FASD Community, leading health professionals, international advocates of FASD and vitally giving a voice to those with the lived experience. The webinarsreach out to an average of200 participants every monthin the UK and worldwide. Each webinar is then uploaded to our YouTube channel for wider coverage. We have achieved our objective of being a voice for people with FASD. Through including many in our training and on our Webinar series giving a voice to the lived experience. Locally we have done that via being a member of the NHS CCG group responsible for FASD and nationally through the FASD UK Alliance. Our #BeAware campaign of educational flms has included a 2 new case studies showing the contrasting sides of Living with FASD either with early diagnosis and an appropriate wrap around management plan alongside the contrary where the lack of diagnosis and early interventions have led this individual into the CJS. Some of our goals around creating a flm and PHSE classroom resource around Prevention of FASD, and a flm covering FASD in the CJS have been hard to source funding for. We have found that this year sourcing funding through application writing for 2023-24 has been increasingly difcult. Our online and in person training for NHS CCG groups, paediatricians, adoption & fostering organisations, schools, Children in Care and social care professionals, Midwives and other medical professionals is increasing as the new FASD Nice guidance draws a greater awareness of understanding amongst medical professionals about FASD. Internally we are looking to further strengthen our board and have a small group of committed trustees who give manyhourstothe charity. |
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| Performan ce of fundraising activities against |
We met our fundraising target for the year. |
objectives set
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s fnancial position at the end of the period |
Despite a difcult time to source funding, we have been able to increase our reserves, whilst focusing on streamlining our activities and oferings. A much better year results wise gives the charity a good base to move forward into the next fnancial period whilst focusing onour key deliverables. |
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| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
As funding becomes ever more difcult to source, the charity took the decision that it would be good practice to ensure we hold a minimum of 3 months core running costs as a reserve. This was estimated to be the minimum period during which time services could be streamlined as required whilst additional fundingis sourced. |
| Amount of reservesheld |
£ 10,000 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
N/A |
| Details of fund materially in defcit |
N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
N/A |
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Our main sources of funding are grant giving trusts and the NHS CCG. In addition, we receive a small amount of money from individual donations and from businesses. |
| Investment policy and objectives including any |
We have not adopted an Investment Policy as do not have funds to invest. We have a small amount of reserves which is kept in our savings bank account. |
| social investment policy adopted |
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| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Lack of funding and not maintaining our staf and volunteers are our biggest risks. Our staf are under constant pressure to do a lot with not very much. There is also a risk in that the charity relies heavily on a very small number of people. In order to mitigate these risks, we now have clear funding priorities and clear costings of projects and core work. This has helped us to maintain a steady growth in funding. |
Structure, Governance and Management
| How is the charity constituted? |
Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), only voting members are its charity trustees. ‘Foundation’ Model. |
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| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions. |
In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the trustees have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the efective administration of the CIO and what skills are missing from the trustee board. Apart from the frst charity trustees, trustees are appointed for a term of 3 years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. Normally this is our AGM. They may stand for a second term but after that there must a gap of at least one year before re-appointment. Trustees are interviewed in accordance with the Safer Recruitment policy and all necessary DBS checks and References are taken. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, we have found that our focus on the Business & Development Plan which includes a tracker that trustees use to monitor progress towards meeting goals, has helped us streamline our operations without distraction. This has helped target the areas that have the greatest impact whilst looking into improving other key areas of our work. We are always grateful for the tireless work of our small team, and the constant stream of appreciative messages from the families, organisations and individuals that we support.
Reference and Administrative details
| Charityname | FASD Awareness |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses |
FASD Awareness South East |
| Registered charity number |
1176933 |
| Charity’s principal address |
3 Winter Gem Lane, Faversham ME13 8YU |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. |
Trustee name | Ofce (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person who interviewed/ appointed trustee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irene Hall | Chair | Appointed 20th September 2021 – January 2023 (stood down due to ill health) |
A Keeping and W Spears |
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| Dr Adesoji Abeona |
2018 (reappointed at AGM) |
Founding trustee | ||
| Deborah Matthews |
Treasurer | Appointed January 2020 |
A Keeping and P Rorison |
|
| Paul Allen | 2018 (Reappointed at AGM) |
Founding trustee | ||
| Wendy Purdy | Appointed September 2020 |
A Keeping and W Spears |
||
| Sophie Cartwright |
Appointed July 202 0 |
A Keeping and W Spears |
||
| Lyndon McLean | Acting Vice- Chair |
Appointed 20th September 2021 January 2023 |
A Keeping and W Spears |
|
| Andy Nichols | Vice – Chair ActingChair |
Appointed 20th September 2021 January 2023 |
A Keeping and W Spears |
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s)
Deborah Matthews Full name(s) Andy Nichols Position (eg Vice Chair Treasurer Secretary, Chair, etc) Date 14[th] September 2023
FASD Awareness Financials 2022 - 2023 FINAL
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Code Cost type Amount Code Income type Amount
1 Admin £59.49 1001 FASD training £1,000.00
2 Training £0.00 1002 Corporate Partnerships £2,500.00
3 Board meetings £0.00 1003 Grants £59,807.24
4 Print/stationery £119.88 1004 Donations £6,506.89
5 Postage £41.55 1005 Bank Interest on Reserve AC £14.96
6 Website/emails £201.49
7 IT £746.78
8 Support groups £0.00
9 Travel £231.19
10 Telecommunications £159.44
11 Marketing £0.00
12 Advertising £0.00
13 Fundraising £0.00
14 Events £0.00
15 Professional fees £95.00
16 Days out and activities £1.30
17 Entertainment £81.91
18 Banking £0.00
19 HMRC £0.00
20 Wages £0.00
21 Insurance £561.68
22 General expenses £0.00
24 Maintenance & Repairs £0.00
25 Rent £0.00
26 Park Project Costs £0.00
27 KCF £0.00
28 National Lottery £0.00 TOTAL £69,829.09
29 Sport England £185.41
30 MVA £0.00 Bank A/C @ 04/04/2023:
31 Fore Trust £0.00 Current AC £48,602.41
32 Colyer Ferguson £12,752.40 Savings AC £5,038.52
44 Medway CCG £27,499.00
50 Groundwork £0.00 £53,640.93
51 FASD Training £570.00
52 Tunstall Jubilee Foundation £370.00
53 MOTO £170.00 Ringfenced Project specific funds held £30,869.71
54 KCF - LEF £1,360.00
55 KCF - V £0.00 Reserves held in line with Reserves Policy £10,000.00
57 Events 2023-24 £613.64
Free Reserves @ 05/04/2022 £12,771.22
TOTAL EXPENDITURE £45,820.16 TOTAL Funds £53,640.93
Date of
approval
Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees Print Name dd/mm/yyyy
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