How to Contact Us
If you would like to attend or find out more about our groups or services, please contact Sheelagh Dilworth - 07740 111 182
YOU CAN EMAIL US AT:
actionondementiasunderland@gmail.com
OR WRITE TO US AT:
Action on Dementia Sunderland
c/o Westwaters Ltd.
34 Frederick Street,
Sunderland SR1 1LP
www.sunderlandactionondementia.co.uk
Annual Report 2022
www.sunderlandactionondementia.co.uk
Action on Dementia Sunderland is a register charity. Charity no. 1177401 Registered in England and Wales Company No: 10478790
Printed by BLACKPRINT • 0191 564 0220
Chairman’s Report
And for the second year running (literally) Allan Surtees completed a sponsored run on our behalf. This year, Allan ran the 97 miles from Leeds football ground (Elland Road) to Bob Stokoe’s statie at the Stadium of Light over 7 days. Allan had set himself this challenge to mark his 60th birthday to raise awareness of dementia and funds. The significance of the run between Leeds and Sunderland, was that, of the two football teams who contested the 1973 Cup Final, many of the famous names had since developed dementia, as did Bob Stokoe, Sunderland’s cup winning team manager.
As with many other charitable organisations the year ended 31st March 2022, and beyond, saw Action on Dementia Sunderland tentatively emerge from the shadow cast by Covid 19 pandemic. We have gradually phased in activities that include a human proximity element whilst being guided by governmental and national health service advice and whilst being mindful of the paramount importance of the wellbeing of all of our stakeholders.
In terms of the services and activities we were able to offer at the end of the financial year there was a large upscale when compared to the beginning of the year and when compared with a large part of the previous year.
Allan received a great deal of support from Sunderland Football Club, e.g. inviting him onto the pitch at half-time, and featuring Allan’s effort in the match programme and on their social media platforms.
Whilst it is not possible to predict the future trajectory of the Covid 19 pandemic with a great degree of confidence, there are hopeful signs that the worst is behind us and a normality is returning. We are therefore offering most of our range of services and activities for those suffering with dementia and their families and carers, such as support/friendship groups, trips out, weekly Home Visiting/Befriending Service, Peer Support group for people with dementia and hopefully soon, to resume our support work within Sunderland Royal Hospital.
All the more disappointing that none of the media outlets in Sunderland, covered Allan’s “challenge”.
The charity will continue to do its utmost to meet these demands against a backdrop of ongoing austerity measures and the current cost of living crisis. The general bleak economic outlook will inevitably have an effect on small charities such as Action on Dementia Sunderland but we remain hopeful that efforts to secure the resources necessary to enable the charity to continue the needs of those impacted by dementia will prove to be successful.
It remains to be seen to what extent the current cost of living increases and the country’s financial uncertainties, will have on previous plans to address the “crisis” in social care. But it seems likely that what has been described as “a tax on dementia” and “an unfair health lottery” will continue for sometime yet, with the resultant additional stresses on people with dementia and their families / carers. As well as the impact on organisations such as ourselves.
Our thanks go to all who supported us financially or otherwise over the past year. These include the Ballinger Trust. Peter Dunn and Co. Westwaters, Sunderland Community Transport, VCAS and Billy Wright.
Thanks must of course also go to our development worker Sheelagh Dilworth and her team , for all of their hard work and commitment over what has been another frustrating year.
Despite occasional media hype, yet another year has passed without any apparent breakthrough in dementia research, in finding new treatments, let alone a cure.
Finally my thanks to my fellow Trustees for their support to me .
Andrew Tilbury of Peter Dunn and Co.
Staff of the Chester’s Public House.
Allen Surtees who rang from Leeds to Sunderland, meeting the group in Thirsk during his run.
Team Jean who raise funds in memory of their Mother.
THANK YOU
These are some of our Supporters who have given Donations and assistance to the Group.
We were greatly honoured in being chosen for the third year in succession to be chosen by the staff members of the Gentoo Group, to be one of their Corporate Charities of the Year (see the financial report).
Development Worker’s Report
Another year on, to the time of writing this report, through what can only now be described as a period of slow recovery from the Covid pandemic, with the ensuing worrying and difficult times to come over the months and year ahead. As if our families/ carers and people with dementia haven’t had enough troubled and traumatic times to cope with.
The impact of the current rises in cost of living, and rising energy prices places even more of a burden on families trying to cope, living with dementia.
Financial Report
EXPENDITURE
The tentative return to “normality” was reflected in increases in a number of items of expenditure.
E.g. Outings and Activities £2416 from £52,
Staff Mileage £696 from £0,
Advertising £556 from £0 and Printing, stationary
It is all the more important that we can provide much needed and essential support to people with dementia and their families through our range of services which are all free of charge.
Throughout the past year, as people gained confidence to venture out and about again our Lunch Club/Friendship group returned to an active support group providing an opportunity for people with dementia to attend along with their carers and enjoy some socialising in a supportive environment with staff in attendance. We have also provided a number of regular trips out and about to various places which has enabled families to enjoy the summer months outdoors supported by our staff.
We have two new Outreach Family Support Workers, Theresa and Mike who joined our team last year and have been supporting our various support groups as well as our Home Visiting/Befriending Service.
It is our normal practice when someone goes into nursing/residential care for a period of respite whilst receiving the Home Visiting/ Befriending Service, that we endeavour where posssible to continue to support them by visiting them whilst in respite. This helps maintain the continuity of the companionship and support which they are familiar with, when they return home.
If a client moves into nursing/residential care permanently, we would normally discontinue providing the Home Visiting/Befriending Service. However we know that this can be a particularly traumatic time for both the person with dementia and their carer. In addition many could still benefit from having someone to visit them apart from their family members, as it helps maintain some outside contact with the community as well as continuing to support their family carers by sometimes accompanying them on the odd visit or just allowing them a break from visiting, another way of providing some respite.
We have began to pilot this additional element to our Home Visiting/Befriending Service where our resources have enabled us to do so. and will be seeking funding to continue, as we believe that it is crucial in supporting families through this difficult and often traumatic transitional stage of their journey with dementia.
Now that our Peer support Group has been reestablished, it has given carers an additional respite break as well as providing an opportunity for our clients with dementia to socialise and partake in group activities with their peers supported by our Outreach Family Support Workers. Whilst this group is intended for people with dementia to attend alone without their carers, we encourage carers to accompany them during their initial sessions if they are anxious or perhaps require a gradual introduction in order that they can gain confidence to eventually attend alone.
Due to more recent pressures, i.e. rising costs and shortages of services/provisions, we expect that our services will be more in demand and there will be a need to provide an ongoing flexible approach in the development and sustainability of our services.
and I.T. £1058 from £580.
Although these were offset by the reduction in Wages and salaries £37,664 from £41,694, due to staff recruitment delays. Therefore, total expenditure at £45,709 was only marginally up (£72) on the previous financial year. Giving an overall deficit of £4751
INCOME
As was the case with the voluntary sector generally, the opportunities to secure grant funding were greatly reduced by the Covid situation in this period. Even so, the difference in total income as compared to the previous year, is somewhat misleading, as some funding received in that period Was intended to be used for service provision in the following financial year (Ending this March 31st)
We are most grateful to the grant funders as listed. However
once again it was largely due to the support and generosity of local organisations and individuals that we were able to maintain much of our support capability. These included Team Jean, A Tilbury and the Gentoo group (See chairs report) with a donation for 2021 of £11,000 following £8,500 the previous year.
Our grateful thanks go to all who supported us financially, in addition to grant funding bodies listed in the Income and Expenditure page
As always, a particular heartfelt thanks and condolences go to all who made donations in memory of loved ones.
Anticipated austerity measures and the current cost of living crisis and the general bleak economic outlook will inevitably have an effect on small charities such as Action on Dementia Sunderland but we remain hopeful that efforts to secure the resources necessary to enable the charity to continue to meet the needs of those impacted by dementia will prove to be successful.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
WHO WE ARE
Ernest Thompson (Chairman) Maurice Surtees Errington (Secretary) George Albert Mail (Treasurer) Beatrice Smith
Action on Dementia was formed in January 2010 and is a voluntary organisation with its own constitution based on democratic principles.
Our purpose is to provide support to people within the city who have dementia and also to their families and friends. We also work to promote their interests.
Co-opted Members
Ian Cockburn, Kathleen Martin, Malcolm Watson
As an independent local group, we can guarantee that all funds raised and donations received will be used locally.
THE FOLLOWING TRUSTEES
ARE ALSO DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY
Ernest Thompson, Maurice Surtees Errington, George Albert Malt
Accounts
ACTION ON DEMENTIA SUNDERLAND
APPENDIX
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
BALANCE SHEET
YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2022
YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2022
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2022 2021
Notes
Fixed Assets
Tangible Assets 8 80 106
Current Assets
Cash at bank and in hand 66822 68803
Debtors 200 1205
Total Current Assets 67022 70008
Current Liabilities
Creditors:Amounts falling due within one year 9 7758 7243
Deferred Income 8250 7026
Total Current Liabilities 16008 14269
Net Current Assets 51014 55739
Net Assets 51094 55845
Funds of the Charity
Restricted funds 11 0 0
Designated funds 11 9000 9000
Unrestricted funds 11 42094 46845
Total Charity Funds 51094 55845
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These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 and in accordance with the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)
For the financial year ended 31st March 2022, the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 Companies Act 2006; and no notice has been deposited under section 476. The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
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2022 2021
£ £
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE
Incoming resources
Donations 12724 7998
Just Giving Donations 6134 4799
Gentoo Donation 11000 8500
Job Retention Scheme Grant 2424 15312
Sir James Knott Trust 0 10000
National Lottery Covid Grant 0 11500
Garfield Weston Foundation 0 10000
Ballinger Charitable Trust 0 15000
National Lottery Awards For All 1650 0
National Lottery Awards For All Deferred From Previous Years 2400 0
Bring Joy 3070 0
Edward Gostling Foundation 833 0
Newcastle Building Society 723 0
Total Incoming Resources 40958 83109
Resources Expended
Wages and salaries 37664 41694
Pension contributions 960 960
Outings and activities 2416 52
Fundraising 216 216
Insurance 420 421
Staff Mileage 696 0
Accountancy 978 924
PAYE recording 484 696
Printing, stationery & I.T. 1058 580
Advertising 556 0
General expenses 235 59
Depreciation - Office equipment 26 35
45709 45637
Net Movement in Funds -4751 37472
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These accounts were approved by the board on 1st August 2022
…………………………………………………… Ernest Thompson TRUSTEE
………………………………………….. Maurice Surtees Errington TRUSTEE