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2025-03-31-accounts

Holt Deme trict pport Annual Report 2024 - 25

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period 2024 - 2025

Period start date: 1 April 2024 Period end date: 31 March 2025

Charity name: Holt & District Dementia Support

Charity registration number: 1179793

Objectives and Activities

SORP
reference
Summary of the
purposes of the
charity as set out in
its governing
document		 Para
1.17		 The objects of the charity are set out in our Constitution and are
summarised as follows:
The promotion of social inclusion amongst those living with
dementia and their carers within Holt and the immediate surrounding
district to a radius of 8 miles, who are socially excluded from society,
or parts of society, as a result of their disability by:
1.Providing support and services appropriate to their needs;
2.Developing greater awareness and understanding of dementia
issues within our local community;
3.Establishing and developing networks and links with other
service providers and businesses to enable us to support and
develop a local dementia friendly community;
4.Providing accessible information on how to access advice,
support and services for people living with dementia and their
carers; and
5.Providing social support and access to activities through the
provision of a dementia-friendly café, home visiting support and
other activities.
Summary of the
main activities in
relation to those
purposes for the
public benefit, in
particular, the
activities, projects or
services identified in
the accounts.		 Para
1.17 and
1.19		 Activities
Holt & District Dementia Support has endeavoured to meet its aims
and objectives throughout 2024-25. The trustees consider these
were directed entirely for the benefit of those living with dementia
and their carers. Services were delivered free of charge except for
the Poppy Lunch Club, where a contribution to the cost of the meal
was requested. Donations were welcomed.
The activities / services delivered to meet these objectives have
included the following:

2

Poppy Café

The organisation provides a drop-in Poppy Café for people living with dementia and their carers. Carers are invited to leave the person living with dementia in the care of the Café volunteers and to enjoy some respite time to themselves. Each session lasts two hours and is staffed by volunteers and managed by a co-ordinator.

During this reporting period the organisation provided a Poppy Café on Tuesday and Friday mornings. The Friday Poppy Café replaced the original Café held on Mondays.

The Poppy Cafés offer –

Poppy Home Visiting Service

The charity also provides a Poppy Home Visiting Service that offers respite for families and carers who look after those with dementia in their own homes.

This service –

Poppy Friends

It was recognised that carers of our clients needed extra support and we could help by linking them with each other. In addition, it was also recognised that bereaved ex-carers had ongoing needs as well as much to offer to new carers in terms of providing advice, sharing anecdotes and offering friendship. This led to the formation of Poppy Friends in May 2021 and the group has met monthly ever since.

Meetings were held on the last Friday of the month initially but some carers were unable to attend due to their caring responsibilities. The Poppy Friends sessions now occur on the third Tuesday of the month and carers are able to leave the person living with dementia at the Poppy Café while they attend the meeting at Loades Hall in Holt.

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It is a safe, informal support group, providing a place where carers and ex-carers can meet, supported by volunteers, to chat, share experiences, laugh, and discuss issues of concern with each other. The intention has been to provide mutual support, including sharing information about available resources, services, and events.

Poppy Lunch

Poppy Lunch commenced on the 2 December 2022 and operates on the first Thursday of every month. Our clients living with dementia and their carers are invited to attend and the meal is provided by another local charitable organisation, Glaven Caring. The meal was initially provided to clients and carers free of charge during the first year but is now provided at the subsidised rate of £7.50 per head for a two-course meal with coffee and tea to follow. Every effort is made to create the feel of a restaurant but in a safe, unhurried atmosphere. Assistance is provided to clients who may need support with eating and all dietary needs are met.

Poppy Exercise

Gentle exercise sessions to promote balance, mobility and muscle strength were commenced on September 5 2022 at the Monday Poppy Café as a pilot initiative. During 2023-24 this was offered as a stand-alone service on a separate day but this proved less attractive to clients than the integrated exercise sessions so exercise has once more returned to being within the Café setting. This service is open to both clients and carers and is regularly provided at the Friday Poppy Café.

Partnership working

The Chair is a member of North Norfolk Dementia Working Group, North Norfolk Mental Health Group and the Older Peoples Working Group, all led by North Norfolk District Council but including representatives from local health and social care services and other voluntary services. Referrals for support are received from the statutory services and voluntary organisations.

The Lead Coordinator for Carers and Networking attends local meetings focused on services that support those living with dementia and their carers. Information is shared by email and at the monthly Poppy Friends meeting. Other voluntary organisations working with families living with dementia, such as the Alzheimer’s Society, AgeUK, Carers Matter and Dementia Adventure liaise with the organisation and provide information and advice.

The Chair of the local authority, North Norfolk District Council, has nominated dementia as her key focus for her year in office and as such has provided opportunities to attend networking opportunities with other voluntary organisations involved in providing services to those living with dementia.

The organisation also has links with the University of East Anglia Research Unit into Dementia and Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust Research Unit and provides information to those living with dementia and their carers on possible participation in current research.

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Public information and advice

Holt & District Dementia Support reaches out to the public to publicise its activities and services to ensure that those needing support are able to access its services. This occurs via its website, posters and leaflets in public places and local publications.

Leaflets on other local and national resources and voluntary groups providing services for this client group are made available at the Poppy Cafés and online.

Members of Holt & District Dementia Support also attend local Community Events to offer information on our services.

Training

The organisation will provide dementia awareness training to local businesses and organisations that request it and opens its in-house training for volunteers to other local organisations that might have either staff members or volunteers who could benefit from the training sessions.

All new volunteers are required to attend ‘Understanding Dementia’ and Adult Safeguarding training as soon as possible after joining the organisation. Additional presentations are arranged for existing volunteers

Performance review

Prior to the Annual General meeting all volunteers and clients are requested to provide feedback on the organisation’s services and approach via a survey, which can be submitted anonymously. The results of these various surveys are analysed and reported at the Annual General Meeting. This year the questions were focused on evaluating service users’ satisfaction with the service provision, determining whether clients, carers and volunteers feel supported and seeking suggestions for future developments.

Additional details of objectives and activities

Website

Holt & District Dementia Support provides a website that provides details of all its services and activities plus contact details for the organisation and other voluntary or statutory services that families living with dementia may need to access. This is kept updated and includes an online copy of the most up to date Newsletter.

Newsletter

The charity provides a regular bi-monthly newsletter. The Newsletter includes articles, details of activities and useful information for clients, carers and volunteers. This is provided electronically to volunteers and clients alike but is also available in hard copy for those not online.

Fund raising

The charity provides services free of charge but welcomes donations. Where applicable the organisation applies for relevant grants either locally or nationally and has benefitted from local organisations and individuals raising money on its behalf.

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Statement
confirming whether
the trustees have
had regard to the
guidance issued by
the Charity
Commission on
public benefit		 Para
1.18		 The trustees have due regard to the requirement to ensure that the
activities of the organisation are directed at ensuring public benefit
in accordance with the guidance issued by the Charity Commission.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

SORP
reference
Policy on grant
making		 Para
1.38		 The charity does not make grants to individuals or other
organisations.
Policy on social
investment including
programme related
investment		 Para
1.38		 The charity does not invest in other social programmes apart from
those provided by the organisation but does have a close working
relationship with Glaven Caring.
Contribution made
by volunteers
Contribution made
by volunteers cont’d		 Para
1.38
Para
1.38		 Volunteers are the lifeblood of the charity and without the interest
and support of our volunteers the charity would not be able to
provide any of its services. They contribute their time, interest and
practical support to ensuring that the charity can offer its services to
clients and carers. They also each contribute the benefit of a wealth
of experience and knowledge that is of inestimable value to the
clients and carers alike.
The organisation constantly looks to recruit new volunteers and from
time to time has an active recruitment campaign. Many new
volunteers come to the organisation by word of mouth while others
are drawn to volunteering by reading articles or leaflets about the
work we do. Over the year nine new volunteers have come forward
and have become active volunteers at the Cafés with one new
volunteer also undertaking Home Visiting. This has allowed the
organisation to continue to provide its services for families living with
dementia.
Other

Achievements and Performance

SORP
reference
Summary of the
main achievements
of the charity,
identifying the
difference the
charity’s work has
made to the
circumstances of its
beneficiaries and		 Para
1.20		 During 2024-25 Holt & District Dementia Support pursued its
charitable aims by responding to all requests for support and
promoting its services to families living with dementia. In so doing, it
met its duty to deliver public benefit.
During the year the organisation has seen the loss of some
longstanding clients due to the inevitable attrition associated with the
disease but since the beginning of 2025 there has been a marked
increase in new families seeking help and support. Overall, the year
began with 39 clients on the register and during the year the
organisation lost 21 clients but also gained 21 new clients so that

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any wider benefits to the number on the register remains at 39. 7 clients died, 6 went into society as a whole. full time care, 5 left the services and 3 were discharged. The organisation’s main achievements during 2024-25 were as follows: Tenth Anniversary

In April 2024 the organisation marked its tenth anniversary since its foundation with a special event to which all volunteers were invited, both past and present. The event was also attended by our initial founding members, our current patron, The Right Honourable Sir Norman Lamb, other representatives of local organisations and past donors. It was a very successful event that enabled the work of the organisation to be acknowledged as well as the contribution of individual supporters and volunteers. A smaller but similar event was then held separately for our current clients and carers. Poppy Café

Following the closure of the Monday Poppy Café in January 2024 the organisation provided only one Café session a week until May, when a second weekly Café commenced on Friday 10 May 2024. The aim of this second session shifted to include specific scheduled activities including baking, exercise sessions, games and crafts. Attendance was small initially but as the year progressed attendance increased. This session remains the one of choice for those clients whose degree of disability means that they require a less stimulating environment. There were 814 client attendances at the two Poppy Cafes with 651 attendances by carers. The Cafes were supported by 528 episodes of volunteering by our volunteers. During both Poppy Cafés, carers were encouraged to leave the client living with dementia at the Café and have some time to themselves. However, an increasing number are choosing to remain as they enjoy the atmosphere and camaraderie that is evident during the Café sessions. Poppy Café has continued to focus on not only providing an opportunity for social interaction, but also aiming to create a therapeutic environment to maintain and where possible, regain functional capacity. During 2024-25 the Cafés have provided a range of activities including games, quizzes, colouring books, flower arranging, baking and occasional craft sessions. The use of an interactive white board has enabled some clients to participate in jigsaws and word searches on the bigger screen and also to enjoy background pictures and music that helps to initiate memories and conversations with volunteers. There are now two music sessions per month including the Singing Café, where client participation is actively encouraged, plus a further session led by a pianist, which involves more modern music. Words for songs are now being displayed on an electronic white board to aid participation.

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During 2024-25 there were also some visits from a local guitarist, Nigel Stewart. Music and singing remains very popular and enables clients who struggle to talk to find a medium to express their feelings and emotions.

Regular monthly visits from our PAT dog, Tilly, remain very popular and help to reach some of those living with dementia who find speech and oral expression difficult.

Major national and cultural events are recognized and celebrated so that clients are to participate along with the wider community.

Poppy Home Visiting Service Poppy Home Visiting continues to provide support and companionship to those who may not be able to attend one of our cafes due to disability, advanced disease or whose carer needs additional support.

At the 31 March 2025 there were 18 clients receiving regular visits, an increase on the same period last year. 11 clients have joined the service with 8 leaving the service as they have been admitted into hospital or care homes, moved to be near family or sadly died.

During the last year one new volunteer has joined the Home Visiting team with one leaving after ten years’ service volunteering as a home visitor. The current number of available volunteers stands at 16 volunteers with an additional 4 resting. Thanks to the commitment of the volunteers, there have been 377 home visits during 2024-25, a slight decrease on last year.

We continue to receive requests for Home Visiting support for clients who live outside our area. There is no equivalent service elsewhere and it is both worrying and frustrating that we are not able to refer people to other providers.

Volunteers continue to provide a wonderful service, giving of their time, care and support on a regular and consistent basis, which is greatly appreciated by all in receipt of their visits. Volunteers aim to provide therapeutic support for clients during their visits by offering reminiscence sessions, singing, painting, going out for walks or coffee, playing games or just sitting and watching television together. Carers appreciate the time they have to themselves, knowing that their loved ones are safe and being well looked after.

Poppy Friends

This is an informal support group, providing a place for carers to meet, chat, share experiences, laugh, and discuss issues of concern with each other. They provide each other with mutual support in a neutral forum, including sharing information on available resources, services and events. We serve refreshments and most importantly offer a warm welcome.

The meetings take place on the third Tuesday of the month at Loades Hall (Holt Methodist Church). Carers can come along knowing that their loved one is being entertained and cared for by volunteers at the Poppy Café. Many of our carers attend regularly and find it helpful to meet up with each other. Average attendance is 8 to 10 carers each month.

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This year we have welcomed regular visits from two advisors from the Alzheimer’s Society, who have offered support and advice to carers on a group and individual basis.

Poppy Lunch

Poppy Lunch commenced in December 2022. It has attracted between 6 and 17 clients and carers each lunch this year. The atmosphere is convivial and everyone is encouraged to enjoy their meal in a relaxed setting and conversation is encouraged. Volunteers serve the meal and clients and carers enjoy their meal as though they are in a restaurant but without any worries about client behaviour. Overall, we served 157 lunches over the year.

At Christmas we had a special Christmas lunch and 28 clients and carers attended with everyone enjoying a very festive occasion.

Poppy Exercise

Poppy Exercise started with only one or two clients and support was provided on a one-to-one basis. Those that took part felt that it helped them with their balance and muscle strength.

Following a grant from Active Norfolk, additional sports equipment was purchased and for a period of six months, a separate Poppy Exercise session was offered on one Friday each month. However, this failed to attract sufficient numbers to make it viable and the Exercise sessions have returned to being offered within one of the Friday Poppy Café sessions where the uptake is better, with both clients and carers taking part.

Poppy Outings

During 2024-25 the organisation arranged an outing to the gardens at Severals Grange in July 2024, by kind invitation of Jane Lister and Brenda Hine.

Afternoon tea was provided and clients and carers were able to explore the lovely gardens. Photographs taken on the day have been used on the interactive white board to initiate conversations during subsequent Poppy Café sessions.

During the Holt Festival in July 2024 the Poppy Cafés were obliged to vacate their usual venue and the Cafés were kindly accommodated in Loades Hall by invitation of Holt Methodist Church. This lasted three weeks and provided a change of scene that was a welcome alternative for clients.

Partnership working

Holt & District Dementia Support has continued to work with other partner organisations to strengthen services for those living with dementia.

The Lead for Carers and Networking has maintained electronic contact with the local Carers Matter voluntary organisation and has passed on information and advice to carers.

Referrals of clients and carers have been received from the Alzheimer’s Society and local health and social care organisations.

9

The organisation has established a fruitful relationship with North Norfolk District Council (NNDC), which has led to the Chair being actively involved in the North Norfolk Dementia Working Group, Mental Health Group and Older Peoples Group. The Chair of NNDC for 2025 has chosen to have dementia as her key focus during the year and is initiating events throughout the year to promote better care and support for families living with dementia. Holt & District Dementia Support is actively participating in this programme.

Close ties have been maintained with the local parish church, Glaven Caring, the Methodist church, all of whom have supported the organisation throughout the year and facilitated opportunities for the families of those living with dementia. Members supported the celebrations to recognise the 50[th ] Anniversary of the founding of The Glaven as a Day Care Unit.

The organisation has reached out to the two local care homes that have opened in Holt and in January 2025 we were asked to officially open the new Memory Care Unit at King’s Court Care Home in Holt.

In September 2024, Amy Colley, who works as a carer with a local care agency, Home Instead, organised a fundraising event at North Walsham focused on dementia care. She subsequently donated the entire sums raised to Holt & District Dementia Support.

Performance review Clients and carers at each of the organisation’s services are issued with a survey questionnaire each year as are all volunteers within the organisation.

The surveys for 2023-24 were circulated in April 2024 and were reported at the Annual General Meeting on the 27 June 2024. The surveys looked at the effectiveness of service provision as well as more detailed analysis of each service. Clients and carers were very positive about all the services although as usual, some clients expressed a wish for more home visiting.

Carers commented on the new provision of a second Café on a Friday and although it was early days when the survey was undertaken, there were favourable comments about possible activities for the Friday session. These were taken up during this last year.

The Poppy Lunch Club was well evaluated by those that attended with helpful suggestions about introducing background music and altering the seating plan.

Poppy Friends was highly valued by those that attended and attendance had increased with the change of day to a Tuesday so that the person living with dementia could be cared for at the Poppy Café and so free the carer to attend.

Volunteers reported that they found it easy to volunteer and felt well supported in their role. Some expressed a desire for more information about the outcome of operational meetings and many provided helpful suggestions about activities and the general running of the Café sessions. These were acted upon in 2024-25.

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Many expressed how much they had enjoyed our ten-year anniversary celebrations.

This year’s questions have been circulated and will be reported at the Annual General Meeting on the 19[th] June 2025. This year the focus is again on whether clients feel that current services are effective and whether volunteers feel supported in their role.

Public information

The organisation has continued to promote the work of the charity where applicable through articles in the local press, involvement in local events to raise awareness of what we do and by distributing leaflets and posters widely throughout the area. The tenth anniversary of the organisation was well publicised in the Eastern Daily Press and other local publications. The website has continued to be updated regularly with information about current services and events. The bimonthly Newsletter is published online and there is access to all previous copies for those new to the site. Updates have also taken place to listings of the organisation on local authority information sites and those of partner organisations such as the Alzheimer’s Society. Education & Training Face-to-face training has taken place during 2024-25 and new volunteers have been provided with the opportunity to attend sessions on Understanding Dementia and Safeguarding Adults. The Chair has provided additional on-site training to staff and volunteers at the Glaven Day Care Centre.

Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:		 Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:		 Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements
against objectives
set		 Para
1.41		 The charity has achieved against all its agreed objectives and
continues to look for ways in which it can both improve and expand
its services to maximise its support for families living with dementia.
It remains focused on raising awareness about the needs and
interests of those living with dementia, sharing information with
partnership organisations and helping to raise the profile of those
living with dementia when new developments are envisaged in the
local community.
The organisation has ensured that communication with families living
with dementia and the public has been assured through the
publication of its Newsletter, website, articles in the local media and
the distribution of leaflets about the charity’s activities.
Holt & District Dementia Support remains a lifeline for many families
and as our annual surveys attest, many families living with dementia
find they are only able to continue to care for their relative due to our
support and the services we provide. We continue to look for
innovative ways to develop and expand our support and to assist
families to live well with the challenge of dementia.

11

In late 2024 the charity was nominated for a King’s Award for
Voluntary Services by a small group of the organisation’s carers.
Over the following few months two deputy lieutenants of the county
attended all our services and spoke to clients, carers and volunteers.
Their report was submitted by March 31 2025 and the organisation
will hear whether the nomination has been successful in November
2025.
Performance of
fundraising activities
against objectives
set		 Para
1.41		 The charity does not set itself any objectives in terms of fundraising
but has been fortunate to receive contributions towards its services
from the continued support of local people, businesses and
individuals who have benefitted from the service. In 2024-25 the
charity received a number of substantial donations, the largest being
£1,735 from an individual donor as well as smaller donations from
many individuals and other supportive organisations.
Investment
performance against
objectives		 Para
1.41		 The charity does not have any objectives in relation to investments.
Other

Financial Review

Review of the
charity’s financial
position at the end of
the period		 Para
1.21		 The cash held either at bank or in hand totalled £30.5k at 31 March
2025. There were no other assets and no outstanding liabilities at
that date.
Statement
explaining the policy
for holding reserves
stating why they are
held		 Para
1.22		 The main financial risk to the charity is reduced donations and the
reserves are held to cover operational costs in the event of a loss of
income, to meet the costs of possible new initiatives and to meet any
unforeseen expenditure that may occur. It is the charity’s policy to
maintain reserves that would cover 24 months expenditure in the
event of a loss of income.Expenditure totalled £12.5k for the year
ended 31 March 2025.
Amount of reserves
held		 Para
1.22		 The reserves held at 31 March 2025 totalled £30.5k.
Reasons for holding
zero reserves		 Para
1.22		 Not applicable
Details of fund
materially in deficit		 Para
1.24		 Not applicable
Explanation of any
uncertainties about
the charity
continuing as a
going concern		 Para
1.23		 Currently there are no uncertainties about the charity continuing as
a going concern.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) Para 1.47

The charity’s principal source of funds is from donations. These come from the clients and carers who use the services, fundraising initiatives by local individuals, organisations, businesses and from bequests. The charity applies for community grants where applicable. During the year donations received totalled £12.2k.

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Investment policy
and objectives
including any social
investment policy
adopted		 Para
1.46		 Not applicable.
A description of the
principal risks
facing the charity		 Para
1.46		 Risk Management
The charity has a proactive approach to risk management. The
Trustees have identified their key risks and have in place a risk
management plan to manage and mitigate the identified risks. This
is monitored regularly and updated as required.
A risk assessment is undertaken if new services are commenced or
outings are considered. These are shared with the volunteers. In
2024-25 the church premises in which the Poppy Cafes take place,
underwent an external fire risk inspection. The subsequent fire risk
assessment report led to a new Fire Prevention policy and written
Evacuation Procedure for the premises. This was incorporated into
the Poppy Cafe’s guidelines.
The Home Visiting Service undertakes a risk assessment on all new
clients and the subsequent risk management plan is made available
to all volunteers visiting the client and this is updated as required.
Specific guidance is available for volunteers at both the Poppy Café
and the Home Visiting service to manage risks associated with the
health and well-being of clients. This guidance is brought to the
attention of all new volunteers with the service as part of the
volunteer’s induction to the organisation. The provision of a cardiac
defibrillator on the premises led to the provision of first aid training.
Poppy Exercise has also been added to the risk register and
mitigations have included training for key volunteers, health
assessment of all participants and guidance for the use of
equipment.
Checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service are undertaken for
all members who exercise positions of responsibility within the
organisation and all those who volunteer as Home Visitors to ensure
protection for our vulnerable clients.
Public liability insurance is in place plus additional accidental cover
for volunteers undertaking duties with the organisation.

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of
charity’s trusts:
Type of governing
document		 Para
1.25		 Holt & District Dementia Support is governed by a Constitution that
was agreed and ratified by the entire membership when the
organisation registered with the Charity Commission in September
2018. In 2021-22 an amendment was made to the Constitution at an
Emergency General meeting held on the 9 December 2021 as
follows:

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•
Trustees to serve for three terms of three years before
compulsorily having to stand down instead of two terms. A
charity trustee who has served for three consecutive terms may
not be reappointed for a fourth consecutive term but may be
reappointed after an interval of at least three years.
How is the charity
constituted?		 Para
1.25		 The organisation is registered as a Charitable Incorporated
Organisation.
Trustee selection
methods including
details of any
constitutional
provisions E.g.
election to post or
name of any
person or body
entitled to appoint
one or more
trustees		 Para
1.25		 Recruitment and appointment of trustees
Trustees are elected by those members that are in attendance at the
Annual General meeting and are drawn from both the membership
and from individuals from outside the organisation but with a proven
interest in the aims of the organisation.
Trustees are proposed and seconded by current members and are
required to indicate their willingness to take on the additional
responsibilities associated with being an officer within the
organisation and the duties and responsibilities associated with
being a trustee prior to the Annual General meeting. Members are
eligible to be considered as trustees based on their personal abilities,
specialist knowledge and skills and commitment to the aims and
objectives of the organisation.
If a trustee vacancy occurs before the Annual General meeting is
due to take place the existing trustees will appoint an interim trustee
to ensure continuity of governance and the appointment will be
subject to a vote of the membership at the next Annual General
meeting.
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:		 Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:		 Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and
procedures
adopted for the
induction and
training of trustees		 Para
1.51		 Induction and training of trustees
On appointment as a trustee, the appointee is provided with an
introduction to the role by an existing trustee and given a copy of the
Constitution and the organisation’s policies and procedures.
In addition, the new trustee is directed to the guidance issued by the
Charity Commission on the duties and responsibilities associated
with being a trustee and the importance of public benefit.
The charity’s
organisational
structure and any
wider network with
which the charity
works		 Para
1.51		 Organisational structure
The charity has a well understood structure that supports good
governance and operational management.
The charity trustees are responsible for exercising responsibility for
the corporate governance of the organisation, setting its strategic
direction and ensuring compliance with both its Constitution and the
requirements of being a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.

14

The operational management of the various services provided by the charity are overseen by the Working Committee, which comprises the trustees plus other appointees and advisors that contribute specific knowledge and expertise.

The trustees and members of the Working Committee receive no remuneration other than payment for incidental expenditure associated with undertaking their role as either committee members or as volunteers. All give of their time freely.

The Working Committee meets six times a year with a separate Trustee committee meeting preceding that of the Working Committee meeting at least twice a year. Otherwise, the meetings are integrated. Each committee has specific terms of reference which ensure that responsibilities, delegation and decision-making is clearly defined and duplication is avoided. Both committees are chaired by the Chair of the organisation to ensure continuity and good communication between both committees.

During 2024-25 two trustees, David Sidgwick and Isobel Horsley, stood down but were re-elected for a further term of office. Elizabeth Brett was appointed as Administrator for the following year.

Volunteers are core to the organisation and are recruited from the general public and specifically for their commitment to the aims and objectives of the organisation in supporting those living with dementia and their carers.

Volunteers are invited to attend a meeting twice a year to ensure that all members have an opportunity to contribute to the direction of the organisation and to discuss issues with the membership of both committees. All members are invited to attend the Annual General meeting. During 2024-25 the Volunteers had an opportunity to attend a Volunteer Lunch before the meeting took place.

In addition to the Constitution, Holt & District Dementia Support has a suite of policies to support good governance including policies on Safeguarding, Recruitment, Data Protection, Risk Management and Lone Working and all members are directed to these policies on joining the charity. This guidance is supplemented by a comprehensive Volunteer Handbook that is issued to all new members. During this year an additional Managing Conflicts of Interest policy was ratified and the Volunteer Handbook was updated and re-printed.

Training is provided to all new volunteers who have been accepted as members through the recruitment process including training on understanding dementia, safeguarding and communication skills. Bespoke training is arranged when needed.

15

H&DDS ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

TRUSTEES

Chair / Lead for Poppy Lunch Deputy Chair/ Lead for Home Visiting Treasurer Lead for Poppy Cafés Volunteer/ Health Professional Volunteer / Home Visitor

THE WORKING COMMITTEE Trustees Lead for Home Visiting Lead for Poppy Cafés Lead for Media / Newsletter Lead for Carers / Networking Home Visitor Volunteer Poppy Café Volunteer

Representatives from associated organisations

MEMBERS

Current volunteers who have completed the recruitment process

Relationship with any related parties

Para

1.51

Relationship with related parties

The charity is the principal voice for those living with dementia in Holt but endeavours to work with other organisations and authorities that are engaged in supporting families living with dementia including the local district council, health authorities, local care homes and local businesses that actively promote dementia-friendly practices.

The charity is also in regular contact with other charities in this field such as Age UK, the Alzheimer’s Society, the Admiral Nursing Service, Dementia Action Alliance, Glaven Caring and Heritage House so that advice, support and service provision is integrated and focused on the needs of the local client group.

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Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name Holt & District Dementia Support
Other name the charity
uses		 None
Registered charity number 1179793
Charity’s principal address 39 Cromer Road
Holt
Norfolk
NR25 6EU

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1
2
3
4
5
6		 Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole
year		 Name of person (or
body) entitled to
appoint trustee (if
any)

Claire Roberts		 Chair/ Lead
Coordinator for
PoppyLunch		 Whole period Membership of
organisation

Eleanor Sidgwick		 Deputy Chair /
Lead Coordinator
for Home Visiting		 Whole period Membership of
organisation
David Sidgwick Treasurer Whole period Membership of
organisation

Isobel Horsley		 Lead Coordinator
for the Poppy
Cafés		 Whole period Membership of
organisation

Stephen Gillam		 Poppy Café &
Home Visiting
Volunteer/ Retired
GP		 Whole period Membership of
organisation
Jocelyn Wiggins Home Visiting
Volunteer		 From AGM Membership of
organisation

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name None

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
None

17

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets held in this None capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of Adviser Name Address
Alzheimer’s Society Russell Simpson russell.simpson@alzheimers.org.uk
Examiner Angela Harcourt Hard Farm, Little Marsh Lane, Field
Dalling, Holt,
NR25 7LL
Bank Barclays Business
Banking		 Online

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Working Committee

Trustees Lead for Communications, Media Relations and Website – Sue Wharfe Administrator – Elizabeth Brett Representatives from: Poppy Café – Maureen Buckey Clients and Carers / Lead for Carers & Networking – Helen Banham

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

All disclosed

Other optional information

18

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:

Signature(s) David Sidgwick Full name(s) Claire Roberts Position (eg Secretary, Chair Treasurer Chair, etc) Date 19 June 2025

19

Holt & District Dementia Support Annual Report 19th June 2025 Registered Charity No. 1179793

20

BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 MARCH 2025
31.03.24 31.03.25
£ £ £ £
ASSETS
Current assets
969 Barclays Community Account 763.03
28,286 Barclays Business Premium Account 9,289.05
0 CCLA Charities Deposit Fund 20,500.30
28 Cash in hand 28.26 30,580.64
£29,283 £30,580.64
FUNDS AND RESERVES
GENERAL FUND
Balance brought forward
Less: Transfer to Risk Reserve
Transfer to Poppy Lunch Fund		 24,500.30
1,000.00		 27,746.18
25,500.30
27,746 Add: Transfer of funds from Grant Fund
Surplus for the year.		 121.11
2,389.09		 2,245.88
2,510.20		 4,756.08
0 RISK RESERVE
Transfer from General Fund
POPPY LUNCH FUND
Balance brought forward
Add: Transfer from General Fund		 1,415.46
1,000.00		 24,500.30
1,416 Less: Deficit for the year 2,415.46
1,091.20		 1,324.26
121 GRANT FUND (EXERCISE)
Balance brought forward
Less: Transfer to General Fund		 121.11
121.11		 0.00
£29,283 £30,580.64
Registered charity number: 1179793

HOLT & DISTRICT DEMENTIA SUPPORT

GENERAL FUND

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

2024
£
4,138
3,786
7,924		 £
RECEIPTS
General income
3,116
Donations at Poppy Café
50
Home Visiting Service donations
559
Gift Aid
15
Sale of disabled toilet keys
4
Sale of spikey ball
349
Deposit account interest
44
Commission from Amazon
1
Sundry income
One-off donations:
0
Blue Sky Leisure
0
Food for thought
0
Campbell Welsh
0
Holt Society
0
Gresham's School
0
Charities Trust for Yorkshire Building Society
0
Tom James
0
Charity Event, North Walsham
0
East of England Co-op
0
Festive Holt
0
Katherine Shepheard
0
Holt W.I.
0
W.I. Noreaster Group
0
Collection Boxes
1,028
Pam's Bridge Tournament
2,000
Holt & District Rotary
261
Charity Quiz Night
497
Other donations
Balances carried forward		 2025
£
£
4,200.94
465.00
304.97
30.00
0.00
753.26
0.00
0.00
5,754.17
172.00
660.00
200.00
100.00
306.15
850.00
100.00
640.00
241.75
350.00
1,735.02
150.00
250.00
191.80
0.00
0.00
0.00
260.36
6,207.08
11,961.25

HOLT & DISTRICT DEMENTIA SUPPORT

GENERAL FUND

RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

2024
£
7,924
1,065
8,989
4,306
1,522
242
2,919		 £
Balances brought forward
Donations in memory of:
0
John Curry
0
Gillian Waters
0
Mary Price
0
Tony Webster
0
Thomas Waits
45
Ann Shreave
1,020
Tony Hilton
PAYMENTS
Poppy Café expenditure
3,268
Meeting room hire
729
Refreshments
16
Crafts, games and books
272
Volunteer's mileage & parking
21
Planters and plants
Home Visiting Service expenditure
Volunteers' mileage
Poppy Friends expenditure
221
Space Hire
21
Refreshments
General expenditure
329
Website costs
422
Insurance
52
General mileage
266
Stamps, Stationery, printer ink and paper
0
DBS checks
56
Gifts
34
AGM costs
362
Meeting costs
69
Training costs
120
Christmas presents clients and carers
1,710
Balances carried forward		 2025
£
£
£
11,961.25
150.00
484.94
169.42
250.00
46.00
0.00
0.00
1,100.36
13,061.61
3,558.50
1,297.13
161.91
360.76
0.00
5,378.30
1,512.85
208.00
6.65
214.65
300.00
421.98
0.00
233.50
180.00
53.26
0.00
503.80
7.38
83.78
1,783.70
7,105.80
13,061.61

HOLT & DISTRICT DEMENTIA SUPPORT

GENERAL FUND

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

2024
£
2,919
2,823
£96
2024
£
190
1,775
£1,585		 2025
£
£
£
£
1,710
Balances brought forward
1,783.70
7,105.80
13,061.61
General expenditure (continued)
400
Leaflets, posters and handbooks
383.75
189
Volunteers' party
0.00
40
Cards
11.89
5
Disabled toilet keys
19.12
59
Card Reader
0.00
30
10th Anniversary invites
0.00
250
Contribution towards Defibrillator
0.00
132
Garden visit
0.00
8
'This is me' booklets
0.00
0
10th Anniversary costs
1,315.19
0
Outing costs
47.07
0
Laminating pouches
6.00
3,566.72
10,672.52
Surplus for the year
£2,389.09
HOLT & DISTRICT DEMENTIA SUPPORT
POPPY LUNCH FUND
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
2025
£
£
RECEIPTS
800.00
Donations towards lunches
PAYMENTS
1,383
Food costs
1,504.50
307
Hire of Parish Hall
360.00
85
Other costs
26.70
1,891.20
Deficit for the year
£1,091.20

HOLT & DISTRICT DEMENTIA SUPPORT

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

I confirm the accounts were presented, ready for examination.

In connection with my examination, no material matter has come to my attention to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed: Angela Harcourt

Address: Hard Farm, Field Dalling, NR25 7LL

Date: 25 May 2025