2022-09-30-accounts - Project 21

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1179898

Project 21

Charity Commission Unaudited financial statements Year end 30[th] September 2022

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law , present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30[th] September 2021.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Companies Act 2006 and 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 published in October 2019.

Reference and administrative details

Registered charity name Project 21

Charity registration number

1179898

Principal office and registered office 9 Mannall Walk Kesgrave Ipswich Suffolk IP5 2GF

The trustees

The trustees who served during the year and at the date of approval were as follows:

Colin Adwent (Chairperson) Angela Evans (Treasurer) Robert Munn Gabrielle Neal James Neal Company Robert Munn Secretary

Roy Clements 46 White House Rd Independent Ipswich Suffolk examiner IP1 5NX

Bank

The Cooperative Bank 9-11 Queen St Ipswich Suffolk IP1 1S

-1

Project 21

Registered charity no. 1179898

Financial Review

Year ended 30[th] September 2022

Objectives and activities

The charity’s objective is to promote social inclusion and relief of need for the public benefit among people with Down’s Syndrome (and their families) who are socially excluded on the grounds of their disability, by providing:

information and bespoke activities tailored to support and enable people with Down’s Syndrome (and their families) to maximise socialisation and employment opportunities
raising public awareness of the issues affecting people with Down’s Syndrome both generally and in relation to their social exclusion;
workshops, clubs, events, activities, advocacy and a support network;
recreational facilities and opportunities for people with Down’s Syndrome; and
any other means as the trustees in their discretion shall determine

Project 21 is a community-orientated organisation established in 2018. The first branch opened in Ipswich, Suffolk. Due to recognising the compelling need for this service outside of Suffolk, Project 21 opened two further branches in Colchester, Essex (2019) and Cambridge, Cambridgeshire (2020). The charity is accessed by over 100 people with Down’s Syndrome (and additionally their families) with an all-encompassing age range spanning from babies to elderly.

Alongside providing a resource network, the organisation offers a variety of services for the DS Community across the three counties. These services include both weekday and weekend provisions, a variety of school holiday/half-term activities and residentials. Project 21 works closely with statutory and voluntary organisation partners on projects related to health & wellbeing, education, and employment to empower individuals to achieve their full potential. The charity also organises various cultural and community events throughout the year, such as public performances (both on stage and in communal outside spaces) with the purpose of raising awareness and connecting with society.

Project 21 is now a highly significant support organisation which represents a diverse range of interests, nationalities, and abilities within the DS Community. The charity additionally provides employment and training opportunities to an ever-growing staff team; upskilling many members of the local community and offering both paid and volunteer roles.

In shaping our objectives for the year and planning our activities, the trustees have considered the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. Whilst the charity is helped by grants, fees/charges for some services are inevitable in order to sustain services. The trustees give careful consideration to the accessibility of its activities for those on low income.

Achievements

This year (October 2021- September 2022) provided the charity the opportunity to fully restart activities post pandemic. The world has changed, and our lives look very different to how we imagined they might in 2022. As a charity, we responded to this by slowly and safely reintroducing our events, and therefore expanding our support network again for members and families. Project 21 members were more than ready to reclaim their lives, and we were gradually able to start moving the organisation forward again after a still period,

October 2021- Ed Sheeran dance workshop & trips to Mamma Mia in London

As life regained some sense of normality, the charity restarted our half term and school holiday dance workshop days. We additionally organised two trips to see Mamma Mia in London’s West end for our three branches. Music, dancing and theatre is an integral part of our services, and being able to engage in these activities again was long overdue.

November 2021- Introduction of Starlets classes

Since the charity’s establishment, it has been a concern of ours that families with young ones who have Down’s Syndrome are often left feeling unsupported and uncertain about their child’s future. It is widely documented that the termination rate for babies diagnosed with DS prenatally is a shocking 90% in the UK. This is due to the outdated information passed on to families through healthcare professionals, as well as the entrenched societal view that people with DS (or disabled people in general) can be an expensive burden on society.

Project 21 decided to open classes for babies and children with DS (aged 0 months- 7 years) to offer a safe, welcoming space for these parents and families. Factual, updated information is shared with these groups, as well as parents sharing their own personal experiences with each other.

Starlets classes are free of charge for any child under 3yrs old, and heavily subsidised for those aged 3yrs+. The classes teach through signing and singing; providing a much needed support network for all parents/carers whilst helping their little one’s development. We are beyond proud of Starlets, and to know families feel less alone and better supported is the true ethos of Project 21.

December 2021- The Art of Happiness (Stage performance)

On Saturday 9[th] December 2021, a cast of 35 people with Down’s Syndrome- aged 1254yrs- performed their annual variety show. As the audience members wore masks, the curtains opened for the first time in two years. Performing is an important method of expression and communication for people with DS, so being back on stage after the stricter pandemic restrictions was a magical and welcomed experience.

- February 2022 Valentines themed dance workshop & disco

Love is a hotly debated subject at Project 21, brought to the forefront of our minds around Valentine’s Day! Generally, people with DS enjoy expressing their feelings of

love, and do so in innovative, heartwarming ways. We themed our February half term dance workshop to be love-centric, exploring the different angles of love within music. Our 21 club (over 18s group) requested a Valentine’s Disco this year, which our Senior Support Staff members were happy to organise. Over 50 adults with DS attended, and it was a joyous, moving event with both grand and subtle romantic gestures witnesses throughout the evening.

March 2022- World Down’s Syndrome Day Trafalgar Square fash mob

On Sunday 20[th] March 2022, over 200 people from across the UK met at Trafalgar Square. We performed a large-scale flash mob, celebrating World Down’s Syndrome Day together in an iconic location. People traveled from Birmingham, Dorset, Cornwall and even Ireland to partake in this momentous event; encompassing the values shared by our DS communities. Our annual WDSD event always highlights the need for Project 21. As we raise awareness, more and more people from across the nation express the lack of provision in their own areas (hence their willingness to travel to us). It is deeply saddening, but Project 21 provides as much support as feasibly possible whilst recognising what we offer to our regions is truly unique and special.

- April 2022 Culture Club (Ipswich & Colchester)

The introduction of Culture Club was born from yet another need within the community. As members approach 16yrs old, their options in education become limited. The current offer is to provide 3 days a week provision between the ages of 16 and 25yrs old. Many families and parents are forced to take part-time jobs and care for their young person due to this. It also leaves members feeling unfulfilled and with lack of purpose in their weekly timetables.

Culture Club is a weekday provision running 10am-4pm. It enriches and immerses members within their local community, including local theatre, the arts, and places of historic interest. It combines trips and practical learning, incorporating useful life skills for members to take away with them (such as making healthy lifestyle choices and travel safety). The focus is on having fun whilst learning, providing an additional social opportunity for adults with Down’s Syndrome during the week. Culture Club aids members to grow in confidence and take ownership of their future goals and aspirations.

Also in April 2022

trip to Lion King in London
Invited as the nominated charity for Woodbridge, Suffolk 10k race

May 2022

Alex has a very special invitation from one of our members this month. Freddie Hood, a Project 21 member, achieved Gold award in his recent Duke of Edinburgh expedition. This is a magnificent achievement for anybody, no less for someone with DS and their added physical challenges. Freddie invited Alex as his companion to receive his award at the Buckingham Palace Garden party. The pair met Prince Edward and had a wonderful afternoon celebrating Freddie’s triumphant accomplishment.

- June 2022 Queen Elizabeth II jubilee and royal west end trip!

In honor of Her Majesty’s platinum jubilee, we spent our bank holiday traveling to London to see the royally influenced musical, SIX! Based on the story of Henry VIII’s six wives, the show was the upbeat experience we had hoped for. We saw many celebrations taking place all over the city, and it was a fantastic atmosphere to be part of.

- July 2022 Formula 1 British Grand Prix @ Silverstone race circuit

On Saturday 2[nd] July 2022, Project 21 were invited to perform with 1700 other dancers at the Silverstone F1 Grand Prix. We joined forces with established organisation, ProExcel, who designed and implemented a mass movement dance with the theme of global warming. The experience was hugely inspiring for both the charity and Pro-Excel; raising awareness of Down’s Syndrome to a large audience. Project 21 made history by being the first group of performers with Down’s Syndrome to partake in this event, which is something we are immensely proud of.

July 2022- Residential to Cornwall

As part of an application to the National Lottery Fund, we wanted to take a group of adults with Down’s Syndrome on their first residential together. This opportunity was made possible thanks to the grant being awarded to us. We took 18 people on holiday with friends to Perranporth in Cornwall, supported by 7 Staff members.

This week was nothing short of life changing, and the difference we have seen in members since returning has been immeasurable. All members grew in confidence and independence whilst making unforgettable memories with friends- something many have not had the opportunity to do before.

Going through adulthood with Down’s Syndrome can be a difficult time to navigate, particularly as many crave having the same experiences as their typical peers. This holiday aided our group to have an exhilarating week away (discreetly supported by Staff for their safety), making it as close to a mainstream holiday as possible to achieve.

One of the most moving outcomes of the trip was the affect it had on our usually nonverbal members. We had two members with Down’s Syndrome whose voices we rarely hear, both choosing to communicate using sporadic Makaton signing. Whilst away, these members used words and sentences to express their feelings, indicating they felt happy, relaxed, and supported during their time with us. This was a hugely positive result for the Staff involved, further highlighting the need for these opportunities to be available to disabled young people.

The residential had the secondary benefit of providing families and parents with a week’s respite, safe in the knowledge their child was enjoying themselves and fulfilled. Before we had even returned from the trip, all members were asking to go again! This is evidence enough of its success, and something we will strive to offer more regularly in the future.

- August 2022 Summer activities programme

We hosted our annual Summer activities programme again this year; compromising of overnight catered stays in Essex, dance workshop days in Suffolk and day trips around Cambridge- alongside various other social opportunities for the group to sign up to. Summer can be a difficult time for both members and families, particular with the long breaks from college and school. Project 21 aims to bridge the gap between terms and keep members feeling active and fulfilled during their breaks.

- September 2022 National Down Syndrome Policy Group Westminster call for evidence

Project 21 joined the National Down Syndrome Policy Group in Parliament to gather evidence for the Down Syndrome Act. People with DS spoke humbly and honestly about both good and bad practices they’ve experienced under the four topics of Health, Social care, Housing and Education. It was a moving event which we hope aids the progression of this much needed legislation (Down Syndrome Act).

With thanks

None of the above work would have been possible without the support of National Lottery Community Fund, Suffolk Community Foundation, Henry Smith Charity, Suffolk County Council, Government's Job Retention Scheme, Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner, National Down Syndrome Policy Group, YHA (Youth Hostel Association), Pro-Excel among others. Project 21 would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the support it has received from all its funders, supporters, and well-wishers.

Project 21 Financial Review For The Period Ending 30th September 2022

Financial Review

Notes Forming Part Of The Financial Statements For The Period Ending 30th September 2022

1. Accounting Policies

The principal accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year.

a) Basis Of Accounting

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Depreciation Of fixed assets is calculated on reducing balance at 15%.

b) Fund Accounting

Unrestricted Funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in order to meet

the objectives of the charity.

Designated Funds are unrestricted funds which are earmarked for particular purposes.
Restricted Funds have restrictions placed on their expenditure by the donor.

c) Incoming Resources

All income is included in the financial statements. This consists of fees for various activities, donations and grants.

d) Resources Expended

Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as costs are incurred. The main expenses are staff wages and the costs of undertaking the activities.

2. Accounts Preparation And Independent Examination

The accounts have been independently examined by Roy Clements FICB PM.Dip of Dales Bookkeeping.