## **Open House Bedford Trustees’ Annual Report** ## **Year ended 30th September 2024** The trustees present their report and the unaudited accounts of the charity for the year ended 30[th] September, 2024. ## **Registered Charity name: Open House Bedford Charity Registration Number: 1180204 Location of Principal Office:** St Mark’s Church Community Centre Calder Rise Bedford MK41 7UY ## **The Trustees** Mrs Morag Stewart (extended for further 3 years to October 2026) Mrs Lynne Seymour (extended for further 3 years to October 2027 Mrs Laura Farthing, {extended for further 3 years to October 2026) Revd Jennie Cappleman (extended for further 3 years to October 2026) Mr Michael Cooper (extended for further 3 years to October 2026) ## **Structure, Governance and Management,** The charity was registered on 5[th] October 2018, as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and the trustees were appointed for the above terms. There have been no changes to the membership of the Trustees since the last annual report. Michael continues to be the safeguarding lead for Open House. ## **Objectives and Activities** The key objective of Open House Bedford: To provide relief of sickness and the preservation of health of people with Learning Disabilities residing permanently or temporarily in Bedford Borough, by the provision of day centre facilities for learning, social engagement and recreational activities. We do this by: - providing a range of activities and experiences which promote: 1 - independence, dignity, self-confidence and respect for self and others - physical and mental health and wellbeing - - social interaction - providing opportunities to extend knowledge and learn new skills The session continues to run for four hours with a break at midday for everyone to enjoy their packed lunch. The tea/coffee bar is very popular and clients enjoy choosing their drinks and snacks. The format of the session remains largely unchanged with regular activities including our ‘circle of news’, gentle exercise, physical activity, singing and musical activities. We have an excellent group of volunteers with different skills and talents who jointly plan the activities for each session. We continue to attract about 18 clients and 8 carers each week. There has been an increase in the number of wheelchair users attending and the volunteers work hard to ensure the planning caters for the needs of this group of clients. ## **Highlights 2023-24** A few of our activities and themed days during the last year were based around the key sporting events which took place during 2024 including the football Euros, Wimbledon and the Olympics. Clients had an opportunity to improve their kicking and throwing skills during the Euros, their racket skills during Wimbledon and everyone took part in a sports day during the Olympics. The clients continued to enjoy the gardening project and helped to plant Spring flowering bulbs during the Winter and tomato plants and Cosmos in the early Summer. Special themes focused on the ‘Solar System’ where we learned the names of the planets and then created a display with the sun, the planets, stars and space rockets. Another theme was ‘Under the Sea’ where we talked about different types of fish and then made brightly coloured fish and sea creatures for our display. We celebrated St George’s day, did some Scottish country dancing on St Andrews day and made turkeys for Thanksgiving Day and talked about the things we are thankful for. We held a Macmillan coffee morning in October where the group raised £96 from a cake sale and a raffle. In preparation for Christmas, we made cards and decorations and during the last session of 2023, we had our Christmas party where we played games, joined together in singing Christmas carols and had a visit from Father Christmas who had presents for everyone. ## **Financial Review** The unaudited financial statements show net income over expenditure for the year totalling £1,695.53. The charity holds funds of £22,816.12. Of this, £6742.42 is restricted funds for 2 purchasing specific items to support the club and £16,071.70 unrestricted funds to support day to day running costs and activities. £668.71 has been spent on our insurance premium, website and essential expenditure. Fundraising during the year raised £10,000 in grants for which we are very grateful. This additional funding has put us in a much stronger financial position. ## **Future Plans** We continue to run the club with volunteers and this is working very well. However, during holiday periods we would benefit from having a few extra people to call on, so recruiting new volunteers continues to be a priority. This year, we will purchase more sensory equipment to stimulate our more disabled clients, many of whom are non verbal. We also plan to replace some of the display boards which are used regularly to showcase the theme based craft activities produced by the group throughout the year. 3 Charity Registration Number 1180204 Open House Bedford Unaudlted Flnancial Statements Year Ending 30 September 2024 Open House Bedford Balance Sheet for year endtng 3010912024 202312024 202212023 Current Assets . Cash in Hand CAF Bank Account 310.35 22.505.77 22.816.12 190.83 20,929.76 21,120.59 Debtors Loans and prepayments Creditors and provtslons 22,816.12 21,120.59 Represented by Brought forward from previous year Excess of Income over expenditure 21,120.59 1,695.53 22.816.12 14,654.81 6,465.78 21,120.59 Funds of the Charity Restricted Funds Unrestrlcted Funds Total Charity Funds 6.744.42 16,071.70 22,816.12 8,033.91 13,086.68 21,120.59 Independent Examiners Report I have examined the books of the Charity and agree that the Income and Expenditure Account for the year and the Balance Sheet presented above give a true and falr representation of the financia! position Sign MrJ Williams Dated aY.11 . Open House Bedford is a registered chartty number 1180204 Open House Bedford Income and Expenditure Account for year ending 3010912024 202312024 202212023 Income Day Centre Donations 1.427.37 1,235.75 Other Donations Ico. Grants111 7,187.06 10,000.00 Other income 28.99 Total Incoming Resource5 8.774.52 11,264.74 Expendlture Day Centre Service Provider Day Centre Supplies 1,109.83 908.14 Day Centre Room Rental 1.810.96 1.626.24 Activity Items 1.289.49 1.021.91 Fundraising Expenses 2.200.1J) 700.00 Misc Expenses 668.71 542.67 Total Resouros Expended 7.078.99 4,798.96 Income Less Expenditure 1.695.53 6,465.78 8,774.52 11,264.74 Notes Open House Bedford is a registered charity number 1180204