Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2022
Registered Charity No: 1182361
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Board of Trustees:
Dr Jessica Marvin
Ms Laura Scully
Mrs Helen West
Mr Roderick Kippen
Members of Staff:
Ms Katie Charlton - Director
Fionna Allen - Project Coordinator
Registered Address:
WDC Creative
Studio 18
18 Hilton Street
Manchester
M1 1FR
Independent Examiner:
Paul Cowham FCA DChA
Green Fish Resource Centre
46 – 50 Oldham Street
Manchester
M4 1LE
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Statement from Trustees
The managing trustees of Starling confirm that they are satisfied that they have complied with their duty with regards to
ensuring that the Charity has undertaken suitable works for the benefit of the public; as required by the Charity
Commission.
Structure Governance and Management
Governing Document
The organisation operates under the ‘Foundation Model’ and has a written constitution overseen and signed by the
trustees. The organisation is incorporated as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).
Appointment of Trustees
Trustees are appointed by the Board and Founder of the organisation. Trustees must go through a formal interview and
vetting process overseen by the Board and Founder. There will always be a minimum of three board members. Board
members adopt the following Policies and Procedures for induction and training of Trustees:
- Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults
- Equality and Diversity
- Health and Safety
Objectives and Activities
Charitable Objectives
The charity provides services for ‘neurodivergent’ young people aged 13-25 from across Greater Manchester and the
North West of England.
‘Neurodivergent’ refers to individuals who experience differences in the way that their brain functions due to a range of
conditions including Autism, ADHD, Mental Health and Developmental Trauma.
Starling’s objectives to working with neurodivergent young people is as follows:
(a) Advancing in life and helping young people by developing their skills, capacities and capabilities to enable them to
participate in society as independent, mature and responsible individuals;
(b) Advancing education;
(c) Relieving unemployment;
(d) Providing recreational and leisure time activity in the interests of social welfare for people living in the area of benefit
who have need by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disability, poverty or social and economic circumstances with a
view to improving the conditions of life of such persons;
(e) Preserving and protecting the health and wellbeing.
Starling’s activities for neurodivergent young people can include the following:
(a) Recreational activities - e.g. trips and outings, social events, outdoor activities, creative projects, after school clubs
(b) Issue-based workshops - e.g. mental health, healthy relationships, drugs and alcohol awareness, understanding
risk-taking and antisocial behaviour
(c) Peer-mentoring - e.g. 1-2-1 support from peers, befriending, volunteering, drop-in advice and guidance sessions run
by young people
(d) Youth Voice activities - e.g. consultation, group-based advocacy work, campaigns around youth issues, involvement
in youth voice steering groups
(e) Strategic opportunities - e.g. leadership roles within the charity, participation in national and local advisory boards,
representing youth issues at conferences and events
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Staffing
Starling current employ two members of staff, Katie Charlton (FTE 1) and Fionna Inward-Allen (FTE 0.8). Katie Charlton
is the Director of the organisation and is responsible for the overall management of the charity and delivering the
charitable objectives. Fionna Inward-Allen is Project Coordinator and oversees the delivery of our youth participation
projects.
Review of Activities
Youth Projects
From April 2021 to March 2022, we have worked with over 100 neurodivergent young people aged 13-25 across
Greater Manchester by providing weekly creative wellbeing activities both face-to-face and online.
We have continued to embed our presence in Tameside, Trafford and Oldham, and have been able to operate our
projects throughout the pandemic through following guidance from the National Youth Association (www.nya.org).
We have continued to expand and develop our offer of creative activities (visual arts, digital arts and performing arts)
based on the '5 Ways To Wellbeing': Connect, Give, Take Notice, Be Active and Keep Learning. We have worked with a
variety of neurodivergent artists, both established and emerging, and have been able to platform neurodivergent talent
through our work.
Through our monitoring and evaluation systems, we have been able to demonstrate our impact throughout the year.
Many of the young people we work with (we estimate up to 75%) are experiencing poor mental health and an extreme
sense of isolation.
Since starting the projects we have seen 72% of our attendees identify that they have improved their mental health
through taking part. 8 out of 10 young people we work with have identified that they have felt more connected to other
people and have developed new friendships through joining our group. 78% of young people also identified they had
increased their confidence and self-esteem.
Quotes from participants:
‘It helped me get out the house and actually do something as my mental health is really bad. And meeting new people are in the same situation as me really helped me as being there it makes you feel confident and comfortable.’
‘It got me to be social and creative in a different environment.’
‘I liked expressing how I feel and being inspired by being creative.’
‘Talking to new people has improved my confidence and it make starting a new school easier.’
Throughout the pandemic we had adapted our delivery model to support more online work. As we have been able to
deliver face-to-face consistently this year, we have reduced our online work, with only around 20% of our delivery taking
place online. We will still continue to offer online sessions for those young people who are still struggling to attend in-
person activities, but we believe we may phase this element of our programme out next year as young people tell us
that face-to-face work is more impactful.
Neurodiversity Training
In May 2021 we launched our online training offer ‘An Introduction to Neurodiversity’, a 2.5 hour course that aims to
demystify the term ‘neurodiversity’ and provide attendees with practical solutions around becoming more neuro-
inclusive.
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Our training was developed in response to a growing need from both referral partners and young people to raise
awareness around neurodiversity, as this is a subject that is still relatively unknown across the youth and community
sector.
We have had great success with our training provision this year, training over 250 professionals at 20 online training
events, providing our organisation with over £11,000 of unrestricted income. Overall the training has been well received
and we have had many enquiries about providing the training to a wider audience, including commissions from local
Clinical Commissioning Groups in Greater Manchester.
Neurodiversity Champions
Throughout 2021-22 we have been fortunate to connect with 15 neurodivergent lived experience experts who have
been involved with our work through grant funded programmes around youth participation and employability. Our
Neurodiversity Champions group have worked as volunteers to support our organisation with strategy, consultation and
representation of neurodiversity within our work.
The Champions worked on a number of projects this year, including designing an interactive board game that focusses
on neurodiversity awareness and acceptance, that we plan to launch later this year. The group have also been
supported to attend a number of social and cultural events that support their personal and professional development,
including events at The Whitworth Art Gallery and HOME Manchester. We will be working to expand and develop this
group in the coming years and ensure their voices are embedded into our work as we move forward.
Financial Review
Overview
Starling has significantly increased income through the receipt of grants this financial year. All grants received have
been restricted to charitable activities and have covered staffing, operational costs and delivery costs. We have built our
unrestricted income through the provision of our training offer and this surplus has been transferred to our reserves.
Reserves Policy
Our reserves policy is to maintain a level of reserves that trustees believe to be consistent both with ongoing financial
stability, alongside maximum utilisation of resources for the delivery of activities. The level of reserves held by Starling is
monitored and regularly reviewed by the trustees. Certain unrestricted funds are designated for use in the event of any
unforeseen circumstances that could materially affect the ability of Starling to pursue its objectives or fulfil any
contractual obligations. The level of this designated fund is reviewed annually by trustees. Currently Starling holds
reserves of £28,127 which covers approximately 6 months of core running costs. The trustees are aiming to increase
this to 9 month’s core running costs by the end of 2022-23 financial year.
Review of Risks
The Trustee Board oversee the annually reviewed Risk Management Model and review all governance, operational,
financial, environmental and external risk, and law and regulation compliance at quarterly meetings. Current risks are
focussed on financial sustainability, funding opportunities, environmental risk factors due to the Covid-19 pandemic and
uncertainty due to international issues such as the war in Ukraine and Brexit.
Financial sustainability has been reviewed and mitigated through continuing to develop a diversified income through
neurodiversity training and consultancy. This will ensure that the charity builds further reserves of unrestricted income to
ensure the longevity of its work. Grant funding has also been considered with a grant application timetable in place in
order to ensure all projects are able to continue and that work can expand to the demand of our services. As an
organisation we are looking to secure more longer term, substantial funding sources (£25k per grant, for up to 4 years)
so that we can move away from shorter term projects that leave the organisation in an unstable position.
Covid-19 is an ongoing risk factor for all charities. The Starling Board regularly works in collaboration with delivery staff
and the Director to assess the dangers of working directly with individuals in the community. We have robust risk
assessments and escalation/de-escalation of procedures in place, depending on the severity of the virus in the
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community. As we have grown considerably since the beginning of the pandemic, we do not foresee financial
implications if there were to be another lockdown or wave of the pandemic.
Globally, issues arising from the pandemic, Brexit and the war in Ukraine have seen a significant amount of instability,
including rising fuel prices, inflation and political tensions, which may impact the organisation. This could include rising
costs of delivering services, increased inequality and cost-of-living issues. The Board and Staff Team review any issues
arising quarterly and action plans are put in place to mitigate any risks. Despite the uncertainty, Starling is well
supported to overcome any issues that the organisation may face due to the reflective and agile nature of operations.
Plans for the Future
Our future work is focussed on continuing and expanding our offer for the young people we work with. We aim to
continue our participation projects in all four GM boroughs (Tameside, Trafford, Oldham and Manchester) and hope to
increase the number of sessions we provide so that more young people can access our projects.
We are also continuing to develop our ‘Neurodiversity Champion’ group through further opportunities in consultancy,
advocacy and training. This will include mentoring Champions to be able to deliver on our training provision, as well as
supporting us to deliver our creative wellbeing sessions with young people.
Finally, we are continuing to pioneer our training and consultancy work around Neurodiversity Inclusion and
Acceptance, which we will be looking to offer to more corporate organisations in 2022-23.
Signed by Dr Jessica Marvin on behalf of the trustees
01 / 19 / 2023
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Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of
Starling
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Starling (the Trust) for the period ended 31 March 2022.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Paul Cowham FCA DChA Green Fish Resource Centre 46 – 50 Oldham Street Manchester M4 1LE
01 / 20 / 2023
Date …………………….
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Starling
Year ending 31 March 2022
Receipts and Payments Accounts
| Receipts and Payments Accounts | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||
| Unrestricte d funds |
Restricted funds |
Total funds |
Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Total funds | |
| Receipts | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Donations | 385 | - | 385 | 768 | - | 768 |
| Grants | 7,000 | 125,033 | 132,033 | - | 102,667 | 102,667 |
| Fees for charitable service | 11,750 | 11,750 | 500 | - | 500 | |
| Total receipts | 19,135 | 125,033 | 144,168 | 1,268 | 102,667 | 103,935 |
| Payments | ||||||
| Accountancy | - | 500 | 500 | 147 | - | 147 |
| Advertising/promotional | 117 | 750 | 867 | - | - | - |
| Equipment, materials & resourc | - | 5,046 | 5,046 | - | 6,080 | 6,080 |
| General office and admin | 805 | 805 | - | - | - | |
| Printing, stationery & compute | - | 412 | 412 | - | - | - |
| Telephone, postage & internet | - | 491 | 491 | - | 1,415 | 1,415 |
| Insurance | - | 331 | 331 | - | 248 | 248 |
| Professional services | 1,090 | 170 | 1,260 | - | - | - |
| Refreshments | 1,100 | 1,100 | - | - | - | |
| Room hire | - | 5,375 | 5,375 | - | 1,544 | 1,544 |
| Sundry expenses | 43 | - | 43 | - | 483 | 483 |
| Transport/travel | 574 | 5,024 | 5,598 | - | 1,145 | 1,145 |
| Core staff | 44,969 | 44,969 | 2,089 | 15,435 | 17,524 | |
| Freelance/sessional staff | - | 44,644 | 44,644 | - | 27,708 | 27,708 |
| Total payments | 1,824 | 109,617 | 111,441 | 2,236 | 54,058 | 56,294 |
| Net of receipts/(payments) | 17,311 | 15,416 | 32,727 | (968) | 48,609 | 47,641 |
| Transfers | 7,117 | (7,117) | - | - | - | - |
| Cash funds last year end | 3,699 | 55,467 | 59,166 | 4,667 | 6,858 | 11,525 |
| Cash funds this year end | 28,127 | 63,766 | 91,893 | 3,699 | 55,467 | 59,166 |
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Starling
Year ending 31 March 2022
Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | Unrestricte d funds |
Restricted funds |
Total funds |
Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Total funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Cash funds | 1 | 28,127 | 63,766 | 91,893 | 3,699 | 55,467 | 59,166 |
| Assets - ESF project, monies owed | - | 4,669 | 4,669 | 8,201 | 8,201 | ||
| Liabilities | |||||||
| relating to before 31 March | |||||||
| 2021 | 500 | - | 500 | 500 | - | 500 | |
| 27,627 | 68,435 | 96,062 | 3,199 | 55,467 | 58,666 |
Signed on behalf of the trustees:
Dr Jessica Marvin Name Signed 01 / 19 / 2023 Date
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Starling
Year ending 31 March 2022
1 Analysis of restricted funds
| Awards for All Community Wellbeing Fund ESF Forever Manchester Phase 2 GM Wellbeing Fund Government Covid-19 Fund Postcode Trust Robert Estill Social Infrastructure Fund Trafford Housing Trust Young Manchester Youth Music |
Cash as at 31 March 2021 income spend - 9,600 (9,476) - 25,974 (420) (8,201) 19,545 (16,013) 3,427 1,000 (2,756) 1,292 - - 3,295 - (2,773) 17,887 - (16,030) - 24,992 (8,149) 23,094 - (20,937) 3,304 24,952 (10,798) - 7,000 (7,506) 11,369 11,970 (14,759) |
transfers Cash as at 31 March 2022 (124) - - 25,554 - (4,669) (1,671) - (1,292) - (522) - (1,857) - - 16,843 (2,157) - - 17,458 506 - - 8,580 |
|---|---|---|
| 55,467 125,033 (109,617) |
(7,117) 63,766 |
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