Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 5/4/2021 Period start date To 5/4/2022 Period end date
Charity name: Autism Bucks
Charity registration number: 1182603
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | To relieve the needs of people who are on the autistic spectrum, their parents, families and carers in Buckinghamshire: |
| 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 |
1. The provision and management of a website to provide advice, guidance, support and information to those affected by autism 2. Providing support, education and practical advice and recreational and leisure time activities provided in the interest of social welfare, designed to improve their conditions of life and which develop their skills, capacities and capabilities 3. Advancing the education of the public in autistic spectrum conditions, in particular among those who work with people who have autistic spectrum conditions. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | Through its activity the charity aims to make a positive difference for its members and to increase awareness of autism within the community of Buckinghamshire. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | n/a |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | n/a |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Autism Bucks benefits greatly from its committed volunteers who are essential in supporting the trustees in the delivery of our main objectives. Our volunteers provide support for the delivery of the member social groups, in fundraising and in managing some of our social media platforms. |
|---|---|---|
| Other | n/a |
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 any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | Provision of hosted member social groups The end of Covid lockdown has allowed the Charity to restart the bi-monthly face-to- face meetings with its members. Attendance was initially down when compared to the pre-Covid period, but is now increasing following the influx of 60+ new members since Sep 2021. A generous donation from the Rothschild Trust has allowed us to expand the scope of these meetings to include external activities, all free-of-charge to our members. Provision of Autism Bucks website and social media accounts The Autism Bucks has been completely rebuilt and is now more accessible, dynamic and up-to-date. It represents both information directly relevant to membership of our Charity, together with the latest in data about the Autism condition. Our Facebook channel provides a means for communicating with members and followers with current topics for discussion, news and details of upcoming events. Following grown from 915 to 1,092 in this period. Our YouTube channel provides the means for us to share our awareness sessions on a variety of autism related topics which collectively have had over 335 new viewers in this period. Our Twitter channel, operated by one of our members on our behalf has grown from 1,300 to over 2,050 followers this period. |
Raising Autism Awareness
Through this period the charity has received several requests from schools and other organisations to speak to their officers and staff about care for people on the Autism spectrum. Usually a team of one Trustee and one Member will provide this insight, but on occasions the members have carried these out on their own volition.
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | n/a |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | n/a |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | n/a |
| Other | n/a |
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Our financial position at the end of this period remains strong, primarily due to 4 key factors: 1. A reduction in expenditure during the Covid lockdown period as Zoom meetings replaced face-to-face meetings; 2. A substantial drop in the ongoing cost of maintaining the website through a third party when these responsibilities were taken on by one of our trustees; 3. Strong fund-raising activities by our trustees including a stall at the Amersham Xmas Market (raised over £520) and a sponsored walk (raised over £1,500) 4. A generous donation from the Rothschild Trust to be spent on activities for our members (£4,000 in total of which £2000 was received in this period). Further, we have consolidated our Restricted Funds and been granted permission to reallocate money in cases of under-spend. Financial reporting continues with monthly reporting to all. |
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | It is the practice of the charity to hold sufficient reserves to cover operational costs for a minimum of 6 months. |
| This is to provide a level of resilience against the possibility of unforeseen expense, to protect against loss of external sponsorship, and to provide funds to enable us to take advantage of opportunities that might arise. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £2,000 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | n/a |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | n/a |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | n/a |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
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 | Donations: Sponsored Walk 29.9% Xmas Market 10.0% Other 5.8% Vale Lottery 2.4% Round Table 1.9% Collection Tins 1.0% Amazon Smile 1.0% Grants: Rothschild Fund 38.4% Bucks Council 9.6% |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | n/a |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | 1. Loss of the key trustees that are important to our ability to deliver the core charity operation (Chair, Treasurer) and its key operational activities (Member social groups). 2. Loss of main sponsorship funding sources. 3. Loss of support from volunteers. 4. Loss or corruption of IT such as our website. 5. Major hit on reputation for whatever reason. 6. Competition from other autism charities in Buckinghamshire, who might compete for funding, members etc. 7. Competition from larger autism charities in neighbouring counties that are well established and might chose to expand their territory. |
| Other | n/a |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 |
CIO Association model, and currently in the process of adopting the Charity Governance Code for smaller charities. |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Autism Bucks is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) under the association model and registered on 22 March 2019. It is governed by a constitution that establishes its objects and powers and member voting rights. In the event of the CIO being wound up members have no liability. |
| 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 | Candidate Trustees are subject to interview by one, preferably two existing trustees in the first instance and appointment on their recommendation subsequently ratified by vote by all trustees at a board meeting. Applicants are also required to provide two character references. Confirmation of appointment made when the candidate attends their first board meeting. All trustees subject to a current DBS check being established. Appointment to key role such as treasurer or secretary by similar voting process. Board meetings are held at least once a month throughout the year. All trustees invited to stand for a further year at the AGM and these appointments confirmed by vote that includes voting by the members. |
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 | Recruitment policy and procedure established. Trustee on-boarding pack and supporting induction procedure established |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | n/a |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | Partnership with the following bodies • Bucks MIND, • Bucks Museum and Discovery Centre |
-
Community Impact Bucks,
-
• Heart of Bucks,
-
National Autism Society (Aylesbury)
-
• National Paralympic Heritage Trust • NDSA (Neural Diverse Self Advocacy).
Sponsorship from
-
Bucks County Council,
-
• Heart of Bucks, • Waitrose, • Bucks Freemasons, • Amersham Round Table • Rothschild Foundation
-
Other n/a
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Autism Bucks |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1182603 |
| Charity’s principal address | 50 Somerset Way Richings Park Iver, Bucks SLO 9AF |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zita Calkin | Chair & Trustee | 27 Jul 2020 – 27 Sep2021 | |
| 2 | Robert Neil Cary | Trustee(Digital) | 21 Jun 2021 - | |
| 3 | Robert Neil Cary | Chair | 28 Sep2021 - | |
| 4 | Sue Keating | Secretary& Trustee | ||
| 5 | Martin Hollett | Treasurer & Trustee | ||
| 6 | Paulette Hunn | Trustee | ||
| 7 | Paula Strawbridge | Trustee | ||
| 8 | Yin LingDenise Voon | Trustee | 26 Oct 21 - |
Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name n/a
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
|---|---|---|
| n/a |
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
| Description of the assets held in this capacity |
n/a |
|---|---|
| Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects |
n/a |
| Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets |
n/a |
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Type of adviser | Name | Address |
|---|---|---|
| n/a |
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
n/a
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
n/a
Other optional information
n/a
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
----- Start of picture text -----
Signature(s)
Full name(s) Robert Neil Cary Martin Hollett
Position (eg
Secretary, Chair, etc) [Chair (during reporting period) ] Treasurer
Date 12 Sep 2022 13 Sep 2022
----- End of picture text -----
Autism Bucks
Independent Examiners Report For the Charitable Incorporated Organisation no. 1182603 registered 22[nd] March 2019
05 April 2021 – 05 April 2022
Index
| Activities, Objectives, Trustees | 2 |
|---|---|
| Income & Expenditure | 3 |
| Balance Sheet | 4 |
| Transactions during period | 5 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 6 - 7 |
1
Activities
AUTISM BUCKS aims to raise awareness and provide information of services that may improve community access for those experiencing autism in Buckinghamshire.
Objectives:
To relieve the needs of people who are on the autistic spectrum, their parents, families and carers in Buckinghamshire in particular but not exclusively by:
-
The provision and management of a website to provide guidance, support and information to those affected by autism.
-
Providing support, education and practical advice and recreational and leisure time activities provided in the interest of social welfare, designed to improve their conditions of life and which develop their skills, capacities and capabilities.
-
Advancing the education of the public in autistic spectrum conditions, in particular among those who work with people who have autistic spectrum conditions.
Trustees at 5[th] April 2022:
Neil Cary (Chairperson)
Susan Keating (Secretary)
Martin Richard Hollett (Treasurer)
Paulette Hunn
Patricia Strawbridge
Denise Leonard
2
Autism Bucks (CIO 1182603 registered 22[nd] March 2019, CEO16921) Financial period: 5/4/2021 to 5/4/2022
All numbers stated on pages 3, 4 and 5 of this report are in GBP
| Current Year | Previous Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O/Balance at 5/4/2020 | 6,782 | 5,826 | ||
| O/Balance | 6,782 | 5,826 | ||
| Income | 5,234 | 3,339 | ||
| Donations | 354 | 610 | ||
| Grants | 2,500 | 1,230 | ||
| Passive Fundraising | ||||
| Vale Lottery | 131 | 140 | ||
| Amazon Smile | 50 | 24 | ||
| Giving Machine | 29 | |||
| Active Fundraising | ||||
| Waitrose tokens | 1,025 | |||
| Round Table Santa Float | 100 | 0 | ||
| Amersham Xmas Fair | 522 | |||
| March In March | 1,577 | |||
| HR Co refund | 281 | |||
| Expenditure | (4,418) | (2,383) | ||
| Member Social Groups | (228) | (106) | ||
| IT -Website operation | (2,534) | (566) | ||
| IT - Other | (160) | (104) | ||
| Insurance | (349) | (249) | ||
| DBS Check Service | (85) | (58) | ||
| Awareness Programme | (750) | (1,050) | ||
| Marketing | (154) | (250) | ||
| Gifts | (80) | 0 | ||
| Training | (78) | |||
| Grand Total | 7,598 | 6,782 | ||
| Represented by: | ||||
| Prepayments | 895 | |||
| Accruals | (124) | |||
| Balance at Metro Bankat 4/4/2021 | 7,598 | 6,011 | ||
| Fund | Balances at close | Balance | ||
| UR | Operations | 4,248 | ||
| R1 | Heart of Bucks - Operations | 0 | ||
| R2 | Bucks CC - Awareness project | 0 | ||
| R3 | Heart of Bucks - New member groups | 0 | ||
| R4 | Heart of Bucks - Website redevelopment | 0 | ||
| RF5 | Bucks CC - Awareness Project 2 | 1,350 | ||
| RF6 | Rothschilds – Member Meetings | 2,000 | ||
| Total | 7,598 |
Autism Bucks (CIO 1182603 registered 22[nd] March 2019, CEO16921)
3
Financial period: 5/4/2021 to 5/4/2022
Balance Sheet
As at 5[th] April 2022
| Current Assets Cash at bank and in hand Net Current Assets Total Assets Represented by General Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds |
05/04/2022 £ 7,598 7,598 4,248 3,350 7,598 |
|---|---|
Approved by the Board of Trustees 27[th] June 2022 and signed on its behalf
(Chair)
(Treasurer)
4
Autism Bucks 2021 / 2022 Income and Expenditure (cash basis)
| Budget area Month Type Category Opening Bank Balance at 5/4/2021 Donations Apr-21 Income Donations PassiveFundrsg Apr-21 Income Vale Lottery Grant Apr-21 Income Bucks Council Aware’ess Pgm Apr-21 Outgoing Awareness Other Aware’ess Pgm Apr-21 Outgoing Awareness Spkr Donations May-21 Income Member Donation Donations May-21 Income Member Donation PassiveFundrsg May-21 Income Vale Lottery PassiveFundrsg May-21 Income Amazon Smile Aware’ess Pgm May-21 Outgoing Awareness Spkr Aware’ess Pgm May-21 Outgoing Awareness Spkr IT - Website May-21 Outgoing Web development Donations Jun-21 Income Member Donation PassiveFundrsg Jun-21 Income Vale Lottery Donations Jul-21 Income Member Donation ActiveFundrsg Jul-21 Income Am'sham RT Santa PassiveFundrsg Jul-21 Income Vale Lottery IT - Website Jul-21 Outgoing Web development Insurance Jul-21 Outgoing PLI Policy renewal Member Mtgs Jul-21 Outgoing Refreshments Gifts Jul-21 Outgoing Gift IT Other Jul-21 Outgoing Zoom Donations Aug-21 Income Member Donation PassiveFundrsg Aug-21 Income Vale Lottery PassiveFundrsg Aug-21 Income Amazon Smile Donations Sep-21 Income Member Donation PassiveFundrsg Sep-21 Income Vale Lottery Grant Sep-21 Income Bucks Council IT - Website Sep-21 Outgoing Domain name t'fer IT - Website Sep-21 Outgoing Website set up Donations Oct-21 Income Member Donation PassiveFundrsg Oct-21 Income Vale Lottery DBS Svce Oct-21 Outgoing Account top up Donations Nov-21 Income Member Donation PassiveFundrsg Nov-21 Income Vale Lottery Donations Nov-21 Income Mad Money Machine Donations Dec-21 Income Member Donation PassiveFundrsg Dec-21 Income Vale Lottery ActiveFundrsg Dec-21 Income Am'sham Xmas Fair ActiveFundrsg Dec-21 Income Am'sham Xmas Fair PassiveFundrsg Dec-21 Income Amazon Smile Marketing Dec-21 Outgoing Materials Marketing Dec-21 Outgoing Materials Donations Jan-22 Income Member Donation PassiveFundrsg Jan-22 Income Vale Lottery Donations Jan-22 Income Member Donation Donations Feb-22 Income Member Donation ActiveFundrsg Feb-22 Income March In March PassiveFundrsg Feb-22 Income Vale Lottery PassiveFundrsg Feb-22 Income Amazon Smile ActiveFundrsg Feb-22 Income Just Giving Training Feb-22 Outgoing NAS Conference Donations Mar-22 Income Member Donation ActiveFundrsg Mar-22 Income March In March PassiveFundrsg Mar-22 Income Vale Lottery ActiveFundrsg Mar-22 Income March In March ActiveFundrsg Mar-22 Income March In March ActiveFundrsg Mar-22 Income March In March ActiveFundrsg Mar-22 Income March In March ActiveFundrsg Mar-22 Income March In March ActiveFundrsg Mar-22 Income March In March ActiveFundrsg Mar-22 Income March In March Grant Mar-22 Income Grant Member Mtgs Mar-22 Outgoing Member mtgs Member Mtgs Mar-22 Outgoing Member mtgs DBS Svce Mar-22 Outgoing DBS Check Svce DBS Svce Mar-22 Outgoing DBS Check Svce Marketing Mar-22 Outgoing Marketing DBS Svce Mar-22 Outgoing DBS Check Svce ActiveFundrsg Apr-22 Income March In March ActiveFundrsg Apr-22 Income March In March PassiveFundrsg Apr-22 Income Vale Lottery ActiveFundrsg Apr-22 Income March In March Bank Balance at 5/4/2022 |
Income / Exp Date Descriptive Fund 6,011.08 10.00 06/04/2021 Member Donation UR 12.50 07/04/2021 Vale Lottery UR 250.00 30/04/2021 Bucks Council Prevention Grant RF5 (124.14) 05/04/2021 Poster campaign expenses RF2 (300.00) 15/04/2021 Alexander Manners Inv 0126 RF2 10.00 04/05/2021 Member Donation UR 120.87 10/05/2021 GoFundMe UR 10.00 11/05/2021 Vale Lottery UR 5.99 24/05/2021 Amazon Europe Core UR (200.00) 14/05/2021 Mr D Milton, INV Bucks RF2 (250.00) 14/05/2021 Mr D Beadle INV DBAutismBucks21 RF2 (825.00) 21/05/2021 Westfourstreet INV 1014 UR 10.00 03/06/2021 Member Donation UR 12.50 11/06/2021 Vale Lottery UR 10.00 05/07/2021 Member Donation UR 100.00 05/07/2021 Amersham Round Table Santa UR 10.00 09/07/2021 Vale Lottery UR (825.00) 02/07/2021 Westfourstreet INV 1014 / 1017 RF4 (298.56) 15/07/2021 Insurance AU19091 UR (34.00) 20/07/2021 Meeting Refreshments Exp P Hunn RF3 (80.00) 20/07/2021 Simon Stiel Award Exp P Hunn UR (125.94) 20/07/2021 Zoom and Charity Digital Exp P Hunn UR 10.00 03/08/2021 Member Donation UR 10.00 03/08/2021 Vale Lottery UR 10.63 17/08/2021 Amazon Smile UR 10.00 03/09/2021 Member Donation UR 12.50 07/09/2021 Vale Lottery UR 250.00 10/09/2021 Payment 2 of 2 AB invoice 2103 R5 (19.19) 22/09/2021 Hosting UK Inv 1170919 R4 (74.99) 22/09/2021 Hosting UK Inv 1168635 R4 10.00 04/10/2021 Member Donation UR 10.00 05/10/2021 Vale Lottery UR (30.00) 11/10/2021 via M Hollett UR 10.00 03/11/2021 Member Donation UR 9.00 02/11/2021 Vale Lottery UR 54.64 29/11/2021 Mad Money Machine UR 10.00 03/12/2021 Member Donation UR 10.00 07/12/2021 Vale Lottery UR 1.54 07/12/2021 Am'sham Xmas Fair UR 520.00 07/12/2021 Am'sham Xmas Fair UR 11.24 13/12/2021 Amazon Smile UR (37.80) 07/12/2021 Mktg - Printing flyers, Invoice ABS UR (5.15) 07/12/2021 Mktg - Flyer rack Amazon Invoice UR 10.00 04/01/2022 Member Donation UR 8.00 11/01/2022 Vale Lottery UR 48.53 15/01/2022 Cash donation UR 10.00 03/02/2022 Member Donation UR 53.15 07/02/2022 Just Giving UR 10.00 09/02/2022 Vale Lottery UR 22.54 23/02/2022 Amazon Smile UR 9.61 28/02/2022 Just Giving UR (78.00) 15/02/2022 Invoice 220463185 UR 10.00 03/03/2022 Member Donation UR 116.72 14/03/2022 Just Giving UR 8.00 15/03/2022 Vale Lottery UR 19.17 21/03/2022 GoFundMe UR 53.15 21/03/2022 Just Giving UR 77.43 22/03/2022 GoFundMe UR 9.46 23/03/2022 GoFundMe UR 19.17 24/03/2022 GoFundMe UR 48.30 25/03/2022 GoFundMe UR 236.61 28/03/2022 Just Giving UR 2,000.00 31/03/2022 Rothschilds Grant RF6 (189.90) 24/03/2022 AB Exp Rogue Leisure (Inv MS Lens) UR (4.50) 24/03/2022 Aylesbury Taxi (Inv rec) UR (6.00) 28/03/2022 Ucheck Inv 1788294 UR (21.60) 28/03/2022 Ucheck Top up UR (111.30) 28/03/2022 Cressex Embroidery Ltd UR (6.00) 28/03/2022 Ucheck Inv 1788294 top up UR 10.00 04/04/2022 Member Donation UR 914.66 04/04/2022 Just Giving UR 8.00 05/04/2022 Vale Lottery UR 20.00 05/04/2022 Cash donation UR 7,597.92 |
|---|---|
5
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ Autism Bucks members of
On accounts for the year 5[th] April 2020 to 5[th] April 2021 Charity 1182603 ended no (if any) Set out on pages 3, 4 and 5
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 05/04/2022.
Responsibilities and basis As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the of report 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 I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below *) which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
-
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
-
the accounts did 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.
- Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.
Signed: Date: 26/6/2022 Name: Jonathan Bullock CGMA, ACMA Relevant professional Chartered Institute of Management Accountants qualification(s) or body (if any):
6
Address: 5 Woodley Hill Chesham Buckinghamshire HP5 1SL
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the The charity was incorporated on 22[nd] March 2019 as a Charitable examiner wishes to Incorporated Organisation (CIO) disclose . My review has included an examination of bank statements and sample invoices received and income receipts for the period 05/04/2021 to 05/04/2022. I have also reviewed the grants received from Bucks County Council and the Rothschild Foundation during this financial year and am satisfied that the correct accounting treatment has been applied. A review was also made of the transactions of the immediate two months after the period end date. The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the guidance issued in the revised Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting by Charities, issued in January 2015 (“The Charities SORP FRS102”). The accounts have been prepared on a cash basis this year (reversal of prior year accruals and prepayments are included). I am satisfied these accounts are an accurate representation of the activities of the charity
7