Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 6 Apr 2022 Period start date To 5 Apr 2023 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 n/a Para 1.38 Policy on grant making n/a Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment
| 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 | •Autism Bucks membership has reached 200 in this reporting year. •Twice-monthly meetings held with members (one by Zoom and the other face-to-face). An opportunity to share their experiences with people in a similar situation to themselves and get advice. •Social events including go-karting, visits to museums, farm visits, boat trips etc. •Provision of Autism Bucks website and social media accounts: oThe website provides a valuable hubof links to autism related material for the members and the wider community. oOur Facebook channel provides ameans for communicating with members and followers with current topics for discussion, news and details of upcoming events. Number of followers has reached 1,200 in this reporting year. oOur YouTube channel provides themeans for us to share our awareness sessions on a variety of autism related topics which collectively have had over 1,800 views this period. •Our Twitter (“X”) channel, operated by one of our members on our behalf has reached 2,485 followers in this period. •Autism Awareness Programme: Six new videos showing interviews with key advocates of Autism have been added to our YouTube channel in this period. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
n/a
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Owing to some unplanned and unexpected donations, the charity’s finances are now in a stronger position than ever before. IT expenditure has reduced considerably now the website development bis being managed by a volunteer. The period’s closing balance was £1,400 better than the opening balance. |
| 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 | £4,000 |
| 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 | Rothschild Foundation - £1,800 Dyers Company - £1,000 Bucks CU Access Event - £300 Talkback-UK - £191 Fred Lawson Lodge - £185 Amazon Smile - £88 Vale Lottery - £131 Aylesbury Xmas Market-£547 |
| 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. |
- 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. n/a Other
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 Para 1.51 and training of trustees The charity’s organisational structure and any wider Para 1.51 network with which the charity works
Relationship with any related Para 1.51 parties Other
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Autism Bucks |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1182603 |
| Charity’s principal address | 50 Somerset Way, Iver, Bucks, SL0 9AF, UK |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole **year ** |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Neil Cary | Chair | |||
| Paula Strawbridge | Secretary | |||
| Paulette Hunn | Treasurer | |||
| Anupkumar Taterao Jadhav |
||||
| Yin Ling Denise Voon |
||||
| Martin Richard Hollett |
||||
| Sue Keating | - Dec 2022 |
|||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets n/a held in this capacity Name and objects of the n/a charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for n/a 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 |
Type of adviser Name Address |
Type of adviser Name Address |
|---|---|---|
| Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) | ||
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
Signature(s) Full name(s) Robert Neil Cary Position (eg Secretary, Chair Chair, etc) Date 7 Oct 2023
Autism Bucks Independent Examiners Report For the Charitable Incorporaled Organisation no. 1182603 registered 22nd March 2019 06 April 2022 - 05 April 2023 Index Activities, Objectives, Trustees Income & Expenditure Balance Sheet Transactions during period Independent Examiner's Report
Activities AUTISM BUCKS aims to raise awareness and provide information of services that may improve community access for those experiencing autism in BUCnghamShire. Objectives: To relieve the needs of people who are on Ihe autistic spectrum, their parents. families and carers in Buckinghamshire in particular bul not exclusively by: 1. The provision and management of a website to provide guidance, support and information to those alfected 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 condttions, in particular among those who work with people who have autistic speclrum conditions. Trustees at 5th April 2023: Neil Cary (Chairperson and Treasurer {pro temll Martin Richard Hollett Paulelte Hunn Anupkumar Taterao Jadhav Paula Strawbridge (Secretary) Yin Ling Denise Voon
Autism Bucks {cio 1182603 registered 22fAJ March 2019, CE016921) Financial period.. 61412022 to 51412023 2022123 2021122 Bank Balan 7.598 6,782 Income Donations 354 FuTKIRaisingPassive Amazon Smile Vale Lottery 89 132 50 131 FundRaisiThJAclive Exterrpl Events March in March Santa Fbal Colthlion 598 324 150 522 1577 1(x) Grants MerchaThJise Sales 1,800 152 25C() 5,252 5.234 Expenditure Gills IrLsurance 40 299 349 ITarKISocialMedia Domain Names Website F*islirvJ Zoom 59 42 72 2534 126 MembeiMeetirwJs Actmties Catering Transport Venues 525 585 475 378 MerchaTrYiseCosts MercharKliseCosts ProlessionalSeMces MLAlimedkq serS Preserrters fees Venues 154 750 710 13 TrainirvJ Trainir¥J 171 78 3,834 4,418 Closing Bank Balance 9,016 7,598 Fund Balances at close LIR Operations RF5 Bucks CC- Awareness Projecl 2 RF6 Rothschil(ts- Member MÈeting% Totsl Balan 6.951 228 1.837 9.016
Autism Bucks (cio 1182603 registered 22r¥J March 2019. CE016921) Financial period.. 61412022 to 51412023 Balance Sheet As al 5th April 2023 05104r2023 Cash at bank and in hand 9,016 Net Current Assets Total Assets 9,016 Represenled by General Funds Restricted Funds 6.951 2,065 Total Funds 9,016 Approved by the Board of Trustees 27 June 2023 and signed on its behalf: (Chair and Treasurer (pro tem)) Neil Cary {Secretaryl Paula Strawbridge
Autism Bucks 2022 12023 Actual Income and Expenditure iJVAy22 ?1 kn22 TW22 22 14 Is?1 rkn) &rkn Faas ?r t AW É 11
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WAIES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl member5 of Aulism Bucks On accounts for the year ended 6th April 2022 to 5" April 2023 Charity no lif any) 1182603 Set out on pages 3,4and5 I report to the trustees on my examination of the a¢counts of the above charity1'1he Trust") for the year ended 0510412023. Responsibilities and b&sis As the charity's ITUStee5, you ponsIble for the preparation of the of report accounts in accordance wilh the requirements of the Charities Aci 2011 I'the Act"). I report in resCl of my examination of the Trust'8 accounts carried out under wtion 145 of the ?01 l Act and in C¢wing out my examination. I have followed all the applicable Ditcclions given by Ihe Charity Commission under section 14.515llb) of the Aci. Independenl I have compleied my examination. I confirm that no materi81 maiters have examiner's stalemenl come io my aiiention in connection with the exatninalion which gives me cau%e io believe that in. any material respect- the accouniing records were not kept in accordance wilh section 130 of ihe Chariiies Aci: or the acci)unls did not accord wilh ihe COUntIng records. or the accounis did not comply with the applicable requirements concernino the fortn and conlcni of ac¢ounis set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) R¢gulalion% 2(N)8 other than any requircmeni thai the account5 giyc a 'lrue and fair, view which is not a mailer considered as part of an indcpendeni examination. I have no concerns and have come across no oiher mailers in connection wilh ihe examination to which attention should be drdwn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of ihe accounts to be reached. Signed: Date.. 121512023 Name: Jonathan Bullock CGMA. ACMA Relevant professional qualififation{s) or b(Mly (if any): Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
Addre5S: 5 W(x)dley Hill Chesham Buckinghamshire HP5 1 SL Section 8 Disclosure Only complete il ihe examiner needs lo highlight material mallers ol concern Isee CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts- directions and guidance lor examiners). Give here brief details or any iteThs that the examiner wishes to disclose. The charity was incortKJrated on 22rvJ March 2019 as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The financial statements for the year ended 5th April 2023 have been prepared on a cash receipvexpenditure basis. My review has included an examination of bank statements and sample invoices received and income receipts for the periLvJ 0610412022 10 0510412023. 1 have also reviewed the grant received from the Rothschild Foundation during this linancial year and am satisfied that the correct accounting treatment has been applied. Please also note. that the activity of webhosting for this financial year under examination was undertaken inhouse. A review was also made of Ihe transactions of April and May after the period end date. The Financial Stslements have been prepared in accordance wilh the guidance issued in the revised Statement ol Recommended Practice lor accounting by Charities, issued in January 2015 (The Charities SORP FRS102").