# **Annual Report** 2024 - 2025 **Charity number 1182787** ## **Board of Trustees** As part of our commitment to ensuring our leadership is representative of the community we support, we strive for approximately half of our Board of Trustees to be parents or family members of people supported by Stepping Stones DS. Their personal experience brings invaluable understanding of the everyday realities and challenges faced within our community. Alongside this, trustees from outside our immediate network provide important independent perspectives and strategic expertise, helping to strengthen and diversify our thinking. Our Board is made up of individuals with a broad mix of professional experience and specialist skills, enabling balanced, knowledgeable, and effective decision-making. **T h e 2 0 2 4 / 2 5 S t e p p i n g S t o n e s Lived D S B o a r d o f T r u s t e e s experiences Dedication** Chair Diane Walters Vice-Chair Liz Phillipou Treasurer Rebecca Hitch Secretary Tara Dibble Others Rob Barton Rebecca Daly **Professional Skills** Former Trustees Jackie McKenzie (served during Despina Papadimitriou **expertise** the year) Josh McCormack Former Trustees (served during the year) **Address:** SSDS, Sentinel House, Ancells Business Park, Harvest Crescent, Fleet, Hampshire, GU51 2UZ **Website:** www.steppingstonesds.co.uk **Email:** enquiries@steppingstonesds.co.uk **Bank:** Cooperative Bank **Charity number 1182787** @Stepping_Stones_DS @steppingstonesds @Steppingstoneds @steppingstonesds ## **Report summary** ## **Our Key Values** Community Opportunity Independence Inclusion **Huge thank you to all those behind the scenes for helping to make all of this possible for our children and families.** SSDS parent @Stepping_Stones_DS @steppingstonesds @Steppingstoneds @steppingstonesds ## **Report from our Chair and CEO** At Stepping Stones DS, our ethos is that we are a **“family of families”** . This belief shapes every aspect of our charity, from the activities and services we provide to the way our Board of Trustees operates and makes decisions. Families are at the heart of everything we do. ## **Highlights of 2024–2025** Financial year 2024–2025 was an exciting one for Stepping Stones DS, marked by the launch of **Prime Acrobatics** , a new physical activity programme for members aged 6 months to 11 years. These gymnastics-based classes have been specially adapted for children and young people with Down syndrome, with a focus on building strength, coordination and confidence. Children and young people with Down syndrome have historically faced significant barriers to accessing this type of activity. Thanks to the unwavering support of our delivery partner, Prime Acrobatics, funding from Global’s Make Some Noise, and special permission from British Gymnastics, we have been able to offer these classes to our families free of charge. The impact of Prime Acrobatics has been remarkable. We have seen children and young people make progress beyond expectations, including taking their first steps in the gym and confidently tackling apparatus they had previously found too challenging. The weekly classes have also created valuable social opportunities for families, helping parents connect with others who share similar experiences and building strong friendships and support networks. Feedback from members has been overwhelmingly positive. We are delighted that we will be able to continue offering this service for the foreseeable future. Other highlights from the year included our annual **World Down Syndrome Day** celebration and being named **Fleet Carnival’s Charity of the Year 2025** . These events brought SSDS members and their families together to celebrate our community and helped us show the wider local area what being part of SSDS means to our families. We are deeply grateful to the families and community partners who supported us at both events. Charity number 1182787 ## **Report from our Chair and CEO** ## **Organisational Stability and Growth** From an organisational perspective, our priority this year was to maintain a steady course following the significant personnel changes at SSDS at the end of 2023–2024. Consistency and stability were our guiding principles, and Diane and I are incredibly proud of the staff and trustees for working so hard to ensure that these changes did not affect the charity’s services to members. ## **Welcoming New Team Members** In 2024–2025, we welcomed new members to both our staff and trustee teams as we continued to strengthen our services and work towards our long-term strategic aims. We are pleased to welcome Sarah Sutton as our Community Fundraising and Projects Officer, along with Tara Dibble and Rebecca Daly, who joined our Board of Trustees this year. We were also delighted to welcome back Rob Barton to the Board. Thanking Departing Trustees We would also like to thank the trustees who stepped down this year: Jackie McKenzie, Despina Papadimitriou and Josh McCormack. We greatly appreciate everything they contributed to SSDS during their time with us, and they will be very much missed. ## **Looking Ahead** As we reflect on the past year, and on the challenges SSDS faces as a local charity without guaranteed funding, Diane and I remain incredibly proud of the SSDS team and our members. Their tenacity, commitment and dedication have enabled the charity to navigate a difficult financial climate whilst continuing to provide essential services and support. This is a significant achievement in itself, and as we approach our 20th anniversary, Diane and I are committed to ensuring that SSDS will continue to be here for our members well into the future. ## **“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”** **Diane Walters Chair** **Kirsten Williams CEO** Charity number 1182787 ## **A year in figures** Stones DS parents rated our services 4.72 We were pleased to note that our services remain highly rated, with the average rating of our services out of 5 being **4.72** this year. We welcomed 9 **"Thank you so much for the support. It has made a massive difference to our lives." - SSDS parent** new families to Stepping Stones DS We supported 150 families attended our social events 83 throughout the year We supported pupils in both mainstream and special schools **"Socialising and interaction with other families who have an understanding and able to share information about our experiences with our children is fantastic.” - SSDS parent** The mainstream outreach service was rated an average of 4.93 out of 5 by our families. ## **Wellbeing and Family** ## **New Families** This year, we welcomed 9 new families to Stepping Stones DS. We are delighted to expand our community, supporting families with individuals under 25 who have Down syndrome in our region. By providing our services free of charge, we strive to ensure that individuals with Down syndrome, along with their siblings, parents, carers, and professionals, can access the support they need to reach their full potential. This commitment helps promote equality across our community, and we are proud to see our reach and impact continue to grow. **“We have only been members of Stepping Stones for a year, but already feel welcomed and supported by the charity - thank you!“ -SSDS Parent** ## **SSDS Connect** Stepping Stones DS Connect provides a welcoming monthly space for families of children and young people with Down syndrome to come together, connect, share experiences, and access support. Families with both younger and older children are encouraged to attend, helping to build supportive peer relationships and shared learning across different stages of the journey. Through guidance from our Family Advisory Service, families feel more informed, supported, and less isolated. ## **Wellbeing and Family Family Advisory Service** ## **Family Advisory Service** TThe Family Advisory Service, delivered by Vik Ralfs is designed to offer practical and emotional support to our parents, grandparents, and adult siblings of children and young adults with DS. This more formal service sits alongside our informal network of families and is designed to complement the peer support networks that Stepping Stones DS has fostered since day one. **Topics families sought Vik’s advice on included:** **Feeling overwhelmed Finding a new nursery Transition to adulthood Emotional advice School selection Communication** **Occupational therapy Behaviur** **Disability Living Allowance GCSE options** **Transition to college** **Relationships** **Puberty** **Bereavement Power of attorney** **EHCPs** **----- Start of picture text -----**
supported.”
- SSDS parent
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Education:** ## **Early Development Groups** ## **Early Development Groups** This year 24 of our pre-school children attended monthly Early Development Groups. Delivered by LETS Go!, Early Development Groups are designed to empower our children with Down syndrome, providing them with the tools and skills they need to thrive. These groups are one of the first steps in our little ones’ educational journeys - covering a range of key areas including communication, speech, language, reading, memory & play. Groups also provide an opportunity for our parents to form a support network, sharing their experiences, joys and concerns. **"Its great to know the exercises that we need to adapt for our children." - SSDS Parent** |Age range|4 months to 4
years| |---|---| |Number
supported|24| |Frequency|monthly| **"Our son engages well with Tracey and gives ideas to copy at home. Has really helped his communication, thanks." - SSDS Parent** **“The groups have been a brilliant opportunity to meet with other parents in a small group and share openly the highs and lows, whilst also receiving useful tips and advice and reassurance.” - SSDS Parent** ## **Education:** ## **School Outreach** **----- Start of picture text -----**
42 pupils
were supported
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Mainstream Outreach** We fund the provision of support, advice, and evidence-based learning strategies to staff & parents, ensuring schools have the tools to create inclusive environments for children with Down syndrome. Outreach, delivered by the LETS Go! team, empowers teachers and pupils. It serves to foster confidence and equip educators to support children with Down syndrome alongside their typically developing peers. **"Staff really benefited from Stepping Stones DS coming to visit and helping them to improve how to help our daughter in her seeing and development" - SSDS parent** ## **Special School Outreach** The Special School Outreach Service continues to grow in the number of children we support and remains one of our core offerings. Termly visits by Down syndrome expert, Vik Ralfs, have fostered closer relationships between the schools and our community. This service equips teachers with strategies to enhance the learning outcomes and school experiences for children with Down syndrome. **"This service has been essential in helping our daughter to settle in to her new school, after facing some challenges. Her school year may have looked a lot different without Vik's support. We are very grateful." -SSDS Parent** **----- Start of picture text -----**
In Sept we delivered a
training day in supporting
children with Down syndrome
in primary schools.
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Education:** ## **Social Communication Groups** ## **Social Communication Groups** Delivered by LETS Go!, our young adult social communication groups provide a safe, inclusive environment where participants can develop social communication and selfadvocacy skills through engaging and motivating activities. With a strong speech and language focus, sessions help young people build confidence in expressing themselves, understanding effective communication, and supporting others to better understand them. The groups also create valuable opportunities for friendships to grow beyond school while encouraging meaningful social interaction and conversation skills. **"Our son is always keen to go and enjoys talking together about the things he will share in the group, encouraging conversation both at the group and on the way. Great opportunity to mix and make friends.” - SSDS parent** ||||| |---|---|---|---| ||Age range|16 to 24 years|**"This is very important to help with**| ||||**social skills in everyday settings. They**| ||Number supported|34|**cover a large number of topics and learn**
**ways to interact and communicate. There**| ||||**is a nice group of 'peers' and growing**| ||Frequency|fortnightly|**friendships which helps my young person**| ||||**feel involved and part of a group. It helps**| ||||**him to learn these essential life skills in a**| ||||**non threatening environment, and not a**| ||||**college setting or from parents**| ||||**continually instructing what is best!!”**| ||||**- SSDS parent**| ## **Physical Activities:** ## **“Get Moving” programme** Our **"Get Moving" programme** , is designed to support the development of children with Down syndrome through movement-based activities. Our goal is to help improve gross motor skills, strength, and coordination in a fun and supportive environment. ## **Prime Acrobatics** Last year, thanks to grant funding, and partnering with Prime Acrobatics, we were proud to launch and deliver weekly inclusive gymnastics classes tailored specifically for preschool and primary-aged children. These sessions provide a safe space where our children can build physical confidence, enjoy movement, and experience the benefits of structured physical activity, all while having fun and making friends. These sessions have been a huge success. The expertise, care, and dedication shown by the team at Prime Acrobatics has been truly remarkable. Their commitment to learning about the individual needs and communication styles of our children with Down syndrome has been a key part of the programme’s success. The classes have quickly become a highlight of the week for many of our children, and parents have been amazed by the rapid progress, increased confidence, and physical development they’ve seen in such a short time. ## **Physical Activities: “Get Moving” programme** ## **More Than Just Inclusivity for Young Children** Our partnership with Prime Acrobatics has grown into something far greater than the gymnastics classes themselves. We were first introduced to Prime through our charity ambassador, Lloyd, who has Down syndrome and has trained and competed under the coaching of Josie Rice and the Prime team for many years. ## **Congratulations Lloyd** At the same time as launching our inclusive gymnastics classes, Lloyd was also working towards his British Gymnastics ‘Class Helper’ qualification at Prime. As part of his training, he joined Josie and other members of the coaching team in supporting sessions for our younger members, becoming a fantastic role model for the children attending the classes. ## **Physical Activities:** ## **“Get Moving” programme** ## **Secondary+ Age Tennis** The ever popular fortnightly tennis club, run by coach Andy Warry, was attended by 38 young people in Year 7 and above. Classes help our children to build strength, coordination and confidence while having a lot of fun. **"Our son loves being active & being around his peers. The coaches are really friendly and made him feel part of the group." - SSDS parent** ## **Secondary+ Age Dance** **"The staff go above & beyond to ensure every participant gets the most out of the activity to reach their full potential. The classes provide an opportunity to socialise, exercise, have fun, develop coordination and are an important part of our daughter's routine." -SSDS Parent** 40 young people join our fortnightly dance classes for those in Year 7 and above run by Stopgap Dance. Highly popular, these classes encourage creativity and self-expression as well as fitness and coordination. ## **Social Activities** **“We love going to the pantomime and attended the summer picnic for the first time. Always good to connect with other SSDS families who are now friends. Will continue to be good for our son as he gets older and can foster friendships in the DS community. Thank you for running them! :)” -SSDS Parent** ## **Social activities** 150 families registered for this year’s social events, including our annual trip to the pantomime, our Christmas parties, and our summer picnic. 2025 was the introduction of our new spring socials at The challenge centre: softplay for preschool and primary, Laser tag and gaming for secondaru and 16+. Thank you to all the volunteers who help make these events such a huge success. **----- Start of picture text -----**
Summer
Picnic and
Secondary+ at
Camp
Mohawk
The Challenge
Centre Spring
Socials
Secondary &
16+ Christmas
Disco
Pantomime
Mad House
Christmas
Party
“The Summer party was fabulous,
everyone was amazing, we had a lovely day “Great activities for the little ones
and the swimming, icecream and Tombola with Down syndrome, for their
made our day even better. The best part was siblings and for us as a family as we
picnicking with other DS families and getting get to be with other families.”
to know one another.” - SSDS Parent
- SSDS Parent
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Fundraising and Events World Down Syndrome Day Event** Our World Down Syndrome Day 2025 celebration, held on 21 March at the Lismoyne Hotel in Fleet, was a wonderful opportunity to come together and celebrate our community. We were delighted to welcome Stepping Stones DS families, supporters, school staff, healthcare professionals, local councillors and members of the wider community. This year's global theme, "Support Means...", encouraged people to reflect on the different forms of support that help individuals with Down syndrome to thrive, from family and friendships to education, employment and inclusion within the community. We were honoured to welcome the Mayor of Basingstoke and delighted to receive a cheque presentation from Tesco Chineham in recognition of their support for our charity. We were also pleased to welcome our former CEO, Alex Brewer, attending in her new role as our local MP. A highlight of the event was hearing directly from members of our community as they shared their experiences and achievements, demonstrating the positive impact that the right support can have throughout life. Their stories perfectly reflected the theme of the day and the importance of creating opportunities for people with Down syndrome to reach their full potential. **“Well done I am so proud of you all doing the event for Stepping Stones DS about support means.” -SSDS Young Person** ## **Fundraising and Events World Down Syndrome Day Event** In the lead-up to World Down Syndrome Day, we ran a social media campaign exploring what "Support Means..." to our families, young people and supporters. Through these stories, we celebrated the many ways that support helps build confidence, independence and belonging, while raising awareness of the value and contributions of people with Down syndrome in our communities. During the event we also ran our popular 100 Box Raffle fundraiser, with a fantastic selection of prizes generously donated by supporters and local businesses, helping to raise additional funds for the charity. As well as offering Stand Out Socks for donation. For the first time, we expanded our World Down Syndrome Day celebrations beyond our annual gathering, with families taking part in a 5K parkrun at Edenbrook Country Park. Lloyd and Josie proudly joined them, helping to create a fun and inclusive event that brought families and supporters together to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day. As well as raising funds from people running, jogging or walking, volunteers also set up a tombola and bake stall outside Hart Leisure Centre as part of the event. We would like to thank everyone who joined us and helped make our World Down Syndrome Day events so special. ## **Fundraising and Events** ## **Building our Fundraising & Events Team** 2024 marked an important milestone with the creation of our dedicated Fundraising & Events Team. The team consisted of Rebecca Feeney, Fundraising & Events Officer, and Sarah Sutton, Community Officer. Rebecca focused on fundraising and events activity, while Sarah developed community partnerships by engaging with local businesses and schools, delivering assemblies, raising awareness of our work, and creating new fundraising opportunities. The creation of the team has provided a strong foundation for future growth. By combining skills and embracing new ways to engage our community, we have strengthened our fundraising capacity and expanded our network of supporters, volunteers, schools, and local businesses. ## **Key Achievements Sarah Sutton** - Successfully recruited new volunteers and increased supporter engagement through the platform. - Developed new partnerships with local businesses and schools. Delivered popular and well-received school assemblies, helping to raise awareness and inspire fundraising support. ## Rebecca Feeney - Designed and launched a new branded Fundraising Pack, providing supporters with professional resources to help them organise fundraising activities. - Supported the development of fundraising materials and resources used throughout the year. - Played an important role in establishing the foundations of the new fundraising function. ## **Fleet Carnival 2025** ## **Our Charity of the Year Celebration** Being chosen as the Fleet & District Carnival's ‘Charity of the Year’ was a tremendous honour, and the day itself proved to be one of the highlights of our year. The carnival theme was Rio de Janeiro, and we embraced it wholeheartedly. We proudly joined the procession with a vibrant float that captured the colour, energy & excitement of the theme. Thanks to the generosity and support of our charity community, we were able to create a truly memorable display. One of our parents helped source the truck used for the day, with the vehicle and driver kindly provided through their employer. Hay bales, generously loaned by local farms, created seating on the float, while colourful balloons, streamers and tropical inflatables including flamingos and parrots brought the Rio theme to life. Families played a huge part in making the day so special. In the weeks leading up to the event, they designed and created their own carnival masks and headdresses in bright colours, helping to unite us as a group and adding a wonderful sense of fun & creativity to the procession. r Be Some families & members of the team rode on the float dancing, waving and enjoying the atmosphere, while others walked proudly behind. Lloyd delighted spectators with his gymnastics skills along the route, and the upbeat sounds of ‘Jump in the Line’ kept spirits high throughout the parade. **----- Start of picture text -----**
n
n
i
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Fleet Carnival 2025** ## **Our Charity of the Year Celebration** The celebrations continued at the carnival park, where we hosted a fundraising stall decorated for the first time with a striking balloon arch, alongside our charity flag, and fun inflatables. The branded colourful display created a welcoming presence and attracted plenty of visitors throughout the afternoon. We raised £1,500 in stall donations from glitter tattoos, face gems, a fun tombola and Stand Out Socks. The event was an outstanding success from start to finish. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters: £200 donation from Gloster MEP funded the glitter tattoos, face gems, wrist accessories and balloon arch, Tombola prizes were generously donated by local businesses and members of our online community through an Amazon Wishlist. We were also delighted to welcome a stage performance from Prime Acrobatics, while The Challenge Centre hosted a mini golf stall that raised £180 and donated the proceeds to SSDS. As Charity of the Year, we were delighted to be presented with a cheque for £2,000 raised through the Fleet Carnival event. Beyond the fundraising, the day gave us a wonderful opportunity to showcase our charity, celebrate alongside the families we support & connect with the wider community. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make Fleet Carnival such a memorable occasion, particularly the Fleet and District Carnival Committee for their dedication and hard work behind the scenes. Their efforts, together with the support of families, volunteers, local businesses and community members, helped create a day that truly reflected the spirit of our charity. **----- Start of picture text -----**
£2,000
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Lloyd Martin! Becomes First Charity Ambassodor for Stepping Stones DS** ## **Growing, Succeeding, Inspiring.** Lloyd has been part of the Stepping Stones DS family since early childhood, growing through our education programmes, physical activities, and social events. Today, as our charity ambassador, Lloyd is an inspiring role model for other children and young people with Down syndrome, showing what can be achieved with the right support. His journey reflects everything we stand for: support, inclusion, belief, and success. ## **Early Challenges, Unstoppable Spirit** As a young child, Lloyd faced significant health challenges, including hearing difficulties, heart surgery and operations on his legs. Despite this, he has always shown remarkable determination. **His mum, Ceri, says: "Stepping Stones has believed in Lloyd from day one and encouraged him to try everything. With the right support, he's achieved more than we ever imagined."** That resilience has helped Lloyd take on incredible challenges, inspire others and prove that dreams can become reality. . ## Li **ghting The Way** Lloyd and his family continue to inspire everyone around them, creating a legacy full of hope and possibility. His simple message to **“follow your dreams”** reaches anyone trying to overcome challenges. From running marathons and winning gymnastics medals to playing football and even taking the leap with a sky dive, Lloyd shows what is possible with determination, courage, and the right support. Lloyd is a brilliant role model, showing how every child and young person with Down syndrome can reach their potential. Lloyd’s journey reminds us why Stepping Stones DS exists: to support, encourage, and celebrate every step our children take, and we are so proud to stand beside him as he lights the way for others. ## **Thank you!** **With huge thanks to our Grant and Trust supporters** **----- Start of picture text -----**
£750
Unrestricted core funding
supporting general services
£3,000
School Outreach
Programme
2024/25
£10,000
3-year School
Outreach Service
£1,043.54
16+ Communication
Groups
£15,000
2nd Instalment of
“Get Moving” programme
£5,000
Unrestricted
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Thank you!** ## **With huge thanks to our Grant and Trust supporters** **----- Start of picture text -----**
£4,000
Charlotte Bonham-Carter
School Outreach
Charitable Trust
2024/25
£3,000
Outreach, 16+ groups,
Christmas parties,
overheads
Individual £5,000
Family Advisory Service
donation
Barbara Ward £6,000
Charitable Trust Unrestricted Funds
£1,000
Christmas Parties
Bracknell
£2,500
Outreach and
16+ Comms
Groups (Hants)
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Thank you!** **With huge thanks to our Grant and Trust supporters** **£3,000 Early Development, Outreach, 16+ groups, management costs** **£3,000 Core Costs** **£1,812 Social events and Christmas parties** **£3,003 School Outreach (Berkshire)** **£1,000 School Outreach (Basingstoke)** **£2,000 Education services (Outreach & 16+))** ## **Thank you!** **With huge thanks to our Grant and Trust supporters** **£2,500 All services (unrestricted) £7,000 Programme delivery (Year 2 funding) £375 School Outreach £2,345 Christmas parties, tennis & dance programmes** ## **Thank you!** **Thank you to our corporate partners and local businesses for supporting Stepping Stones DS.** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Rosemount Financial Wanner Int The Challenge
Gloster MEP
Services for their £2,000 Centre
£200 Donation.
ongoing support. donation Fleet Carnival £180
**----- End of picture text -----**
Thanks to those who supported us via local and national purchasing schemes including **EasyFundraising, Rushmoor Community Lottery, & Give as you Live.** ## **Thank you!** **The Stepping Stones DS community went above and beyond again this year in their fundraising events.** £300 Donation **----- Start of picture text -----**
£110.39
**----- End of picture text -----**
£1,004.52 Thank you Funtime Dance & Drama for hosting your Christmas grotto and donating the profits to SSDS Engineers Lodge 82 £1,100 donation £80 Donation £305 Donation £900 Friend Donation **Bridley Artisan's Golf Club** £250 Donation ## **Thank you!** **It was wonderful to see lots of friends and families within the Stepping Stones DS community fundraising together** Tracey Nye ran the Great Bruges marathon and raised £1,454.06 £760 Team Brealey scootered the Twilight Runway Challenge Mum Hannah, ran the 10mile Great South Run distance, despite the event being cancelled due to severe weather. Showcasing true commitment and determination. **£1,120** Bodie’s dad, James, and his colleagues ran the Basingstoke Half Marathon. Together raising £1,454.06 ## **Thank you!** **The Stepping Stones DS community continued to help create lots of awareness along side their fundraising efforts** Lloyd ran his second London Marathon with Josie and mum Ceri. He then went on to run the New York Marathon and Great North Run. Raising vital funds for SSDS Creating awareness & support Wide engagement across different media channels. **----- Start of picture text -----**
£2,864.30
**----- End of picture text -----**
Oli celebrated her 5th birthday with a sponsored children’s walk at Frensham Little Pond, raising over £1,900 ## **Thank you!** **The Stepping Stones DS community saw some unique and fun fundraising ideas with support from friends and family.** To celebrate turning 50, Rob walked 50 miles in Mar & Apr raising over Laura & Kim £1,200. th raised over Happy 50 £1,800 birthday Rob! Michel Gillon organised a Group Wellbeing Walk and Talk 333km challenge and raised over £600 **----- Start of picture text -----**
£1,535
**----- End of picture text -----**
Corporate Guildford Team PMC raised £2,105.43 for Stepping Stones Ds, with a team who took on the Unofficial Surrey Three Peaks Challenge ## **Thank you!** **The Stepping Stones DS community created lots of different sports fundraisers and events** Bistro19 in Yateley supported us with two fun filled events. A charity quiz night and a charity musical bingo night. Supported by our families & their local members. Oscar completed the Henley Junior Triathlon & raised £638.75 Thanks to everyone who Thanks to everyone supported. who took part. **7 families fundraised for the event raising over £3,350** ## **Thank you!** **We would also like to thank all the local schools and nurserys who fundraised for us this year:** **Uplands Primary School and Nursery School Fayre £102** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Fundraisers
to support
World
Down
Syndrome
£455
Day
£220
**----- End of picture text -----**
**£361.25** £2,619.35. Crown House Fate, bake sale & other school events. **schools and nurseries** who ## **Thank you!** **Thank you to everyone who helped at our Christmas campaign, and to those who shared their story for our campaign.** Our social media Christmas campaign raised over £2,600 Our Christmas “Giving Tree” campaign raised funds to support children and young people with Down syndrome and their families. Each star represented the opportunities and positive experiences made possible through the generosity of our supporters. Thank you to the 3 families who shared their SSDS journeys and personal stories as part of the campaign. Thank you to sibling Lexie and friend Saajana who raised £70 for the campaign by making bracelets & keyrings and holding a stall for donations for SSDS. ## **Thank you!** ## **Gifts In Kind** **Thank you for being committed in making a difference and supporting our children.** A huge thank you to the incredible team at Stand Out Socks for their generous donation of socks in support of World Down Syndrome Day! They provided another 100 pairs in support of Lloyds London Marathon efforts. A huge thank you to UBC for the provision of our Fleet office space worth £60,000 in the past year. Thank you to the many local businesses donated raffle prizes to support our fundraising events **Thank you** to our volunteers who have: - Written birthday cards to all our children and young adults Coordinated our extra-curricular activities - Provided specialist services free of charge Helped run our events Stepping Stones DS Sentinel House, Harvest Crescent, Fleet, Hampshire, GU52 7ST 01252 417014 www.steppingstonesds.co.uk enquiries@steppingstonesds.co.uk Charity number: 1182787 ## **Financial review** Stepping Stones DS Income was £179.6k (2023/24: £210.8k). The reduction from the previous year was due to less Grants. We are very grateful to have received grant funding during the year from Global Charities, Peter Harrison Foundation, BBC Children in Need, The Barbara Ward Children’s Foundation, Masonic Charitable Trust, The Charlote Bonham-Carter Charitable Trust, The Four Barrows Foundation, Berkshire Community Foundation, Benham Charitable Trust, Shanly Foundation, Farnham Round Table, Gerald Palmer Eling Trust, Groundwork UK, John Lewis PLC, Surrey County Council, Camerom Mckenna. Total expenditure increased from the prior year to £228.6k (2023/24: £160.8k). The increase comes from the introduction of new services including Acrobatics, and increased staffing to support fundraising. Overall, there was a Net Expenditure in the year of £49.0k (2023/24: £50.0k). The deficit this year is due to our increased focus on fundraising. ## Principal Risk and uncertainties Reserves policy Stepping Stones DS reserves policy states that an emergency reserves fund held by the charity should be 3 months of the resources expended based on the next financial year expenditure budget. Stepping Stones DS operates a flexible cost model, at this level the trustees feel that they would be able to continue the current activities of the charity in the event of a significant drop in funding while necessary action is considered to replace such funding or identify the activities that should be changed. Going Concern Our consolidated balance sheet remains strong. The trustees have reviewed the circumstances of Stepping Stones DS and consider that, at the current time, adequate resources continue to be available to fund the activities for the charity for the foreseeable future. The trustees, therefore, take the view that the charity is a going concern. ## **Financial review** Statement of financial activities For the year ended 31 August 2025 ## **Financial review** ## Balance Sheet ## As at 31 August 2025 ## Statement of cash flows For the year ended 31 August 2025 ## **Financial review** ## Notes to the financial statements ## **1.Accounting policies** ## **a) Statutory Information** Stepping Stones DS is a charitable company limited by guarantee and incorporated in England. The registered office address and principal place of business is Sentinel House, Ancells Business Park, Harvest Cres, Fleet GU51 2UZ. ## **b) Basis of Preparation** The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Account and Reporting for 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 (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been presented in Pound Sterling as this is the functional and presentational currency of the charity. ## **c) Public benefit entity** Stepping Stones DS meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. ## **d) Going Concern** The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis and all operations are continuing. The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charities ability to continue as a going concern. ## **e) Income and Interest receivable** Income and Interest receivable are recognised when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity. ## **f) Expenditure** Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal obligation to make payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. CHARITY COMMISSION J FOR E￿)LAND ANO WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Sects'on A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the IJu5tee51 fflember5 of stepping Stones DS On accounts for the year ended 3 1 August 2025 Charity no lif any) 1182787 Set out on pages 3&38 l rnport to iho trustoes on my oxamination of tho •c￿￿n￿ of tha •bovo charty fthe Trusf) lor the year endèd Re5ponsibilitbe5 and ba515 of report A3 the charty5 tru5tee5. you are re5POn5ible foi Ihe prep8rntion of the acuunts in accordanc* wth the requ1￿Ments of the Charrtjes Act 2011 rttbe Acri. l rnport in respecl of my ex8min8lJon of the TfU5t'5 oc¢wnts ¢&￿￿d under secbon 145 of the 2011 Act and in corrying out my ex8min8b"on. I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charty Commissio nder 5eclion 14515Kb) of the Act. Independent I have completed my examinat￿n I confirni that no material matter5 hBve examinefg statement c4Mne to my attention in conneclion with the ex8min8tson which gwes me Use to believe that in. any moteriol respect.. Ihe accounb.ng record5 were rbol kepl in occwdBnce wilh Section 130 of the Ch•rib'e5 Act. or Ihe •ccounts did not accofd with the 8ccounb.ng record5'. or Ihe accounts did not comply wrtih the applicable requirement5 concemiTro the fomi and conlenl of accounts set out in the Chgrili•s {Accounts snd Reports) Regul81ions 2008 other than any rèquiremenl Ih8t the aCC47unts 9ive 8 'true and fair. v•Èw which ￿ rbot a matter considered As p8rt 018n independent examination. I h•ve no concem5 ond h8ve come acr055 no other matters in connection wilh the examin8tK*n to whK* attention should be drBwn in this report in Ofder to efflable a FKop•r urbdorstsnding of the acc<*unts to b• r•achod. . Pleasè dékte thè words in thè rfthey do not apply. Signed: Date: 2 110012020 Name: v￿Or18 Radford Relevant profe55ional qualificationl51 or body (rf any)- FCPFA. MAAT. &¢￿Ibl.PF Address: 7 Orc*ard Mews, I&ogAW. WGkiThg, Surrey. GU212RJ IER Oct 2018 Section B Disclosure Only c4mplete rf the examinei needs to highlyht m8terial matter5 of concèm 15ee CC32. IDdependent ex8rnin8bw of c*arty accounls. th"reclion5 and guidance for exami￿r5). Give here brief details of any itèms that the exarniner wi5he5 to disclose. nla IER Oct 2018