

## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period** 

**From: Period start date: 01.7.23 To: Period end date: 30.06.24 Charity name: SENSORY SOFT PLAY** 

## **Charity registration number: 1183273** 

## **Objectives and Activities** 

|||
|---|---|
|Summary of the<br>purposes of the<br>charity as set out in its<br>governing document|To help relieve the need of children and their families (primarily but not<br>exclusively) with additional needs, in Hastings and the surrounding<br>areas.|
|Summary of the main<br>activities in relation to<br>those purposes for<br>the public benefit, in<br>particular, the<br>activities, projects or<br>services identified in<br>the accounts.|Through the provision of multi-sensory soft play activities and the<br>running of a support group for parents and carers of children.|
|Statement confirming<br>whether the trustees<br>have had regard to<br>the guidance issued<br>by the Charity<br>Commission on public<br>benefit|N/A|



## **Achievements and Performance** 

||Summary of the main<br>achievements of the<br>charity, identifying the<br>difference the charity’s<br>work has made to the<br>circumstances of its<br>beneficiaries and any<br>wider benefits to<br>society as a whole.|**Activities**<br>Week Days:<br>1. Monday Drop In continued with an average of 10 families<br>attending weekly.<br>2. August 2023 – Trial of Art Club around 4/5 children<br>attended weekly.<br>3. November 2023 – Trial of Baby Group Weds this was hit<br>and miss with a few mums and babies attending.<br>4. December 2023 – Santa Grotto big success – will repeat<br>5. May 2024- Trial Tuesday Sewing Group (Mandie Stone)<br>Weekends<br>Sensory Soft Play continued to run their weekly Saturday<br>sessions (two sessions a week one 9 to 12pm and one 12.30-<br>4.30pm.|
|---|---|---|



1 





||from 1 July 2023-30 June 2024. = 39 sessions. This was funded<br>by a grant supplied by Short Breaks (East Sussex County<br>Council). We also collected attendance fees during this time.<br>The numbers of children increased during this time. 7 new referrals<br>Parents Contributions received averaged<br>£200 a week (10/12<br>children weekly)<br>We also provided HAF Holiday Clubs as follows:<br>July 2023 – Summer Club (5 days) + Funded trip to Blackberry<br>Farm -<br>**SUMMER HAF 2023 - 129 children in total**<br>December 2023 – HAF Christmas Club 62 places+ Trip to Panto<br>41 places<br>**CHRISTMAS HAF 2023 – 103 children in total**<br>April 2024 – 4 days Easter Club – 76 places + Trip to Zoo –33<br>places filled.<br>**EASTER HAF 2024 – 109 children in total**<br>Easter was busy with private bookings at the Centre.<br>May 2024 – funding from Ernest Kleinwort ensured that 6 members<br>of staff completed First Aid Training (Paediatric and Emergency<br>First Aid) over two days.<br>June 2024 – funding from Life More Ordinary provide Parental<br>Workshops with Trust Therapy – a group of 5 parent/carers attened<br>5 sessions and the feedback for this was really good.<br>June 2024 – trialled Teen Group (once a month on a Friday). This<br>didn’t really fly, we will try again in 2025|
|---|---|
||Fund Raising Events:<br>Santa Grotto – December 2023<br>Easter Egg Hunt/Friends of Ore Station – April 2024<br>Sponsored Walk – children’s parent raised a few hundred pounds<br>by doing a Virtual Walk.|
|||



2 





## The Building: 

1. Unfortunately in June 2023 due to the poor weather and lack of maintenance on the roof the ceiling beneath it collapsed. This was a huge problem obviously. We spent many months talking to the landlord regarding insurance and eventually he stated that the Charity had to fulfill all the costs. The PM managed to raise £17,000 and then a further £3,000 to fix the ceiling of the letting room. This took several months and then McShane Roofing were contracted to redo the flat roof including replacing all the £15,690.00 for install. 

Removed flat roof covering approximately 125 meters removed timber boarding beneath and disposed of. Supplied and installed new 18mm OSB boarding to flat roof joists. Supplied and installed new Resitrix (finish colour is black) epdm system to OSB boarding including associated trims etc. The fix started in January 2024 and took 2 weeks. 

2. August 2023 – it was discussed and agreed with the Trustees that we should apply for an extension of the opening hours to extend our session into the evening and in the weekends. There was a lot of local support for this but also many neighbours in the surrounding areas were not in agreement. 

3. February 2024 the planning was heard at the Planning Council and Sensory Soft Play were approved to extend the hours as follows: 

## Funding/Connections: 

1. Barbara Ward Foundation visited in July 2023 to see progress and committed to donating £10,000 over two years. 

2. Linked up with National Literacy Trust 3. Interview and photo shoot with Mile 91/HVA Big Local – article to be published soon. 

3 





Projects 

1. January 2024: Design and Implementation of Sensory Garden, refit of roof and internal works. 

2. February 2024 – Jemma (Out of School SEN team) using space once a week. 

3. March 2024: Linked up with East Sussex Parent Carer Forum 

4. Easter Egg Hunt took place with Friends of Ore Station – Monday 1[st ] April 2024 

Volunteers 

May 2024 – Volunteer Hilde started 

4 





||**Future Plans**<br>1. To increase income via room bookings/private parties.<br>2. Increase Sensory Room Bookings Monday-Friday 9-5pm.<br>3. Home Education Group.<br>4. Toddler Group<br>5. After School Club.<br>6. To invite Occupational Therapists to hire the large studio<br>space.<br>7. To access long-term funding to provide sustainability for<br>the project.<br>8. To continue to network with other organisations.<br>9. To introduce a database and booking system to streamline<br>services.<br>10. To undertake more fund-raising activities – Fun Days etc.<br>11. Access funding for office salaries including Project<br>Worker/Admin<br>12. To use the Centre for more weekend activities – ie<br>birthday parties, etc.<br>13. To source more trustees and volunteers.|**Future Plans**<br>1. To increase income via room bookings/private parties.<br>2. Increase Sensory Room Bookings Monday-Friday 9-5pm.<br>3. Home Education Group.<br>4. Toddler Group<br>5. After School Club.<br>6. To invite Occupational Therapists to hire the large studio<br>space.<br>7. To access long-term funding to provide sustainability for<br>the project.<br>8. To continue to network with other organisations.<br>9. To introduce a database and booking system to streamline<br>services.<br>10. To undertake more fund-raising activities – Fun Days etc.<br>11. Access funding for office salaries including Project<br>Worker/Admin<br>12. To use the Centre for more weekend activities – ie<br>birthday parties, etc.<br>13. To source more trustees and volunteers.|
|---|---|---|
|**GRANTS/DONATIONS**<br>**RECEIVED**|6 July 2023<br>7 July 2023<br>26 Jul 2023<br>18 Aug 2023<br>11 Oct 2023<br>13 Oct 2023<br>15 Nov 2023<br>17 Nov 2023<br>17 Nov 2023<br>22 Nov 2023<br>23 Nov 2023<br>15 Dec 2023<br>12 Jan 2024<br>12 March 2024<br>13 Mar 2024|PCC £500<br>Ernest Kleinwort £4500<br>Barbara Ward Charity - Barbara ward grant<br>- £5,000.00 (cheque)<br>Cheque in £1000<br>HAF Winter Provision - £5,089.50<br>Cheque in £200<br>East Sussex LMO - £1,814.00<br>Ernest Kleinwort - £1,800.00 (roof fund and<br>inside ceiling making good)<br>Charities Trust - £1,000 (roof fix)<br>Crowdfunder (fixing roof) - £699.55<br>£500 cheque in<br>National Lottery Funding - £30,120.00<br>HAF Winter Provision (monitoring)<br>£1,696.50<br>Cheque in £50<br>HAF Easter Provision - £6,255.00|



5 





||16 Apr 2024<br>23 Apr 2024<br>26 Apr 2024<br>30 Apr 2024<br>23 May 2024<br>29 May 2024<br>14 Jun 2024<br>27 Jun 2024<br>T**otal Grants**|HAF Easter Provision (monitoring)<br>£2,085.00<br>Short Breaks Monitoring - £1,000<br>Magdalen and Lasher £1,380<br>ClothWorkers Foundation (roof repairs)<br>£6,800<br>HAF Summer Provision - £12,501.00<br>Tesco Stronger Starts Grant (instore)<br>£1,000.00<br>National Lottery Funding £30,270.00<br>Short Breaks Funding - £9,000.00<br>**£116,130.55**|
|---|---|---|
||Attendance/session<br>Fees|£6,017.71|
||Cash into Bank|07.07.23 £130.00<br>16.08.23 £150.00<br>04.09.23 £100.00<br>12.10.23 £100.00<br>15.10.23 £100.00<br>05.02.24 £ 90.00<br>19.02.24 £110.00<br>12.04.24 £270.00<br>29.05.24 £100.00<br>**TOTAL £1,150.00**|



## **Additional information (optional)** 

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: 

**Other** 


16. 

## **Financial Review** 

||Review of the charity’s<br>financial position at the end<br>of the period|Balance in bank as at 30/06/24:<br>Current Account: £72,869.18<br>Savings Account: £2.94|
|---|---|---|



6 





|Statement explaining the<br>policy for holding reserves<br>stating why they are held|We hold these reserves to keep the charity running for six<br>months to pay our running costs if for any reason the charity<br>closes. It means that our clients can access the service until<br>they have access to an alternative provision.|
|---|---|
|Amount of reserves held|£12,000.00|
|Reasons for holding zero<br>reserves|N/A|
|Details of fund materially in<br>deficit|N/A|
|Explanation of any<br>uncertainties about the<br>charity continuing as a going<br>concern|N/A|
|||
|**Treasurers Report**|Accounts attached.|
|||



## **Structure, Governance and Management** 

|Description of charity’s<br>trusts:|**N/A**|
|---|---|
|Type of governing document<br>(trust deed,royalcharter)|Governance Document|
|How is the charity<br>constituted?<br>(e.g unincorporated<br>association, CIO)|Charitable Incorporated Organisation|
|Trustee selection methods<br>including details of any<br>constitutional provisions e.g.<br>election to post or name of<br>any person or body entitled<br>to appoint one or more<br>trustees|Please see policy attached below.|



7 





## **Reference and Administrative details** 

|Charityname|SENSORY SOFT PLAY|
|---|---|
|Other name the charityuses|N/A|
|Registered charitynumber|1183273|
|Charity’s principal address|168 EDMUND ROAD<br>HASTINGS<br>EAST SUSSEX<br>TN35 5LQ|



**Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** 

|**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for**<br>**whole year**|**Name of**<br>**person (or**<br>**body)**<br>**entitled to**<br>**appoint**<br>**trustee (if**<br>**any)**|
|---|---|---|---|
|<br>Olivia Hurrell||||
|<br>James Lawton||||
|<br>Jamie Henderson||||
|<br>Lisa Henderson||Resigned – Jan 2022||
|<br>Alastair Davey||Resigned – June 2023||
|<br>Julia Hurrell||Aug2020-now||
|<br>Suzanne Horgan||Resigned||



## – 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**||
||||
||||



8 





## **Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others** 

Description of the assets held N/A 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 

## **Declarations** 

**The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.** 

**Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees** 

JAMIE HENDERSON (Treasurer) **Signature(s)** JAMES LAWTON (Chair) OLIVIA HURRELL (Secretary JULIA HURRELL (CHAIR) **Date** 25.02.2025 

9 





## **APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES** 

## **SENSORY SOFT PLAY** 

The charity identifies the need for new trustees. This may be because vacancies have arisen through resignations, or it may be that existing trustees have decided that one or more new trustees with specific skills are needed to help run the charity more effectively. 

The trustees agree what skills, experience and knowledge are needed, and write it down in the form of a short job description and person specification. 

The trustees agree responsibilities and a process for recruitment; in doing this, they take care to comply with any specific requirements set out in the charity’s governing document. Some of the work may be delegated to a sub-group of trustees, but the whole trustee board remains in full control of the process and decisions. 

## **Finding potential trustees** 

The trustees agree what skills, experience and knowledge are needed, and write it down in the form of a short job description and person specification. 

1. consider the best methods of attracting a diverse range of candidates with the skills the charity needs. This may include advertising in the local and/or specialist press and using trustee brokerage services. 

2. These can be recruited through: 

   - Recommendation 

   - Referral from a recruiting organisation 

   - Self-Referral 

   - Advertisement 

3. Short-listing and interviews take place against agreed criteria. Interviews are carried out by a small panel of trustees, and each candidate is asked similar questions to ensure a fair and objective approach. Notes are kept of each interview. 

4. Preferred candidates are identified and invited to join the trustees, subject to references, formal vetting and approval by the full trustee board. Unsuccessful candidates are notified and thanked for their interest. 

## **Vetting potential trustees** 

1. The trustees check that the candidates have not been disqualified from acting as trustees, and candidates are asked to confirm in writing that this is the case. 

2. Candidates are asked to consider and declare any existing or potential conflicts of interest. 

10 





3. If the charity works with children or adults at risk, the trustees seek any appropriate checks from the Disclosure and Barring Service. 

4. In the light of the checks and declarations, the trustees decide to go ahead and formalise the appointment of new trustees. 

## **Making the appointment** 

1. The trustees check the charity’s governing document to ensure that they appoint the new trustees is a proper and legal way. 

2. The Chair of the charity writes to the prospective trustees, setting out their duties and the charity’s expectations of them; they are asked to sign and return a copy of the letter. 

3. An information pack about the charity is sent to new trustees, and a full induction process is arranged. New trustees meet existing trustees and others involved with the charity, such as members of staff, volunteers and beneficiaries. 

4. The new trustees attend their first board meeting and are duly welcomed. All relevant parties, such as funders and the charity’s solicitors and auditors, are notified of the new appointments. 

11 



Company number
CE017403
ChariLqble Incorporated Organisation Chanty No 1183273
Sensory Soft Play
Report and Accounts
30 June 2024
PORTER ASSOCIATES
FI%A*CIAI ACCOUt4lAhlS

Sensory Soft Play
Report and accounts
Cont•nts
Pag•
Company Infonnation
Accountants, report
Profrt and loss ￿Unt
Baknce sheet
Detslled proflt and Ios8 ar￿Unt

Sensory Soft Play
Charity Infomiatlon
A¢countsnts
Porter Associates
92b London Road
BEXHILL-ON-SEA
TN39 3LE
Reglstsr8d offlco
168 Edmund Road
HASTINGS
TN35 5LQ
Company num￿1
CE017403
Charrtablè Incorporatsd (kganisatKJn Ch*ty No 1183273

Sansory Soft Play
A¢countant8' Report
Accountsrrts, report to
Sensory Soft Play
You considerth8tthe company is exemptfrom an 8uditforthe ye8rended 31 June 2024. You have
acknowledged, on the balance sheet. your responsibilities for complying wlth the requiremènts of
the Companies Act 2006 with respectto accounting records 8nd the preparation of accounts. These
responsiblliti88 include pr8p8rlng 8c¢ount8 that give a true end fair view ol the state of aff8lrs of the
¢omp8ny at th8 end of the flnancialyear8nd 01 it8 proflt or1089 forth8 finenci81 year.
In accordance wfrth your Instructions. wa have prepared the accounts which comprisethe Profit and
Loss Account. the BaLan¢e She8t. the Ststam8nt of Changes in EqLFIty and the related notes from
the accounting records ot the company and on the basls of Informatlon and expianatlon8 you nave
given to us.
We have not C8rrled otrt an audlt or any other revlew. and consequenriy we do not expre8$ and
opinion on these accounts.
rA8soclete8
Accountants
92b London Road
BEXHILL-ON-SEA
TN39 3LE
3rd October, 2024

Sensory Soft Play
Profit and Loss Account
for tho year ended 30 June 2024
2024
2023
Tumovor
151.632
123,984
Cost of salgs
(85.473)
{51.038}
Gr086 profft
Admlnistr8tlve expense8
{60,4021
(82,915)
Op•ratlng prollu(lo￿l
5.757
ProfiV(loM) for the fln•n¢l•l y•ar
5.757
9,969

Sensory Soft Play
Company number:
Balanco Sheet
as at 30 Jun• 2024
CE017403
Charitable Inco￿)0rated Organisa'on Charty No 1183273
2024
Fixed auèts
Tangible assets
747
911
911
Curr•nt a•••ts
Debtors
Cash at bank and In hand
505
42.791
43,296
1.332
52,760
c1￿1t0￿. amounts falllng due
wtthln on8 year
(5,581)
122.298)
Not curnnt I￿•18
37.715
31,794
Total a8••t8 IOM currnnt
Ilabllltlo8
38,462
32,705
Cr•dltr•rn: amount• lalllng du•
aft•r morn than on• year
N•t a••ets
32.705
Capftal Ind r•4•rva•
Profil and loss account
32.705
5.757
42,674
19,969)
Shareholdorn. lund•
38.462
32.705
The diroctor18 satlsfled that the compary Is envtled to exemption fquirgmant to obtain an audit
under section 477 of the Companies Act 20CIS.
The members have not required the company to obtsin an in artordance wrth section 476 of the
Act.
The director acknowtedges hfs responsibilrties for comptying y￿th the requirements of the Companies Acl
2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparydbon of accounts.
The accounts have been prepared and delivered in accordance the sFecial prowsions applicable to
companies subject to the small companies regimo. The profft and foss account has not been delNered to
the Registrar of CompanieB.
Lisa Henderson
Approv&d on..

Sen80ry Soft Play
Detslled profft and loss account .
for thè yaar ended 30 Jun8 2024
Th&8 schedule do88 rpot form part of the stattrtory a<￿ints
2024
2023
Incom•
Sales
Donations
Grants
National Lottery grants
Hire charges
14,949
15.918
55.740
60,390
4,635
151.632
14,351
12.0
67.417
30,120
123,984
Cost of sale8
Direct expenses
Dlrect labour
Equipmenl Hire
Other direcl costs
Repalrs and renewals
11,368
43.910
1.642
320
28,233
85.473
11,876
31,015
225
7,922
51.038
Admlnl•tratlvo OXP8IIU8
Premises wsts..
Rent
Rates
Light & Heat
Cleanlng
Use of hom&
50.430
2,715
1,203
1,763
520
56,631
85.600
4.508
8.472
443
520
General adminlstralbve expanses.
Telephone and intsmel
Stationery and Prin￿￿9
Insurance
Equipment expensed
Depreciation
Subscriptions
Motor and travel
Donation5
Sundry expenses
178
1.024
509
168
323
1,531
201
176
309
213
120
120
2.959
Lega5 and profe88ional costs..
Accountancy fees
SofNvare
Advertising and PR
CRB disclosures
Bank charges
Legal fees
322
510
357
37
57
76
70
1,885
2,413
1.015
Net profft
5,757
{9,969)

CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Independent examinerfs report on the
accounts
Section A
Independent Examiner's Report
Report to the trustees
Sensory Soft Play
On accounts for the year
ended
30th June 2024
Charity no
lif any)
1183273
Set out on pages
NIA
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above
chanty for the year ended 30" June, 2024.
Responsibllltle$ and
ba818 of report
As the charty's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the
accounts in accordance wth the requirem8nts of the Charities Act 2011
{Ihe Act.).
I report in respect of my examination of the Sensory Soft Play accounts
carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in ¢arying out my
examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the
Charrty Commission under section 145(5)(b) of th8 Act.
Independent I have completed my examination. l ¢onfinn that no material matters have
examiner's 8tat•ment come to my attention which gtves me Cause lo believ8 that in, any material
respect..
the accounting records ￿re not kept in accordance with section 130
of th8 Chanties Act., or
the accounts did not accord wrth the accounting records,. or
the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements
concerning the fom and content of accounts set out in the Charities
(Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement
that the accounts give a Irue and fair, view which is not a matter
considered as part of an independenl 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
understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Date:
18th October, 2024
Name:
Richard Porter
Rolevant professional
qualification(sl or body
(if any):
FFA. FfA
Address:
Porter Associates
92b London Road. BEXHILL-ON-SEA
TN39 3LE

ction B
Disc105ure
Only complete rfthe examiner needs to highlight material matters of cOn￿M
{see CC32, Independent examination of charty accounts.. directions and
guidance for examiners).
Glve here brlef details of
any items that the
examiner wishes to
dlsGlose.

CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR WAIES
Independent examinerfs report on the
accounts
Section A
Independent Examiner's Report
Charity r4w
Serw Soft ￿aY
On account8 for the yoar
June 2023
Charlty no
(If any)
1183273
8•t out on pag
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Ihe above
harty for the year end&1 30th Jul￿. 2023.
As the ¢hwitys trustees, you are rosFhTh'bte for the weparatK)n of the
accounts in accordance with the requiremonts of the Charities Act 2tll1
(Ihe A￿.
RMpon•lblllllM and
ba818 of report
I report in resped of my examlnth'on of th• PJenw Soft Play accounts
Car￿ out ur¥Jer 8ects.on 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying (Krt my
examination. I havè fotltrAwd all apF4icable Directions gNon by the
Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of Act.
Ind•p•ndont I have comthed my examinatK)n. I confim that no material mattérs have
•xamin•rf8 •tatsmgnt come.lo my attention which gives rne cause to Lylwe that in, any matérial
the accounllng record8 **re not keF4 in accordance wtth aectlon 130
of the Charitie8 Act; or
the accounts did not accor(I with the a¢oyJntlng r•cord•'. or
the accounts dKJ not a)m￿Y wrth the applicabie requKernents
conceming the fomi and content of acco￿18 set out in thé Charitie8
{AC￿Unts and ReForts) Regulation$ 2008 other than any requirement
that the aceount¥ give a Irue and fai¢ vw is not a matter
considered a8 part of an intsFwdent examination.
I have no (a)ncem8 and have cm a(Yo$8 rnattorn in conrnction
with the examlnation to which attontiM should be drawn in thls report in
rKder to enable a wop•r ur#J8r8tsndir¥J of tho accounts to b• [W*￿d.
81gn•d:
N•m•:
Richard Porter
R•l•vant profemlonal
qu•llficatlonl•) or body
{If any):
FFA. FfA
Addr•u.'
Porter A88ociates
92b Road. BExH1LL￿￿EA
TN39 3LE