RIVERSIDE PARENTS & CARERS ASSOCIATION
Registration Number: 1184485
ANNUAL REPORT July 2023 – June 2024
Who are we?
The Riverside Parents & Carers Association (RPCA) is a CIO, charity providing free services for children under the age of 5 years old and their families in the London Borough of Southwark.
Registration Number: 1184485 Our aims are:
To provide free regular soft play sessions for under 5s and their parents/carers. We want to keep our sessions free and open to all local families from any social background.
To encourage low-income and economically deprived families to engage in a community activity and have access to help and assistance from other services offered by the London Borough of Southwark where necessary.
For all families to keep engaging and attending our sessions to receive support from their peers, our staff and other professional experts in child development in order to help identify families with additional need that we may be able to support and/or refer.
Our staff members provide a safe, stimulating environment for our families to play, learn and develop and a great platform for parents to meet other parents. Staff members are fully trained to safeguard all children attending our sessions and to help our local families, their babies and young children to achieve the best start in life.
Sessions are held at Salmon Youth Centre, 43 Old Jamaica Road SE16 4TE
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How we operate?
We currently have 3 Trustees, who meet regularly typically on a monthly basis along with our Operations Manager.
We regularly advertise and promote the need for additional volunteers and committee members. We are actively looking to add Trustees to our board, most likely actioned post Covid.
Any Trustee / Committee member must declare any relevant personal interest.
Address: Tayler Bradshaw Accountants 16 High Street SAFFRON WALDEN CB10 1AX
Phone: 07538726555 Email: info@riversidesoftplay.co.uk Website: www.riversidesoftplay.co.uk
Trustees
Linda Hudson Flat 2, Haredale House, East Lane, London SE16 4UZ Nathan John 16, Gomm Rd, London SE16 2TX Roger O'Sullivan 1 Falkland Place, London NW5 2PN
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Finance
Finance
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a) The Trustees provide oversite for the Operational activities and Finances obligations of the Charity
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b) All payments made from the account must be reviewed/ approved in the committee meetings by at least two members
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c) Annual independently examined accounts shall be provided as part of our obligations to submit to the Charity Commission
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d) All funds shall be lodged in the Riverside Parents and Carers bank account, with secure access to trustees/ Treasurers only
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e) The income for the organisation shall be applied solely towards the objectives and aims of the organisation as set out above.
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Trustee Statement
Our primary objective is to provide a well-organised and committed soft-play and development service for children aged 0-5, ensuring a safe, engaging, and inclusive environment for early childhood growth.
Over the past year, we have remained dedicated to delivering high-quality sessions that support children's physical, social, and cognitive development while fostering a strong sense of community for families.
Key achievements include:
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Delivering structured play and development sessions that encourage learning through play.
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Ensuring a safe, welcoming, and stimulating environment for young children and their carers.
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Expanding outreach to engage a diverse range of families and promote inclusivity.
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Strengthening volunteer and staff training to maintain high service standards.
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Securing funding and resources to sustain and enhance our offerings.
We remain committed to providing enriching experiences that support early childhood development and community engagement.
Looking ahead, we aim to expand our reach, enhance our facilities, and continue delivering meaningful experiences for children and their families.
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ACHIEVEMENTS, PERFORMANCE & PUBLIC BENEFIT
Q3 2023 July – September
Quantitative Data for Q3 2023
Total # of Children aged 0-5 years Visits by month
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300 275
240
250
200
150
100
50 Closed in August
0
Jul 4 Sessions Aug 0 sessions Sep 6 sessions
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Breakdown of Visits by Child’s Post Code
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Visits in July Visits in August Visits in September
10% 5%
Closed in August
52% 50%
45%
38%
SE16 SE1 OTHER
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Average of 257 visits per month (of which ~93% Kids from SE16 and SE1 Postcode)
Figures taken from booking form - children only who attended
Quantitative Data for Q3 2023
New registrations
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25
21
20
15
15
10
5
0
0
Jul Aug Sep
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Total new family registrations over the quarter: 36
Figures taken from booking form - children only who attended
FREE Soft Play Sessions for children 0-5 years old
Soft play sessions at Salmon Centre – July - September 2023
This quarter we focus on Sports skills during our July sessions, closing for the summer during August month and welcoming families and New families in September.
We operate a drop in system on a first come first served basis and capacity was also increased but we are proud to say that we continue to clean our equipment used during the session before putting them back at the cupboard. Free Soft Play Sessions Tuesdays and Thursdays @ Salmon Youth Centre (43 Old Jamaica Road) – @10:30 12:15
Funded by:
Soft Play Planning and Development Outcomes and Equality Impact
July Sessions – Focus on Sports
Soft Play sessions already provide a huge range of skills from babies to children 4/5 years old to confidently develop their: Gross motor skills: like crawling, walking, running, jumping, hopping, skipping, creeping and slithering, spinning, turning, twisting, pushing and pulling.
Hand eye coordination: like Throwing and catching a ball, bouncing balls, tossing a small bag/ball through hoops, rolling a ball to hit down . bottles (bowling) , stringing beads and building a tower block Balance Walking on a line, stepping stones, adding movements to a pose ( yoga poses) , obstacle course, crab walk (walking sideways) , sitting /bouncing/hopping on big exercise balls, hopscotch jumping , bowling trampoline, skipping rope.
But during Sport day we set up equipment in different ways and add extra opportunities through play time for them to master different essential skills for the school readiness for their lives.
Soft Play Planning and Development Outcomes and Equality Impact
Sports @ Soft Play
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Obstacle course
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Bowling
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• Mini-golf
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• Throwing bean bags
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Hopscotch
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• Balance bean
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• Dribble mat
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• Football
Soft Play Planning and Development Outcomes and Equality Impact
Sports @ Soft Play
Soft Play Planning and Development Outcomes and Equality Impact
September 2023 – Welcoming – Who we are?
ACHIEVEMENTS, PERFORMANCE & PUBLIC BENEFIT
Q4 2023
October - December
Quantitative Data for Q4 2023
Total # of Children aged 0-5 years Visits by month
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400 371
350
292
300
250
185
200
150
100
50
0
Oct 6 Sessions Nov 8 sessions Dec 6 sessions
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Breakdown of Visits by Child’s Post Code
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Visits in October Visits in November Visits in December
3% 7% 13%
43%
54% 51% 53%
42% 34%
SE16 SE1 OTHER
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Average of 283 visits per month (of which ~92% Kids from SE16 and SE1 Postcode)
Figures taken from booking form - children only who attended
Quantitative Data for Q4 2023
New registrations
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30
27
25
25
20
18
15
10
5
0
Oct Nov Dec
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Total new family registrations over the quarter: 70
Figures taken from booking form - children only who attended
FREE Soft Play Sessions for children 0-5 years old
Soft play sessions at Salmon Centre – October - December 2023
This quarter we welcome the Autumn season, celebrate Black History month, Remembrance Day, Diwali and our diversity community at our sessions. Winter season and the Christmas party
FREE Soft Play Sessions for children 0-5 years old
Soft play sessions at Salmon Centre – October - December 2023
ACHIEVEMENTS, PERFORMANCE & PUBLIC BENEFIT
Q1 2024
January – March
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FREE Soft Play Sessions for children 0-5 years old
Soft play sessions at Salmon Centre – January – March 2024
This quarter we continue to explore the Winter season and celebrate National storytelling week, Valentine’s day, Chinese New Year, Mother’s day…
FREE Soft Play Sessions for children 0-5 years old
Soft play sessions at Salmon Centre – January – March 2024
This quarter we celebrate World Book Day, Ramadan, Season: Spring and Easter.
Quantitative Data for Q1 2024
Total # of Children aged 0-5 years Visits by month
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450 416
400
350 309
292
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Jan 7 Sessions Feb 7 sessions Mar 8 sessions
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Breakdown of Visits by Child’s Post Code
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Visits in Jan Visits in Feb Visits in Mar
7% 6% 5%
49%
51% 51%
42% 45% 44%
SE16 SE1 OTHER
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Average of 339 visits per month (of which ~94% Kids from SE16 and SE1 Postcode)
Figures taken from booking form - children only who attended
Quantitative Data for Q1 2024
New registrations
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40
35
35
31
30
25
20
15
12
10
5
0
Jan Feb Mar
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Total new family registrations over the quarter: 78
Figures taken from booking form - children only who attended
ACHIEVEMENTS, PERFORMANCE & PUBLIC BENEFIT
Q2 2024 April – June
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Quantitative Data for Q2 2024
Total # of Children aged 0-5 years Visits by month
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400 363
350 306
278
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Apr 5 sessions May 7 sessions Jun 7 sessions
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Breakdown of Visits by Child’s Post Code
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Visits in April Visits in May Visits in June
7% 5% 2%
42%
46%
49%
49%
49%
51%
SE16 SE1 OTHER
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Average of 315 visits per month (of which ~95% Kids from SE16 and SE1 Postcode
Figures taken from booking form - children only who attended
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Quantitative Data for Q2 2024
New registrations
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25
23
21
20
15
11
10
5
0
Jan Feb Mar
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Total new family registrations over the quarter: 55
Figures taken from booking form - children only who attended
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FREE Soft Play Sessions for children 0-5 years old
Soft play sessions at Salmon Centre – April – June 2024
This quarter we celebrate Eid, Spring, Mental Health Awareness Week, Wild June
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FREE Soft Play Sessions for children 0-5 years old
Soft play sessions at Salmon Centre – April – June 2024
This quarter we celebrate Eid, Spring, Mental Health Awareness Week, Wild June.
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Riverside Parents and Carers Association Year ended 30th June 2024
Profit and Loss Statement
| Funding / Monies Received Funding Grants + Donations 73,699.93 Total Funding / Monies Received Expenses Salaries 23,353.98 Rent 7,700.00 Other Expenses 2,781.15 Total Expenses Surplus for the Year Opening bank balance Closing bank balance |
73,699.93 33,835.13 39,864.80 12,164.35 52,029.15 |
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Independent Examiner’s Report to the trustees of Riverside Parents and Carers Association
I report on the accounts of the above Charity for the year ended 30[th] June 2024.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general direction given by the commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention
Basis of independent examiner’s report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the next statement.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the 2011 Act and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met or
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(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached
David Watts FCA Newton & Garner Ltd 47 Topsfield Parade Tottenham Lane Hornsey London N8 8PT 13th February 2025
Registered to carry on audit work in the UK by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales Registered Office: Building 2, 30 Friern Park, North Finchley, London N12 9DA
Directors: D.L. Watts FCA R. Knight FCCA ATII P. Raval FCA
47 Topsfield Parade, Crouch End, London, N8 8PT
Telephone: 020 8340 4779 Fax: 020 8340 0190 Email: crouchend@newtonandgarner.co.uk Registered in England & Wales No: 5963019