2024/2025 ANNUAL REPORT Annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025
Registered charity number: 1184564
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Contents
Page 4 Introduction 5 Our vision and mission 6 Our beliefs 7 Our values 8 DSUK team 9 Achievements and performances 10 Awareness, campaigning and public engagement Supporting and educating education professionals 11 Maternity care, research and professional influence 12 Collaboration, conferences and sector leadership 13 Community, families and fundraising 14 -16 Review, reflection and learning 17 DSUK timeline 18 -19 Our year in numbers 20 -21 Feedback from parents and professionals 22 Looking ahead 23 Funding and financials 24 - 25 Structure, governance and management 26 - 27 Statement of the Trustees’ responsibilities 28 for the financial statements Statement of financial activities 29 - 30 Balance sheet at 31 August 2025 31 Notes to the financial statements 33 - 38 Independent examiner’s report 39
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Introduction
Down Syndrome UK is a parent-led charity, born from lived experience and driven by an ambitious vision: a society where every person with Down syndrome is valued, included, and able to achieve their full potential.
In our early years, we focused on supporting families at the very beginning of their journey - working to improve maternity care and providing vital resources, training and reassurance to both parents and professionals.
As the needs of our community have grown, so too has our work. We are now extending our reach into education, where we are striving to ensure that children and young people with Down syndrome are not only included, but truly supported to participate, achieve, and reach their full potential.
This progress is only possible through the strength of our community and the generosity of those who share our vision for a more inclusive future.
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Our vision
A world where everyone with Down syndrome lives their best life
Our mission
To empower parents & caregivers; to educate professionals; to enlighten the public; to lobby policy makers
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
At DSUK we believe...
We believe every expectant and new parent should receive the best possible care and support.
To enact these beliefs, we champion the lived experience by…
We believe the arrival of every baby with Down syndrome should be celebrated.
Empowering parents and caregivers with knowledge and support, by belonging to a strong community.
We believe every child with Down syndrome should be given every opportunity to flourish and thrive.
Educating professionals with evidence based insight and ongoing support.
We believe every family should be cared about and empowered.
We believe every professional working with our members should be educated and supported.
Effecting change by lobbying policymakers with more informed - policy guidance and knowledge based solutions.
Enlightening the public with a contemporary and authentic view on everyday life with Down syndrome.
We believe every student deserves the best education.
We believe every adult should have the opportunities and respect they deserve.
We believe everybody with Down syndrome should be included, valued and celebrated.
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Our values
Real
We honestly and authentically reflect the experience of having a child or young person with Down syndrome, because we have the lived experience.
Practical
We provide meaningful support, training and information to empower families and professionals.
Impactful
Collaborative
We create a nuturing environment for those we work with to enable relationships to flourish and for all involved to contribute positively towards our mission.
Challenging
We work hard to change & challenge outdated perceptions/attitudes.
We are not afraid to address the elephant in the room.
Everything we do is with the intention to positively impact our families.
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Meet the team
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Trustees
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Casimir Knight Richard Baker Caroline Warren Jude Simpson Dr Ayesha Mahmud James Fox
Chair Treasurer
Staff
Nicola Tracy Natasha Dr Becky B Jo Becky V
CEO Operations Fundraising & Director of Education Executive Assistant Education Marketing
Manager Marketing Manager and Speech & to CEO and Events Coordinator
Language Therapy Community Social
Media & Marketing
Coordinator
Vicky Jennifer Caroline Lauren Farah
Administrator Training Community Social Media Design Lead
Coordinator Fundraising Coordinator Admin
Freelancers
Lucienne June Sarah Amy-Louise Justine Sue
Healthcare Training Retired Children’s Breastfeeding Parent EHCP Counsellor
Manager Specialist Supporter Supporter Supporter
Continence Nurse
Sandra Maggie Abi Rachael Donna Michelle
Early Development Early Development Early Development Early Development Paediatric Parent
Advisor Advisor Advisor Advisor Physiotherapist Support
Patrons
Lloyd Martin Leon Harrop Noah Matthews Heidi Carter
Matofsky
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Achievements and performances
Strengthening our foundations
This year marked a period of consolidation and strategic strengthening for Down Syndrome UK, ensuring we are well placed to sustain and grow our impact. We were pleased to receive a CAF Resilience Grant, enabling us to focus on organisational resilience, capacity and long ‑ term planning. This support has helped strengthen internal systems and ensured the charity remains robust at a time of increasing demand for our services.
Keeping costs down by avoiding office overheads means our team members are scattered across the UK. We aim to meet in person twice a year and in June, we held a full team meeting, bringing together staff and key freelancers to reflect, share learning and plan collectively. As a ‑ parent led charity, investing time in connection and a shared sense of purpose remains essential to how we work.
Over the past year, supported by the CAF Keystone Fund, we have strengthened the foundations of Down Syndrome UK.
Through a clearer strategy, improved systems and a renewed focus on our purpose, we are working more efficiently and with greater confidence. This has created valuable space to plan, prioritise and focus on where we can have the greatest impact. It has also strengthened our team, building clarity and a shared sense of direction, and ensuring we grow in a thoughtful and sustainable way for the future.
“This organisation is both helpful with information and educational and yet inspiring and supportive, which helps deal with the struggles of having a child with Down syndrome”
Parent, April 2026
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Awareness, campaigning and public engagement
October’s Down Syndrome Awareness Month was a highlight of the year. Our ‘To Be’ campaign focused on aspirations, visibility and potential, amplifying the voices of those with Down syndrome and their families, and challenging outdated stereotypes. The campaign was widely shared and prompted meaningful engagement with families, professionals and the wider public.
Throughout the year, we continued to use creative campaigns and timely opportunities to raise awareness and provoke conversation. In December, we published our annual calendar, and this year introduced Christmas cards designed by artists with Down syndrome, ‑ combining awareness raising with fundraising and community engagement.
“As a grandparent of a child with Down syndrome, I’m aware of all the good work DSUK do in spreading awareness, celebrating achievement and promoting inclusivity. They are a mine of valuable information and a wonderful support to us and our family”
Grandparent, March 2026
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Supporting and educating professionals in education
Supporting professionals remains central to our mission, ensuring families receive informed, relevant and evidence ‑ based care. We know the difference having a trained supportive education professional working with our children and young people can make, and so we work hard to reach and educate professionals across early and primary years.
In November, we introduced termly webinars for both the Early Years Development Programme (EYDP) and Primary Education Programme (PEP).
These sessions provide structured, ongoing support for professionals working with children with Down syndrome and have been well received by schools and early years settings seeking practical, specialist guidance.
“As a practitioner, you not only want to do your best for the child, but also you’ve got somebody to talk to, you can engage with the learning through the programme and that’s enormously supportive for you as a professional.”
Kate Walford, Headteacher, Hambledon Nursery School
“It has helped all of our practitioners in the setting - we have learnt so much. We are able to implement the strategies and activities that we’ve seen and have the resources too.”
Natalie Finn-Powers, Lead Practitioner, St Joseph's Pre-school
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Maternity care, research and professional influence
Improving maternity experiences for families remained a key priority. It was our initial focus and until all new and expectant parents receive the care, support and information they deserve, will remain a key priority.
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, when we attended the when we attended the
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In February, CEO Nicola Enoch spoke on the Maternity and Midwifery Hour podcast, alongside Simone, a PADS mum, creating space for honest discussion about lived experience and mental health. Nicola also recorded a Work Life Central podcast, further extending our reach into professional audiences.
In April, our Healthcare Training Manager, Lucienne Cooper, and Nicola attended the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Conference in Birmingham, strengthening relationships and continuing to influence maternity practice at a national level. They were delighted to welcome a wide range of maternity professionals to the stand - both those already familiar with the work of PADS and those discovering us for the first time.
A stand ‑ out achievement came in June, when we attended the when we attended the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) ‘ World Congress. Our abstract, Down syndrome in maternity care – maternal experiences of mental health support’, was selected for presentation and received outstanding recognition as a ‘Best in Session ePoster Presentation’. This acknowledgement reflects both the quality of the research undertaken in collaboration with the University of Warwick and the importance of centring parental voice within maternity care.
“I always try to be aware of my language & how I speak to parents & carers, but now I feel more informed about babies with Down syndrome and the best information to give to parents, which resources to point them to and most importantly how I present that information.”
Student Midwife - May 2025
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
“The #pants4school approach is practical, ‑ realistic and genuinely life changing for families. It’s something professionals have needed for a long time.”
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Health Visitor
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Collaboration, conferences and sector leadership
We continued to collaborate widely across health, education and other charities working to improve outcomes for our community.
In June, we presented our #pants4school initiative to the Institute of Health Visiting (IHV) at their SEND conference, demonstrating how practical, specialist support can improve outcomes for our children.
“ I found the talks very interesting and good to see ongoing research. It was great to meet other charities too and how we could all work together.”
Attendee at DSUK Support Network Event, 2024
Earlier in the year, we also attended the Chelsea Flower Show, where we viewed Down Syndrome Scotland’s display - a powerful example of how creative public spaces can be used to promote inclusion and understanding.
In October we hosted DSUK’s annual Network Conference – welcoming group leaders from across the UK. We were delighted to welcome students from STAR College and Prof. Simon Gaisford from UCL, and heard from a fantastic line-up of speakers covering a wide range of topics, including feeding challenges, education and college opportunities, the latest research on constipation, maths, sleep, and parental mental health, as well as updates from the National Down Syndrome Policy Group and DSUK projects. There were also sessions from regional Down syndrome groups sharing opportunities such as holiday clubs and family weekends away.
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Community, families and fundraising
Our community continues to be at the heart of everything we do.
In March, families, schools and early years settings once again embraced our Sunflower Challenge, with significant participation from Kids Planet nurseries around World Down Syndrome Day. We were also grateful to Andy, a volunteer dad, who supported us with expert work on Google Ads, helping to extend our reach and ensure families can find us when they need support.
Our annual PADS Party in the Park was well attended at Thomley Activity Centre in September as we celebrated PADS Birthday!
Parent learning and connection remained a priority, and we extended our popular Information Sharing Sessions with new sessions from Dr Maiike Kusters from Great Ormond Street Hospital, delivering a well ‑ received parent session on immunodeficiency. Other new sessions included an insightful talk from Jen Royds of Glue Ear Together and David Abbey of My Safe Home who spoke about specialist mortgages for shared ownership opportunities for our adults.
We were delighted George Webster, from Cbeebies, joined us for an online chat on World Book Day, reading excerpts from his latest children’s book, George and The Mini Dragon, which entertained and inspired many of our families.
“This charity has supported us as a family since our prenatal diagnosis. They provide support, information sharing, social events and so much more. We would be lost without them!”
Parent, November 2025
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Fundraising remains essential to sustaining our work. This year, we were inspired by Daniel Steptoe ‑ Thompson, who completed the extraordinary challenge of running 12 half-marathons in 12 months in support of Down Syndrome UK - a testament to the dedication and generosity of our supporters. It can be challenging securing spaces at the big challenge events, so we were delighted to have two London Marathon ballot box runners who chose to fundraise for DSUK!
In addition, we had a fabulous team of 14 amazing supporters run the London Landmarks Half Marathon and raise an astounding £16,925!
“From information events, physio advice, early development groups and really practical EHCP advice, we feel so lucky to have had access to such a broad range of information and support, as well as the brilliant online community of parents!”
Parent, Rozie, September 2024
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Community and corporate fundraising
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has fundraised for Down Syndrome UK this year. From intrepid challenge participants to dedicated parent fundraisers and generous corporate partners, your phenomenal support has helped us provide vital resources and make a positive difference to families across the UK.
We are extremely grateful to Albert Gubay, Masonic Charitable, Edith Murphy/Ludlow, AKO Foundation, Alchemy and Bailey Thomas for their generous support.
Community fundraising highlights
Our community of fundraisers never ceases to amaze and inspire. Highlights from this year include:
Rhea Meanwell hosted a fantastic school fundraiser, raising £400.
Emma and Ian McConnell took on the Belfast Marathon and raised £3,767.
Chris Swiejkowski cycled the Polish coast (500k) with his – daughter in a bike trailer raising £1,440 (for DSUK, DSA and DS Achieve).
Our two ballot box runners completed the London Marathon for DSUK.
Claire Loudon did the Glasgow Kiltwalk and a World Down Syndrome Day fundraiser, raising a fantastic £9,300.
The amazing Astrid did 321 laps of the house in the 21 days leading up to World Down Syndrome Day. Aim was to raise £321 but they actually raised £1,531!
Our popular Sunflower Challenge in celebration of World Down Syndrome Day raised £3,886 with 209 total purchases of our kit.
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2023-24
Review, reflection and learning
In July, we undertook a review of the Antenatal Care Pathway first published in 2019, ensuring it remains responsive, relevant and informed by current evidence and lived experience.
Our commitment to evidence ‑ based practice continued in August, with our work being published by the University of Warwick, featuring research linked to maternity experiences and research undertaken in conjunction with the University of Hertfordshire on tube feeding. These publications further strengthen our role as a trusted contributor to research and practice, influencing policy and professional understanding.
“The work they (DSUK) do to educate and inform the medical profession, educators and the wider public makes the lives of families with members with Down Syndrome more readily understood. They successfully balance the widespread misunderstandings and sweeping generalisations with examples and research findings providing accuracy and negating the stereotypes.”
Parent, April 2026
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2017
Positive about Down
syndrome’s website
launched
2018
‘New Parent’
group launched
2018 2018 2020
‘Great Expectations’
‘Preschool Parents’
for expectant parents
group launched
launched
2019
toilet training 2019 2019 2020
launched
‘Toilet training support ‘PADS Dads’ support
aged 5+’ launched group launched
‘PADS Cares for 2023
grieving grandparents’ British Journal of
launched
group launched Midwifery Conference
2023 2023 2023 2022
DSUK’s inaugural
Celebratory Ball PADS Care
parcels launched
2024
2025
twinkl monthly
Launched monthly
webinars launched
launched education webinars
for professionals
2024 2024 2024 2025
Royal College of Speech, language &
launched Midwives collaboration therapy training for
of i-learning modules professionals launched
2017
2019
2023
2023
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TIMELINE
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2021
‘PADS Cares’ support Toileting for cARM’s/Hirschprung&yp ’s & Down
group launched
syndrome group launched launched
2020 2020 2020 2021
Launched antenatal
Breastfeeding peer Secondary school age
care pathway with
support group launched St George’s hospital support group launched
‘PADS Primary Parents’
support group launched
Launched a national
Party in the Park
campaign, exhibited
2022 2022 2022
at Houses of
Parliament
‘You Can’t Put Me
Down Syndrome’ ‘16+ parents of young
The Down Syndrome
people/adults with Down
Act enacted [2022]
syndrome’ group launched
2022 2022
Exhibited at Royal
College of Midwives
Conference
DSUK published in
University of Warwick
Fundraising begins for our Presented our research on tube feeding
Secondary Education Pants4School initiative to
Programme in partnership the IHV for their SEND
with LTS conference
2025 2025 2025 2025 2025
2021
2021
2022
2025
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Strengthened our social care provision with AccessAva partnership
DSUK abstract ‘Best in session ePoster presentation’ at the RCOG World Congress 2025
Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25 Impact Report 2022-2023
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Our year in numbers
Welcomed: Number of parents supported:
69 104 877 2,106 1,157
babies through Expectant New Preschool Primary
our pregnancy
group
41 49
Families through Babies awaiting
heart surgery surgery
19 New HeartBuddies
volunteers
5,165
Families and professionals accessing
Pants4School toilet training programme
Number of 579 657 704
professionals
supported: Preschool Primary school Healthcare
professionals professionals professionals
Number of professional members:
Over a series of
9 webinars, we
1,911 reached
EYDP pilot, PEP pilot,
Healthcare 675 23 settings 14 settings
professionals trained
through 89 events healthcare 35 25
professionals
members members
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Our year in numbers
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New information sharing sessions:
199 434 37 1,545
Maternity packs
Maternity units sent out Information people attended
with resources sharing session across all ISS’s
(ISS) topics
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Number of resources distributed:
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Parents’ views surveyed in 2025
74% feel more confident supporting their child 66 % say their child has benefited directly from our advice/resources
84% have a better understanding of Down syndrome
76% feel more positive about their child’s future
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Feedback from parents and professionals
“ Thank you very much for all you do. The positivity is so helpful and helps me to see my child’s potential.”. Parent, PADS survey 2025
“Keep doing what you’re doing! PADS is an incredible organisation and you should all be very proud of what you have achieved.”. Parent, PADS survey 2025
“ PADS means everything to us. A community that has helped us feel like we belong. We are not alone on this path and we have nothing to fear." Wendy, Mum to Willow
“We had not had a child with Down syndrome before, so EYDP gave us the support and understanding we needed to feel confident and adapt our practice.” Hambledon Nursery School, 2025
“Being part of the Primary Education Programme over the last year has given us access to a wide variety of resources and professional learning opportunities to give staff a deeper understanding of how we can support young learners who have Down syndrome. It is reassuring to know that we have a point of contact that we can go to for advice and support if we need it.” Kelly Toshak, Deputy Headteacher
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Looking ahead
Across 2024/25, Down Syndrome UK has continued to grow its influence while staying grounded in the lived experiences of families. From national conferences and research recognition to grassroots fundraising and parent support, we remain proud of the breadth and depth of our work.
As demand for our services increases, so too does our determination to ensure every family feels informed, supported and valued - and that professionals across maternity, health and education are equipped with the knowledge they need to deliver truly inclusive care.
In order to fund those services, we were delighted to welcome Natasha Aidinyantz as DSUK’s Fundraising and Marketing Manager, together with welcoming James Fox as a Trustee.
James and Tash collectively bring extensive knowledge and experience to support our ambitions to continue to create and deliver the services and support our families deserve.
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Funding and financials
Funding
The main risk to Down Syndrome UK would be a loss of funds due to our donors no longer being able to commit further funding.
Future Plans
DSUK is a dynamic and proactive charity, led and managed by parents of children and young people with Down syndrome. Immersed in the community, we identify and respond to issues and challenges our families face by providing information, resources and support. We regularly connect with our families and undertake surveys to monitor our performance as well as to establish any needs we are not meeting. We also look to influence and impact national policy and practice by collaborating with relevant policymakers and providers.
During 2025/2026 we will continue to work hard to improve the maternity experiences of our parents and to ensure every baby with Down syndrome is welcomed into the world with the care and support they deserve. We will increase our reach to universities and maternity units to deliver training to future and current practitioners in maternity care, and are looking to extend this to other medical professionals.
We aim to provide more services and support to the education professionals who work with our children in pre- and primary school settings, as well as to our families of older children and young people.
DSUK continues to actively listen and respond to people with Down syndrome, their families and the professionals who work with them to work towards a more inclusive society.
Financial Review
The majority of our income is generated by the generosity of parents, friends and families undertaking a range of challenges and activities to support our work.
Our income for the year was £454,578 (2024: £378,974) and we spent £426,852 (2024: £361,055) as set out in these accounts. We ended the year with cash at bank of £223,672 (2024: £206,147).
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Reserves Policy
Reserves are required to protect against an unexpected loss of income and to ensure that ongoing commitments can be met in such circumstances. As the majority of our income comes from gifts from private donors, a sudden loss of this income could ultimately result in the closure of the charity. To mitigate this risk, we aim to maintain at least six months’ staff costs, plus three months’ variable service costs, at any one time.
Investment Policy
As a young charity, we have not yet built substantial investments and, in these early years, the aim is to protect our funds. We will consider a more formal policy as we grow.
Risk management
The Trustees have conducted a review of the major risks to which the charity is exposed. Where appropriate, systems or procedures have been established to mitigate the risks the charity faces.
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Structure, governance and management
The trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and the Statement of Recommended Practice, "Accounting and Reporting by Charities”.
Structure, governance and management
Down Syndrome UK is registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales, Registration Number 1184564. It is governed by a Trust Deed, dated 23 July 2019. The charity was registered from 24 July 2019.
Approach to governance
The Trustees appointed under the Trust Deed are entitled to hold office for a period of 2-4 years initially, with the option to extend. Further Trustees may be appointed by invitation and resolution of the current Trustees.
The Trustees meet at least quarterly to review existing projects and discuss new ones.
The Trustees provide governance to the charity and assist the CEO and management in both developing the strategy and delivering it. The Trustees have a legal obligation to supervise and shepherd the charity and have ultimate responsibility for the charity and its activities. The Trustees aim to develop the Trustee board in order to increase its impact and diversity while supporting staff and the community.
The Trustees consider the Board of Trustees as comprising the key management personnel of the charity in charge of directing and controlling the charity and running and operating the charity on a day-to-day basis. Trustees are required to disclose all relevant interests at board meetings and, in accordance with the Trust’s policy, withdraw from decisions where a conflict of interest arises.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Structure, governance and management
Reference and administrative information
Trustees
The trustees who served during the year were:
C S B Knight Dr A Mahmud R F Baker J Fox (Appointed 15 October 2024) C L Warren J F Simpson
Trustee Recruitment and Training
The Trustees review and undertake recruitment and training as required.
Administrative information
Address Down Syndrome UK 483 Green Lanes London N13 4BS Bankers CAF Bank Limited 25 Kings Hill Avenue West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ
Independent Edwards Accountants Examiner 34 High Street, Aldridge, Walsall West Midlands WS9 8LZ
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Statement of the Trustees’ responsibilities for the financial statements
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that year.
-
In preparing these accounts, the trustees are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed; and prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the Board of Trustees on 24 June 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Casimir Knight Chair
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Statment of financial activities
Including income and expenditure account For the year ended 31 August 2025
| INCOME RESOURCES: Charitable activities:Support groups Interest Grants Gift Aid Total income RESOURCES EXPENDED: Costs of generating funds Charitable activities Total resources expended Fund balances at 1 September 2024 7 Notes Donations 2 3 4 5 6 Net income/(expenditure)for the year/ Net movement in fund Fund balances at 31 August 2025 |
91,167 434 57,833 37,855 449,578 52,623 368,704 421,327 Unrestricted Funds £ 262,289 28,251 145,494 173,745 |
- 5,000 - 5,525 5,525 (525) 52,623 374,229 426,852 27,726 164,890 192,616 454,578 Total 2025 £ Restricted Funds £ 262,289 5,000 - 91,167 434 62,833 37,855 19,396 18,871 - - |
41,975 319,080 361,055 230,874 71,478 316 45,963 30,343 378,974 17,919 146,971 164,890 Total 2024 £ |
|---|---|---|---|
The notes on pages 29 to 38 form part of the financial statements
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Statement of financial activities
| Gift aid Grants Interest Charitable activities:Support Groups Total income EXPENDITURE ON: Costs of generating funds Charitable activities Total resources expended NET 30,343 13,000 316 71,478 - 32,963 COMPARATIVE YEAR(2024) INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Donations 230,874 - Unrestricted Funds £ Restricted Funds £ - - 346,011 32,963 41,975 - 298,513 20,567 340,488 20,567 Fund balances at 1 September 2023 12,396 5,523 139,971 145,494 Net income/(expenditure)for the year/ Net movement in fund Fund balances at 31 August 2024 7,000 19,396 |
Total 2024 £ 30,343 45,963 316 71,478 230,874 378,974 41,975 319,080 361,055 17,919 146,971 164,890 |
|---|---|
The notes on pages 29 to 38 form part of the financial statements
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Balance sheet at 31 August 2025
| CURRENT ASSETS CREDITORS:amounts falling due within one year Total assets less current liabilities INCOME FUNDS: Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Notes 11 10 Stock Debtors Cash at bank |
2025 £ 1,956 13,785 223,672 239,413 (46,797) 192,616 173,745 18,871 192,616 2024 £ (55,775) 164,890 145,494 19,396 164,890 1,675 12,843 206,147 220,665 £ £ |
|---|---|
Approved by the Trustees on 24 June 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
C Knight Chair
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2025
1. Accounting policies
1.1 Basis of Preparation
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by 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 issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
The financial statements have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following the Accounting and Reporting by 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 issued in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.
1.2 Going Concern
In their assessment of going concern the Trustees have considered the significant cash balance and impact on the Charity of the current economic conditions.
Having regard to the above, the directors believe it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Notes to the financial statements (continued) for the year ended 31 August 2025
1.3 Income
All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the income, the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy and receipt is probable.
The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:
Voluntary income is received by way of grants, donations and gifts and is included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable. Grants, where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the charity, are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant.
Investment income is included when receivable
1.4 Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as each liability is incurred.
Costs of generating funds comprise the costs associated with fundraising activities.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Grants and donations
Grants are recognised in the accounts when a commitment has been made and there are no conditions to be met relating to the grant which remain in the control of the Charity.
1.5 Stock
Stock is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Notes to the financial statements (continued) for the year ended 31 August 2025
1.6 Financial Instruments
The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid after taking account of any trade discounts due.
Creditors and provisions
Creditors and provisions are recognised when the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably.
1.7 Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds held by the charity are those which can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the Trustees.
Restricted funds are where specific conditions are imposed by the donor which restricts the use of unspent funds. The income is taken directly to the relevant restricted funds.
1.8 Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Notes to the financial statements (continued) for the year ended 31 August 2025
| 2.Donations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | |
| funds 2025 | funds 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Fundraising income | 262,289 | 230,874 |
| 3.Charitable activities:support groups | ||
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | |
| funds 2025 | funds 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Training and events | 91,167 | 71,478 |
| 4.Interest | ||
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | |
| funds 2025 | funds 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Interest receivable | 434 | 316 |
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Notes to the financial statements (continued) for the year ended 31 August 2025
| Unrestricted | Restricted | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.Grants | Funds£ | Funds£ | Total | Total |
| £ | £ | |||
| 57,833 | 5,000 | 62,833 | 45,963 |
Income from grants was £62,833 (2024: £45,963) of which £57,833 (2024: £13,000) was attributable to unrestricted and £5,000 (2024: £32,963) was attributable to restricted funds.
| 6.Gift aid | Unrestricted | Unrestricted | |
|---|---|---|---|
| funds 2025 | funds 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Gift aid | 37,855 | 30,343 | |
| 7.Total Resources Expended | 2025 | 2024 | |
| Total | Total | ||
| Charitable activities | £ | £ | |
| Administration and support costs | |||
| Salary costs | 223,174 | 179,523 | |
| Systems development and implementation | 46,487 | 22,650 | |
| Provision of services and resources including | support | ||
| groups,counselling,information sharing sessions, | |||
| early development and physiotherapy | 104,568 | 116,907 | |
| 374,229 | 319,080 | ||
| Cost of generating funds | |||
| Activities undertaken directly | 52,623 | 41,975 |
Administration and support costs include independent examination fees of £400 (2024: £0).
Salary costs amounted to £223,174 (2024: £179,523) of which £222,324 (2024: £177,134) was attributable to unrestricted and £850 (2024: £2,389) was attributable to restricted funds.
Provision of services amounted to £104,568 (2024: £116,907) of which £99,893 (2024: £98,729) was attributable to unrestricted and £4,675 (2024: £18,178) was attributable to restricted funds.
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Notes to the financial statements (continued) for the year ended 31 August 2025
8. Trustees
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year (2024: £Nil)
9. Employees
Number of employees
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
| 2025 No. | 2024 No. | |
|---|---|---|
| Administration | 11 | 9 |
| Employment costs | 2025£ | 2024£ |
| Wages and salaries | 223,174 | 179,523 |
| There were no employees whose annual remuneration was£60,000 or more. |
10. Debtors
| 10.Debtors | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Gift aid reclaim and prepayments | 13,785 | 12,843 |
37
Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Notes to the financial statements (continued) for the year ended 31 August 2025
11. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Trade creditors | 612 | 316 | |
| Taxes and social security costs | 3,989 | 3,511 | |
| Accruals and deferred income | 42,196 | 51,948 | |
| 46,797 | 55,775 | ||
| 12.Analysis of net assets between funds | |||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |
| funds | funds | £ | |
| £ | £ | ||
| Fund balances at 31 August 2025 are | |||
| represented by: | |||
| Current assets | 204,801 | 18,871 | 239,413 |
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | (46,797) | - | (46,797) |
| 173,745 | 18,871 | 192,616 |
13. Related parties
There were no transactions with related parties in the year (2024: None)
38
Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
Independent examiner’s report to the Trustees of Down Syndrome UK
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025, which are set out on pages 29-38.
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. The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination being a qualified member of Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
It is my responsibility to:
-
(i) examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
-
(ii) to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
-
(iii) 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 statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
-
(a) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
-
(i) to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
-
(ii) to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with
-
the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act; have not been met; or
(b) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
David Webb FCA
For and on behalf of Edwards 34 High Street, Aldridge, Walsall West Midlands WS9 8LZ
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Down Syndrome UK Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-25
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