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2021-11-30-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From: 01 December 2020 Period start date To: 31 November 2021 Period end date

Charity name: Bristol Autism Support

Charity registration number: 1186287

Objectives and Activities

1. Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document

The object of the CIO is:

The preservation and protection of good health for the public benefit among children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, their families and carers in Bristol and the surrounding areas, in particular but not exclusively by:

(a) providing specialist, in-person, online, email and telephone support, advice, guidance and informal counselling, information and support to the parents and carers of autistic children;

(b) advancing education of Autistic Spectrum Disorders and the care of autistic children by providing training and specialist information for parents and carers of autistic children, organising conferences, meetings, workshops and events and providing webbased resources.

(c) promoting volunteering opportunities within the charity to persons with Autistic Spectrum Disorders with the aim of building their individual capabilities, competencies and skills.

Nothing in this constitution shall authorise an application of the property of the CIO for the purposes which are not charitable in accordance with [section 7 of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005] and [section 2 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.

2. Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.

Bristol Autism Support (BAS) provides support and information to parents and carers of autistic children who live in Bristol and the surrounding area. We primarily support parents and carers prior to their child’s autism assessment and for some time after they have achieved a diagnosis for their child. We provide peer to peer support with our support team all being parent / carers of autistic children.

3. Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit

The Trustees believe that Bristol Autism Support has undertaken the delivery of services in line with its objectives and that those objectives are aligned to the public benefit.

Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:		 Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:		 Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP
reference
Policy on grant making Para 1.38 N/A
Policy on social
investment including
program related
investment		 Para 1.38 N/A
Contribution made by
volunteers		 Para 1.38 BAS relies heavily on its volunteers. The organisation
has around 25 volunteers, including trustees, who
undertake befriending of other parents and support
group facilitation among other tasks. BAS encourages
parents who have used its services to become
volunteers, and from there, some volunteers have
also secured paid work with the charity. In this way,
BAS can be truly informed by its service users.
Other N/A

Achievements and Performance

Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.

2020/21 Bristol Autism Support: Between December 2020 & November 2021 Support Groups

Due to Covid 19 restrictions much of our activity remained online using zoom. BAS held 51 online drop-in support groups with 209 attendees. From July – November 2021 we began to hold in person support groups but at a reduced capacity to allow for social distancing. BAS held 14 in person support groups with 84 attendees.

Courses

All our courses run for 6 weeks and are designed to support parents with information whilst connecting them with each other. In 2020/21 all our courses were held online using zoom due to restrictions relating to the pandemic.

BAS ran three What Do I Do Now courses which are 6 weeks long with a total of 64 attendees. This course is designed to support parents new to a diagnosis.

We also ran two More Than Words courses designed for parents and carers of non-speaking children to assist with communication supports at home. These groups had 42 attendees.

BAS held 3 nurture groups which also ran for 6 weeks with a total of 20 attendees. These were small groups being supported by counsellors over several weeks.

Information Seminars

Bristol Autism Supports provides high quality support. Our information sessions can provide the latest correct, useful, and crucial information, at the right time, to parents and carers of autistic children in Bristol.

In 2020/21 BAS held 7 information seminars with 222 attendees, all were online using zoom except for the Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) session which was in person:

One to One Support

In 2021 BAS had 22 buddy & mentoring pairs running – providing peer to peer support to new members. BAS also provided peer to peer phone support to 123 people and a further 90 people were supported through our enquiries service. In addition, 44 people were provided 1-1 support via our Facebook messenger.

Online Support

At the heart of Bristol Autism Support is our community which is well connected through our Facebook group. We provide a safe haven and a community for Bristol’s autism families in order to reduce isolation and improve mental and physical wellbeing.

Our numbers for 20-21:

Our Impact

BAS ran an impact survey between August and December 2021 receiving 179 responses.

The top answers for how ‘..the BAS community has helped you’ were:

  1. ‘feeling like you are not alone’ (83%);

  2. ‘Information about autism, in general’ (74%)

  3. ‘helped to feel less isolated’ (61%) and

  4. ‘understanding your autistic child’ (59%).

When asked how respondents feel about BAS the overwhelming majority felt positively with the following responses:

  1. Informative (85%)

  2. Helpful (82%)

  3. Friendly (79%)

  4. Welcoming (77%)

  5. Supportive (64%)

  6. Caring (64%)

Quotes from our impact survey:

“As a parent new to all things ASD it is confusing and intimidating. BAS is a beacon of friendliness and warmth in all of it.”

“I have found great support from Bristol autism support when I have otherwise felt so alone in this rollercoaster of emotions of a journey”

“Helped us feel less alone at a time when no other support available”

Looking ahead

In 2022, BAS will extend its courses offered both online and in-person because both work well for different people. Our drop-in support groups will reduce as we increase our offer of more social activities such as coffee mornings and family events. BAS would also like to build on the success of our one-off information sessions which are popular. Following the pandemic, we want to offer more in-person opportunities for our community to connect with and learn from each other.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against
objectives set		 Para 1.41 N/A
Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives
set		 Para 1.41 N/A
Investment performance
against objectives		 Para 1.41 N/A
Other N/A

Financial Review

Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period		 Para 1.21 BAS continued to have a strong financial year in
20-21, reflecting its resilience during the
pandemic. The charity spent more than it earnt
due to the expenditure of some grants which had
been secured just before the year start. At the
end of 20-21, BAS had nearly £9,000 in the bank,
of which roughly 50% was restricted and 50%
was unrestricted.
Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held		 Para 1.22 The Reserves Policy states that no reserves are
held but that a contingency fund of £3,000 is
retained.
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 Zero.
Reasons for holding zero
reserves		 Para 1.22 The contingency fund is assessed to suffice.
However, this policy is reviewed annually so may
change in 21-22.
Details of fund materially in
deficit		 Para 1.24 None.
Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern		 Para 1.23 None.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal
sources of funds
(including any fundraising)		 Para 1.47 60%- Grants
•
Quartet Covid Recovery Grant
•
John James Foundation
•
Bristol City Council
•
Boshier Hinton Fund
•
Albert Hunt Fund
27%- donations
13%- sales
•
Training courses for parents of autistic
children
Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted		 Para 1.46 N/A
A description of the
principal risks facing the
charity		 Para 1.46 1.Much of BAS’s funding is fixed term
presenting a challenge to plan longer-term
for the charity’s work. The Board is working
on fund-raising strategy and building
relationships to secure longer-term funding.
2.BAS’s support base is growing, and BAS
needs to develop to meet this need.
Therefore, the Board is currently working on
a strong plan for future development.
Other N/A

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s
trusts:
Type of governing
document
(trust deed, royal charter)		 Para 1.25 Constitution.
How is the charity
constituted?
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)		 Para 1.25 CIO
Trustee selection
methods including details
of any constitutional
provisions e.g. election
to post or name of any
person or body entitled
to appoint one or more
trustees		 Para 1.25 BAS mainly recruits its trustees from its service
users. Trustee vacancies are advertised, applicants
are asked to complete an application form and
interviewed by a senior member of staff and serving
Trustee. Successful candidates are invited to a
Trustees meeting after which the trustees will
collectively agree to the induction of a new trustee.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction
and training of trustees		 Para 1.51 N/A
The charity’s organisational
structure and any wider
network with which the
charity works		 Para 1.51 N/A
Relationship with any
related parties		 Para 1.51 N/A
Other N/A

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name Bristol Autism Support
Other name the charity uses N/A
Registered charity number 1186287
Charity’s principal address Knowle West Media Centre
Leinster Avenue
Bristol
BS4 1NL

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11		 Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole year Name of person (or body) entitled
to appoint trustee (ifany)
Jason Thorne Chair
Jane Walton Secretary
Steve Clift Treasurer
Laura Collins
Caroline Clark Started Feb 21.
Jo Stokes Started Feb 21.
Tammi Clark Started March 21.
Anna Hall Started March 21.
Jaime Breitnauer Feb 2021 - November 2021.
Jade Page Until March 21.
Ingrid Vlam Until June 21.

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name N/A

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name **Dates acted if not for whole year **
N/A

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets
held in this capacity		 N/A
Name and objects of the
charity on whose behalf the
assets are held and how this
falls within the custodian
charity’s objects		 N/A
Details of arrangements for
safe custody and
segregation of such assets
from the charity’s own
assets		 N/A

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of
adviser
Name
Address
N/A
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Kate Laine-Toner

Kate Laine-Toner

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

N/A

Other optional information

Declarations

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

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Joanne Georgina Allen Stokes Full name(s) Jason Paul Thorne Position (eg Secretary, Chair Treasurer Chair, etc) Date 28/06/22

Bristol Autism Support Bristol Autism Support Bristol Autism Support 1186287 1186287 CC16a
For the period
from		 01.12.2020 To 30.11.2021
Section A Receipts and payments
A1 Receipts Unrestricted
funds
to the nearest £
5,189
-
1,256
696
2,186
1,436
2,457
-

13,220
-
-
-
13,220
456
-
2,186 #
2,225
16,476
-
731
-
2,326
24,401
-
-
-
24,401
- 11,180
-
17,398
6,217		 Restricted
funds
to the nearest £
-
-
-
-
13,626
-
-
-
13,626
-
-
-
13,626
-
4,686
124
-
2,226
3,855
-
205
-
11,096
-
-
-
11,096
2,530
-
-
2,530		 Endowment
funds
to the nearest £		 Total funds
to the nearest £
5,189
-
1,256
696
15,812
1,436
2,457
-
26,846
-
-
-
26,846
456
4,686
2,310
2,225
18,702
3,855
731
205
2,326
35,497
-
-
-
35,497

- 8,650		 Last year
to the nearest £
Donations via electronicpymts 5,189 -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 5,189 2,904
Event Tickets - - 1,566
Cash Donations 1,256 1,256 4,833
Sale of Merchandise 696 696 259
Grants 2,186 15,812 19,806
Other 1,436 1,436 868
Course subscriptions 2,457 2,457 -
- - -
Sub total(Gross income for
AR)
13,220		 26,846 30,236
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
- -
-
-		 -
- - -
Sub total - - -
Total receipts
A3 Payments
- 26,846 30,236

Venue Hire		 456 -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 456 1,996
Office & Storage Unit Rent - 4,686 1,305
Office Expenses 2,186 2,310 2,706
Volunteer Expenses & Training 2,225 2,225 1,586
Freelance Staff 16,476 18,702 2,122
Printing& website costs - 3,855 1,940
General Expenses 731 731 1,033
Insurance - 205 201
Course Costs 2,326 2,326 -
**Sub total ** 24,401 35,497 12,889
A4 Asset and investment
purchases (see table)
, - -
-
-		 -
- -
**Sub total ** - - -
Total payments
Net of receipts/(payments)
A5 Transfers between funds
A6 Cash funds last year end
Cash funds this year end
- 35,497 12,889
- 11,180 2,530 -
- 8,650		 17,347
- - -
-		 - -
17,398 - 17,398 49
6,217 2,530 - 8,747 17,397

CCXX R1 accounts (SS)

30/08/2022

1

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Categories
Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees
B1 Cash funds
B2 Other monetary assets
B4 Assets retained for the
charity’s own use
B5 Liabilities
B3 Investment assets		 Signature
Details
Details
Cash at bank
Details
Details
Total cash funds
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
Details		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
to nearest £
8,911
-
-
-
8,911
-
Agreement Error
Agreement Error
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
asset belongs
Cost (optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
asset belongs
Cost (optional)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
liability relates
Amount due
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Print Name		 Endowment
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
OK
Endowment
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
Current value
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Current value
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
When due
(optional)
Date of
approval

CCXX R2 accounts (SS)

30/08/2022

2

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees/ Charity Name members of Bristol Autism Support

On accounts for the year
ended
Set out on pages		 31 November 2021 Charity no
(if any)		 1186287
1 & 2

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below *) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed: K Kerley

Date: 7[th] August 2022

Name: Katy Kerley

Relevant professional AAT qualification(s) or body (if any):

Address: 45 Pathfield

Torrington

Devon, EX38 7BX

Section B Disclosure

Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).

1

IER

Give here brief details of There are no areas of concern to report any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .

2

IER