"IF
Trustees Annual
Report 2023-24
11
THE
SPECIAL
IONESS
**2**
## **TABLE OF CONTENTS**
|**TABLE OF CONTENTS**||
|---|---|
|Trustees annual report|3|
|Objectives|3|
|A few highlights of our year:|5|
|Looking Ahead|9|
|FINANCIAL STATEMENTS|10|
|Structure, governance and management|11|
|Statement of Trustees responsibilities|12|
|Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees|13|
|Independent examiner's statement|14|
|Income and Expenditure Account 2023 2024|15|
The Special Lioness Trustees Annual Report 2023-24
Registered Charity Number 1187356
**3**
## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT**
The Trustees present their report along with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies and comply with the Charity's Constitution and applicable law.
## Objectives
Vision Our vision is a world where all families that have disabled and life limited children have the support that they need, at the time that they need it.
Purpose Our purpose is to help families with disabled children to get the support, information and knowledge that they need to give their children a full and happy childhood.
Mission The Special Lioness uses its expertise and knowledge to ensure families are getting
the support they need at the time that they need it. We work in a variety of ways to empower the whole family to take control of their future to ensure that they reach their full potential. We do this by providing:
Activities We provide a variety of activities in order to develop relationships and provide essential social opportunities
Safe spaces Where families can come and be themselves and receive support, advice, comfort and strength in a non-judgemental atmosphere with likeminded parents and carers
Values Reaching families one by one – We recognise the importance and uniqueness of every individual family and the life changing difference which we can make
Available to all Every family that has a child with additional needs, disabilities and/or life limiting conditions are welcome; Integrity is the heart of our service – We create a place
The Special Lioness Trustees Annual Report 2023-24
Registered Charity Number 1187356
**4**
of trust and safety where people can grow in a safe and secure environment; Never boring – We always have a sense of fun, excitement and adventure in all that we do.
Although we started in Sunderland we continue to provide services to the local area and beyond, reaching as far as Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh, covering a wide area of the North of England.
Our priorities have altered due to what our families have said they need and by following the current economic difficulties our families face, these can be broadly classified as Support - Training - Play Groups - Family Support – Accessible Events and Parties - Education Support - Emergency Essentials including food and warm accessories.
During 2023-2024 we have provided an extensive lost of events and activities, and we are proud to have secured many supporters and funders to allow us to offer these experiences to over 800 families across our region. An example of these are:
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Activity Sponsor / Funder
Easter Bubble Fun Community Foundation – South Sharpley
Wind Farm
Family Black Tie Ball BGL Insurance
WetWheels Adapted Catamaran – Sensory on SpaceHive & National Lottery community
the North Sea Foundation
SEND Playgroup Great North Run fundraising
SEND Stars Stay & Play Afterschool Club Great North Run fundraising
Parent/Carer Coffee Mornings LS Care LTD
Surf With Santa Community Foundation – South Sharpley
Wind Farm
Summer Party Anonymous Sponsor
Emergency Services Day Community Foundation – South Sharpley
Wind Farm
Toy are Back in Town – Theatre Show Community Foundation – South Sharpley
Wind Farm
Moonbeam Theatre – Fully Immersive Sensory WellBank Foundation
Show
Halloween Party with The Addams Family Community Chest Sunderland East
Pre-School Sensory Group Together for Children
**----- End of picture text -----**
The Special Lioness Trustees Annual Report 2023-24
Registered Charity Number 1187356
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**----- Start of picture text -----**
Toys are Back For Christmas – Theatre Anonymous Sponsor
Pantomime
Santa Comes to Tea Community Foundation – Mackem Money
Tynemouth Aquarium – Family Day out Great North Swim
Mother’s Day Lunch – Parents & Carers Together for Children
SENDtastic Saturday – Stay and Play Group Anonymous
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **A few highlights of our year:**
## Easter Bubble Fun
Children, siblings and friends enjoyed an afternoon earning and exploring the art of a bubble-ologist from making their own bubbles to making bubble hats, smelling the fragrant soap mix to exploring the equipment.
Emergency Services Day Our Emergency Services Day was held at North East Land Sea and Air Museum, we had services from Northumbria Police community and dog unit, Tyne & Wear Fire Service with and active engine and the education department to give families a lesson on fire with a jaw dropping example of a chip pan fire. Families had open access to the museum to explore all the museum had to offer, from jet planes to military trucks and much, much more.
The Special Lioness Trustees Annual Report 2023-24
Registered Charity Number 1187356
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Pre-School Sensory Group
Our Pre-School Sensory Group aims to reach families in the early days of diagnosis to give families a safe a stimulating group to attend. Where parents and carers can gain much need support, advise, signposting and children can start to build social circles and along with their parents and carers learn, grow and celebrate their milestones no matter how big or small that may be.
We are very proud to work alongside Together for Children to provide this much needed and vital service for young children and their families.
WetWheels Sensory on the North Sea
Our annual WetWheels trips, carried out from Amble and North Shields, whereby we have provided 300 little Captains the trip of a life-
time on board the WetWheels Catamaran this year, which is a 328% increase in places provided and funded by our crowd funding with SpaceHive.
The Special Lioness Trustees Annual Report 2023-24
Registered Charity Number 1187356
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Toys are Back for Christmas – Theatre Show
For Christmas we brought our families a fully accessible and inclusive Christmas show, with music, songs and dancing for all to enjoy. All designed and performed specifically for our children to engage with, all performed at a reduced volume level to enable the children with sensory needs to manage. During the show the children were able to enjoy the show in any way they felt comfortable, whether they needed to walk around sit on the floor, we provided soft matted sitting area at the front along with space for children and family members to dance. A high percentage of children with additional needs struggle to sit through a theatre show, or the environment is just too stimulating. With our adapted performances we aim to enable and encourage children to enjoy what most of us take for granted, but in a way, they can manage and a way they can enjoy the experience with siblings, family and friends.
## Moonbeam
We were very proud to be the first community provider in the North East to host a specialist performance by Moonbeam Theatre. Moonbeam design and perform shows specifically for children with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD), the most medically fragile and vulnerable children. These specific children require up close intensive interaction and highly stimulating activities, which requires highly skilled performers with bespoke equipment and resources. We were thrilled to be able to host 3 sessions over 1 day, giving 36 PMLD children and their parents/carers this opportunity as possible. The interaction, smiles and responses from these families was heart-warming and incredible, to be able to give these families this unique opportunity to make special memories was an honour. Moonbeam
.
The Special Lioness Trustees Annual Report 2023-24
Registered Charity Number 1187356
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Santa Grotto
A fantastic accessible and inclusive family Christmas Event and visit from Santa, for 50 children With Gifts provided by Build a Bear Foundation and the event funded by Community Foundation.
A Royal Celebration – Black Tie Ball
This event holds a special place in our hearts at The Special Lioness. Our goal is to bring families together to create cherished memories. More importantly, we want children with life-limiting conditions to experience the moments we often take for granted. Sadly, they might not get to enjoy milestones like prom, graduation, or marriage, so we aim to encapsulate all that magic into one extraordinary event.
Boys arrived in their suits and tuxedos, and girls in their ball gowns and tiaras, accompanied by their families and friends. They all had the opportunity to enjoy a grand celebration with live music, entertainment, and a very special parent/carer and child first dance.
This year's theme aligned with the Coronation of King Charles III, offering an experience truly fit for royalty.
The Special Lioness Trustees Annual Report 2023-24
Registered Charity Number 1187356
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## **Looking Ahead**
Our priorities going forward are to continue to be a lifeline and source of support and resources to our current families but to grow our reach further to support as many families as possible and help to create special memories with those special families.
Our focus for 2024-25 is to create our very own sensory room. We have secured new premises to relocate our office together with having our own private facilities, designed by ourselves in collaboration with some very skilled craftsmen. Its an exciting time ahead, and we are ready to launch our new sensory room; The Roaring Rainforest, on 1[st] April 2024. We have exciting plans ahead for growth, development and opportunities.
The Special Lioness Trustees Annual Report 2023-24
Registered Charity Number 1187356
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## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
For the period 1[st] April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024
The Trustees for The Special Lioness, are pleased to present their financial statements of the charity for the period 1[st] April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024
1. Reference and Administrative details of the Charity, its trustees and advisors.
Charity Name The Special Lioness Registered Charity No. 1187356 Registered Office and Operational address Unit 1QA North Sands Business Centre Sunderland SR6 0QA Trustees Claire Stewart Chair Sarah Anne Hendricks Justine Miller Amy Howes Independent Examiner Julie Maxwell 11 Edith Street Jarrow NE32 5HS Bankers Lloyds Bank PO Box 1000 BX1 1LT
The Special Lioness Trustees Annual Report 2023-24
Registered Charity Number 1187356
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## **Structure, governance and management**
Governing documents
The organisation is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO), registered on the 14[th] January 2020.
## Appointment of Trustees
Trustees are appointed by existing trustees.
## 2. Financial Review
The total income for the year was £64,639. This income is allocated across respective funds on the accruals account. The net income across all funds is £64,639
The statement of assets and liabilities as at 31[st] March 2024 shows total funds carried forward of £19,404 comprising of £1964 unrestricted funds, £17441 Restricted Funds.
## 3. Public Benefit Statement
The trustees have referred to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity's objectives and planning its future activities. The annual report will aim to demonstrate the link between our charitable activity and how this benefits our service
users
## 4. Objectives and activities
## Objectives
THE OBJECTS OF THE CIO ARE TO RELIEVE THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND DISABILITIES BASED IN THE NORTH EAST OF ENGLAND AND THEIR PARENTS AND CARERS BY PROVIDING WEEKLY SUPPORT GROUPS AND HOLIDAY PLAY GROUPS FOR SOCIAL INTERACTION AND COMMUNICATION. 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].
The Special Lioness Trustees Annual Report 2023-24
Registered Charity Number 1187356
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## Activities
The CIO provides a variety of activities in order to develop relationships and provide essential social opportunities. Safe Spaces where families can come and be themselves and receive support, advice and comfort and strength through non-judgmental atmosphere with likeminded parents and carers.
## **Statement of Trustees responsibilities**
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Annual Report and the Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently.
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
- state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements.
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity. 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 on: and are signed on their behalf by: Claire Stewart – Trustee
Signature
On
The Special Lioness Trustees Annual Report 2023-24
Registered Charity Number 1187356
**13**
## **Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees**
I report on the financial statements of The Special Lioness for the period 1[st] April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024, which are set out on pages 15 to 19.
## 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 the 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:
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act,
- 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
- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## Basis of independent examiner's statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with 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 the 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.
The Special Lioness Trustees Annual Report 2023-24
Registered Charity Number 1187356
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## **Independent examiner's statement**
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
- (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the
- requirements:
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act ;
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act,
have not been met; or
- (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Julie Maxwell MICB
Date: 12/12/2024
The Special Lioness Trustees Annual Report 2023-24
Registered Charity Number 1187356
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## **INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT 2023 2024**
**Income Unrestricted Restricted Total 2024 Total 2023** £ £ £ £
|**Grants**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|National Lottery||5,450|5,450|2,315|
|Community Foundation – Moonbeam||2,000|2,000|0|
|Sunderland City Council|||0|7,827|
|BISL|||0|10,000|
|Durham Com Wind Farm Grant|||0|4,330|
|Spice Hive Ltd|||0|5,214|
|Freemasons & SJP Foundation||13,300|13,300||
|Community Foundation - Mackem
Money||1,913|1,913||
|Foyle Foundation||7,000|7,000||
|Together for Children||2,940|2,940||
|Well bank Foundation||1,500|1,500||
|Other unrestricted Grants|11,600||11,600||
|**_From Charitable Activities_**|**_11,600_**|**_34,103_**|**_45,703_**|27,431|
|Other Income|18,936||18,936|288|
|**Total Income**|**30,536**|**34,103**|**64,639**|**57,405**|
|**Expenditure**|||||
|Play Group Materials|1,687|2,821|4,509|115|
|Marketing and Advertising||492|492|4,548|
|Activities|5,844|16,144|21,987|1,256|
|Subscriptions|156|1,045|1,200|12,987|
|Events / Competition|287|450|737|1,019|
|Training||214|214|661|
|Gifts|93|175|268|0|
|Office Equipment and Furniture|8,796|791|9,586|0|
|Office Supplies / Rent|1,542|361|1,903|2,399|
|Travel and Expenses|12,014|445|12,459|4,959|
|Fundraising Expenses|4,020|999|5,019|4,592|
|Sundry Expenses|247|118|366|5,440|
|Hospitality|1,051|365|1,416|169|
|Utilities|4,666|6,325|10,992|911|
|Contracts||150|150|0|
|Accounts|||0|0|
|Depreciation|||0|150|
||||0|0|
|**Total Expenditure**|**40,403**|**30,894**|**71,297**|**39,206**|
|Surplus/(deficit) for year|-9,867|3,209|-6,658|18,199|
|Adjustments|-133|133|0|0|
|Opening Reserves|11,963|14,099|26,062|6,863|
|Closing Reserves|1,963|17,441|19,404|25,062|
The Special Lioness Trustees Annual Report 2023-24
Registered Charity Number 1187356
**16**
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of 31[st] March 2024
|**ASSETS**
Fixed Assets
Office equipment and IT
Office equipment and IT
(depreciation)
**Current Assets**
Trade Debtors
Lloyds Bank
Cash
**LIABILITIES**
**Current Liabilities**
Trade Creditors
**EQUITY**|£4,278
-£150|**2024**
£4,128
£15,528
£19,656
£250
£250
£19,404
£1,964
£17,441
£19,404|**2023**
£4,278
£21,934|
|---|---|---|---|
||Total Fixed Assets
£739
£14,789|||
||Total Current Assets
TOTAL ASSETS
£250||£21,934|
||||£26,212|
||Total Current Liabilities
TOTAL LIABILITIES
TOTAL NET ASSETS
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
TOTAL EQUITY||£150
£150|
||||£26,062
£11,963
£14,099
£26,062|
Signed on their behalf by:
Amy Howes – Trustee
Signature: On:
The Special Lioness Trustees Annual Report 2023-24
Registered Charity Number 1187356
**17**
## 1. Basis of Accounting
The accounts have been prepared using the accruals method. An audit is not required by the Charity's constitution and has not been requested by the Trustees.
## 2. Grants
The following funding was received during the period:
|The following funding was received during|the period:|||
|---|---|---|---|
|**Grants**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Total 2024**|
|National Lottery - Community Fund|||£0|
|Community Foundation – Moonbeam||2,000|£2,000|
|Sunderland City Council|||£0|
|BISL|||£0|
|Durham Com Wind Farm Grant|||£0|
|Spice Hive Ltd|||£0|
|Freemasons||13,300|£13,300|
|Community Foundation - Mackem Money||1,913|£1,913|
|Foyle Foundation||7,000|£7,000|
|Together for Children||2,940|£2,940|
|Well bank Foundation||1,500|£1,500|
|Wet Wheels Grant||5,450|£5,450|
|Other unrestricted Grants(National Lottery)|11,600||£11,600|
|Total|**11,600**|**34,103**|**45,703**|
## 3. Trustee Expenses
## 4. Guarantee
There have been no guarantees given by The Special Lioness at 31[st] March 2023.
## 5. Debt
There is no debt outstanding which is owed by The Special Lioness and which is secured by an excess charge on any of the assets of The Special Lioness at 31[st] March 2024
## 6. Governing Document
The organisation is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation - Foundation registered on 14[th] January 2020 as a body corporate under part 11 of the Charities Act 2011.
The Special Lioness Trustees Annual Report 2023-24
Registered Charity Number 1187356
**18**
## 7. Going Concern
We have big plans for the coming year and we have proven that we can adapt to the current climate and listen to what our families need and are seeking support with and we endeavour to be the support they desperately need. Our brand new bespoke sensory room to be launched next year is securing our place within the local community and giving our beneficiaries a place to call home and giving them daily access to our support services and skills. We are excited to share our plans and look forward to continued growth.
## 8. Risks
The trustees have examined the major risks which the charity faces in relation to external factors, governance and management, internal operations and business. The trustees have considered the likelihood and the impact of risks, and continually review the systems in place to reduce those risks. The systems are being designed to provide reasonable assurance against material loss.
## 9. Depreciation
Depreciation has been calculated as a flat line based on 33.3%
The Special Lioness Trustees Annual Report 2023-24
Registered Charity Number 1187356
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## 10. Movement of Major Funds
||**2023**||||**2024**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Fund**||||**Fund**|
||**Balances**|**Receipts**|**Payments**|**Adjustments**|**balances**|
||**b/fwd**||||**C/fwd**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|**Restricted Funds**||||||
|Community Foundation|0|3,913|**1,909**||2,004|
|County Durham Wind
Farm|1,938||**3,551**||-1,613|
|BISL|8,809||**8,731**||78|
|FOYLE||7,000|**5,717**||1,283|
|Freemasons||13,300|**1,644**||11,656|
|Together for Children||2,940|**3,129**||-189|
|Well bank Foundation||1,500|**1,218**||282|
|National Lottery Grant||5,450|**1,510**||3,940|
|Space hive Ltd|3,352||**3,485**|133|0|
|**_Total_**|**_14,099_**|**_34,103_**|**_30,894_**|**_133_**|**_17,441_**|
|**Unrestricted Funds**||||||
|General Funds|11,963|30,536|40,403|-133|1,963|
|**Total Funds**|**26,062**|**64,639**|**71,297**|**0**|**19,404**|
- “There is no stronger mother than the Lioness, until you meet The Special Lioness”
The Special Lioness Trustees Annual Report 2023-24
Registered Charity Number 1187356