Charlty r•Ji*atK¥t rtumbgr 1187356 THE SPECIAL LIONESS ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 THE SPECIAL LIONESS LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Trustees C Ste•Art J Mill P Windram J cthii C ￿1Ver Charrty number 1187&fj6 Prinatd address 4 Baird Close W¥shinglon Tyne & Wear NE37 3F Independent examiner Chjver ACc￿unI1Tr¥J 4 The PaS￿reS c(￿lbY Nthyham TS8 OW THE SPECIAL LIONESS CONTENTS TfLtslees' rewrt IrKlependent examin¥s ret*xt Slatement of finanaal thbes Balance 8h88t Notes to the finanrial ststements 7-12 THE SPECIAL LIONESS TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 The K*esent th￿r annL￿1 rewrt aThl finanrial stat￿￿￿ts for yearend￿l 31 March 2025. Th8 )Inar￿18[ ststements have yppared in acCCrfttan￿ ac(￿ntir￿j policies set out in note 1 to th8 financial statéments and ex)Mp￿ ￿ the charivs goveming do(yJment. the Charibes Act 2011 and 'Accme. with sU￿lUS in the period of £25.072 12024: dthl £6.6581 all of %thith is frorn the Charivs nwm81 operating activ¢ti6s. trustses feel that thoy WO￿ be able to C4JntirnJe oJrr8nt of Ihe cknarsty in Ihe event of a d￿l￿e in grants. Fin8ndal revivw Al the end of the year d*rity h&J reStr1d￿ furKls of £25.466 12024: £17.441) arnl unreslrictad funds of £19.009 {2024: £1,963) ofwlith £16243 {2024.' £nA) are ccwdered as free reserves. The truste&s have estafAished a poficy whweby the unreslricled funds not comrnitted or invesl&l in tangible fLX8d assets (The Free Reserve5l by Ihe fvity sh(yJld represenl 3 n￿1h5 of the resoufces exwded. This has Structum. governan￿ and management Govemlng document The charity is an unincorporated thrity. a)nstitubJ a tnjst deed 14 January 3)20 and is a rggI818red charity. wmbor 1187356. THE SPECIAL LIONESS TRUSTEES. REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 The Irust8&g ￿ sarved durll￿ the yearaThJ up to Iho date d s*3natur8 ofts finanrial stalèmonts ￿r0.. C Stthvart (c￿rI A Howes J Millar P Windram lappoinled 6 March 2025} J Colwill lapwAnt8d 10 April 20251 C Olivor lappoinled 20 June 20251 L Brown lappointthy 25 Septemtw 20251 Rec¥￿tment aThJ awynI￿nt of new trustees The charity 1$ Man￿ed by a Counol oftrLth8s. Tn￿ are elec￿ at the Annual G8neTal Me8b'rrfJ. The trustses. rpportwa5 apwov&l by tha Board of Trustees on 19 Januay 2026. C Stwtsrt Tn5Stee THE SPECIAL LIONESS INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE SPECIAL LIONESS I repK*rt to the Intstees on my exaninalion cl the fin¥wl t*The Sfft Lioness (the charity) for the year ded 31 March 2025. ResFY)nsibilibes arKJ basis of rerxKt As the trustees of thè chanty you are reS￿r￿*￿e for the rry)aratm￿ of finanaal statements in arxx¥rdanc• wdh thg r9quI￿Ments of tho Chartti8sAct 2011 {the 2011 P£¥. I report in resped of my eXa￿natIOn ofthe ctwiW8 fi￿n￿al statements CArried crtrt under sedion 145 of the 2011 Act. In carying out my examinth.on I follovrtl all the aF(AKable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145151(bl of the 2011 Act. IndepeThknt 8xanMnerfs Statement Your attèntion ks drawn lo the fact that the charlty has prpparel financi￿ statem8nts in 8¢uxdance wtih Accounting and Reporting by Charibes preparing their aoxNJnts in &uJthnce with the Fin8rKial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of I￿land IFRS 102) in pr@f8r8n(t to the Accountiro and Rew)rbro by Charities.. Stalgm9nl of Recornmatmled Practica tsswj 1 April 2005 whK* is refe￿￿ lo in Ihe extant regulatiors bLrt has now kèn withd￿wn. l unde¥stand that thls has baen done tn order for finatKaal 51atements to prwde a true aThJ fair wew in acix)rdance vthh General￿A￿ep￿ Accounting Prath"cE effeclive for repJb'ng ￿0dS beg￿niF¥j on or after 1 January 2015. I have compleknj my examinat11￿. l Ihat no matters have oJme to my attent￿ in Comedion th9 èxamination giving ma cau$9 to beligvo that In any matsria resp8Ct accounting reccfts were not kept in res￿[ of the tslty as re￿￿j ty 130 ofthe 2011 ACL or the fin8nfaal ststements do not a¢¢ortl with those re(ffils' or the financial statgThnts th) not comFty wlth the 8wAicable wuirements (yJncemirwJ tho fomi and content of accounts set ¢xrt in the Chartses (Ac£ounts 8nd ReF￿$) RegukatK)n$ 2Th)8 Other than 8ny requirement that the accounts gwe a true and fair View vthich is not a nK4tter c4)nshlered as part of an indeperKlent examinatlon. I have no aTrJ have (x)me ￿rosS no other maltws in Cffinec￿n *ith the examination to which attentfon should ￿ drawn In this repKXt in ￿er lo enal￿e a prorAr understarKlirMJ of the finarrial stsl&ments to ba rèacw. Kathryn Haffield FCCA CloverAccounting 4 The Pastures Coulby Newham TS8 OUJ Dated.. 19 J8nu8ry 2026 THE SPECIAL LIONESS STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Current finanaal year fijnds 2025 funds 2025 2025 2024 and endowments from: Donabons and lag8c￿s Charttable athibes Investments Other income 34.429 106.638 141.rA7 45,703 1,991 21.g91 18.936 Total Intxmne 56.420 1[￿.638 163.058 64.639 ndilurg on." Charitable acbvrb"e8 39.374 98.613 137,986 71297 ustments Net movement in furKIs 17,046 25.072 16.6581 Fund baLancts at 1 2024 17,441 19.4( 26.062 Funtt balanc*s at 31 Marth 2025 19.IX 44.476 19.404 Thg Statèment Offin¥￿*1 ac￿￿￿95 wns and k68es r8cuJniwl in Ihe ￿r. All Inctmtr arml expe￿lituTe derfve from ￿￿tinUIr￿j tht*s. THE SPECIAL LIONESS STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED) INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE Y&4R ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Prior firsancial year Unrestricled Restncted ds funds 2024 2024 Tolal 2024 Donations and legacies ch8ri13b￿ a¢bvitEs Investments Other income 11.6CKI 34.103 45,703 18,936 18.936 Total income 34,1CG 64.839 Charitsble activrbes 40,403 30.894 71.297 Adjustsn9nts 11331 133 Net nTh)vement in fLfKJs {10.Om} 3,342 (6,6581 Fund balances at 1 April 2023 11, 14.099 26.062 Fund balances at 31 March 2024 17.441 19.404 THE SPECIAL LIONESS BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2024 2(r25 2024 FExèd assots Tangible assets 4.278 2.7 4.278 Curtsnt assets DeblL¥S Cash at bank 8n(J ￿ hBnd 10 739 14,789 42.810 42.810 15.528 Creditor5'. amounts fallitvJ due *ithin one year 11 {1.1(ffj) I2￿) Ng1 current assets 41.710 15.278 Totsl assets K8ss (>Jrrent lialylibes 44.476 19.404 Income fvnds Restncted fijr Unrestricted funds- De&gnated funds General unrestri￿8(1 fuThts 14 17,411 19.0(va 19,(Y 44.476 19,404 Tl* financial sl3t8ments wwe aFryO￿l by ts Tnjstees on 19 ￿￿ary 2￿ Trustee THE SPECIAL LIONESS NOTES TO THE FINANCL4L STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Aoxjunting policies Charity information The Speaal Lioness i8 an charity, rngistered char￿/ 1187356. 1.1 Accountr'ng conventk)n The finarK4al slatemenls bw prgpar&J Mi w￿danC￿ Yltth the dwriW5 go￿l￿j dcojmenl. t h e Charitses Act 2011. FRS 102 Yhe FinarKial Repcwt*ig Slandard appli12Ne in the UK and Republic of Ireland. I'FRS 102.1 and the Charities SORP 'ActtJunUng RewbrNJ by Charities.. Statement of Reo)mmended Practiee applicable to chariti￿ prepBnrKJ their ac(x￿nts in accxJrd8nce v*ith the Firkanaal Reporting Standard appluble in the UK and Rewblic of IreLqTrl IFRS 102). leffective 1 January 2019). The chanty is a PLsblic Benefit Entsty as defined by FRS 102. The charity has taken ath¥rt8gè of thè F*0VtsiE￿ in Ihe SORP f(¥ [*al￿e5 not to prepare a Statoment of Cash Flows. The ffirtancaal *lemonts are prapared in stsdirwJ. whbth 15 the of th6 ch81ity. mOr￿tary amounts in thèse finan(x81 s*atements are rounded to the nearest £. Th8 fin8na81 staten*nts have twi prepar￿1 urK18r the hiskKieal cost Ca)n￿￿tI)n. I￿lIfi8d to indude the TeTrrdIuati￿ of freehold propertieg and to indude inv&8knenl properties 8nd eertain financial instruments at fair value. The princ4pal accountiig wlKaes 8doybJ arg sd ¢xrt 1.2 &Jing crmcem At the time of app￿￿ng the IlnarK781 $18tements. the tJustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity adequate Teswrces to wntinue in orffiticthl e￿$tence for the foreSee8￿e futsjre. Thus, the trustees continue to adopl the png C£#K*m LMsi5 of a[X￿uFrtWY in prewiro the financial statements. 1.3 Charitable fun(Is un￿StriCted fijnds arè availabl8 use at the ¢th8cT8li￿ of th& truste8s in fvrth8ranco of th￿r tharilab objectives. Restrthd fiJ￿IS are subject to srAcafrc condittorts by i*)rThs as to how they may be used. Thè wrposes and uses of the restrtcted fvnds are set out in the ￿lIeS to the finanoal statements. 1.4 Sn(x>mg Income is recognised vthen the dwrity is ￿9alty to it after any CorKI￿orts have meL Cash dor¢ations are r8cognised on recapt. th)[￿l¥￿S are reu)gnW once the charSty has Lwn notified of tha donation, unbss perfom*n¢* t￿KIrth)nS require deferral of the arr￿nt. IrKome tsx recoverable in retation to donations re￿Ived under GiftAid or deeds of o)venanl is r￿nIs9￿ at the time of the d(￿ation. Lggeclos ar8 rac03n￿ed (M I8￿p* cw Other5￿ rfthe ￿Tty hes bew) of an irwding d1slritwl￿￿, th6 amunt is known, and racsipt 15 exp•tsJ. If tho amoLtnt 1$ I￿t known. ts legacy L8 troated as ¢ontingent asset THE SPECIAL LIONESS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Account1￿j wllc (Contlnuedl 1.5 Exwndtiu Expendiknre is reD)gnised once there is a lega or LY*tstnJcti¥è (i4rg8ti￿ to transfer ery)rKxniG benefit to a third psty. it IA proba￿? a traAsf*r o* trcorKvnic benefits will bg required in setuement. ar￿ the amount of the obligab.on Izn be measure(1 relk8bty. Expenditure is dgssffied by actsvity. The e￿h aclivlty are ma¢Je up of the lotal of costs ar shared costs. induding suprth o)sts In￿l¥ed in undertaknng eath ac*vity. Direct costs attributable lo a singlg athvity are allocgleAI direcuy lo that acbvity. Shared costs which contribute to morè than on8 actNity and suptth eosts bvhith ara not attrityJt8ble to a 8ir*J￿ athty are a[wtion￿ belween those aclivtbes on 8 b8Sb8 o)nsistent the Ltse of rtssL￿￿. Central staff costs a￿ allc*2ted on the basis of ttme spènt, 8ThY depreaation charges are aH¢xated ￿ the IK¥￿ oflthe assevs ￿. 1.6 Tangible assets TanglI￿e fwj a5sgts are inibally meaSU￿d at ￿}St subs￿￿ m9asur•J * (Tht or valuatlon, net of daprèci8b.on and any impaamwit kjsses. Depre(aation 15 re(yyJnised so as to WTile off the (x*t ￿VaUatW)n ofasseis less th9ir resh*Jal wa￿8$ over their Useful I¢￿ on the follwng bases.. COM[￿ 33% rpduang bal gain or hjss arising the disF*isal of *) asset is dthmiml as th8 (fffter8r￿ bets¥8on the sale proceeds the c8rying valuè ofth8 and is recc*Jnis¢d kn the Statem￿ offin•no81 activthes. 1.7 Impaiwt offixed assets At each repytir4J end d*0. the Lkniiy reviews the caffying anKKJnts of its tangl1￿e assets to determine wh8th8r there Is any indicat￿￿ Ihat assets have suffered an iryairm8nt loss. If any such Indlcation &￿sts. the retyiverabla amount of the a88et i¥ estimabj in order to delènn1￿ the extent of the impaimient loss {rf any)- 1.8 Cash cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents indude in haThJ. d8Frt)srts h8ld at cal wilh banks. otkw slK)rt-tgm liquid invèstsnents wilh original maturtbas of three months or less. and be￿ overdrafts. Bank overdrans are shown within tr¥)rnwings in (yjrrent llatrm1rt￿. THE SPECIAL LIONESS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Donalions and kgac4es Totsl Unre5tri(led Restricled fijnds ftjnds general 2024 nds 2025 2025 2025 2024 Clonauons and gffts Other Chatrtable aGtivits8s Othor trading aCt￿ltieS other trading tivities 2024 Grants 141.067 45,703 141.C67 45,703 Anatysls by fund Unrestricted ftJnds- weral Restrtct8d fur*l$ 34.429 106.638 11,600 34,103 141. 45.703 Included wilhin unrestrk￿l grants £2,5(KJ I￿1ve0 from The TnJsL Charitable acllvldes 2025 2024 ay group m8terials Aclivities Events I c￿M￿titionS FurKlrdi3ing expertse 28.803 21.987 737 5.019 6.691 44,603 32,252 Share of support (th (see rh)te 6) Share of gov*mar￿ {see Th)ta 61 92284 1.11x1 39.044 137,986 71.297 AW1$ by ftTrnd Unrestricted fuTrJ5. g8nw Re￿¢t￿l fvnds 39.374 .613 40.403 30,894 137.988 71,297 THE SPECIAL LIONESS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Support ojsts 2025 &jP[￿ Goveman 2024 MarketirKJ l advertising Subs¢riptions Training 3.318 2.339 674 3.318 2.339 674 492 1.2CK) 214 492 1,200 214 OffirE eouipmenl Office Sup￿leS T￿Ye1 &Jndry e￿nSe Me8ting refreshments Utilitiès Contracas Legal and professh)nal Renovation$ Depreclatlon 1,621 1.621 440 12,793 3,566 2.765 29,723 4.220 1.481 28,989 I,￿)3 12.459 1,903 12.459 12.793 2.765 29.723 4220 381 28.989 1.416 10,992 1.416 10,992 1.1(M) 1S) 150 2.284 1,1 93,384 39,045 39.045 Anawsed ba￿&&n Ch8dtsble activities 1.1Tr] 93.384 39,045 39,IM5 GovemarTh ￿)sIS indth payirthts ftJrthB ind8[*￿1 oxamlrth of£1.1[￿￿ (20W £nil). Tntstses None of the trust￿ lor arby perscrfB ￿￿ne(le(l wilh I1￿m} rethod any renwneralion beneffts from the charity durir8 the year. Taxation The charity is exempt frr)m lax on ir¥>)me arKI gairB faMir•J tmthin se(knn 505 ofthe TaxesAct 1988 or 5¢rtion 252 of the Taxation of CIHrgeai* GairsAct 1992 k> th9 gxlent thaltheso ar8 ap￿8￿ io its ¢haritthe obJ"ects. 10- THE SPECIAL LIONESS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Tan9lble fixed assets CfKfPthter Cost At 1 A￿"[2024 4278 4,278 A 31 March 21r25 4.278 4,278 Dopr&xation Al 1 April 2024 Depreciatknn ctharged in ts ye 15) 1.362 150 1,362 Al 31 March 2025 1,512 1,512 GarryirwJ aFr￿Unt At 31 MarL* 2025 2.766 2,766 A 31 March 2024 4.128 4,128 10 DebtrM3 2025 2024 Amunts f8llir¥J due vAlhin w year. Trade debtors 739 739 11 c￿l[torS.. amounts falllrvj duo vAtrtin ¢￿e year 3)25 2024 Trade ¢xedilors 253 1,100 1.1(Kl 250 11 THE SPECIAL LIONESS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMEfvtrs (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 12 Roslricl￿ funds The income funds of the t*￿rity indude r88t1lct￿ furKts c•ng Iho folo*ing unexF*ndeil balances of donations and giants held on trust for 5peafic Frtwpc MOvem￿t in funds l 2024 31 Marc 2025 Communty FouThlation. Moonbe•m Community Foundation- PMLO County (hjih￿￿ Wlnd Fam 81SL FOYLE Freemasons- Wonka Ball Freemasons. Sensw Expw Together for Children Wow Bank F¢)undati NatIc￿al Lottery Grant 4,71YJ 92Q) (2.W) 13,433) 1,613 178) (1,283) 111.6561 {14.3401 (8,9071 12821 {18.3061 I19.4￿} 11,292) 15001 (1.1￿) (3,3101 (10.(O)I (1.(#J)I 12.3401 12451 (8481 4.700 5.767 (1fi13) 78 11.656 28,998 lo.￿) 14,858 (1891 282 3.940 14,51J) 19.4L)) 132 A8d8 Calherfng Cc The Hgjley Foundatkx) Focus Foundati Reece Foun¢Jalbn Polnl North Slater and Gcydon L Wart￿rtOn￿ 0thor8 3.310 10.fyyj 245 155 16931 17.441 106,638 (98,6131 25,486 13 AnoW8 of r*t 8888ts bots￿) furn T¢Xal Unr8Strfct&J ReslrideAJ funds funds Total fu￿1$ 2025 21r25 2025 2024 2024 2024 FurKI balancas al 31 March aro r8pras6nled by: Tangible assets Curr8nt asset￿(liabilIbos) 2.766 16243 2.766 41.710 4.128 (2.t65) 4,128 15,278 17.441 19.crf)g 44,476 17.441 19,404 14 R&18ted paty trdnsactic There wer8 no dI5dosa￿8 party tra￿A#y￿ duiiry th8 y￿rI2024- nw). 12- Li xi"s ' 4Ni.:&s-' Trustees Annual Report 2024-25 HE SPECIAL IONESS **2** ## **TABLE OF CONTENTS** Trustees annual report ____________________________________________ 3 |Objectives|3| |---|---| |A few highlights of our year:|5| |Looking Ahead|11| 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 2025. 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 society where every family raising a disabled or life-limited child is met with timely, tailored support, whenever they need it, however they need it. Purpose Our purpose is to empower families of disabled and life-limited children with the support, information, and confidence they need to nurture joyful, fulfilling childhoods. Mission Our mission is to stand alongside families of children with disabilities and life limiting conditions, ensuring they receive the right support at the right time. Through our expertise, creativity, and care, we empower whole families to shape their futures with confidence, joy, and resilience. We do this by providing: Activities We provide a variety of activities to enable and 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 in which we can make The Special Lioness Trustees Annual Report 2023-24 Registered Charity Number 1187356 **4** 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 of trust and safety where people can grow in a safe and secure environment, and we endeavour to never be 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 2024-2025 we have provided an extensive list 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
Baby and Toddler SEND Playgroups x35 Together for Children
Special Bonds – Groups for Cared for Families x29 Together for Children
Roaring Rainforest Open Sessions PMLD National Lottery Awards for All
WetWheels – Sensory on the North Sea x 23 Anonymous
Dinosaur Dig Half Term Event Great North Swim
Parent/Carer Coffee Mornings Warburtons (CAF)
Sensory garden Renovation Reece Foundation
SEND Haircuts Saints Barbers
Emergency Services Day The Hedley Foundation
Alice in Wonderland – Stage Show Unrestricted Funds
World Lion Day – Sensory Garden Opening Unrestricted Funds
Pirates & Mermaids Party Great North Run
Moonbeam Theatre – Fully Immersive Sensory Show Community Foundation
Wonka World of Imagination Ball Durham Benevolence & SJP
Foundation
Scarecrow Trail Together for Children
**----- End of picture text -----**
The Special Lioness Trustees Annual Report 2023-24 Registered Charity Number 1187356 **5** **----- Start of picture text -----**
A Very Christmassy Christmas Party Together for Children
Peter Pan Christmas Pantomime Focus Foundation
Santa’s Grotto Poppy’s Light Foundation
Christmas Wreath Making Parents/Carers LS Care LTD
PMLD Open Rainforst Sessions 20weeks 1989 Willan Charitable Trust
Sip & Paint Parent/Carer Wellbeing Anonymous
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **A few highlights of our year:** Special Bonds These groups create safe, joyful spaces where cared for children with additional needs feel seen, celebrated, and included. While their families connect with others who understand their journey, the children build friendships, explore new experiences, and thrive in an environment shaped by empathy and acceptance. These groups nurture not just the caregivers, but the children themselves, boosting confidence, reducing isolation, and helping each child feel part of a wider, loving community that truly understands them. 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 **6** WetWheels Sensory on the North Sea Our annual WetWheels adventures from North Shields gave 300 little Captains the thrill of a lifetime this year. These fully accessible, sensory-rich boat trips aboard the specially adapted WetWheels catamaran allowed children with disabilities and lifelimiting conditions to experience the open sea in a way that’s rarely possible. With the wind in their hair and the chance to take the helm, each child became the captain of their own journey—building confidence, sparking joy, and creating unforgettable memories. For many families, it was their first time on the water together, and the impact was profound: laughter echoed across the waves, barriers were broken, and a deep sense of freedom and inclusion was felt by all. 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, advice, 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. The Special Lioness Trustees Annual Report 2023-24 Registered Charity Number 1187356 **7** Alice in Wonderland – A Summer Theatre Adventure This summer, we invited families into a fully accessible and inclusive world of Alice in Wonderland, a magical theatre experience designed especially for children with additional needs. With gentle lighting, reduced volume, and a relaxed atmosphere, every element of the show was crafted to support sensory comfort and joyful engagement. Children were free to enjoy the performance in whatever way suited them best, whether walking around, sitting on soft mats at the front, or dancing with friends and family in the open space provided. Traditional theatre settings can often be overwhelming or inaccessible for many children, but our adapted performances open the door to wonder, laughter, and shared memories. We believe every child deserves the chance to experience the magic of live theatre—on their own terms and surrounded by those who love them. The Special Lioness Trustees Annual Report 2023-24 Registered Charity Number 1187356 **8** ## 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. The Special Lioness Trustees Annual Report 2023-24 Registered Charity Number 1187356 **9** ## Santa Grotto This year, 72 children and their families stepped into a truly magical and fully inclusive Santa’s Grotto, thoughtfully designed for children with disabilities and life-limiting conditions. Every detail was tailored to ensure comfort, joy, and accessibility, from the calm, sensory and considerate environment to the carefully chosen gifts that reflected each child’s individual needs and interests. At the heart of it all was Santa himself, whose warmth, patience, and gentle adaptability made every visit unforgettable. Whether using Makaton, taking extra time, or adjusting his tone and pace, Santa met each child exactly where they were, creating moments of wonder, connection, and pure festive joy for the whole family. The Special Lioness Trustees Annual Report 2023-24 Registered Charity Number 1187356 **10** A Royal Celebration – Black Tie Ball Families were welcomed into a dazzling Wonka World of Imagination, a fully inclusive ball bursting with colour, creativity, and joy. From candy-striped corridors to golden ticket surprises, every corner of the venue was transformed into a sensory-friendly wonderland designed for children with disabilities and life-limiting conditions. But this wasn’t just an event for the children, it was a celebration for the whole family. Parents, siblings, carers, and loved ones danced together, laughed together, and made memories that will last a lifetime. With soft matted areas, accessible spaces, and a relaxed atmosphere, everyone could join in the fun in their own way. The magic was tangible: shared smiles, spontaneous hugs, and moments of pure delight reminded us all that joy is most powerful when it’s shared. We are incredibly grateful to the Durham Benevolence Fund and the SJP Foundation for helping us bring our Wonka World of Imagination Family Ball to life, a joyful, inclusive celebration filled with unforgettable memories. The Special Lioness Trustees Annual Report 2023-24 Registered Charity Number 1187356 **11** ## **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. With the successful completion of our Roaring Rainforest sensory space, we’re now excited to explore the next phase of development. In the near future, we hope to expand further by creating additional sensory rich environments that spark imagination, comfort, and connection. One of our key ambitions is to introduce a dedicated music therapy and exploration space, where children can engage with sound, rhythm, and movement in ways that support emotional expression and communication. As part of this, we’re looking into adaptive technologies such as Soundbeam, an innovative system that uses motion sensors to translate physical movement into music. This allows children of all abilities, including those with limited mobility or verbal communication, to create and interact with sound in a deeply empowering and joyful way. Our goal is to build spaces where every child can explore, express, and connect on their own terms, and always with their family by their side. “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