OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2023-03-31-accounts

S.A.F.E. ESSEX (SUPPORTING ASPERGER FAMILIES IN ESSEX)

Charity registration number 1188739

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

S.A.F.E. ESSEX (SUPPORTING ASPERGER FAMILIES IN ESSEX)

CONTENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Page
Trustees annual report 1-3
Independent Examiners Report 4
Statement of Financial Accounts 5
Balance Sheet 6
Notes to the financial statements 7-10

S.A.F.E. ESSEX (SUPPORTING ASPERGER FAMILIES IN ESSEX)

TRUSTEE ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Legal and Adminastrative

Charity Number: 1188739

Date of Registration: 24th March 2020

Trustees:

D Norman (Chairman) S Evennett (Secretary T Rennie (Treasurer) K Bancroft P Neale F Potter C P Sorrell N Spalding

Registered Address:

43 Buttercup Way, Southminster, Essex, CM0 7RY

Page 1

S.A.F.E. ESSEX (SUPPORTING ASPERGER FAMILIES IN ESSEX)

TRUSTEE ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

SAFE Annual Review of Activities

SAFE provides support for individuals with Asperger Syndrome (AS) or families with a member with AS throughout the County of Essex including the Unitary Boroughs of Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock.

Membership:

The SAFE membership stood at 84 families representing 93 people with AS. Approximately 72% of those with AS were in the 18+ age group and 35% live in the unitary authorities of Southend-on-Sea or Thurrock.

Members are provided practical, emotional, and information-based support at these regular meetings. Members also enjoy monthly SAFE Newsletters and ad hoc emails specifically geared to pass on relevant items of interest to adults with AS and families.

SAFE advocates for the needs of people with AS both at local and national levels. SAFE has representatives on the local authority Autism Partnership Boards in Essex and Unitary Authorities. Monthly newsletters are produced for its members with vital information about its activities and other services on offer for our community group.

Ongoing activities and projects:

SAFE STUFF continues to meet fortnightly with activities around the county. The core group is consistent, with a total of 112 children attending ranging in age from 9 – 15 years old, with the older participants, having been members of SAFE STUFF for many years. They continue to enjoy being part of SAFE STUFF and on occasions, siblings also attend activities as a family, strengthening bonds and to share experiences. There have been few new members joining during the year. One new attendee travelled from Hertfordshire/Essex border as they have not found any similar support nearer home.

A total of 106 parents attended during the past year and with their children and stay in touch via a WhatsApp group to offer each other support and advice. Activities during the past year included:

•Christmas Coffee & Cake, Music making at Time & pace

During the colder months we focused on indoor activities, visiting local museums, board game cafes, and hiring spaces for creative activities. Going outdoors is always a popular option. Canoeing, an activity requested by a long-term member using his Achievement Award from the Jack Petchey Foundation, was extremely popular. It was an activity that challenged everyone, which highlighted personal and team skills that had not been evident before. The courage displayed to get onto and remain on the water, as well as switch seats while still afloat was a huge achievement. It was a great session and one that will be repeated.

Some memorable quotes from the outings included: •Lovely day out on the boat, we really enjoyed it.

We are grateful to Lyann Kennedy for leading SAFE STUFF for the past three years. She has given notice that 2023-24 will be her final year and SAFE will recruit a new Co-ordinator to take over in the new year.

The SAFE Youth Club has functioned with reasonable attendance during 2022/23. A weekend away at Skreens Park was held successfully in June 2022.

Page 2

S.A.F.E. ESSEX (SUPPORTING ASPERGER FAMILIES IN ESSEX)

TRUSTEE ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

The Alpha Sigma Delta (ASD) group supports autistic girls from Yr 6 up to 18 years and enables them and their parents to come together on a regular basis to make friends and form lasting relationships in a safe and friendly environment. All of the girls have social and communication difficulties and find the group invaluable in helping them develop these skills whilst parents meet others in a similar situation to share advice and peer support. The group meets in person twice a month in Battlesbridge and also via Zoom.

In the same way as the ASD group, the SAFE SPA (Social Participation for Adults) group met virtually on a weekly basis via Zoom with a core number of adults attending every session. A small but regular group meet in person twice a month in Southend.

The SAFE Women’s Group also met weekly via Zoom and in person once a month in either Battlesbridge or Southend.

SAFE’s regular support group meetings for parents of children and for parents and adult members aged 18+ with Asperger Syndrome (ASAP – Asperger Syndrome Adults & Parents was relaunched with monthly meetings at the Chapter House in Chelmsford. One of ASAP’s Members Edgar Marchall has been instrumental in organising the relaunch and keeping in touch with members via a WhatsApp group.

SAFE 18+ was introduced as a social event for young adults wishing to meet monthly at an exclusiveuse venue in Southend. Card games, chatting or just relaxing with a drink, members had an opportunity to meet others within SAFE and in the wider autistic community.

SAFE’s Hub Clubs based in Southend and South Woodham Ferrers, which are aimed at young people with AS/HFA that attend mainstream secondary school, were not able to meet during this period due to Covid restrictions. Attempts were made to run the groups virtually via Zoom but uptake was extremely poor due to participants not wishing to be seen on camera or to view others in this way.

Website and advocacy

SAFE’s presence on Facebook continues and it continues to post details and articles concerning autism without a learning disability; there are now 1.4k people regularly ‘following’ the SAFE Facebook page.

Fundraising

The Trustees would like to thank our volunteers who have helped to run our activities and, also our generous donors, charitable bodies and corporate organisation who have given us the resources to enable us to provide the activities for our members. Funders during the past year include:

Essex Community Foundation The Interchurch Caring Trust Southend Community Investment Board Leigh Lions Community 360 EALC Micro Grant – Community Chest Fund Tesco Community Grant Provide Hamptons Masons National Lottery Community Fund Sir Alistair & Patricia Stewart Fund

Future Development

During 2022/23, SAFE Executive continued to function, eventually seeing activities re-established following the difficulties of Covid. We possess the key skills to provide good governance practices. One particular activity we have been able to re-introduce is an ASAP group meeting in Chelmsford.

During the year, members of the Executive took on board comments from members about possibly changing the name of our charity from SUPPORTING ASPERGER FAMILIES IN ESSEX to SAFE ESSEX, to reflect the fact that diagnoses of Aspergers Syndrome are no longer being made. It will enable us to retain out recognizable identity, but with the inference that the A in SAFE stands for Autism. The decision will be offered to members to make at our AGM.

SAFE has returned to offering face to face support meetings and social activities for members and the Executive will review whether there is unmet need for members and seek funding to initiate or continue activities and advocate for the needs of people with AS.

Tim Rennie

Page 3

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the Irusteesl members of S.A.F.E. ESSEX (SUPPORTING ASPERGER FAMILIES IN ESSEX) On accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023 Charlty no lif any) 1188739 Set out on pages I report to the truslees on my examination of the accounts ofthe above charity for the year ended 3110312023. Responsibilities and As the charty trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report accounts in accordan￿ with the requirements of the Charrties Act 2011 ("the Act.). I report in respect of my examination of the charity'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 seclion 145(5){b) of the Act. I have Gompleted my examination. l confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent oxaminer's ststsment 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: Date: 2910112024 Name: David Robb Relevant professional qualificationls) or body (if any): Associate of the Chartered Governan￿ Institute Affiliate member Association of Charity Independent Examiners Address". 33 Clatterfield Gardens Westcliff on Sea SSO OAU IER Page 4

S.A.F.E. ESSEX (SUPPORTING ASPERGER FAMILIES IN ESSEX)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Notes
Incoming resources
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
3
Total incoming resources
Resources expended
Charitable activities
4
Expenditure on raising funds
5
Total resources expended
Net incoming (outgoing) resources
Transfer between funds
Net movement in funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
Restricted
Funds
£
2023
Total
£
1,273
-
1,273
2,180
41,051
43,231
3,453
41,051
44,504
3,490
32,456
35,946
1,547
-
1,547
5,037
32,456
37,493
(1,584)
8,595
7,011
-
-
-
(1,584)
8,595
7,011
17,984
4,458
22,442
16,400
13,053
29,453

Notes on pages 6 to 9 form an integral part of these financial statements.

Page 5

S.A.F.E. ESSEX (SUPPORTING ASPERGER FAMILIES IN ESSEX)

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2023

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
6
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year
Net current assets/(liabilities)
Net assets
Funds of the charity
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Total funds		 2023
£
386
29,067
-
29,453
29,453
13,053
16,400
29,453

Approved by the trustees on 15/11/2023 and signed on their behalf by:

Tim Rennie Trustee

Page 6

S.A.F.E. ESSEX (SUPPORTING ASPERGER FAMILIES IN ESSEX)

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1.1 Basis of the preparation of the accounts

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement on Recommended Practise applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2011.

S.A.F.E. Essex (Supporting Asperger Families in Essex) constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

Cash Flow

The financial statements do not include a cash flow statement because the charity, as a small reporting entity, is exempt from the requirement to prepare such a statement under Financial Reporting Standard 1 "Cash flow statements".

1.2 Income recognition

All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either; the charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor(s) to the Trust that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the charity has been notified of the executor's intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the charity, or the charity is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is treated as a continqent asset and disclosed as material.

Donated services or facilities are recognised when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use of the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the general volunteer time of the Friends is not recognised and refer to the Trustees' Annual Report for more information about their contribution.

On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain these services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

Income tax recoverable in relation to investment income is recognised at the time the investment income is receivable.

Page 7

S.A.F.E. ESSEX (SUPPORTING ASPERGER FAMILIES IN ESSEX)

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1.3 Expenditure recognition

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity.

1.4 Depreciation

Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected life as follows:

Equipment -11 years

1.5 Fund accounting

Funds held by the charity are:

Unrestricted general funds:

These are funds which can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the Trustees.

Restricted funds:

These are funds that can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the Charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

1.6 Merger

S.A.F.E Essex (Supporting Asperger Families in Essex) registed as a CIO in March 2020. In April 2020 the charity merged with S.A.F.E Essex (Supporting Asperger Families in Essex), charity number 1095075, in which month the operations, assets and liabilities of £10,882 were transferred to the Charity with no consideration paid. The assets and liabilities were included in incoming resources at their fair values at date of transfer. There has been no material fair value adjustments from book value.

2. Donations and legacies

Donations Grants

Unrestricted Restricted 2023
£ £ £
1,273 - 1,273
- - -
1,273 - 1,273

Page 8

S.A.F.E. ESSEX (SUPPORTING ASPERGER FAMILIES IN ESSEX)

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Charitable activities
Membership fees
Grants
Costs of charitable activities
ASAP
SAFE SPA
Safe Womens Group
Spouses Group
SAFE STUFF (Activities)
SAFE STUFF (Facilitator Costs)
SAFE STUFF PLUS
Girls and Parents Group (ASD)
Hub Club 2 C
Face to Face
Achievement Awards
Advocacy
Admin (Ins., Post, Tel.)
Trustees/ Committee Expenditure
Volunteer Education & Training
Development
Misc. Expenses
Depreciation
Governance costs:
Audit and accountancy
Expenditure on raising funds
Fundraising costs		 Unrestricted
Restricted
2023
£
£
£
2,180
-
2,180
41,051
41,051
2,180
41,051
43,231
Unrestricted
Restricted
2023
£
£
£
-
1,241
1,241
-
2,940
2,940
-
4,543
4,543
-
196
196
-
3,420
3,420
-
261
261
-
1,399
1,399
-
4,465
4,465
-
4,021
4,021
-
8,733
8,733
-
1,237
1,237
1,312
-
1,312
772
-
772
435
-
435
588
-
588
-
-
-
286
-
286
97
-
97
3,490
32,456
35,946
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,490
32,456
35,946
Unrestricted
Restricted
2023
£
£
£
1,547
-
1,547
1,547
-
1,547

Page 9

S.A.F.E. ESSEX (SUPPORTING ASPERGER FAMILIES IN ESSEX)

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

6. Tangible fixed assets

Cost

As at 1st April 2022 Additions

As at 31st March 2023

Depreciation

As at 1st April 2022 Charge for the year As at 31st March 2023

Net book value As at 31st March 2023

As at 31st March 2022

Equipment

£ 1,350 - 1,350 867 97 964 386 483

7. Fund analysis

Restricted funds
SAFE SPA
SAFE STUFF (Activities) Costs
Girls and Parents Group (ASD)
Hub Club 1 S
Hub Club 2 C
Safe Stuff Plus (SAFE South)
Safe Women's Group
Face to Face
ASAP
Spouses Group
Andrea - Southend Work
Achievement Awards
Unallocated
Total Restricted Funds
Unrestricted Funds
Total Funds		 Balance as at Income
Expenditure
Transfers Balance as at
01/04/2022
31/03/2023
£
£
£
£
£
1,167
-
(2,940)
1,773
-
-
(3,681)
3,681
-
-
6,495
(4,465)
-
2,030
-
1,600
(1,789)
189
-
-
-
(2,232)
2,232
-
-
-
(1,399)
1,399
-
-
451
(4,543)
4,092
-
-
375
(8,733)
8,358
-
114
5,184
(1,241)
-
4,057
-
-
(196)
196
-
1,161
17,656
-
(16,840)
1,977
2,016
3,000
(1,237)
3,779
6,290
-
(5,080)
1,210
4,458
41,051
(32,456)
-
13,053
17,984
3,453
(5,037)
-
16,400
22,442
44,504
(37,493)
-
29,453

Page 10